Abstrict Automatic scan flow meter means for systems of the type supplying
a plurality of lines. A plurality of flow meters are each connected
to a line and to a control panel. Display means are mounted on the
control panel. Scanning circuit means are connected to scan the
flow meters and sequentially display the flows from the flow meters.
Claims It is claimed:
1. Flow display means for systems of the type having a plurality
of flow lines comprising,
a plurality of flow meters each connected to a flow line,
a control panel,
display means on the control panel,
means to selectively connect the outputs of the flow meters to
the display means and
means connected to scan the flow meters and sequentially display
the flows from the flow meters, and total flow.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the display means is digital.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1 having means to indicate which flow
is being displayed.
4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the means to indicate is a flashing
light.
5. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the means to indicate is a light
emitting diode.
6. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the means to indicate is integrated
into the flow quantity display.
7. Apparatus as in claim 3 having means to skip lines that are
not flowing water.
8. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the means to indicate is a liquid
crystal display.
9. Apparatus as in claim 1 having manual means to provide specific
display of one flow line.
10. Apparatus as in claim 1 having cumulative measuring means to
indicate the total amount of flow expended over a time period.
11. Apparatus as in claim 1 having means to indicate which lines
have flows.
12. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means to scan the flow
meters is a multiplexer connected to the flow meters and to the
display means.
Description This invention relates to flow meters and more particularly to
means for sequentially displaying a plurality of flows on a control
panel.
In many cases, for instance on fire truck pumpers, it is necessary
or desirable to monitor liquid flows in a plurality of lines or
hoses. In fire truck pumpers it is necessary to see that all hoses
are getting proper flow at all times. If a hose flow fails, the
fireman at the hoze nozzle will be endangered.
The present invention provides new and improved means to monitor
a plurality of hose flows in gallons per minutes, in digital form,
in a plurality of hoses or lines. The invention automatically scans
up to eight discharges, displaying only those lines that are flowing
water. The scanning system only displays discharges that are flowing.
It skips discharges that are not flowing water. The flow reading
is displayed for approximately ten seconds, before it advances to
the next reading.
The singular most important information needed on the fireground
is the knowledge of amount of water flowing. With this knowledge,
a fire can be extinguished safely in the shortest possible time.
Knowledge of the flow in each line can prevent hazardous situations
since low or high flows place the nozzlemen in danger, while pressure
alone will not supply the necessary information.
With the present invention, the pump operator knows exactly the
flow in each line used. He can adjust the flow quickly without any
additional calculations. A knowledge of total flow is necessary
for the pump operator to prevent him from exceeding the supply.
Knowledge of amount of water used on a fire is important especially
in training. It can be used to institute efficient fire fighting
procedures. This cuts the amount of water being utilized, thus minimizing
damage to property, as well as saving water.
The scanning flowmeter eases the pump operator's task since all
the flow information is concentrated in a small area of the truck
panel. A quick glance at the panel, updates the pump operator continuously
on the situation of water flow. The big digital readout was utilized
for viewing comfort. It can be seen at a distance of over 35 feet
in broad daylight or darkness. An indication of lines flowing water
is set by illuminating the light near the number of the hose line.
To indicate which line is displayed, it's light will flash, so if
it flashes on line number two, the operator knows that the flow
reading on the display corresponds to line number two.
The scanning is done automatically. In automatic mode, the flows
will be scanned in sequence, from line number one to line number
eight, then `total` flows. The accumulator will be displayed, if
so desired, by turning the knob to "Accumulator" position.
Light emitting diodes or liquid crystal display illuminate to show
which lines are flowing water and flashing to indicate which line
is being displayed.
Manual override allows constant monitoring of any of the eight
lines.
Total flow computer adds all flows and displays. Result is seen
in next to last display in the scan cycle.
Totalizer setting adds all the flows from the beginning of a fire
to the end, showing how much water was required to extinguish a
fire.
Conventional fire truck pumpers do not have this type of information
display.
Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide
new and improved flow meter means.
Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved
flow meter means for fire trucks.
Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved
automatic scan flow meter means for systems of the type supplying
a plurality of lines comprising, a plurality of flow meters each
connected to a line, a control panel, display means on the control
panel, the flow meters being connected to the control panel, and
means connected to scan the flow meters and sequentially display
the flows from the flow meters.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the display panel.
Referring to the FIG. 1 readings are taken from a plurality of
conventional flow meters 1a, 2a and 8a, which are connected to a
plurality of liquid flow lines 1 2 and 8. The outputs of the flow
meters are connected to the selector switch 10. The selector switch
is connected to digital display 22 through analog to digital converter
9. The selector switch can select any line and display the amount
of flow, for instance in gallons per minute on a digital display
11.
Adjacent to each position on the selector switch is a light emitting
diode, 1b, 2b and 8b, etc., which provide indications as to which
lines have flows.
In addition to the individual selection, by placing the selector
switch on "AUTO", all the lines are automatically scanned
and displayed. In order to do this the output of each flow meter
is connected to a multiplexer 12 which automatically scans the flow
meter readings and displays the information on the digital display
11. Corresponding lights 1b, 2b and 8b are flashed at the same time
to indicate which reading is being displayed. In order to provide
the synchronized lights the multiplexer 12 provides the outputs
to the counter 13 the output of which is connected to a decoder
14. The output of decoder 14 is connected to energize the lights
1b, 2b and 8b. Counter 13 counts the channels as they are scanned
by multiplexer 12. The channel count is decoded by decoder 14 to
flash the proper indicating light 1b, 2b, etc. The decoder 14 is
a conventional 4-16 line decoder manufactured by Motorola, Inc.,
Texas Instrument Co., and others.
The lines which are flowing water will have an output from their
flow meters which will be connected through the gate circuits 1c,
2c, etc. to light the respective indicator lights 1b, 2b, etc. When
a particular line flow, for instance, line 1 is being sampled and
displayed during scanning, then a pulse signal 15 is fed from the
clock 23 via gates 1d, 2d, etc., which intermittently gates gate
1c to flash the lights 1b, 2b, etc. Decoder 14 connects pulse signal
15 through the proper gate 1c, 2c, 8c, etc. If a line is not flowing
water when it is sampled, it will advance increment from clock generator
13', and the counter will skip to the next channel or line.
The display is also capable of providing the total flow when the
selector switch is turned to the "TOTAL" position 16.
This information is provided from the summing circuit 17. Each flow
meter 1a, 2a and 8a has an input into the summing circuit.
The accumulated quantity of liquid expended during a particular
time period may be selected by the switch 10 on "ACC"
position 18. This information is obtained from the accumulator 20
which receives its input from the sum circuit 17 and counts or integrates
the total amount over the desired time period. A reset button 21
is provided to reset the accumulator. The digital display is provided
by or liquid crystal display in the display window 22. If desired,
the display 22 may be arranged to also display the channel number
together with the flow information, via line 14'.
The display may be modified with dividers, for instance, to display
the quantities in units, tens, hundreds, etc. |