Abstract: A flow meter for determining the flow rate of a fluid through a conduit, including an upper body having an inlet chamber, an acoustic channel, an outlet chamber, a sound wave generator, and a sound wave receiver. The inlet chamber, acoustic channel, and outlet chamber are fluidly connected together and are oriented so as to create a symmetrical fluid pathway through the inlet chamber, the acoustic channel the outlet chamber. The sound wave generator and the sound wave receiver are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the acoustic channel and the sound wave generator is creates a sound wave that moves along the longitudinal axis of the acoustic channel as fluid flows through the acoustic chamber. The receiver detects that sound wave that has moved through the acoustic channel and such information is used to determine the flow rate of the fluid through the flow meter.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a current source. The apparatus includes a conductor in electrical communication with the current source and a conductive fluid in a reservoir. The apparatus includes a first sensing rod to extend into the reservoir, wherein the first sensing rod has a first diameter. The apparatus includes a tip disposed at an end of the first sensing rod to interact with a surface of the conductive fluid. The tip has a second diameter over a first portion of the tip adjacent to the first sensing rod. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The apparatus includes a sensor to detect an electrical signal between the conductor and the first sensing rod.

Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material spaced apart from the conductor and located within one or more of the responding electric field and responding magnetic field of the conductor. The conductor is electrically unconnected and is shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses, each of which has a frequency associated therewith. The material is selected such that it experiences changes in one of dielectric properties and magnetic permeability properties in the presence of a temperature change. Shifts from the sensor's baseline frequency response indicate that the material has experienced a temperature change.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring sanitary sewer systems designed to carry away wastewater through a system of buried pipes, often referred to as “sewer lines”, to a sewage treatment facility, the apparatus and method use a weir which facilitates the collection of flow rate data in the sewer lines which in turn facilitates the determination of infiltration and inflow (“I/I”) of rain water, or clear water, into the sewer system in a manner which further allows the identification of specific I/I locations so that repair and construction of sewer systems can be efficiently coordinated.

Abstract: A disposable real-time closed catheter urine output monitoring system. The monitoring system of the invention can measure urine outputs at both high and low urine flow in real time, using a pressure chamber in the form of a hollow body having an input port for coupling to a tube connected to a catheter for collection of urine from a patient, an exit port coupled to a collection container and a vent port, such that air may flow through the vent, but urine is blocked by the vent. A sensor measures flow from the exit port of the pressure chamber into the collection container, and a pressure sensor may be included to measure pressure in the pressure chamber. The invention also provides a method of using the apparatus in a real-time monitoring system.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor having higher pressure durability than conventional sensors. In this invention, a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor has a diaphragm made from boron-doped silicon, and the boron concentration at the top face of the diaphragm is equal to or greater than 1×1019 cm?3 and less than 9×1019 cm?3. Further, in this invention, a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor has a conductive diaphragm made by doping of an impurity and anisotropic etching, and the etch pit density on the top face of the diaphragm is equal to or less than five per ?m2, and preferably equal to or less than one per ?m2. As a result, the pressure durability of the diaphragm is greatly improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the metered delivery of low volumetric flows by the introduction of a gaseous stream into a tank containing a liquid and the displacement of the liquid through a liquid conduit. To improve said method, a partial gaseous stream is diverted from a mass-flow controlled gaseous stream, at a pressure that is maintained at a constant level and that essentially corresponds to the gaseous pressure in the tank, and is guided into said tank to displace the liquid, the mass flow of the partial gaseous stream being measured. A variation in the pressure allows a partial gaseous mass-flow to be set, whose volumetric flow, determined by taking into consideration the gas density, corresponds to the desired value for the liquid volumetric flow.

Abstract: A self-contained symmetrical outflow meter for resting on a non-skid surface such as pavement and timing the rate of water drainage from the surface. The outflow meter is characterized by a circular base, a pair of handle supports which extend upwardly from the base and a handle which spans the top end portions of the handle supports. A funnel is mounted between the handle supports beneath the handle and a vertical water discharge tube for containing water is mounted in the base, beneath the funnel. A spring-loaded plunger is mounted in the discharge tube for selectively sealing a water discharge opening provided in the base. Upper and lower adaptors are suspended from the funnel inside the water discharge tube, and upper and lower switch floats are vertically displaceably mounted on the respective upper and lower adaptors. A timer is provided on a timer support which spans the upper ends of the handle supports, and is wired to the switch floats.

Abstract: A portable secondary flow measuring device (10) with various attachments and adapters for use in several types of open channel flow installations including flumes, weir plates and gravity flow pipelines. A manometer type flow indicating apparatus (40), an integral flow sensing probe (30) and a separate portable air supply (20) are three basic components of the device.

Abstract: To measure flow rates, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is changed by inserting a multiple position gate into the flow path and altering the position of the gate to maintain the head of liquid constant with a reduced flow cross section. The position of the multiple position gate is correlated with the depth as measured with a bubbler to provide an indication of flow rate. To purge the bubbler line, a purge tank is located near the bubbler line. At timed periods or as manually initiated the controller causes an increase in pressure in accumulator portion of the purge tank. When a predetermined pressure is reached, a purge valve in the purge tank opens, rapidly allowing a burst of air at a substantial pressure and velocity to flow through the bubbler line to remove any material adhering to the bubbler outlet port.

Abstract: An oil reclamation system flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a oil through the system wherein a housing forms a first chamber that leads through a constricted lower outlet into a second chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber also includes an intermediate outlet above the lower outlet and an upper outlet above the intermediate outlet. Both the intermediate and upper outlets flow into a duct that opens into the second chamber at a lower end. Oil flows through an inlet into the first chamber and through the lower outlet when the rate is below an ideal rate range, through both the lower outlet and the intermediate outlet when the rate is within the ideal range and through all three outlets when the rate exceeds the ideal range. A viewing conduit indicates the level of oil inside the first chamber and thereby indicates flow rate.

Abstract: To measure flow rates, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is changed by inserting a multiple position gate into the flow path and altering the position of the gate to maintain the head of liquid constant with a reduced flow cross section. The position of the multiple position gate is correlated with the depth as measured with a bubbler to provide an indication of flow rate. To purge the bubbler line, a purge tank is located near the bubbler line. At timed periods or as manually initiated the controller causes an increase in pressure in accumulator portion of the purge tank. When a predetermined pressure is reached, a purge valve in the purge tank opens, rapidly allowing a burst of air at a substantial pressure and velocity to flow through the bubbler line to remove any material adhering to the bubbler outlet port.

Abstract: To measure flow rates, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is changed by inserting a multiple position gate into the flow path and altering the position of the gate to maintain the head of liquid constant with a reduced flow cross section. To maintain the head at a desirable range, the depth is measured and controls the position of the gate as a feedback signal. The position of the multiple position gate is correlated with the depth to provide an indication of flow rate. For this purpose, a flow path housing is clamped to a pipe and a multiple position gate is moved by pneumatic pressure into the flow stream to change the flow cross section. The depth of the head upstream of the gate is measured and the position of the gate is measured. Flow rate is determined from these two measurements. Sampling may be performed at an increased depth caused by the gate.

Abstract: A device for determining flow rate of a liquid material that is discharged from an orifice. There is provided a container having a container wall extending upwardly to an open mouth for collection of the discharge from an orifice. The container has a discharge opening in its base and is supported by suspension means from a load cell. The signal from the load cell, which is responsive to the downward force imparted by the container and liquid material therein, is transmitted to a readout means. Since the liquid material flows at a determined rate from the discharge opening the signal from the load cell is directly related to the flow rate of the liquid material, thereby enabling the flow rate to be calculated.

Abstract: A urine flow meter including a toilet mounted collector is disclosed. The collector has a mouth portion which is dimensioned to fit within a toilet bowl and which has walls which slope downwardly and inwardly to a neck portion. The neck portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the mouth portion to receive urine directed into it from the mouth portion. An aperture is formed in the neck portion and a pressure sender has a lower end in communication with the neck portion. An upper end of the pressure sender is above the neck portion and is connected to a pressure transducer. Urine accumulates in the neck portion until the flow rate into the collector equals the flow rate out through the aperture. The accumulated volume of urine in the neck portion produces an air pressure within the pressure sender which is converted into an electrical signal by the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer output signal is suitable to be processed to provide critical urine flow data.

Abstract: A simple device for measuring flow rate of liquid in a partially-full pipe. This device comprises a generally vertical, first chamber into which liquid is introduced, a non-opaque, second generally vertical chamber in communication with the lower portion of the first chamber, an orifice communicating with the lower portion of the first and second chambers, an overflow leg and an outlet for liquid passing through the orifice or overflow. The height of liquid in the second chamber provides a visible indication of the flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid sensing apparatus to measure the flow rate of a non-Newtonian fluid by sensing the fluid pressure of the fluid to generate a signal to control a valve. The apparatus includes a fluid receiving chamber which has an outlet tube having a pre-determined flow rate independent of the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter utilizing a conventional tubular member with an inlet and outlet. An ultrasonic transducer is located in the member to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy through liquid flowing through the member. An energizing means is connected to the transducer so that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted through the liquid in the member. Reflector means variably positionable within the member are provided for establishing a position for the reflector means which is proportional to liquid flow rate through the member and for reflecting ultrasonic energy from the transducer back to the transducer. Control means are provided for producing at least a single pulse of ultrasonic energy from the transducer to be transmitted through the liquid and for detecting an echo pulse reflected from the reflector means.

Abstract: An open channel flow transducer is provided for measurement of the flow of liquid in a sewer pipe or the like which is not always completely filled. A flow tube which may be of plastic has an upwardly extending discharge region connected to a sewer pipe, as by connection to the outlet opening of a sewer pipe which extends into a manhole or other access area. The flow tube therefore becomes filled with liquid before the liquid can be vertically discharged. A flow measuring transducer system is then connected in the flow tube to make a measurement of one or both the flow rate in the tube or the material flowing in the tube by ultrasonic measurement techniques.