Patent ID: 6769293
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: G01F,G01N

Abstract:
A method to determine the amount of stratified flow through a conduit, comprising:(a) transmitting through a first portion of said conduit a first ultrasonic signal in a generally horizontal direction from a first upstream location; (b) receiving said first ultrasonic signal at a location downstream of said first upstream location; (c) transmitting through said first portion a second ultrasonic signal in a generally horizontal direction from a first downstream location; (d) receiving said second ultrasonic signal at a location upstream of said first downstream location; (e) transmitting through said first portion of said conduit a third ultrasonic signal from a second upstream location, said third ultrasonic signal reflecting off a surface of said stratified flow; (f) receiving said third ultrasonic signal at a location downstream of said second upstream location; (g) transmitting through said first portion a fourth ultrasonic signal from a second downstream location, said fourth ultrasonic signal reflecting off said surface of said stratified flow; (h) receiving said fourth ultrasonic signal at a location upstream of said second downstream location; and (i) computing the amount of said stratified flow in said conduit based on the travel times of said first, second, third, and fourth ultrasonic signals.