Fluid flowmeter

• US 4,550,615 A
• Filed: 08/29/1983
• Issued: 11/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graham C. Grant
• Original Assignee: Graham C. Grant
• Inventors: Grant, Graham C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Application Number:
  US06/527,326
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 73/861.18, 73/861.19, 73/861.21, 73/861.39, 73/861.71, 73/861.73
• US Class Current: 73/861.21
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/00 Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/666 by detecting noise and sounds generated by the flowing fluid

Abstract

A flowmeter which is connectable in series with a fluid supply line and which functions to meter the rate of fluid flow through the supply line. The flowmeter incorporates a chamber into and through which fluid is passed, and an acousto-electrical transducer is located within the chamber for exposure to acoustical energy which is emitted by fluid passing through the chamber. The transducer is connected in circuit with a detector which is arranged to provide an output which follows the peak voltage of an amplified output signal generated by the transducer as a consequence of the transducer being exposed to acoustical energy of the fluid. A display device is incorporated in the flowmeter for providing a measure of the detector output, and hence of the amplitude of the transducer output, in terms of fluid flow rate.

Claims

1. A fluid flowmeter comprising a body portion, a chamber within the body portion through which fluid is passed in use of the flowmeter, first and second fluid flow channels in the body portion, the first channel being connectable at one end to a supply of fluid and communicating at its other end with a nozzle which projects into the chamber, the second channel communicating at one end with the chamber and being connectable at its other end to a fluid delivery line, an acousto-electrical transducer located within the chamber and exposed directly to fluid flowing through the chamber and to acoustical energy which is emitted by the fluid, the nozzle being orientated toward the transducer whereby fluid passing into the chamber from the nozzle is caused to impinge on the transducer, the transducer being in the form of a microphone including a vibratable member which provides an electrical output signal when exposed to acoustical energy emitted by the fluid, the vibratable member or casing portion of the transducer being apertured to permit pressure equalisation at opposite faces of said vibratable member, and an indicator in circuit with the transducer for providing indication of the electrical output of the transducer.

2. A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transducer is connected electrically in circuit with an amplifier, with a voltage detector which is arranged to provide an output signal which follows the amplitude of the voltage output of the transducer and with display means for displaying a measure of the output signal from the detector in terms of fluid flow rate.

3. A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 2 wherein electric circuit components, including the amplifier, detector and display device, are located in a casing which is removably connected to the body portion, wherein the chamber within the body portion is closed by connecting the casing to the body portion, and wherein the transducer is mounted to the casing and disposed so as to locate within the chamber when the casing is connected to the body portion.

4. A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein voltage linearising means are located in circuit between the detector and the display means, whereby the display means will display output voltage levels which increment linearly with corresponding incremental changes in the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter.

5. A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 and including integrating circuit means connected in circuit with the detector, and a further display means in circuit with the integrating means for displaying a measure of the output signal of the integrating means in terms of fluid volume.

6. A fluid flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 wherein an adjustable flow control valve is located in the second fluid flow channel for regulating the rate of fluid flow through the flowmeter.

7. A fluid flowmeter which is connectable in circuit with a fluid supply line and which comprises a body portion, a chamber within the body portion and through which fluid is passed in use of the flowmeter, first and second fluid flow channels in the body portion, the first channel being connectable at one end to a supply of fluid and communicating at its other end with the chamber, the second channel communicating at one end with the chamber and being connectable at its other end to a fluid delivery line, an acousto-electrical transducer located within the chamber and exposed directly to fluid flowing through the chamber and to acoustical energy which is emitted by the fluid in passing into the chamber from the first channel, the transducer being in the form of a microphone including a vibratable member which provides an electrical output signal when exposed to acoustical energy emitted by the fluid, the vibratable member or casing portion of the transducer being apertured to permit pressure equalisation at opposite faces of said vibratable member, and an indicator in circuit with the transducer for providing indication of the electrical output of the transducer.

8. A fluid flowmeter for location in series with a fluid supply line and which comprises a body portion, a chamber within the body portion and through which fluid is passed in use of the flowmeter, first and second fluid flow channels in the body portion, the first channel being connectable at one end to a supply of fluid and communicating at its other end with the chamber, the second channel communicating at one with the chamber and being connectable at its other end to a fluid delivery line, an adjustable flow control valve in the second channel for regulating the rate of fluid flow through the flowmeter, an acousto-electrical transducer located within the chamber and exposed directly to fluid flowing through the chamber and to acoustical energy which is emitted by the fluid in passing into the chamber from the first channel, the transducer being in the form of a microphone including a vibratable member which provides an electrical output signal when exposed to acoustical energy emitted by the fluid, the vibratable member or casing portion of the transducer being apertured to permit pressure equalisation at opposite faces of said vibratable member, and an indicator in circuit with the transducer for providing indication of the electrical output of the transducer.