US3810388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowmeters
Assignee: Elster Metering Holdings Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-03-22
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A flowmeter in which an elongated body extends across a conduit and causes vortices to be formed in a fluid flowing along the conduit. The frequency at which vortices are formed is proportional to the rate of flow of the fluid and sensing means are provided for generating a signal proportional to that frequency. The width of the body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flow is so arranged that the constant of proportionality between the frequency of vortex formation and the flowrate is at a minimum value.
Inventors
- 👤 T Cousins
- 👤 K Zanker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/3209; G01F1/3218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A flowmeter comprising a conduit which a flow of fluid can be established, an elongated body which extends across the conduit and is adapted to cause vortices to be formed in the fluid at a frequency proportional to the rate of flow of fluid, the constant of proportionality between the said frequency and the rate of flow first decreasing to a minimum value and then increasing as the ratio between the width of the body in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow and the internal width of the conduit in that direction is increased and the ratio being so arranged that the constant of proportionality is equal or substantially equal to the said minimum value, and sensing means responsive to the formation of the vortices and adapted to generate a signal representative of the said frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A flowmeter comprising a conduit which a flow of fluid can be established, an elongated body which extends across the conduit and is adapted to cause vortices to be formed in the fluid at a frequency proportional to the rate of flow of fluid, the constant of proportionality between the said frequency and the rate of flow first decreasing to a minimum value and then increasing as the ratio between the width of the body in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow and the internal width of the conduit in that direction is increased and the ratio being so arranged that the constant of proportionality is equal or substantially equal to the said minimum value, and sensing means responsive to the formation of the vortices and adapted to generate a signal representative of the said frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said ratio is between 90 percent and 110 percent of the value at which the constant of proportionality is equal to the said minimum value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said body is a flat plate and the said ratio of the width of the plate to the internal width of the conduit is equal or substantially equal to 0.26.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said body is a cylinder of circular cross-section and the ratio of the diameter of the cylinder to the internal width of the conduit is equal or substantially equal to 0.36.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said body has a rectangular cross-section, and the said ratio of the width of the body to the internal width of the conduit is equal or substantially equal to 0.25.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said width of the body is greater than the thickness thereof in a direction parallel with the direction of fluid flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ratio of the width of the body to the thickness thereof is equal to or substantially equal to 3:2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said body has a square cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit has a circular internal cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body extends across the conduit from one side thereof to the opposed side and sealing means are provided between each of the opposed sides and the adjacent part of the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein opposed ends of the body are spaced from respective opposed sides of the conduit and each end of the body is provided with an End plate which serves to prevent, or substantially to prevent, fluid flow in a direction lengthwise of the body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensing means are adapted to provide an electrical signal representative of the said frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 12 wherein the said electrical signal is an alternating signal having a frequency representative of the said frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3572117A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |