An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.

A measuring rod (1) with a longitudinal axis (A) for insertion in the flow cross section of a tube and for the verification of a flowing medium in this tube having at least one first sender unit (2) for the transmission of a first acoustic or electromagnetic measuring signal (3) and at least one first receiver unit (4) for receiving the first measuring signal, wherein the first sender unit (2) and the first receiver unit (4) define a measuring section, wherein the first sender unit (2) is arranged in such a manner that the first measuring signal (3) crosses the measuring section and wherein the first receiver unit (4) is arranged in such a manner that it, at least during operation without flow, receives the first measuring signal (3) after crossing the measuring section.

A method and an apparatus for monitoring a material includes adding tagging particles to the material, sensing the tagging particles in the material for an even distribution throughout the material, forming a part from the material if the tagging particles are evenly distributed throughout the material, sensing the tagging particles in the part to determine a physical characteristic of the part, placing the part in operation if the determined physical characteristic is within a predetermined specification, sensing the tagging particles in the part during operation to detect at least one of wear and damage to the part, and generating an indication to a user upon detection of the at least one of wear or damage to the part.

An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.

Apparatus for measuring multiphase fluid flows and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid conduit to provide a flow path for a fluid, a first antenna coupled to the fluid conduit, and a second antenna coupled to the fluid conduit. The second antenna is to generate first signal data based on a first signal emitted by the first antenna. The example apparatus includes a third antenna coupled to the fluid conduit. The third antenna is to generate second signal data based on a second signal emitted by the first antenna. The first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna are disposed in a linear array relative to an axis of the fluid conduit. The example apparatus includes a processor to determine one or more of a permittivity or a conductivity of the fluid based on the first signal data and the second signal data.

Apparatus for measuring multiphase fluid flows and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid conduit to provide a flow path for a fluid, a first antenna coupled to the fluid conduit, and a second antenna coupled to the fluid conduit. The second antenna is to generate first signal data based on a first signal emitted by the first antenna. The example apparatus includes a third antenna coupled to the fluid conduit. The third antenna is to generate second signal data based on a second signal emitted by the first antenna. The first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna are disposed in a linear array relative to an axis of the fluid conduit. The example apparatus includes a processor to determine one or more of a permittivity or a conductivity of the fluid based on the first signal data and the second signal data.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for measuring airflow. In one example, an airflow monitor includes an ion generator positioned in a controlled space, an ion detector positioned in the controlled space and spaced from the ion generator, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the ion detector, to measure a time between emission of ions from the ion generator and detection of ions at the ion detector, and to calculate a speed of airflow between the ion generator and the ion detector based on the measured time.

A method of detecting a particle comprises magnetizing a particle using an AC magnetic field; generating an AC voltage in a sensing device having a conductive substantially 2-dimensional lattice structure from the magnetized particle; superimposing a DC magnetic field on the generated AC voltage in the sensing device; and measuring an AC Hall voltage at the sensing device.

A method of detecting a particle comprises magnetizing a particle using an AC magnetic field; generating an AC voltage in a sensing device having a conductive substantially 2-dimensional lattice structure from the magnetized particle; superimposing a DC magnetic field on the generated AC voltage in the sensing device; and measuring an AC Hall voltage at the sensing device.

A microfluidic flow rate sensor includes a droplet within a channel and a droplet movement detector that generates a signal based on the position and/or movement of the droplet within the channel. A processor determines the flow rate of a fluid through the channel based on the signal received from the droplet movement detector. In one example, the droplet movement detector is an optical detector, such as a combination of a lens and an image capturing device. In other examples, the droplet is electrically conductive, and at least a portion of the channel is conductive or includes electrical contacts. The position of the droplet within the channel is determined by observing the electrical characteristics of the channel.