Claims
- 1. A water-flow detector for detecting a change from a no flow to a flow condition comprising:
- a source of radiation;
- radiation detector means for producing an electrical output related to the radiation incident upon it in a no flow condition;
- pivotable means responsive to said water=flow for interrupting at least a portion of said radiation passing from said radiation source to said detector means in a flow condition; and
- means responsive to said electrical output for generating an alarm signal indicative of a flow condition, said means including means for delaying generation of said signal for a sufficient time after said water-flow is detected to avoid nuisance alarms due to transient flow conditions and means for providing said indication upon failure of either said radiation source or said detector means in the no flow condition.
- 2. A water-flow detector as in claim 1, wherein said radiation source comprises a radiation-emitting diode and said radiation detector means comprises a photo-transistor.
- 3. A water-flow detector as in claim 1 wherein said generating means includes an oscillator and a counter.
- 4. A water-flow detector as in claim 3 further including a means for turning off said oscillator upon provision of said indication.
- 5. A water-flow detector as in claim 1 wherein said means for providing said indication of said water-flow includes a relay which switches to provide said indication.
- 6. A water-flow detector as in claim 1 wherein said interrupting means includes a water vane interposed between said radiation source and said detector means.
- 7. A water-flow detector as in claim 6 including an arm connecting said vane and means for pivoting said arm.
- 8. An apparatus for detecting fluid flow comprising:
- support means;
- a source of radiant energy carried by said support means;
- means, carried by said support means for detecting radiant energy from said source and for generating an alarm blocking electrical signal responsive thereto in the absence of fluid flow;
- fluid flow detecting means, pivotably mounted on said support means for blocking, at least in part, radiant energy incident on said detecting means in response to a detected flow of fluid thereby altering said alarm blocking electrical signal;
- means carried by said support means for generating an alarm signal in response to said altered alarm blocking electrical signal;
- means carried by said support means for detecting a malfunction of said source in the absence of fluid flow and substantially immediately generating said alarm signal.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 787,311, filed Oct. 15, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,414.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
594721 |
Mar 1960 |
CAX |
024628A |
Jan 1980 |
GBX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Notifier/Emhart Series WFD and WFD-10 Vane Type Water-Flow Indicator, Installation Instructions. |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
787311 |
Oct 1985 |
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