Patent GB-1476831-A (GB)
Title: Digital fluid flow rate measurement or control system
IPC: G05D7/06
Filed: 1975-01-08
Abstract: 1476831 Measuring fluid-flow electrically PROCESS SYSTEMS Inc 8 Jan 1975 [10 Jan 1974] 709/75 Heading G1N A fluid-flow rate measurement or control system suitable for an incompressible fluid e.g. water comprises an upstream manifold 35 interconnected to a downstream manifold 40 by bistable fluid valves in the form of passages 36-39 each passage containing a plug 41-44 respectively responsive to an electrical actuating signal to open or close the passage. These valves may be value weighted i.e. the ratios of their cross-sectional orifice areas correspond to a binary code e.g. 1, 2, 4, 8 and so on. A differential pressure transducer 47 connected between the manifolds generates an electrical analog signal from which a signal representative of fluid-flow rate is calculated in local computer 11 Fig. 2 of control circuitry 49. The number of open valves is then controlled in response to the sensed differential pressure to maintain it constant for the various values of flow -to be measured. The measurement of fluid-flow rate is then derived by multiplying this constant pressure by a signal representing the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the open valves to produce a digital indication at 14. The details of circuit 49 are shown in Fig. 2. Analogue signals representative of the sensed differential pressure #P are passed to local computer 11 through a gate 10 controlled by pulse source 12. The computer 11, see Fig. 4A, produces a signal representing the solution of the equation linking flow-rate with the square root of differential pressure which is passed to a digital comparator 13 for comparison with the value of set point flow-rate from computer 15 when the apparatus is used for control. The output signal from the comparator acts on a sequence circuit 19 Fig. 3 (not shown), to cause it to count up or down until the input signals to the comparator are equal, the signals from the sequence circuit 19 acting on the bi-stable valves to control the actual fluid-flow correspondingly. The actual value of the flow-rate which is of course equal to the set point value is displayed on digital indicator 14. The settings of switches SW-1, 2 are as shown for this set point control mode of operation. Manual control With switch SW-2 changed over from the position shown the output of digital slew circuit 16, which is continuously stepped through all the possible states provided by a four stage counter driven by a pulse source, is applied to the second input of comparator 13 and to the indicator 14. When the indicator displays a required flow-rate to be established the slew circuit 16 is disabled manually. Subsequently the sequence circuit 19 actuates the valves to establish the actual flow-rate between the manifolds at this value. Measurement mode and initial setting-up With switch SW-1 changed over from the position shown the differential pressure signal from the transducer 47 is converted in A-D converter 55 and passed via contacts J, F to the second input of the comparator. The output of the A-D converter 18 connects through contact B to the first input of the comparator. As the flow-rate between . the manifolds varies in response to external conditions the pressure differential signal varies correspondingly. The sequence circuit 19 counts up or down in response to the comparator output until the inputs to the comparator are equal and adjusts the total orifice area of the valves accordingly. The adjustable signal source 17 is used to set a value representing #P which will cover the entire range of flow-rates to be measured. When a measurement is being effected the value of #P set in source 17 is compared with the value obtaining between the manifolds and the number of open valves is adjusted by sequence circuit 19 until these values are equal. The output from the sequence circuit is then provided to input 23 of the multiplier circuit 59, Fig. 4A, to provide the fluid-flow rate signal which is passed via contact D of SW-1 to the digital indicator 14. Compensation for specific gravity may be provided by densitometer 50 which provides a signal to divider circuit 57 from a register 58 to effect the compensation. Other embodiments  Instead of measuring differential pressure, a cavitating Venturi may be provided in each flow passage Fig. 1B (not shown) when the sensed parameter will be the pressure in the upstream manifold from which the fluid vapour pressure is subtracted and the square root of the resultant derived in the local computer Fig. 43 (not shown). Alternatively for measurements with compressible fluid e.g. air, a critical flow orifice through which fluid flows at sonic velocities is provided in each passage Fig. 1C (not shown). The flow-rate is proportional to the absolute pressure in the upstream manifold divided by the square root of temperature which is derived in the computer Fig. 4C (not shown). The digital indicator (90) Fig. 5 (not shown), may indicate the cross-sectional area of the flow-path.