METERING GAS CONSUMPTION Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G01F1/704 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: gas meter has a pipe (1) for passage of a gas stream A and an ioniser (2) for ionising the gas stream in the pipe (1). A modulating electrode structure (4) downstream the ioniser modulates distribution of ions in the ionised gas stream. A first detecting electrode structure (8) and a second electrode structure (9) downstream the modulating electrode structure (4) detects the modulated distribution of ions in the ionised gas stream. The modulating electrode structure (4) and the detecting electrode structures (8, 9) are configured to form an electric field, having at least a considerable component parallel the direction of the gas stream. The modulating electrode structure (4) and the detecting electrode structures (8, 9) have a pair of electrodes (5, 6, 10, 11). Each has a plurality of holes for passage of the gas stream. The modulating electrode structure (4) is meant for capturing ions of the same polarity in order to form an ionised gas stream containing the majority of ions of the opposite polarity. In that case, the detecting electrode structure can have at least one electrode (11) connected to a charge source. Movement of the ionised gas stream relative the electrode causes charge redistribution on the electrode, which generates current which indicates distribution of ions between the electrode (11) and the charge source.

EFFECT: high measurement accuracy and efficiency of modulation.

21 cl, 4 dwg