Patent ID: 8528420
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for facilitating the measurement of the flow of fluid through a cylindrical pipe having a radius of curvature and an interior wall surface, comprising: a monolithic pipe insert having a longitudinal axis and a first side defining a cylindrical cross-sectional shape with radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the cylindrical pipe and extending along an arc of less than 360, said first side terminating at opposed edges, said pipe insert adapted for being affixed to the pipe with the longitudinal axis of the pipe insert substantially parallel to the axis through the pipe and the first side of the pipe insert abutting the interior wall surface of the pipe, and said pipe insert having a second side exposed to the interior of said pipe and defining a constriction in the cross sectional area of the pipe, the second side defining a smoothly tapered shape extending along the longitudinal axis and defined by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an apex between the leading and trailing edges, wherein the pipe insert at the apex thereof defines a surface extending between the opposed edges and normal to the axis through the pipe, and a bore extending through the pipe insert at the apex and extending in a direction normal to the pipe axis, and wherein the pipe insert abuts the interior wall surface of the pipe along an arc of less than 360 degrees between the opposed edges and defines a reduction in cross sectional area of the pipe of between 40 and 90 percent.