Fluid flow meter
AssigneeCla-Val Co.
InventorDaniel Ré
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid flow meter includes a fitting attachable to a waterworks valve or pipeline so as to extend at least partially through an insertion aperture thereof. A measurement cylinder is pivotally attached to the fitting, and includes a fluid vortex generating obstruction. A sensor body extends through the fitting and has a sensor element at an end thereof disposed in the measurement cylinder and generally aligned with the obstruction to detect fluid vortices generated by the obstruction. The measurement cylinder is selectively movable from a position generally aligned with the fitting, to a position generally parallel to the fluid flowing through the valve or pipeline.
Claims25
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a fitting adapted to be attached to a valve or pipeline and extend at least partially through an insertion aperture thereof such that a first end of the fitting is disposed in the valve or pipeline;
- a measurement cylinder pivotally attached to the first end of the fitting and including a fluid vortex generating obstruction, wherein the measurement cylinder is selectively movable from a position generally aligned with a primary axis of the fitting for insertion through the aperture of the valve or pipeline and to a position generally parallel to the flow of fluid through the valve or pipeline;
- and
- a sensor element disposed downstream the obstruction for detecting fluid vortices generated by the obstruction.
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a fitting adapted to be attached to a valve or pipeline and extend at least partially through an insertion aperture thereof such that a first end of the fitting is disposed in the valve or pipeline;
- a measurement cylinder pivotally attached to the first end of the fitting and including a fluid vortex generating obstruction;
- and
- a sensor body extending through the fitting and having a sensor element at an end thereof at least partially disposed in the measurement cylinder so as to be downstream and generally aligned with the obstruction and detect fluid vortices generated by the obstruction;
- wherein the measurement cylinder is selectively movable from a position generally aligned with a primary axis of the fitting for insertion through the valve or pipeline insertion aperture and to a position generally transverse to the primary axis of the fitting and generally parallel to fluid flowing through the valve or pipeline;
- wherein the measurement cylinder has a length greater than the diameter of the valve or pipeline insertion aperture.
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a fitting adapted to be attached to a valve or pipeline and extend at least partially through an insertion aperture thereof having a diameter of less than 30 mm such that a first end of the fitting is disposed in the valve or pipeline;
- a measurement cylinder having a length of more than 30 mm pivotally attached to the first end of the fitting and including a fluid vortex generating obstruction;
- a sensor body extending through the fitting and having a sensor element at an end thereof at least partially disposed in the measurement cylinder so as to be downstream and generally aligned with the obstruction and detect fluid vortices generated by the obstruction;
- and
- an electronic circuit in communication with the sensor and adapted to receive signals from the sensor element and determine fluid flow velocity through the valve or pipeline, including less than 0.5 meters per second;
- wherein the measurement cylinder is selectively movable from a position generally aligned with a primary axis of the fitting for insertion through the valve or pipeline insertion aperture and to a position generally transverse to the primary axis of the fitting and generally parallel to fluid flowing through the valve or pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.