Abstract: The container includes a first chamber connected to the liquid source through an inlet port of a given cross-sectional area and a second chamber connected to a drain through an outlet port of at least equal size. The chambers are separated by a partition having a slot which has an elongated portion extending from the container floor in a direction generally parallel to the container side walls. The area of the elongated slot portion is approximately equal to the area of the inlet port. Liquid level or weight sensors generate signals representative of the quantity of the liquid level in the first chamber to a microprocessor to measure the flow rate. The signals are integrated over time to measure the total volume.

Abstract: The digits of the meter are each represented by the position of a member rotatable to one of ten different positions. The positions of the members do not change simultaneously. A set of first and second sensors are provided for each member. Each sensor is effective, when actuated, to sense the position of the member associated therewith. In each set, the first and second sensors are spaced apart, along the direction of movement of the member, by a distance less than the distance between adjacent positions of the member. The first sensor in each set is actuated, in sequence, to detect the position of the corresponding member and to generate a code representative of the sensed position. The codes for the first meter reading are converted into a first number, which is stored. After a delay sufficient to permit all of the members to change position, the second sensor in each set is actuated, in sequence. Each of the second sensors generates a code representative of the position of the corresponding member.

Abstract: An inlet tube, connected to a source of liquid, such as milk, supplies liquid to the top of a container. An orifice at the bottom of the container permits drainage from the container into an outlet tube. The level of liquid in the container is related to the instantaneous flow rate, in a known manner, as long as the pressure in the container, above the liquid surface, equals the pressure in the outlet tube after the orifice. A conduit connects the upper portion of the container, at a point above the liquid therein, and the outlet tube, below the orifice, to equalize the pressure therebetween, as well as to act as an overflow bypass. Various types of sensors may be used to determine the level of liquid in the container. A signal, representative of the sensed liquid level, is developed and processed to represent the flow rate.