US3855458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow meter
Assignee: Toroid Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-21
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A flow measurement system wherein a supply tank containing a stored material is continuously weighed as material is drawn from it. Weight indications at a selected time rate are obtained, with each two successive indications subtracted and therefrom flow rate determined.
Inventors
- 👤 J Motter
- 👤 C Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F9/00; G01F9/001; G01F9/003; G01F1/00; G05; G05D; G05D7/00; G05D7/06; G05D7/0617; G05D7/0629; G05D7/0635; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7339
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A flow measurement system comprising: weight measurement means adapted to be coupled to a container from which material is being dispensed and including means for providing a plurality of electrically indicated weight signals at regular, successive, predetermined times; analog-to-digital conversion means responsive to said weight signals from said weight measurement means and responsive to first control signals for providing digital weight signals; storage means including a digital storage means coupled to the output of said analog-to-digital converter for sequentially storing one said digital weight signal until the receipt of a second digital weight signal; subtraction means responsive to a said digital weight signal from said analog-to-digital conversion means, a digital weight signal from said storage means, and a second control signal for providing a difference output representative of difference in weight between successive said digital weight signals; first control logic means for providing said first control signals to said analog-to-digital conversion means for providing said digital weight signals at selected intervals of time; second control logic means for providing said second control signal to said subtraction means for providing an output representative of difference in weight; and transducer means responsive to the output of said subtraction means for providing a discrete output representative of said difference output and thus rate of flow of material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A flow measurement system comprising: weight measurement means adapted to be coupled to a container from which material is being dispensed and including means for providing a plurality of electrically indicated weight signals at regular, successive, predetermined times; analog-to-digital conversion means responsive to said weight signals from said weight measurement means and responsive to first control signals for providing digital weight signals; storage means including a digital storage means coupled to the output of said analog-to-digital converter for sequentially storing one said digital weight signal until the receipt of a second digital weight signal; subtraction means responsive to a said digital weight signal from said analog-to-digital conversion means, a digital weight signal from said storage means, and a second control signal for providing a difference output representative of difference in weight between successive said digital weight signals; first control logic means for providing said first control signals to said analog-to-digital conversion means for providing said digital weight signals at selected intervals of time; second control logic means for providing said second control signal to said subtraction means for providing an output representative of difference in weight; and transducer means responsive to the output of said subtraction means for providing a discrete output representative of said difference output and thus rate of flow of material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises readout means for indicating the rate of flow of material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises means adapted to be coupled to a flow outlet of said container for regulating flow from a said container at a controlled rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transducer means further comprises readout means for indicating said rate of flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising weight reference means responsive to the output of said weighing means for selectively providing a zero output of said weighing means for any applied weight to said weighing means, whereby the output of said weighing means thereafter is representative of the total weight reduction sensed by said weighing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 5 further comprising switching means for connecting the output of said analog-to-digital control means to said transducer means and said transducer means comprises means for displaying an output representative of the electrical signal output of said weighing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a buffer storage register and means responsive to said first set of control signals for transferring a digital weight signal to said buffer storage register and means responsive to a third set of control signals for sequentially transferring a digital weight signal stored in said buffer storage register to said storage register means; and said control logic means further comprises means for providing said third set of control signals to said buffer storage means and said subtraction Means is responsive to the output of said buffer storage register of said analog-to-digital conversion means; whereby a digitized weight signal is initially stored in said buffer storage register, then transferred to said storage register means and the next successive digital weight signal from said analog-to-digital converter is transferred to said buffer storage register and then said subtraction means responsive to the thus registered digital weight signals provides said difference output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A flow measurement system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said A-D conversion means comprises means for providing for each said digital weight signal a number of pulses proportional to weight as a mathematical decimal count, and said subtraction means comprises a binary coded decimal up/down counter responsive to one decimal count in said A-D converter representative of a current weight and a second decimally coded count in said storage register means representative of the last previously A-D converted weight signal, for counting between said counts and thereby providing a count representative of said difference in weight; and said readout means includes a register for storing the output count from said up/down counter and displaying said count as an observable flow rate output.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |