Abstract: Particulate dispenser can include a housing enclosing a receiving space. The housing having a fluid inlet aperture and a particulate input aperture, and a fluid outlet aperture. A hopper can be disposed above the housing and coupled to feed particulate from the hopper to the particulate input aperture. A wheel disposed within in the receiving space having at least one distribution aperture extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The apertures being disposed at respective positions so that rotation of the wheel alternately aligns the distribution aperture with the particulate input aperture to feed particulate from the particulate input aperture into the distribution aperture and then aligns the distribution aperture with the fluid input aperture and the fluid output aperture to feed the particulate from the distribution aperture into the fluid flowing through the distribution aperture as the wheel rotates.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a toroidal shaped housing defining an interior chamber and a central open space. The housing includes an input port communicating with the interior chamber and a delivery port positioned on an inner periphery of the housing. The delivery port is in fluid communication between the interior chamber and the central open space. The delivery port is spaced from the input port, which is adapted to receive an aerosolized medicament. In another aspect, a kit includes an outer ring-like housing component and a plurality of differently configured inner ring-like housing components mateable with the outer ring-like housing to form a holding chamber. A method of delivering an inhalable substance includes positioning a nose and a mouth of a user in a central opening defined by a ring-like housing, inhaling through the nose, and orally soothing the user with a soothing device located in the central opening.

Abstract: A flow meter has a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a measuring chamber between the inlet and outlet. The measuring chamber has a diameter larger than that of the inlet. A blade section is located between the inlet and the measuring chamber, and the blade section comprises a cylindrical part near the measuring chamber and having a cylindrical inner wall, an expanding part between the cylindrical part and the inlet, and spiral blades which extend from the expanding part to the housing, for imparting the rotational movement to the fluid when the fluid enters the measuring chamber. A ball is positioned in the measuring chamber such that the rotational movement of the fluid moves the ball in a circular motion around the measuring chamber for measuring the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A flow meter has a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a measuring chamber between the inlet and outlet. The measuring chamber has a diameter larger than that of the inlet. A blade section is located between the inlet and the measuring chamber, and the blade section comprises a cylindrical part near the measuring chamber and having a cylindrical inner wall, an expanding part between the cylindrical part and the inlet, and spiral blades which extend from the expanding part to the housing, for imparting the rotational movement to the fluid when the fluid enters the measuring chamber. A ball is positioned in the measuring chamber such that the rotational movement of the fluid moves the ball in a circular motion around the measuring chamber for measuring the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A flow meter has a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a measuring chamber between the inlet and outlet. The measuring chamber has a diameter larger than that of the inlet. A blade section is located between the inlet and the measuring chamber, and the blade section comprises a cylindrical part near the measuring chamber and having a cylindrical inner wall, an expanding part between the cylindrical part and the inlet, and spiral blades which extend from the expanding part to the housing, for imparting the rotational movement to the fluid when the fluid enters the measuring chamber. A ball is positioned in the measuring chamber such that the rotational movement of the fluid moves the ball in a circular motion around the measuring chamber for measuring the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A positive displacement fluid handling apparatus comprises a body including a closed loop tunnel with a circular cross section, laid out in an oblong geometry with two substantially semicircular sections of the tunnel respectively disposed at the two extremities thereof and respectively open to two ports, and a plurality of spherical balls with diameter closely matched to the diameter of the circular cross section of the closed loop tunnel disposed within the closed loop tunnel in a freely movable arrangement, wherein a star wheel disposed in conjunction with one of the two substantially semicircular sections of the tunnel in a rotatable arrangement about the axis of rotation disposed in a parallel and offset relationship to the central axis of radius of the substantially semicircular section of the tunnel feeds the spherical balls past the inlet port open to that substantially semicircular section of the tunnel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positive displacement flow meter or pump comprising a plurality of spherical balls orbitably entrained in a toroidal cavity. The first segment of the toroidal cavity tangentially connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet comprises the flow passage for the fluid being measured or pumped and the second segment provides the return pass for the spherical balls. A rotating magnetic field about the line of axisymmetry of the toroidal cavity generates the orbiting movement of the spherical balls for measuring the flow rate or for pumping.

Abstract: This invention is a fluid flow meter with pulse output proportional to the fluid flow rate. The pulse is tranduced by means of a pick-off sensor from the by-passing of a ball which travels in a toroidal passageway at speed close to that of the velocity of the fluid. The fluid flowing into the device follows a loop-shaped circular passageway while the ball travels in a closed circular passageway. Fluid flow propels the ball to revolve continually at a rate directly proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A follower element flowmeter which includes a hollow enclosed toroidal path around which a follower element travels in response to a flowing fluid. A pair of sensors are located adjacent to the fluid inlet and outlet to sense the passage of the follower element. The transit times of the follower element from inlet to outlet and from outlet to inlet is determined. The internal torus is described by juxtaposed housing halves one of which contains the fluid inlet and one, the fluid outlet. The halves are constructed so as to be relatively rotatable such that the distance between the inlet and outlet may be varied to adjust the calibration of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A ring-piston meter comprising a planetary-gear differential adapted to be responsive to a driving pin arranged eccentrically to the axis of a ring piston. The planetary-gear differential comprises a stationary ring gear and a further gear adapted to be connected to an output shaft and having a number of teeth different from that of the ring gear. The planetary-gear differential further includes a planetary gear which is arranged to mesh with the ring gear and the further gear and which is supported on a driving disk. The latter disk, in turn, is supported rotatably and coaxially with the output shaft and includes a slot adapted to be engaged with the driving pin.

Abstract: A fluid metering device comprising an annular conductor defining a passage of predetermined uniform cross section and supports supporting the conductor horizontally, said conductor containing an inlet port at the top side through which the fluid to be metered is supplied to the conductor and an outlet port at the bottom side through which the fluid to be metered is discharged, a ball situated in the passage which is free to be moved along the passage by the fluid pressure of the fluid delivered to the conductor, said ball being of a diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the passage, sensing devices mounted to the support adjacent the conductor for sensing the passage of the ball within the conductor and an integrator for increasing or decreasing the supply of fluid to the conductor in inverse proportion to the travel of the ball along said passage.

Abstract: In a flowmeter system in which a fluid stream causes a ball to circulate in a guide track at a speed proportional to the volume flow rate of the stream, a signal is produced each time the ball passes a sensing point. The speed of the ball is continually measured, and from stored data representing the fluid volume passing through the flowmeter per signal as a function of the signal repetition rate, the volume associated with each signal is determined. The volumes thus determined during a given period are summed to give the total volume over the given period.

Abstract: A bearingless digital flowmeter consists of toroid-shaped cavity and of tangential inlet/outlet channels. A ball in the cavity revolves in proportion to the flow rate. The frequency of revolution of the ball is detected by photoelectric or magnetic pickup device. The flowmeter is linear even at small flow rates and measures flow in both directions. The inlet and outlet are on opposite sides of the toroid in opposed relationship, which not only improves accuracy, but permits the meter to register flow in either direction.

Abstract: A flow meter including a housing with a coaxial inlet and outlet is disclosed. The housing of the flow meter defines an inner chamber including a pair of vane assemblies surrounding the inlet and outlet. A track is defined between the vane assembly and the housing. The meter further includes a fluid responsive member positioned in the track and rotated therein by fluid flow through the meter. The rate of rotation of the member is measured by an assembly mounted on the housing.