Flow Research

I wrote an article on the history of vortex flowmeters that just came out today in Processing magazine. I went back to the 1960s and even before and traced the development of vortex meters from the beginning. This was more than just “desk research,” as I ended up talking to some of the principals who played a part in the development of vortex meters from 1969 to 2001, and also reviewed some of the patents on vortex meters taken out during that time. I also tell the real story behind the development of multivariable vortex flowmeters in 1996. Of course, a lot has happened in the past 20 years, but the events in the early years are not well known.

Here is the link: https://www.processingmagazine.com/process-control-automation/instrumentation/flow-measurement/article/55342176/vortex-flowmeters-from-the-beginning. I welcome any comments.

In case you haven’t had a chance to review our latest study on vortex meters, which just came out a few weeks ago, here’s a link to that page: https://www.flowresearch.com/vortex/

Looking ahead vs. looking behind. When you think about the flowmeter industry, it is natural to want to look ahead to see where the industry is going. If you look ahead, you might think about the future of smart instrumentation, self-diagnostics, lighter-weight materials, and artificial intelligence. Looking ahead is important and is part of strategic planning. On the other hand, it is also helpful to look behind us to see how we got to where we are today. This is where patents come in. Patents approved many years ago may influence what it is possible to plan for today.

What is a patent? A patent is an exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor, giving them the exclusive right to produce, use, and sell the invention for a limited time. A patent excludes others from copying or making use of this invention during this time. Patents are administered by different agencies in different countries.

In the United States, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) administers patents. The USPTO maintains an extremely helpful database going back many years in which it is possible to search for filed and approved patents. This information is vitally important when trying to determine who has filed a patent and when, and what the patent protects. This is vital information when determining whether to file a new patent, or for doing historical research. The USPTO grants design patents for 15 years and utility patents for 20 years.

The procedure is different in Europe. In October 1973, 39 member states established the European Patent Office (EPO) at the European Patent Convention. European patents are granted by the EPO, but they must be validated in individual member states. The German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) administers patents in Germany, while the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is in charge of patents in the UK.

In Japan, patents are controlled by the Japan Patent Office (JPO). The JPO grants patents, including utility patents, for 20 years. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) administers patents in the People’s Republic of China. The CNIPA grants design patents for 15 years and invention patents for 20 years.

Why is it important to look behind at past patent filings along with other important historical factors while at the same time looking ahead? Every flowmeter has its own principle of operation, sensing method, and transmitter type. Flowmeters look mature, but beneath the surface, manufacturers invest heavily in new materials, new geometries, signal-conditioning methods, and electronics. Patents protect these innovations and determine the competitive landscape.

The graphic below is from a patent granted in 1910 for a lemon squeezer.