US3871230A — Flow measuring apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 142 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having vertically disposed opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, wettable means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, and means for preventing the incoming liquid discharge from directly contacting a substantial portion of the indicating means.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 142 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having vertically disposed opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, wettable means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, and means for preventing the incoming liquid discharge from directly contacting a substantial portion of the indicating means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening means comprises a vertical slot in said upright wall.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 55 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 2 including a shield in said compartment spaced from and covering said slot to prevent liquid entering the compartment from splashing against the slot, said shield beinG spaced from the lower end of the receptacle to permit passage of liquid under the lower edge of the shield to the slot.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 224 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having a vertical slot communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, a shield in said compartment spaced from and covering said slot to prevent liquid entering the compartment from splashing against the slot, said shield being spaced from the lower end of the receptacle to permit passage of liquid under the lower end of the shield to the slot, and means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, said indicating means comprising, a flange secured to said shield intermediate the shield and the upright wall, said flange being spaced from the lower end of the receptacle and defining a vertical passageway communicating with the compartment adjacent the lower end of the flange, and an indicating strip removably positioned in said passageway.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 224 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having a vertical slot communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, a shield in said compartment spaced from and covering said slot to prevent liquid entering the compartment from splashing against the slot, said shield being spaced from the lower end of the receptacle to permit passage of liquid under the lower end of the shield to the slot, and means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, said indicating means comprising, a flange secured to said shield intermediate the shield and the upright wall, said flange being spaced from the lower end of the receptacle and defining a vertical passageway communicating with the compartment adjacent the lower end of the flange, and an indicating strip removably positioned in said passageway.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 3 wherein said shield extends vertically in the compartment at least coextensive with the slot.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 3 wherein said shield extends from adjacent the lower end of the receptacle to the upper end of said upright wall.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 3 wherein said shield comprises a semi-cylinder secured to the upright wall.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, and means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, said indicating means comprising, a wall section in the receptacle defining a vertical passageway communicating with said compartment adjacent the lower end of the receptacle, and an indicating strip removably positioned in said passageway.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, and means for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, said indicating means comprising, a wall section in the receptacle defining a vertical passageway communicating with said compartment adjacent the lower end of the receptacle, and an indicating strip removably positioned in said passageway.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 8 including indicia on said indicating strip indicating the peak flow rate of the liquid discharge.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 including indicia on said receptacle indicating the peak flow rate of the liquid discharge based on said indicating means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a generally funnel-shaped member adjacent the upper end of the receptacle and defining said inlet port for directing the liquid discharge into said compartment.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 11 wherein said receptacle includes a cap adjacent its upper end for covering the receptacle, with said cap having an aperture above the compartment for removably receiving said funnel-shaped member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 including an opening adjacent the upper end of the upright wall above said opening means to prevent overflow of liquid from the receptacle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 13 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle has a cylindrical shape.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The measuRing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said upright wall extends laterally across the inside of said receptacle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 including means for shielding the opening means from liquid passing through the inlet port into said compartment.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said compartment comprises, a first chamber positioned to receive liquid passing through the inlet port, and a second chamber communicating with the opening means and with the first chamber adjacent the lower ends of the first and second chambers.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 including a container below the receptacle communicating with said channel for passage of liquid from the channel to the container and collection therein.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 18 including indicia on the container indicating the volume of liquid collected in the container.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 18 wherein said container is removably secured to the lower end of the receptacle.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a tapered portion adjacent the upper end of the receptacle defining the inlet port.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

The measuring apparatus of claim 17 wherein the indicating means is located in said second chamber.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 175 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having vertically disposed opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, at least a portion of said opening means being located adjacent the lower end of said compartment, an indicating strip received in the receptacle for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, and means for preventing the incoming discharge from contacting a substantial upper portion of the strip prior to accumulation of the discharge in the lower part of the compartment.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 175 words

An apparatus for measuring the approximate peak flow rate of a liquid discharge comprising, a hollow receptacle having an inlet port adjacent the upper end of the receptacle to receive the liquid discharge, a compartment below the inlet port to receive the discharge passing through the inlet port, a channel adjacent said compartment, and an upright wall in the receptacle separating the compartment from the channel, said wall having vertically disposed opening means communicating between the compartment and channel to permit passage of liquid from the compartment to the channel as the liquid collects in the compartment, at least a portion of said opening means being located adjacent the lower end of said compartment, an indicating strip received in the receptacle for indicating the maximum height of liquid collected in the compartment during the discharge to determine the approximate peak flow rate of the liquid discharge, and means for preventing the incoming discharge from contacting a substantial upper portion of the strip prior to accumulation of the discharge in the lower part of the compartment.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-03-17	1978-09-16	1979-03-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-03-17	1982-09-16	1983-03-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-03-17	1986-09-16	1987-03-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flow measuring apparatus

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