Fluid flow indicator
AssigneeFlow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
InventorDaniel N. Campau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inexpensive fluid flow indicator capable of use in low flow conditions in a variety of environments, including but not limited to laboratory, industry, and medical applications. Flows are visually indicated by the rotation of balls loosely retained in a longitudinal passageway of the indicator's transparent housing by a flow guide and an outlet port. The flow guide imparts a circumferential or transverse direction to the axial flow of the fluid which causes the balls to revolve about the center line of the indicator.
Claims6
An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow comprising:
- (a) a transparent housing defining a generally longitudinal main passageway for conveying fluids through said housing;
- (b) said housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- (c) means positioned adjacent to said inlet for creating in said fluid passing through said housing a flow component which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing;
- (d) at least two generally spherical flow indicators positioned within said housing downstream of said transverse flow creating means;
- and
- (e) said outlet including an abutment extending radially inward to retain said spherical flow indicator within said housing.
An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow comprising:
- (a) a transparent housing defining a generally longitudinal main passageway for conveying fluids through said housing;
- (b) said housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- (c) means positioned adjacent to said inlet for creating in said fluid passing through said housing a flow component which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing;
- (d) at least two generally spherical flow indicators positioned within said housing downstream of said transverse flow creating means;
- (e) said outlet including abutments extending radially inward to retain said spherical flow indicator within said housing;
- and
- (f) said transverse flow creating means comprising obliquely oriented flow passages.
An apparatus for visually indicating fluid flow comprising:
- (a) a transparent housing defining a generally longitudinal main passageway for conveying fluids through said housing;
- (b) said housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- (c) means positioned adjacent to said inlet for creating in said fluid passing through said housing a flow component which is transverse to said housing's longitudinal axis;
- (d) at least one generally spherical flow indicator positioned within said housing downstream of said transverse flow creating means;
- (e) said outlet including an abutment extending radially inward to retain said spherical flow indicator within said housing;
- and
- (f) said transverse flow creating means and said abutment being spaced to define there between a track in which said fluid flow indicator moves in substantially circumferential path transverse to said housing's longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.