Measuring and testing – Display or display device details
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-07-31
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Display or display device details
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267018
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to the field of measuring flow in channels and more particularly to a flow measuring device with an integrated display.
2. Description of Related Art
Measuring devices of this type are known and are used, for example, for measuring temperature. A temperature sensor is disposed in a measuring tip that extends in a direction away from a display and control unit. To facilitate read-out of the measured temperature, the display that is located in the display and/or control unit is typically pivotally supported with respect to the measuring tip. Unlike conventional measuring devices having a sensor that is connected to a display and/or control unit with a cable, measuring devices of the aforementioned type can be operated with one hand.
Such one-piece measuring devices, however, have thus far not been used for flow measurements, because flow in channels of varying depth can only be measured using devices with a long shaft. Devices with a long shaft, however, are difficult to transport and can be easily damaged.
It would therefore be useful to provide a measuring device that can be operated with one hand and that allows flow measurements in deeper channels. Such device should also be easy to transport and to operate, and thereby mitigate some of the disadvantages of conventional flow measuring devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, according to one aspect of the invention, the measuring device includes at least one foldable shaft section, so that the shaft can be folded into a convenient size after the measurements are concluded, and the measuring device can be transported easily and without the danger of breaking the shaft.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features.
A battery compartment may be integrated with the shaft. With this feature, several batteries may then be arranged end-to-end inside the shaft to provide a high enough voltage and a large charge storage capacity for operating the display and/or control unit and the sensor element. The shaft diameter need only be slightly larger than the diameter of a 1.5 volt battery. Since the battery compartment is housed inside the display and/or control unit, environmentally safe rechargeable batteries can be used to supply the power. This feature is not found in other conventional measuring devices that can be operated with one hand. In order to keep the display and/or control unit small, conventional measuring devices can only use non-rechargeable batteries to conserve space.
The battery compartment may have a feed opening which is accessible from the front when viewed in the direction of the shaft. The batteries are successively inserted into the battery compartment through the feed opening; the size of the feed opening need only be slightly larger than the cross-section of the batteries. Because the feed opening is small, it can be easily sealed.
The battery compartment may be formed as a hollow space in the shaft. Another shaft section arranged subsequent to the battery compartment is releasably connected to the shaft section which houses the battery compartment. This feature allows the feed opening of the battery compartment to be easily opened and closed. The shaft section that houses the battery compartment, and the subsequent shaft section may be unfolded with a hinge to provide access to the feed opening. In the folded state, the two shaft sections are locked in place relative to each other by a safety sleeve forming a bayonet-type locking mechanism.
The display and/or control unit may be rotatably supported on the shaft by an articulated first joint, wherein the articulated first joint has a locking mechanism which limits the orientation of the display and/or control unit with respect to the shaft to one or more pre-determined angular positions. The locking mechanism reliably prevents the display and/or control unit from being inadvertently moved with respect to the shaft.
In a measuring device for flow measurements, the sensor element may be implemented as a hot-wire element and arranged in the region of the lower shaft in a flow channel extending perpendicular to the shaft axis. Alternatively, or in addition, a thermocouple for measuring temperature may be arranged in the flow channel or at the lower tip of the shaft.
The shaft section having the flow channel may be supported for rotation about the shaft axis. With this feature, the flow channel may be oriented in the flow direction of the medium to be measured without having to change the position of the display and/or control unit.
A second articulated joint may be provided for folding and unfolding the at least one shaft section. The second joint has a first hinge and a second hinge, wherein each hinge can be folded by, at most, 90° and the hinges have a common hinge web extending along an axial shaft direction. Both hinges may have a locking mechanism which allows the hinges to lock in at least an angular position of 0° and 90°, respectively. With this feature, the foldable shaft section cannot be inadvertently folded or unfolded when in the unfolded and the folded state, respectively.
A wire connection between the sensor element and the display and/or control unit and the battery compartment, respectively, may be routed through the pivot axes of the two hinges. With this feature, the wire connection is not strained when the two hinges are rotated to fold the shaft. This feature also eliminates complex arrangements for compensating for the changing length of the wire connection.
In addition, a protective sleeve which can rotate about the shaft axis, may be arranged in the region of the sensor element. The protective sleeve has diametrically opposed openings to accommodate the flow channel. The protective sleeve, which is non-detachably connected to the shaft, can be rotated into a first position in order to open the flow channel for a measurement, and into a second position to close the flow channel. In this way, the sensor element is protected from damage or contamination, for example, during transport.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3593023 (1971-07-01), Dodson
patent: 4355911 (1982-10-01), Tymkewicz
patent: 4435978 (1984-03-01), Glatz
patent: 4522270 (1985-06-01), Kishi
patent: 4580909 (1986-04-01), McIntosh
patent: 4643022 (1987-02-01), Werlberger et al.
patent: 4776212 (1988-10-01), Parsons et al.
patent: 2062010 (1970-12-01), None
patent: 3020095 (1981-12-01), None
patent: 3513345A1 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 4426501A1 (1994-07-01), None
patent: 19638388A1 (1996-09-01), None
patent: 0206215B1 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 8102690 (1983-01-01), None
Foley Hoag & Eliot LLP
Raevis Robert
Testo GmbH & Co.
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