Flow controller for a particle sensor
AssigneeMet One, Inc.
InventorD. John Hunt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a gravity feed flow controller in which fluid communication with a particle sensor allows gas bubbles, present in a liquid flowing therethrough, to escape, under influence of a buoyant force associated therewith, before entering the sensor.
Claims20
A flow controller for a particle sensor adapted to detect particulates in a supply of liquid having gas bubbles associated therewith, said particle sensor having a fluid input and a fluid output, with said flow controller comprising:
- a hollow body having an outlet, a vent portion and an inlet, with said outlet disposed between said vent portion and said sensor and in fluid communication with said fluid input thereof, said inlet being in fluid communication with said supply of liquid;
- and
- a flow regulator in fluid communication with said fluid output of said sensor, thereby placing said hollow body in fluid communication with said flow regulator, said flow regulator having an orifice adapted to allow liquid to flow therethrough to form a stream of said liquid moving from said inlet to said outlet, with said inlet positioned upstream from said outlet, sufficiently distant therefrom, to allow a buoyant force associated with each of said gas bubbles, having a diameter within a specified range, to move away from said outlet, escaping from said stream by exiting through said vent portion.
A flow controller for a particle sensor adapted to detect particulates in a supply of liquid having gas bubbles associated therewith, said particle sensor having a fluid input and a fluid output, with said flow controller comprising:
- a hollow body having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to a force of gravity, said body having an inlet, an outlet, a vent portion and an overflow aperture disposed between said vent portion and said inlet, with said inlet disposed between said overflow aperture and said outlet, said outlet in fluid communication with said fluid input of said sensor, and said inlet in fluid communication with said supply of liquid;
- and
- a flow regulator in fluid communication with said fluid output of said sensor, thereby placing said hollow body in fluid communication with said flow regulator, said flow regulator having an orifice adapted to allow liquid to flow therethrough, whereby said liquid flows between said inlet and said outlet under influence of said force of gravity, forming a stream having a flow rate, with said inlet positioned upstream from said outlet, sufficiently distant therefrom, to allow a buoyant force associated with each of said gas bubbles, having a diameter within a specified range, to move away from said outlet, escaping from said stream by exiting through said vent portion.
The flow controller as recited in claim further including pump means, positioned between said supply of liquid and said inlet, for providing said flow rate.
A flow controller for a particle sensor adapted to detect particulates in a supply of liquid having gas bubbles associated therewith, said particle sensor having a fluid input and a fluid output, with said flow controller comprising:
- a hollow body having an outlet, a vent portion and an aperture;
- a riser tube, disposed within said hollow body, said riser tube extending from said aperture toward said vent portion, terminating in an opening, said opening being disposed between said vent portion and said outlet, with said outlet being in fluid communication with said fluid input of said sensor and said aperture being in fluid communication with said supply of liquid and adapted to allow liquid to enter therethrough, and pass through said riser tube to exit said opening;
- and
- a flow regulator in fluid communication with said fluid output of said sensor, thereby placing said hollow body in fluid communication with said flow regulator, said flow regulator having an orifice to allow liquid to flow therethrough, whereby a stream having a constant flow rate moves through said hollow body and said riser tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.