Patent ID: 6085586
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: A62C,G01F

Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring and displaying volume rate of flow data and total flow data of fluid being drawn from a plurality of discharge conduits comprising:(a) a plurality of flow meter circuits individually associated with said plurality of discharge conduits, said plurality of flow meter circuits being connected in series relation with each other;(b) each flow meter circuit including:(i) a flow transducer producing pulses at a frequency proportional to a rate of flow of the fluid passing through an associated discharge conduit,(ii) a first microprocessor coupled to the flow transducer to receive the pulses, said first microprocessor counting said pulses and converting said pulses count into the volume rate of flow data and total flow data,(iii) a second microprocessor including a first input coupled to a first output of the first microprocessor for receiving the volume rate of flow data from an associated flow meter circuit, a second input for receiving volume rate of flow data from an adjacent upstream flow meter circuit in the series relation, said second microprocessor programmed to compute a combined volume rate of flow value from the adjacent upstream flow meter circuit and the associated flow meter circuit, and an output coupled to an adjacent downstream flow meter circuit in the series relation for delivering the combined volume rate of flow value; and(c) a visual display device coupled to a second output of the first microprocessor for selectively providing a visual manifestation of said volume rate of flow data and total flow data from the associated discharge conduit.