Apparatus for sensing liquid flow rate and conditioning velocity profile and associated methods

摘要

A liquid flow sensor includes a housing positioned in a conduit and comprises a liquid contacting portion extending generally parallel to an axis of the conduit. An electromagnetic coil is positioned within the housing and cooperates with a pair of electrodes exposed on the liquid contacting portion to generate a signal relating to the liquid flow rate. Liquid velocity profile enhancement is provided to increase the accuracy of the liquid flow rate sensing. In particular, a plurality of projections or transverse ridges may be defined in the liquid contacting portion for causing turbulence in liquid flow adjacent the liquid contacting portion. The conduit may have a cylindrical shape with a circular transverse cross-section. Alternately, the conduit may have an open upper portion defining an open channel. The ridges may preferably be arranged in two bands extending adjacent opposite side edges of the liquid contacting portion. Each band may also include a gap in the ridges adjacent a respective electrode. The series of ridges may preferably define a sawtooth cross-sectional shape. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.