Fluid metering apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method for metering a volume of fluid flowing through a supply pipe and a demand pipe, comprising the steps of:
- determining a supply fluid pressure of the fluid in the supply pipe;
determining a demand fluid pressure of the fluid in the demand pipe, the demand pipe being separated from the supply pipe by a valve;
cycling the valve between a closed position and an open position to regulate the fluid flowing through the valve in response to a change in the demand fluid pressure from a pre-established demand pressure level so as to maintain the demand fluid pressure at the pre-established demand pressure level;
determining a pressure difference between the supply fluid pressure and the demand fluid pressure; and
determining a volume of the fluid flowing through the valve using the pressure difference and a duration of time during which the fluid is flowing through the valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for metering fluid flow is disclosed. A fluid dispensing unit is coupled between a supply pipe and a demand pipe, and dispenses fluid received from the supply pipe to the demand pipe. The demand pipe is coupled to one or more fluid-expending appliances. The pressure of the fluid in the demand pipe is monitored by a fluid information unit. The fluid information unit and fluid dispensing unit cooperate to maintain the fluid flowing through the demand pipe at a substantially constant demand fluid pressure by monitoring fluid flowing through the demand pipe and actively dispensing fluid received from the supply pipe into the demand pipe to maintain the demand fluid pressure at a pre-established demand pressure level. The fluid information unit and fluid dispensing unit also cooperate to meter or measure the volume of fluid dispensed through the fluid dispensing unit. The fluid dispensing unit includes a controllable valve responsive to valve control signals produced by the fluid information unit. The volume of fluid dispensed through the valve is computed using the difference between the supply and demand fluid pressures and a duration of time during which the fluid is flowing through the valve. Alternatively, the volume of dispensed fluid is computed using the supply and demand fluid pressure difference and a characteristic duty cycle factor or characteristic flow factor of the valve.
120 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for metering a volume of fluid flowing through a supply pipe and a demand pipe, comprising the steps of:
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determining a supply fluid pressure of the fluid in the supply pipe; determining a demand fluid pressure of the fluid in the demand pipe, the demand pipe being separated from the supply pipe by a valve; cycling the valve between a closed position and an open position to regulate the fluid flowing through the valve in response to a change in the demand fluid pressure from a pre-established demand pressure level so as to maintain the demand fluid pressure at the pre-established demand pressure level; determining a pressure difference between the supply fluid pressure and the demand fluid pressure; and determining a volume of the fluid flowing through the valve using the pressure difference and a duration of time during which the fluid is flowing through the valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for measuring a volume of fluid flowing through a valve disposed between a demand pipe and a supply pipe, comprising the steps of:
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determining a pressure difference between a supply fluid pressure in the supply pipe and a demand fluid pressure in the demand pipe; dispensing the fluid through the valve in response to a change in the demand fluid pressure from a pre-established demand pressure level so as to maintain the demand fluid pressure at a pre-established demand pressure level; and metering a volume of the fluid dispensed through the valve using the pressure difference between the supply and demand fluid pressures and a characteristic flow rate factor associated with a known volume of fluid flowable through the valve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for metering a fluid flowing through a supply pipe and a demand pipe, comprising:
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a fluid dispensing unit including a controllable valve coupled to the supply pipe and a supply pressure sensor for sensing a supply pressure of the fluid in the supply pipe; and a fluid information unit comprising; a demand pressure sensor for sensing a demand fluid pressure of the fluid in the demand pipe; means for communicating with the supply pressure sensor and the controllable valve of the fluid dispensing unit; and a processor, coupled to the supply and demand pressure sensors and the controllable valve, for controlling the controllable valve between a closed and an open position to regulate the fluid flowing through the controllable valve in response to a change in the demand fluid pressure from a pre-established demand pressure level so as to maintain the demand fluid pressure at the pre-established demand pressure level, and for computing a volume of the fluid flowing through the controllable valve. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification