公开(公告)号：WO2004065912A3

公开(公告)日：2004-08-05

申请号：PCT/US2004/001659

申请日：2004-01-21

Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATION

Inventor： GYSLING, Daniel, L. ,  LOOSE, Douglas, H. ,  MARON, Robert, J. ,  ENGEL, Thomas ,  CROTEAU, Paul, F.

IPC: G01F1/66

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided that includes a spatial array of at least two unsteady pressure sensors (18 - 21) placed at predetermined axial locations x 1 - x N disposed axially along a pipe (14) for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid (12) flowing in the pipe (14). The pressure sensors (18 - 21) comprise a plurality of pressure sensing elements such as piezoelectric film sensors (23) for measuring unsteady pressures associated with acoustical pressures and/or vortical disturbances. The sensing elements are disposed circumferentially around the pipe and spaced a predetermined distance. The pressure signals P 1 (t) - P N (t) provided by the pressure sensors (18-21) are processed by a processing unit to provide an output signal indicative of a parameter of the fluid.

公开(公告)号：WO1998029717A1

公开(公告)日：1998-07-09

申请号：PCT/US1997023980

申请日：1997-12-19

Applicant: CiDRA CORPORATION

Inventor： CiDRA CORPORATION ,  MARON, Robert, J.

IPC: G01L01/24

CPC classification number: G01L11/025 ,  G01D5/35316 ,  G01D5/35383 ,  G01L19/0627 ,  G01L19/0645

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a measurand field within an environment includes an optical source, such as a light emitting diode, for providing broadband light to an array of serially coupled sensor elements disposed within an optical fiber (28). Each sensor element includes a fiber grating (Bragg grating) (44) which, when illuminated, reflects a narrow band of light having a specified central wavelength. The optical fiber is deployed in a high strength hermetically sealed capillary tubing structure (5). Within the capillary tube, at least in the area of the sensor elements, the capillary tubing is filled with a high-density, low-compressibility, and high thermal conductivity material, such as a liquid (48), which completely fills all of the void spaces within the capillary tubing between the tubing and the sensor elements such that compressive forces which are exerted on the external surfaces of the tubing are accurately transmitted to the sensor elements.

Abstract translation: 用于感测环境中的被测量场的传感器系统包括诸如发光二极管的光源，用于向设置在光纤（28）内的串联耦合传感器元件的阵列提供宽带光。 每个传感器元件包括光纤光栅（Bragg grating）（44），当被照射时，该光纤光栅（44）反射具有特定中心波长的窄带光。 光纤部署在高强度气密密封的毛细管结构（5）中。 在毛细管内，至少在传感器元件的区域中，毛细管填充有高密度，低压缩性和高导热性材料，例如液体（48），其完全填充所有的 在管道和传感器元件之间的毛细管道内的空隙空间，使得施加在管道的外表面上的压缩力精确地传递到传感器元件。

公开(公告)号：WO2005012844A1

公开(公告)日：2005-02-10

申请号：PCT/US2004/024778

申请日：2004-08-02

Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATION

Inventor： GYSLING, Daniel, L. ,  DAVIS, Michael, A. ,  DUNPHY, James, R. ,  CROTEAU, Paul, F. ,  MARON, Robert, J.

IPC: G01F1/712

CPC classification number: G01F1/662 ,  G01F1/7082 ,  G01F1/712 ,  G01F1/74

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided to measure the process flow of a fluid or medium traveling in a pipe. The system and apparatus feature a standoff and piezoelectric-based sensor arrangement having a plurality of standoffs arranged on a pipe and a plurality of sensor bands, each arranged on a respective plurality of standoffs, each having at least one sensor made of piezoelectric material arranged thereon to detect unsteady pressure disturbances in the process flow in the pipe which in turn can be converted to the velocity of and/or speed of sound propagating within the pipe, and a cooling tube arranged in relation to the plurality of standoffs for actively cooling the sensor band; and further comprise a processing module for converting one or more sensor signals into a measurement containing information about the flow of the fluid or medium traveling in the pipe, as well as a pump and heat exchanger for processing the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube. The processing includes maintaining the cooling fluid at a desired operating temperature.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种方法，装置和系统来测量在管道中行进的流体或介质的工艺流程。 该系统和装置具有一个支座和基于压电的传感器装置，其具有排列在管道上的多个支座和多个传感器带，每个传感器带布置在相应的多个支座上，每个支架具有至少一个由压电材料制成的传感器 以检测管道中的过程流动中的不稳定的压力扰动，其又可以转换成在管道内传播的声音的速度和/或速度，以及相对于多个支座布置的冷却管，用于主动冷却传感器 带; 并且还包括用于将一个或多个传感器信号转换成包含关于在管道中流动的流体或介质的流动的信息的测量的处理模块，以及用于处理流过冷却管的冷却流体的泵和热交换器。 该处理包括将冷却流体保持在期望的操作温度。

公开(公告)号：WO2005003713A2

公开(公告)日：2005-01-13

申请号：PCT/US2004/020406

申请日：2004-06-24

Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATION

Inventor： GYSLING, Daniel, L. ,  ENGEL, Thomas, W. ,  MARON, Robert, J. ,  CROTEAU, Paul, F.

IPC: G01L23/00

CPC classification number: G01L9/0001 ,  G01F1/7082 ,  G01F1/712 ,  G01F1/74 ,  G01L23/08

Abstract: A sensor head characterizes unsteady pressures in a fluid flowing within a pipe,as may be caused by one or both of acoustic waves propagating through the fluid within the pipe and/or pressure disturbances that convect with the fluid flowing in the pipe. The sensor head comprises a rigid support structure and at least one transducer attached to the rigid support structure. The rigid support structure holds the transducer in contact with an outer surface of the pipe. The at least one transducer senses relative movement between the outer surface of the pipe and the support structure and provides a signal indicative of unsteady pressures within the fluid at a corresponding axial position of the pipe in response to the relative movement. The support structure may be attached to each transducer in an array of transducers, and may include a handle secured thereto for manipulating the sensor head into contact with the pipe. Output signals from the transducers are provided to a processing unit, which processes the output signals to provide a signal indicative of at least one parameter of the flow process.

Abstract translation: 传感器头表征在管内流动的流体中的不稳定压力，这可能是由于通过管内流体传播的声波中的一个或两个和/或与流体对流的压力扰动 在管道中流动。 传感器头包括刚性支撑结构和附连到刚性支撑结构的至少一个换能器。 刚性支撑结构将换能器保持与管道的外表面接触。 所述至少一个换能器感测管的外表面与支撑结构之间的相对运动，并响应于相对运动提供指示管道的对应轴向位置处的流体内的不稳定压力的信号。 支撑结构可以连接到换能器阵列中的每个换能器，并且可以包括固定到其上的手柄，用于操纵传感器头与管道接触。 来自换能器的输出信号被提供给处理单元，处理单元处理输出信号以提供指示流过程的至少一个参数的信号。