Patent US3680378A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3680378A
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US
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Fluid flow rate meter
Assignee: Monaghan Medical Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-11
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for producing electrical pulses at a rate corresponding to the volume flow rate of air in a passage, with means to discriminate between directions of flow. A vane member is rotatably mounted in the passage and surrounded by a distensible diaphragm. The vaned turbine member has a transverse aperture through which light impulses travel from a light source to a photocell both mounted externally of the passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Aurilio
- 👤 Giovanni Aurilio
- 👤 Valentine T Faust Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/103; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; A61B5/09; A61B5/0876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A fluid flow rate meter having, in combination, a fluid conveyor having a tubular passage and axial bearing means therein, a vaned turbine member rotatably supported by the bearing means, having vanes projecting radially toward the inner wall of the passage, and rotatable by the flow of fluid through the passage, a flexible diaphragm secured to said inner wall, projecting toward the vanes and having provision to deflect downstream therefrom in response to fluid flowing in the passage, and, a generator responsive to the rotation of said turbine member to produce electrical pulses at a rate corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of fluid in the conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fluid flow rate meter having, in combination, a fluid conveyor having a tubular passage and axial bearing means therein, a vaned turbine member rotatably supported by the bearing means, having vanes projecting radially toward the inner wall of the passage, and rotatable by the flow of fluid through the passage, a flexible diaphragm secured to said inner wall, projecting toward the vanes and having provision to deflect downstream therefrom in response to fluid flowing in the passage, and, a generator responsive to the rotation of said turbine member to produce electrical pulses at a rate corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of fluid in the conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which the passage is substantially straight and obstructed only by the diaphragm, the bearing means and the turbine member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which the axial bearing means comprise, fins supported by the fluid conveyor and extending radially of the passage, and, bearings supported on the fins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which the vanes have a generally helical shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which a substantial portion of the cross section of the passage is outside the radial periphery of the turbine member, said diaphragm substantially closing said portion when in the undeflected condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 5, in which the diaphragm has a central aperture wherein the turbine member is located, said aperture being distensible in response to fluid pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 5, in which the diaphragm is a substantially flat sheet extending transversely of the passage, having a circular central hole therein and a plurality of generally axial slits extending from said hole a portion of the distance toward said inner wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 7, in which the sheet is a plastic having a flexibility substantially unaffected by humidity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1, in which the generator includes, means to project light upon the turbine member, a photocell adapted to receive light from the turbine member, and, a pulse generator operable by the photocell to produce electrical pulses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 9, in which the means to project light, the photocell and the pulse generator are external to said passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 10, in which the fluid conveyor has a translucent wall portion through which light is projected to and from the turbine member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 11, in which said translucent wall portion has integral lens portions for receiving said light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination according to claim 9, including means to project plural light beams angularly displaced about the axis of rotation of the turbine member, a photocell and pulse generator for each beam, and logic means adapted to discriminate between the senses of rotation of said turbine member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3613451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |