Flow meter with sensor element having a magnetic element coupled to an inductor element
First Claim
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1. A flow meter, comprising:
- a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, wherein the sensor element comprises;
an inductor element;
a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element;
a battery element that powers the flow meter;
a reference clock element coupled to the sensor element;
a clock element coupled to the inductor element; and
a controller element coupled to the reference clock element and the clock element;
wherein in response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element of the sensor changes and the controller element calculates a changed frequency of the clock element based upon the reference clock element and the changed inductive value of the inductor element caused by movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element and wherein the changed frequency of the clock element is representative of a volume of liquid consumption value of the metered fluid measured by the flow meter.
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Abstract
A flow meter for measurement of a metered fluid has a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, and a battery element. The sensor element has an inductor element and a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element. In response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element changes.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A flow meter, comprising:
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a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, wherein the sensor element comprises; an inductor element; a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element; a battery element that powers the flow meter; a reference clock element coupled to the sensor element; a clock element coupled to the inductor element; and a controller element coupled to the reference clock element and the clock element; wherein in response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element of the sensor changes and the controller element calculates a changed frequency of the clock element based upon the reference clock element and the changed inductive value of the inductor element caused by movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element and wherein the changed frequency of the clock element is representative of a volume of liquid consumption value of the metered fluid measured by the flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A flow meter, comprising:
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a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, wherein the sensor element comprises; an inductor element; a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element; and a battery element that powers the flow meter; wherein in response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element of the sensor changes and wherein the magnetic element is a magnetic cone element.
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13. A flow meter, comprising:
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a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, wherein the sensor element comprises; an inductor element; a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element; and a battery element that powers the flow meter; wherein in response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element of the sensor changes and wherein the fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid that causes movement of the magnetic element exists between an input side of the magnetic element and an output side of the magnetic element.
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14. A flow meter, comprising:
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a sensor element that receives a flow input of a metered fluid and outputs a flow output of the metered fluid, wherein the sensor element comprises; an inductor element; a magnetic element coupled to the inductor element; and a battery element that powers the flow meter; wherein in response to movement of the magnetic element relative to the inductor element caused by a fluid pressure differential of the metered fluid, the inductive value of the inductor element of the sensor changes and wherein the metered fluid is one of gas and water.
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15. A method of measuring consumption of a fluid, comprising:
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receiving a fluid flow of a metered fluid at an input side of a magnetic element of a sensor element of a flow meter; moving the magnetic element along an axis of the magnetic element relative to an inductor element of the sensor element in accordance with a fluid pressure differential that exists between the input side and an output side of the magnetic element, wherein moving the magnetic element relative to the inductor element changes the inductive value of the inductor element and a frequency of a clock element coupled to the inductor element; calculating the changed frequency of the clock element based upon a reference clock element and the changed inductive value of the inductor element; determining a volume of liquid consumption value of the metered fluid measured by the flow meter using the changed frequency of the clock element; and communicating the volume of liquid consumption value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification