Method for manufacturing a conveying element of an axial type flow meter used for drink vendors

• US 7,117,595 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Gadini, Costanzo, Perucca, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AGRAWAL, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US11/014,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20050097969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 295/271, 298/89, 298/892.3, 298/897, 738/613.3, 738/618.9, 738/610.4, 264/239
• US Class Current: 29/889
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/10 using rotating vanes with axial admission
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/006 characterised by the use of a particular material, e.g. anti-corrosive material G01F15/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49316 Impeller making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49325 Shaping integrally bladed rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49336 Blade making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

A device is described for measuring a fluid, to be used advantageously in mixing devices for ingredients of liquid drinks. The device comprises an impeller, a diffuser upstream from the impeller and detecting means for the impeller (46). The diffuser (41) has a core (42), a ring-shaped peripheral portion (43) and one or more separators (45A, 45B) extending between the core (42) and the peripheral portion (43) and developing so as to define helical channels for fluid passage (44A, 44B). The invention also describes an advantageous method for carrying out said diffuser (41).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a conveying element for an axial type flow meter comprising an impeller (46) having at least a blade (46A) extending from a hub (46B) to which a rotation pin (46C) is associated, and a conveying element (41) having a central core (42), a peripheral part (43) and one or more blades (45A, 45B) with a helical surface developing with at least a complete coil around said core (42), where the conveying element (41) has a profile and is made as one piece by molding a thermoplastic material, comprising the following steps:

providing a molding element (60, 70) defining an impression (61, 71) for the formation of at least a part of the profile of the conveying element (41), said impression (61, 71) forming a cavity;

providing a male (75–

76) comprising one or more spiral plates (75, 76);

positioning of said male (75–

76) in said cavity through a corresponding injection opening (72);

injection of a fluid thermoplastic material into said cavity through said corresponding injection opening to form the conveying element therein;

removal, after setting of the thermoplastic material, of the male (75–

76) from said cavity, by substantially unscrewing the male from the conveying element thus formed and moving the male backwards away from said cavity;

extraction of the conveying element (41) thus formed from the molding element (60, 70).

2. The method according to claim 1, in which

the molding element comprises at least two molding units (60, 70) each defining a half-impression (61, 71) for the formation of a corresponding part of the profile of the conveying element (41);

the two molding units (60, 70) are joined one to the other so that the corresponding half-impressions (61, 71) form said cavity;

after the setting of the thermoplastic material and the removal of the male (75–

76) from said cavity, the two molding units (60, 70) are separated in order to take out the conveying element (41) thus formed.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which the male (75–

76) comprises at least two spiral plates (75, 76) wound up one into the other without touching.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which an outer diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is substantially identical.

5. The method according to claim 1, in which a diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is decreasing.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which an outer diameter of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is increasing.

7. The method according to claim 1, in which an inner thickness of a coil or coils formed by said plate or plates (75, 76) is increasing.