EP0084159A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing device for human lung exhalation/inhalation air flow measurement
Assignee: KINETICS MEASUREMENT CO
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Filing: 1982-12-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A spirometer is provided having an air flow path (32) with a housing (24) extending between the ends of a container (12). A paddle wheel rotor (42) rotates within a cavity and partially cuts across the flow path to define an air gap. The ratio of the cross sectional area of the air gap to the inlet to the flow path is approximately 1:3. A light source/ detector (80) is activated by a chopper wheel (72) coaxially mounted with the rotor (42) and adapted to rotate therewith. The detector (80) generates a train of pulses proportional to the rotation of the rotor (42) which in turn is proportional to the volume of air flowing through the air path (32).
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A. Edwards
- 👤 Keith Ford Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/06; G01F1/065; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; A61B5/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A sensing device for human lung exhalation/ inhalation air flow measurement utilizing a rotor for air flow detection and measurement, characterized in that it comprises: a container having a top end cap and bottom end cap; an air flow housing positioned within said container extending between said end caps; . and air flow path extending longitudinally through said housing, said path terminating at one end in air inlet communicating with an opening in said top end cap and at the opposite end in an outlet communicating with an opening in said bottom end cap; an arcuate cavity in said housing communica ting with said flow path and extending tranverse ly thereto; a multi-blade paddle wheel type rotor mounted for rotation within said housing for coaxial rotation within said cavity and partially across said flow path whereby to define an air gap, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of said air gap to said inlet being approximately 1:3; and, means for counting the rotations of said ro tor when air is inhaled or exhaled through said inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A sensing device for human lung exhalation/ inhalation air flow measurement utilizing a rotor for air flow detection and measurement, characterized in that it comprises: a container having a top end cap and bottom end cap; an air flow housing positioned within said container extending between said end caps; . and air flow path extending longitudinally through said housing, said path terminating at one end in air inlet communicating with an opening in said top end cap and at the opposite end in an outlet communicating with an opening in said bottom end cap; an arcuate cavity in said housing communica ting with said flow path and extending tranverse ly thereto; a multi-blade paddle wheel type rotor mounted for rotation within said housing for coaxial rotation within said cavity and partially across said flow path whereby to define an air gap, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of said air gap to said inlet being approximately 1:3; and, means for counting the rotations of said ro tor when air is inhaled or exhaled through said inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 fur ther comprising a shaft extending axially through said rotor for rotation therewith; an extension of said shaft extending beyond a sidewall of said housing; a light chopper wheel secured to said extension for rotation therewith; a light source and light detector mounted on opposite sides of said light chopper, means for generating an electrical pulse in respon se to the output of said light detector, and means for counting said pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a mouthpiece stem communicating with said top end cap opening and a disposable mouthpiece mounted on said stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said arcuate cavity descri bes an arc greater than 180 0 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with clamis 1, 2 or 3 wherein said end caps are parallel to each other and said flow path extends per pendicular to said caps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with clamis 1, 2 or 3 wherein said end caps are parallel to each other and said flow path extends per pendicular to said caps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the blades of said rotor are identical and each of said blades tapers from the shaft toward the blade tip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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