Patent ID: 7640944

Claim:
A fluid metering system comprising a fluid supply line and a flow meter for measuring fluid flow therethrough, said flow meter having a minimum measuring flow threshold; the system further comprising a flow responsive valve having an inlet port and an outlet port; said valve being shiftable between an open position to measure consumed flow rates, which are above the minimum measuring flow threshold, and a pulsating position, in which said valve is adapted either to prohibit fluid flow to the fluid supply line until a pressure differential over the valve ports is being built-up due to consumed flow rates, which occur below the measuring flow threshold or to admit fluid flow into the supply line until the pressure differential diminishes below a predetermined threshold, said flow meter adapted to measure the admitted fluid flow, a. wherein portions of the supply line and devices fitted thereon, downstream of said pressure controlled valve, act as an in line fluid accumulator, and b. wherein said valve has an open position admitting fluid flow only at a flow rate above the minimum measuring flow threshold, and a closed position substantially restricting fluid flow at flow rates below the measuring threshold, and is exclusive of an accumulator used for boosting fluid flow through the valve.