AU2018260822A1 - A Visual Flow Indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU A visual flow indicator device is described, including a housing having a flow path through the housing. A shaft is located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path. At least one rotor is positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub. The rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and slide along the flow path. FIG. 1-1 106-2100 106-1 108-2 108-1 FIG. 1-2 ---- ------------ - ------------------ - ------- - -112 106-2 108-2 106-1 108-1

Description

A VISUAL FLOW INDICATOR

STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent

Application No. 737015, and New Zealand Patent Application No. 745165, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a visual flow indicator, more particularly for providing a visual .0 indication of the characteristics of a liquid flow through a conduit.

BACKGROUND

Fluid flow indicators and meters of various structures have been known and used for a variety of different applications. Many known fluid flow rate indicators and meters are relatively complex in .5 design, expensive to manufacture, and do not operate effectively in certain environments. There are, however, situations where a simple inexpensive device is required to indicate the one or more of the rate or direction of flow of a fluid. One such application is in the agricultural industry, and particularly within water distribution networks for the supply of water to a range of end uses such as drinking water and irrigation.

In such agricultural applications, the device should be sufficiently robust and weather resistant to withstand being exposed to the elements. Further, the device may remain unattended for significant periods of time. As such, it is desirable for the window through which the indicating means is viewed to be easily cleaned in the field.

There may be a high degree of variability of flow rates within such water distribution networks. It may therefore be desirable for a fluid flow indicator to be capable of indicating relative flow rate across a wide dynamic range.

Further, it may be desirable for the flow indicator to be capable of indicating the direction of flow, in addition to the presence of flow or relative flow rate. For example, this may be useful in identifying the location of leaks within a water distribution network.

The present application is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems discussed above.

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018

It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The 5 discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

.0 Throughout this specification, the word comprise, or variations thereof such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing .5 description which is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a flow indicator device configured to provide a visual indication of a flow characteristic of a fluid passing through the device.

Ό According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades 25 extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and slide along the flow path.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 a shaft located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about, and slide along, the longitudinal axis of the 5 shaft.

This arrangement allows the direction of fluid flow to be visually discerned from the relative location of the rotor on the shaft.

According to an alternative embodiment the rotor may be fixed to the shaft and the shaft may slide relative to a shaft support of the housing (for example, including a bearing) so that the location .0 of the rotor along the longitudinal axis of fluid flow within the housing is dependent on the direction of flow.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

.5 at least one rotor, including:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, and one or more blades extending outwardly from the shaft;

wherein the housing is configured to support the shaft of the rotor such that the longitudinal axis aligns with the flow path, and the rotor is configured to rotate about, and slide along, its Ό longitudinal axis.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing;

a first rotor and a second rotor positioned on the shaft, each of the first rotor and the second rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein each of the first rotor and the second rotor is configured to rotate about the shaft, and wherein the first rotor is configured to rotate at a greater rotational speed than the second rotor for a given flow velocity of fluid along the flow path.

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein a first portion of the rotor has a first surface marking, and a second portion of the rotor has a second surface marking contrasting with the first surface marking.

.0 According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing;

a shaft located within the housing;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades .5 extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the housing includes a main portion, and at least one transparent portion releasably secured to the main portion, through which the flow path within the housing may be viewed externally.

Ό According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing;

a shaft located within the housing;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the housing includes:

a receiver portion intersecting the flow path between the first opening and the second opening;

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 a transparent insert configured to be positioned in the receiver portion and releasably secured in place.

Rotors having a hub, and one or more blades extending from the hub, are known for use in a variety of applications. For example, such rotors are used as impellers to alter the flow and/or pressure of 5 fluids, or as the actuating mechanism in turbines for power generation. In flow metering, the rotor is driven by the fluid flow, and the rotational speed used to derive flow rate of the fluid. While the rotational speed of the rotor is primarily influenced by the flow velocity of the fluid, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that flow velocity for a given area of the flow path is indicative of volumetric flow rate.

.0 The rotational speed of a rotor for a given flow velocity of passing fluid may be influenced by a range of characteristics of the rotor. For example, the pitch of a blade - i.e. the angle of the blade relative to the axis of rotation - will influence its angle of attack and therefore the lift and drag characteristics of the rotor, which will in turn influence rotational speed for a given flow velocity. Other design characteristics may include airfoil shape, chord length, chord width, angle of twist, blade diameter, .5 and number of blades.

In exemplary embodiments, the rotor (or at least one of the rotors) may be configured to have a rotational speed of less than about 200 rotations per minute for a maximum expected flow fate. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotor (or at least one of the rotors) may be configured to have a rotational speed of less than about 150 rotations per minute for a maximum expected flow fate. The inventor Ό envisages that this may assist in reducing the likelihood of the rotor blurring to a point of being difficult to visually discern between different flow rates.

In exemplary embodiments having a first rotor and a second rotor, the first rotor may be configured to rotate at a greater rotational speed than the second rotor for a given flow velocity of fluid along the flow path. It is envisaged that this may assist in determining a relative flow rate across a wider 25 range of flow velocities than in comparison with a single rotor, or multiple rotors of the same configuration. It is envisaged that at lower flow velocities, the first rotor may rotate when the flow is insufficient to drive the second rotor, while the second rotor may rotate at a lower and more discernable speed than the first rotor at higher flow velocities. This may allow a wider range of flow rates to be visually discerned.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotor may be configured to rotate at least 2.5 times the rotational speed of the second rotor for a given flow rate. For example, one of the rotors may be configured to have a rotational speed of approximately 75 rotations per minute at a flow velocity of

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 meters per minute, where the other rotor may be configured to have a rotational speed of approximately 200 rotation per minute at a flow velocity of 12 meters per minute.

For example, the blades of the first rotor may have a different pitch to those of the second rotor. In an exemplary embodiment the pitch of the blades of the first rotor may be between about 15 and 5 about 30 degrees, while the pitch of the blades of the second rotor may be between about 45 and about 60 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one rotor may be configured to be bi-directional. Reference to the rotor being bi-directional should be understood to mean that the rotational characteristics of the rotor - particularly rotational speed for a given flow velocity - are substantially the same for fluid .0 flow along the flow path in a first direction, and the opposing direction. It is envisaged that this may be achieved by shaping the one or more blades to be substantially the same in both directions.

In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft on which the one or more rotors are positioned may be oriented on a longitudinal axis along the flow path, and the one or more rotors may be configured to slide along the shaft between a first position and a second position. The rotor will be forced along the .5 shaft to either end depending on the direction of flow of the fluid. It is envisaged that this may assist in providing a visual indication of the direction of the fluid flow, when distinguishing the direction of rotation of the one or more rotors may otherwise be challenging - particularly at high flow velocities.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first portion of the rotor may have a first surface marking, and a second portion of the rotor may have a second surface marking contrasting with the first surface Ό marking.

It is envisaged that the contrasting surface markings may assist with visually determining the relative speed of rotation of the rotor, particularly in comparison with a consistent surface marking. In particular, it is envisaged that the contrasting surface markings may produce a visually discernable flicker in comparison with a blur which might otherwise be produced by a single or consistent type of 25 surface marking at higher speeds.

The contrast between the surface markings may be achieved, for example, by one or more of: colour, tone, pattern, or texture. It is envisaged that the first surface marking may be a first colour, and the second surface marking may be a darker second colour - although it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first surface marking may be located on a first side of at least one blade of the rotor, and the second surface marking on the opposing side of the blade. However, it is envisaged that the at least two contrasting surface markings may be located on parts of the rotor

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 other than opposing sides of the blade. For example, a portion of one side of a rotor may have a contrasting colour to other portions of the same side of the rotor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include at least one transparent portion through which the flow path within the housing, and more particularly the one or more rotors, may be viewed 5 externally. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may be made of a transparent material. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a transparent window. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one transparent portion may be releasably secured to the remainder of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a releasably secured access hatch permitting access to the transparent portion - for example for cleaning purposes.

.0 It should be appreciated that the flow path between the first opening and the second opening in the housing may be defined by one or more elements of the housing. For example, in one embodiment the flow path may be a defined by a single conduit between the first opening and the second opening. In another embodiment, the flow path may be defined by two or more parts of the housing acting in cooperation.

.5 In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a receiver portion intersecting the flow path between the first opening and the second opening, and a transparent insert configured to be positioned in the receiver portion and releasably secured in place. It should be appreciated that features of the transparent insert discussed herein may be applicable to other embodiments of a releasably secured transparent portion.

Ό In an exemplary embodiment, the insert may be made of transparent material. However, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments - for example, only a portion of the insert may be transparent, sufficient to permit external viewing of the flow path through the insert when secured to the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one surface of the transparent insert facing the flow path may 25 be shaped to provide a continuous cross-sectional profile in cooperation with the remainder of the housing defining the flow path. For example, where the cross-section of the flow path is circular, the surface of the insert facing the flow path may be arcuate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include at least one shaft support member extending into the flow path, configured to position the shaft within the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the transparent insert may be configured to cooperate with the shaft support member to hold the shaft in place while inserted. For example, the at least one shaft support member may include a shaft receiving recess in which the shaft may be seated, and the transparent insert may include a shaft

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 securing member configured to prevent movement of the shaft from the shaft receiving recess while the insert is secured to the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment the transparent insert may be releasably secured to the remainder of the housing by a screw band. Reference to a screw band should be understood to mean a ring having threads configured to engage complementary threads on the housing, configured in use to clamp the transparent insert, permitting viewing of the flow path through the centre of the ring. It should be appreciated that other means of releasably securing the insert are contemplated-for example bolting or screwing the insert to the remainder of the housing, or one or more latches between the insert and the remainder of the housing.

.0 In an exemplary embodiment, one or more seals may be provided between the insert and the remainder of the housing (for example, the receiver portion).

In an exemplary embodiment, the insert referred to above may not be transparent, but may provide access to the interior of the housing for cleaning a transparent portion of the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the visual flow indicator device may include a shaft support insert, .5 configured to be inserted into a receptacle portion of the housing. When located in the receptacle portion, the shaft support insert supports the shaft within the flow path.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing;

Ό a shaft located within the housing;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the housing includes a receptacle portion at one of the first opening and the second opening, and the visual flow indicator device includes a shaft support insert configured to be inserted into a receptacle portion of the housing to support the shaft within the flow path.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle portion of the housing may be located at one of the first opening or the second opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the shaft support insert may be greater than at least one portion of the flow path towards the other end - i.e. there is a change in the size of the inner diameter of the housing between the receptacle portion and the

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 remainder of the flow path. This transition in diameter prevents passage of the shaft support insert through the flow path.

In an exemplary embodiment, the visual flow indicator may include a pipe connector configured to be releasably secured to the housing at the opening having the receptacle portion, and provide means of 5 connection to a pipe. In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe connector may prevent movement of the shaft support insert from the receptacle portion, when secured to the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the shaft support insert may be larger than the inner diameter of the pipe connector in at least one dimension, such that the shaft support insert is prevented from travelling down the pipe.

.0 In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe connector and housing may be configured to permit radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, when released. In doing so, the opening into the housing may be accessed by a user without requiring pulling apart of the components along the longitudinal axis. It is envisaged that the visual flow indicator may be used in scenarios where such movement is restricted - for example, due to the pipe being buried. Access to the opening allows for .5 access to the interior of the housing in order to conduct cleaning and servicing of the parts contained therein (including the inner surfaces of the housing).

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path between a first opening and a second opening in the housing;

Ό a shaft located within the housing;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the visual flow indicator includes a pipe connector configured to be releasably 25 secured to the housing at one of the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the pipe connector and the housing are configured to permit radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, when released.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe connector may be a component of a pipe union, and the pipe union may include a fastener configured to releasably secure the pipe connector to the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe connector may include external threads, and the fastener may be a union nut having internal threads configured to engage the external threads of the pipe connector to

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 draw the pipe connector against the housing. It should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments of the present disclosure, as it is envisaged that other types of fastener may be used, for example, cam-lock, twist-lock, or swing-bolt type fasteners.

In an exemplary embodiment, a rotation sensor may be provided to detect rotation of the at least one 5 rotor and output a signal indicative of fluid flow through the visual flow indicator - for example a rate of rotation of the at least one rotor. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotor may include a sensor element detectable by the rotation sensor. For example, the sensor element may be a magnet, and the rotation sensor a hall effect sensor. As an alternative example, the sensor element may be metallic, and the rotation sensor capable of detecting passage of the sensor element (for example, .0 due to a change in capacitance or inductance).

In exemplary embodiments, a flow meter device including a rotation sensor may be provided having various features described herein with reference to visual flow meters, but in which the rotor is not visible through the housing.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system, including:

.5 a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing; and at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the Ό longitudinal axis of the shaft and includes at least one sensor element; and a rotation sensor configured to detect the sensor element and output a signal indicative of a rate of rotation of the at least one rotor.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system, including:

a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and slide along the flow path;

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 a rotation sensor configured to detect rotation of the at least one rotor and output a signal indicative of fluid flow through the visual flow indicator;

a control unit configured to receive the signal from the rotation sensor, and communicate data relating to operation of the visual flow indicator device to a remote location.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include an external sensor locator configured to receive and locate the rotation sensor relative to the rotor. In an exemplary embodiment the rotation sensor may be integrated into the housing.

It is envisaged that the indicator of fluid flow output from the rotation sensor may ultimately be transmitted to a user device. In exemplary embodiments, the rotation sensor may output the signal .0 to a control unit which relays associated data to the user device. In exemplary embodiment the data may be transmitted to a remote data management service, configured to perform one or more of: data storage, data analysis, and reporting to a user.

The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

.5

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1-1 to 1-4 are views of an exemplary rotor according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2-1 to 2-3

FIG. 3-1 to 3-3

FIG. 4-1 to 4-3

FIG. 5-1 to 5-2 are views of an exemplary visual flow indicator device, and components thereof, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

are views of another exemplary rotor according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

are views of a further exemplary rotor according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

are views of an exemplary rotor arrangement according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary housing for a visual flow indicator device according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6-1 to 6-4 are views of another exemplary visual flow indicator device, and components thereof,

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

FIG. 8-1	is an exploded perspective view of a further exemplary visual flow indicator device, and components thereof, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8-2	is an end view of the further exemplary visual flow indicator device;
FIG. 9-1	is a perspective cross-sectional view of a housing of the further exemplary visual flow
5	indicator device;
FIG. 9-2	is a side cross-sectional view of the further exemplary visual flow indicator device in a connected state;
FIG. 9-3	is a side view of the further exemplary visual flow indicator device in a released state;
FIG. 10-1	is a perspective view of another exemplary rotor according to an aspect of the present
.0	disclosure;
FIG. 10-2	is a perspective view of the exemplary rotor in a first stage of manufacture, and
FIG. 11	is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system in which exemplary visual flow indicator devices may be used according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

.5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1-1 to FIG. 1-4 show a first rotor 100 for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

The first rotor 100 includes a hub 102, having a bore 104 through which a shaft may be inserted - as will be described further below. In this exemplary embodiment, the first rotor 100 includes four hemicircular blades extending from the hub 102. Afirst blade 106-1 and second blade 106-2 share the same Ό orientation on the upper side of the hub 102, while a third blade 108-1 and fourth blade 108-2 share the same orientation on the opposing side of the hub 102.

Referring to FIG. 1-2, the blades 106-1,106-2,108-1, and 108-2 have a pitch angle 110 of substantially degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 112 of the hub 102. It should be appreciated that this is pitch angle is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments of the present disclosure, for example it 25 is envisaged that the pitch angle 110 may be in the range of about 45 to about 60. It may be seen that the first rotor 100 is configured to be bi-directional - i.e. the arrangement and pitch of the blades 1061, 106-2, 108-1, and 108-2 is such that the first rotor 100 rotates at the same speed for a given flow velocity regardless of flow direction along the longitudinal axis 112.

Referring to FIG. 1-4, in this exemplary embodiment the first rotor 100 is manufactured by molding of 30 a first rotor part 114 and a second rotor part 116, each configured to be fitted to the other to produce the first rotor 100 as shown in FIG. 1-1 to FIG. 1-3. The first rotor part 114 includes a first blade part

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

118-1 and a second blade part 118-2, while the second rotor part 116 includes a third blade part 1201 and a fourth blade part 120-2. When the first rotor part 114 and second rotor part 116 are fitted together, the first blade part 118-1 and third blade part 120-1 provide the first blade 106-1 (see FIG.

1-1), while the second blade part 118-2 and fourth blade part 120-2 provide the second blade 106-2 (see FIG. 1-1).

In this exemplary embodiment, the first rotor part 114 has a first colour (for example, blue) on its exterior, and the second rotor part 116 has a second contrasting colour (for example, orange) on its exterior. As a result the first blade 106-1 and second blade 106-2 have contrasting colours on each side, which the inventor envisages will produce a flickering effect when the first rotor 100 rotates, to .0 assist in more easily determining the relative speed of rotation in comparison with a rotor not having the contrast. While it should be appreciated that other colour combinations may be used in exemplary embodiments, the inventor believes that orange and blue may have particular application to visual discernment - being a complementary colour pair with a relatively low incidence of colour blindness occurring with this combination.

.5 FIG 2-1 shows an exemplary visual flow indicator device 200, having a cylindrical housing 202 with a first opening 204 at one end, and a second opening (not clearly seen, but generally indicated as second opening 206) - defining a fluid flow path there between. The visual flow indicator device 200 includes a first shaft support insert 208-1, received within the first opening 204, and a second shaft support insert 208-2 received within the second opening 206. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the Ό housing 202 is manufactured of a transparent material such as polycarbonate or nylon (for example, nylon 12 - also known as polyamide 12), enabling viewing of the interior of the housing - i.e. the flow path.

Referring to FIG. 2-2, in which the housing 202 is hidden, each of the first shaft support insert 208-1 and the second shaft support insert 208-2 includes a cylindrical body 210 having a shaft support 25 structure 212. The shaft support structure 212 includes a central shaft support 214 located by struts

216 extending between the central shaft support 214 and the body 210. Each central shaft support 214 includes a shaft recess 218 facing the other shaft support insert, aligned along a longitudinal axis 220 of the visual flow indicator device 200.

Ends of a shaft (see shaft 222 of FIG. 2-3) are located in the shaft recesses 218 when the visual flow 30 indicator device 200 is assembled, to hold the shaft 222 in place - aligned with the longitudinal axis

220. Referring to FIG. 2-3, the first rotor 100 is located on the shaft 222 - i.e. with the shaft 222 passing through the bore 104 of the hub 102 (see FIG. 1-1). It should be appreciated that while the first rotor

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

100 is illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, this is not intended to exclude the use of other rotor configurations with the visual flow indicator device 200.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotor 100 may be secured in a fixed position on the shaft 222.

However, it is envisaged that the fit between the first rotor 100 and the shaft 222 will be such that the first rotor 100 may slide along the shaft 222 in response to the flow direction. In doing so, an observer may be enabled to determine the direction of the flow based on the end of the shaft 222 towards which the first rotor 100 is disposed.

FIG. 3-1 to FIG. 3-3 show a second rotor 300 for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The second rotor 300 includes a hub 302, having a bore 304 through which a shaft may be .0 inserted - for example, shaft 222 of FIG. 2-3. In this exemplary embodiment, the second rotor 300 includes a first blade 306-1 and second blade 306-2 extending from opposite sides of the hub 302.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a blade insert 308 is secured within a recess on a face of the second blade 306-2. In exemplary embodiments, the blade insert 308 may be of a first colour, while the remainder of the second rotor 300 may be of a second contrasting colour, to produce the flickering .5 effect described above.

It is well known in the field of flow metering to detect the rotation of a rotor, and determine flow rate from the rotational speed of the rotor. In exemplary embodiments, the blade insert 308 may be used to carry a sensing element, such as a magnet. The device 200 may include a sensor, such as a hall effect sensor, configured to detect the passage of the sensing element and determine the number of Ό revolutions of the rotor over time. It should be appreciated that the sensing element may be provided external to the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the sensing element may be a piece of metal in the rotor, and the sensor capable of detecting passage of the metal (for example, change in capacitance or inductance) to determine the rate of rotation. It is envisaged that this might reduce the likelihood of the rotation rate of the rotor being affected due to attraction of metallic particles to 25 a magnet in the rotor.

When configured as a flow meter the visual flow indicator device 200 may include communication circuitry to transmit the rotation information - whether the raw sensor data or a determined flow rate to a remote location. In exemplary embodiments, the communication circuitry may be configured to transmit over a relatively short distance - for example using Bluetooth™ protocols - to connect with a device carried by a user in the proximity of the visual flow indicator device 200, whether that be a user device dedicated to communication with the flow meter, or a multi-use device such as a smartphone. In exemplary embodiments, the communication circuitry may be configured to

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 communicate over a network - whether wireless or wired. For example, the communication circuitry may be configured to communicate over a fence line.

Referring to FIG. 3-2, the blades 306-1 and 306-2 have a pitch angle 310 of substantially 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 312 of the hub 302. It should be appreciated that this is pitch angle is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments of the present disclosure, for example it is envisaged that the pitch angle 310 may be in the range of about 15 to about 30.

FIG. 4-1 illustrates a third rotor 400 generally configured in a similar manner to the second rotor 300 in terms of having a hub 402 with a central bore 404, and first and second blades 406-1 and 406-2 having a similar pitch. In this exemplary embodiment the third rotor 400 is manufactured by molding .0 of a first rotor part 408 (shown in FIG. 4-2) including a first blade part 410, and a second rotor part 412 (shown in FIG. 4-3) including a second blade part 414. When the first rotor part 408 and second rotor part 412 are fitted together, the first blade part 410 and second blade part 414 provide the first blade 406-1 (see FIG. 4-1). The first rotor part 408 and second rotor part 412 may have contrasting colours, such that the first blade 406-1 has contrasting colours on either side.

.5 Referring to FIG. 5-1 and FIG. 5-2, in exemplary embodiments the visual flow indicator device may include a rotor arrangement 500 in which a first rotor (for example first rotor 100) and a second rotor (for example second rotor 300) are mounted on a common shaft 502. It is envisaged that at lower flow velocities, the first rotor 100 may rotate earlier than the second rotor 300, to provide a visual indication of low flow rates, while rotation of the second rotor 300 at higher flow velocities may be

Ό more visually discernible than the first rotor 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first rotor 100 and second rotor 300 may be secured in a fixed position on the shaft 502. However, it is envisaged that the fit between one, or both, of the first rotor 100 and the second rotor 300 relative to the shaft 502 may be such that one or both of the first and second rotors 100, 300 may slide along the shaft 502 in response to the flow direction.

FIG. 6-1 to FIG. 6-4 illustrate an exemplary housing 600 for a visual flow indicator device. The housing

600 includes a cylindrical base portion 602 having a first opening 604 at one end, and a second opening 606 at the distal end. The exterior of the cylindrical base portion 602 at the first opening 604 and the second opening 606 includes screw threads 608 for securing the device to a fluid conduit-for example a water pipe.

The housing 600 also includes a hollow receiver portion 610 having a generally cylindrical shape, and intersecting the interior of the cylindrical base portion 602. A shaft support structure 612 is located at the exit from the intersections between the receiver portion 610 and the cylindrical base portion 602

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 towards the respective openings 604 and 606 (only shaft support structure 612-2 shown in FIG. 6-1). Each shaft support structure 612 includes a central shaft support 614 located by an upright strut 616 and side struts 618 extending between the central shaft support 214 and the interior of the cylindrical base portion 602.

Referring to FIG. 6-3, the housing 600 includes a screw ring 620 having screw threads 622 configured to cooperate with screw threads 624 on the receiver portion 610 to removably secure the screw ring 620 to the receiver portion 610.

It may also be seen that the central shaft support 614-2 includes an upward facing shaft locating recess 626-2 above the upright strut 616-2. It should be appreciated that the central shaft support 614-2 at .0 the other end is similarly configured. A shaft (for example shaft 222 or shaft 502) may be seated on the upward facing shaft locating recesses 626-1 and 626-2, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing 600.

FIG. 6-4 generally illustrates the structure of a transparent insert 650 to be located in the hollow receiver portion 610 of the housing 600, and secured in place by the screw ring 620. The insert 650 .5 has a main body portion 652 to be seated within the receiver portion 610, and a base portion 654 to close off the receiver portion 610 from the flow path between the first opening 604 and second opening 606. The base portion 654 includes a semi-cylindrical portion, providing a continuous surface with the interior of the cylindrical base portion 602.

The transparent insert 650 also includes shaft securing members 656 (only a first shaft securing

Ό member 656-1 is shown in FIG. 6-4) extending downwardly towards the central shaft support 614 when the insert 650 is located in the receiver portion 610. The shaft securing members 656 include downward facing shaft locating recesses 658, cooperating with the upward facing shaft locating recesses 626 to hold the shaft in place.

The transparent insert 650 permits viewing of the shaft, and therefore the one or more rotors positioned on the shaft, to allow a user to visually discern flow rate through the housing 600. The ability to remove the transparent insert 650 is considered to enable ready access to the shaft and rotor(s) for ease of cleaning, as well as ease of cleaning of the flow path facing surface of the insert 650.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a housing 700 for a visual flow indicator device. The housing 30 700 includes a base portion 702 having a cylindrical portion 704 with a first opening 706 at one end, and a second opening 708 at the distal end.

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

The base portion 702 also includes a hollow receiver portion 710 intersecting the interior 712 of the cylindrical portion 704. Shaft support structures 714 are positioned towards the openings 706 and 708, on which a shaft 716 is seated.

A transparent insert 718 is provided, configured to be located in the receiver portion 710 of the base portion 702, including a semi-cylindrical portion 720 providing a continuous surface with the interior of the cylindrical base portion 704. The insert 718 includes shaft securing members 722 to cooperate with the shaft support structures 714 to hold the shaft 716 in place.

In this exemplary embodiment, the transparent insert 718 includes an insert flange 724 about the upper lip of the insert 718, having a plurality of fastener apertures 726. The base portion 702 includes .0 a base flange 728 having fastener apertures (not shown in FIG. 7) aligning with the fastener apertures 726 when the insert 718 is positioned in the receiver portion 710. Fasteners, such as bolts, may be passed through the fastener apertures 726, 728 to releasably secure the insert 718 to the base portion 702. It should be appreciated that alternative fastening means are contemplated, for example latches or an interference fit between the insert 718 and the base portion 702.

.5 FIG. 8-1 shows an exploded view of another exemplary visual flow indicator device 800, having a cylindrical housing 802 with a first opening 804 at one end, and a second opening (not clearly seen, but generally indicated as second opening 806) - defining a fluid flow path there between. External thread 808 is provided at the second opening 806 for connection to a pipe connection fitting (not shown). The housing 802 includes an external sensor locator 810, into which a sensor (for example,

Ό hall effect sensor 812) may be inserted and held in position. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 802 is manufactured of a transparent material such as polycarbonate or nylon, enabling viewing of the interior of the housing 802 - i.e. the flow path.

While not clearly shown in FIG. 8-1, an integral shaft support structure is located within the housing

802 towards the second opening 806, including a central shaft support positioned in the flow path by lateral struts. The visual flow indicator device 800 includes a shaft support insert 814, configured to be inserted into a receptacle portion of the housing 802 at the first opening 804. For assembly, the shaft 816 (having associated rotor 818) is inserted through the first opening 804 into the integral shaft support structure, and supported at the other end by the shaft support insert 814.

A pipe union member 820 holds the shaft support insert 814 in place, with O-ring 822 sealing against the end of the housing 802 at the first opening 804. A union nut 826 having internal threads 828 engages the external threads 824 of the pipe union member 820 to secure it in place. Pipe connector thread 830 allows for connection of the pipe union member 820 to piping.

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

In FIG. 8-2, the visual flow indicator device 800 is shown from the end of the second opening. The rotor 818 is located centrally within the flow path 832. Integral shaft support structure 834 - including a central shaft support 836 positioned in the flow path 832 by lateral struts 838-1, 838-2, and 838-3 supports the shaft 816 on which the rotor 818 is mounted.

Referring to FIG. 9-1, the interior of the housing 802 includes a flow path portion 840, and an insert receptacle portion 842. The diameter of the receptacle portion 842, between the first opening 804 and a transition point 844 is greater than that of the flow path portion 840. When the shaft support insert 814 is located in the insert receptacle portion 842, the transition point 844 prevents further movement of the shaft support insert 814 along the flow path.

.0 At the first end 804, a flange 846 has a housing face 848 against which the union member 820 seals. Referring to FIG. 9-2, a union member face 850 of the union member 820 sits flat against the housing face 848 when joined. An annular groove 852 in the union member face 850 receives the O-ring 822 to assist with sealing when assembled. The inner diameter 854 of the union member 820 is less than the outer diameter of the shaft support insert 814 - i.e. when assembled the union member face 850 .5 extends inwardly beyond the housing face 848 - to prevent movement of the shaft support insert 814 away from the second opening 806 and out through the pipe union member 820 and any pipe connected thereto.

Referring to FIG. 9-3, the flat surfaces of the housing face 848 and the union member face 850 allow the housing 802 and union member 820 to be slid apart in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal Ό axis of the housing. It is anticipated that the visual flow indicator device 800 may be installed at junctions between lengths of pipe with restricted longitudinal movement - for example, due to portions of the pipe being buried. Enabling this sliding movement is envisaged as assisting with the ease of accessing the interior of the housing for cleaning and/or maintenance.

It is envisaged that the arrangement for releasably containing the shaft support insert as illustrated in 25 FIG. 8-1 to FIG. 9-3 may be applied to other embodiments of the visual flow device - for example that described with reference to FIG. 2-1.

FIG. 10-1 shows another rotor assembly 1000 for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure (for example, the shaft 816 and rotor 818 of the visual flow indicator device 800), including a shaft 1002, and a rotor 1004. The rotor 1004 includes a hub 1006, from which two hemi-circular blades extend: first blade 1008-1 and second blade 1008-2. The blades 1008-1 and 1008-2 each have a pitch angle of substantially 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the hub 1006.

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

In this exemplary embodiment, the rotor 1004 is moulded in two parts. Referring to FIG. 10-2, a first rotor part 1010 includes a first stem 1012-1 extending radially away from the shaft 1002, and a second stem 1012-2 extending radially away from the shaft 1002 in the opposite direction to the first stem 1012-1. In this exemplary embodiment, a first sensor element 1014-1 is located at the distal end of the first stem 1012-1, while a second sensor element 1014-2 is located at the distal end of the second stem 1012-2. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor elements 1014 may be magnets, passage of which may be detected by hall effect sensor 812. In another exemplary embodiment, the sensor elements 1014 may be pieces of metal, and the sensor capable of detecting passage of the metal (for example, due to a change in capacitance or inductance).

.0 The remainder of the rotor 1004 (shown in FIG. 10-1) may be overmoulded onto the first rotor part 1010 to produce the blades 1008, and contain the sensor elements 1014.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary system 1100 in which exemplary visual flow indicators may be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotation sensor 1102 of a visual flow indicator (for example hall effect sensor 812 illustrated with visual flow indicator 800 in FIG. 8-1 and FIG. 8-2) communicates with a .5 control unit 1104a over a wired or wireless connection to enable eventual transmission of an indication of flow to a device via which a user may access the indication of flow. The system 1100 may include a plurality of other visual flow indicators and associated control units 1104b to 1104n.

The control unit 1104a includes at least one processing device, for example a microcontroller 1106. Power is provided from a power module 1108 (for example, including a battery, or connection to Ό another power source such as a solar panel, electric fence line, or mains power). A communications module 1110 enables communication with one or more external devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communications module 1110 may be configured to communicate over a local wireless connection 1112a with a user device such as a smart phone 1114 - for example using Bluetooth™ protocol or WiFi or LoRa protocols.

In exemplary embodiments, the smart phone 1114 may communicate with a data management service 1116 via a network 1118 (for example a cellular network, or another network potentially comprising various configurations and protocols including the Internet, intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies - whether wired or wireless, or a combination thereof). For example, the smart phone 1114 may operate an application capable of interfacing with the data management service 1116.

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

Among other functions, the data management service 1116 may record data obtained from visual flow indicators, perform analysis on the received data, and report to one or more user devices. In this exemplary embodiment, the data management service 1116 is illustrated as being implemented in a server - for example one or more dedicated server devices, or a cloud based server architecture. By 5 way of example, cloud servers implementing the data management service 1116 may have processing facilities represented by processors 1120, memory 1122, and other components typically present in such computing environments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the memory 1122 stores information accessible by processors 1120, the information including instructions 1124 that may be executed by the processors 1120 and data 1126 that may be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the .0 processors 1120. The memory 1122 may be of any suitable means known in the art, capable of storing information in a manner accessible by the processors, including a computer-readable medium, or other medium that stores data that may be read with the aid of an electronic device. The processors 1120 may be any suitable device known to a person skilled in the art. Although the processors 1120 and memory 1122 are illustrated as being within a single unit, it should be appreciated that this is not .5 intended to be limiting, and that the functionality of each as herein described may be performed by multiple processors and memories, that may or may not be remote from each other.

The instructions 1124 may include any set of instructions suitable for execution by the processors 1120. For example, the instructions 1124 may be stored as computer code on the computer-readable medium. The instructions may be stored in any suitable computer language or format. Data 1126 may Ό be retrieved, stored or modified by processors 1120 in accordance with the instructions 1124. The data 1126 may also be formatted in any suitable computer readable format. Again, while the data is illustrated as being contained at a single location, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting - the data may be stored in multiple memories or locations. The data 1126 may include databases 1128 storing data such as historical data associated with one or more of the visual flow 25 indicators, and the geolocation of those visual flow indicators (for example, recorded using location services of smart phone 1114).

It should be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments the functionality of the data management service 1116 may be realized in a local application, or a combination of local and remote applications.

Data from the control unit 1104a may also be accessed via a user workstation 1130 - whether via the data management service 1116, or via direct communication with the control unit 1104a. Further, in exemplary embodiments the data may be communicated to a dedicated display device 1132 whether in conjunction with, or in isolation from, communication to another user device (such as the smart phone 1114 or workstation 1130) or the data management service 1116.

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It should be appreciated that reference to the communications module 1110 communicating over the local wireless connection 1112a is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments. For example, the communications module 1110 may include a cellular modem in communication with a SIM card to enable communication over a cellular network (for example, forming at least part of network 1118).

In another exemplary embodiment, the communications module 1110 may be configured to communicate over a wired network - for example, a fence network utilised for communication with devices such as electric fence energisers.

Further, while the rotation sensor 1102 is illustrated as being a peripheral component - i.e. connected to, but distinct from the control unit 1104a - it is also envisaged that in exemplary embodiments the .0 control unit may include an integrated rotation sensor 1134. In exemplary embodiments, the components and/or functionality of the control unit 1104a may be integrated or packaged with the visual flow indicator.

The invention(s) may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations .5 of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be Ό made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present disclosure.

For a firmware and/or software (also known as a computer program) implementation, the techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented as instructions (for example, procedures, functions, 25 and so on) that perform the functions described. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming languages, and that a variety of programming languages could be used to implement the present invention. The firmware and/or software codes may be stored in a memory, or embodied in any other processor readable medium, and executed by a processor or processors. The memory may be implemented within the processor 30 or external to the processor. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors,

James & Wells Ref: 307544AU

2018260822 06 Nov 2018 one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The processors may function in conjunction with servers, whether cloud based or dedicated, and network connections as known in the art.

In various embodiments, one or more cloud computing environments may be used to create, and/or 5 deploy, and/or operate at least part of the software system that can be any form of cloud computing environment, for example: a public cloud, a private cloud, a virtual private network (VPN), a subnet, a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), or any other cloud-based infrastructure known in the art. It should be appreciated that a service may utilize, and interface with, multiple cloud computing environments.

The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may .0 be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. The various steps or acts in a method or process may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in another order. Additionally, one or more process or method steps may be omitted or one or more process or method steps may be added to the methods and processes. An additional step, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, or intervening .5 existing elements of the methods and processes.

Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment or the like in various places throughout this specification are Ό not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in at least one embodiment. In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art may well recognize, however, that embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without at least 25 one of the specific details thereof, or can be practiced with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The illustrated embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the figures. The foregoing description is intended only by way of example and simply illustrates certain selected 30 exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It should be noted that the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, apparatuses, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module,

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018 segment, or portion of code, which comprises at least one executable instruction for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may 5 sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

.0 Throughout this specification, the word comprise or include, or variations thereof such as comprises, includes, comprising or including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.

Claims (37)

1. A visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and slide along the flow path.

2. The visual flow indicator device of claim 1, wherein the rotor is configured to slide along the shaft.

3. The visual flow indicator device of claim 1, wherein the rotor is fixed to the shaft and the shaft slides relative to the housing.

4. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one rotor is configured to be bi-directional.

5. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first portion of the rotor has a first surface marking, and a second portion of the rotor has a second surface marking contrasting with the first surface marking.

6. The visual flow indicator device of claim 5, wherein the first surface marking is located on a first side of at least one blade of the rotor, and the second surface marking is located on the opposing side of the blade.

7. The visual flow indicator device of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one rotor includes a first rotor and a second rotor positioned on the shaft, each of the first rotor and the second rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein each of the first rotor and the second rotor is configured to rotate about the shaft.

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8. The visual flow indicator device of claim 7, wherein the first rotor is configured to rotate at a greater rotational speed than the second rotor for a given flow velocity of fluid along the flow path.

9. The visual flow indicator device of claim 8, wherein the first rotor is configured to rotate at least 2.5 times the rotational speed of the second rotor for a given flow rate.

10. The visual flow indicator device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the blades of the first rotor have a different pitch to those of the second rotor.

11. The visual flow indicator device of claim 10, wherein the pitch of the blades of the first rotor are between about 15 to about 30 degrees, while the pitch of the blades of the second rotor are between about 45 to about 60 degrees.

12. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein at least one of the rotors is configured to have a rotational speed of less than about 200 rotations per minute for a maximum expected flow fate.

13. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing is configured to support the shaft.

14. The visual flow indicator device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes at least one shaft support member extending from the housing into the flow path, configured to position the shaft within the housing.

15. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the housing includes at least one transparent portion through which the flow path within the housing may be viewed externally.

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018

16. The visual flow indicator device of claim 15, wherein the housing is made of a transparent material.

17. The visual flow indicator device of claim 15, wherein the housing includes a transparent window.

18. The visual flow indicator device of claim 15, wherein the housing includes a releasably secured access hatch permitting access to the transparent portion.

19. The visual flow indicator device of claim 15, wherein the at least one transparent portion is releasably secured to the remainder of the housing.

20. The visual flow indicator device of claim 19, wherein the housing includes a receiver portion intersecting the flow path between the first opening and the second opening, and a transparent insert configured to be positioned in the receiver portion and releasably secured in place.

21. The visual flow indicator device of claim 20, wherein at least one surface of the transparent insert facing the flow path is shaped to provide a continuous cross-sectional profile in cooperation with the remainder of the housing defining the flow path.

22. The visual flow indicator device of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the transparent insert is releasably secured to the remainder of the housing by a screw band.

23. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 19 to 22, including one or more seals provided between the transparent insert and the remainder of the housing.

24. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 23, including:

a receptacle portion in the housing;

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2018260822 06 Nov 2018 a shaft support insert configured to be inserted into the receptacle portion, wherein the shaft support insert is configured to support the shaft within the flow path.

25. The visual flow indicator device of claim 24, wherein the receptacle portion of the housing is located at one of the first opening or the second opening.

26. The visual flow indicator device of claim 25, wherein the outer diameter of the shaft support insert is greater than at least one portion of the flow path towards the other end.

27. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 24 to 26, including a pipe connector configured to be releasably secured to the housing at the opening having the receptacle portion, and provide means of connection to a pipe.

28. The visual flow indicator device of claim 27, wherein the pipe connector is configured to prevent movement of the shaft support insert from the receptacle portion, when secured to the housing.

29. The visual flow indicator device of claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the outer diameter of the shaft support insert is larger than the inner diameter of the pipe connector in at least one dimension, such that the shaft support insert is prevented from travelling down the pipe.

30. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the pipe connector and housing are configured to permit radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, when released.

31. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the pipe connector is a component of a pipe union, and the pipe union includes a fastener configured to releasably secure the pipe connector to the housing.

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32. The visual flow indicator device of claim 31, wherein the pipe connector includes external threads, and the fastener is a union nut having internal threads configured to engage the external threads of the pipe connector to draw the pipe connector against the housing.

33. The visual flow indicator device of any one of claims 1 to 32, including a rotation sensor configured to detect rotation of the at least one rotor and output a signal indicative of fluid flow through the visual flow indicator.

34. The visual flow indicator device of claim 33, wherein the rotor includes a sensor element detectable by the rotation sensor.

35. The visual flow indicator device of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the housing includes an external sensor locator configured to receive and locate the rotation sensor relative to the rotor.

36. The visual flow indicator device of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the rotation sensor is integrated into the housing.

37. A flow monitoring system, including:

a visual flow indicator device, including:

a housing having a flow path through the housing;

a shaft located within the housing, having a longitudinal axis along the flow path;

at least one rotor positioned on the shaft, the rotor having a hub and one or more blades extending from the hub, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and slide along the flow path;

a rotation sensor configured to detect rotation of the at least one rotor and output a signal indicative of fluid flow through the visual flow indicator;

a control unit configured to receive the signal from the rotation sensor, and communicate data relating to operation of the visual flow indicator device to a remote location.