Patent ID: 7392698
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An automatic flow measuring device which measures at least one of the rate of flow and volume of a fluid flowing through a conduit from a fluid source, which comprises: an automatically operated valve in fluid communication with the conduit through which fluid flows, the valve being operative in at least a first state to allow fluid from the fluid source to flow through the conduit, and a second state to prevent fluid from the fluid source from flowing into the conduit; a fluid diverter connector, the fluid diverter connector being in fluid communication with the conduit and having a fluid diversion port through which flows at least a diverted portion of the fluid flowing through the conduit; an elongated tubular member having an axial bore formed therein defining a measuring chamber, the elongated tubular member being in fluid communication with the fluid diversion port of the fluid diverter connector to allow the diverted portion of the fluid to flow into the measuring chamber; at least a first fluid level sensor and a second fluid level sensor, the first fluid level sensor being situated adjacent the elongated tubular member in a first position along the longitudinal length thereof, the second fluid level sensor being situated adjacent the elongated tubular member in a second position along the longitudinal length thereof, the second position being different from the first position, the at least first and second fluid level sensors detecting the level of the diverted portion of the fluid in the measuring chamber and respectively generating first and second signals in response thereto; at least one of a programmable logic controller and a computer circuit, the at least one of a programmable logic controller and a computer circuit being responsive to the first and second signals generated by the first and second fluid level detectors and calculating at least one of the rate of flow of fluid through the conduit and the volume of fluid flowing through the conduit, the at least one of a programmable logic controller and a computer circuit generating a control signal, the automatically operated valve being operable in the at least first state and the second state in response to the control signal.