US3842671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowmeter
Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-04-11
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A molded transparent plastic flowmeter comprising an elongated body having a tapered longitudinal float bore formed therein, the bore having surface portions spaced around the wall thereof which extend parallel to the bore axis and guide a float centrally in the tapered bore. Passages are formed at both ends of the body communicating with the bore to provide alternate arrangements of a control valve and connections of inlet and outlet conduits. The body portion coextending with the float bore is fluted in a manner to reduce sectional thickness, maintain structural rigidity, and provide a desired image of a float in the bore.
Inventors
- 👤 W Frizelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a flowmeter, a rigid elongated injection molded body member of transparent thermoplastic material having a tapered float bore formed therein coextending with an intermediate portion of the length thereof and counterbores extending from the ends of said tapered bore to the ends of said body, a flow rate indicating float in said bore, and said intermediate portion of said body being fluted to substantially reduce the crosssectional area thereof whereby the cross-sectional area of said body is reduced throughout its length while maintaining its rigidity, a pair of transverse opposed and axially aligned screwthreaded bores in each end of said body intersecting said counterbores, a conduit connector and a flow control valve mounted in screw-threaded engagement in said pair of transverse screw-threaded bores at one end of said body, a closure plug and a conduit connector mounted in screw-threaded engagement in said pair of transverse screw-threaded bores at the other end of said body, said conduit connectors having surfaces engaged by said control valve to control the flow through said tapered bore, and said flow control valve and said closure plug having similar screw-threaded portions whereby they may be interchangeably mounted at the ends of said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a flowmeter, a rigid elongated injection molded body member of transparent thermoplastic material having a tapered float bore formed therein coextending with an intermediate portion of the length thereof and counterbores extending from the ends of said tapered bore to the ends of said body, a flow rate indicating float in said bore, and said intermediate portion of said body being fluted to substantially reduce the crosssectional area thereof whereby the cross-sectional area of said body is reduced throughout its length while maintaining its rigidity, a pair of transverse opposed and axially aligned screwthreaded bores in each end of said body intersecting said counterbores, a conduit connector and a flow control valve mounted in screw-threaded engagement in said pair of transverse screw-threaded bores at one end of said body, a closure plug and a conduit connector mounted in screw-threaded engagement in said pair of transverse screw-threaded bores at the other end of said body, said conduit connectors having surfaces engaged by said control valve to control the flow through said tapered bore, and said flow control valve and said closure plug having similar screw-threaded portions whereby they may be interchangeably mounted at the ends of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The flowmeter claimed in claim 7 in which there are four flutes formed in said intermediate body portion, in which the surface defining each flute comprises a flat bottom surface portion and two flat outwardly diverging side surface portions, in which said bottom surface portion is at least as wide as the diameter of said float, in which the angle of divergence of said side surface portions is such as to preclude secondary images of said float, and in which a rate-of-flow scale is molded in at least one of said side surface portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The flowmeter claimed in claim 7 in which there are four flutes formed in said intermediate body portion, in which the surface defining each flute is curved, in which the curvature of the surface defining at least one of said flutes is such as to provide an image of said float extending substantially across the width of said flute, and in which a rate-of-flow scale is molded in the surface defining at least one of said flutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
An elongated injection molded flowmeter body of transparent thermoplastic material having sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting when directly connected to piping conducting the flow of fluid to be metered, said body having a tapered float bore extending through an intermediate portion of its length and substantially larger diameter counterbores extending from the ends of said tapered bore to the ends of said body, and said intermediate portion of said body coextending with said float bore being fluted to substantially reduce its cross-sectional area whereby the cross-sectional area of said body is substantially reduced throughout its length, said intermediate portion of said body having four equal flutes, the surface of each flute being defined by a flat bottom surface and two outwardly diverging flat surfaces thereby to provide four radial stiffening ribs, said flat bottom portions being at least as wide as the larger diameter of said float bore and the angle of divergence of said side surface portions being such as to preclude secondary images of a float in said float bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
An elongated injection molded flowmeter body of transparent thermoplastic material having sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting when directly connected to piping conducting the flow of fluid to be metered, said body having a tapered float bore extending through an intermediate portion of its length and substantially larger diameter counterbores extending from the ends of said tapered bore to the ends of said body, and said intermediate portion of said body coextending with said float bore being fluted to substantially reduce its cross-sectional area whereby the cross-sectional area of said body is substantially reduced throughout its length, said intermediate portion of said body having four equal flutes, the surface of each flute being defined by a flat bottom surface and two outwardly diverging flat surfaces thereby to provide four radial stiffening ribs, said flat bottom portions being at least as wide as the larger diameter of said float bore and the angle of divergence of said side surface portions being such as to preclude secondary images of a float in said float bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flowmeter body claimed in claim 11 which further includes a rate-of-flow scale molded in at least one of said diverging side surfaces of at least one of said flutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |