Abstract: A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system, including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A male and female member are attached through the use of a through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a sealed and pressurized piping system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device useful for measuring the flow rate of cryogenic liquids flowing through a tube, which comprises two coaxial tubes integrated at both ends by means such as plugs, the space between the coaxial tubes being air-free and filled with insulating material, the said coaxial tubes being provided at the bottom walls with a segmental opening with sealed ends in such a manner so as to accommodate a closed ended hollow cylinder having a matching inner surface profile as that of inner surface of the said tube, the outer surface of the said hollow cylinder having insulating block fixed onto it one end of a conducting strip, the strip being rotatably fixed at its middle portion by means such as a hinge, support and fixed frame in such a manner that the inner surface of the cylinder flushes with the inner wall of the tube and allows lateral movement of the said cylinder due to drag force of cryogenic liquid flow, the said frame having two insulators fixed onto it to support a stretche

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring the instantaneous rate of mass flow and the cumulative mass flow in steady or unsteady flows of single-phase liquids or gases in a duct. By measuring the shear stress or the streamwise pressure gradient at the duct wall, and relating it to mass flow through solutions to the Navier Stokes equations of fluid mechanics, information on mass flow through the entire duct cross sectional area is deduced.

Abstract: A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system, including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A male and female member are attached through the use of a through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a sealed and pressurized piping system.

Abstract: A device for measuring a volume of flowable material and may be used for transporting dewatered biosolids over relatively short distances through a pipe. The device includes a screw conveyor including a conveyor housing, and a conveyor screw rotatably supported in the conveyor housing and operable to move flowable material through a housing outlet, and an electromagnetic flow meter operable to measure the volume of flowable material flowing from the housing outlet. The conveyor housing may include a generally cylindrical first portion and a tapered, generally frusto-conical second portion adjacent the housing outlet. The device may include a flap assembly supported adjacent the outlet of the flow meter. The device may include a pipe arrangement on the discharge of the flow meter.

Abstract: A process mass flow apparatus for measuring the mass flow rate of a powdered, granulated or otherwise substantially divided process solid, seeds, grains, or similar particulate materials includes a process material inlet, a process material outlet, a measuring chamber connecting the process material inlet and the process material outlet, comprising a movable element with a fixed axis of rotation located in the flow path of the process material and having attached to the axis of rotation a material flow sensor which provides a raw output signal corresponding to an unknown mass flow rate and a processor which contains an empirically derived calibration function for converting the raw output signal to an adjusted signal indicating the mass flow rate of the process fluid.

Abstract: Valve for regulating and measuring the flowrate of a fluid through a header (1) and a bypass duct (2,2b) inside the said header, comprising means (10,10a) for shutting off the aperture (2b) of the bypass duct (2), which are movable axially upon operation of associated actuating means (30), means (44) for detecting the pressure exerted by the fluid flow, an instrument (43,43a) for measuring the flowrate of the fluid, the scale (43a) of which is provided on the external surface of said actuating means (30), said means (10,10a) for shutting off the aperture (2b) of the bypass duct (2) being joined to said actuating means (30) so that rotation of the latter results in only the axial movement of the former and the shut-off means (10,10a) are independent of the measuring instrument (43,43a) during their movement in the axial direction.

Abstract: An air-flow measuring device for measuring respiratory performance includes a valve having at least one rotary blade for detecting air-flow through the device. The valve includes at least one air-directing aperture which alters the direction of air-flow incident on said valve from a first direction onto a second altered direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and to the planar surface of the rotary blade. The direction-altered air-flow provides a force which causes the rotary blade to move. An optical transducer measures the rotation of the blade to determine air-flow parameters in the device.

Abstract: A target flow meter has a target with a broad face attached to the free end of an elastic stalk. The stalk has at least a portion with an oblong cross section. A fixed end of the stalk is attached to a rigid support secured in the system to be measured with the broad face disposed transverse to the fluid flow. Strain gauges are affixed to the longer sides of the oblong portion. A temperature sensor may also be affixed there. The strain gauges are immersed in the fluid to be measured. Wires to the gauges and sensor pass through a fixed seal to the outside. They may be protected from the fluid by an impervious coating. By applying the strain gauges within the fluid, the system may be reduced in size, achieve greater sensitivity, and better temperature compensation.

Abstract: A flow rate measuring system for conveyed material includes a conveyor including a frame and a material supporting surface moveably supported by the frame. The flow rate measuring system utilizes height measurement devices which are responsive to the height of the material supported on the material supporting surface of the conveyor for taking material height measurements. A signal generating device provides an output signal in response to the height measurement device. The height of the material on a conveyor of known width and known speed allows the calculation of volume or mass flow rates. The height measurement device typically comprises a deflection impact surface which is a finger or paddle assembly. The flow rate measuring system for conveyed material additionally may include a signal processing device such as computer for taking and recording height measurements as specific intervals.

Abstract: A system for insuring proper human hydration comprises an oral-suction-activated flow meter (202) which measures and displays (292) the volume of fluid (255) withdrawn from a reservoir (258) through tubing (270). An optional check valve (280) prevents return flow of fluid (255) from the user's mouth (205) to the reservoir (258). Mode and control buttons (294) control operation of a microprocessor (300) and a display (292). Both alphanumeric (292) and graphical (730, 850) displays show the volume withdrawn as a function of time or other events. Drink reminder alarms are provided through a display (292) or loudspeaker (520) to alert the user when it is time for a drink to ensure proper hydration.

Abstract: A flow sensing assembly for detecting the presence of fluid flow includes a sensor body having a flow passage therethrough and a resilient blade having an end which is fixed relative to the sensor body and an end which is freely movable. The blade extends into and across the flow passage so that fluid flowing through the passage causes the free end of the blade to deflect in a downstream direction from a no-flow position to a flow position, and the free end of the blade returns to its no-flow position upon stoppage of flow. The flow sensing assembly also includes a detection device for detecting deflection of the blade and for producing a signal indicating the occurrence of fluid flow. A method of detecting the flow of fluid through a flow passage involves mounting a blade in the sensor body such that the blade extends into and across the flow passage whereby fluid flowing through the flow passage causes the free end of the blade to deflect in a downstream direction.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow measuring device having more nearly linear response characteristics over a wide range of fluid flow rates measures the force exerted on a fluid flow sensing element (21, 37, 41, 47, 55, 61) located in the fluid flow. The effective area of the sensing element subjected to the fluid force decreases as the flow rate increases and increases as the flow rate decreases thereby compensating for the nonlinear relationship between fluid flow rate and the force exerted thereby. The sensing element may retract somewhat into a calm or minimal flow region (27, 35) in response to increased flow rate. The sensing element may include resilient vanes (45, 51, 52, 53, 57, 59) which bend thereby reducing their effective area in response to increased flow. The sensing element may include one or more flow passing apertures (43, 49) the size of which varies with flow rate.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for measuring a physical property that can be translated into the flexing of a beam. The sensor includes a support extending outward from a base to a distal portion. A beam is fixed to the distal portion and extends inward therefrom to a free end of the beam adjacent the base. A pair of matched magnetic sensing elements are mounted on the base adjacent the free end of the beam which is nominally centered between the sensing elements. A magnetic field means is disposed against the magnetic sensing elements and at the free end of the beam. The free end of the beam is resiliently connected with the base through the beam and the support whereby force applied against the beam may move the free end closer to one and further from the other of the sensing elements. A differential signal is generated between the sensing elements by connecting a driving means to the sensing elements. The differential signal indicates the various positions of the free end of the beam.