GB348562A - Improvements in apparatus for indicating the rate of flow of fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

348,562. Flow meters. HODGSON, J. L. and RATCLIFF, J. R., of Messrs. G. Kent, Biscot Road, Luton. Feb. 6, 1930, No. 3993. [Class 69 (i).] In apparatus for indicating the rate of flow of fluids, in which an obstruction moves in a conical vertical tube, the tube 1 is formed of metal or the material known under the Trade Mark " Bakelite," and is mounted in a casing 2 having an inlet 5 and outlet 7. The obstruction 8 is of conical or other self-centring shape and carries a depending rod 9 and pointer 10 located in a transparent graduated tube 11. The upward movement of the obstruction 8 is limited by stops 13, and an enlargement 6 of the casing effects a slowing of the rate of movement at the upper end. The downward movement is limited by a member 14 connected to the pointer by a spring 15, and constituting a dashpot when the tube is filled with liquid. When the device is employed for measuring very small minimum flows, the member 14 may be a float which takes part of the weight of the obstruction. The apparatus may be placed in shunt across an orifice inserted in a fluid main. Guides 19 may be provided in the casing to prevent swirl of fluid, and a sump 20 may be provided for deposits. The obstruction 8 may be a shell open at the top, or it may be a closed surface pierced with holes at the bottom. A definite flow may be made to pass at a given scale reading, by adjusting the weight of the parts which move with the obstruction. A shaped or parallel float may be attached to the pointer, and move in a heavy liquid, or a light chain may be attached, to give an extended rang of measurement.