US4244230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidic oscillator flowmeter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-10-12
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Granted: 1981-01-13
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Expires: 1998-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A fluidic oscillator flowmeter employs a fluidic oscillator wherein the frequency is proportional to flow through the oscillator. The oscillating flow is divided into two discrete paths, facilitating the counting of the frequency and the transduction of the frequency into a flow measurement indication. In one embodiment the flowmeter may be inserted into a large flow stream, wherein it utilizes only a small portion of the measured flow and presents a streamlined profile to the flow to minimize pressure losses. Alternatively, the entire measured flow may be passed through the flowmeter.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/3227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A flow sensor for measuring fluid flow comprising: means for issuing a defined stream made up of at least part of said fluid flow; an oscillation chamber having a common inlet and outlet opening, said oscillation chamber being positioned to receive said defined stream through said common opening, said oscillation chamber including: oscillation means for cyclically oscillating said stream back and forth across said chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of flow in said jet; flow directing means for directing fluid from the cyclically oscillated stream out of said chamber through said common inlet and outlet opening; and sensing means for sensing the cyclic variation of the oscillating stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flow sensor for measuring fluid flow comprising: means for issuing a defined stream made up of at least part of said fluid flow; an oscillation chamber having a common inlet and outlet opening, said oscillation chamber being positioned to receive said defined stream through said common opening, said oscillation chamber including: oscillation means for cyclically oscillating said stream back and forth across said chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of flow in said jet; flow directing means for directing fluid from the cyclically oscillated stream out of said chamber through said common inlet and outlet opening; and sensing means for sensing the cyclic variation of the oscillating stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The flow sensor according to claim 1 wherein said oscillation means comprises impingement means, disposed in said oscillation chamber in the path of said jet, for forming, on each side of said jet, vortices of said jet fluid which alternate in both strength and chamber position in phase opposition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flow sensor according to claim 2 wherein said impingement means comprises a far wall of said chamber remote from said common inlet and outlet opening, and wherein said flow directing means comprises said far wall and opposing sidewalls of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flow sensor according to claim 3 wherein said means for issuing is positioned to issue said stream generally radially across said oscillation chamber toward said far wall, and wherein said common inlet and outlet opening is defined as a space between said opposing sidewalls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The flow sensor according to claim 4 further comprising: a first outlet passage positioned at one side of said defined stream to receive fluid flowing out of said common inlet and outlet opening along said one side; and a second outlet passage positioned at the opposite side of said defined stream to receive fluid flowing out of said common inlet and outlet opening along said opposite side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flow sensor according to claim 5 wherein said first and second outlet passages converge to form a common outlet passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The flow sensor according to claim 5 wherein said sensing means comprises a pair of pressure ports defined in said chamber, said pressure ports being symmetrically positioned with respect to said defined stream when undeflected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flow sensor according to claim 5 wherein said sensing means comprises means for measuring cyclic flow variation in at least one of said outlet passages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The oscillator according to claim 5 wherein said first and second outlet passages are directed to issue received fluid in the same flow direction as said fluid flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The oscillator according to claim 9 wherein said means for issuing has an inlet end which is streamlined and positioned to face directly upstream in said fluid flow, and wherein said outlet passages are positioned to be aspirated by said fluid flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flow sensor according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means comprises: vibratable means positioned in said flow sensor to vibrate at the frequency of oscillation of said stream; detector means for counting vibrations of said vibratable means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flow sensor according to claim 11 wherein said detector means includes: means for illuminating said vibratable means; and means for optically sensing vibrations of said illuminated vibratable means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-13 | 1984-07-14 | 1985-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-13 | 1988-07-14 | 1989-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-13 | 1992-07-14 | 1993-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |