Measuring and testing – With fluid pressure – Leakage
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-27
2003-01-07
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
With fluid pressure
Leakage
C222S059000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06502451
ABSTRACT:
This Invention relates to the dispensing of liquids. More particularly it relates to liquid dispensing apparatus and to a liquid dispensing installation. It also relates to a method of dispensing a liquid.
The inventor is aware of a need for fluid dispensing apparatus which can be used for pre-paid water distribution systems, but which will respond to fluid leakage from a system to which it is installed, will reduce unmeasurably low flows passing being dispensed, and operate for longer periods of time without the need for maintenance, in particular battery replacement.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing;
an inlet port leading into the housing;
an outer port leading from the housing;
flow path defining means within the housing defining a flow patch connecting the inlet and outer ports in flow communication; and
valve means intermediate the inlet and the outer port and displaceable between an open position and a closed position to regulate the flow of liquid through the flow path, the inlet and outlet ports being spaced apart and parallel.
Typically the inlet and outlet ports open out of a rear surface of the housing.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing defining a flow path, an inlet port at one end of the flow path and an outlet port at the other end of the flow path;
valve means contained within the housing for regulating the flow of liquid through the flow path; and
a processor contained within the housing for controlling the operation of the valve means.
The housing may be formed from three parts, each of which is moulded of a synthetic plastics material, two of the parts together defining the flow path.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing;
an inlet port leading into the housing;
an outlet port leading from the housing;
flow path defining means defining a flow path connecting the inlet and outlet ports in flow communication;
valve means intermediate the inlet and the outlet ports and displaceable between an open position and a closed position to regulate the flow of liquid through the flow path; and
a flow meter for measuring the volumetric flow of liquid through the flow path, the flow meter including a rotor mounted for rotation in the flow path and linked magnetically to a counter.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing;
an inlet port leading into the housing;
an outlet port leading from the housing;
flow path defining means defining a flow path connecting the inlet port and outlet port in flow communication;
valve means intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port and displaceable between an open position and a closed position to regulate the flow of liquid through the flow path; and
a flow meter for measuring the volumetric flow of liquid through the flow path, the flow meter including a stator mounted in the flow path and configured to impart an angular direction of flow to liquid passing therethrough, a rotor mounted for rotation in the flow path immediately downstream of the stator, the rotor including a hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially extending arms and axially extending vanes protruding from the arms.
The hub may be generally frusto-conical in shape and taper away from the stator, i.e. in the downstream direction.
The flow meter may include a magnet mounted on the rotor and a counter configured to count magnetic pulses which correspond to the revolutions of the rotor and hence the liquid flow rate.
According to still another aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing;
an inlet port leading into the housing;
an outlet port leading from the housing;
flow path defining means within the housing defining a flow path connecting the inlet and outlet ports in flow communication;
valve means intermediate the inlet and the outlet port and displaceable between an open position and a closed position to regulate the flow of liquid through the flow path,
a processor for controlling the operation of the valve means; and
leakage detection means designed to detect flow below a predetermined level and linked to the processor so that the valve means is closed should a flow below a predetermined level be detected.
The inlet and outlet ports may be parallel and open out of a rear surface of the housing.
The housing may include a front surface which is parallel with the rear surface, and at least one hole extending through the housing from the front surface to the rear surface through which a shank of a fastener can pass, the hole being spaced from and extending parallel to the inlet and outlet ports. Preferably, at least two parallel spaced apart holes extend through the housing. The or each hole may be countersunk to receive a head of the associated fastener. The apparatus may include a tamper indicating cap or plug receivable in each of the holes to inhibit access to the fasteners. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a tamper indicating cap having a number of plugs receivable in at least some of the holes to inhibit access to the fasteners.
The liquid dispensing apparatus may include a reader configured to read information stored on payment means in the form of an electronic data storage device and linked to the processor thereby permitting the apparatus to function as a pre-payment meter.
The electronic data storage device may be in the form of a chip card, a magnetic data carrier, or the like.
The apparatus typically includes an electrical power source, e.g. in the form of a battery. However, the electrical power source may be an electrical supply circuit connection, a water powered electricity generating dynamo, all the like.
The valve means may be in the form of a diaphragm valve. In particular, the valve means may be a latching valve.
The housing may be about the size of a conventional brick so that it is readily mountable in a wall.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing installation which includes
an inlet pipe connected to a pressurised supply of liquid;
an outlet pipe;
liquid dispensing apparatus which includes
a housing;
an inlet port leading into the housing;
an outlet port leading from the housing;
flow path defining means defining a flow path which connects the inlet port and the outlet port in flow communication; and
valve means for regulating the flow of liquid through the flow path, the inlet pipe and inlet port and the outlet pipe and outlet port being provided with complementary formations which are slidably engageable to provide a fluid tight connection between a downstream end of the inlet pipe and the inlet port and between an upstream end of the outlet pipe and the outlet port.
Preferably, male formations are provided on the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe which formations are receivable in a liquid tight manner in the inlet port and outlet port, respectively, male/female fashion.
Each of the male formations may have an annular seal on its outer surface.
The inlet and outlet pipes may be embedded in or extend through a wall, the desired spacing of the male formations, which are typically recessed into the wall, being determined by a spacer plate through apertures in which the male formations protrude, the housing being retained in position by means of at least one and preferably two fasteners which extend through holes in the housing into engagement with the spacer plate.
A normally closed shut-off valve may be mounted in the inlet pipe, the valve including a closure member which is urged to a closed position, a closure member engaging formation being mounted in the liquid dispensing apparatus such that when the male formation of the inlet pipe is inserted into the inlet port the closure member engaging formation engages the closure member and displaces it away from its closed position to permit the flow of liqu
Garber Charles D.
Senterfitt Akerman
Williams Hezron
LandOfFree
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