Meter for measuring machine output in relation to fuel consumption

• US 3,987,671 A
• Filed: 07/14/1975
• Issued: 10/26/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hugh M. Monaghan
• Original Assignee: Hugh M. Monaghan
• Inventors: Monaghan, Hugh M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Application Number:
  US05/595,923
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 73/114, 235/61 J, 235/150.21
• US Class Current: 73/114.52
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/704 using marked regions or existing inhomogeneities within the fluid stream, e.g. statistically occurring variations in a fluid parameter G01F1/76, G01F25/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/7044 using thermal tracers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/023 with electric, electro-mechanic or electronic means

Abstract

A meter for a machine employing a fluid fuel, and receiving fuel in proportion to machine demand, for indicating output of the machine in relation to fuel consumption, e.g. miles per gallon. A gas can be injected into the fuel line, in dependence on machine output, e.g. miles traversed, for formation of gas bubbles therein and slug flow of fuel through a length of the fuel line. Bubble sensing and signal output means are provided for sensing bubbles in the length of the line, and producing an output signal which is a measure of the machine output in relation to fuel consumption. An indicator is operatively connected to the bubble sensing and signal output means and indicates the machine output in relation to fuel consumption. Instead of gas bubbles, another signal, which is a measure of machine output can be employed.

Claims

1. A meter for a machine employing a liquid fuel and having a fuel line interconnecting a fuel supply station with the machine, and receiving fuel from the fuel supply in proportion to machine demand for fuel, for indicating output of the machine in relation to fuel consumption, comprising:

a. an injection assembly for insertion in the fuel line having a first pipeway passage therein for travel of fuel therethrough, a second pipeway passage therein for introduction of gas into the first pipeway passage for formation of bubbles in the first pipeway passage for slug flow of the fuel through said first pipeway passage,

b. means for injecting gas into the second pipeway passage of the injection assembly in dependence on machine output for said introduction of gas bubbles into the first pipeway passage,

c. bubble sensing and signal output means for sensing bubbles in a length of the first pipeway passage of the injection assembly and producing an output signal which is a measure of the machine output in relation to fuel consumption,

d. an indicator operatively connected to the bubble sensing and signal output means for receiving said output signal and indicating the machine output in relation to fuel consumption.

2. A meter according to claim 1, said machine being a vehicle, the gas injecting means being for injecting gas into the first pipeway passage in dependence on distance traversed by the vehicle.

3. A meter according to claim 2, wherein the bubble sensing and signal output means comprises means for directing radiation through said length of the first pipeway passage for variation of radiation transmitted through said length in dependence on the presence of bubbles in said length, said length being at least partially transparent to the radiation for permitting said transmittance, and detector means for receiving transmitted radiation and issuing an output in dependence on radiation transmittance for the signal output.

4. A meter according to claim 3, wherein said detector means comprises two detection devices disposed at a spaced interval along said length of the first pipeway passage, for receiving transmitted radiation and issuing input signals in dependence on radiation transmittance, a response means operatively connected to the two detectors for receiving the input signals thereof and issuing an output in dependence thereon for the signal output.

5. A meter according to claim 2, wherein the bubble sensing and signal output means comprises means for directing radiation through said length of the first pipeway passage for variation of radiation transmitted through said length in dependence on the volume of bubbles in said length, said length being transparent to the radiation for permitting said transmittance, and a detector for receiving the transmitted radiation and issuing an output in dependence on the amount of transmitted radiation for the signal output.

6. A meter according to claim 5, said injecting means comprising a machine output actuated device for producing an input signal which is a measure of machine output, an air injector device for injecting gas quanta into the first pipeway passage so that the bubbles formed therein are of the same size, operatively connected to the input signal device for operation of the air injector in independence on input signals produced by the input signal device.

7. A meter according to claim 2, the output of the machine in relation to fuel consumption indicated, being miles per gallon.

8. A meter according to claim 2, said injector assembly comprising a by-pass line for by-passing a portion of the fuel conveyed by the fuel line, around the first pipeway passage.

9. Apparatus comprising a machine employing a liquid fuel, a fuel supply station, and a fuel supply line interconnecting the fuel supply station and the machine, and a meter according to claim 6 mounted in the fuel supply line.

10. Method for measuring output in relation to fuel consumption of a machine employing a liquid fuel and having a fuel line interconnecting a fuel supply station with the machine, and receiving fuel from the fuel supply in proportion to machine demand for fuel, comprising:

a. injecting a gas into the fuel line for producing bubbles of the same size in a length of the fuel line for slug flow of the fuel through said length, in dependence on machine output,

b. measuring the volume of bubbles in said length as measure of said output in relation to fuel consumption.

11. Process according to claim 10, wherein said machine is a vehicle and the input signal is injected in dependence on distance traveled by the vehicle, and said measuring is in miles per gallon of fuel.