Flow meter
A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.
1. A flow meter comprising:
a housing having a lumen extending there through for passing a continuous flow of fuel;
a volumetric flow meter within the housing that measures a volumetric rate of the continuous flow of fuel as it flows through the lumen;
a densitometer within the housing that measures the density of the continuous flow of fuel as it flows through the lumen; and
a temperature sensor within the housing that measures the temperature of the continuous flow of fuel as it flows through the lumen.
2. The flow meter of claim 1 , wherein a signal from the temperature sensor is used to adjust a signal from the volumetric flow meter and a signal from the volumetric flow meter.
3. The flow meter of claim 2 wherein the flow meter can accommodate a flow rate of up to 6000 pph.
4. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is bonded to the densitometer.
5. The flow meter of claim 4 wherein the temperature sensor is a film.
6. The flow meter of claim 1 , wherein a range of maximum flow rate to a minimum flow rate determinable by the flow meter is up to thirty to one (30:1).