Flowmeter
First Claim
1. An apparatus, for use with a fluid moving device that moves a fluid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
- a flowtube having a passage, the flowtube having a first end and a second end;
a body positioned in the passage of the flowtube;
a sensor array comprising at least two sensors positioned along the length of the flowtube and between the first end of the flowtube and the second end of the flowtube, wherein the sensors in the sensor array sense the body as the body flows past the sensors, wherein the at least two sensors in the sensor array are adapted to generate signals and are positioned so that the at least two sensors sense the body as the body moves; and
a controller operatively coupled to the sensor array, wherein the controller is adapted to control the fluid moving device in response to the signals generated by the sensor array.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, for use with a fluid moving device that moves a fluid from a container. The apparatus includes a flowtube having a passage, the flowtube having a first end and a second end. A body is positioned in the passage of the flowtube, and a sensor array comprising at least two sensors is positioned along the length of the flowtube and between the first end and second end of the flowtube. The sensors in the sensor array sense (e.g., detect) the body as the body flows past the sensors. The sensors in the sensor array are adapted to generate signals, and a controller is operatively coupled to the sensor array. The controller is adapted to control the fluid moving device in response to the signals generated by the sensor array.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, for use with a fluid moving device that moves a fluid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
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a flowtube having a passage, the flowtube having a first end and a second end;
a body positioned in the passage of the flowtube;
a sensor array comprising at least two sensors positioned along the length of the flowtube and between the first end of the flowtube and the second end of the flowtube, wherein the sensors in the sensor array sense the body as the body flows past the sensors, wherein the at least two sensors in the sensor array are adapted to generate signals and are positioned so that the at least two sensors sense the body as the body moves; and
a controller operatively coupled to the sensor array, wherein the controller is adapted to control the fluid moving device in response to the signals generated by the sensor array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling fluid flow, the method comprising:
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flowing a fluid in a flowtube comprising a passage, wherein a body is in the passage;
sensing the body using a sensor array comprising at least two sensors as the body moves and is carried by the fluid;
generating signals using the sensor array; and
controlling a fluid moving device that moves the fluid from a container to a target container using the signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, for use with a fluid moving device that moves a fluid from a container, the apparatus comprising:
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a flowtube having a passage, the flowtube having a first end and a second end;
a body positioned in the passage of the flowtube;
a sensor array comprising at least three sensors positioned along the length of the flowtube and between the first end of the flowtube and the second end of the flowtube, wherein the sensors in the sensor array are adapted to generate signals; and
a controller adapted to control the fluid moving device using the signals generated from the sensors in the sensor array and information relating to the viscosity of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification