US4195519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measurement of water flow rate
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
•
Filing: 1978-08-31
•
Granted: 1980-04-01
•
Expires: 1998-08-31
Abstract
Abstract Water flow rate in channelized, flowing bodies of water is measured by first obstructing the flow of water in the body causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction. This rise in upstream water surface is communicated to a point above the obstruction and measured thereat. The measurement is then converted to a water flow rate. A device for measuring water flow rate includes means for producing an obstruction of water flow in the body of water thus causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction, means for communicating the rise in upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction, and means for measuring the rise at that point, all secured to a frame.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Replogle
- 👤 Albert J. Clemmens
- 👤 Edward D. Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/002; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) obstructing the flow of water in said body to produce a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction, (b) communicating the rise in said upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction, (c) measuring at a point above the obstruction the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction, and (d) converting said measurement of the rise in upstream water surface to the rate of water flow in said body of water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) obstructing the flow of water in said body to produce a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction, (b) communicating the rise in said upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction, (c) measuring at a point above the obstruction the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction, and (d) converting said measurement of the rise in upstream water surface to the rate of water flow in said body of water.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) a frame, (b) means for producing an obstruction in the water flow in said body of water thus causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction attached to said frame, (c) means for communicating the rise in the upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction attached to said frame, and (d) means attached to said frame at a point above the obstruction for measuring the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) a frame, (b) means for producing an obstruction in the water flow in said body of water thus causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction attached to said frame, (c) means for communicating the rise in the upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction attached to said frame, and (d) means attached to said frame at a point above the obstruction for measuring the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for producing an obstruction in water flow comprises bottom wall contraction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bottom wall contraction comprises a floor sill.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said bottom wall contraction further comprises a ramp attached to the upstream edge of said sill.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ramp further includes flexible seals along its sides and upstream edge to prevent leakage of water around said ramp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for producing an obstruction in water flow comprises side wall contraction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for communicating the rise in upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction comprises a retractable pipe for sensing the rise in upstream water surface cooperating with a stilling well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for measuring the rise in upstream water surface comprises a point gage cooperating with the top of the obstruction and with a stilling well in communication with a retractable pipe for sensing the rise in upstream water surface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) a frame, (b) means for producing an obstruction in the water flow in said body of water thus causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction attached to said frame, (c) means attached to said frame for communicating the rise in the upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction, which includes a retractable pipe for sensing the rise in upstream water surface cooperating with a stilling well, (d) means attached to said frame at a point above the obstruction for measuring the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction, which includes a point gage cooperating with the top of the obstruction and with the stilling well.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for measuring rate of water flow in channelized, flowing bodies of water, which comprises-- (a) a frame, (b) means for producing an obstruction in the water flow in said body of water thus causing a rise in the water surface upstream from the obstruction attached to said frame, (c) means attached to said frame for communicating the rise in the upstream water surface to a point above the obstruction, which includes a retractable pipe for sensing the rise in upstream water surface cooperating with a stilling well, (d) means attached to said frame at a point above the obstruction for measuring the rise in said upstream water surface, said measurement representing the difference between the level of said upstream water surface after obstruction and the top of the obstruction, which includes a point gage cooperating with the top of the obstruction and with the stilling well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3124000A
Cited
US1271901A
Cited
US1372138A
Cited
US3427878A
Cited
US4127032A
Cited
US4095466A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-01 | 1983-10-01 | 1984-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-01 | 1987-10-01 | 1988-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-01 | 1991-10-01 | 1992-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |