Abstrict A bidirectional fluid flow indicator comprising a housing having
a fluid inlet and fluid outlet, first and second separated fluid
passageways intermediate said inlet and said outlet, a vane pivotally
secured across one of said first channel, a second vane pivotally
secured across the opposite end of said second channel, an indicator
secured to said vanes for rotation therewith whereby said flow meter
indicates the fluid is flowing from said inlet toward said outlet
when said second vane is displaced and indicates fluid flow from
said outlet toward said inlet when said first vane is pivotally
displaced by the fluid flow.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bidirectional fluid flow indicator comprising:
a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and having means
for defining separated first and second fluid passageways intermediate
said inlet and said outlet, a first end of each of said first and
second passages being in fluid communication with one of said inlet
or said outlet, a second end of each said first and second passage
being in fluid communication with the other of said inlet or outlet;
a first vane and means for pivotally securing said first vane across
said first end of said first passageway so that said first vane
is pivotable to and from a first position at which said first vane
closes said first passageway when fluid flows in a first direction
between said inlet and said outlet, and a second position at which
said first vane opens said passageway as fluid flows in a second,
opposite direction between said inlet and said outlet;
a second vane, and means for pivotally securing said second vane
across said second end of said second passageway so that said second
vane is pivotable to and from a first position at which said second
vane closes said second passageway when fluid flows in said second
opposite direction between said inlet and said outlet, and a second
position at which said second vane opens said second passageway
when fluid flows in said first direction between said inlet and
said outlet;
wherein said second position of said first and second vanes is
variable and dependent upon the amount of fluid flowing between
said inlet and said outlet;
first indicating means for indicating the position of said first
vane exteriorly of said housing; and
second indicating means for indicating the position of said second
vane exteriorly of said housing.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing defines
a first chamber intermediate said inlet and said first and second
passageways.
3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing defines
a chamber intermediate said outlet and said first and second passageways.
4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first
and second indicating means comprise visible means for visually
representing the position of its respective vane.
5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each said visible
means is positioned on the same side of said housing.
6. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said indicating
means comprises a second housing, means for mounting said visible
means in said second housing, and means for securing said second
housing to said first housing.
7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first vane
is secured to a first shaft, said second vane is secured to a second
shaft, and wherein said housing includes means for rotatably securing
said first shaft in said housing, and means for rotatably securing
said second shaft in said housing.
8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein a portion of each
of said first and second shafts extend outwardly from said housing,
and wherein said first and second indicating means each comprises
a pointer secured to the extended portion of each said first and
second shaft.
9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises
a peripheral wall defining a chamber and further including an intermediate
housing wall bisecting said chamber to form said first and second
passageways on opposite sides of said housing wall.
10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for
pivotally securing said first vane, and said means for pivotally
securing said second vane are disposed adjacent opposite ends of
said intermediate housing wall.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates generally to the fluid flow monitoring
devices, and more particularly to fluid flow meters of the type
having a vane member positioned in a fluid flow path and movable
in response to fluid flow through the path.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many types of previously known fluid flow monitoring
having means for sensing the rate of fluid flow through the monitor
housing, as well as means for providing a corresponding indication
of the fluid flow rate sensed by the sensing means. A particularly
advantageous form of fluid monitor comprises the type have a housing
defining a flow path between a fluid inlet and an fluid outlet,
and having a vane positioned within the path so that the vane position
varies depending on the rate at which fluid flows through the housing.
Such vane type fluid fow monitors are particularly advantageous
for the reason that an indicator means, switches or pointer, can
be directly coupled to the movable vane in order to provide a direct
indication of the vane position, and thus avoids numerous moving
parts which increase the expense and complexity of a flow monitoring
device.
However, in the typical previously known vane type flow meters,
the vane is resiliently biased toward a first position in which
it closes the flow path through the flow meter. When fluid pressure
against the vane opposes the resilient force retaining the vane
in its first position, i.e. fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet
of the flow path and the flow meter, the fluid force moves the vane
and permits the fluid to pass through the flow meter. The rate of
the fluid flow is registered on the indicator by corresponding movement
of the indicator with the vane. However, once the vane has returned
to its initial position, the fluid flow in the opposite direction
is blocked because the vane closes the flow path through the flow
meter. Thus, as long as the fluid flows only in one direction through
the device, the flow rate can be properly indicated by the flow
meter device.
However, in view of the foregoing, previously known vane type flow
meters cannot be utilized in line with fluid conduits through which
the direction of fluid flow changes. Rather, previously known fluid
conduit systems in which fluid flows in opposite directions could
not be monitored by a simple and inexpensive vane type flow meters
unless a separate bypass conduit if fluidly connected to the line
so that a second vane type flow meter can be installed to monitor
flow in the opposite direction. Therefore the advantages of the
previously known vane type flow meters are substantially offset
by the need for separate bypass conduit in the fluid system as well
as the added expense of an additional flow meter housing unit. Moreover,
the separate units would each be attached to the separate conduits
by connectors, and thus increases the costs and complexity in utilizing
and assembling vane type flow meters in a two way fluid conduit
system.
In addition, the previously known vane type flow meters are designed
and produced with the indicator positioned so as to be visible from
one side only. Thus, when a flow meter is installed in a bypass
conduit in which fluid flows in a direction opposite to fluid flow
through the main conduit, the indicators face opposite directions.
Thus, the position of a viewer must be changed in order to view
one or the other indicators since both meters cannot be viewed from
the same position unless extensive reengineering and shaping of
the bypass conduit is undertaken.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages
by providing a flow meter housing having a flow path bifurcated
into two separate channels, each channel having an independently
operable vane intermediate single inlet and outlet ports. Preferably,
each vane is directly coupled to a separate indicator which provides
visible indication of the position of the respective vane. Moreover,
in the preferred embodiment, both indicators are secured to the
same side of this meter housing. However, both channels are fluidly
connected to a single inlet at one end of the housing and a single
outlet at the other end of the housing to minimize the number of
fluid couplings necessary in order to connect the flow meter in
a fluid system.
Thus, the present invention provides a flow meter which can be
connected in line to an existing fluid flow system, which provides
an indication of the amount or rate of fluid flow through a fluid
system regardless of the direction in which the fluid is flowing
through the system. Thus, the flow meter of the present invention
enables the advantages of a vane type flow meter to be applied in
a bidirectional flow conduit and avoids the need for bypass lines
previously required to employ the previously known vane-type flow
meters in a bidirectional flow system. Thus, the present invention
also avoids the need for a plurality of couplings which can be the
source of leakage in the fluid system and the extensive rerouting
of a bypass line to permit indicators to face in the same direction,
as would be necessary by the construction of previously known vane
type flow meters. Moreover, the flow meter of the present invention
simplifies the installation of flow meters in a bidirectional fluid
system, and thus not only reduces the costs of components used but
also the time necessary to install the components in a bidirectional
fluid conduit line. The present invention also provides readily
visible means for indicating the direction in which fluid is flowing
through the device, as well as the amount or rate of fluid flow
by providing a predetermined alignment of separate indicator means
for each vaned passageway in the flowmeter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference
to the following description of the preferred embodiment, when read
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer or like parts throughout the views, and in which;
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a flow meter in accordance with
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the flow meter shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3
in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line of
4--4 in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 a flow meter 10 according to
the present invention is thereshown comprising an indicator housing
12 secured to a flow meter housing 14. The indicator housing 12
is secured through its back wall by bolts 16 (see FIG. 4) to an
end flange 18 of the flow meter housing 14. In addition, an indicator
means within the indicator housing 12 designated generally at 20
in FIG. 3 is operatively connected to a vaned flow passage means,
designated generally at 22 in FIG. 2 by appropriate means to be
discussed in detail hereafter.
As best shown in FIG. 4 the flow meter housing 14 includes an
upper cap 24 a lower cap 26 and main housing portion 29 which includes
connection flange 18 at one end. The upper housing cap 24 includes
an inlet opening 28 in fluid communication with an inlet chamber
30 and disposed over one end of the main body portion 29. Similary,
lower cap 26 includes an outlet aperture 32 in fluid communication
with an outlet chamber 34. The caps 24 and 26 are secured to opposite
ends of the main body portion 29 to form the fluid inlet 28 and
outlet 32 respectively, for the flow meter 10. While the terms inlet
and outlet are used to designate the difference between the opening
28 and opening 32 respectively, in the flow meter housing 14 it
is to be understood that the terms are not used in a limiting manner
and do not indicate the direction in which the fluid flows through
each opening. Rather, it is to be understood that fluid can flow
into and out of each opening 28 and 32 but that the terms inlet
and outlet are used to simplify the manner in which the flow meter
and its operation are to be described.
The inlet chamber 30 and the outlet chamber 34 are in fluid communication
with each other by means of passage means 36 (FIG. 3) in the main
body portion 29 of flow meter housing 14. In particular, the passage
means 36 comprises bore portions 38 and 40 at the top and bottom
respectively with the main body portion 29 as well as intermediate
fluid channels 42 and 44 separated by housing wall 46 (see FIG.
6). Two elongated pivot pins 48 and 50 are rotatably journaled by
means such as the bearing 45 in elongated bores in the main body
portion 29 at opposite ends of the wall 46. As best shown in FIG.
4 the elongated bores include enlarged bore portions 49 and 51
respectively, at one end for installing the pins 48 and 50 therein.
A vane 52 includes a tubular collar adapted to receive the pivot
pin 48 and having transverse, threaded apertures which receive threaded
fasteners 54 for securing the vane 52 to pivot pin 48 for rotation
therewith. A sealing plate 56 forms a fluid seal between the collar
of the vane 52 and the end of the intermediate wall 46 and includes
an abutment stop 58 to limit rotation of vane 52 toward the channel
44. The sealing plate 56 is substantially the same as the sealing
plate described in U.S. Pat. No. 4346607 and will not be described
in further detail in the present application for the sake of brevity.
Appropriate means (not shown) resiliently retains the vane 52 in
position against the abutment stop 58. The vane 52 is appropriately
sized to seal with the peripheral wall of the enlarged bore portion
38 so as to completely fluidly seal channel 44 from the inlet chamber
30 when the vane 52 is at its normal rest position.
Similarly, a vane 52 includes a tubular collar which receives the
other pivot pin 50 therethrough and which includes threaded apertures
through which threaded fasteners 54 lock the vane 62 into engagement
with the pivot pin 50. Sealing plate 66 substantially the same
as sealing plate 56 includes an abutment stop 68. Appropriate means
(not shown) resiliently urges the vane 62 against the abutment stop
68 and the vane 62 is appropriately sized to seal against the periphery
of the enlarged bore portion 40 when the vane 62 is in its normal
rest position.
Referring now to FIG. 4 each pivot pin 48 and 50 extends outwardly
from main body portion 29 past flange 18 and extends into the indicator
housing 12 through an appropriate aperture. Within the housing 12
pointer supports 70 and 72 are secured by set screws 74 and 76
respectively, to the pivot pins 48 and 50 for rotation therewith.
A pointer 78 is secured to the end of the pointer support 70 by
a threaded fastener 71 so as to extend radially outwardly from the
support. Likewise, pointer 80 is secured to support 72 by threaded
fastener 73 so as to extend radially outward from the support.
Each pointer 78 and 80 extends outwardly toward a scaled face plate
82 and 84 respectively, secured within the housing and facing outwardly
from the open front end of the indicator housing 12. As best shown
in FIG. 1 each face plate can include indicia 86 defining spaced
gradations which provide an indication of the degree to which the
pointers 78 and 80 and thus their respective vanes, have been rotated.
Having thus described the important structural features of the
present invention, the operation of the device is easily described.
First of all, the flow meter 10 is easily assembled by securing
the sealing plates 56 and 66 to opposite ends of the main body portion
29 of the flow meter housing 14. The vanes 52 and 62 are then positioned
in the enlarged bore portions 38 and 40 respectively, and the pivot
pins 48 and 50 are inserted through the enlarged openings 49 and
51 in the end of housing portion 29 and through the tubular collar
in the vanes 52 and 62 so as to extend outwardly from the opposite
end of the housing portion 29. End caps 53 can then be lodged in
the openings 49 and 51 to retain the pivot pins 48 and 50 in their
position. With the vanes 52 and 62 resting against the abutment
stops 58 and 68 respectively, the set screws 54 are tightened to
lock the vanes 52 and 62 to their respective pivot pins 48 and 50.
The upper housing cap 24 is then secured to one end of the body
portion 29 while the lower cap 26 is secured to the opposite end
of the main body portion 29. Threaded inlet opening 28 can then
be secured by an appropriate fluid coupling to a fluid conduit system,
while the outlet opening 32 is similarly coupled to the other end
of the fluid conduit system.
Once the indicator housing 12 has been secured by bolts to the
flange 18 the pointer supports 70 and 72 are slid over the ends
of the pivot pins 48 and 50 respectively and secured in position
by the set screws 74 and 76 respectively. The pointers 78 and 80
secured to the ends of the supports 70 and 72 respectively, so
as to indicate a no flow condition on the face plates 82 and 84
respectively. Since the vanes 52 and 62 are resiliently urged toward
the normal resting positions, any movement of the vanes 52 and 62
would thereby be directly indicated by the position of the pointers
78 and 80 respectively, by position along the face plates 82 and
84 respectively, which are rigidly mounted on the housing 12.
When the fluid flow system is operative, fluid introduced through
the inlet 28 flows into chamber 30 and thus into enlarged bore portion
38 of the main body portion 29. Since the vane 52 blocks fluid flow
through the channel 44 the fluid will be forced to flow through
channel 42 against the vane 62 thus causing the vane 62 and the
pivot pin 50 to rotate about the axis of the pivot pin 50. At the
same time, the pointer 80 will be pivoted about the same axis and
provide a visible indication against the face plate 84 of the corresponding
vane position and thus, the amount or rate of fluid flowing through
the housing 14.
Conversely, when the direction of fluid flow is reversed, and the
fluid is forced into the outlet end 32 of the fluid flow meter 10
the vane 62 will block the flow of fluid through the channel 42.
The fluid is forced to flow through the channel 44 and against the
vane 52. Thus the vane 52 will be forced to pivot about the axis
of the pivot pin 48 whereby a corresponding rotation of the pointer
78 occurs, and the degree of displacement is exhibited by the position
of the pointer with respect to face plate 82.
Thus, will be understood that when fluid flows from the inlet 28
to the outlet 32 the pointer 80 provides an indication that fluid
enters the meter 10 from the top of the flow meter housing 14. In
addition, it indicates the degree to which the vane has been displaced
by the fluid flow. Alternatively, when fluid is flowing from the
outlet 32 toward the inlet 28 the pointer 78 indicates that fluid
enters the meter 10 from the bottom of the flow meter housing 14.
In addition, the pointer indicates the degree of displacement of
the vane caused by the flow of fluid through the housing.
As a result, the present invention provides a flow meter which
indicates the direction in which fluid is flowing through a bidirectional
fluid system as well as the flow rate of the fluid flowing through
the system. Thus, it is not necessary to install separate meters
for each direction of flow, and only two fluid couplings are necessary
to secure the flow meter to the system. Accordingly, the present
invention avoids the need for a bypass conduit which was previously
necessary in bidirection fluid systems. Moreover, it is not necessary
to reverse the position of the inlet and the outlet of the flow
meter in order to obtain an indication of the flow rate in the fluid
system. Thus, the present invention avoids the need for time consuming
reversal of the flow meter within the flow system or alternatively,
installation of a bypass line to include a separate flow meter,
in a bidirectional flow system. Moreover, the indicators of the
invention are readily visible from the same vantage point, so that
the flow conditions are readily apparent regardless of the direction
of flow in the fluid system.
Having thus described the present invention, many modifications
thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which
it pertains without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims. |