Flow sensor assembly having a hybrid sensor response

摘要

A flow sensor system including a flow sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may be configured to allow fluid flow through a flow conduit. A flow disrupter may be disposed in the flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow. A by-pass channel may be in fluid connection with the flow conduit and may be arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect flow characteristics in the bypass channel. One or more sensors may be disposed in the by-pass channel to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel. In a first flow regime, the flow characteristics in the bypass channel may effect an amplitude response of the sensor, and in a second flow regime, the flow characteristics may effect a temporal response of the sensor.

主权项

1. A flow sensor system, comprising:
a flow sensor assembly comprising:
a flow conduit configured to allow fluid flow through the flow conduit;a flow disrupter disposed in said flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow;a by-pass channel in fluid connection with the flow conduit and arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect at least some flow characteristics in the bypass channel;at least a first sensor disposed in the by-pass channel and arranged to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel; and a processor coupled to the first sensor to receive the generated signal and determine a flow rate for the fluid flow through the flow conduit, wherein in a first flow regime, the flow rate is determined based on an amplitude response of the sensor to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel, and wherein in a second flow regime, the flow rate is determined based on a temporal response of the sensor to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel.