US3772916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable increment transducer for fluid flow metering systems
Assignee: Bennett Pump Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-08
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A solid state device for generating signals in response to a flow metering device is composed of a fixed frequency signal generator periodically blocked for more then one of its oscillation periods by the output of a second signal generator composed of a light emitting diode, a phototransistor, an interposed perforated shutter disc driven by the flow metering device and suitable amplifier, in particular a Schmitt trigger circuit. This combination forms a variable increment transducer suitable for location near equipment for dispensing flammable fuilds. The output of the transducer, consisting of successive pulse trains of fixed frequency but variable length, is supplied to equipment which (a) counts the number of pulse trains to register total volume (b) limits the number of pulses in each train to a price related number and (c) counts the pulses so limited to register total price.
Inventors
- 👤 W Booth
- 👤 R Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:02
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/22; B67D7/221; B67D7/222; G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/07; G01F15/075; G01F15/0755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A variable increment traNsducer, for use with a fluid flow metering device, comprising: a. a first signal means adapted to produce relatively short pulses at a relatively high and substantially constant frequency and adapted to be blocked by a blocking voltage or current, said first signal means having an output semiconductor or switch means which is connected to ground whereby, when said first signal means is blocked, the polarity of the output voltage of said first signal means is near ground potential; b. a second signal means adapted to generate pulses of blocking voltage or current of durations substantially exceeding the pulse period of said first signal means at variable intervals which always are of sufficient duration to permit a train of a multiplicity of pulses to be generated by said first signal means, with the duration of a pulse of blocking voltage or current being variable in proportion to the length of said variable intervals, said second signal means including a light source, a light sensitive element, a rotary interrupter adapted to block light from said light responsive element periodically, and circuit means which is connected to the output of said light sensitive element and operative, when said light sensitive element is energized by the passage of light from said light source through said interrupter, to generate said pulses of blocking voltage or current; c. means for driving said second signal means at a cyclic rate corresponding to the rate of flow of fluid in said flow metering device; d. means for applying said pulses of blocking voltage or current to said first signal means for periodically blocking said first signal means; and e. output means for supplying pulse trains generated by said first signal means during said variable intervals to registering or indicating equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A variable increment traNsducer, for use with a fluid flow metering device, comprising: a. a first signal means adapted to produce relatively short pulses at a relatively high and substantially constant frequency and adapted to be blocked by a blocking voltage or current, said first signal means having an output semiconductor or switch means which is connected to ground whereby, when said first signal means is blocked, the polarity of the output voltage of said first signal means is near ground potential; b. a second signal means adapted to generate pulses of blocking voltage or current of durations substantially exceeding the pulse period of said first signal means at variable intervals which always are of sufficient duration to permit a train of a multiplicity of pulses to be generated by said first signal means, with the duration of a pulse of blocking voltage or current being variable in proportion to the length of said variable intervals, said second signal means including a light source, a light sensitive element, a rotary interrupter adapted to block light from said light responsive element periodically, and circuit means which is connected to the output of said light sensitive element and operative, when said light sensitive element is energized by the passage of light from said light source through said interrupter, to generate said pulses of blocking voltage or current; c. means for driving said second signal means at a cyclic rate corresponding to the rate of flow of fluid in said flow metering device; d. means for applying said pulses of blocking voltage or current to said first signal means for periodically blocking said first signal means; and e. output means for supplying pulse trains generated by said first signal means during said variable intervals to registering or indicating equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A variable increment transducer as defined in claim 1 in which the frequency of said first signal means and the maximum rate of said flow metering device are so related that said variable intervals at least exceed 999 cycle periods of said first signal means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A variable increment transducer as defined in claim 1 in which said means for driving said second signal means is a shaft transmitting rotary motion from a flow metering device to said rotary interrupter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A variable increment transducer as defined in claim 3 in which said interrupter is arranged to block light from said light sensitive element during the said variable intervals during which the operation of said first signal means is not blocked by said second signal means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A variable increment transducer as defined in claim 3 in which said light source, said light sensitive device and all the active elements of said first and second signal means are semiconductor devices capable of operation at a supply voltage not exceeding 6 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
277 words
A metering system for use with a flow metering device for flammable liquids including, in combination: a variable increment transducer including: i. a first signal means adapted to produce relatively short pulses at a relatively high and substantially constant frequency and adapted to be blocked by a blocking voltage or current; ii. a second signal means adapted to generate pulses of blocking voltage or current of durations substantially exceeding the pulse period of said first signal means at variable intervals which always are of sufficient duration to permit a train of a multiplicity of pulses to be generated by said first signal means; iii. means for driving said second signal means at a cyclic rate corresponding to the rate of flow of fluid in said flow metering device; iv. means for applying said pulses of blocking voltage or current to said first signal means for periodically blocking said first signal means; and v. output means for supplying pulse trains generated by said first signal means during said variable intervals to registering or indicating equipment; count limiting means for limiting to an adjustable predeTermined number the number of pulses in each of said pulse trains supplied by said output means of said transducer which are passed on at the output of said count limiting means; a pulse width discriminator adapted to produce a pulse in response to each interval between said pulse trains; means for counting pulses directly or indirectly produced by said pulse discriminator; and means for counting the total number of pulses of a plurality of said pulse trains supplied in sequence by said output means of said transducer as limited by said count limiting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
277 words
A metering system for use with a flow metering device for flammable liquids including, in combination: a variable increment transducer including: i. a first signal means adapted to produce relatively short pulses at a relatively high and substantially constant frequency and adapted to be blocked by a blocking voltage or current; ii. a second signal means adapted to generate pulses of blocking voltage or current of durations substantially exceeding the pulse period of said first signal means at variable intervals which always are of sufficient duration to permit a train of a multiplicity of pulses to be generated by said first signal means; iii. means for driving said second signal means at a cyclic rate corresponding to the rate of flow of fluid in said flow metering device; iv. means for applying said pulses of blocking voltage or current to said first signal means for periodically blocking said first signal means; and v. output means for supplying pulse trains generated by said first signal means during said variable intervals to registering or indicating equipment; count limiting means for limiting to an adjustable predeTermined number the number of pulses in each of said pulse trains supplied by said output means of said transducer which are passed on at the output of said count limiting means; a pulse width discriminator adapted to produce a pulse in response to each interval between said pulse trains; means for counting pulses directly or indirectly produced by said pulse discriminator; and means for counting the total number of pulses of a plurality of said pulse trains supplied in sequence by said output means of said transducer as limited by said count limiting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A metering system as defined in claim 6 in which said count limiting means is located in proximity to said transducer and is provided with a connection adapted to reset said count limiting means during the period said first signal means of said transducer is blocked by said means for applying said pulses of blocking voltage or current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A metering system as defined in claim 6 in which said count limiting means, said pulse width discriminator and said respective counting means are located outside the immediate proximity of said transducer and in which a connection is provided to enable resetting of said count limiting means in response to the production of a pulse by said pulse width discriminator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A metering system as defined in claim 6 having gate means associated with said pulse width discriminator adapted to generate, after operation of said pulse width discriminator, a single output pulse in response to one or more pulses of the next of said pulse trains, said output pulses so generated by said gate means constituting pulses indirectly produced with said pulse width discriminator counted by the means for counting pulses directly or indirectly produced by said pulse width discriminator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A metering system as defined in claim 6 in which said count limiting means has, in addition to counting means, setting means and comparison means, also a bistable set-reset memory latch circuit which: I. is arranged to be set by an output pulse of said pulse width discriminator and to be reset by said comparison means when the number of pulses in one of said pulse trains reaches a predetermined number setting means and II. has outputs arranged in the ''''set'''' condition of said latch i. to initially reset and to enable operation of said counting means by pulses of one of said pulse trains and ii. to enable operation of output gates for volume and price count pulses, III. said outputs being also arranged in the ''''reset'''' condition of said latch i. to inhibit operation of said counting means and ii. to block said output gates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A metering system as defined in claim 10 in which said output pulses of said pulse discriminator begin after a predetermined interval following the termination of one of said pulse trains, as determined by a passive timing network, and are ended by the arrival of the first pulse of the next of said pulse trains and in which system, further, volume count pulses are produced by said volume count output gate beginning with the ends of said output pulses of said pulse width discriminator and ending with the resetting of said latch circuit.
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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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |