Transducer for a flow gauge

Claim 2

Transducer for a flow gauge comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, all means connected to said inlet part spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced through said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, said wall means forming a closed inlet channel into said inlet part, characterized in that the distance Ri from the center line of said inlet channel to the axis of said outlet part is defined by the formula: 0.75(w/2 + 2rb + rd) < Ri < 1.25(w/2 + 2rb + rd) where w is the width of said inlet channel, rd is the smallest radius of said outlet part, and rb is the radius of said rotary body when said rotary body is in the form of a ball.

Claim 3

Transducer according to claim 1, characterised in that said distance Ri is defined by the formula: 0.9(w/2 + 2rb + rd) < Ri < 1.1(w/2 + 2rb + rd).

Claim 4

Transducer according to claim 2, characterised in that the ratio between the height h of the inlet part and the radius rd of the outlet part is defined by the formula: 0.4 < (rd/h) < 1.4.

Claim 5

Transducer according to claim 3, characterised in that said ratio is defined by the formula: 0.8 < (rd/h) < 1.2.

Claim 6

Transducer according to claim 7, characterized in that said inlet part comprises an outer annular chamber arranged in direct communication with said inlet channel and a central chamber located radially inwardly of said annular chamber, said rotary body is arranged in said central chamber, and wall means separating said annular chamber and said central chamber and said wall means forming a plurality of channels communicating between said annular chamber and said central chamber.

Claim 7

Transducer according to claim 5, characterized in that said channels comprise a first part extending inwardly from said annular chamber having a cross-sectional area decreasing in the flow direction and a second cylindrically-shaped part communicating between said first part and said central chamber and the length of said second part being less than its diameter.

Claim 8

Transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that said housing includes two said outlet parts spaced apart by and in coaxial arrangement with said inlet part, and said rotary body is positioned in said inlet part.

Claim 9

Transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that said rotary body consists of a ball, the lateral inner surface of said intermediate piece has an annular groove formed therein, a central post centrally arranged within said intermediate piece and having an annular groove formed therein arranged opposite the annular groove in the inner lateral surface of said intermediate piece, said ball being mounted for rotation between said annular grooves in said intermediate piece and said post.

Claim 10

Transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotary body is a ball, said housing forming a pair of oppositely disposed annular-shaped grooves disposed concentrically relative to the central axis of said inlet part, said ball arranged to rotate in the track formed by said annular grooves, and each said groove having a cross-sectional shape comprising a pair of circular arcs spaced apart by an intermediate straight section.

Claim 11

Transducer according to claim 9, characterised in that the distance Ri from the centre line of the inlet channel (106) to the centre of the outlet part (103) is defined by the formulas: Ri > 0.75(w/2 + rb + Delta Rb + t/2 + rm + rd + Delta R) Ri < 1.25(w/2 + rb + Delta Rb + t/2 + rm + rd + Delta R) where Delta Rb is the displacement of the centre of the ball from the centre of the groove to one or other of the two stable positions for rotation, t is the total width of the ball groove, rm is the radius of curvature of the edge between the ball groove and the axially running outlet channel for the fluid and Delta R is the slight clearance necessary between the ball and the helical side wall of the inlet part where the radius is least.

Claim 12

Transducer according to claim 10, characterised in that said distance Ri is defined by the formulas: Ri > 0.9(w/2 + rb + Delta Rb + t/2 + rm + rm + rd + Delta R) Ri < 1.1(w/2 + rb + Delta Rb + t/2 + rm + rd + Delta R).

Claim 13

Transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that said inlet part has a side wall spaced radially outwardly from its central axis and said side wall is helically formed about said central axis.

Claim 14

Transducer according to claim 12, characterized in that said inlet part comprises a pair of spaced walls extending in parallel relationship and disposed transversely of the central axis of said inlet part, each of said walls having an annular groove concentric to the central axis of said inlet part, and said rotary body comprises a ball arranged to rotate in a path formed between said annular grooves.

Claim 15

Transducer according to claim 13, characterised in that the grooves are arranged immediately next to the outlet part.

Claim 16

Transducer according to claim 14, characterised in that the outlet part has a minimum cross-sectional area which is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlet channel.

Claim 17

Transducer according to claim 13, characterised in that each part of the annular groove has a cross section in the form of a circle arc having a larger radius than tHat of the ball.

Claim 18

Transducer according to claim 1, in which the rotary body consists of a shaft having at least two blades extending radially, characterised in that the ends of the shaft are journalled in needle bearings.

Claim 19

Transducer according to claim 1, in which said rotary body consists of a shaft having at least two blades extending radially therefrom, characterized therein by a fluid supply pipe, a conduit arranged between said fluid supply pipe and said rotary body so that the fluid flowing through said pipe into said conduit acts as a lubricant for the shaft of said rotary body.

Claim 20

Transducer according to claim 18, characterised in that the pipe (242) contains a filter (243).

Claim 21

Transducer according to claim 57, characterized in that the outlet part has the shape of an elongated channel in coaxial relationship with said inlet part, and said means located within said outlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy and said means comprising at least four angularly spaced guide vanes.

Claim 22

Transducer according to claim 20, characterized in that said outlet part has an enlarged diameter section spaced from said inlet part and said guide vanes are arranged within said enlarged section.

Claim 23

Transducer according to claim 21, characterized in that said outlet part extends downwardly from said inlet part, said guide vanes extend in the axial direction of said outlet part and are curved in the axial direction, the upper part of said guide vanes are arranged approximately parallel to the flow direction of the fluid passing downwardly into said outlet part from said inlet part, and the lower part of said guide vanes are arranged approximately parallel to the axial direction of said outlet part.

Claim 24

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis and forming an inlet channel for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced to said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, said inlet part comprising an outer annular chamber arranged in direct communication with said inlet channel and a central chamber located radially inwardly of said annular chamber, said rotary body is arranged in said central chamber, wall means separating said annular chamber and said central chamber and said wall means forming a plurality of channels communicating between said annular chamber and said central chamber, said plurality of channels comprise a first part extending inwardly from said annular chamber having a cross-sectional area decreasing in the flow direction and a second cylindrically-shaped part communicating between said first part and said central chamber and the length of said second part being less than its diameter.

Claim 25

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis and forming an inlet channel for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced to said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, said inlet part comprising an outer annular chamber arranged in direct communication with said inlet channel and a central chamber located radially inwardly of said annular chamber, said rotary body is arranged in said central chamber, wall means separating said annular chamber and said central chamber and said wall means forming a plurality of channels communicating between said annular chamber and said central chamber, said plurality of channels comprise a first part extending inwardly from said annular chamber having a cross-sectional area decreasing in the flow direction and a second cylindrically-shaped part communicating between said first part and said central chamber and the length of said second part being less than its diameter.

Claim 26

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintaIn the swirling action of the fluid introduced through said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, said housing includes two said outlet parts spaced apart by and in co-axial arrangement with said inlet part, and said rotary body is positioned in said inlet part.

Claim 27

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintaIn the swirling action of the fluid introduced through said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, said housing includes two said outlet parts spaced apart by and in co-axial arrangement with said inlet part, and said rotary body is positioned in said inlet part.

Claim 28

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced through said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, an intermediate piece forming a laterally closed passageway is arranged between and is coaxial with said inlet part and said outlet part, said rotary body is located within said intermediate piece, said inlet part and outlet part are constructed alike so that the flow through the transducer can be reversed and the transducer will retain its characteristic, said rotary consists of a ball, the lateral inner surface of said intermediate piece has an annular groove formed therein, a central post centrally arranged within said intermediate piece and having an annular groove formed therein arranged opposite the annular groove in the inner lateral surface of said intermediate piece, and said ball being mounted for rotation between said annular grooves in said intermediate and said post.

Claim 29

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced through said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, an intermediate piece forming a laterally closed passageway is arranged between and is coaxial with said inlet part and said outlet part, said rotary body is located within said intermediate piece, said inlet part and outlet part are constructed alike so that the flow through the transducer can be reversed and the transducer will retain its characteristic, said rotary consists of a ball, the lateral inner surface of said intermediate piece has an annular groove formed therein, a central post centrally arranged within said intermediate piece and having an annular groove formed therein arranged opposite the annular groove in the inner lateral surface of said intermediate piece, and said ball being mounted for rotation between said annular grooves in said intermediate and said post.

Claim 30

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced to said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, the outlet part has the shape of an elongated channel in co-axial relationship wIth said inlet part, and said means located within said outlet part comprises at least four angularly spaced guide means.

Claim 31

Transducer for a flow gauge, comprising a housing, said housing comprising an inlet part having a central axis, wall means connected to said inlet part and spaced radially outwardly from the central axis for introducing fluid tangentially into said inlet part so that a swirling action is commenced therein, said inlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid introduced to said wall means, an outlet part in fluid communication with said inlet part, said outlet part having a central axis disposed in axial alignment with the central axis of said inlet part, said outlet part arranged to maintain the swirling action of the fluid commenced and maintained in said inlet part, a rotary body positioned in said housing in the path of the swirling movement of the fluid and arranged so that its rotation represents the flow volume through said housing, characterized therein that means are located within said outlet part spaced from the point at which it receives the swirling fluid from said inlet part for converting the kinetic energy in the swirling movement of the fluid into pressure energy, the outlet part has the shape of an elongated channel in co-axial relationship wIth said inlet part, and said means located within said outlet part comprises at least four angularly spaced guide means.

Claim 32

Transducer according to claim 26, characterized in that said outlet part has an enlarged diameter section spaced from said inlet part and said guide vanes are arranged within said enlarged section.

Claim 33

Transducer according to claim 27, characterized in that said outlet part extends downwardly from said inlet part, said guide vanes extend in the axial direction of said outlet part and are curved in the axial direction, the upper part of said guide vanes are arranged approximately parallel to the flow direction of the fluid passing downwardly into said outlet part from said inlet part, and the lower part of said guide vanes are arranged approximately parallel to the axial direction of said outlet part.