Patent US5220841A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5220841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electromagnetic fluid flow transducer
Assignee: CAROLINA MEDICAL ELECTRONICS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1990-12-12
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2010-12-12
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic fluid flow transducer formed from an electromagnetic assembly having two electromagnet units and a tubular flow contact assembly to measure fluid flow velocity and fluid volume in ionic solutions. Each electromagnet unit includes a core and a winding on the core, and a housing maintains the electromagnet units and their cores and windings in a predetermined relationship with each other. A plurality of electrode receptacles are formed in the housing proximate the flux field created by the electromagnetic assembly. The tubular flow contact assembly includes a tubular member, and four conductive electrodes positioned in and extending from the internal surface of the tubular member where fluid flow occurs. The electrode receptacles in the housing cooperatively receive the conductive electrodes in the tubular member when the tubular flow contact assembly is positioned between the electromagnet units to obtain fluid flow and fluid velocity readings and display this information on appropriate fluid flow metering equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel D. Brown
- 👤 Charles A. Barefoot
- 👤 Charles R. Jones
- 👤 Larry S. Stanley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/56; G01F1/58; G01F1/588; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/026; A61B5/0265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A flow transducer for measuring quantitatively the flow of conductive fluids comprising: an electromagnetic assembly having two (2) circular electromagnet units each of which utilizes a core and a winding on said core; a pair of conductors associated with each winding; a housing encompassing said electromagnet units and sustaining said units in a predetermined side-by-side relationship sharing a common center line; four electrode receptacles positioned proximate the magnetic field created by said cores and windings when said windings are energized; and tubular flow contact means including a tubular member, four conductive electrodes connected to and extending from said tubular member all movable between said electromagnet units and back again, said electrode receptacles cooperatively receiving said conductive electrodes when said flow contact means is positioned between said electromagnet units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A flow transducer for measuring quantitatively the flow of conductive fluids comprising: an electromagnetic assembly having two (2) circular electromagnet units each of which utilizes a core and a winding on said core; a pair of conductors associated with each winding; a housing encompassing said electromagnet units and sustaining said units in a predetermined side-by-side relationship sharing a common center line; four electrode receptacles positioned proximate the magnetic field created by said cores and windings when said windings are energized; and tubular flow contact means including a tubular member, four conductive electrodes connected to and extending from said tubular member all movable between said electromagnet units and back again, said electrode receptacles cooperatively receiving said conductive electrodes when said flow contact means is positioned between said electromagnet units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing has guide means for guiding said tubular flow contact means into proper electrical and mechanical engagement with said electromagnetic assembly, said guide means including a groove in said housing cooperatively receiving a conductive electrode extending in the direction of tubular flow contact means movement between the electromagnet units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conductive electrodes include two sensor electrodes and two ground electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the common center line of said windings is perpendicular to fluid flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes are positioned between said two ground electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes lie in a plane transverse to fluid flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two ground electrodes lie in a plane parallel to fluid flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conductive electrodes include two sensor electrodes and two ground electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the common center line of said windings is perpendicular to fluid flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes are positioned between said two ground electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the two sensor electrodes lie in a plane transverse to fluid flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 11 wherein the two ground electrodes lie in a plane parallel to fluid flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said windings are spaced from and opposite each other to receive said flow contact means therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a base encompassed within said housing supporting said windings and cores.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a base encompassed within said housing and supporting said windings and cores.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a pressure port located in said tubular member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 14, said housing having guide means formed therein to guide and position said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units to achieve mechanical and electrical connection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 16, said housing having guide means formed therein to guide and position said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units to achieve mechanical and electrical connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-magnetic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 18 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-magnetic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said sensor electrodes is J-shaped, partially encircles said tubular member, and is cooperatively received by said guide means groove.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 20 wherein one of said sensor electrodes is J-shaped, partially encircles said tubular member, and is cooperatively received by said guide means groove.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 18 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-metallic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a closure member having releasably securing means to close said housing and encompassing said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a hinge and hasp combination.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein the releasably securing means is a screw and wing nut combination.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a frictional fit with said housing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a bar extending through said housing.
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) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |