The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 05, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 18, 1997
Edwin Lee Johnson, Ballwin, MO (US);
Other;
Abstract
A flow sensor device includes a main passage having a normally open shut off valve therein which is configured to shut off at a predetermined rate of air flow therethrough. The shut off valve includes a seating structure and a centering structure positioned within the main passage, a sealing member being positioned between the seating structure and centering structure. The sealing member is biased toward the centering structure by a resilient member. Air flow through the main passage exerts a force on the sealing member which pushes the sealing member toward the seating structure. When the force caused by the air flow exceeds the opposing force of the resilient member, the sealing member contacts the seating structure in a sealing relationship such that air flow through the main passage is substantially eliminated. The flow sensor device may also include a controllable release valve and/or a controllable reset valve, enabling control of the shut off valve of the main passage. Further, an air pulse distribution device is also provided for controlling the reset valves and/or release valves of a plurality of flow sensor devices.