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An apparatus and a method for its use allow selective installation
and removal of a canister such as one containing interface electronics
to a mating connector on a housing, such as one containing a subsea
multiphase flow meter sensor. The separately retrievable canister
may contain multiphase flow meter detector electronics and is sealed,
waterproof, and preferably light-weight. Installation and retrieval
may be via use of an ROV and an alignment guide which acts as a
guide to aid in correct positioning of the canister. The canister
may be cooled by surrounding sea water and/or by insulation. It
is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the
rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other
reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical
disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will
not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.
A compact and light flow meter having a rapid response includes
a main body having a groove portion opened in the upper portion
and also having connecting portions for communicating the groove
portion and the exterior at both ends of the groove portion; a detachable
cover body sealing the opened upper portion of the groove portion
having a rectangular sectional shape in which a measured fluid is
flowed; and a circuit substrate coming in close contact with the
external face of the cover body. A sensor hole opened to the measuring
chamber is arranged in the cover body; and a flow sensor is arranged
in the circuit substrate so as to be arranged within the sensor
hole and set a detecting face to face the measuring chamber.
A flow meter is powered by a loop power supply which supplies a
supply voltage. A load is powered by a load voltage and includes
at least a processor for calculating a flow rate, an ultrasonic
transducer power circuit, and an ultrasonic transducer receiving
circuit. A power regulating circuit is disposed between the loop
power supply and the load. The power regulating circuit includes
a power converter responsive to the supply voltage to vary the load
voltage in response to a control signal, a safe storage device between
the converter and the load for storing power when not needed by
the load and for delivering power to the load when required by the
load, and a control subsystem for providing the control signal to
the converter based on the setting of the loop power supply by the
load. A power management subsystem is configured to detect the load
voltage and to reduce the power consumption of the load at one or
more predetermined set points.
A vortex flow meter for measuring fluid flow has a conduit for
carrying a fluid. A region of reduced thickness is formed in a portion
of the conduit. A shedding bar disposed in the conduit is coupled
to the region of reduced thickness and is configured to apply a
rocking motion to the region of reduced thickness about a pivot
line in response to flow of the fluid. At least one reinforcing
rib on the reduced thickness portion preferably extends parallel
to flow of fluid.
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