Fluid flow and heat transfer measurement - employs acoustic exciter to vary and apply alternating flow rate

摘要

The mass flow of a fluid is measured to determine the heat transferred. An alternating component of amplitude can be applied to the flow so that the speed at the detector can be alternately in the forward or reverse directions. A detector comprises an enclosure (10) with a cap assembly (11) sealed by a ring (33) to the upper part of an intermediate block. The cap contains a cavity (17) for an acoustic exciter (16) supported against a damper (18). This provokes an alternating flow in a channel (15) in a printed circuit plate via the intermediate block (12). The intermediate block has a central hole (19) and sections of pipe (21, 22) which permit connection to external pipework. A seal (34) ensures sealing with adjacent printed circuit plates (13, 14) comprising a microflowmeter. Wire measuring elements in the plates are connected to a bridge circuit for temperature measurement.