Flow angle probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016356805-A1
Application number	US-201514819903-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 6, 2015
Priority date	Jun 8, 2015
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flow angle probe is provided comprising: (a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) an optional probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled either to the optional probe mounting or the probe vane; (d) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (f) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, as well as in flow assurance.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A flow angle probe comprising:
(a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) a probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled to the probe mounting; (d) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (f) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor.

2 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a mechanical rotary detector.

3 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as an optical rotary detector.

4 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a magnetic rotary detector.

5 . The flow angle probe according to claim 4 , wherein the rotary encoder is a magnet and wherein the sensor is a Hall sensor.

6 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a capacitive rotary detector.

7 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as an inductive rotary detector.

8 . The flow angle probe according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder comprises a reflective surface and the sensor is a transceiver configured to transmit a probe signal toward the rotary encoder and to receive a reflected signal in response.

9 . A system comprising:
(a) a fluid conduit configured to accommodate fluid flow; and (b) a flow angle probe comprising:
(i) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within the fluid conduit;
(ii) a probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane;
(iii) a rotary shaft coupled to the probe mounting;
(iv) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft;
(v) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and
(vi) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a rotary detector selected from the group consisting of mechanical rotary detectors, optical rotary detectors, magnetic rotary detectors, capacitive rotary detectors, and inductive rotary detectors.

11 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the rotary shaft is supported by a plurality of ceramic bearings.

12 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the housing is comprised of an amagnetic corrosion resistant metal alloy.

13 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the probe mounting comprises a plurality of balance weights.

14 . A flow angle probe comprising:
(a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving multiphase fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) a probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled to the probe mounting; (d) a magnet coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a Hall sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the magnet; and (f) a housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the magnet and the Hall sensor.

15 . A flow angle probe comprising:
(a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) a rotary shaft coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (d) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (e) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor.

16 . The flow angle probe according to claim 15 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a mechanical rotary detector.

17 . The flow angle probe according to claim 15 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as an optical rotary detector.

18 . The flow angle probe according to claim 15 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a magnetic rotary detector.

19 . The flow angle probe according to claim 18 , wherein the rotary encoder is a magnet and wherein the sensor is a Hall sensor.

20 . The flow angle probe according to claim 15 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a capacitive rotary detector.

21 . The flow angle probe according to claim 15 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as an inductive rotary detector.

22 . A system comprising:
(a) a fluid conduit configured to accommodate fluid flow; and (b) a flow angle probe comprising:
(i) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within the fluid conduit;
(ii) a rotary shaft coupled to the probe vane;
(iii) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft;
(iv) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and
(v) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor.

23 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the rotary encoder and sensor act as a rotary detector selected from the group consisting of mechanical rotary detectors, optical rotary detectors, magnetic rotary detectors, capacitive rotary detectors, and inductive rotary detectors.

24 . The flow angle probe according to claim 22 , wherein the rotary encoder comprises a reflective surface and the sensor is a transceiver configured to transmit a probe signal toward the rotary encoder and to receive a reflected signal in response.

25 . The flow angle probe according to claim 24 , wherein the probe signal is visible light.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Schneider Carsten Michael
• Michelassi Vittorio
• Herrig Andreas
• Mele Erik
• Varano Nathaniel David
• Michalowski Brent David
• Shonhor Kenton Travis

Classifications

• G01D5/145

  influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields (see G01R33/06) · CPC title

• G01D5/3473

  Circular or rotary encoders · CPC title

• G01P13/02 Primary

  Indicating direction only, e.g. by weather vane · CPC title

• G01D5/14

  influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage · CPC title