Deductor for flow metering system and apparatus

Claim 2

A precision flow measuring method for measuring the actual consumed flow at a point of use comprising the steps of establishing a flow from a source in succession through a flow consumption meter, a supply chamber maintained at a predetermined flow volume, a supply line, said point of use, and a spill return line for returning the spill at one or more points leading to said point of use directly to said chamber for recirculation to said point of use thereby avoiding a second metering of said unconsumed spill and controlling the established flow from said source through said meter to said supply chamber to replenish said supply chamber when the flow volume in said supply chamber falls below said predetermined volume whereby said meter will provide an accurate volumetric flow consumption for a given period of flow delivery.

Claim 3

Precision flow measuring apparatus for measuring the total used flow delivered from a source to a point of use through a supply line having one or more spill points ahead of the point of use and a return line for recirculating the flow spilled ahead of the point of use comprising a flow consumption meter interposed in the flow supply line adjacent the source; and deductor mechanism interposed in the flow supply line downstream from said meter and comprising pump means having an inlet connected to the output of said flow meter, a supply chamber having a main inlet connected to the outlet side of said pump means, an outlet providing the sole supply to the point of use, and a secondary inlet connected to said return line adapted to return the total volume of recirculated flow passing through said return line to said supply chamber; and control means adapted to sense the flow volume in said supply chamber and effect operation of said pump means to establish a flow to said supply chamber from said source through said meter and said supply chamber main inlet only when the recirculated flow fails to maintain the flow volume at a predetermined volume in said supply chamber.

Claim 4

Precision flow measuring apparatus for measuring the total used flow delivered from a source to a point of use through a supply line having one or more spill points ahead of the point of use and a return line for recirculating the flow spilled ahead of the point of use comprising a flow consumption meter interposed in the flow supply line adjacent the source; and deductor mechanism interposed in the flow supply line downstream from said meter and comprising pump means having an inlet connected to the output of said flow meter, a supply chamber having a main inlet connected to the outlet side of said pump means, an outlet providing the sole supply to the point of use, and a secondary inlet connected to said return line adapted to return the total volume of recirculated flow passing through said return line to said supply chamber; and control means adapted to sense the flow volume in said supply chamber and effect operation of said pump means to establish a flow to said supply chamber from said source through said meter and said supply chamber main inlet only when the recirculated flow fails to maintain the flow volume at a predetermined volume in said supply chamber.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flow meter comprises a plurality of measuring chambers of fixed, predetermined volumetric capacity, valve means actuatable to connect said measuring chambers to said fuel supply line for cyclically filling and emptying said measuring chambers into said flow supply line through said flow meter, photocell detecting means individual to each of said measuring chambers for sensing changes in the level of flow in each of said measuring chambers, a series of light beams directed one at each of said photocell means, and means associated with each measuring chamber including an element supported by and movable with the liquid in each measuring chamber for successively blocking said light beams to change the conductivity of said photocell detecting means and means actuated by said change of photocell conductivity for totalizing the number of light beam interruptions made by said elements as the flow in said measuring chambers is being discharged into said supply line.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pump means comprises an electrically energized pump and said control means comprises a photo-electric sensor, an electric light source directing a light beam toward said sensor through a portion of said supply chamber, said supply chamber is provided with an element supported by and movable in response to the flow level in said supply chamber for blocking and unblocking said light beam as tHe level in said chamber changes to change the conductivity of said photo-electric sensor, and circuit means including an amplifier and relay actuated by said change in photocell conductivity for energizing said electric pump when the flow level falls below said predetermined level in said supply chamber to unblock said light beam and for deenergizing said electric pump when the flow level reaches said predetermined level in said supply chamber to block said light beam.