Measuring and testing – Volume or rate of flow – Using rotating member with particular electrical output or...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-03
2003-09-02
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Volume or rate of flow
Using rotating member with particular electrical output or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612188
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-powered fluid meter. More specifically, the present invention provides a method and device for generating electrical pulses from the kinetic energy of a moving fluid. These pulses may then be used to provide data for fluid measurement and to power components associated with such measurement. By way of example, the pulses may power circuitry or other electronics that perform various fluid measurements based on information provided by the pulses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional devices for fluid flow measurement are known. Measurements of the rate or volume of fluid flow may be desirable or even mandatory for operations involving the transport, manufacture, or storage of various fluids. While various devices and techniques for fluid measurement have been applied, many utilize a measuring element placed in the path of fluid flow. The measuring element is generally configured such that the kinetic energy of the moving fluid is translated so as to cause the measuring element to move in a way that is measurable. For example, the measuring element may be configured to rotate upon being placed into the path of a moving fluid. Various mechanisms may then be provided for detecting the rotational speed of the measuring element and, in some cases, to determine the total number of revolutions. Knowing the relationship between a revolution of measuring element and the corresponding volume of fluid that is displaced or passed through the meter, the volume and/or rate of fluid flow may be calculated or determined.
Where conventional electronics or other circuitry are provided for performing various functions related to the fluid measurement, power must be provided to operate the same. In some applications, an independent power source may be readily available for supply to the fluid meter. However, in other applications, an independent power source may be unavailable, impractical, or less economical to supply. Batteries offer only a limited solution due to their typical limitations such as battery life, costs, and reliability in harsh environments. Thus, a fluid meter capable of performing fluid measurements while also providing the power necessary for those measurements is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and device for fluid measurement that is self-powered. More specifically, the present invention provides for generating electrical pulses from the kinetic energy of a moving fluid while measuring such fluid. The pulses provide data for fluid measurements and power for components associated with taking, storing, or reporting of such measurements.
The present invention provides numerous embodiments for a self-powered fluid meter. A summary of exemplary embodiments will now be provided. However, using the teachings disclosed herein, other examples will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and such are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for a self-powered fluid meter by creating a rotating magnetic field from the kinetic energy of a fluid moving through the fluid meter. Electrical pulses are then created using a magnetic flux sensor positioned within the influence of the rotating magnetic field. These electrical pulses are then used to power a circuit.
Numerous examples exist for creating a rotating magnetic field from the kinetic energy of a moving fluid. By way of example only, a turbine or nutating disk may be placed into the path of a moving fluid so as to translate the kinetic energy of the moving fluid into a rotating shaft. Such rotating shaft may be connected to a magnet or configured so as to cause a magnet to rotate. Alternatively, numerous magnets may be configured so as to present alternating fields of magnetic flux when caused to rotate through connection with the shaft.
A magnetic flux sensor is then positioned within the influence of the magnetic field created by the magnet or magnets. As this field rotates, the magnetic flux sensor is subjected to alternating flux polarity. In response, the magnetic flux sensor creates electrical pulses. Any sensor capable of creating an electrical pulse upon being subjected to a magnetic field of changing flux polarity may be used. By way of example only, one such type of sensor that may be used to create electrical pulses upon being subjected to changes in magnetic flux polarity is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,090, issued to Wiegand, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. This reference discloses a magnetic sensor that may be formed by cold working a wire constructed from iron, cobalt, and vanadium. When placed in the presence of a changing magnetic field, the wire will produce an electrical pulse that may be detected and harnessed by appropriate circuitry. Alternatively, when placed in the presence of a changing magnetic field, the wire will also induce a voltage across a coil located near the wire. This resulting electrical pulse may also be detected or harnessed by appropriate circuitry.
The electrical pulses generated by the magnetic flux sensor may be used to power a circuit performing functions related to fluid measurement. By way of example only, such a circuit may include a counter or totalizer that determines the volume of fluid or rate of fluid moving through the fluid meter by counting the number of electrical pulses. The circuit may also include a memory function, powered by the pulses, for storing information related to the fluid measurement such as the total volume or rate of fluid flow. The information may be stored in the form of code to maximize data retention and endurance. The use of a memory circuit may be advantageous for applications where retrieval of measurement data may be intermittent. Consider, for example, residential water meters that are checked on a periodic basis for billing of customers.
By way of further example, the electrical pulses may also power a circuit that performs a function of transmitting information related to the fluid measurement. More specifically, the circuit may be configured for determining the volume and/or rate of fluid flow, storing that information, and then transmitting that information at a later time. In the example of residential water meters, the water meter may be configured with circuitry that is powered by the electrical pulses, that determines the total volume of water consumed during a particular period, stores such information, and then transmits that information by radio signals on a periodic basis for billing purposes. Numerous other circuits and applications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a self-powered device for measuring fluid flow includes a meter housing that defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A meter magnet is configured within the meter housing such that fluid flowing into the meter housing through the fluid inlet and exiting through the fluid outlet causes the meter magnet to rotate. The meter magnet may be of various configurations. For example, the meter magnet may be disk shaped with dual or multiple poles. By way of further example, the meter magnet may actually consist of multiple magnets configured within the housing so as to be rotatable.
A register housing is provided that is attached to the meter housing. A register magnet is located within the register housing and is configured to be in magnetic communication with the meter magnet. This configuration is structured so that as the meter magnet is caused to rotate, the register magnet also rotates. As with the meter magnet, the register magnet may consist of a single magnet with dual or multiple poles. Alternatively, the register magnet may include a number of magnets configured so as to create fields of alternating magnetic flux polarity upon rotation.
A generating element is positioned within the field of magnetic flux created by the register magnet. This gen
Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP
Neptune Technology Group Inc.
Thompson Jewel V.
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