US4012958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowmeter
Assignee: TAPLEY INSTRUMENTATION Ltd
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Filing: 1975-12-09
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1995-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A flowmeter, particularly for measurement of fuel flow rates to engines having a bore within a body with axially disposed inlet and outlet parts, a rotor in the bore with a hub carrying helical vanes substantially filling the cross-section of the bore and a light source with an associated photo responsive device arranged so that the vanes of the rotor interrupt the light beam to produce an electrical output signal with a frequency component proportional to the speed of rotation of the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lionel Ivor Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A fluid flowmeter, particularly for use with a specified fuel for measuring the rate of flow thereof to an engine, said flowmeter including a tube with an inlet and outlet for connection with the fuel pipe-line, a rotor mounted for rotation within the tube by bearing assemblies, the rotor including helical vanes extending along its length and substantially filling the cross-section of the bore of the tube, a light source and a photo-responsive device disposed on opposed sides of the tube whereby a light beam is cyclically interrupted by the vanes of the rotor to produce an output signal having a component of frequency proportional to the rate of rotation of the rotor, characterized by: a. a body surrounding and supporting said tube over substantially its whole length, b. said tube being of a transparent glass, c. the light-source and photo-responsive device being positioned in relation to the tube so that, with the specified fuel, the tube acts in the manner of an optical bi-convex lens to converge the light beam, d. said body including apertures for passage of the light, e. said body being integral with means carrying the light source and photo-responsive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A fluid flowmeter, particularly for use with a specified fuel for measuring the rate of flow thereof to an engine, said flowmeter including a tube with an inlet and outlet for connection with the fuel pipe-line, a rotor mounted for rotation within the tube by bearing assemblies, the rotor including helical vanes extending along its length and substantially filling the cross-section of the bore of the tube, a light source and a photo-responsive device disposed on opposed sides of the tube whereby a light beam is cyclically interrupted by the vanes of the rotor to produce an output signal having a component of frequency proportional to the rate of rotation of the rotor, characterized by: a. a body surrounding and supporting said tube over substantially its whole length, b. said tube being of a transparent glass, c. the light-source and photo-responsive device being positioned in relation to the tube so that, with the specified fuel, the tube acts in the manner of an optical bi-convex lens to converge the light beam, d. said body including apertures for passage of the light, e. said body being integral with means carrying the light source and photo-responsive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the axes of the aperture in the body being offset along a transverse plane through the tube, the amount of offset being set to effect optimum convergence and focussing of the light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 2, further characterized by the rotor including annular journal bearings to receive a spigot forming an axle and carried by a fixed insert in the tube.
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) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |