In-line, field adjustable irrigation flow indicator for high, normal and low flow rates
First Claim
1. A flow meter comprising:
- a body for providing a conduit of fluid flow;
a rotatable paddle disposed in said fluid flow within said body;
a permanent magnet disposed on said paddle;
a rotatable indicator disposed outside of said body, vertically disposed on said body above said paddle and disposed so as to be visually accessible; and
a second permanent magnet disposed on said indicator, said second permanent magnet positioned and oriented on said indicator to magnetically oppose said permanent magnet disposed upon said paddle so that the level of fluid flow through said body relative to a field-adjusted null position is indicated by the position of said indicator exterior to said body.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-line flow meter for use in drip irrigation systems which provides a field adjustable, infinitely variable visual flow indication of both high and low flow rates above and below a field adjustable normal flow rate is provided by means of a drag paddle rotatably disposed in the flow in the fluid conduit. The paddle carries a magnet and an indicator lever exterior to the conduit carries a second magnet which interacts with the magnet on the paddle. The paddle which hangs downwardly into the flow, and rotates upwardly and downwardly depending on whether the flow increases or decreases. The exterior indicator lever similarly rotates to mimic or telegraph the angular orientation of the paddle through the interaction of the two magnets. An adjustable counterweight is provided on or as the exterior indicator lever and can be positioned so that the indicator lever is approximately level or aligned with a fixed shield when the predetermined flow is achieved.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A flow meter comprising:
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a body for providing a conduit of fluid flow; a rotatable paddle disposed in said fluid flow within said body; a permanent magnet disposed on said paddle; a rotatable indicator disposed outside of said body, vertically disposed on said body above said paddle and disposed so as to be visually accessible; and a second permanent magnet disposed on said indicator, said second permanent magnet positioned and oriented on said indicator to magnetically oppose said permanent magnet disposed upon said paddle so that the level of fluid flow through said body relative to a field-adjusted null position is indicated by the position of said indicator exterior to said body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An in-line flow meter comprising:
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a cylindrical segment for receiving fluid flow; a paddle pivoted on one end and disposed within said cylindrical segment within said flow within said segment, said pivoted paddle having a permanent magnet disposed on its lower end opposing said pivoted end and assuming an angular orientation with respect to said pivoted end dependent upon the magnitude of flow within said cylindrical segment; and an indicator mounted vertically on said cylindrical segment exterior to the interior of said cylindrical segment above said paddle and being pivoted between its two opposing ends, one of said ends having a second permanent magnet disposed thereon in a position of magnetic opposition with said first permanent magnet disposed on said paddle so that said indicator assumes a position about its pivot in response to the position of said paddle within said cylindrical segment, thus indicating flow rate within said in-flow meter relative to a field-adjusted null position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of providing an in-line flow rate visual indication comprising the steps of:
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flowing fluid in a conduit past a first pivoted lever disposed in said flowing fluid, said first pivoted lever having a flow resisting surface at one end and being pivoted to said conduit at an opposing end of said first pivoted lever; rotating said first pivoted lever about said pivot depending upon magnitude of flow within said conduit, said first pivoted lever having at least in part a permanent magnetic portion; and rotating a second pivoted lever disposed exterior to said conduit and vertically above said first pivoted lever, and having a second permanent magnetic portion, said second pivoted lever being rotated in response to rotation of said first pivoted lever to provide a visual indication of magnitude of flow within said conduit, said second pivoted lever being rotated in response to a repulsive magnetic force exerted between said magnetic portions of said first and second pivoted levers in opposition to gravity, said second pivoted lever capable of assuming at least two positions indicative of minimal and maximal flow within said conduit relative to a field-adjusted null position. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A flow meter comprising:
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a body for providing a conduit of fluid flow; a first rotatable lever disposed in said fluid flow within said body; a permanent magnet disposed on said first lever; a second rotatable lever disposed outside of said body; a second permanent magnet disposed on said second lever, said second permanent magnet positioned and oriented on said second lever to magnetically oppose said permanent magnet disposed upon said first lever so that the position of said first lever within said flow within said body is followed by the position of said second lever exterior to said body; and an adjustable third lever rotatably coupled to said second lever to provide a visual indication of position of said second lever and to provide an adjustable counterbalance thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification