The Pad and Quad Resistors - Two New Methods of Fluid Flow Measurements

Abstract

This paper describes two methods of fluid flow measurements of the differential pressure type. The first method uses a new type of linear resistor in which the flow rate is linearly proportional to the pressure drop. This linear resistor, called a pad-resistor, may be used in a single configuration when the flow rate is limited to small values. For a flowmeter of high capacity and low resistance a multi-pad multi-stage configuration, where several pad-resistors are connected in parallel, has been adopted. The second method uses a non-linear resistor called a quad-resistor. This type of resistor has a flow characteristic proportional to the fourth order of the pressure drop. By combining the quad-resistor with an orifice, the relationship between the pressure drop and the flow rate becomes approximately linear. The quad-resistor has been used in conjunction with a fluidic analogue amplifier to give a linearized output pressure proportional to the flow rate in a fluid duct.