Fluid metering and control device

• US 20030233885A1
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Chamberlain, Anton Bird
• Original Assignee: Andrew Chamberlain, Anton Bird
• Inventors: Bird, Anton, Chamberlain, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/861
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/115 with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/003 using electromagnetic, electric or electronic means G01F15/002, G01F15/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting

Abstract

A fluid measuring device that displays fluid volume usage against fluid volume limits and a fluid control device that stops fluid delivery when the fluid volume limit is reached.

Claims

1. A device to measure fluids comprising:

a propeller in contact with a fluid, the propeller attached to an axle;

a motion sensor in mechanical communication with the axle, the motion sensor configured to generate an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of motion;

an analog to digital converter configured to receive the electrical signal and convert it to a digital signal; and

a central processor unit programmable to store a fluid volume limit, the central processing unit having a display,

whereby the cumulative motion of the propeller generates a cumulative digital signal that is processed by the central processor unit and converted to a fluid volume that is presented on the display with the fluid volume limit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the propeller is helical shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the propeller is a turbine having a plurality of helical disposed fins.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor is electromagnetic.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to present graphical indicators to compare the fluid volume with the stored fluid volume limit.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the central processing unit is configured to display fluid temperatures.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein rate of the flow of the fluid during delivery is controlled by a valve.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is attached to a showerhead.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the central processor unit is remotely monitored and controlled.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the values of the fluid volume limit as displayed on the central processing unit is remotely controlled.

11. A device to deliver fluids comprising:

a propeller in contact with a flowing fluid, the propeller attached to an axle, whereby the axle cumulatively moves in proportion to the cumulative movement of the propeller caused by the contact with the flowing fluid;

a fluid volume setting dial set to a first position;

a shut off valve in mechanical communication with the fluid volume setting dial; and

a gear system in mechanical communication with the axle, whereby the gear system calibrates the movement of the axle to the movement of the fluid volume setting dial,

such that when the value of the cumulative movement of the axle as transmitted through the gear system becomes proportionally equivalent to the setting of the first position, the shut off valve moves to block fluid flow.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the shut off valve is spring loaded.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the propeller is helical shaped.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the propeller is a turbine having a plurality of helical disposed fins.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is attached to hoses.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device, is adjusted to deliver fluid volumes proportional to the size of land lots.