US3826137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for measuring the rate of flows of liquids
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-31
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A liquid flow rate is measured by forming the liquid into a stream of drops of a controlled size and counting the number of drops formed during a timed period. The drops are formed at an orifice and their size is controlled by providing a surface close to the orifice which the drops contact as they form and are thereby drained. The surface close to the orifice may be the surface of a body of the liquid supported by capillary action on a structure provided adjacent to the surface. Further the orifice may be the opening in a nozzle which is fixed together with said supporting structure in a chamber closed apart from an inlet and an outlet for the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 E Clarke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/1411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Apparatus enabling liquid flow rates to be measured comprising drop-forming means having an orifice at which drops of liquid can be formed, and drop-control means operative in use to support by capillary action a body of liquid with an exposed surface adjacent to the orifice said surface being spaced from the orifice by a distance such that drops forming at the orifice contact said surface of said body of liquid, and are thereby drained, before they attain a size at which they would fall naturally from the orifice under the influence of gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus enabling liquid flow rates to be measured comprising drop-forming means having an orifice at which drops of liquid can be formed, and drop-control means operative in use to support by capillary action a body of liquid with an exposed surface adjacent to the orifice said surface being spaced from the orifice by a distance such that drops forming at the orifice contact said surface of said body of liquid, and are thereby drained, before they attain a size at which they would fall naturally from the orifice under the influence of gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the drop-control means comprises a length of capillary tube having an open end where said exposed surface is formed in use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the drop-forming means comprises a nozzle with said orifice constituting the outlet of said nozzle, and in which the nozzle and the capillary tube are both formed from a non-wettable material, and the capillary tube has a lining formed from a wettable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the drop-forming means comprises a nozzle with said orifice constituting the outlet of said nozzle, and in which support means extends between the nozzle and the capillary tube and whereby the capillary tube is supported by the nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the capillary tube leads to an aperture wherein use drops can form and can attain a size such that they fall naturally from the aperture under the influence of gravity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which there is a chamber which is closed apart from a liquid inlet constituted by said orifice and a liquid outlet, the drop-forming means and drop-control means being inside said chamber.
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) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |