US3866028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid flow measuring system and method
Assignee: Manning Environmental Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-27
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A fluid flow level detector contacts a fluid surface in an open channel providing a fluid surface height signal related to a predetermined reference height level. The flow level detector immediately withdraws upon contacting the fluid surface and exhibits a time delay before subsequently seeking to regain surface contact. Auxiliary signals are produced related to specific predetermined fluid surface height levels. The fluid surface signal is directed to a computer where it is converted into a signal related to flow volume by a function read-only memory. Totalized flow volume is provided along with an optional time display recording.
Inventors
- 👤 James G Schontzler
- 👤 Wendall C Gates
- 👤 Victor L Dagragnano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/002; G01F1/05; G01F1/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A total flow measuring system for liquid flow through a channel having a predetermined cross section shape comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level in the channel, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to a digital signal, and program means for receiving said digital signal and providing output indicative of total flow volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A total flow measuring system for liquid flow through a channel having a predetermined cross section shape comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level in the channel, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to a digital signal, and program means for receiving said digital signal and providing output indicative of total flow volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A total flow measuring system as in claim 1 together with means connected to said means for detecting a fluid surface level for visually indicating existing surface height.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A total flow measuring system comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, and circuit means responsive to predetermined values of said signal related to fluid surface level for providing a plurality of auxiliary signals, and means responsive to said auxiliary signals for providing a plurality of predetermined operations on the fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A total flow measuring system comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, and circuit means responsive to predetermined values of said signal related to fluid surface level for providing a plurality of auxiliary signals, and means responsive to said auxiliary signals for providing a plurality of predetermined operations on the fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A total flow measuring system as in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to said auxiliary signals comprise alarm means for indicating predetermined fluid surface levels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A total flow measuring system as in claim 3 wherein said circuit means responsive to predetermined values of said signal comprises a plurality of voltage comparators, and wherein said means responsive to said plurality of auxiliary signals comprise a plurality of lights for indicating fluid surface levels beyond predetermined limits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A total flow measuring system comprising meaNs for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, wherein said means for detecting a fluid surface level comprises a probe for contacting the fluid surface, a drive motor for vertically positioning said probe upward and downward, and switching means for reversing rotation of said drive motor, together with means for delaying downward positioning of said probe following upward positioning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A total flow measuring system comprising meaNs for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, wherein said means for detecting a fluid surface level comprises a probe for contacting the fluid surface, a drive motor for vertically positioning said probe upward and downward, and switching means for reversing rotation of said drive motor, together with means for delaying downward positioning of said probe following upward positioning.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
A total flow measuring system comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, wherein said computer means comprises an amplifier for receiving and scaling said signal related to fluid surface level and providing an analog output related thereto, an analog to digital converter for receiving said analog output and providing a digital output related thereto, a function read only memory for receiving said digital output and providing an additional digital output related to flow volume, storage means for receiving and storing said additional digital output, a maximum flow input register for receiving said stored additional digital output and for providing a flow output, timing means for transferring said additional output to said maximum flow input register at predetermined time intervals, and a totalizer for receiving said flow output, whereby a continuous flow total is indicated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
A total flow measuring system comprising means for detecting a fluid surface level, means for providing a signal related to fluid surface level relative to a predetermined reference level, computer means for receiving said signal related to surface level and converting said signal to total flow volume, wherein said computer means comprises an amplifier for receiving and scaling said signal related to fluid surface level and providing an analog output related thereto, an analog to digital converter for receiving said analog output and providing a digital output related thereto, a function read only memory for receiving said digital output and providing an additional digital output related to flow volume, storage means for receiving and storing said additional digital output, a maximum flow input register for receiving said stored additional digital output and for providing a flow output, timing means for transferring said additional output to said maximum flow input register at predetermined time intervals, and a totalizer for receiving said flow output, whereby a continuous flow total is indicated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A total flow measuring system as in claim 7 together with an additional storage means for receiving the flow output of said maximum flow register and a sample rate register for preselecting a sample flow quantity connected to said additional storage means, whereby said additional storage means produces a sampler output for each preselected flow quantity increment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A total flow measuring system as in claim 7 together with a digital to analog converter for receiving said additional digital output and providing an analog output related to flow volume, a recorder for receiving said analog output and presenting a time display of said flow volume.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of providing total flow measurement comprising the steps of selecting a reference level for a fluid surface level, detecting the height of the fluid surface level relative to the reference level, generating a signal related to the relative height of the fluid surface level, transmitting the signal to a computer, converting the signal to a digital signal, connecting the digital signal to a function read-only memory for producing a digital flow volume signal, storing the digital flow volume signal in a buffer storage transferring the stored digital flow volume signal to a maximum flow input register at predetermined periods of time, filling the maximum flow input register with the stored signal, and transferring the flow input register counts to a flow totalizer when filled.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of providing total flow measurement comprising the steps of selecting a reference level for a fluid surface level, detecting the height of the fluid surface level relative to the reference level, generating a signal related to the relative height of the fluid surface level, transmitting the signal to a computer, converting the signal to a digital signal, connecting the digital signal to a function read-only memory for producing a digital flow volume signal, storing the digital flow volume signal in a buffer storage transferring the stored digital flow volume signal to a maximum flow input register at predetermined periods of time, filling the maximum flow input register with the stored signal, and transferring the flow input register counts to a flow totalizer when filled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of providing total flow measurement as in claim 10 together with the steps of converting the digital flow volume signal to an analog flow volume signal, and recording the analog flow volume signal on a time display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of providing total flow measurement as in claim 10 together with the steps of storing the maximum flow input register counts in an additional buffer storage, preselecting a sample flow increment, introducing the sample flow increment to the additional buffer storage, thereby providing an output from the additional buffer storage at the preselected sample flow increments when it becomes filled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1992780A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |