Back to results
US 5,343,763 AGranted
Flow indicator impeller module
AssigneeRacine Federated Inc.
InventorsJohn C. Nielsen, Mark A. Loeffler, Dominic A. Cariello
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid flow indicator module 50 for insertion into a transparent conduit 12, the conduit 12 defining a path of a fluid. The fluid flow indicator module 50 has a transparent housing 52 having a fluid inlet 66 and a fluid outlet 75, the housing 52 being insertable into the conduit 12. A structure 54 which provides a visual signal in response to a fluid flow is mounted in the housing 52 in fluid communication with the fluid inlet 66.
Claims18
A fluid flow indicator module for insertion within a transparent conduit defining a path of a fluid, the fluid flow indicator module comprising:
- a transparent housing insertable lengthwise within the conduit, the housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- an impeller rotatable about an axis in response to the fluid flow for providing a visual indication of fluid flow;
- and
- means for mounting the impeller in the housing in fluid communication with the fluid inlet.
1 more element
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a conduit having a transparent section defining a path of a flowing fluid;
- means within the conduit for measuring the volumetric rate of the fluid flowing through the conduit;
- and
- a flow indicator operatively independent of the measuring means, the flow indicator including an impeller rotatable under the influence of a flow of the fluid through the conduit;
- and
- means for mounting the impeller in the transparent section of the conduit for direct visual observation of rotation of the impeller.
3 more elements
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a conduit having a transparent section defining a path of a flowing fluid, the transparent section being cylindrical and the conduit having an inlet and an outlet;
- a conical insert having an enlarged base mounted coaxially with the conduit in the conduit, the enlarged base being at the inlet side of the conduit;
- a cylindrical piston having an outer surface substantially conforming to an inner cross-section of the conduit, the piston having an orifice coaxial with the conical insert, the cylindrical piston being mounted in the cylindrical conduit with the orifice riding on the conical insert, the piston being urged away from the enlarged base by the flow of fluid into the inlet;
- a spring biasing the piston toward the base of the conical insert;
- means operatively associated with the piston for displaying the rate of fluid flow associated with the displacement of the piston;
- a flow indicator operatively independent of the measuring means, the flow indicator including an impeller rotatable under the influence of a flow of the fluid through the conduit;
- and
- means for mounting the impeller in the transparent section of the conduit.
5 more elements
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and means for mounting the inlet and the outlet in fluid communication with a flow line, the conduit further including a transparent section defining a path of a fluid flowing through the flow line;
- means within the conduit for measuring the volumetric rate of the fluid flowing through the conduit;
- a transparent housing inserted into the conduit, the housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- means for providing a visual signal within the conduit in response to a fluid flow in the housing operatively independent of the measuring means;
- means for mounting the visual signal providing means in the housing in fluid communication with the fluid inlet;
- and
- means for mounting the transparent housing in the transparent section of the conduit.
4 more elements
A fluid flow meter comprising:
- a transparent cylindrical conduit defining a path of a flowing fluid, the transparent cylindrical conduit having an inlet and an outlet;
- a conical insert having an enlarged based mounted coaxially with the conduit in the conduit, the enlarged based being at the inlet side of the conduit and the apex of the conical insert being away from the inlet side of the conduit toward the outlet side of the conduit;
- a cylindrical piston having an outer surface substantially conforming to an inner cross-section of the conduit, the piston having an orifice coaxial with the conical insert, the cylindrical piston being mounted in the cylindrical conduit with the orifice riding on the conical insert, the piston being urged away from the enlarged base by the flow of fluid into the inlet;
- a spring biasing the piston toward the base of the conical insert;
- and
- means operatively associated with the piston for displaying the rate of fluid flow associated with the displacement of the piston;
- a transparent housing insertable into the conduit, the housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- means for providing a visual signal in response to a fluid flow in the housing operatively independent of the measuring means;
- means for mounting the visual signal providing means in the housing in fluid communication with the fluid inlet;
- and
- means for mounting the transparent housing in the transparent section of the conduit.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.