US3768309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic-encapsulated variable-area flowmeter
Assignee: Fischer and Porter Co
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A flowmeter of the rotometer type, wherein a variable-area tube formed of glass and containing a float, is supported between inlet and outlet end fittings having ports to receive inlet and outlet pipes. The tube and the end fittings, save for the ports, are encapsulated in a transparent plastic jacket adapted to prestress the tube to enhance the pressure characteristics of the meter. The cross-sectional shape of the jacket is such as to provide a magnifying lens with respect to a calibrated scale extending along the tube, the jacket also serving as a protective shield in the event the tube is shattered.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A rotometer comprising: A. a tube formed of transparent material and having a tapered longitudinal bore therein affording a vertical fluid passage having a variable cross-sectional area, B. a float disposed in said bore, said float assuming a vertical position therein depending on the rate of fluid flow in said fluid passage, C. inlet and outlet end fittings mounted on opposing ends of said tube, each fitting having a port connectable to a fluid line, and D. a jacket formed of transparent plastic material in direct contact with the entire outer surface of said tube and encapsulating said tube and the portions of said fittings adjoining the ends of the tube to lock said fittings to the jacket and to resist the application of bending forces to said tube, the ports being exposed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A rotometer comprising: A. a tube formed of transparent material and having a tapered longitudinal bore therein affording a vertical fluid passage having a variable cross-sectional area, B. a float disposed in said bore, said float assuming a vertical position therein depending on the rate of fluid flow in said fluid passage, C. inlet and outlet end fittings mounted on opposing ends of said tube, each fitting having a port connectable to a fluid line, and D. a jacket formed of transparent plastic material in direct contact with the entire outer surface of said tube and encapsulating said tube and the portions of said fittings adjoining the ends of the tube to lock said fittings to the jacket and to resist the application of bending forces to said tube, the ports being exposed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jacket is shrunk to pre-stress tube to enhance its pressure characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jacket is made of acrylic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ports are transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ports are in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is provided with a longitudinal scale and said jacket has a cross-sectional formation creating a magnifying lens with respect to said scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A rotometer as seT forth in claim 6, wherein said formation is cylindrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is formed of borosilicate glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rotometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said end fitting is formed of a non-reactive metal having a cylindrical shape and provided with annular grooves filled with the material of said jacket to lock said fittings to said jacket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2643546A
Cited
US3416370A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |