Patent · US Expired

Liquid flow rate detector

US5299594A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
9References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 1992
Grant dateApr 5, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/2572
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A liquid flow rate detector adapted for detecting whether a rate of flow for liquid flowing through a conduit is above or below a generally predetermined liquid flow rate, and for developing different control signals in response to detecting flow rates above and below that generally predetermined liquid flow rate. The detector includes first and second thermally conductive liquid contact members supported for contact with the flowing liquid; and electric circuitry that detects the ambient temperature of the flowing liquid through the first probe, supplies a limited amount of heat in an attempt to heat the second liquid contact member to a threshold temperature above that ambient temperature, detects the temperature of said second liquid contact member, generates a first control signal when the temperature of the second liquid contact member is at least at the threshold temperature to detect a liquid flow rate below the predetermined liquid flow rate at which the flowing liquid is not capable of cooling the second liquid contact member below the threshold temperature, and generates a second signal when the temperature of the second liquid contact member is maintained below the thres…

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