Positive displacement fluid flowmeter

• US 4,043,198 A
• Filed: 11/19/1976
• Issued: 08/23/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George K. Riffle, Logan W. Stillwell
• Original Assignee: George K. Riffle, Logan W. Stillwell
• Inventors: Riffle, George K., Stillwell, Logan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Application Number:
  US05/743,275
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 73/114, 73/242, 73/248, 73/249, 73/250, 73/251, 73/239, 91/DIG. 4, 91/344, 222/335
• US Class Current: 73/242
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/16 in stationary cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/001 with electric, electro-mechanic or electronic means G01F9/008 and G01F9/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 91/04 Magnets

Abstract

A valving member is carried within the bore of a meter body having inlet and outlet ports. Chambers are formed within the bore on opposite sides of a piston slideably disposed about the valving member. In response to movement of the piston, valving member shifts axially within the bore to establish sequential periodic communication between alternate chambers and the inlet and outlet ports. After each shift, the valving member is latched by magnetic means.

Claims

1. A positive displacement flowmeter for receiving fluid from a pressurized source thereof and for contnuously dispensing said fluid therefrom in precise volumetric increments, said flowmeter comprising:

a. a body defining an axial bore and having first and second opposite ends closing said bore;

b. an inlet port in said body for receiving said fluid;

c. an outlet port in said body for discharging said fluid;

d. metering means including;

i. a valving member axially shiftable within said body,

ii. a piston reciprocally slideable within said bore defining first and second volume chambers on respective sides thereof,

said valving member shiftable in response to said piston between a first position for establishing communication between said first chamber and said inlet port and between said second chamber and said outlet port, and a second position for establishing communication between said second chamber and said inlet port and between said first chamber and said outlet port; and

e. magnetic means exerting a predetermined force for alternately attracting and holding said valving member to said first position and said second position.

2. The flowmeter of claim 1, wherein the direction of travel of said reciprocating piston is reversed in response to a shift of said valving member.

3. The flowmeter of claim 1, wherein said magnetic means are sensitive to the reciprocal movement of said piston, and said valving member is released from said attractive force in response to said piston reaching the limit of travel in one direction.

4. The flowmeter of claim 1, wherein said magnetic means exert a continous attractive force.

5. The flowmeter of claim 1, further including biasing means for receiving and storing energy from said piston and for releasing said energy to said valving member in response to said piston reaching the limit of travel in one direction for urging a shift of said valving member.

6. The flowmeter of claim 5, wherein said energy stored in said biasing means is in equilibrium with said force of said magnetic means.

7. The flowmeter of claim 1, further including sensing means actuable by said metering means for emitting a signal in relation to the volume of fluid passing through said meter.

8. The flowmeter of claim 7, wherein said sensing means includes:

a. a magnetically actuable switch positioned along said body; and

b. magnetic means carried on said piston,

whereby said switch is momentarily actuated as the piston passes in proximity of said switch thereby emitting a signal proportional to the volume of flow through the flowmeter.

9. The flowmeter of claim 8, wherein said sensing means is sensitive to the magnetic attraction between said valving member and said magnetic means.

10. The flowmeter of claim 7, wherein said sensing means is actuated in response to a shift of said valving member.