FR2575553A1 - APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A FLUID FLOW - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF FLUID FLOWS. A BRACKET 12 IS FIXED IN A WATERTIGHT MANNER ON A DUCT 16 CONDUCTING A FLUID. A FLOW DETECTION DEVICE 34, INCLUDING A PALLET 50 ARTICULATED ON AN AXIS 52, IS PROVIDED IN THE DUCT THROUGH AN OPENING AND AN ADAPTATION PART. A REFERENCE ELEMENT 34 TRANSMITS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PALLET TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE ASSEMBLY. FIELD OF APPLICATION: DETECTION OF FLUID FLOWS IN DUCTS.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a flow of

  fluid inside a pipe, which comprises, in a general manner, a stirrup intended to be fixed on the pipe, above an opening thereof, an adapter plate ensuring the tightness between the stirrup and the pipe, and

  a flow detection device for insertion into

  duct and mobile under the effect of a flow of fluid in the pipe, this device comprising a

  return element extending into the stirrup.

  The present invention relates to a fluid flow detection apparatus, and more particularly to a detection apparatus for actuating other

devices such as a switch.

  Devices of the aforementioned type have applications

  numerous and varied cations and are used to detect and regulate the flow inside a device driving a fluid, and to actuate an associated device according to the presence or absence of a fluid flow. Many current devices of this type detect a flow of fluid through the movement of a pallet

  or a similar sensor placed in a

  reading a fluid. A movement of the sensor is obtained either directly by the action of the flow on the sensor, or by means of devices such as orifices, fins or turbines, placed in the pipe and causing a pressure difference which has the effect to move the sensor. Then, this movement must be transmitted outside the pipe in order to actuate a switch, electrical in

  general, to signal the presence of a flow.

  A typical example of such apparatus is that described in the United States Patent

  No. 4,454,768. Typically, the crankcase or stirrup

  both the actuating mechanism of the apparatus described in this patent is attached directly to the pipe carrying a fluid, to an opening in the

  wall of the pipe. The junction between the two

  must, of course, be watertight.

  Therefore, one of the features of the present invention is to provide a device

  detection of a flow of fluid, where the caliper of the

  is attached to a pipe through a

  adaptation piece. Another aspect of the invention is

  that the detection assembly comprises a stirrup provided with a shoulder intended to fit into

the opening of the pipe.

  The above-mentioned points as well as other

  characteristics of the present invention will be considered,

  for example, in the following description and in

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating a fluid flow detection apparatus according to the invention, connected to a pipe in which a fluid can circulate; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, illustrating another side view of the mechanism connected to the pipe; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an adapter piece; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pipe to which the detection apparatus is connected. In the drawing, a detection mechanism 10

  flow is housed in a housing or stirrup 12 of

  adapted to be connected to an opening 14 of a pipe 16.

  The stirrup 12 is composed of a cup-shaped element 20 having an open end 22 and a base 24 pierced with a slot 26. The opening 22 is closed by an elastic element 28 which forms a sealed assembly with the housing . A rigid plate 30 keeps

  in place the seal 28 and a support plate 32.

  A flow sensing device 34

  The device 34 comprises a deflection element 36 and a working element 38. The deflection 36 is composed of an axis 40 and a rigid arm 42 to which the axis is fixed. The axis 40 passes into a hole 44 in the plate 30 and a hole 46 in the support plate 32

  and is held tightly in the elastic element

  28. The axis 40 pivots about point 48 under the pivoting action of the distal ends 42- 'and

  42 "engaged in grooves of the support plate 32.

  The working element 38 comprises a pallet 50 mounted in the pipe 16 pivotally on an axis 52, via coil springs 54 and 56, whose distal ends 54 'and 56' are, more precisely, connected to the pallet 50. The deflection element and the working element are articulated to one another by the opposite ends 54 "and 56" which are connected to or engaged in a sleeve 58 mounted on the arm 42 of

the return element.

  According to the present invention, the stirrup 12 is held in sealing position by means of a

  adaptation piece 60 made of a sensitive elastomer

  waterproof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adaptation piece is made, in the case

  of the example shown, in a plate bent in half

  circle, so as to match the shape of the pipe 16 on which it is used. It is provided with an opening 62 aligned with the opening 14 of the pipe

  16. In addition, in order to ensure the watertightness of the

  around the opening, the piece of adaptation

  has a bead 64 disposed around the opening

  As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter piece is clamped between the pipe and the bracket by means of a number of bolts or other fastening means which connect the bracket to a collar 70 encircling driving to where the detection device is placed. Another seal is provided by a shoulder 76 projecting from the stirrup 12. The shoulder 76 is constituted by two fingers 72 and 74 placed facing each other and carrying the axis 52. 52 is forced between the two fingers, they are pushed aside

  and we get a strong tightening of parts.

  As illustrated in particular in FIG. 2, during the operation of the apparatus and when a fluid flows in the direction of the arrow, the pallet 50 is pushed in the opposite direction of the clockwise

  pivoting on the axis 52, which consequently makes it possible to

  the arm 42 and the axis 40 in the direction of the needles

  of a watch to thus close an interrup-

  60. When the flow hle fluid stops in the pipe, no force acting on the flap 50, the spring 62 rotates the axis 48 in the opposite direction

  clockwise to open the door.

  switch 60 and return the pallet 50 to position

  "rest" 64 through the springs 54 and 56.

  Because the work member and the return member both have a pivot point, the opening

  switch requires less force.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the invention described above,

  without departing from either the spirit or the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

  1. Set (10) for detecting a flow of fluid, characterized in that it comprises a stirrup (12) intended to be fixed on a pipe (16), a part (60) of adaptation intended to provide a bond   between said stirrup (12) and the edge of an opening   ture (14) of said conduit (16), and a flow sensing device (34) which is intended to be introduced through said opening into said conduit, which can move under the effect of a flow of fluid in said driving and which comprises a return element (36)   extending inside the stirrup (12).   2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized   characterized in that said adapter piece (60) comprises a curvilinear plate provided with a second opening (62) which fits over said opening (14) of said driving (16).   3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized   in addition to a bead (64) arranged around said second opening (62).   4. The assembly of claim 1, characterized   characterized in that said stirrup (12) has a shoulder (76) for insertion into said pipe (16) at   the location of said opening (14) of said conduit (16).   5. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized   in that the shoulder (76) has fingers   (72, 74) projecting from the stirrup (12).   Fluid flow detection assembly (10), characterized in that it comprises a stirrup (12) intended to be sealingly attached to a pipe (16), a flow detection device (34) which is intended to be introduced into said pipe, which can move under the effect of a flow of fluid in the pipe and which comprises a return element (36) extending inside the stirrup (12), and a collar (70) for securing said conduct to said stirrup (12).   7. The assembly of claim 6, characterized   in that it also comprises an adapter piece (60) interposed between said stirrup (12) and said pipe (16).