Leakage detector, a latching solenoid, a flow meter, and a liquid dispensing apparatus including same
First Claim
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1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
- a flow meter having flow rate detection means;
a latching solenoid valve operative with the flow meter for metering the liquid being dispensed;
a leakage detection means for detecting liquid leaking from the liquid dispensing apparatus, the leakage detection means including a diaphragm located radially to a direction of flow of liquid through the liquid dispensing apparatus, a magnet provided on the diaphragm and displaceable by the diaphragm in sympathy with fluctuations in pressure exerted on the diaphragm, and a detection switch actuatable by proximity to the magnet located on the liquid dispensing apparatus for detecting displacement of the magnet towards the detection switch;
processing means for comparing signals from said flow rate detection means and said leakage detection means; and
control means for interrupting the flow of liquid, wherein said control means interrupts the flow of liquid when (1) said leakage detection means detects a flow of liquid, and (2) said flow rate detection means does not indicate at least a minimum predetermined flow rate.
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Abstract
This invention relates to the dispensing of liquids by means of a fluid dispensing apparatus (10) having one or more of a leakage detection means (94), a latching solenoid (84), and a fluid flow meter (20). The invention also provides each of the leakage detection means, the latching solenoid, then fluid flow meter, a fluid dispensing installation, and a method of dispensing fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid dispensing apparatus is a pre-payment water dispensing meter.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
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a flow meter having flow rate detection means;
a latching solenoid valve operative with the flow meter for metering the liquid being dispensed;
a leakage detection means for detecting liquid leaking from the liquid dispensing apparatus, the leakage detection means including a diaphragm located radially to a direction of flow of liquid through the liquid dispensing apparatus, a magnet provided on the diaphragm and displaceable by the diaphragm in sympathy with fluctuations in pressure exerted on the diaphragm, and a detection switch actuatable by proximity to the magnet located on the liquid dispensing apparatus for detecting displacement of the magnet towards the detection switch;
processing means for comparing signals from said flow rate detection means and said leakage detection means; and
control means for interrupting the flow of liquid, wherein said control means interrupts the flow of liquid when (1) said leakage detection means detects a flow of liquid, and (2) said flow rate detection means does not indicate at least a minimum predetermined flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
a stator mounted in the flow path and configured to impart an angular direction of flow to liquid passing therethrough, a rotor mounted for rotation in the flow path immediately downstream of the stator, the rotor including a hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially extending arms and axially extending vanes protruding from said arms.
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8. A liquid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotor is made from a material having a density similar to that of the fluid, the flow of which is to be measured with the use of the meter.
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9. A liquid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, which includes a magnet mounted on the rotor and a counter configured to count magnetic pulses which correspond to the revolutions of the rotor and hence the liquid flow rate.
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10. A liquid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the magnet and counter are in the form of a magnet and ferritic reed switch arrangement, the magnet being mounted on the rotor and the counter is a reed switch actuatable by the magnet provided on the rotor is displaced towards and passes in proximity of the reed during rotation of the rotor.
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11. A liquid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a counter balance weight to the weight of the magnet is provided on the rotor to ensure rotational balance of the rotor.
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12. A liquid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotor is made from H.D.P.E.
Specification