APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING UNSTEADY PRESSURES WITHIN A LARGE DIAMETER PIPE

摘要

An apparatus (10) is provided that includes a spatial array of at least two unsteady pressure sensors (18 - 21) placed at predetermined axial locations x1 - xN 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 P1(t) - PN(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.