Fluid flow direction detector
OwnerBrian Wisemaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting the flow direction of a fluid between two enclosed spaces, such as hospital rooms, includes a conduit extending along a horizontal plane and adapted to receive the fluid. A detecting element is disposed within the conduit and movable in the direction of fluid flow, the detecting element being in direct contact with the fluid. A sensing element is coupled to the conduit for determining when the detecting element reaches a predetermined position within the conduit. Circuitry coupled to the sensing element, enables selection of a desired flow direction and actuates an alarm when the detected flow direction is other than the one selected.
Claims15
An apparatus for detecting the flow direction of a fluid comprising:
- a conduit extending along a horizontal plane having an inlet/outlet openings at each end and adapted to receive a fluid moving in either direction of said conduit;
- a detecting element disposed within the conduit and movable in the direction of a fluid flow, the detecting element being in direct contact with the fluid;
- sensing means, coupled to the conduit, for determining when the detecting element reaches a predetermined position within the conduit;
- and
- circuit means, coupled to the sensing means, for indicating the direction of fluid flow through the conduit.
An apparatus for detecting the flow direction of a fluid comprising:
- a conduit extending along a horizontal plane having an inlet/outlet openings at each end and adapted to receive a fluid moving in either direction of said conduit;
- a detecting element disposed within the conduit and movable in the direction of a fluid flow, the detecting element being in direct contact with the fluid and in substantially continual contact with the conduit;
- and
- wherein said detecting element is a lightweight sphere having a smooth exterior surface and being movable in the direction of fluid flow so that said detecting element provides a visual indication of either said inlet/outlet openings as to which direction said fluid is flowing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.