Open channel flowmeter utilizing surface velocity and lookdown level devices
DC
First Claim
1. A method for measuring the velocity of fluid flowing through a pipe without invading the fluid, comprising the steps of(a) generating an energy signal in the form of a first beam from a source above the fluid surface;
- (b) directing said first beam at an acute angle toward a given area of the fluid surface across the pipe;
(c) detecting a beam reflected from the fluid surface;
(d) determining from the directed and reflected beams the Doppler frequency shift therebetween to produce a surface velocity signal representative of the velocity of scatterers on the fluid surface; and
(e) modifying said surface velocity signal with a modifier in accordance with said given area of the fluid surface being detected to produce a mean velocity signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flowmeter utilizing velocity at the surface of a fluid and lookdown level sensors is mounted within a manhole without requiring entry into the manhole by the installer. The velocity and level sensors generate first and second energy signal beams which are directed toward the same vicinity of the fluid surface which reflects the beams back to the sensors surface velocity signal representative of the velocity of scatters on the fluid surface is produced from the Doppler frequency shift between the directed and reflected first beam. This signal is modified to produce a mean velocity signal. A level signal is produced by determining the air space between the sensor and the fluid surface from the directed and reflected second beam and relating changes in the air space to changes in fluid level in accordance with the configuration of the pipe. Fluid flow can be calculated from the mean velocity and fluid level signals.
90 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the velocity of fluid flowing through a pipe without invading the fluid, comprising the steps of
(a) generating an energy signal in the form of a first beam from a source above the fluid surface; -
(b) directing said first beam at an acute angle toward a given area of the fluid surface across the pipe; (c) detecting a beam reflected from the fluid surface; (d) determining from the directed and reflected beams the Doppler frequency shift therebetween to produce a surface velocity signal representative of the velocity of scatterers on the fluid surface; and (e) modifying said surface velocity signal with a modifier in accordance with said given area of the fluid surface being detected to produce a mean velocity signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing through a pipe without invading the fluid, comprising
(a) means arranged above the fluid for producing a surface velocity signal representative of the velocity of scatterers on the surface of the fluid at a given location across the pipe; - and
(b) means connected with said surface velocity signal producing means for modifying said surface velocity signal with a modifier in accordance with said given location of the fluid surface being detected to produce a mean velocity signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeHach Company (Veralto Corp.)
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Original AssigneeMarsh-McBirney, Inc. (Veralto Corp.)
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InventorsHeckman, Donald B., Marsh, Lawrence B.
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Primary Examiner(s)Oda, Christine K.
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Assistant Examiner(s)BIEGEL, RONALD L
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Application NumberUS08/787,094Time in Patent Office608 DaysField of Search73/861.27, 73/861.28, 73/861.29, 73/861.31, 73/861.25US Class Current73/861.25CPC Class CodesE03F 7/00 Other installations or impl...G01F 1/002 wherein the flow is in an o...G01F 1/661 using lightG01F 1/663 by measuring Doppler freque...G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic wavesG01F 23/292 Light , e.g. infrared or ul...G01F 23/296 Acoustic wavesG01P 5/241 by using reflection of acou...
