Fluid handling – With indicator – register – recorder – alarm or inspection means – Fluid pressure responsive indicator – recorder or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-11-27
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
C137S883000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321782
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the flow and measuring the pressure of fluids.
2. Problem to be Solved
Typically, many commercial, industrial and public buildings have a plurality of water sources wherein each water source is located at a different location within the building. Such water sources provide water for use in suppressing fires. These water sources are typically configured as standpipes having a control valve and a fluid outlet adapted for fluid connection to a fire hose. During a fire, proper control of water pressure at each of these water sources is vital to the operation of all fire hoses used on a particular floor of a building, as well as the operation of fire hoses being used on other floors of the building. The failure to maintain proper flow control at each water source may have tragic consequences to life as well as property. Therefore, it is highly critical that fire fighting personnel be able to control the fluid flow at each standpipe when multiple fire hoses are utilized.
One conventional method of indicating the water pressure available at a particular water source is to color code the pressure reducing valves that are connected to the standpipes. For example, each color represents a particular water pressure. However, color coding of each pressure reducing valve does not accurately indicate the available water pressure at a typical standpipe at any given time. It is not possible for the aforementioned color-coding system to indicate sudden and drastic increases or decreases in water pressure.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be fluidly connected to a fluid source to control the flow and measure the pressure of fluid at the fluid source.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be fluidly connected to a fluid source to control the flow and measure the pressure of fluid at the fluid source wherein the apparatus is portable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus that can be fluidly connected to a fluid source to control the flow and measure the pressure of fluid at the fluid source that is easy to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus that can be fluidly connected to a fluid source to control the flow and measure the pressure of fluid at the fluid source and which allows fire fighting personnel to have substantially total control in controlling the flow of fluid flowing from the fluid source.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus that can be fluidly connected to a fluid source to control the flow and measure the pressure of fluid at the fluid source that is inexpensive to manufacture.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. are achieved in the present invention which is directed to, in a first aspect, an apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids. The apparatus comprises at least one fluid inlet portion adapted for fluid connection to a fluid source, at least one fluid outlet portion fluidly connected to the fluid inlet portion, a first device for controlling the flow and measuring the pressure of fluid flowing into the fluid inlet portion, and a second device for controlling the flow and measuring the pressure of fluid flowing through the fluid outlet portion.
The fluid inlet portion has a first diameter and the fluid outlet portion has a second diameter. In one embodiment, the second diameter is less than the first diameter. In another embodiment, the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. In a further embodiment, the first and second diameters are equal.
In a preferred embodiment, the first device comprises a movable fluid flow regulator member located within the fluid inlet portion for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The flow of fluids through the fluid inlet portion is affected by the position of the movable fluid flow regulator member. The first device further comprises an adjustable member on the fluid inlet portion. The adjustable member has a first portion accessible from the exterior of the fluid inlet portion and a second portion located within the fluid inlet portion for positioning the movable regulator member so as to achieve a desired fluid flow. The first device further comprises a fluid pressure meter for indicating the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet portion.
In a preferred embodiment, the second device comprises a movable fluid flow regulator member located within the fluid outlet portion for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The flow of fluids through the fluid outlet portion is affected by the position of the movable fluid flow regulator member. The second device further comprises an adjustable member on the fluid outlet portion. T he adjustable member has a first portion accessible from the exterior of the fluid outlet portion and a second portion located within the fluid outlet portion for positioning the movable regulator member so as to achieve a desired fluid flow. The first device further comprises a fluid pressure meter for indicating the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet portion.
In a preferred embodiment, the fluid pressure meters respond linearly to changes in fluid flow conditions.
In another embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a fluid inlet portion adapted for fluid connection to a fluid source and first and second fluid outlet portions fluidly connected to the fluid inlet portion. The fluid inlet portion and first and second fluid outlet portions are arranged in a substantially “Y” shaped configuration. The apparatus further comprises a first device for controlling the flow and measuring the pressure of fluid flowing into the fluid inlet portion. The apparatus also comprises second and third devices for controlling the flow and measuring the pressure of fluid flowing through the first and second fluid outlet portions, respectively.
In yet a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluids comprising at least one fluid inlet portion adapted for fluid connection to a fluid source, at least one fluid outlet portion fluidly connected to the fluid inlet portion, a movable fluid flow regulator member located within the fluid outlet portion for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough wherein the flow of fluids through the fluid outlet portion is affected by the position of the movable fluid flow regulator member, and an adjustable member on the fluid output portion which has a first portion accessible from the exterior of the fluid outlet portion and a second portion located within the fluid outlet portion for positioning the movable regulator member so as to achieve a desired fluid flow.
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Chambers A. Michael
Nuzzo Raymond A.
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