Abstract: The present invention provides an improved insertion-type fluid flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit, wherein the flowmeter incorporates a strut-mounted rotor having just one or two blades such that it can rotate through a circular area of diameter substantially larger than the maximum dimension of an opening in the conduit wall through which the strut extends. This minimizes the size of the opening, which simplifies its sealing. In addition, the support and the strut are configured such that the strut is releasably secured to the support by a snap fit, to facilitate a convenient replacement of the strut and attached rotor as the need might arise. The flowmeter further incorporates a special set of ring-shaped spacers, to facilitate a convenient adjustment of the distance by which the strut projects into the conduit.

Abstract: An improved method for controllably positioning the plunger of a solenoid apparatus at a target position between its two extreme positions. The plunger is spring biased to a retracted position, and an electrical coil is intermittently pulsed to drive the plunger against the spring bias toward an extended position, such that the plunger oscillates about the target position. A precise, stable control of the plunger's oscillating motion about the target position is achieved by continuously measuring the plunger's actual position, in real time, based on a series of measurements of electrical current conducted through the electrical coil when it is being pulsed.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing method and apparatus particularly adapted for post-mix dispensing of a soft drink, with accurate relative proportions of carbonated water and soft drink syrup. Separate syrup and water valves are controllably turned on and off, independently, at prescribed duty cycles, to provide a prescribed mix ratio, and syrup and water flow meters monitor the instantaneous flow rates of the water and syrup to minimize the effects of any pressure variations in the initial syrup and water supplies. The apparatus is conveniently modified for use with different soft drink syrups using a separate removable personality module for each syrup, characterizing its prescribed mix ratio and its viscosity.

Abstract: A post mix dispensing system for mixing together and dispensing carbonated water and a flavored soft drink syrup, while generating substantially reduced amounts of foam. Carbonated water is injected into a special staging chamber, where it circulates turbulently at about atmospheric pressure. The water is ported from the chamber through a plurality of elongated ports, substantially under gravitational forces alone, and the ports are configured to straighten the flow of water and remove most of its kinetic energy. A nozzle deflects the water to converge upon a stream of syrup and to mix with the syrup in an unconfined region, after a substantial proportion of the gases released from the water has escaped, thereby substantially reducing the generation of foam.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter having a paddle wheel rotatably mounted in a cylindrical cavity and an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit tangentially aligned with the periphery of the cavity for directing a fluid to flow through it. The paddle wheel's axis of rotation is displaced from the cavity's centerline, in the direction of the inlet conduit and substantially perpendicular to the flow of fluid entering the cavity, such that the flow meter operates effectively over an extended range of Reynolds numbers, spanning both turbulent and laminar flows.

Abstract: A transducer construction for sensing very low fluid flow rates by providing an extremely lightweight paddle wheel rotatable within a close fitting fluid chamber having inlet and outlet ports directed toward the paddle wheel with a minimum angular separation between the axes of the ports to insure maximum circumferential contact of the fluid with the paddle wheel as it moves around the fluid chamber. Rotation of the paddle wheel is sensed by means of a light source and photosensitive device placed on opposite end walls of the fluid chamber to detect the passage of the paddles of the paddle wheel therebetween. A modular form of the paddle wheel and photo detector assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: An anemometer includes a rotor mounted to spin about a vertical axis in response to wind being directed against it, and a cage having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, vertically disposed vanes surrounding the rotor. The vanes deflect the normal flow of air to produce an asymmetrical airflow pattern across the face of the rotor to cause the rotor to spin about its axis. A transducer senses the rotational speed of the rotor and converts it into a signal proportional to airspeed. In one form of the invention, the cage is fixed, and in another embodiment the cage is attached to a windvane to rotate with the windvane relative to the rotor. The windvane senses the direction of the wind, and a second transducer converts the rotational motion of the windvane into a signal proportional to wind direction.