Apparatus for flow detection, measurement and control and method for use of same

• US 6,914,531 B1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Richard Young
• Original Assignee: Richard Young
• Inventors: Young, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/118,207
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 340/606, 340/607, 340/608, 340/609, 340/610, 340/611, 340/618, 623/24, 623/44, 732/42, 732/51, 731/523.5, 738/615.8, 738/616.1, 738/617.7, 738/618.3, 137/454.6, 137/489, 417/53, 417/382, 417/392
• US Class Current: 340/606
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/26 of the valve type
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/28 by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/363 with electrical or electro-mechanical indication G01F1/37 and G01F1/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/38 the pressure or differential pressure being measured by means of a movable element, e.g. diaphragm, piston, Bourdon tube or flexible capsule
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/42 Orifices or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/04 Hydraulic or pneumatic actuation of the alarm, e.g. by change of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2657 Flow rate responsive

Abstract

A flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet comprising: a plate moving in response to fluid flow therethrough, being displaced further as flow increases; a sensor for determining moving plate'"'"'s position and creating an electronic signal related thereto; a biasing means for biasing the plate towards the sensor'"'"'s inlet end. The sensor may include a sealing means for preventing flow therethrough until a specified differential pressure is reached allowing the device to be used as a bypass mechanism. The sealing means may also constitute a check valve means to prevent flow in an undesired direction. The check means comprises: a bullet rod adapted to be received within an orifice defined in a moving plate, such that the bullet rod prevents flow through the orifice until the moving plate is displaced past a terminal end of the bullet rod; and a plate means sealingly and slidingly received within a cylinder, which is closed for a portion of its length and open for another portion of its length, such that flow is prevented until the plate is displaced past the closed portion of the cylinder. The method using the sensor in multipurpose piping systems includes use of the apparatus in a system incorporating at least one fire sprinkler, the piping system also preferably providing at least one other use in the structure. The other use in the structure may be supplying domestic needs, or supplying heating/cooling water for a heating/air conditioning system.

Claims

1. A flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow, the sensor comprising:

a. a moving plate means for moving in response to fluid flow through the sensor;

b. a sensor means for sensing the movement of the moving plate and creating a signal related to its location;

c. a biasing means for biasing the moving plate towards the inlet; and

d. a sealing means for preventing flow through the sensor until a specified differential pressure across the sensor is reached, whereby, increasing flow displaces the moving plate over a distance proportional to the pressure exerted thereon until it is displaced a sufficient distance to allow flow therethrough.

2. The sensor of claim 1, where the sealing means is a bullet rod adapted to be received within an orifice defined in the moving plate, such that the bullet rod prevents flow through the orifice until the moving plate is displaced past a terminal end of the bullet rod.

3. The sensor of claim 2, where the sealing means is also for providing a check valve to prevent flow in an undesired direction.

4. The sensor of claim 1, where the sealing means comprises the moving plate means slidingly and sealingly received within a cylinder, which is closed for a portion its length and open for another portion of its length, such that flow is prevented until the plate is displaced past the closed portion of the cylinder.

5. The sensor of claim 4, where the sealing means is also for providing a check valve to prevent flow in an undesired direction.

6. The sensor of claim 5, where two sealing means and two moving plates with cooperating sensor means and biasing means are provided, each including a means for preventing flow through the sensor until a specified differential pressure is reached and for preventing flow in an undesired direction, thus constituting a double check valve.

7. The sensor of claim 6, where the biasing means is a band having elastic properties.

8. The sensor of claim 6, where the biasing means is a spring.

9. The sensor of claim 8, where the sensor means comprises a series of electrical contacts spaced linearly along an interior portion of the sensor, each of which, when in physical contact with the moving plate, create an electrical signal indicative of the location of the plate within the sensor.

10. The sensor of claim 8, where the sensor means comprises a pressure sensor disposed at a terminal end of the biasing means, opposite from an end of the biasing means in contact with the plate.

11. The sensor of claim 8, where the sensor means comprises the spring functioning as a resistance coil, the resistance of which changes as it is compressed in proportion to the compression thereof.

12. The sensor of claim 8, where the sensor means comprises a magnet moving in tandem with the moving plate, the magnet causing a reaction of at least one Reed switch proportional to the location of the magnet.

13. The sensor of claim 1, incorporated in a riser assembly, which further incorporates the following elements:

a. a supply valve having a tamper switch means thereon for sending a signal to the controller that the valve is inadvertently closed;

b. a drain/test connection; and

c. at least one analog gauge for providing a visual readout of at least one characteristic of the fluid flow therethrough.

14. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a main flow path with an adjustment means therein for selectively setting the cross sectional area of the main flow path to vary the pressure drop for fluid flowing therethrough.

15. The sensor of claim 14, where the adjustment means is a rotatable vane which can be externally adjusted to vary the cross section of the main flow path.

16. The sensor of claim 15, where, when flow through the sensor displaces the moving plate a predetermined distance, a bypass flow path is created.