Device for measuring or checking a fluid, in particular for drink vendors, and method for manufacturing said device

• US 20050097969A1
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Gadini, Costanzo, Perucca, Giovanni
• Granted Patent: US 7,117,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/861.33
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/10 using rotating vanes with axial admission
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/006 characterised by the use of a particular material, e.g. anti-corrosive material G01F15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49316 Impeller making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49325 Shaping integrally bladed rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49336 Blade making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

A device is described for measuring a fluid, to be used advantageously in mixing devices for ingredients of liquid drinks. The device comprises an impeller, a diffuser upstream from the impeller and detecting means for the impeller (46). The diffuser (41) has a core (42), a ring-shaped peripheral portion (43) and one or more separators (45A, 45B) extending between the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43) and developing so as to define helical channels for fluid passage (44A, 44B). The invention also describes an advantageous method for carrying out said diffuser (41).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an axial type flow meter comprising

an impeller (46) having at least a blade (46A) extending from a hub (46B) to which a rotation pin (46C) is associated, and

a conveying element (41) having a central core (42), a peripheral part (43) and one or more blades (45A, 45B) with helical surface developing with at least a complete coil around said core (42), where the conveying element (41) has a profile and is made as one piece by molding a thermoplastic material, comprising the following steps:

providing a molding element (60, 70) defining an impression (61, 71) for the formation of at least a part of the profile of the conveying element (41), said impression (61, 71) forming a cavity;

providing a male (75-76) comprising one or more spiral plates (75, 76),

positioning of said male (75-76) in said cavity through a corresponding insertion opening (72),

injection of a fluid thermoplastic material into said cavity through a corresponding injection opening,

removal, after setting of the thermoplastic material, of the male (75-76) from said cavity, by moving it backwards making it turn on itself, i.e. substantially unscrewing it from said cavity;

extraction of the conveying element (41) thus formed from the molding element (60, 70).

2. The method according to claim 1, in which

the molding element comprises at least two molding units (60, 70) each defining a half-impression (61, 71) for the formation of a corresponding part of the profile of the conveying element (41);

the two molding units (60, 70) are joined one to the other so that the corresponding half-impressions (61, 71) form said cavity;

after the setting of the thermoplastic material and the removal of the male (75-76) from said cavity, the two molding units (60, 70) are separated in order to take out the conveying element (41) thus formed.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which the male (75-76) comprises at least two spiral plates (75, 76) wound up one into the other without touching.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which an outer diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is substantially identical.

5. The method according to claim 1, in which a diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is decreasing.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which an outer diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is increasing.

7. The method according to claim 1, in which an inner thickness of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is increasing.

8. An axial type flow meter comprising

an impeller (46) having at least a blade (46A) extending from a hub (46B) to which a rotation pin (46C) is associated, and

a conveying element (41) having a central core (42), a peripheral part (43) and one or more blades (45A, 45B) with helical surface developing with at least a complete coil around said core (42),

where the conveying element (41) is made as one piece by molding a thermoplastic material according to claim 1.

28. Use of the device for measuring or controlling according to claim 8, in a dispenser for appliances for preparing drinks, operating for mixing a given amount of a first liquid ingredient with a given amount of a second liquid ingredient, so as to supply a desired drink to a user.

29. Use of the device for measuring or controlling according to claim 8 in conjunction with an electric valve, in particular for household appliances, having a duct (5A) for the passage of a fluid, along said duct being operatively provided a shutter element (12) operated by a respective actuator (13A).

9. A device for measuring or controlling a fluid, in particular the flow rate or amount thereof, comprising at least

an axially extending body (41) having an inlet and an outlet for the fluid;

a conveying element or diffuser (41) defining a central portion or core (42), a peripheral portion (43), in particular at least partly ring-shaped, and at least a first and a second sector with inclined profile (45A, 45B) extending between the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43), where the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43) extend in a same direction as said rotation pin (46C) and form with said sectors (45A, 45B) at least a section of passage (44A, 44B) directing the fluid onto a blade (46A) of the impeller (46), thus causing rotation of the latter,

means (50) for detecting rotation of the impeller (46) so as to determine an amount of fluid passing from said inlet to said outlet,

wherein

a substantial portion of the first sector (45A) overlaps a substantial portion of the second sector (45B), such that said peripheral portion (43), said core (42) and the overlapping portions delimit a channel for the passage of the fluid (44A, 44B) directing the fluid onto the blade (46A) of the impeller (46) with high incidence, in particular with an angle of incidence between the fluid direction and the blade being almost perpendicular,

said peripheral portion (43) and said core (42) are made as one piece with said sectors (45A, 45B).

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said passage channel (44A, 44B) progressively decreases in the direction of the flow of the fluid.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein each sector is part of a corresponding separator (45A, 45B) developing with at least a complete coil around said core (42), the two separators (45A, 45B) extending radially and symmetrically around said core (42) so as to define two separate helical channels for the passage of the fluid (44A, 44B).

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein said core (42) is basically shaped like a frustum of cone.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein said sectors (45A, 45B) have a variable section or thickness, so as to obtain a progressive narrowing of the section of said helical channel (44A, 44B).

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein said peripheral portion (43) has a variable section or thickness, so as to obtain a progressive narrowing of the section of said helical channels (44A, 44B).

15. The device according to claim 9, wherein said sectors (45A, 45B) are placed one onto the other for an angle greater than 180°

.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein a height (Y) of said sectors (45A, 45B) is smaller than a maximum lateral size or outer diameter (X) thereof.

17. The device according to claim 9, wherein said impeller (46) has at least four blades (46A), preferably six.

18. The device according to claim 9, wherein said at least one blade (46A) of the impeller (46) is straight, i.e. have a linear development.

19. The device according to claim 9, wherein said at least one blade (46A) of the impeller (46) has a helical development or an inclined profile.

20. The device according to claim 9, wherein said at least one blade (46A) of the impeller have an inclined profile pointing in an opposite direction with respect to that of said first and second sector (45A, 45B).

21. The device according to claim 9, wherein said impeller (46) comprises a respective outer ring, placed concentrically with respect to said hub (42B), said at least one blade (46A) of the impeller (46) extending from said hub (46B) to the respective outer ring.

22. The device according to claim 9, wherein said impeller (46) is made at least partly with a compound based on magnetized iron alloyed with a thermoplastic component and said unit (50) comprises a magnetic detector (53).

23. The device according to claim 9, wherein said body comprises an envelope (47) having a cylindrical wall (47C) and on an end area a series of spokes (47A) extending radially from a corresponding central core (47B) on the cylindrical wall (47C).

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said conveying element (41) and said envelope (47) comprise reciprocal coupling means (D, S), the first one being in particular fitted at least partly into the second one.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein said pin (46C) is supported on its ends by said envelope (47) and by said conveying element (41).

26. The device according to claim 9, wherein a flow regulator (30) is operatively located upstream of said body (47).

27. The device according to claim 9, wherein said conveying element (41) is made as one piece with thermoplastic material.

30. A dispenser for appliances for preparing drinks, acting for mixing a given amount of a first liquid ingredient with a given amount of a second liquid ingredient, so as to supply a desired drink to a user, the dispenser comprising:

a first duct (5A) for addition of the first ingredient, on which acts a shutter (12) actuated by a corresponding first actuator (13A),

a second duct (5B) for addition of the second ingredient, on which acts a shutter (12) actuated by a corresponding second actuator (13A),

a supplying or mixing nozzle (23) operatively arranged downstream from said first duct (5A) and said second duct (5B),

a measuring device (40, 50) for the amount of the first ingredient passing through aid first duct (5A), the measuring device comprising

an impeller (46) having a plurality of blades (46A) extending from a hub (46B) to which a rotation pin (46C) is associated, the impeller (46) being put in rotation by a flow of the first ingredient,

a unit (50) detecting rotation of said impeller (46),

wherein said impeller (46) is fitted into said first duct (5A) with the corresponding rotation pin (46C) extending in the same axial direction as said duct.

31. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein in said first duct (5A) is fitted, upstream from said impeller (46), a conveying element (41) comprising a central core (42) and a plurality of blades (45A, 45B) extending from said core (42), the blades (45A, 45B) of the conveying element (41) acting for orienting the first ingredients onto the blades (46A) of the impeller (46).

32. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein said impeller is mounted in an axially extending body (47), fitted in its turn into said first duct (5).

33. The dispenser according to claim 31, wherein said conveying element (41) has a central portion or core (42), a peripheral portion (43), in particular at least partly ring-shaped, and at least a first and a second sectors with inclined profile (45A, 45B) extending between the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43), where a substantial portion of the first sector (45A) overlaps a substantial portion of the second sector (45B), so that said peripheral portion (43), said core (42) and said overlapping portions delimit a channel for the passage of the fluid (44A, 44B) directing the fluid onto the blade (46A) of the impeller (46) with high incidence, in particular with an angle of incidence between the direction of the fluid and the blade being almost perpendicular, and said peripheral portion (43) and said core (42) are made as one piece with said sectors (45A, 45B).

34. The dispenser according to claim 33, wherein a section of said helical channel (44A, 44B) progressively decreases in the direction of the flow of the first ingredient.

35. The dispenser according to claim 33, wherein said core (42) has basically the shape of a frustum of cone or anyhow such a shape as to determine a progressive narrowing of the section of said helical channel (44A, 44B).

36. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein said impeller (46) has at least four blades (46A), preferably six.

37. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein said impeller (46) is made at least partly with a compound based on magnetized iron alloyed with a thermoplastic component and said unit (50) comprises a magnetic detector (53).

38. The dispenser according to claim 32, wherein said body comprises an envelope (47) having a cylindrical wall (47C) and on an end area a series of spokes (47A) extending radially from a corresponding central core (47B) on the cylindrical wall (47C).

39. The dispenser according to claim 38, wherein said conveying element (41) and said envelope (47) comprise reciprocal coupling means (D, S), the first one being in particular fitted at least partly into the second one.

40. The dispenser according to claim 39, wherein said pin (46C) is supported on its ends by said envelope (47) and by said conveying element (41).

41. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein a flow regulator (30) is operatively located upstream from said body (47).

42. The dispenser according to claim 30, wherein it comprises a fastening plate (2) defining connection fittings (3A, 3B) to corresponding sources of the first and second ingredient, said first and second duct (5A, 5B) being operatively coupled with a corresponding connection (3A, 3B).