Abstract: A method of damping pulsations produced by an engine or other driver, so that gas flow can more accurately be measured by a gas flow meter. A damping device is placed between the driver and the flow meter, and has an enclosed volume, an input tube, and an output tube. Particular dimensions of the damping device, namely the volume of the chamber and the diameter and length of the input tube, are calculated to result in a desired damping efficiency.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for measuring the flow of water or other fluid through a conduit. The meter comprises a measuring chamber, in which is disposed a nutating ball and disc. A unitary biaxial member, comprising a drive shaft and a spindle having a longitudinal axis offset from that of the drive shaft, couples the ball and disc to a rotating magnet. The unitary biaxial member both controls the offset of the ball and disc from horizontal, such that it nutates in response to water flow through the meter, and translates this nutation to rotation of the magnet, allowing for measurement of water volume flowing through the measuring chamber.

Abstract: A leak detection device securable in detection proximity to a fluid vessel. The leak detection device includes a sensor element and a monitoring assembly. The sensor element has a monitorable characteristic, and the monitorable characteristic changes upon contact, immerson or in exposure to the fluid contained in the vessel. The monotoring assembly is responsive to the monitorable characteristic and produces an changing electrical output in response to change in the monitorable characteristic. The vessel and leak detection device may form an assembly including a shroud or cover over the detection device and a leak-susceptible portion of the vessel, to provide a microenvironment in which the detection device is operated.

Abstract: A piston flow meter for measuring the flow of a gaseous fluid, such as ambient air, through the flow meter by timing the displacement of a piston in a hollow precision bore flowtube over a fixed distance. The piston is reciprocated from opposite ends of the flowtube by a poppet valve which controls the direction of movement of the piston in the flowtube. Ambient air is drawn into the flow tube from the atmosphere by an external pump connected to an inlet at one end of the flowtube. The flow meter includes a damping assembly for damping pulsations in gas flow through said flowtube with the damping assembly preferably located adjacent the pump inlet to the external pump. The damping assembly comprises damping means which includes a porous member and at least one elastic diaphragm contiguous thereto with the porous member having a multiplicity of voids and a plurality of open channels extending through the porous member to the elastic diaphragm.