Mass flowmeter detecting fluctuations in lift generated by vortex shedding

Indirect measurement of mass flow rate has been widely used, combining volumetric flowmeters with the temperature and/or pressure compensation of fluid density. However, this approach has disadvantages, such as a complicated compensating algorithm, and is only applicable to ideal gases, except for highly pressurized and other gases. A flowmeter for direct measurement of mass flow is more suitable for overcoming the disadvantages of indirect measurement. The authors propose one approach to direct measurement using a vortex flowmeter. That is, Karman vortices are generated by a vortex shedder, and fluctuations in the lift and their frequency are detected by stress sensors built into the vortex shedder. The amount of lift is divided by the frequency to yield signals proportional to the mass flow rate. The proposed approach to sensing features simplicity both in principle and in sensor construction. Satisfactory results are obtained from applying this approach to water, air and other gases.