US3562632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear induction flow meter (utilizing principle of nuclear magnetic resonance)
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-04-25
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic field is established along a conduit and at right angles thereto. A fluid material flowing through the conduit has the atomic nuclei thereof excited for a brief interval by a magnetic field producing device external to the conduit. The excited nuclei precess about the axis of the magnetic field as the fluid moves through the conduit. At a point downstream from the point of excitation, the presences of the excited nuclei are detected by an electromagnetic transducer means also external to said conduit. The detected signal is amplified and delivered to appropriate circuitry to determine the flow rate of the fluid within said conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Kirkland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/704; G01F1/708; G01F1/716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A nuclear induction flow meter system comprising: conduit means for passing a fluid therethrough; a first inductive transducer means coaxially wound about said conduit means, so as to be contiguously disposed therewith for inducing a predetermined nuclear excitation within the nucleons of the nuclei of a fluid flowing therethrough in response to a first alternating current electrical signal of a frequency related to an energy state of said nucleons; logic circuit means connected to said first transducer means for timely supplying said first electrical signal thereto in response to simultaneous receipt of second and third electrical signals; electrical oscillator means of said frequency connected to said logic circuit means for continuously applying an alternating electrical signal of said frequency thereto, such as to comprise said second electrical signal; monostable multivibrator means for providing said third electrical signal in the form of a gating pulse in response to a trigger pulse applied thereto; a source of direct current electrical potential; manually operable three position switch means connected between said logic circuit means, said monostable multivibrator means, and said source of direct current electrical potential for selectively connecting said logic circuit means to one of said monostable multivibrator means, said source of direct current potential, and to an unconnected switch terminal; means contiguously disposed with a predetermined length of said conduit means and located downstream of said first transducer means for producing a unidirectional magnetic field which extends transversely across said conduit in such manner as to effect a predetermined precession of the nuclearly excited nuclei of the fluid flowing therethrough; second inductive transducer means coaxially wound about said conduit means, so as to be contiguously disposed therewith and located downstream of said magnetic field producing means for detecting the passage of said precessing excited nuclei within
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
A nuclear induction flow meter system comprising: conduit means for passing a fluid therethrough; a first inductive transducer means coaxially wound about said conduit means, so as to be contiguously disposed therewith for inducing a predetermined nuclear excitation within the nucleons of the nuclei of a fluid flowing therethrough in response to a first alternating current electrical signal of a frequency related to an energy state of said nucleons; logic circuit means connected to said first transducer means for timely supplying said first electrical signal thereto in response to simultaneous receipt of second and third electrical signals; electrical oscillator means of said frequency connected to said logic circuit means for continuously applying an alternating electrical signal of said frequency thereto, such as to comprise said second electrical signal; monostable multivibrator means for providing said third electrical signal in the form of a gating pulse in response to a trigger pulse applied thereto; a source of direct current electrical potential; manually operable three position switch means connected between said logic circuit means, said monostable multivibrator means, and said source of direct current electrical potential for selectively connecting said logic circuit means to one of said monostable multivibrator means, said source of direct current potential, and to an unconnected switch terminal; means contiguously disposed with a predetermined length of said conduit means and located downstream of said first transducer means for producing a unidirectional magnetic field which extends transversely across said conduit in such manner as to effect a predetermined precession of the nuclearly excited nuclei of the fluid flowing therethrough; second inductive transducer means coaxially wound about said conduit means, so as to be contiguously disposed therewith and located downstream of said magnetic field producing means for detecting the passage of said precessing excited nuclei within
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A flow meter according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic field producing means comprises: a solenoid coil means adjacent said conduit means and shaped to extend along said conduit means for said predetermined length; and a second source of direct current connected to said solenoid coil means for supplying electric current thereto so as to produce said magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow meter according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic field producing means comprises permanent magnetic means so configured as to place opposite poles on either side of said conduit means along said predetermined length thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A flow meter according to claim 1 wherein said means connected between said second transducer means and said monostable multivibrator means includes a two winding inductive transformer which is tuned for the Larmor precession frequency of said predetermined excited nuclei in the presence of said magnetic field and connected to said inductive transducer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |