FLUID FLOW RATE METER

• US 3,680,378 A
• Filed: 09/11/1970
• Issued: 08/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monaghan Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Giovanni Aurilio, Giuseppe Aurilio, Valentine T. Faust Jr
• Inventors: Aurilio, Giuseppe, Aurilio, Giovanni, Faust, Valentine T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korkosz, Arthur E.
• Application Number:
  US05/071,401
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 73/194M,229,230,231
• US Class Current: 73/861.77
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0876 using means deflected by the fluid stream, e.g. flaps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/09 using an element rotated by the flow toys actuated by air current A63H33/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/103 with radiation as transfer means to the indicating device, e.g. light transmission

Abstract

A device for producing electrical pulses at a rate corresponding to the volume flow rate of air in a passage, with means to discriminate between directions of flow. A vane member is rotatably mounted in the passage and surrounded by a distensible diaphragm. The vaned turbine member has a transverse aperture through which light impulses travel from a light source to a photocell both mounted externally of the passage.

Claims

1. A fluid flow rate meter having, in combination, a fluid conveyor having a tubular passage and axial bearing means therein, a vaned turbine member rotatably supported by the bearing means, having vanes projecting radially toward the inner wall of the passage, and rotatable by the flow of fluid through the passage, a flexible diaphragm secured to said inner wall, projecting toward the vanes and having provision to deflect downstream therefrom in response to fluid flowing in the passage, and, a generator responsive to the rotation of said turbine member to produce electrical pulses at a rate corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of fluid in the conveyor.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which the passage is substantially straight and obstructed only by the diaphragm, the bearing means and the turbine member.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which the axial bearing means comprise, fins supported by the fluid conveyor and extending radially of the passage, and, bearings supported on the fins.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which the vanes have a generally helical shape.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which a substantial portion of the cross section of the passage is outside the radial periphery of the turbine member, said diaphragm substantially closing said portion when in the undeflected condition.

6. The combination according to claim 5, in which the diaphragm has a central aperture wherein the turbine member is located, said aperture being distensible in response to fluid pressure.

7. The combination according to claim 5, in which the diaphragm is a substantially flat sheet extending transversely of the passage, having a circular central hole therein and a plurality of generally axial slits extending from said hole a portion of the distance toward said inner wall.

8. The combination according to claim 7, in which the sheet is a plastic having a flexibility substantially unaffected by humidity.

9. The combination according to claim 1, in which the generator includes, means to project light upon the turbine member, a photocell adapted to receive light from the turbine member, and, a pulse generator operable by the photocell to produce electrical pulses.

10. The combination according to claim 9, in which the means to project light, the photocell and the pulse generator are external to said passage.

11. The combination according to claim 10, in which the fluid conveyor has a translucent wall portion through which light is projected to and from the turbine member.

12. The combination according to claim 11, in which said translucent wall portion has integral lens portions for receiving said light.

13. The combination according to claim 9, including means to project plural light beams angularly displaced about the axis of rotation of the turbine member, a photocell and pulse generator for each beam, and logic means adapted to discriminate between the senses of rotation of said turbine member.