Patent · US Expired

Flow volume calibrator

US5076093A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 1990
Grant dateDec 31, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 29, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01F25/0084
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for calibrating a spirometer controls the temperature and moisture content of the gas which it receives and accurately measures the flow rates of gas it receives and discharges. This apparatus includes a housing with an opening through which it receives and discharges the gas. This housing contains a piston which engages the inner surface of the housing to form a gas receiving chamber within the housing. The piston lies in sliding engagement in the housing and a user may move it to increase or decrease the volume of the chamber and pull gas into the chamber through the opening or force gas out of the chamber. A heating element disposed proximate the chamber heats the gas which the chamber receives; and a gas moisturizing element disposed in the housing adds moisture to the gas moving into the chamber and out of the chamber through the housing opening. The apparatus also includes a displacement detecting assembly for measuring the displacement of the piston to measure the flow of gas out of the chamber and into it.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.