US3792610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow meter
Assignee: BPN ASS Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A flow meter wherein increased linear flow range is obtained by providing a straight through flow path with very little pressure drop through the device in conjunction with a paddle wheel of low inertia design and detection system devoid of the introduction of rotational drag. The meter also features a simple pulse detection and digital processing circuit for processing the detected flow rate signal without requirement of expensive regulated power supplies and precision components.
Inventors
- 👤 B Kountanis
- 👤 P Piper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/06; G01F1/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A flow meter comprising a body having a bore of constant cross-sectional area extending axially therethrough for communication with a flow system to be metered for a rate of flow, said body intermediate the ends thereof having a narrow radial cavity offset from and in communication with said bore, a wheel having a central hub and a plurality of narrow paddles extending radially therefrom and journalled for bidirectional rotation within said cavity about an axis normal to said bore axis, said axis and said hub being also offset from said bore such that no portion of said hub extends into said bore, the radial outer portions of said paddles partially peripherally extending into said bore during wheel rotation, said cavity having opposed side walls and an end wall with the latter being generally equidistant from the axis of rotation of said paddle wheel, said paddles having a depth along the axis of rotation of said paddle wheel substantially the same as the thickness of said paddles in a direction normal to said axis of rotation, the ends of said paddles as measured along said axis of rotation being positioned closely adjacent said cavity side walls, and the tips of said paddles being positioned closely adjacent said passage end wall, and detection means associated with said wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of the rotational velocity thereof, said flow meter being further defined by said bore having its opposite ends terminating in flow connectors, said body having a radial bore extending therein to a point of narrow tangential communication with said axial bore, a tubular stub received in said radial bore, and cylindrical plug means disposed within said stub, said plug means having said cavity defined therein, said cavity being of narrow rectangular cross section and being in communication with said axial bore at said point of narrow tangential communication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
A flow meter comprising a body having a bore of constant cross-sectional area extending axially therethrough for communication with a flow system to be metered for a rate of flow, said body intermediate the ends thereof having a narrow radial cavity offset from and in communication with said bore, a wheel having a central hub and a plurality of narrow paddles extending radially therefrom and journalled for bidirectional rotation within said cavity about an axis normal to said bore axis, said axis and said hub being also offset from said bore such that no portion of said hub extends into said bore, the radial outer portions of said paddles partially peripherally extending into said bore during wheel rotation, said cavity having opposed side walls and an end wall with the latter being generally equidistant from the axis of rotation of said paddle wheel, said paddles having a depth along the axis of rotation of said paddle wheel substantially the same as the thickness of said paddles in a direction normal to said axis of rotation, the ends of said paddles as measured along said axis of rotation being positioned closely adjacent said cavity side walls, and the tips of said paddles being positioned closely adjacent said passage end wall, and detection means associated with said wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of the rotational velocity thereof, said flow meter being further defined by said bore having its opposite ends terminating in flow connectors, said body having a radial bore extending therein to a point of narrow tangential communication with said axial bore, a tubular stub received in said radial bore, and cylindrical plug means disposed within said stub, said plug means having said cavity defined therein, said cavity being of narrow rectangular cross section and being in communication with said axial bore at said point of narrow tangential communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A flow meter according to claim 1, further defined by said detection means comprising a photo-electric detector encapsulated in said plug means adjacent one side wall of said cavity, and a light source encapsulated in said plug means adjacent the opposite side of said cavity for directing light upon said detector for interception by said paddles during rotation of said wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A flow meter according to claim 2, further defined by a miniature solid state pre-amplifier encapsulated in said plug means and coupled to said detector, and an electrical connector carried by a cap secured to the outer end of said stub, said connector coupled to said light Source and pre-amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
180 words
A flow meter comprising a body having an axial bore extending therethrough adapted for communication with a flow system to be metered for rate of flow, means defining a narrow cavity in offset relation to and in communication with said bore, a paddle wheel journalled for rotation within said cavity, said wheel having paddles adapted to extend into said bore during wheel rotation, said paddles having opposite sides closely spaced to the opposite side walls of said cavity to define very narrow passages therebetween, and detection means associated with said paddle wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of the rotational velocity thereof, said axial bore having its opposite ends terminating in flow connectors, said body having a radial bore extending therein to a point of narrow tangential communication with said axial bore, a tubular stub received in said radial bore, and cylindrical plug means disposed within said stub, said plug means having said cavity defined therein, said cavity being of narrow rectangular cross section and being in communication with said axial bore at said point of narrow tangential communication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
180 words
A flow meter comprising a body having an axial bore extending therethrough adapted for communication with a flow system to be metered for rate of flow, means defining a narrow cavity in offset relation to and in communication with said bore, a paddle wheel journalled for rotation within said cavity, said wheel having paddles adapted to extend into said bore during wheel rotation, said paddles having opposite sides closely spaced to the opposite side walls of said cavity to define very narrow passages therebetween, and detection means associated with said paddle wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of the rotational velocity thereof, said axial bore having its opposite ends terminating in flow connectors, said body having a radial bore extending therein to a point of narrow tangential communication with said axial bore, a tubular stub received in said radial bore, and cylindrical plug means disposed within said stub, said plug means having said cavity defined therein, said cavity being of narrow rectangular cross section and being in communication with said axial bore at said point of narrow tangential communication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A flow meter according to claim 4, further defined by said detection means comprising a photo-electric detector encapsulated in said plug means adjacent one side wall of said cavity, and a light source encapsulated in said plug means adjacent the opposite side of said cavity for directing light upon said detector for interception by said paddles during rotation of said wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A flow meter according to claim 5, further defined by a miniature solid state pre-amplifier encapsulated in said plug means and coupled to said detector, and an electrical connector carried by a cap secured to the outer end of said stub, said connector coupled to said light source and pre-amplifier.
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) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |