Patent ID: 6940409
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: A62C,B05B,G01M,G01P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for monitoring fluid flow through a pipe or at the exit of a pipe, said device comprising, an acoustic generator acoustically coupled to the pipe or at the exit of the pipe, said acoustic generator activated by the fluid flowing through the pipe or the exit of the pipe and generating upstream acoustic vibrations in the fluid flowing through the pipe, said acoustic vibrations forming a purposeful acoustic signal, an acoustic receiver acoustically coupled to a remote upstream portion of the pipe, said acoustic receiver constructed to respond to at least a portion of the acoustic signal generated by the acoustic generator and to produce an electric output signal, a signal processing means arranged to receive the electric output signal from the acoustic receiver and to detect a deviation in said electrical output signal from a predetermined normal signal by a value greater than a predetermined value indicating a fault in the flow of fluid through the pipe or at the exit of the pipe, and a display means for indicating said fault.