US3604265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid-driven mass flowmeter
Assignee: Neptune Meter Co
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Filing: 1969-03-19
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A fluid-driven mass flowmeter comprising two identical impellers or rotors, having the same blade pitch design, arranged in tandem, back to back, and coupled by an intermediate linear torsion spring such that the upstream rotor is driven as a compressor by the downstream rotor which acts as a turbine. Energy input and flow turbulence are minimized and increased torque on the rotors is derived by the use of a compound blade shape and close rotor positioning so that the annular momentum which the upstream or compressor rotor puts into the passing stream, in the form of a swirl, is removed by the downstream or turbine rotor. The differing torques acting on the two rotors cause an angular displacement between them and an indication of the mass flow is obtained by measuring the time displacement of suitable markers on each rotor, which markers are axially aligned at zero angular displacement.
Inventors
- 👤 Mason P Wilson Jr
- 👤 Joseph B Gordon
- 👤 John B Duffy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/115; G01F1/76; G01F1/78; G01F1/80; G01F1/82; G01F15/00; G01F15/07; G01F15/075; G01F15/0755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A fluid-driven mass flowmeter of the type comprising: a. a first rotor disposed in and driven by the fluid stream to be measured; b. a second rotor arranged coaxially with said first rotor in the fluid stream; c. torsional means connecting said first and second rotors and transmitting a driving torque from the first to the second rotor; wherein the improvement comprises: d. said first rotor comprises blades having a helical portion at one end and a radial portion at the other end; and e. said second rotor is substantially identical to said first rotor and disposed with its radial bladed end adjacent the radial bladed end of said first rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fluid-driven mass flowmeter of the type comprising: a. a first rotor disposed in and driven by the fluid stream to be measured; b. a second rotor arranged coaxially with said first rotor in the fluid stream; c. torsional means connecting said first and second rotors and transmitting a driving torque from the first to the second rotor; wherein the improvement comprises: d. said first rotor comprises blades having a helical portion at one end and a radial portion at the other end; and e. said second rotor is substantially identical to said first rotor and disposed with its radial bladed end adjacent the radial bladed end of said first rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first rotor is of the axial inflow-type and said second rotor is of the axial outflow-type
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first rotor is of the radial inflow type and said second rotor is of the radial outflow type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said helical portions produce axial flow and said radial portions produce radial flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 comprising an annular member attached to and rotating with said first rotor and extending about and radially spaced from the periphery of said second rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said torsional means is a linear torsion spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A fluid-driven mass flowmeter comprising: a. a first rotor having a helical bladed portion and a radial bladed portion for imparting an angular momentum to the fluid stream to be measured; b. a second rotor having a helical bladed portion and a radial bladed portion and positioned closely adjacent said first rotor with the radial bladed portions opposite each other for removing said angular momentum from the fluid stream; c. torsional means connected between said first and second rotors by which said second rotor drives said first rotor, said torsional means being deflected by the reactive torque produced on said first rotor by the fluid stream; and d. means for determining the effect of said reactive torque on said torsional means to measure the mass flow of the fluid stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A fluid-driven mass flowmeter comprising: a. a first rotor having a helical bladed portion and a radial bladed portion for imparting an angular momentum to the fluid stream to be measured; b. a second rotor having a helical bladed portion and a radial bladed portion and positioned closely adjacent said first rotor with the radial bladed portions opposite each other for removing said angular momentum from the fluid stream; c. torsional means connected between said first and second rotors by which said second rotor drives said first rotor, said torsional means being deflected by the reactive torque produced on said first rotor by the fluid stream; and d. means for determining the effect of said reactive torque on said torsional means to measure the mass flow of the fluid stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7 wherein said radial bladed portions are of the axial flow type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7 wherein said radial bladed portions are of the radial flow type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7 comprising an annular member attached to and rotating with said second rotor and extending about and radially spaced from the periphery of said first rotor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the blades in said radial bladed portions are coplanar with the axis of rotation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first and second rotors are substantially identical.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |