US 5,193,400 AGranted

Universal rotameter

OwnerHyok S. Lewinventor

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Abstract

A rotameter comprises a vertically disposed flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from the lower inlet to the upper outlet thereof, and a float suspended in the flow passage and guided by a plurality of ridge-like float guides disposed parallel to and axisymmetrically about the central axis of the flow passage, which float guides keep the float suspended in the fluid stream in a coaxial relationship to the flow passage, wherein a float position indicator disposed within an elongated groove included in one of the float guides following the guiding edge thereof moves with float in vertical directions due to the magnetic attraction therebetween created by a permanent magnet included in either the float or the float position indicator, and provides an electrical signal representing the vertical position of the float, from which the flow rate of the fluid moving through the flow passage is determined. A pair of rotameters respectively having two floats with different values of the weight to volume ratio installed in a series arrangement provides a three-in-one rotameter that simultaneously determines the mass and volume flow rates of the fluid and the density of the fluid as functions of the vertical positions of the two floats respectively included in the two rotameters.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for measuring flow of fluid media comprising in combination:

a) a body including a flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from an inlet extremity to an outlet extremity of the flow passage, wherein the outlet extremity of the flow passage is disposed at a higher level than the inlet extremity of the flow passage;
b) a float including a magnetically reacting element disposed within the flow passage in an arrangement allowing movements in directions parallel to the central axis of the flow passage;
c) a plurality of float guides of elongated geometry with substantially straight guiding edge disposed parallel to and about the central axis of the flow passage, the guiding edges of the float guides distributed circumferentially about the central axis of the flow passage guiding movements of the float in directions generally parallel to the central axis of the flow passage, wherein at least one of the plurality of float guides has a ridge-like construction extending radially inward from a wall of the flow passage and includes an elongated cavity disposed parallel to the central axis of the flow passage following the guiding edge of the float guide;
d) a float follower of round geometry including a magnetically reacting element disposed within the elongated cavity included in said at least one float guide in a freely movable arrangement in directions parallel to the central axis of the flow passage, wherein at least one of the float and the float follower includes a magnetic element creating an attractive force between the float and the float follower, whereby the float follower follows movement of the float;
and
e) an optoelectric means providing information on position of the float follower relative to a reference cross section of the flow passage as a measure of flow of fluid media moving through the flow passage.

3 more elements

An apparatus for measuring flow of fluid media comprising in combination:

a) a first flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from inlet extremity to outlet extremity thereof, wherein the outlet extremity of the first flow passage is disposed at a higher level than the inlet extremity of the first flow passage, said first flow passage including a first float disposed therein in a freely movable arrangement;
b) first means for determining position of the first float in directions parallel to the central axis of the first flow passage relative to a reference cross section of the first flow passage;
c) a second flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from inlet extremity to outlet extremity thereof, wherein the outlet extremity of the second flow passage is disposed at a higher level than the inlet extremity of the second flow passage, said second flow passage including a second float disposed therein in a freely movable arrangement;
wherein the first and second floats have different values of ratio between weight and volume of the float, and said first and second flow passages are connected to one another in a series arrangement connecting outlet of the first flow passage to inlet of the second flow passage;
d) second means for determining position of the second float in directions parallel to the central axis of the second flow passage relative to a reference cross section of the second flow passage;
and
e) data processor means for determining one of the three flow variables density, mass flow rate and volume flow rate of fluid moving through the apparatus as a function of the positions of the first and second floats, and determining another of said three flow variables as another function of the positions of the first and second floats.

4 more elements

An apparatus for measuring flow of fluid media comprising in combination:

a) a first flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from inlet extremity to outlet extremity thereof, wherein the outlet extremity of the first flow passage is disposed at a higher level than the inlet extremity of the first flow passage, said first flow passage including a first float disposed therein in a freely movable arrangement;
b) first means for determining position of the first float in directions parallel to the central axis of the first flow passage relative to a reference cross section of the first flow passage;
c) a second flow passage with cross sectional area progressively increasing from inlet extremity to outlet extremity thereof, wherein the outlet extremity of the second flow passage is disposed at a higher level than the inlet extremity of the second flow passage, said second flow passage including a second float disposed therein in a freely movable arrangement;
wherein the first and second floats have different values of ratio between weight and volume of the float, and said first and second flow passages connects a common inlet port to a common outlet port in a parallel arrangement connecting inlets of the first and second flow passages to the common inlet port and outlets of the first and second flow passages to the common outlet port;
d) second means for determining position of the second float in directions parallel to the central axis of the second flow passage relative to a reference cross section of the second flow passage;
and
e) data processor means for determining one of the three flow variables density, mass flow rate and volume flow rate of fluid moving through the apparatus as a function of the positions of the first and second floats, and determining another of said three flow variables as another function of the positions of the first and second floats.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/749,981Filed 26 Aug 1991 · continuation in part
Priority: 10 May 1991
Granted: 16 Mar 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G01F 1/22
By detection of dynamic effects of the flow: by variable-area meters , e.g. rotameters
G01D 5/06
Using mechanical means: acting through a wall or enclosure, e.g. by bellows, by magnetic coupling
G01D 5/165
By varying resistance: by relative movement of a point of contact or actuation and a resistive track
G01F 1/24
By variable-area meters , e.g. rotameters: with magnetic or electric coupling to the indicating device