US3811323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid meter
Assignee: Hersey Products Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-08
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1991-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Liquid flow rate meter of the turbine type in which rotor thrust bearing unloading is achieved by downstream increase of effective flow rate area to produce a Bernoulli''s effect upstream force on the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 G Swenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/115; G01F1/1155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A meter for measurement of liquid flow, comprising: a housing with inlet and outlet ends, and a rotor mounted therebetween, said rotor being mounted for rotation on and with a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said housing, a downstream thrust bearing for said shaft, and an upstream thrust bearing for said shaft, the said thrust bearings being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of said shaft, the effective net flow area being greater around the hub of said rotor than upstream of said rotor, whereby in consequence of Bernoulli''s equation there is diminished loading of said downstream thrust bearing as flow rate increases, in which the inlet end surfaces of vanes of said rotor slope from downstream vane faces to upstream vane faces, said slope being at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, providing reverse lift to enhance the unloading of said downstream thrust bearing and improving accuracy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A meter for measurement of liquid flow, comprising: a housing with inlet and outlet ends, and a rotor mounted therebetween, said rotor being mounted for rotation on and with a shaft rotatably mounted relative to said housing, a downstream thrust bearing for said shaft, and an upstream thrust bearing for said shaft, the said thrust bearings being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of said shaft, the effective net flow area being greater around the hub of said rotor than upstream of said rotor, whereby in consequence of Bernoulli''s equation there is diminished loading of said downstream thrust bearing as flow rate increases, in which the inlet end surfaces of vanes of said rotor slope from downstream vane faces to upstream vane faces, said slope being at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, providing reverse lift to enhance the unloading of said downstream thrust bearing and improving accuracy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The meter of claim 1 in which outlet end surfaces of said vanes slope from downstream vane faces to upstream vane faces, said slope being at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said shaft to reduce, but not eliminate, cavitation-created drag on said rotor at high flow rates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The meter of claim 1 in which the effective net flow area just downstream of said rotor is greater than that around the hub of said rotor, further enhancing the upstream force tendency in consequence of Bernoulli''s equation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said thrust bearings are jewel thrust bearings, and said shaft is operatively coupled to an output member through a pair of magnets, one of said bearings being between said magnets, and the other of said bearings being adjustable toward and away from said one bearing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The meter of claim 1 further comprising a pair of shafts one of which is operatively connected to an output member, said shafts respectively carrying a worm and a gear meshing with said worm, the other of said shaft being operatively coupled to said rotor through a magnetic coupling, at least one of said shafts being mounted with longitudinal play to reduce breakaway friction upon meter start-up.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The meter of claim 5 wherein said shaft carrying said worm is mounted between a pair of jewel thrust bearings, and said shaft carrying said gear is mounted with one end adjacent a jewel thrust bearing, both said shafts having said longitudinal play.
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) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |