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US 10,473,494 B2Granted
Flow sensor
AssigneeRain Bird Corporation
InventorKirk Andrew Allen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flow sensors are provided that can provide both leak detection and flow monitoring. The flow monitoring enables a determination whether there are blockages or leaks in a fluid system during normal operation of the system. The leak detection enables detection of leaks when the system is shut off. The flow sensors can use a frusto-conical flow guide to provide a more compact flow sensor. The flow sensor components can be designed to retrofit existing filter assemblies.
Claims23
A flow sensor comprising:
- a body;
- a combined flow guide and particulate filter unit associated with the body and including at least a hollow frusto-conical portion;
- a piston operating inside at least a portion of the hollow frusto-conical portion of the combined flow guide and filter unit based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor;
- and
- a flow indicator assembly to indicate the flow through the flow sensor based on movement of the piston in the combined flow guide and filter unit.
2 more elements
A method of converting a filter assembly to a flow sensor and filter assembly comprising the steps of:
- removing a cover of a filter assembly;
- removing a filter basket from a body of the filter assembly;
- installing a combined flow guide and filter assembly in the body of the filter assembly, the combined flow guide and filter assembly having a hollow frusto-conical portion;
- and
- installing a cap assembly in place of the cover, the cap assembly including a plunger operating inside at least a portion of the hollow frusto-conical portion of the combined flow guide and filter assembly and a flow indicator assembly that converts linear movement of the plunger to a flow measurement.
2 more elements
A flow sensor comprising:
- a body;
- a combined flow guide and particulate filter unit associated with the body and including a flow guide portion and a particulate filter portion, the flow guide portion including an annular wall portion spaced from the particulate filter portion and surrounded by the particulate filter portion, and the annular wall defines a passage for fluid to flow through;
- a piston moveable inside at least a portion of the tubular portion of the flow guide portion based on an amount of fluid flowing through the flow sensor;
- and
- a flow indicator assembly to indicate the flow through the flow sensor based on movement of the piston in the combined flow guide and filter unit.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.