US4833925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearingless flowmeter
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
•
Filing: 1987-05-08
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Granted: 1989-05-30
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Expires: 2007-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A bearingless flowmeter having a ring rotor disposed in a vortex chamber having a plurality of jets spaced circumferentially around the chamber has the ring rotor unbalanced thereby producing a single wobble mode of rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 James B. Bullock
- 👤 Agustin M. Azel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
In a bearingless flowmeter for measuring fluid flow over a selected flow range, having a vortex chamber for positioning a rotor therein and having a plurality of angularly oriented jets spaced around the periphery of said chamber for producing a fluid vortex around said ring rotor, the improvement comprising: means for introducing an instability in said ring rotor in said vortex chamber to produce a single mode of rotation of said ring rotor over the selected flow range, said single mode of rotation including wobbling of said rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a bearingless flowmeter for measuring fluid flow over a selected flow range, having a vortex chamber for positioning a rotor therein and having a plurality of angularly oriented jets spaced around the periphery of said chamber for producing a fluid vortex around said ring rotor, the improvement comprising: means for introducing an instability in said ring rotor in said vortex chamber to produce a single mode of rotation of said ring rotor over the selected flow range, said single mode of rotation including wobbling of said rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means consists of an imbalance of said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 2 in which said rotor includes a weight added to a portion thereof for producing said imbalance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 2 in which said rotor is in the form of a ring having an outer circumference eccentric with an inner circumference thereof for producing said imbalance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 2 in which said rotor has a non-uniform thickness for producing said imbalance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 2 in which rotor is formed from nonhomogeneous material for producing said imbalance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said means consists of unequal spacing of said jets around said vortex chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means consists of a variation in size of said jets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a bearingless flowmeter, for measuring fluid flow over a selected flow range, having a vortex chamber continuing a ring rotor and having a plurality of angularly oriented jets spaced around the periphery of said chamber for producing a fluid vortex around said ring rotor, said vortex causing said ring rotor to spin, a method of improving the stability of measurements within said selected range comprising the step of: causing a constant instability in the spinning of said ring rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a bearingless flowmeter, for measuring fluid flow over a selected flow range, having a vortex chamber continuing a ring rotor and having a plurality of angularly oriented jets spaced around the periphery of said chamber for producing a fluid vortex around said ring rotor, said vortex causing said ring rotor to spin, a method of improving the stability of measurements within said selected range comprising the step of: causing a constant instability in the spinning of said ring rotor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 in which said step includes producing a slight imbalance in said ring rotor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 in which said step includes producing a slight asymmetry in said fluid vortex.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 in which said steps includes adding weight to a portion of said ring rotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-11-28 | 1993-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-29 | 1996-11-28 | 1997-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-29 | 2000-11-28 | 2001-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |