Flow monitoring method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A fluid transfer and monitoring apparatus for delivering a predetermined amount of fluid from at least one fluid source adapted to contain a fluid, to a fluid receiving container adapted to receive fluid from said fluid source, through motive means operatively adapted to transfer said fluid from said fluid source to said receiving container, the improvement comprising:
- means for detecting a first base weight of said fluid receiving container at a first instant of time and a second weight of said fluid receiving container at a second instant of time later than said first instant of time;
means for comparing said first and second weights; and
alarm means responsive to said comparison means for initiating an alarm when said second weight is not greater than said first weight thereby indicating lack of fluid flow from said fluid source to said receiving container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an economical quick and accurate method and apparatus for transferring and monitoring a preselected amount of fluid from a fluid source container to a receiving container. The method and apparatus monitors the flow rate of the fluid to be transferred by measuring the weight change of the receiving container per unit time.
A weight sensor monitors the weight of the receiving container at various time intervals. The weight information received by the control module at the various time intervals is compared to each other and to predetermined values for the detection of no flow, low flow or high flow conditions.
104 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A fluid transfer and monitoring apparatus for delivering a predetermined amount of fluid from at least one fluid source adapted to contain a fluid, to a fluid receiving container adapted to receive fluid from said fluid source, through motive means operatively adapted to transfer said fluid from said fluid source to said receiving container, the improvement comprising:
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means for detecting a first base weight of said fluid receiving container at a first instant of time and a second weight of said fluid receiving container at a second instant of time later than said first instant of time; means for comparing said first and second weights; and alarm means responsive to said comparison means for initiating an alarm when said second weight is not greater than said first weight thereby indicating lack of fluid flow from said fluid source to said receiving container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for precisely monitoring fluid transfer of a predetermined amount from at least one fluid source, to a fluid receiving container, by motive means, comprising:
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detecting a first base weight of said receiving container at a first instant of time and detecting a second weight of said receiving container at a second instant of time later than said first instant of time; comparing said first and second weights; and activating an alarm when said second weight is not greater than said first weight, thereby indicating lack of fluid flow from said fluid source to said receiving container. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification