초록 ▼

A flow detection device for detecting a flow characteristic of a fluid within a pipe is disclosed. The flow detection device includes a first channel portion that defines a first channel with an upstream aperture. The fluid can flow into the first channel through the upstream aperture. The device al

A flow detection device for detecting a flow characteristic of a fluid within a pipe is disclosed. The flow detection device includes a first channel portion that defines a first channel with an upstream aperture. The fluid can flow into the first channel through the upstream aperture. The device also includes a flow sensor disposed in the first channel, and the flow sensor detects the flow characteristic of the fluid. Furthermore, the device includes a flow straightening member that is provided upstream of the first channel. The upstream aperture is hidden by the flow straightening member as viewed looking downstream along an axis of the first channel portion. Also, the fluid flows from substantially the entire circumference of the flow straightening member into the first channel.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A flow detection device for detecting a flow characteristic of a fluid, the flow detection device comprising: a first channel portion that defines a first channel with an upstream aperture through which the fluid can flow into the first channel; a flow sensor disposed in the

What is claimed is: 1. A flow detection device for detecting a flow characteristic of a fluid, the flow detection device comprising: a first channel portion that defines a first channel with an upstream aperture through which the fluid can flow into the first channel; a flow sensor disposed in the first channel, the flow sensor operable for detecting the flow characteristic of the fluid; a second channel portion that defines a second channel, wherein the first channel portion is coupled to the second channel portion and is disposed within the second channel; a flow straightening member that is coupled to the first channel portion and provided upstream of the first channel; and a pipe that includes an insertion aperture for insertion of the first channel portion, the flow sensor, the second channel portion, and the flow straightening member into the pipe, wherein the upstream aperture is hidden by the flow straightening member as viewed looking downstream along an axis of the first channel portion, wherein the fluid flows from substantially the entire circumference of the flow straightening member into the first channel. 2. The flow detection device according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the first channel is substantially straight such that the axis of the first channel is disposed substantially parallel to an axis of the pipe. 3. The flow detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a downstream member, wherein the first channel further includes a downstream aperture, wherein the fluid flows into the first channel through the upstream aperture and out of the first channel through the downstream aperture, and wherein the downstream member is disposed downstream of the downstream aperture so as to obstruct flow out of the downstream aperture. 4. The flow detection device according to claim 1, wherein the flow straightening member includes an upstream side that is hemispherical in shape and a downstream side that is conic in shape. 5. The flow detection device according to claim 1, wherein the flow straightening member includes an upstream side and a downstream side, wherein the upstream side has a gradually increasing width as observed moving away from the upstream side and toward the downstream side, and wherein the downstream side is hemispherical in shape. 6. The flow detection device according to claim 1, wherein the flow straightening member includes an upstream side and a downstream side, wherein the upstream side has a gradually increasing width as observed moving away from the upstream side and toward the downstream side, and wherein the downstream side has a gradually decreasing width as observed moving away from the upstream side and toward the downstream side. 7. The flow detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of arm portions that couple the flow straightening member to the first channel portion. 8. A flow detection device for detecting a flow characteristic of a fluid, the flow detection device comprising: a first channel portion that defines a first channel through which the fluid can flow, the first channel having an upstream aperture and a downstream aperture such that the fluid can enter the first channel through the upstream aperture and exit the first channel through the downstream aperture; a flow sensor disposed in the first channel, the flow sensor operable for detecting the flow characteristic of the fluid; a second channel portion that defines a second channel, wherein the first channel portion is coupled to the second channel portion and is disposed within the second channel; a downstream member disposed downstream of the downstream aperture so as to obstruct flow out of the downstream aperture; and a pipe including an insertion aperture for insertion of the first channel portion, the flow sensor, the second channel portion, and the downstream member into the pipe. 9. The flow detection device according to claim 8, wherein the axis of the first channel is substantially straight such that the axis of the first channel is disposed substantially parallel to an axis of the pipe. 10. The flow detection device according to claim 8, wherein the downstream aperture of the first channel is hidden by the downstream member as viewed looking upstream along an axis of the first channel portion. 11. The flow detection device according to claim 8, wherein the first channel portion includes an end face that is hidden by the downstream member as viewed looking upstream along an axis of the first channel portion. 12. The flow detection device according to claim 11, wherein the end face of the first channel portion is inclined upstream relative to the second channel moving along the end face toward an inner wall of the second channel portion. 13. The flow detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion for supporting the first channel portion, the flow sensor, the second channel portion, and the flow straightening member, wherein the support portion extends through the insertion aperture and is coupled to the pipe. 14. The flow detecting device according to claim 13, wherein the support portion extends through the insertion aperture approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe. 15. The flow detecting device according to claim 8, further comprising a support portion for supporting the first channel portion, the flow sensor, the second channel portion, and the downstream member, wherein the support portion extends through the insertion aperture and is coupled to the pipe. 16. The flow detecting device according to claim 15, wherein the support portion extends through the insertion aperture approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe.