The invention relates to a method for determining the absolute value of the flow velocity (v) of a particle-transporting medium. At least two measurement laser beams (L_i) with linearly independent, non-orthogonal measurement directions (b_i) are emitted. The measurement laser beams (L_i) scattered at particles are detected and one measurement signal (m_i) is generated in each case for each measurement laser beam (L_i). The measurement signals (m_i) are evaluated, wherein absolute values of velocity components (v_i) are ascertained as projections of the flow velocity (v) on the respective measurement directions (b_i), wherein a solid angle region is ascertained for the prevalent direction of the flow velocity (v) and signs assigned to this solid angle region are chosen for the individual velocity components (v_i), and wherein the absolute value of the flow velocity (v) is determined using the ascertained absolute values of the velocity components (v_i) and using the chosen signs for the velocity components (v_i).

Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19). A processor (41) is in communication with the optical imaging device (29) and is configured to process the captured images and perform a scattering analysis to determine parameters of the material (3) through the passage (5).

Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19). A processor (41) is in communication with the optical imaging device (29) and is configured to process the captured images and perform a scattering analysis to determine parameters of the material (3) through the passage (5).

A system comprising an assembly of sensing elements that could be attached to, mounted upon, or installed into pipes for on-line, in-line or off-line characterization of fluid flows. The system may be hand-held by a human operator or implemented in benchtop instrumentation. The sensing elements comprise one or more sensors and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers that can be configured in a variety of different orientations to investigate the fluorescence of the subject material by illuminating or exciting the subject material with the LEDs or lasers and collecting the electromagnetic signal returned from the subject material with the sensors. The architecture of the system is applicable to characterize both static and dynamic samples. Samples of the subject material include single-component solid, liquid, or gaseous materials or may also include single-phase, two-phase or multi-phase mixtures of solids, liquids and gases.

A measurement device includes a light emitter, a light receiver, an extractor, and a processor. The light emitter illuminates an illumination target having an internal space through which a fluid flows. The light receiver receives coherent light including light scattered by the illumination target and outputs a signal corresponding to intensity of the coherent light. The extractor extracts a direct-current component from the signal output from the light receiver at a temporal change in strength of the signal. The processor calculates a calculation value for a flow state of the fluid by performing a process on the signal output from the light receiver. The process includes correction using a value of signal strength of the direct-current component and calculation of a frequency spectrum for the signal at the temporal change in the signal strength.

A system for determining volume and flow characteristics for material on a conveyer belt is disclosed. The system includes an emitter, a sensor, and circuitry. The emitter is configured to generate radiation and direct the radiation toward a conveyer belt according to a field of view. The sensor is configured to measure reflected radiation from the conveyor belt and based on the generated radiation at a high framerate of about 20 to 30 Hertz and a high resolution of greater than about 4000 pixels and generate time of flight measurements. The circuitry is configured to generate time of flight measurements, determine three dimensional volume characteristics and flow characteristics for material conveyed by the conveyor belt using light detection and ranging based on the measured reflected radiation.

The present application discloses a flow speed detection circuit and a related chip and flow meter. The flow speed detection circuit includes: a transmitter, configured to provide a front signal and a main signal to a first transducer, wherein the first transducer transforms the front signal and the main signal into a transduced signal to a second transducer, the second transducer transforms the transduced signal into a receiving front signal and a receiving main signal to a receiver; and the receiver includes: a front signal detection circuit, configured to enable the main signal processing circuit after the receiving front signal; and the main signal processing circuit, configured to determine the flow speed based on the receiving main signal after being enabled.

A device configured to perform a task. The device includes an optical sensor configured to obtain light sequences from a camera flashlight (or other source) and convert the light sequences to electronic signals; a processor configured to receive the electronic signals from the optical sensor, detect electronic signals indicative of a predefined light sequence, and output control signals in response to detection of a predefined light sequence; and a controllable feature that is activated in response to the control signals from the processor.

A device configured to perform a task. The device includes an optical sensor configured to obtain light sequences from a camera flashlight (or other source) and convert the light sequences to electronic signals; a processor configured to receive the electronic signals from the optical sensor, detect electronic signals indicative of a predefined light sequence, and output control signals in response to detection of a predefined light sequence; and a controllable feature that is activated in response to the control signals from the processor.

An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow rate sensor and a valve. The flow rate sensor uses images to estimate flow through a drip chamber and then controls the valve based on the estimated flow rate. The valve comprises a rigid housing disposed around the tube in which fluid flow is being controlled. Increasing the pressure in the housing controls the size of the lumen within the tube by deforming the tube, therefore controlling flow through the tube.