The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 23, 2005
Filed:
May. 15, 2002
Burton H. Sage, Vista, CA (US);
Brian E. Catanzaro, San Diego, CA (US);
Burton H. Sage, Vista, CA (US);
Brian E. Catanzaro, San Diego, CA (US);
Tearafuse, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for measuring the flow of a liquid along a conduit are disclosed. A heat source applies thermal energy to a portion of a liquid flowing along a conduit thereby elevating its temperature. An optical sensing means comprising a light source illuminating the liquid in the conduit downstream from the position of application of the thermal energy and an optical detector receiving a portion of this illumination senses the heated portion of liquid by measures a change in an optical property of the illumination caused by a change in the index of refraction of the heated portion of liquid. The time required for the heated portion of the liquid to move from the point of application of thermal energy to the point of optical sensing is measured. This measured time, along with the distance of separation of the heat source and the optical sensing means permits calculation of the velocity of the liquid in the conduit.