Flowmeters
First Claim
1. A flowmeter comprising a bladed rotor element mounted in a bore formed in a body so that fluid flowing through the bore causes the element to rotate at a speed representative of the rate of flow of the fluid, a source of electromagnetic radiation, means for directing radiation from the source into the bore and towards the rotor element so that a radially outer face of at least one rotor blade moves across the path of the radiation during each rotation of the rotor element, a detector of electromagnetic radiation, and means for directing radiation reflected by the said face of each blade to the detector, the means for directing radiation from the source and the means for directing reflected radiation comprising at least one elongated guide member having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the medium in which the member is disposed, each guide member being formed integrally with at least a portion of the said body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flowmeter in which a bladed rotor element is mounted in a bore formed in a body so that the element rotates at a speed representative of the rate of flow of a fluid along the bore. Electromagnetic radiation is directed from a source into the bore and a radially outer face of each blade on the rotor element moves across the path of the radiation once during each rotation of the element. Radiation reflected by the outer faces of the blades is directed to a photosensitive detector. Direction of radiation towards the element and direction of reflected radiation towards the detector is effected by means which comprise at least one elongated guide member having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the medium in which the member is disposed. The or each guide member is preferably formed integrally with the body in which the bore is formed.
19 Citations
8 Claims
- 1. A flowmeter comprising a bladed rotor element mounted in a bore formed in a body so that fluid flowing through the bore causes the element to rotate at a speed representative of the rate of flow of the fluid, a source of electromagnetic radiation, means for directing radiation from the source into the bore and towards the rotor element so that a radially outer face of at least one rotor blade moves across the path of the radiation during each rotation of the rotor element, a detector of electromagnetic radiation, and means for directing radiation reflected by the said face of each blade to the detector, the means for directing radiation from the source and the means for directing reflected radiation comprising at least one elongated guide member having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the medium in which the member is disposed, each guide member being formed integrally with at least a portion of the said body.
Specification