US3729994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow metering system for liquid wastes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-07
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1992-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A liquid flow metering system comprising a flow conduit, many of such conduits having a dielectric lining supported for strength by a moisture bearing material such as concrete, the concrete itself often having still other moisture bearing material on the outside of it such as dirt, a capacitive electrode imbedded in or attached to a side wall of the conduit, a dielectric medium disposed between the capacitive electrode and the moisturebearing concrete, dirt or other material, the dielectric medium being disposed on the side of the capacitive electrode which faces away from the center of the conduit to prevent the capacitive electrode from sensing the moisture in the concrete, dirt, or other moisture-bearing material whereby the capacitive electrode senses only liquid in the conduit so as to give accurate sensing thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 H Klug
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/56; G01F1/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A fluid flow conduit and electrode assembly for use in a metering system for measuring flow of electrically conductive fluid comprising a flow conduit for receiving flow of said liquid therethrough, said conduit having a bottom wall, said conduit having upstanding sidewalls, said sidewalls having inner surfaces, a capacitive electrode disposed in the close vicinity of at least one of said sidewalls of said conduit, said conduit having an inlet and an outlet defining a direction for flow, an attachment and insulation assembly firmly attaching said electrode to said conduit, said latter assembly having a part thereof disposed between said electrode and the interior of said conduit and electrically insulating said electrode from contents of said interior, said electrode having a suitable terminal connectable to a capacitance responsive flow level transmitter assembly adapted to send electric signals proportional to the height of said fluid in said conduit, and a substantially dielectric medium disposed on that outer side of said electrode which faces away from the interior of said conduit and occupying a space of such a size as to substantially electrically insulate said outer side of said electrode for flow height measurement purposes from capacitance change from conductive materials which might be disposed on the opposite side of said dielectric medium from said electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A fluid flow conduit and electrode assembly for use in a metering system for measuring flow of electrically conductive fluid comprising a flow conduit for receiving flow of said liquid therethrough, said conduit having a bottom wall, said conduit having upstanding sidewalls, said sidewalls having inner surfaces, a capacitive electrode disposed in the close vicinity of at least one of said sidewalls of said conduit, said conduit having an inlet and an outlet defining a direction for flow, an attachment and insulation assembly firmly attaching said electrode to said conduit, said latter assembly having a part thereof disposed between said electrode and the interior of said conduit and electrically insulating said electrode from contents of said interior, said electrode having a suitable terminal connectable to a capacitance responsive flow level transmitter assembly adapted to send electric signals proportional to the height of said fluid in said conduit, and a substantially dielectric medium disposed on that outer side of said electrode which faces away from the interior of said conduit and occupying a space of such a size as to substantially electrically insulate said outer side of said electrode for flow height measurement purposes from capacitance change from conductive materials which might be disposed on the opposite side of said dielectric medium from said electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said dielectric medium has a spacing wall means associated therewith and attached to said conduit enabling said medium to hold the position described in use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 1, the total size, position and total electrical conductivity of materials on said outer side of said electrode being such as not to substantially detract from the effectiveness of said electrode for assisting flow height measurement by capacitance change of said electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said electrode extends completely down to the lowermost level of the bottom wall of said conduit in order to measure very low flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: the shape of said electrode being contoured as seen looking in a direction at a right angle to said direction for flow for giving different capacitance readings at different height levels of fluid, a solid support means capable of holding moisture disposed on that side of said electrode which is disposed away from said conduit, said medium being between said electrode and said means capable of holding moisture, said medium extending in a direction horizontally away from a center of the interior of said conduit a distance from said electrode which is substantially greater than the average thickness of said one sidewall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 5 in which said conduit has a dielectric solid liner on the inner side of said solid means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 5 in which said conduit has a liner on the inner side of said solid means, said liner being formed of a material which is a better moisture barrier than said solid support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said electrode extends below the lowermost level of the interior of the bottom wall of said conduit so as to measure even very small flow so that said transmitter can signal what is substantially a ceasing of flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said conduit has a portion thereof formed of electrically insulating material and said electrode being imbedded in said material of said conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 9 in which said conduit and said electrode are of greatly differing thermal expansion characteristics and in which said electrode is of lesser rigidity than said conduit, and said electrode being of sufficient flexibility as to substantially prevent cracking of said conduit from difference in said thermal expansion characteristics of said electrode and said conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 9 in which said electrode is substantially formed of woven wire mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 9 in which said electrode is substantially formed of a metallic material having an undulating shape in vertical cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said electrode is substantially U-shaped and extends across the bottom of said conduit and said one sidewall as described and also up the other sidewall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the space between said electrode and those portions of said dielectric medium which are spaced farthest from said electrode is free of any conductive substance of such substantial size and nature as to substantially interfere with the electrical sensitivity of said electrode for helping to detect flow height in said conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 14 in which combination with a transmitter as described which is operably connected to said electrode terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a spacing wall is disposed across a substantial area of that side of said dielectric medium which faces away from said electrode, said spacing wall being attached to said conduit, that side of said spacing wall which faces said electrode being concave for forming a space between said spacing wall and said conduit in which said dielectric medium is disposed, said spacing wall being of a stronger material than said dielectric medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said electrode extends completely down to the lowermost level of the bottom wall of said conduit in order to measure very low flow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said electrode has a main sensing portion disposed upright and a lower portion extending transversely to said main sensing portion and inwardly generally toward a center of the bottom of said conduit, said transverse portion being disposed below the bottom wall of the conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 in further combination with a transmitter as described which is operably connected to said electrode terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a solid support means capable of holding moisture disposed on that side of said electrode which is disposed away from said conduit, said medium being between said electrode and said means capable of holding moisture, said medium extending in a direction horizontally away from a center of the interior of said conduit a distance from said electrode which is substantially greater than the average thickness of said one sidewall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 20 in which said conduit has a liner on the inner side of said solid means, said liner being formed of a material which is a better moisture barrier than said solid support means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 20 in further combination with a transmitter as described which is operably connected to said electrode terminal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said attachment and insulation assembly is disposed in a position for blocking fluid from said interior from becoming disposed between said electrode and said dielectric medium along at least the majority of the height of said electrode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 23 in further combination with a transmitter as described which is operably connected to said electrode terminal.
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) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |