Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus is provided for regulating the flow of drops of fluid through a conduit. The apparatus includes first means responsive to the flow of fluid through the conduit for producing a turbulence in such flow when the flow is in a steady stream. The first means may include a tube having an inner wall shaped to produce such turbulence in the steady stream or may include a tube and a member disposed in the tube and having an outer wall shaped to produce such turbulence in the steady stream. The first means may be provided with a helical discontinuity to produce a twisting flow of the fluid in the steady stream for creating the turbulence. Second means are responsive to the flow of fluid in drops for sensing the rate of the drops. The second means may include a light source for directing light to the fluid and a sensor for receiving light from the fluid. Third means adjustably control the rate at which the drops of fluid flow through the conduit. Fourth means are operatively coupled to the second means and the third means for adjusting the third means in accordance with the sensed rate of the fluid drops to maintain the rate of the flow of the drops of fluid through the conduit at a particular value. When the fluid flows in a steady stream, the second means senses such means and interrupts the fluid flow. Thereafter, the second, third and fourth means again become operative to regulate the rate at which the drops of fluid flow.

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