Flow control assemblies

Abstract

A compound meter assembly is provided having primary and secondary passageways housing a high flow rate meter and a low flow rate meter, respectively. A composite flow responsive first valve is disposed within the secondary passageway and moves to a substantially closed position when the liquid flow through said passageway is increasing and exceeds a first predetermined rate. Upon substantial closing of the first valve, a substantial momentary pressure impulse is created and the liquid flow is diverted from the secondary passageway to the primary passageway. A composite pressure responsive second valve is disposed within the primary passageway and includes a gate member movable between open and closed positions, and a weighted operating member movable independently of the gate member and adapted to close the latter by pivotal movement and to lock the latter in a closed position by a wedging action until the momentary pressure impulse is created and exerted on the gate member and the liquid flow is diverted from the secondary passageway to the primary passageway. The composite first valve includes a first element, which moves to reduce the flow restriction therethrough as the second valve closes, and a cooperative second element to effect the aforementioned substantial closing of the secondary passageway.