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Abstract

Apparatus and method for measuring the volume of a drop, and with a series of drops the volumetric flow rate of a fluid utilizing a vertically oriented, transparent drop chamber through which the fluid is directed in drop form. A plurality of drop sensors positioned adjacent to the drop chamber in vertically spaced relation to each other emit signals in response to the detection of the entrance and exit of each drop to and from separate sensor fields preferably established by light emitting sources. The drop sensors are connected to control circuitry incorporating an electronic processor programmed to determine volumetric flow rate in response to drop dimension and drop rate signals received from the drop sensors. The drop size in terms of the vertical dimension of each drop in the direction of gravity flow through the drop chamber is determined by measuring the time it takes a drop to pass through each and both of the two sensor fields. Timers used for this purpose are triggered by the aforesaid sensor signals. The volume of each drop is electronically calculated as a function of the drop vertical dimension, and drop volume and drop rate are multiplied to determine volumetric flow rate.

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First Claim