초록 ▼

A fluid conduit (2) comprises a wall (4) defining a fluid flow path (6) and a confinement feature (24) within the wall (4) and being configured to confine energy within a cavity (26), wherein at least a portion of the fluid flow path (6) extends through the cavity (26). The confinement feature (24)

A fluid conduit (2) comprises a wall (4) defining a fluid flow path (6) and a confinement feature (24) within the wall (4) and being configured to confine energy within a cavity (26), wherein at least a portion of the fluid flow path (6) extends through the cavity (26). The confinement feature (24) may be configured to confine electromagnetic energy. The fluid conduit (2) may comprise an oscillator defined by the cavity (26) and a positive feedback arrangement (34). The fluid conduit (2) may be configured for sensing a property of a fluid present in or flowing through the fluid conduit (2) or for use in sensing a property of a fluid present in or flowing through the fluid conduit (2). More specifically, the present invention deals with a microwave cavity sensor wherein the cavity member (24) is embedded in the wall (4) of the fluid conduit (2), the wall (4) including a composite region (20).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid conduit for use in imparting energy to a fluid present in or flowing therethrough, the fluid conduit comprising: a wall defining a fluid flow path and comprising an outer layer of composite material formed of at least a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matri

1. A fluid conduit for use in imparting energy to a fluid present in or flowing therethrough, the fluid conduit comprising: a wall defining a fluid flow path and comprising an outer layer of composite material formed of at least a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matrix and a homogeneous inner region devoid of reinforcing elements; anda confinement feature embedded within the wall confining energy within a cavity, the cavity embedded within the homogeneous inner region of the wall, wherein at least a portion of the fluid flow path extends through the cavity. 2. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the matrix material defines a monolithic structure. 3. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the distribution or concentration of the reinforcing elements varies within the matrix. 4. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the reinforcing elements increases with distance from the fluid flow path. 5. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein a region of the wall adjacent to the fluid flow path is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements. 6. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein a region of the wall between the confinement feature and the fluid flow path is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements. 7. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall comprises an inert region extending between the confinement feature and the fluid flow path, wherein the inert region is configured to transmit energy therethrough. 8. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a homogeneous region extending between the confinement feature and the fluid flow path, wherein the homogeneous region is substantially homogeneous at a microscopic level. 9. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the cavity member is at least partially enclosed or embedded within the composite material of the wall. 10. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature is configured to confine electromagnetic energy, electric energy, magnetic energy, an electromagnetic field, an electric field, and/or a magnetic field. 11. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature is configured to confine radio frequency, ultraviolet frequency, optical frequency, mm-wave frequency and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic energy and/or a radio frequency, an ultraviolet frequency, an optical frequency, a mm-wave frequency and/or a microwave frequency electromagnetic field. 12. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature is configured to confine acoustic energy, an acoustic field, and/or a radioactive emission. 13. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature is configured to partially, substantially or wholly confine energy within the cavity. 14. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature at least partially defines the cavity. 15. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature at least partially surrounds the fluid flow path. 16. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature comprises a metal. 17. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the confinement feature comprises a cavity member which is separately formed from the wall. 18. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured to be resonant at a predetermined frequency or over a predetermined range or frequencies. 19. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising a coupling element for coupling energy to and/or from the cavity. 20. The fluid conduit according to claim 19, wherein the coupling element is at least partially recessed, enclosed or embedded within the wall. 21. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall is configured to transmit energy between the confinement feature and the fluid flow path. 22. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall is configured to have a negligible or relatively insignificant effect on the transmission of energy between the confinement feature and the fluid flow path. 23. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall is configured to affect an energy field in the cavity in a known or quantifiable manner. 24. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the wall is substantially homogeneous at a microscopic level. 25. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises at least one of a polymer material, a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, a polyaryl ether ketone, a polyaryl ketone, a polyether ketone (PEK), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polycarbonate, a polymeric resin, and/or an epoxy resin. 26. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements comprise continuous elements, discontinuous elements, strands, filaments, nanotubes, fibres, polymeric fibres, aramid fibres, non-polymeric fibres, carbon fibres, glass fibres and/or basalt fibres. 27. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising an arrangement for generating energy. 28. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising a positive feedback arrangement. 29. The fluid conduit according to claim 28, comprising an oscillator defined by the cavity and the positive feedback arrangement. 30. The fluid conduit according to claim 29, comprising an output arranged to provide a signal that varies according to a value of a resonant frequency and/or a loss of the oscillator. 31. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising an energy source, a source of electromagnetic energy, a source of acoustic energy and/or a radioactive source. 32. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor at least partially recessed, enclosed or embedded within the wall of the fluid conduit. 33. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising a sensor configured to sense flow rate within the fluid flow path. 34. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of confinement features within the wall, each confinement feature configured to confine energy within a corresponding cavity, wherein each cavity is configured to be resonant at a different frequency or over a different range of frequencies. 35. The fluid conduit according to claim 1, comprising one or more through holes that extend along a length of the fluid conduit, the through holes being configured for attachment of the fluid conduit to a respective pipe length located at either end of the fluid conduit via fasteners which extend through the through holes. 36. A pipeline for a fluid comprising: one or more lengths of pipe; and a fluid conduit according to claim 1.