GB780998A - Improvements in fluid-flow indicators - Google Patents

Abstract

780,998. Indicating fluid flow. MONITOR PATENT SAFETY DEVICES, Ltd., and STOKOE, C. L. Nov. 22, 1955 [Dec. 7, 1954; March 26, 1955; April 30, 1955; June 11, 1955; June 28, 1955; Aug. 12, 1955], Nos. 35391/54, 8903/55, 12579/55, 16878/55, 18643/55 and 23242/55. Class 69 (1). A fluid-flow indicator, particularly adapted for safeguarding the flow of lubricating oil, comprises inlet and outlet connections 19 and 20 between which the fluid passes through a cylindrical bush 17 as indicated by arrow 21, or through an adjustable by-pass valve 23 as indicated by arrow 24. A piston 18 having angled apertures therein is rotated by the flow of fluid and also raised, thus raising and rotating spindle 14 and dolly 13 to the position shown, when the latter can be observed through a glass dome 1. When the flow rate falls, a magnet 44 attached to spindle 14 beneath the piston takes up the position shown in broken lines and co-acts with magnet 45 beneath partition 47 to break an electrical contact at 50A, thereby giving warning of no-flow conditions ; alternatively the magnet 45 may be used to operate a pneumatic valve. The bypass valve 23 which is normally set to suit the conditions of normal flow, may be used to give a measure of the rate of flow by opening it fully to allow the dolly to fall, and then closing it and noting the time taken for the dolly to rise. The action of the indicator can be checked by pressing spindle 40 to stop the flow with valve member 42, when the dolly falls; flow is rapidly restored by spring 41 opening the valve. A similar check on the electrical contacts is provided by push-button 52. A spring- loaded valve 9 closes when the glass dome 1 is removed to prevent fluid escaping, the chamber 4 and dome 1 normally containing air. The piston 18 is made in two disc-like parts, the lower of which has, in addition to the apertures referred to above, further apertures normally closed by the upper part but which open on a sudden increase in flow rate to prevent damage; this is effected by making the upper piston part slidable on spindle 14 and normally held against the lower part by spring 25.