Patent US3643489A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3643489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calibrating barrel
Assignee: Signet Controls Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Fluid flowmeters are calibrated by comparing the flowmeter through a calibration barrel. The barrel is of uniform internal diameter with two detector switches placed a predetermined distance apart. Balls with a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the barrel move the predetermined distance to actuate the switches so that an exact and predetermined amount of fluid flow is detected. A ball return conduit is connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the calibration barrel so that a ball is returned from the outlet to the inlet for another calibration test.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy E Davis
- 👤 Paul V Gilliam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F25/00; G01F25/10; G01F25/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A calibrating barrel comprising: a barrel of uniform internal diameter having an inlet and an outlet; a ball return conduit communicating at one end with said barrel adjacent said inlet and at the other end with said barrel adjacent said outlet; a first and a second ball member each having a diameter substantially equal the interior diameter of said barrel and movably sealably through said barrel by fluid flow, said ball return conduit having a reduced internal diameter adjacent said barrel inlet snugly receiving said ball members; ball-diverting means adjacent said barrel outlet whereby said balls passing through said barrel and said outlet are diverted into said ball return conduit, at least one of said balls being in sealing engagement with the interior of said return conduit at all times thereby preventing the flow of fluid through said ball return conduit; a plunger member pivotally supported within said ball return conduit; an upper and a lower arm paralleled to and spaced apart from each other within said ball return conduit, each arm being pivotally affixed at the outer end thereof to said plunger member, the inner end of one of said arms being pivoted to the interior of said ball return conduit; a shaft rotatably supported within said ball return conduit in a plane perpendicular the conduit longitudinal axis, a portion of said shaft extenDing rotatably and sealably externally of said conduit through said opening, the inner end of the other of said arms being affixed to said shaft whereby the rotation of said shaft pivots said arm attached thereto between a normal position and a launching position, said plunger member in said normal position being supported adjacent to the interior of said ball return conduit and providing space for the passage of a ball therebetween and the opposite interior wall of the ball return conduit, and in said launching position said plunger member extending substantially coaxial with said ball return conduit for engaging said ball members and thrusting a ball into said barrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
A calibrating barrel comprising: a barrel of uniform internal diameter having an inlet and an outlet; a ball return conduit communicating at one end with said barrel adjacent said inlet and at the other end with said barrel adjacent said outlet; a first and a second ball member each having a diameter substantially equal the interior diameter of said barrel and movably sealably through said barrel by fluid flow, said ball return conduit having a reduced internal diameter adjacent said barrel inlet snugly receiving said ball members; ball-diverting means adjacent said barrel outlet whereby said balls passing through said barrel and said outlet are diverted into said ball return conduit, at least one of said balls being in sealing engagement with the interior of said return conduit at all times thereby preventing the flow of fluid through said ball return conduit; a plunger member pivotally supported within said ball return conduit; an upper and a lower arm paralleled to and spaced apart from each other within said ball return conduit, each arm being pivotally affixed at the outer end thereof to said plunger member, the inner end of one of said arms being pivoted to the interior of said ball return conduit; a shaft rotatably supported within said ball return conduit in a plane perpendicular the conduit longitudinal axis, a portion of said shaft extenDing rotatably and sealably externally of said conduit through said opening, the inner end of the other of said arms being affixed to said shaft whereby the rotation of said shaft pivots said arm attached thereto between a normal position and a launching position, said plunger member in said normal position being supported adjacent to the interior of said ball return conduit and providing space for the passage of a ball therebetween and the opposite interior wall of the ball return conduit, and in said launching position said plunger member extending substantially coaxial with said ball return conduit for engaging said ball members and thrusting a ball into said barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 including: first and second spaced-apart detector switch means affixed to said barrel intermediate said barrel inlet and outlet, said switches being actuated by the passage of said balls through said barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 wherein said barrel is in series with a flowmeter and including: a pulse generator affixed to said flowmeter to generate electrical pulses in proportion to the quantity of fluid flow therethrough; electric pulse-counting means; and electric switch means in connection with said pulse generator, said pulse counting means and said detector switches whereby the count of the electric pulse output of said pulse generator by said counting means is initiated upon arrival of a said ball at said first signal means and terminated by the arrival of said ball of said second signal means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 wherein said barrel is in series with a flowmeter, including: first and second spaced-apart detector means affixed to said barrel intermediate said barrel inlet and outlet, each of said switches comprising a detector and actuating means adapted to perform a control operation upon arrival of a said ball member thereat; means operable by said meter for continuously producing a driving force while fluid flows through said meter; a recording means adapted to be driven by said driving force; and means connecting said driving force to said recording means when a said ball member passes said first detector means and for disconnecting said driving force from said recording means when said ball member passes said second detector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 including: a third ball member of the same diameter as said first and second ball members wherein at least two of said ball members remain in said ball return conduit reduced diameter portion at all times; a small diameter opening in said ball return conduit reduced diameter portion at a point intermediate the position normally occupied by said balls; and a leak test valve closing said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 wherein said barrel is arranged in a U-shaped configuration wherein said inlet and outlet are in close proximity and wherein said ball return conduit is of relatively short length compared to the length of said barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 wherein said barrel is arranged, in a configuration providing two legs connected by a U-shaped intermediate portion, said inlet and outlet being in close proximity and wherein said legs and intermediate portion are in a vertical plane, said outlet lying above said inlet, and said ball return conduit being in the same vertical plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A calibrating barrel according to claim 1 wherein said ball-diverting means includes at least one bar member extending across the interior diameter of said barrel adjacent to and downstream of said barrel outlet and said ball return conduit, said bar member permitting free flow of fluid therepast and prohibiting the passage of a said ball member.
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) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |