US5156489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable flume
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
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Filing: 1991-10-03
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Granted: 1992-10-20
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Expires: 2011-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A fully portable flume for a canal or water channel comprising a horizontal sill across the width of said flume; means to raise or lower the sill while maintaining it in a horizontal position; a movable transverse wall connected at its upper edge to the sill's upstream edge, and, at its lower edge, to the channel's floor. Flow measuring means such as a stilling well may be operatively associated with the sill.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Replogle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:04
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B13/00; E02B13/02; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A flume for a liquid channel comprising: (a) a trough within said channel through which said liquid must flow in order to pass through said channel, said trough having a bottom wall and side walls; (b) an impermeable membrane connected to the upstream end of said trough to direct water in said channel to flow through said trough; (c) a movable horizontal sill across the width of said trough; (d) means to raise and lower said sill, while maintaining said sill in a horizontal position; (e) a movable wall connected at said wall's upper edge to said sill's upstream edge, and at said wall's lower edge to said trough's bottom wall; wherein said movable wall provides greater restriction to liquid flow through said trough as said sill is raised, and less restriction to flow when said sill is lowered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A flume for a liquid channel comprising: (a) a trough within said channel through which said liquid must flow in order to pass through said channel, said trough having a bottom wall and side walls; (b) an impermeable membrane connected to the upstream end of said trough to direct water in said channel to flow through said trough; (c) a movable horizontal sill across the width of said trough; (d) means to raise and lower said sill, while maintaining said sill in a horizontal position; (e) a movable wall connected at said wall's upper edge to said sill's upstream edge, and at said wall's lower edge to said trough's bottom wall; wherein said movable wall provides greater restriction to liquid flow through said trough as said sill is raised, and less restriction to flow when said sill is lowered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a stilling well connected to the downstream end of said sill; and wherein said flume is fully portable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A flume for a liquid channel comprising: (a) a trough within said channel through which said liquid must flow in order to pass through said channel, said trough having a bottom wall and said walls; (b) first open channel structural support members connected along the top edge of each of said trough's side walls; (c) open channel lateral structural members bridging said first structural support members; (d) a movable horizontal sill across the width of said trough; (e) means to raise and lower said sill, while maintaining said sill in a horizontal position; (f) a movable wall connected at said wall's upper edge to said sill's upstream edge, and at said wall's lower edge, to said trough's bottom wall; wherein said movable wall provides greater restriction to liquid flow through said trough as said sill is raised, and less restriction to flow when said sill is lowered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A flume for a liquid channel comprising: (a) a trough within said channel through which said liquid must flow in order to pass through said channel, said trough having a bottom wall and said walls; (b) first open channel structural support members connected along the top edge of each of said trough's side walls; (c) open channel lateral structural members bridging said first structural support members; (d) a movable horizontal sill across the width of said trough; (e) means to raise and lower said sill, while maintaining said sill in a horizontal position; (f) a movable wall connected at said wall's upper edge to said sill's upstream edge, and at said wall's lower edge, to said trough's bottom wall; wherein said movable wall provides greater restriction to liquid flow through said trough as said sill is raised, and less restriction to flow when said sill is lowered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including a stilling well connected to the downstream end of said sill.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said movable wall comprises a ramp pivotally connected at said ramp's upper edge to said sill and at said ramp's lower edge to said bottom wall of said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an impermeable membrane connected to the upstream end of said trough to direct water in said channel to flow through said trough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said movable wall comprises a ramp pivotally connected at its upper edge to said sill and at its lower edge to said floor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising flow measuring means operatively associated with said sill.
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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) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |