Electronic drink-o-meter (DOM) to monitor fluid intake and provide fluid consumption guidance

• US 20020129663A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Inventors: Lanza, John F., Hoyt, Reed W.
• Application Number:
  US09/812,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20020129663A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/861.79
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/115 with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring fluid intake includes a bladder having a known volume and capable of holding fluid, the bladder having a fill opening and an extraction opening; a first section of tubing connected to the extraction opening; a fluid monitoring unit having a downstream end and an upstream end, the first section of tubing being connected to the fluid monitoring unit at the downstream end; a check valve disposed at the upstream end of the fluid monitoring unit; a second section of tubing connected to the check valve; and a bite valve connected to an end of the second section of tubing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring fluid intake, comprising:

a bladder having a known volume and capable of holding fluid, the bladder having a fill opening and an extraction opening;

a first section of tubing connected to the extraction opening;

a fluid monitoring unit having a downstream end and an upstream end, the first section of tubing being connected to the fluid monitoring unit at the downstream end;

a check valve disposed at the upstream end of the fluid monitoring unit;

a second section of tubing connected to the check valve; and

a bite valve connected to an end of the second section of tubing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid monitoring unit comprises a magnetic turbine flow sensor disposed in a fluid flow path, a Hall effect sensor for sensing rotation of the magnetic turbine flow sensor, a programmable microcontroller connected to the Hall-effect sensor and a memory connected to the programmable microcontroller.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fluid monitoring unit comprises a normally open fluid reset switch connected to the programmable microcontroller.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fluid monitoring unit comprises a communications jack connected to the programmable microcontroller.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a computer and a communications plug connected to the computer wherein the communications plug is inserted in the communications jack of the programmable microcontroller.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising an indicator located on one of the first and second sections of tubing and connected to the programmable microcontroller.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the indicator comprises an LED display.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a fill cap for closing the fill opening, a reed switch disposed at the fill opening and connected to the programmable microcontroller and a magnet attached to the fill cap and disposed adjacent the reed switch when the fill cap is in a closed position.

9. An apparatus for monitoring fluid intake, comprising:

a first section of tubing;

a fluid monitoring unit having a downstream end and an upstream end, the first section of tubing being connected to the fluid monitoring unit at the downstream end;

a check valve disposed at the upstream end of the fluid monitoring unit; and

a second section of tubing connected to the check valve.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fluid monitoring unit comprises:

a magnetic turbine flow sensor disposed in a fluid flow path;

a Hall effect sensor for sensing rotation of the magnetic turbine flow sensor;

an AND gate having two inputs and an output, the Hall effect sensor being connected to one input of the AND gate;

a first electrode disposed in the first section of tubing and a second electrode disposed in the second section of tubing, the first and second electrodes being connected in series with an alternating voltage generator and a resistor;

an amplifier connected to ends of the resistor;

a comparator connected to an output of the amplifier, an output of the comparator being connected to the other input of the AND gate;

a programmable microcontroller connected to the output of the AND gate; and

a memory connected to the programmable microcontroller.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid monitoring unit comprises a communications jack connected to the programmable microcontroller.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a computer and a communications plug connected to the computer wherein the communications plug is inserted in the communications jack of the programmable microcontroller.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an indicator located on one of the first and second section of tubing and connected to the programmable microcontroller.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the indicator comprises an LED display.