US 4,100,799 A · Compound meter assembly

Abstract

A compound meter assembly is provided having primary and secondary passageways housing a high flow rate meter and a low flow rate meter, respectively. A flow responsive first valve is disposed within the secondary passageway and moves to a substantially closed position when the liquid flow is increasing through the secondary passageway and exceeds a first predetermined rate. Upon substantial closing of the first valve the liquid flow is diverted from the secondary passageway to the primary passageway. A pressure responsive second valve is disposed within the primary passageway and is held in a closed position with respect to the primary passageway while the pressure drop is below a first predetermined amount across the meter. The second valve is forced to an open position when a substantial pressure impulse is momentarily exerted on the second valve. The pressure impulse is created when the liquid flow is diverted from the secondary passageway by substantial closing of the first valve. The second valve remains open due to the liquid flow through the primary passageway until such time as the flow rate drops below a second predetermined amount. After the pressure impulse has dissipated, the first valve will open again after the second valve has moved to its opened position.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A meter assembly for accurately measuring variable liquid flow therethrough, said assembly comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and primary and secondary passageways in communication with said inlet and said outlet;

a first meter disposed within said primary passageway and being adapted to measure high rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a second meter disposed within said secondary passageway and being adapted to measure low rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a first valve disposed within said secondary passageway and movable to a substantially closed position when the liquid flow therethrough is increasing and has exceeded a first predetermined flow rate thereby causing a sudden pressure impulse to be produced and the liquid flow to be substantially diverted to said primary passageway;
a second valve disposed within said primary passageway and being responsive to said pressure impulse;
and means for holding said second valve in a closed position with a predetermined locking force, said locking force being overcome by said pressure impulse to permit movement of said second valve to an open position whereby said second valve moves from a fully closed position to an open position at said predetermined flow rate to thereafter permit liquid flow through said primary passageway to said outlet.

2 more elements

A meter assembly for accurately measuring variable liquid flow therethrough, said assembly defining primary and secondary passageways for such flow through said assembly, a first meter disposed within said primary passageway and being adapted to measure the liquid flow through said primary passageway, a second meter disposed in said secondary passageway and adapted to measure the liquid flow through said secondary passageway, a first valve mounted for pivotal movement and disposed within said secondary passageway, said first valve normally assuming an open position, and being pivoted to a position to effect substantial closing thereof when the liquid flow therethrough is increasing and has exceeded a first predetermined flow rate whereby a momentary substantial pressure impulse is created and the liquid floww is substantially diverted to said primary passageway, a second valve disposed within said primary passageway, and means for holding said second valve in a closed position with a predetermined locking force, said locking force being overcome by said pressure impulse to permit movement of said second valve to an open position, said second valve thereby being movable from a closed position to an open position when said pressure impulse is exerted upon said second valve and the liquid flow is diverted from said secondary passageway to said primary passageway.

a first meter disposed within said primary passageway and being adapted to measure high rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a second meter disposed within said secondary passageway and being adapted to measure low rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a first valve disposed within said secondary passageway and movable to a substantially closed position when the liquid flow therethrough is increasing and has exceeded a first predetermined flow rate thereby causing a sudden pressure impulse to be produced and the liquid flow to be substantially diverted to said primary passageway;
a second valve separate from said first valve and disposed within said primary passageway;
means for holding said second valve in a clossed position with a predetermined locking force, said locking force being overcome only by said pressure impulse to permit movement of said second valve to an open position, said second valve thereby being responsive to said pressure impulse whereby said second valve moves from a fully closed position to an open position at said predetermined flow rate to thereafter permit liquid flow through said primary passageway to said outlet;
and wherein said pressure impulse is of momentary duration and subsequent thereto said first valve resumes its open position and liquid flow simultaneously occurs through both primary and secondary passageways, until said flow rate through said secondary passageway increases to said first predetermined flow rate whereupon only said second valve remains in an open position.

3 more elements

a first meter disposed within said primary passageway and being adapted to measure high rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a second meter disposed within said secondary passageway and being adapted to measure low rates of liquid flow through said assembly;
a first valve disposed within said secondary passageway and movable to a substantially closed position when the liquid flow therethrough is increasing and has exceeded a first predetermined flow rate thereby causing a sudden pressure impulse to be produced and the liquid flow to be substantially diverted to said primary passageway;
a second valve separated from and mechanically independent of said first valve, said second valve being disposed within said primary passageway;
and means for holding said second valve in a closed position with a predetermined locking force which substantially exceeds the opening force exerted on said second valve at said first predetermined flow rate prior to closure of said first valve and which is less than the force exerted on said second valve by said pressure impulse;
said second valve thereby being responsive to said pressure impulse whereby said second valve overcomes said holding means and moves from a fully closed position to an open position at said predetermined flow rate to thereafter permit liquid flow through said primary passageway to said outlet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compound meter assembly

Life of this patent

Compound meter assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31