Flow measuring apparatus

• US 4,571,997 A
• Filed: 06/21/1984
• Issued: 02/25/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Professional Associated Consulting Engineers Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Professional Associated Consulting Engineers Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Samuel L., Kepple, Larry G.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOODIEL, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/622,837
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 73/215, 73/216, 73/300-302, 73/40.5 R
• US Class Current: 73/215
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/002 wherein the flow is in an open channel
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/52 by measuring the height of the fluid level due to the lifting power of the fluid flow

Abstract

A flow measuring apparatus adapted to be installed temporarily in the end of a sewer pipe or water pipe or conduit is provided with a weir/orifice plate and a bubble tube for sensing the hydraulic pressure at a critical point below the weir/orifice plate to facilitate determination of the flow rate by a calibrated relationship with the measured pressure. A cylindrical support frame is provided for placement in the pipe outlet, together with an inflatable collar which, when inflated, provides a seal between the inside diameter of the outlet pipe and the support frame. A base weir/orifice plate is fixed across the upstream face of the support frame and means are provided for fastening interchangeable weir/orifice plates to the base weir/orifice plate. An extension handle is provided so that the operator can install the measuring device in an exposed pipe or conduit located in a vault or manhole without entering the vault or manhole.

Claims

1. A flow sensing device for installation in a conduit, comprising:

a hollow body, consisting of a substantially cylindrical support frame, having a flow path therethrough with an exit end and an inlet end;

an inflatable collar surrounding said support frame so that, when said hollow body is placed in said conduit and said inflatable collar is inflated, a seal is formed between said hollow body and said conduit;

a base weir/orifice plate mounted across said inlet end of said hollow body having an invert level positioned at a predetermined distance from the invert of said conduit;

pressure sensing means mounted on said base weir/orifice plate a predetermined distance below said invert level of said base weir/orifice plate;

a bubbler supply tube connected to said pressure sensing means, and

pressure indicating means attached to said bubbler supply tube whereby pressure at said base weir/orifice plate is measured.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base weir/orifice plate consists of a substantially circularly shaped weir/orifice plate, and including a detachable v-notch weir/plate attached to said weir/orifice plate and positioned a predetermined distance above said invert of said conduit, having an upper surface contoured so that flow measuring characteristics can be calibrated with the apparatus in free-flowing weir condition, in low-pressure orifice condition, and in the transitional zone therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressure sensing means is positioned directly below said invert of said base weir/orifice plate so that, when there is free flow through said base weir/orifice plate, the pressure sensed by said pressure sensing means approximates pressure which would be sensed upstream under conventional criteria for a weir.

4. A flow measuring apparatus, comprising:

a flow sensing device designed to be placed in a conduit, having;

a support frame;

a base weir/orifice plate having a hole therein to provide a predetermined flow cross-section;

an inflatable collar surrounding said support frame so that, when said inflatable collar is inflated, a seal is provided between said conduit and said support frame, and

pressure sensing means mounted on said flow sensing device;

flow level indicating means;

communicating means communicating pressure at said pressure sensing means to said flow level indicating means,

whereby flow level can be monitored, and

a long handle which facilitates insertion of said flow sensing device into a sewer or other underground pipe system without an operator being required to enter a manhole.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said long handle is a telescoping handle.

6. The invention of claim 5, including a level indicator mounted on said telescoping handle indicating plumbness of orientation of said telescoping handle.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein:

said base weir/orifice plate is a v-notch weir, and

said pressure sensing means is positioned just below the apex of said v-notch weir.

8. The invention of claim 5, wherein:

said base weir/orifice plate is a v-notch weir, and

said pressure sensing means is positioned just below the apex of said v-notch weir.

9. The invention of claim 4, including a level indicator mounted on said long handle indicating plumbness of orientation of said long handle.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein:

said base weir/orifice plate is a v-notch weir, and

said pressure sensing means is positioned just below the apex of said v-notch weir.

11. The invention of claim 4, wherein:

said base weir/orifice plate is a v-notch weir, and

said pressure sensing means is positioned just below the apex of said v-notch weir.

12. The invention of claim 4, including a detachable weir/orifice plate attached to said base weir/orifice plate and having a hole therein to provide a predetermined flow cross-section which is less than said flow cross-section of said hole in said base weir/orifice plate.

13. A flow sensing device for installation in a conduit, comprising:

a hollow body, consisting of a substantially cylindrical support frame, having a flow path therethrough with an exit end and an inlet end;

an inflatable collar surrounding said support frame so that, when said hollow body is placed in said conduit and said inflatable collar is inflated, a seal is formed between said hollow body and said conduit;

a base weir/orifice plate mounted across said inlet end of said hollow body having an invert level positioned at a predetermined distance from the invert of said conduit;

a pressure sensing means mounted on said base weir/orifice plate a predetermined distance below said invert level of said base weir/orifice plate;

pressure indicating means attached to said pressure sensing means whereby pressure at said base weir/orifice plate is measured and translated to the environment at or above a manhole opening whereby flow at said pressure sensing means is determined on the basis of a predetermined calibration of flow and pressure, and

a long handle attached to said hollow body which facilitates insertion of said flow sensing device into a sewer or other underground pipe system without an operator being required to enter a manhole.