Importance

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Abstract

A flowmeter for measuring fluid flow rates in a controlled environment. The flowmeter has an inlet and an outlet and has a vertically disposed conduit and an appropriately dimensioned float disposed within the conduit to move vertically therein. The float moves in response to the opposing forces of the weight of the float and an upward force exerted on the float by an upward fluid flow longitudinally traversing the conduit. The flowmeter also comprises an inlet end stop disposed at the inlet end of the conduit. The inlet end stop comprises a base section and a flow-divider section, and, preferably, an upright section. The flow-divider section comprises a raised, transversely extending partitioning member. The partitioning member obstructs the vertical fluid flow emerging centrally from the bore thereby causing the fluid flow to diverge into a plurality of flow streams which divergently angle outwardly and upwardly toward the tapered inner surface of the conduit. The divergent flow streams are particularly effective in lowering the threshold fluid flow required to lift an annular float.

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First Claim