Flow metering and distribution devices

A flow metering device comprising;

• a) a reservoir having a bottom wall and containing a quantity of fluid which defines a fluid level;
• b) a standpipe disposed in the reservoir and having a sidewall, a lower end in fluid communication with a release pipe of the reservoir and an upper end spaced upwardly from the bottom wall of the reservoir, said standpipe being normally submerged in fluid;
• c) outlet means formed on the standpipe for releasing fluid from the reservoir, said outlet means being disposed on at least two different axial positions of the standpipe;
• d) a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with said release pipe of said reservoir;
• e) vacuum breaking means for reducing a pumping capacity of said pump when the fluid level is lower than the upper end of the standpipe;
• f) wherein the upper end of the standpipe is open and the outlet means comprises a series of axially oriented holes extending from approximately the open end of the standpipe to approximately the bottom of the reservoir;
• and
• g) wherein the series of holes includes a plurality of holes having progressively smaller diameters towards the bottom of the reservoir.