Liquid drop sensing and counting system

Claim 2

Apparatus for sensing and counting a flow of liquid drops comprising: a. drop-forming means adapted to be connected to a source of liquid for providing liquid drops in a first path; b. flow-defining means adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure, in a range providing a laminar flow, for providing a flow of gas in a second path in a direction whereby the gas flow is interrupted by a liquid drop; c. a pressure transducer in communication with the gas flow for providing an electrical signal in response to interruption of the gas flow by a liquid drop; and d. counting means operatively connected to said transducer.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drop-forming means comprises a nozzle having an orifice of a diameter and length so as to calibrate number of drops in terms of volumetric units.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow-defining means comprises: a. a body having a central passage therethrough for receiving liquid drops in the path defined by said drop-forming means; b. a flow-deFining nozzle positioned in said body so that the orifice thereof is in communication with the central passage, said nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure in a laminar flow range; and c. a receiving nozzle connected to said transducer and positioned in said body so that the orifice thereof is in communication with the gas flow from said flow-defining nozzle.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the axes of said flow-defining nozzle and said receiving nozzle are coincident and disposed so as to be perpendicular and coplanar with respect to the axis of said body central passage.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said counting means provides a visual indication in terms of volume per unit of time.

Claim 7

Apparatus for sensing and counting a flow of liquid drops comprising: a. a drop-forming nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of liquid for providing liquid drops in a first path, said nozzle having an orifice dimensioned so as to calibrate number of drops in terms of volumetric units; b. a body supporting said drop-forming nozzle and having a passage therein through which the liquid drops can fall; c. a flow-defining nozzle supported in said body and adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure in a range providing a laminar flow, said nozzle being positioned so that a flow of gas is provided in a second path in a direction whereby the gas flow is interrupted by a liquid drop; d. a receiving nozzle supported in said body and positioned so that the orifice thereof is in communication with the gas flow from said flow-defining nozzle; e. a pressure transducer connected to said receiving nozzle by providing an electrical signal in response to interruptions of the gas flow by a liquid drop; and f. counting means operatively connected to said transducer for providing an indication of liquid flow in volumetric units.

Claim 8

Apparatus for sensing and counting a flow of liquid drops comprising: a. a drop-forming nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of liquid for providing liquid drops in a first path, said nozzle having an orifice dimensioned so as to calibrate number of drops in terms of volumetric units; b. a body supporting said drop-forming nozzle and having a passage therein through which the liquid drops can fall; c. a flow-defining nozzle supported in said body and adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure in a range providing a laminar flow, said nozzle being positioned so that a flow of gas is provided in a second path in a direction whereby the gas flow is interrupted by a liquid drop; d. a receiving nozzle supported in said body and positioned so that the orifice thereof is in communication with the gas flow from said flow-defining nozzle; e. a pressure transducer connected to said receiving nozzle by providing an electrical signal in response to interruptions of the gas flow by a liquid drop; and f. counting means operatively connected to said transducer for providing an indication of liquid flow in volumetric units.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said counting means provides a visual indication in terms of volume per unit of time.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said pressure transducer provides an electrical signal in response to each interruption of the gas flow by a liquid drop.