Fluid Flow Modulation and Measurement
First Claim
1. A fluid flow measurement device comprising:
- a fluid conduit structure comprising a first port and a second port in fluid communication through a chamber;
two or more rotating members in the chamber, each of the members having substantially parallel axes of rotation, wherein rotation of the rotating members positively displaces a fluid in the chamber between the first and second ports, wherein the rotating members are rotatable when driven by a fluid flowing between the first and second ports;
a meter to detect rotation of at least one of the rotating members and to determine therefrom a measurement of a volume of fluid communicated between the first and second ports; and
an actuator to automatically control rotation of the rotating members to manipulate a fluid flow through the meter in response to a control signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In fluid flow measurement applications, apparatus and associated systems, computer program products, and methods may include a positive displacement fluid flow meter having an actuator to control fluid flow through the meter, and further having two or more rotating members with substantially parallel axes that rotate in response to the actuator and to fluid flow through the meter. In various implementations, the actuator may promote and/or retard a fluid flow being measured through the meter. In some examples, the fluid flow meter may operate as a pump to controllably increase a line pressure, controllably regulate a fluid flow rate by opposing rotation of the rotating members, substantially stop a fluid flow, and/or reverse a base fluid flow direction. In an illustrative example, the meter may operate to accurately monitor and control fluid flow (e.g., fluid pressure, velocity, and/or volume) before, during, and/or after a line break.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid flow measurement device comprising:
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a fluid conduit structure comprising a first port and a second port in fluid communication through a chamber; two or more rotating members in the chamber, each of the members having substantially parallel axes of rotation, wherein rotation of the rotating members positively displaces a fluid in the chamber between the first and second ports, wherein the rotating members are rotatable when driven by a fluid flowing between the first and second ports; a meter to detect rotation of at least one of the rotating members and to determine therefrom a measurement of a volume of fluid communicated between the first and second ports; and an actuator to automatically control rotation of the rotating members to manipulate a fluid flow through the meter in response to a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fluid flow measurement method comprising:
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providing a fluid conduit structure comprising a first port and a second port in fluid communication through a chamber; providing two or more rotating members in the chamber, each of the members having substantially parallel axes of rotation, wherein rotation of the rotating members positively displaces a fluid in the chamber between the first and second ports, wherein the rotating members rotate in response to a fluid flowing between the first and second ports; detecting rotation of at least one of the rotating members; determining a measurement of a volume of fluid communicated between the first and second ports based upon the detected rotation; and automatically controlling rotation of the rotating members to manipulate a fluid flow between the first and second ports in response to a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification