US3922525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bidirectional spirometer
Assignee: KOZAK ZDENEK
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a moving vane type air flow sensor designed particularly for use in measuring inhalation and exhalation flow rates, respiratory rates and capacity of human lungs. Included in the combination is a tubular conduit or air passage and two sets of swirling stator vanes for imparting a helical flow to breath passing therethrough. A flow sensitive rotor is journaled for rotation responsive to air flow through the sensor. A pair of light sources and a pair of photo sensitive elements are arranged to detect movement in the rotor. Disclosed also is circuitry for counting the number of revolutions of the rotor as an indication of flow through the sensor and logic circuitry for determining the direction of flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Zdenek Vaclav Kozak
- 👤 Joseph Jaromir Stupecky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; A61B5/09; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A dual directional flow sensor comprising a body having an axial bore defining a fluid flow path therethrough; a turbine mounted for rotation by fluid passing through said bore; said turbine including at least one blade; first means for imparting a helical flow to fluid passing through said bore to drive said turbine blade in one direction for fluid flow through said bore in said one direction; second means for imparting a helical flow to fluid passing through said bore to drive said turbine blade in the opposite direction for fluid flow through said bore in the said opposite direction; said first and second helical flow imparting means defining a symetrical flow path through said bore in both directions; a pair of movement sensors mounted adjacent to said bore and offset to the same side from the axis of said bore for detecting rotational movement of said turbine blades at different positions; said movement detectors, each comprising a light emitter and a light detector aligned on a sector path through said bore and intercepting the rotational path of said turbine blade, the light paths of each of said movement detectors following sector paths through said bore on the same side of said axis and generally opposite direction; and means responsive to the sequence of operation of said movement sensors for determining the direction of flow through said flow sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A dual directional flow sensor comprising a body having an axial bore defining a fluid flow path therethrough; a turbine mounted for rotation by fluid passing through said bore; said turbine including at least one blade; first means for imparting a helical flow to fluid passing through said bore to drive said turbine blade in one direction for fluid flow through said bore in said one direction; second means for imparting a helical flow to fluid passing through said bore to drive said turbine blade in the opposite direction for fluid flow through said bore in the said opposite direction; said first and second helical flow imparting means defining a symetrical flow path through said bore in both directions; a pair of movement sensors mounted adjacent to said bore and offset to the same side from the axis of said bore for detecting rotational movement of said turbine blades at different positions; said movement detectors, each comprising a light emitter and a light detector aligned on a sector path through said bore and intercepting the rotational path of said turbine blade, the light paths of each of said movement detectors following sector paths through said bore on the same side of said axis and generally opposite direction; and means responsive to the sequence of operation of said movement sensors for determining the direction of flow through said flow sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sequence responsive means comprising first and second monostable multivibrators; first and second trigger means connected to respective photo detectors and monostable multivibrators for switching the respective monostable multivibrator responsive to a predetermined degree of rotation of said turbine blade; first gate means operative in response to operation of said first monostable vibrator and said second trigger means for passing output pulses indicative of movement of said turbine blade in one direction, and second gate means operative in response to operation of said second monostable multivibrator and said first trigger means for passing output pulses indicative of movement of said turbine blade in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 including third and fourth gate means with the output of one thereof connected to the input of the other and an enabling input of said third gate connected to the output of said first gate and an enabling input of said fourth gate connected to the output of said second gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for imparting helical flow comprise a pair of stators having fixed inclined vanes, each of said pair positioned at opposite sides of said turbine blade; and the vanes of one of said stators inclined to import fluid flow in the opposite direction from one inlet than from the other whereby the direction of movement of said turbine blade is determined by the incline of the vanes upstream from said turbine blade; and wherein said stators journal the blade of said turbine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said movement sensors comprise two pair of radiation sources and radiation sensors positioned for radiation transverse to the axis of rotation of said turbine blade and mounted in sealed relationship within said body and in radiation transmission relationship with said turbine assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |