Flow sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flow sensor comprising:
- an inlet;
an outlet;
a frusto-conical flow guide between the inlet and the outlet;
a straight flow guide upstream of the frusto-conical flow guide; and
a piston having a plunger, the plunger capable of operating in the straight flow guide and the frusto-conical flow guide based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor.
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Abstract
Flow sensors are provided that can provide both leak detection and flow monitoring. The flow monitoring enables a determination whether there are blockages or leaks in a fluid system during normal operation of the system. The leak detection enables detection of leaks when the system is shut off. The flow sensors can use a frusto-conical flow guide to provide a more compact flow sensor.
672 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A flow sensor comprising:
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an inlet; an outlet; a frusto-conical flow guide between the inlet and the outlet; a straight flow guide upstream of the frusto-conical flow guide; and a piston having a plunger, the plunger capable of operating in the straight flow guide and the frusto-conical flow guide based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A flow sensor comprising:
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a body; a flow guide associated with the body; a piston operating in the flow guide based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor; a shaft converting linear motion of the piston to rotational motion of the shaft, the shaft having a longitudinal length with a plurality of exterior sides forming a twisted configuration along at least a portion of the longitudinal length; and a flow indicator assembly cooperating with the shaft to indicate the flow through the flow sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A flow sensor comprising:
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a body; a flow guide associated with the body; a piston operating in the flow guide based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor; a shaft converting linear motion of the piston to rotational motion of the shaft, the shaft having a longitudinal length and a central axis and a helical twist about the central axis and along at least a portion of the longitudinal length; a flow indicator assembly cooperating with the shaft to indicate the flow through the flow sensor; the flow guide includes at least a frusto-conical portion; and wherein the frusto-conical portion includes a longitudinal axis and includes at least one rib extending parallel to the longitudinal axis to guide linear displacement of the piston when moving in the frusto-conical portion. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification