US3720104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowmeters
Assignee: Kent Instruments Ltd
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Filing: 1970-08-17
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct comprising a generally cylindrical member positioned in the duct for bodily oscillatory movement at right angles to the fluid flow in response to streams of periodic eddies generated by fluid flow therepast, and transducer means for providing a signal in response to such oscillatory movement. The member is situated and arranged so that the bodily motion thereof gives rise to a coherent two-dimensional eddy pattern in the flowing fluid. The member may be positioned in the duct by one or more flexures, by a plurality of springs, or by a magnetic levitation.
Inventors
- 👤 K Zanker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/325; G01F1/3259; G01F1/3266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; and elongated cylindrical flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means comprising a structure mounted in said duct upstream of said flow-responsive member and at least one flexure strip of low stiffness in a single plane from end to end of said strip, said plane including the flow direction, one end of said strip being attached to said structure and the other end being attached to and supporting said flow-responsive member whereby said member can carry out bodily oscillatory movement substantially at right angles to said plane; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; and elongated cylindrical flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means comprising a structure mounted in said duct upstream of said flow-responsive member and at least one flexure strip of low stiffness in a single plane from end to end of said strip, said plane including the flow direction, one end of said strip being attached to said structure and the other end being attached to and supporting said flow-responsive member whereby said member can carry out bodily oscillatory movement substantially at right angles to said plane; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; and elongated cylindrical flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means comprising a structure mounted in said duct upstream of said flow-responsive member and at least one flexure strip of low stiffness in a single plane from end to end of said strip, said plane including the flow direction, one end of said strip being attached to said structure and the other end being attached to and supporting said flow-responsive member whereby said member can carry out bodily oscillatory movement substantially at right angles to said plane; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; and elongated cylindrical flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means comprising a structure mounted in said duct upstream of said flow-responsive member and at least one flexure strip of low stiffness in a single plane from end to end of said strip, said plane including the flow direction, one end of said strip being attached to said structure and the other end being attached to and supporting said flow-responsive member whereby said member can carry out bodily oscillatory movement substantially at right angles to said plane; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said structure is a flow straightener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said duct has a section in which the cross-sectional area increases in the flow direction and said positioning means is adapted to position said flow responsive member in said section of the duct.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
153 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; an elongated flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means being adapted to permit bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member in a direction substantially at right angles to both the flow direction and the axis of the member, in response to vortices generated by fluid flow past the member; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal, said flow-responsive member being composed at least in part of ferromagnetic material and said positioning means comprising magnetic meaNs mounted on said duct and adapted to support the member inside the duct by magnetic levitation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
A device for measuring the velocity of a fluid flowing along a duct, comprising: positioning means fixed relative to said duct; an elongated flow-responsive member mounted substantially at right angles to the flow direction in said duct by said positioning means so as to extend across at least the major portion of the width of the duct, said positioning means being adapted to permit bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member in a direction substantially at right angles to both the flow direction and the axis of the member, in response to vortices generated by fluid flow past the member; and transducer means responsive to said bodily oscillatory movement of said flow-responsive member to provide an oscillatory signal, said flow-responsive member being composed at least in part of ferromagnetic material and said positioning means comprising magnetic meaNs mounted on said duct and adapted to support the member inside the duct by magnetic levitation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |