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Self-compensating optical drop count apparatus for measuring volumetric fluid flow

  • US 4,314,484 A
  • Filed: 10/09/1979
  • Issued: 02/09/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A self-compensating optical drop count apparatus for measuring volumetric fluid flow comprising:

  • (a) a drop chamber including;

    (1) a hollow body, having a radiation transmission path therethrough,(2) fluid inlet means coupled to an upper end of said hollow body for allowing a fluid to flow into said hollow body,(3) drop formation means coupled to said fluid inlet means for causing said fluid to break up into drops of an approximate uniform volume before said fluid passes through said hollow body, said drop formation means being positioned so that said drops pass through said hollow body along a longitudinal drop path that intersects with said radiation transmission path, and(4) fluid outlet means coupled to a lower end of said hollow body for allowing said fluid to flow away from said hollow body after passing therethrough;

    (b) a light emitter adapted to continuously emit a directional light beam along said radiation transmission path, said light beam having an intensity that is controlled by an input control signal to said light emitter;

    (c) a light detector optically coupled with said light beam after said light beam has passed through said hollow body along said radiation transmission path, said light detector being adapted to generate an output signal that indicates the presence and intensity of said light beam at said light detector;

    (d) counting means coupled to said output signal of said light detector for counting interruptions that occur in said output signal, said interruptions being caused by said drops of fluid as said drops pass through said hollow body and interrupt said light beam, said counting means including single count protection means for counting only one interruption of a plurality of interruptions occurring in said output signal as a result of one of said drops breaking up into a plurality of smaller drops as it passes through said hollow body, said counting means thus adapted to count the number of drops of said liquid that pass through said chamber, said count, in combination with the approximate known volume of said drops, thus providing a measure of the volumetric flow of said fluid; and

    (e) compensating means coupled to said output signal of said light detector and said input control signal of said light emitter for compensating the intensity of said light beam as emitted from said light emitter so that the intensity of said light beam as detected at said light detector is maintained at an average constant level regardless of any matter that may, on a long-term basis, tend to block said radiation transmission path.

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