US3780579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital integrating flowmeter
Assignee: Millennium Petrochemicals Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-02
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus adapted to measure fluid flow in a pulsating flow system, such system being characterized by wide variations in flow rate over a predetermined cycle of operation. Reliability in measurement is achieved by counting the pulses, the frequency of which is determined by instantaneous flow rate, over a time interval which is at least approximately as long as the operating cycle for the system. The apparatus also possesses the capability of adjusting for variation in specific gravity of the fluid and, generally, of providing direct readouts in various units of measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 R Tuscola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/115; G01F1/72; G01F15/00; G01F15/07; G01F15/075; G01F15/0755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
Apparatus adapted to provide a time-integrated measurement of the rate of fluid flow in pulsating flow system, said system being characterized by wide variations in flow rate over a predetermined cycle time, comprising: means for generating pulses in accordance with the instantaneous flow rate; counting means, coupled to said pulse generating means, for counting the number of said pulses over immediately repeated, successive time intervals of equal duration, each time interval being at least approximately as long as said predetermined cycle time; means for resetting said counting means immediately after each time interval; and display means, coupled to said counting means for providing a direct decimal readout of said flow rate, including means for displaying, during a succeeding time interval, the total count obtained in a preceding time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus adapted to provide a time-integrated measurement of the rate of fluid flow in pulsating flow system, said system being characterized by wide variations in flow rate over a predetermined cycle time, comprising: means for generating pulses in accordance with the instantaneous flow rate; counting means, coupled to said pulse generating means, for counting the number of said pulses over immediately repeated, successive time intervals of equal duration, each time interval being at least approximately as long as said predetermined cycle time; means for resetting said counting means immediately after each time interval; and display means, coupled to said counting means for providing a direct decimal readout of said flow rate, including means for displaying, during a succeeding time interval, the total count obtained in a preceding time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising transfer memory means adapted to store digital information received from said counting means, and means to transfer such information, following completion of each of said successive time intervals, from said counting means to said transfer memory means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said display means is connected to said transfer memory means for displaying the count stored in said memory means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said pulse generating means comprises a turbine device disposed in said fluid flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said counting means comprises a group of binary coded decimal counters, and said display means comprises a decoder device and a decimal readout device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including means for resetting said group of counters following operation of said transfer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including visual indicator means for indicating the instantaneous flow rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as dEfined in claim 1, further including timing means adapted to establish the duration of the successive time intervals, in accordance with the selected units of measurement and with the calibration of said pulse generating means, so as to obtain the direct decimal readout of the flow rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the duration of the successive time intervals for said timing means is in accordance with the specific gravity of the particular fluid whose flow rate is being measured, so as to obtain the readout of flow rate in weight/unit time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising transfer memory means adapted to store digital information received from said counting means, and means to transfer such information, following completion of each of said successive time intervals, from said counting means to said transfer memory means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said display means is connected to said transfer memory means for displaying the count stored in said memory means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said pulse generating means comprises a turbine device disposed in said flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said counting means comprises a group of binary coded decimal counters, and said display means comprises a decoder device and a decimal readout device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, further including means for resetting said counters following operation of said transfer means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including visual indicator means for indicating the instantaneous flow rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB830449A
Cited
US3340386A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |