Positive displacement fluid flow meter

Abstract

A fluid flow meter comprises a chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A rotor is displaceable within the chamber, rotation of the rotor being related to the volume of fluid passing through the chamber. The chamber has a surface proximate which an end surface of the rotor passes, the chamber surface and / or the rotor end surface having at least one recess to retain at least a portion of debris carried by the metered fluid. The recess is preferably formed so as not to provide fluid, communication, from the inlet to the outlet across the rotor end surface. A lid closes an end of the chamber which in use is subject to the pressure of fluid within the chamber. The lid is engaged at its periphery to a wall of the chamber, and is preferably flexible adjacent its periphery to reduce the transmission of bending stresses between the periphery of the lid and the remainder thereof.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to fluid flow meters, particularly fluid flow meters suitable for measuring the displacement of fluid therethrough. Background technique [0002] Positive displacement meters are known in the art and measure the displacement of fluid through a chamber having a rotating piston in which the rotation of the piston is related to the volume of fluid passing through the chamber. Such flow meters typically use a counter operatively coupled to the piston to facilitate visual checking of the flow meter reading. The counter typically comprises a series of geared wheels having markings on their respective outer surfaces to indicate the volume of fluid that has passed through the meter. [0003] A common disadvantage associated with positive displacement flow meters is that debris from the fluid being metered builds up inside the chamber over time. Such debris can impede the movement of the piston, especially if it is at the edge of...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As debris builds up over time, flow meters do not accurately reflect the volume of water used by households, and water authorities undercharge households for water

Where many flow meters are adversely affected in a given area, water management can experience significant loss of revenue as a result

[0004] Other related issues of the prior art that affect the accuracy of flowmeter readings include bending stresses between the cover and the chamber when the cover is clamped together and when the flowmeter is subjected to fluid pressure from the fluid being measured flowing through it. transfer between chambers

This bending stress can cause the cover to bow, causing a leak between the piston and the cover of the chamber

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