With Interengaging Pistons Patents (Class 73/261)
  • Patent number: 12077426
    Abstract: A liquid discharge system includes a liquid product pump having a sensor for monitoring vibrations passing through an outer casing of the liquid product pump to detect an occurrence of cavitation within the liquid product pump. A system and method for controlling the operation of a liquid product pump in an engine-driven hydraulic discharge system. The liquid product pump has a vibration sensor operable to detect cavitation within the liquid product pump and for providing an electrical vibration signal to a speed control module. The speed control module is operable to process the vibration signal and to produce an electrical speed control signal that is provided to an electronic actuator. The electronic actuator is operable to actuate a motor control lever of a variable speed hydraulic motor to adjust the operating speed of the liquid product pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: PARAGON TANK TRUCK EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Charles Goodier, Shawn R. Moore
  • Patent number: 12078171
    Abstract: A screw assembly for a triple screw pump includes a central screw and at least one lateral screw, both provided with one or more helicoidal threads. The lateral screw is arranged to mesh with the central screw, with a lateral screw axis being parallel to a central screw axis. The distance between the axes of the central screw and the lateral screw is greater than the half and lower than 3/5 of a central screw external diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Settima Meccanica S.r.l.
    Inventor: Manuele Rossi
  • Patent number: 11713237
    Abstract: A liquid discharge system includes a liquid product pump having a sensor for monitoring vibrations passing through an outer casing of the liquid product pump to detect an occurrence of cavitation within the liquid product pump. A system and method for controlling the operation of a liquid product pump in an engine-driven hydraulic discharge system. The liquid product pump has a vibration sensor operable to detect cavitation within the liquid product pump and for providing an electrical vibration signal to a speed control module. The speed control module is operable to process the vibration signal and to produce an electrical speed control signal that is provided to an electronic actuator. The electronic actuator is operable to actuate a motor control lever of a variable speed hydraulic motor to adjust the operating speed of the liquid product pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: PARAGON TANK TRUCK EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Charles Goodier, Shawn R. Moore
  • Patent number: 11585686
    Abstract: A direction selective unidirectional clutch assembly for a fluid meter counter module assembly is characterized by a drive selector mechanism to couple a direction selection drive shaft to a unidirectional clutch to select one of a first flow direction and a second flow direction of flow of the fluid to drive a counter module. The direction selection draft is coupled to a rotating member (e.g. impeller) driven by flow of the fluid and rotates in a direction that is responsive to the direction of rotation of the rotating member. A pair of gears are mounted to slide along the direction selection draft between a first position and a second position. A direction changing gear is mounted at the second position. Further provided is a flow meter with a direction selective unidirectional clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROMET LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Smich, Xinmin Wang
  • Patent number: 11448540
    Abstract: A flow meter, includes a casing, having a central cavity flow communication with an inlet and an outlet conduit; first and second toothed intermeshing oval gears, respectively rotatably supported in the central cavity via a primary support shaft and a secondary support shaft. The first oval gear has an upper surface provided with a protrusion and a magnet, with at least a portion of the magnet arranged within said protrusion, said magnet centered with respect to an axis of rotation of the first gear, and rotating concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the first gear; The flowmeter further includes a top cap having an interior cavity; in which a sensor is arranged, so that when the cap is placed on the casing of the flowmeter, the sensor or encoder is situated above the magnet of the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Carlos Augusto De Rosenzweig Pages
  • Patent number: 9939345
    Abstract: A fluid leakage detection system that includes identical positive displacement flow meters positioned on a working fluid supply line of a system through which the fluid flows and a flow meter positioned on a working fluid return line. The positive displacement flow meters are mechanically coupled between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Adam Rubinstein
  • Patent number: 9878896
    Abstract: A meter for measuring the flow rate of fuel in a fuel dispenser comprises a housing with an axial bore extending therethrough and defining an inlet and an outlet. A flow indicating mechanism comprising one or more rotatable components are mounted in the axial bore of the housing and configured to rotate as fuel flows from the inlet to the outlet, wherein each rotation indicates fuel flow. A pulse generating device senses rotation of the rotatable components and generates an output signal indicative of the fuel flow. Finally, a vapor generating device is configured to generate vapor bubbles that flow through the flow indicating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
  • Patent number: 9470562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle flow meter with a housing which has two recesses. In the recesses two multi-turn screw spindles are arranged which are provided to be rotatable in the housing. It is provided according to the invention that the pitch circle diameters of the two screw spindles are of equal size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: KEM KEUPPERS ELEKTROMECHANIK GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Frisch, Harald Bieling, Thomas Steuer, Dirk Boguhn
  • Publication number: 20150135825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid, having a gear chamber, in which at least one measuring gear wheel is arranged, having a bottom and a cover which delimit the gear chamber on end faces of the at least one measuring gear wheel, wherein a respective rotation shaft is provided centrally relative to each measuring gear wheel, wherein each measuring gear wheel is rotatably mounted and a fluid is conveyable through the gear chamber to rotate the at least one measuring gear wheel, having a measuring unit to detect a gear rotation and having evaluation means to determine a flow of the fluid through the gear chamber on the basis of the gear rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: KEM Kueppers Elektromechanik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steuer, Juergen Frisch, Harald Bieling
  • Patent number: 8950239
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a dust detector, a voltage source, and a controller. The dust detector includes two opposing surfaces and a conductive dust sensor. The two opposing surfaces are disposed in spaced, opposing relation to allow for the passage of airflow between the surfaces, and the conductive dust sensor is disposed at a surface of the two opposing surfaces. The voltage source is configured and controlled to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces to facilitate directing conductive particles in the airflow passing between the two opposing surfaces towards the dust sensor. The controller monitors for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor and determines whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of conductive dust, and if so, automatically indicates a conductive dust warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Melissa K. Miller, Prabjit Singh, Heidi D. Williams, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8789413
    Abstract: A unidirectional clutch assembly for coupling an input shaft to a driven shaft, uses an internal shaft positioned within a moveable clutch disc and a stationary clutch disc. The moveable disc has an engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the moveable clutch disc is rotated in a primary rotation direction by the driven shaft. The stationary clutch disc has a second engaging element for releasably engaging the internal shaft when the internal shaft is rotated relative to the stationary clutch disc in the opposite direction. When the driven shaft rotates in the primary rotational direction, the moveable clutch disc engages, and the stationary clutch disc disengages, the internal shaft, allowing it to rotate freely in the primary rotational direction. When the driven shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the moveable clutch disc disengages, and the stationary clutch disc engages, the internal shaft preventing its rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Romet Limited
    Inventors: Richard Grzeslo, Andrew Smich
  • Publication number: 20130025365
    Abstract: There is a positive displacement flowmeter having a pair of rotors 11 rotatable on spaced apart parallel axis 14 within a housing 8 between inlet and outlet chambers 9, 10. The rotors have gear teeth 18 and are meshed together to rotate in accordance with volumetric fluid flow through the meter from the inlet chamber 9 to the outlet chamber 10. Each of the rotors has three lobes with rotor profiles between adjacent lobes being concave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Graham James Luker
  • Patent number: 8161812
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary gas meter is described herein with an exchangeable cartridge which has a meter body surrounded by an open bracket. The meter body can have a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet. An impeller can be located in the chamber and can include a plurality of rotors connected to a gear box and a meter index to display flow information. A counter can be coupled to the meter index, for counting revolutions of the rotors and for translating the revolutions into a measurement of fluid volume. A removable first sleeve insert and second sleeve insert can permit fluid to flow into the inlet port and out of the outlet port while simultaneously securing the bracket to the meter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Gas Measurement Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ge Fischer
  • Patent number: 8082784
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a rotary positive displacement fluid meter having an inner body wall surface that includes a first impeller having an outer surface located within the rotary positive displacement fluid meter and adapted to be directly driven by a fluid flow. The assembly also includes a flexible edge member situated at a distal end of the impeller such that there is a clearance between the flexible edge member and the inner body wall of the rotary positive displacement fluid meter. The impeller defines a longitudinal axis and the flexible edge member has a length along the longitudinal axis and a width in a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Romet Limited
    Inventor: Richard I. Grzeslo
  • Patent number: 8069719
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for measuring fluid volume. Devices according to some embodiments include a chamber, having a pair of gears rotatably mounted therewithin. Fluid flow through the chamber causes rotation of the gears, such that each rotation and/or partial rotation results in a known volume of the fluid passing through the chamber. An optical sensor positioned outside of the chamber, can view the rotating gears through a substantially transparent chamber wall. The optical sensor can view an optical characteristic of one or both of the gears, and based upon this data, fluid volume, flow rate, and/or flow direction can be determined. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for improved precision in fluid flow meter measurement. In addition, the devices and methods used herein can be more durable and easier to fabricate than previously known positive displacement flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard Mehus
  • Patent number: 7870785
    Abstract: A position displacement flowmeter having a pair of non-circular gears in a rolling contact on a pitch line without slippage. The positive displacement flowmeter comprises a casing and a pair of rotors provided in the casing and rotatable around its center axes. The pair of rotors, have a tooth profile curve which is an oval pitch curve itself having a trajectory of contact points on the pitch line, and they satisfy a condition of r1+r2=K=const r1 d?1=r2 d?2, and a moving radius of the oval pitch curve is given by ri=a/(1?b cos n?i) (i=1, 2), where “ri (i=1, 2)” is the moving radius that is a distance from a center of rotation to the oval pitch curve, “a” is a homothetic coefficient, “b” is a flattening, “n” is a number of lobes, and “?i (i=1, 2) is a moving angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Ono, Katsuichi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100307234
    Abstract: An ideal positive displacement flowmeter which has a pair of helical gears given by using oval pitch curve as reference rack tooth profile, with the tooth height ratio of the reference rack tooth profile even with a small number of teeth being set to ? m/4 which is a logical limit for the tooth height ratio of a one-point continuous contact tooth profile and which has no confinement phenomenon between tooth profiles. The positive displacement flowmeter has a pair of helical gears (1, 2) in a casing (3). The reference rack tooth profile of the pair of helical gears (1, 2) is an oval pitch curve of two or less leaves. The moving radius of the oval pitch curve is expressed by ?=a/(1?b cos n?), where ? is a moving radius which is a distance between the center of rotation and the oval pitch curve, “a” is a similarity factor, “b” is a degree of flatness, n (n?2) is the number of leaves, and ? is an argument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: OVAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Ono, Katsuichi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100281970
    Abstract: A position displacement flowmeter having a pair of non-circular gears in a rolling contact on a pitch line without slippage. The positive displacement flowmeter comprises a casing and a pair of rotors provided in the casing and rotatable around its center axes. The pair of rotors have a tooth profile curve which is an oval pitch curve itself having a trajectory of contact points on the pitch line, and they satisfy a condition of r1+r2=K=const r1 d?1=r2 d?2, and a moving radius of the oval pitch curve is given by ri=a/(1?bcosn?i) (i=1, 2), where “ri(i=1, 2)” is the moving radius that is a distance from a center of rotation to the oval pitch curve, “a” is a homothetic coefficient, “b” is a flattening, “n” is a number of lobes, and “?i(i=1, 2) is a moving angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Ono, Katsuichi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100199758
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for measuring fluid volume. Devices according to some embodiments include a chamber, having a pair of gears rotatably mounted therewithin. Fluid flow through the chamber causes rotation of the gears, such that each rotation and/or partial rotation results in a known volume of the fluid passing through the chamber. An optical sensor positioned outside of the chamber, can view the rotating gears through a substantially transparent chamber wall. The optical sensor can view an optical characteristic of one or both of the gears, and based upon this data, fluid volume, flow rate, and/or flow direction can be determined. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for improved precision in fluid flow meter measurement. In addition, the devices and methods used herein can be more durable and easier to fabricate than previously known positive displacement flow meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLAB INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard Mehus
  • Patent number: 7661306
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an instrument for a flow meter can automatically adjust in response to the rotational direction of the drive shaft of the flow meter, thereby permitting the instrument device to perform its intended function regardless of the fluid flow direction through the flow meter. In one example, the instrument may comprise a corrector instrument that includes a counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Thompson Crottie
  • Publication number: 20090126478
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oval gear meter for flow measurement, the meter comprising: two oval-shaped gears (1, 2) arranged to rotate in synchronism in a chamber provided in a housing (3), through which chamber a medium to be measured is arranged to flow, the rotating motion of the gears (1, 2) being pro-portional to the flow rate. The meter is equipped with means for detecting the rotating motion of the oval gears (1, 2). The means for detecting the rotating motion of the oval gears (1, 2) comprise a permanent magnet (8) arranged to one of the oval gears (1 or 2), centrically with the rotating shaft (7) thereof, and a sensor circuit (9) arranged on the outer surface of the housing (3) wall, at a location coinciding with that of the permanent magnet (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Teuvo Moilanen, Rauno Vehmaa
  • Patent number: 7523660
    Abstract: The invention relates on an oval gear meter for volume flow measurement comprising a housing with an oval gear chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a pair of oval gear wheels positioned in the chamber and together forming an intermeshing or non-intermeshing involute toothing, and a contactless magneto-reactive sensor means positioned outside of the chamber. At least one of the oval gear wheels is provided with at least one permanent magnet to form a trigger wheel. The sensor means is positioned in an appropriate position relative to the trigger wheel so that the sensor means is adapted to measure the rotation of the oval gear wheels by measuring the rotation of the trigger wheel. The trigger wheel is provided with a permanent magnet that generates a generally homogeneous magnetic field along one axis of symmetry of the trigger wheel so that the magnetic field is generally symmetrical relative to the rotational axis of the trigger wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Albrecht, Albert Haberlander, Karl Helminger
  • Publication number: 20080184791
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an instrument for a flow meter can automatically adjust in response to the rotational direction of the drive shaft of the flow meter, thereby permitting the instrument device to perform its intended function regardless of the fluid flow direction through the flow meter. In one example, the instrument may comprise a corrector instrument that includes a counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Dresser, Inc. (Flow Control)
    Inventor: EDWARD THOMPSON CROTTIE
  • Patent number: 7171852
    Abstract: A tracking assembly and method for tracking the operation of a rotary gas meter that has a driven member includes a connecting member, a gear assembly and a mechanical counter. The connecting member is adapted to be coupled to the driven member. The gear assembly is adapted to be coupled between the connecting member and the mechanical counter. The mechanical counter is used to count a value that is directly proportional to the number of rotations of the driven member when the connecting member is coupled to the driven member. The value provided by the mechanical counter is multiplied by a conversion factor such that the associated volume of gas displaced by the gas meter can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Romet Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Smich, John Z. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20040250617
    Abstract: A flow meter comprising a rotor assembly that is comprised of two rotors having axis of rotation offset from collinear where the two rotors define operating chambers that changing volume with respects to rotation and allow fluid to pass from an inlet port to an outlet port when the number of rotation is indicated the volumetric flow therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Publication number: 20040206174
    Abstract: Flow device for generating electrical power from fluid flow. The device comprises rotatable structure driven by the fluid, which in turn drives a magnetic field generator. A magnetic sensor responsive to the magnetic field generates electrical power for powering external devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Francisco M. Gutierrez, Rick D. Atton
  • Patent number: 6796173
    Abstract: A fuel flowmeter has a flowmeter with rotating impellers with meshed lobes rotatable in partially cylindrical housings joined in a case having an inlet at one side and an outlet at an opposite side. Fuel moves in the inlet filling voids between lobes in both impellers and moves cylindrically around opposite partially cylindrical walls and turning the impellers until reaching the outlet. Flow conditioners in the inlet and outlet allows smooth flow, reducing turbulence and promoting lamellar flow into and out of the case. One of the rotors may have a magnetic marker. A transmitter with a Hall effect sensor is mounted on the case. A signal conditioning software is connected to the Hall effect sensor for adjusted transmitted information according to measured pulse rate and a standard flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: FTI Flow Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall L. Lajoie, Pedro Fernandez, Charles D. Foran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6705161
    Abstract: A flow meter comprising a rotor assembly that is comprised of two rotors having axis of rotation offset from collinear where the two rotors define operating chambers that changing volume with respects to rotation and allow fluid to pass from an inlet port to an outlet port when the number of rotation is indicated the volumetric flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Outland Technologies (USA), Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Patent number: 6691569
    Abstract: An extensional rheometer comprises a rotatable primary wind up drum and one or more secondary rotatable windup drums wherein a sample is attached to the primary windup drum and each secondary windup drum. Counter rotation of the primary windup drum and each secondary drum causes each affixed sample to stretch until rupture. The load response on each primary and secondary windup drum set caused by a stretching sample is measured with a load sensing device. Environmental control may be provided for testing samples under different conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Martin Lamar Sentmanat
  • Publication number: 20040020287
    Abstract: An extensional rheometer comprises a rotatable primary windup drum and one or more secondary rotatable windup drums wherein a sample is attached to the primary windup drum and each secondary windup drum. Counter rotation of the primary windup drum and each secondary drum causes each affixed sample to stretch until rupture. The load response on each primary and secondary windup drum set caused by a stretching sample is measured with a load sensing device. Environmental control may be provided for testing samples under different conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Lamar Sentmanat
  • Patent number: 6658747
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes position sensors that are provided together with solenoid valves in fluid passages extending between a working fluid source and hydraulic actuators. Each position sensor is comprised of two gears disposed in the fluid passage so as to be rotatable by the flow of working fluid, and two sensing elements each disposed to face either one of the gears. A controller determines the operating position of each actuator based on sensor outputs that are out of phase with each other and are generated by the sensing elements each time the gears rotate for a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Yasunaga Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kuru
  • Patent number: 6644947
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel wave tooth gear having a non-circular pitch curve and uniform wave teeth to create a tighter seal between meshing gears. The non-circular wave tooth gear has a major axis and a minor axis disposed perpendicular to the major axis, wherein the major axis is longer than the minor axis and includes a central hub, a plurality of teeth radially extending from the hub at locations surrounding the hub and a plurality of roots, each root positioned between adjacent teeth at locations surrounding the gear. The teeth include a head portion shaped as an arc segment of a first radius and the roots include a recess shaped as an arc segment of a second radius. The teeth heads are joined to adjacent roots by lines of tangency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Cavanaugh
  • Publication number: 20020178593
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes position sensors that are provided together with solenoid valves in fluid passages extending between a working fluid source and hydraulic actuators. Each position sensor is comprised of two gears disposed in the fluid passage so as to be rotatable by the flow of working fluid, and two sensing elements each disposed to face either one of the gears. A controller determines the operating position of each actuator based on sensor outputs that are out of phase with each other and are generated by the sensing elements each time the gears rotate for a predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: YASUNAGA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Kuru
  • Patent number: 6250151
    Abstract: A device for measuring fluid volume output by a pump includes a meter housing having an inlet and an outlet through which the fluid flows. At least two inter-engaging screw spindles are rotatably mounted within the meter housing and are rotatable in response to fluid flow in an axial direction through the housing. An exciter disc is arranged in the fluid flow in the meter housing and connected to one of the at least two inter-engaging screw spindles for rotation therewith. The exciter disc has at least one substantially planar surface and a plurality of magnets circularly arranged thereon with their fields in an axial direction relative to the exciter disc. The meter housing is configured to form a gap and the exciter disc penetrates the gap, whereby a region of the meter housing is in close proximity to and extends over a portion of the planar surface of the exciter disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Commerce Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Tingleff, Willi Miller, Manfred Kopl, Alfons Harding
  • Patent number: 6244844
    Abstract: A fluid displacement apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber therein having a first port and a second port. First and second helical rotors with opposing pitches are meshed within the chamber, in fluid communication with the first and second ports. A respective one of the first and second helical rotors includes a cylindrical body portion having a helical groove therein and a helical tooth portion extending radially from the cylindrical body portion adjacent the helical groove. The first and second helical rotors are arranged such that respective longitudinal axes of the first and second helical rotors are parallel to one another and a helical tooth portion of one of the first and second helical rotors engages a helical groove of another of the first and second helical rotors, such that the first and second helical rotors are operative to rotate within the chamber and provide fluid transport between the first and second ports parallel to the longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Diaz
  • Patent number: 6196065
    Abstract: A device for metering and measuring quantities of liquid, in particular in a pump for liquid fuels, having a plurality of volume meters, an assigned valve being arranged upstream of each volume meter, and having a liquid supply which branches into individual supply lines opening out into the valves, wherein the valves (5) and the volume meters are assigned to a housing (1, 2, 3) configured in the form of a block, which housing has an inlet opening (4) and supply ducts (6), which branch off from the inlet opening (4) to the valves (5) and form the individual supply lines, a first housing block (1) forming the inlet opening (4) and valve connection openings (8) covered by a respective valve head (7), in which valve connection openings (8) a respective supply duct (6) opens out and from which proceeds a respective connecting duct (10) to the assigned volume meter, which connecting duct can be closed off by a piston (9), a disk, a diaphragm or the like of a valve (5), the volume meters being assigned in each case
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Commerce Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Henksmeier, Manfred Köpl
  • Patent number: 6089102
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of measuring the volume of flowing media, especially of fuel, by means of a screw spindle volumeter, the method comprising the following steps: detecting the revolutions of a screw spindle by means of a sensor and producing pulses whose time sequence is representative of the angular speed of the screw spindle; repeatedly measuring the period of time between successive pulses; selecting, in dependence upon the respective period of time measured, a volume value predetermined for said period of time, said volume value being representative of the volume flowing through the volumeter per predetermined revolution angle of the spindle at the respective angular speed of the spindle; adding the volume values which have successively been selected for various time period measurements, and producing and preferably displaying a total volume value that is based on the sum obtained during the whole volume measurement by continuously adding the volume values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Tokheim Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Bloss
  • Patent number: 6048186
    Abstract: A pair of elliptic gear wheels to be installed in a metering chamber casing of positive displacement type flow meters and have a modified gear wheel and the change of gear form of an effective gearing pressure angle of an involute gear form side of long radius and of an elimination of trapping phenomenon of cycloid gear form of short radius of wheels. This pair of gear wheels has super precision measuring functions and excellent repeatability, by utilizing a computer which compensates flow rate errors instantaneously and send signals for indicating corrected values. Meshing of the pair of wheels at a top of an involute gear form on a middle portion of a pitch circle can keep meshing of the pair of wheels and a cycloid gear form side of short radius eliminates trapping phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kitano
  • Patent number: 5996405
    Abstract: Measuring device for measuring the flow rate of a gas flow or liquid flow by means of a rotary piston device consisting of two rotary pistons which are placed in a pipe section and are mounted in such a way that they rotate about a rotary shaft, which rotary pistons are placed relative to each other and relative to the pipe section in such a way that by interaction with each other they shut off the pipe section. During the rotation the two rotary pistons always remain in contact with the wall of the pipe section at one side and with each other at the other side, a quantity of gas or liquid being allowed through every turn. The measuring device is characterized in that it consists of a number of parallel branches, with a rotary piston device accommodated in each branch, the rotary piston devices being synchronized with each other by means of synchronization means in such a way that the flow rate is approximately constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Instromet B.V.
    Inventors: Josephus T. M. Bergervoet, Harmen H. Dijstelbergen
  • Patent number: 5992230
    Abstract: A positive displacement flow meter includes a pair of smooth oval shaped rotors mounted to a pair of spaced apart rotatable shafts contained within a sealed housing. The rotatable shafts penetrate the measuring chamber and have a pair of toothed, oval shaped timing gears located in a separate gear cavity chamber which are responsible for synchronizing and maintaining the relative orientation of the smooth faced rotors with respect to one another. The fluid that is being metered forms seals between the rotating surfaces of the rotors, as well as between the rotors and the wall of rotor chamber, thus the inlet and outlet plenums are physically isolated and are consequently not in direct communication at any point during the rotation cycle of the rotors. Thus, each rotation of the rotors results in the transport of a precise and known volume of fluid from the inlet plenum to the outlet plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hoffer Flow Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Scarpa, deceased, Kenneth R. Hoffer, Robert Hayman
  • Patent number: 5970791
    Abstract: An improved rotary fluid meter is provided having expansion chambers for conditioning pressure pulses that may occur in the flow of fluids. The pressure pulses, which inhibit the meter's ability to accurately measure, may originate from within a metering device or from without it. The pressure pulses may be generated upstream of the meter. Fluid flows into the meter through a fluid flow conduit. At least one flow conditioning chamber which is of such a volume and a shape as to enable it to substantially dampen pressure pulses so as to improve the accuracy of the rotary meter is provided along the fluid flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: American Meter Company
    Inventors: John J. Barczynski, Steven L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5895847
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating signal pulses with a gear arrangement, which has at least two meshing gears and with a sensor means for detecting a gear rotation and for emitting signal pulses as a function on the detected gear rotation. According to the invention a sensor of the sensor means is located in the vicinity of the gear arrangement at a point where the sensor detects the rotation of both gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: KEM Kuppers Elektromechanik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Klaus Steuer
  • Patent number: 5704767
    Abstract: A pump housing is provided with a conduit extending through the housing between a pump inlet and pump outlet. A pump device is disposed within the housing and in communication with the conduit to pump fluid therethrough. A fluid flow meter also is disposed within the housing and in communication with the conduit to monitor fluid flow rate through the conduit. The fluid flow meter generates signals related to the fluid flow rate which are fed back to a control device operable to control the flow rate through the pump device. The flow meter may include a pair of meshed modified elliptical gears. The modified elliptical gears are based on a true elliptical shape, with bulged portions added between the major and minor axes of the elliptical shape. The modified elliptical gears have involute teeth that are relatively thick adjacent the minor axis and relatively thin adjacent the major axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Micropump Corporation
    Inventor: Paul A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5627313
    Abstract: The system has been innovated by means of ellipses that mesh tangentially with each other, given the importance of mixing accurate amounts of liquids, or merely controlling quantities entering or leaving a reservoir. The shape of the ellipses is noteworthy in that they comprise two round parts and two flat parts, a round part of one of the ellipses meshing with a flat part of the other ellipse. The ellipses move due to a free-falling liquid passing through them, their movement or speed defining the volume of the liquid, the quantity of which is accurately measured. In order to achieve a constant accuracy, the ellipses move the drive pulley, which transmits impulses to a driven pulley through a trapezoidal belt, the driven pulley having a variable diameter to tighten the belt and maintain an accurate reading at all times. This is the innovation proposed by the POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT VOLUMETER.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventors: Tremino J. A. Gomez, Redondo S. R. Valbuena
  • Patent number: 5616862
    Abstract: A volume meter or indicator in a multipart casing with a measuring chamber containing two meshing gears. For avoiding pockets the casing parts are sealed with a flat gasket instead of O-rings or other sealing means which cause pockets. In addition, the gears are placed on self-supporting spindles thereby avoiding a guidance or mounting on one side, and which results in a volume meter that can be cleaned with a minimum amount of time and solvent expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: KEM Kuppers Elektromechanik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Pucher
  • Patent number: 5559288
    Abstract: A volume sensor for liquids comprising a measuring chamber in which toothed meter wheels mesh with one another and are mounted on stationary pivots. Flow paths are formed in at least one of the measuring-chamber end walls and are separated by a web in the pivot plane, the edges of which are substantially symmetrical with the pivot plane. The tooth spaces of the meter wheels, at least on the side facing the flow paths, are formed with a recess which extends radially inwards compared with the root circle and is symmetrical in respect to the tooth space. The web is constructed so that whenever a tooth space of the two meter wheels is in the centre position in the pivot plane, the edges of the web substantially coincide in shape with the neighbouring flanks of the teeth adjacent the tooth space so that the latter is cut off from the flow paths in the end walls. The flow paths allow the liquid pressure to be reduced before the tooth space is closed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: VSE Schweisstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes A. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5553493
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring volume flow through a gear-type flowmeter, having a magnetic sensor affixed to the flowmeter to detect incremental movement of the flowmeter teeth. The sensor is connected to an analog-to-digital converter and computer processor, which receives and stores samples of the sensor signals. The samples are compared with subsequently received samples to derive relative gear positions and to calculate volume flow based on the relative gear positions. The samples may also be analyzed and compared with previous samples to detect flowmeter wear and wobble conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Box, Michael D. Elberson
  • Patent number: 5447062
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a rotor housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a bore extending axially through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, and a screw spindle arrangement including at least two rotary helical worm bodies which are disposed in the bore and which engage in a form fit manner within one another. A pulse generator is mounted on one of the worm bodies and triggers electrical pulses in the mating measuring transducer which are dependent upon the rotational speed of the worm body. The measuring transducer has a pulse-adjusting and pulse-shaping stage which adjusts the magnitude and/or frequency of the pulses relative to a volumetric flow rate of fuel to the bore. An electric counting mechanism receives the electric pulses from the pulse-adjusting and pulse-shaping stage and typically transmits these pulses to a display unit for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Tankanlagen Salzkotten GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kopl, Bernhard Huster, Alfons Harding, Werner Moser, Hans-Ulrich Bloss, Klaus Albrecht
  • Patent number: 5415041
    Abstract: A high volume, low RPM, low noise, low wear and long life flowmeter uses inter-engaging double helical four-lobe rotors. The meter is made with ball bearings or bearingless. The double helical nature of the teeth provides no axial loads and no side loads or end loads, and uses true gear designs with very large pockets. A high contact ratio is provided with only four teeth, reducing and eliminating noise and pulsing output, increasing working volume and decreasing speed and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Flowdata, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Foran, Jr., Charles D. Foran, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5339685
    Abstract: A positive-displacement fluid flow measuring system, especially for hydrocarbon fuel dispensers. The measuring system comprises, in addition to a positive-displacement meter per se, a correction system for correcting the loss of head in the meter. The correction system comprises a differential pressure detector responsive to the difference between the pressures at the inlet and the outlet of the meter. The displacement of the membrane enables an external motor to be coupled to the shaft of the meter by means of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries
    Inventors: Sylvain Janssen, Jacques Fournier, Jean-Pierre Campain