FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: A FLOW MEASURING DEVICE
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
RAYCHEM RPG PVT. LTD Indian RPG House 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to devices for measuring a mass
flow of a fluid flowing through an enclosed channel, such as a pipe.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A flow meter is a device which may be used to measure an amount
of fluid which may be delivered through an enclosed channel, such as a pipe or a pipeline. Examples of fluids include, but are not limited to, gases such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas. Such flow meters, also referred to as gas flow meters, may be implemented for residential, commercial, and industrial facilities having a fuel gas supplied by a gas utility company. Such conventional flow measuring devices include diaphragm meters, rotary displacement meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic flow meters, and coriolis meters.
BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a flow measuring device,
according to an example;
[0005] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a channel of a flow measuring
device, according to an example;
[0006] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a rotor assembly of a flow
measuring device, according to an example;
[0007] FIG. 4 depicts front and top views of a rotor assembly of a flow
measuring device, according to an example;
[0008] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a mobius strip rotor of a flow
measuring device, according to an example;
[0009] FIG. 6 depicts front and side views of a mobius strip rotor of a flow
measuring device, according to an example; and
[0010] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a flow measuring device,

according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] A measure of flow rate of fluids is typically measured through flow
measuring devices, such as diaphragm meters, rotary displacement meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic flow meters, and coriolis meters. A turbine meter generally has a turbine blade enclosed in a container transporting a volume of fluid. The turbine blades rotate, in response to flow of fluid through the container. The rotation of the turbine blades may be converted to a rotary motion of a shaft, which may then be used for driving a counter mechanism. The counter mechanism may give an indication as to the volume of fluid which may have passed through.
[0012] Other types of flow measuring devices may involve a variety of
different techniques for determining the amount of fluid which may be flowing through a channel. Irrespective of the approaches, such conventional flow measuring devices determine the volume of the fluid flowing through a channel based on the kinetic energy of the fluid flow. The kinetic energy is generally converted into another form of energy (such as rotational energy) based on which the flow rate of the fluid passing through the channel may be estimated.
[0013] Conventional flow measuring devices have their own limitations. For
example, the turbine meters and rotary displacement meters have complex constructional features having a number of mechanical parts. Owing to the large number of mechanical components, the flow rate estimates may suffer from inaccuracy. Furthermore, a large number of mechanical parts may also tend to suffer from wear and tear, and may require periodic maintenance, which may involve costs. It might also be the case that, turbine meters may be inefficient in measuring a small flow rate of fluid, owing to the limitations in movement of turbine blades corresponding to the flow of fluid.
[0014] Other types of flow measuring devices possess complicated
mechanisms, and electrical components which makes such flow measuring

devices expensive and complicated to use. In most circumstances, the flow measuring devices may have to be electrically powered through an external source, which in turn further adds to the costs related to the use of the conventional flow measuring devices.
[0015] Examples of flow measuring devices for determining a flow rate of a
fluid flowing through a channel, are described. The flow measuring device includes a channel through which the fluid is to be transported. As may be understood, the channel may include an inlet port, which is to allow the ingress of the fluid. The channel may further include an outlet port, which allows the egress of the fluid from the channel. The channel may be any longitudinally extending enclosed channel, for example a pipe.
[0016] The flow measuring device may further include a turbine having a
twisted looped strip rotor positioned in the channel. The fluid, on flowing through the channel, is to impinge on the twisted looped strip rotor, thereby causing the twisted looped strip rotor to rotate. The twisted looped strip rotor is positioned along the channel in a manner, such that the plane of rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor is perpendicular to the channel.
[0017] The twisted looped strip rotor may be further coupled to a rotatable
shaft through a gear assembly in a manner, such that the rotation of twisted looped strip rotor may cause the shaft to rotate. In one example, the gear assembly may be implemented as a pair of bevel gear, which may be coupled to the twisted looped strip rotor and the rotatable shaft. The rotation of twisted looped strip rotor, may cause the bevel gear to rotate, which in turn may then cause the shaft to rotate.
[0018] The shaft may further be coupled to a counter mechanism. The
counter mechanism may be a mechanical-based counter or an electronic sensor-based counter. The counter mechanism is to measure the rotation of the shaft, based on which the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the channel may be determined. Examples of such counter mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a tachometer, hall effect sensor, inductive sensor, and optical type sensor. It may be noted that the examples of the counter

mechanisms are only indicative, and any other counter mechanism for measuring the rotation of the shaft may also be used without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0019] In one example, the rotational movement of twisted looped strip rotor
may result in generation of electrical energy. The electrical energy may be utilized for powering the counter mechanism. The rotation of shaft, measured by the counter mechanism, may be transmitted to a flow estimation unit, which may be coupled to the counter mechanism. The flow estimation unit may, based on execution of certain programmable instructions, calculate a flow rate of the fluid passing through the channel, based on the measured value of rotation of the shaft. In another example, the twisted looped strip rotor rotation may also be utilized for powering the flow estimation unit.
[0020] The present approaches provide numerous technical advantages
over previously known flow measuring devices. As would be appreciated that a twisted strip-based rotation for determining the flow rate of the fluid through the channel is likely to provide more accurate results when compared to flow rate values which may be determined through conventional turbine blades. The flow measuring device as described involves a smaller number of components, and is less complicated as compared to previously known systems. Furthermore, the rotation of twisted looped strip rotor may also be used for powering the different components, like counter mechanism and flow estimation unit that are provided within the flow measuring device. The flow measuring device is thus self-reliant and safe. It may be noted that the above approaches may be performed using a variety of other mechanisms or components. Such examples are further described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of a flow measuring
device 100, according to an example of the present subject matter. The flow measuring device 100 may be utilized for determining a flow rate of a fluid which may be passing through an enclosed channel, such as a pipe. The fluid may be a gas or a liquid. Examples of such fluids include, but are not limited

to, air, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas. The flow measuring device 100 may be utilized in industrial, commercial, or residential applications. In an example, the flow measuring device 100 may include an outer casing 102. The outer casing 102 encloses a channel 104. In addition to the channel 104, the outer casing 102 may further house other components of the flow measuring device 100 (not shown in FIG. 1). In addition, the outer casing 102 may also secure and protect the channel 104 and such other components from external conditions, and against tampering. In an example, the channel 104 may be a longitudinally extending U-shaped enclosed pipe.
[0022] Continuing further, the channel 104 includes an inlet port 106 and
an outlet port 108. The inlet port 106 allows the inflow of the fluid in the channel 104. The fluid is to flow through the channel 104, after which the fluid exits the channel 104 through the outlet port 108. The inlet port 106 and an outlet port 108 are so adapted such that they may be extending outside the outer casing 102, and couplable to a supply of fluid. In an example, the channel 104 may lie within the outer casing 102.
[0023] The channel 104 may further include a rotor assembly. The rotor
assembly may include a twisted looped strip rotor 110 in communication with the fluid flowing within the channel 104, along with other components such as gear assembly, supporting ring and shaft. The twisted looped strip rotor 110 is so oriented such that the plane of rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor 110 is perpendicular to the channel 104. The twisted looped strip rotor 110 is further coupled to a gear assembly, which in turn is coupled to a shaft (not shown in FIG. 1). The gear assembly is to cause a rotational movement in the shaft, based on the rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor 110. Examples of such gear assembly may include, but are not limited to, a bevel gear pair. However, any other gear assembly or movable gears may be used to cause the movement in shaft, based on the movement in the twisted looped strip rotor 110.
[0024] The shaft is further coupled to a counter mechanism 112, such that
the counter mechanism 112 is to measure the rotation of the shaft. The

counter mechanism 112, based on the measured rotation of the shaft, may
generate a value of the rotatory attribute. The value of rotatory attribute of the
shaft may correspond to the kinetic energy possessed by the fluid while
flowing through the channel 104. The counter mechanism 112 may be a
mechanical-based counter or an electronic sensor-based counter. Examples
of such counter mechanisms 112 may include, but are not limited to, a
tachometer, hall effect sensor, inductive sensor, and optical type sensor.
[0025] The counter mechanism 112 may be further coupled to a flow
estimation unit 114. The flow estimation unit 114 may receive a value of rotatory attribute, in response to the measured rotation of the shaft. Based on the value of the rotatory attribute, the flow estimation unit 114 may estimate the flow rate of the fluid which may be passing the channel 104.
[0026] As described above, the twisted looped strip rotor 110 is in
communication with the fluid flowing through the channel 104. As would be appreciated, use of a twisted looped strip rotor 110 may cause the fluid to impinge and distribute evenly over the surface of the twisted looped strip rotor 110, instead of only one of the two sides of a conventional turbines as used in conventional approaches. The even distribution of the fluid over the entire surface of twisted looped strip rotor 110 may further increase the efficiency of the flow measuring device. The manner in which the flow rate of the fluid passing through the channel 104 is estimated, is further described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the channel, for transporting
the fluid, according to an example of the present subject matter. The channel 200 may be used for transporting a volume of fluid and may be implemented as channel 104 as depicted in FIG. 1. In one example, the channel 200 may be implemented as a longitudinally extending enclosed pipe.
[0028] In operation, the fluid may be introduced in the channel 200. The
channel further comprises a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly may include a twisted looped strip rotor 202 positioned along the channel 200 in such a manner, that the plane of rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor 202 is

perpendicular to the direction of the flow of fluid in the channel 200. As the
fluid flows through the channel 200, it impinges on the surface of the twisted
looped strip rotor 202, causing the twisted looped strip rotor 202 to rotate.
[0029] The flowing volume of fluid may possess kinetic energy, and may
impart the same to the twisted looped strip rotor 202 in the form of a rotation energy. The twisted looped strip rotor 202 may further be coupled to a gear assembly 204, which in turn may be coupled to a shaft 206. The gear assembly 204 may be coupled to the twisted looped strip rotor 202 and shaft 206 in such a manner, that the rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor 202 may cause the gear assembly 204 to rotate, thereby causing the shaft 206 to rotate. In one example, the gear assembly 204 may be implemented as a bevel gear pair.
[0030] Further, the shaft 206 may be coupled to a counter mechanism (not
shown in FIG. 2). The counter mechanism is to measure the rotation of the shaft 206. The counter mechanism may be implemented as a mechanical-based counter or an electronic sensor-based counter. Examples of such counter mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a tachometer, hall effect sensor, inductive sensor, and optical type sensor.
[0031] The counter mechanism, on measuring the rotation of the shaft 206,
may generate a value of rotatory attribute. The rotatory attribute may then be
communicated to a flow estimation unit (not shown in FIG. 2), which may be
further coupled to the counter mechanism. Based on the rotatory attribute, the
flow estimation unit may determine the flow rate of the fluid flowing through
the channel 200. The flow estimation unit may utilize a pre-defined criteria to
determine the flow rate corresponding to the value of the rotatory attribute. In
another example, the twisted looped strip rotor 202, on rotation, may provide
electrical energy to the counter mechanism and flow estimation unit.
[0032] It may be noted that the above-mentioned example is only
illustrative and is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. Other examples of channel 200 may also be included within the scope of the present subject matter. These and other aspects are

described in further details in conjunction with FIG. 3-7.
[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a rotor assembly of a flow
measuring device, according to an example of the present subject matter. The rotor assembly 300 may include various components for measuring a flow of the fluid in the flow measuring device, as described in conjunction with previous figures FIGS. 1-2. The rotor assembly 300 may be positioned in a channel (such as channel 200), in communication with the fluid flowing within the channel 200. The rotor assembly may include a twisted looped strip rotor 302, supporting ring 304, gear assembly 306, and a shaft 308.
[0034] In one example, the twisted looped strip rotor 302 may be
implemented as a mobius strip rotor. As would be generally understood, a mobius strip is a surface with only side and one boundary curve. Specifically, a mobius strip when traversed, may result in returning to the starting point after traversing both sides of the strip, without crossing the edge. The mobius strip rotor 302 may be designed in such a way that a rectangular strip of thickness in the range of about 1 millimetre to 4 millimetres and width in the range of about 5 millimetres to 20 millimetres may be given a twist and both the ends may be joined thereafter. However, the range of dimensions of the aforementioned mobius strip rotor 302 is only illustrative and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter. A rectangular strip of any width and thickness may be given a twist to form the mobius strip rotor 302. In another example, the mobius strip rotor 302 may be made of a metallic or a polymeric material. Examples of such materials may include, but are not limited to, aluminium, copper, stainless steel, rubber, and plastic.
[0035] It may be noted that the above-mentioned example of a mobius strip
rotor as the twisted looped strip rotor is only illustrative, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. Any rotor of the form of a twisted loop may be implemented to perform the aforementioned functionalities.
[0036] The mobius strip rotor 302 of the rotor assembly 300 is so oriented
in the channel 200, such that the plane of the rotation of the mobius strip rotor

302 is perpendicular to the channel 200 and the flow of fluid in the channel 200. Further, the mobius strip rotor 302 may be coupled to a supporting ring 304, such that the plane of rotation of the supporting ring 304 is parallel to the plane of rotation of the mobius strip rotor 302. The coupling of the mobius strip rotor 302 and the supporting ring 304 may be done to position the rotor assembly 300 properly within the channel 200, and to couple other components to the rotor assembly 300.
[0037] The arrangement of mobius strip rotor 302 and supporting ring 304
may further include a gear assembly 306. Continuing further, the gear assembly 306, in turn, may be coupled to a shaft 308. The gear assembly 306 is positioned in such a manner, that any rotational movement in mobius strip rotor 302, in turn, may cause the shaft 308 to rotate. In one example, the gear assembly 306 may be implemented as a bevel gear pair. However, any other gear assembly or movable gears may be used to cause the movement in the shaft 308, based on the movement in the mobius strip rotor 302.
[0038] In operation, the fluid, on flowing through the channel 200, may
impinge on the surface of the mobius strip rotor 302. The flowing fluid may possess kinetic energy, and may impart the same to the mobius strip rotor 302 in the form of rotational energy. The mobius strip rotor 302 may rotate, based on the flow of fluid through the channel 200. The rotational movement in mobius strip rotor 302 may cause the supporting ring 304 to rotate. The arrangement of mobius strip rotor 302 and supporting ring 304 is further coupled to a gear assembly 306, which in turn is further coupled to a shaft 308. The movement of mobius strip rotor 302 may cause the gear assembly 306 to rotate, further causing the shaft 308 to rotate.
[0039] In this manner, the kinetic energy possessed by the fluid flowing
through the channel 200 may be imparted to the mobius strip rotor 302, which in turn may subsequently be imparted to the shaft 308 in the form of rotational motion.
[0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict front view and top view of the rotor assembly
300 respectively, as described in FIG. 3. The rotor assembly 300, may then

be coupled to a counter mechanism (not shown in FIG. 3), as described in previous figures. In one example, the rotation of mobius strip rotor 302 may provide electrical energy to the counter mechanism. The structure and functioning of the mobius strip rotor 302 will be explained in further details in conjunction with FIGS. 5-6.
[0041] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the mobius strip rotor, according
to an example of the present subject matter. The mobius strip rotor 502 may be implemented as a mobius strip rotor 302 as described in FIG. 3. The mobius strip rotor 502 may be a part of the rotor assembly to implemented in a channel, for measuring the flow of a fluid flowing through the flow measuring device. The mobius strip rotor 502 is positioned along the channel in a manner, such that the plane of rotation of the mobius strip rotor 502 is perpendicular to the channel and the flow of fluid in the channel.
[0042] As described above, the fluid may be introduced in the channel. As
the fluid flows through the channel, it impinges on the surface of the mobius strip rotor 502. The movement of the fluid towards the mobius strip rotor 502 is depicted as ‘A’. The fluid flowing through the channel may possess kinetic energy, which may be imparted to the mobius strip rotor 502. The mobius strip rotor 502 is designed in such a manner, that impingement of a volume of fluid causes the mobius strip rotor 502 to rotate.
[0043] In one example, the mobius strip rotor 502 may be designed in such
a way that a rectangular strip of thickness in the range of about 1 millimetre to 4 millimetres and width in the range of about 5 millimetres to 20 millimetres may be given a twist and both the ends may be joined thereafter. However, the range of dimensions of the aforementioned mobius strip rotor 502 is only illustrative, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter. A rectangular strip of any width and thickness may be given a twist to form the mobius strip rotor 502. In another example, the mobius strip rotor 502 may be made of a metallic or a polymeric material. Examples of such materials may include, but are not limited to, aluminium, copper, stainless steel, rubber, and plastic.

[0044] The rotation of mobius strip rotor 502 is depicted as ‘B’.
Furthermore, the mobius strip rotor 502 may include a longitudinally extending component 504, positioned along the axis of the mobius strip rotor 502. The longitudinally extending component 504 is to couple a plurality of components to the mobius strip rotor 502, as described in previous figures.
[0045] FIGS. 6A and 6B-6C depict front view and side views of the mobius
strip rotor 500, as described in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of an example flow measuring device 700. As illustrated, the flow measuring device 700 may further include a casing or a housing 702. The housing 702 encloses the various components as described in conjunction with the preceding figures. The housing 702 may provide sufficient protection of such internal components against environmental factors, and may also prevent tampering of the flow measuring device 700.
[0046] Although examples for the present disclosure have been described
in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed and explained as examples of the present disclosure.

I/We Claim:
1. A flow measuring device comprising:
a channel for transporting a volume of fluid, wherein the channel comprises an inlet port and an outlet port;
a twisted looped strip rotor positioned along the channel having its plane of rotation perpendicular to the channel, wherein the twisted looped strip rotor is to rotate when the volume of fluid flows through the channel;
a rotatable shaft coupled to the twisted looped strip rotor, wherein the shaft is to further rotate based on the rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor in the channel; and
a counter mechanism coupled to the shaft, wherein the counter mechanism is to measure the rotation of the shaft.
2. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter
mechanism is further coupled to a flow estimation unit, wherein the flow
estimation unit is to:
receive a rotatory attribute from the counter mechanism, wherein the rotatory attribute is based on the measured rotation of the shaft; and
based on the received rotatory attribute, determine a flow rate of the volume of fluid flowing through the channel.
3. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisted
looped strip rotor is further coupled to a gear assembly , wherein the gear
assembly is to:
based on the rotation of the twisted looped strip rotor, cause the shaft to rotate.
4. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisted
looped strip rotor is a mobius strip rotor.

5. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisted looped strip rotor is further coupled to a supporting ring, wherein the supporting ring is parallel to the twisted looped strip rotor.
6. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the twisted looped strip rotor is in the range of about 1 millimetre to 4 millimetres and the width of the twisted looped strip rotor is in the range of about 5 millimetres to 20 millimetres.
7. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisted looped strip rotor is made of a material comprising one of a metal and a polymer.
8. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twisted looped strip rotor, on rotation, is to further provide electrical energy to the counter mechanism.
9. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter mechanism is one of a mechanical-based counter and an electronic sensor-based counter.
10. The flow measuring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the counter mechanism is one of a tachometer, hall effect sensor, inductive sensor, and optical type sensor.