IP Library Granted Patent US 7,600,417
Granted Patent B2
US 7,600,417 · App. 11/304,273 · Granted Oct 13, 2009

Ultrasonic-densiometer mass flow sensor for use in flow metering units

Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,600,417
App. No.
11/304,273
Granted
Oct 13, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel delivery system uses a volumetric flow sensor and a densiometer to measure a mass flow rate of the fuel. A densiometer may be a coriolis mass flow sensor etched into a small circuit chip. As fuel flows past the densiometer a density of the fuel and characteristic slope as a function of temperature is determined. At least one temperature sensor is also located on the circuit chip to provide accurate temperature of the fuel to correspond to the fuel density reading. Piezoelectric crystals in the volumetric flow sensor generate and receive a sound wave. By analyzing the sound wave signals the volumetric flow rate of fluid through the volumetric flow sensor can be calculated. At least one temperature sensor is also placed on the volumetric flow sensor to correct for any thermal expansion of an inner diameter of the volumetric flow sensor and for final mass flow calculation. The density and temperature information from the densiometer and the volumetric flow and temperature information from the volumetric flow sensor are used to determine the density of the fuel at the volumetric flow sensor. By using the density calculated at the volumetric flow sensor and using the volumetric flow information an accurate mass flow rate of the fuel at the volumetric flow sensor can be calculated.

Claims (9)

1. A fuel system for an engine comprising:

a flow metering unit having a density meter;

an ultrasonic volume flow sensor located upstream from at least one fuel nozzle;

a controller in communication with the density meter and the ultrasonic flow sensor and programmed to calculate mass flow to the at least one fuel nozzle;

wherein said volume flow sensor and said density meter each have a temperature sensor for measuring temperature; and

wherein said temperature sensor in said ultrasonic sensor is out of phase with piezoelectric crystals in said ultrasonic sensor.

2. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein said ultrasonic sensor is located immediately upstream of said at least one fuel nozzle.

3. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein density meter is located adjacent a fuel system bypass port.

4. The fuel system of claim 1 , wherein said density meter is incorporated into a circuit chip.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S NAME ON ORIGINAL COVER SHEET PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017380 FRAME 0121. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEE WAS INCORRECTLY RECORDED AS "HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND". ASSIGNEE SHOULD BE "HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION". Recorded May 19, 2009
From: PARADISE, BRUCE
To: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022701/0448 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2005
From: PARADISE, BRUCE
To: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND
Reel/Frame 017380/0121 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070151333A1 · Jul 5, 2007