IP Library › Granted Patent US 12708303
Granted Patent B2
US 12708303 · App. 18/475,140 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Apparatus for measuring a flow of a fluid, in particular a urine flow

Inventors: Stefan Wiegand (Halle, DE); Hans-Joachim Münch (Halle, DE); Hans-Christian Schaich (Leipzig, DE); Maik Christl (Kabelsketal, DE); Nicki Bader (Halle, DE); Wolfgang Kircher (Halle, DE); Felix Kaczmarek (Halle, DE); Thomas Spangenberg (Halle, DE)
Assignees: SONOTEC GMBH; STEFAN WIEGAND
A61B5/208A61B5/6887
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12708303
App. No.
18/475,140
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a flow of a fluid in dependence on time, in particular a urine flow, including an intake funnel; a hose; an ultrasonic flow sensor; an overflow. The apparatus is characterized in that a first end of the hose is connected to the intake funnel and a second end of the hose is connected to the overflow; the ultrasonic flow sensor is arranged on the hose; the hose is U-shaped.

Claims (19)

1 . An apparatus for measuring a flow of a fluid in dependence on time, in particular a urine flow, comprising an intake funnel;

a hose;

an ultrasonic flow sensor;

an overflow;

wherein

a first end of the hose is connected to the intake funnel and a second end of the hose is connected to the overflow;

the ultrasonic flow sensor is arranged on the hose;

the hose is U-shaped;

wherein the intake funnel has a mesh structure in an outflow portion of the intake funnel before the hose; and

wherein the second end of the hose has a vertical, upwardly directed outlet opening in the overflow.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hose runs straight over a length of at least 10 times an inside diameter of the hose upstream of the ultrasonic flow sensor and over a length of at least 5 times the inside diameter of the hose downstream of the ultrasonic flow sensor.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hose is a polymer hose.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic flow sensor is clamped to the hose without a coupling.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a discharge valve, which is arranged on the hose between the ultrasonic flow sensor and the overflow.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a collecting container, which is arranged downstream of the overflow.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the intake funnel has a bent outflow portion.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery or accumulator.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least parts of the apparatus have an enclosure.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further has a chair structure or a urinal, wherein the chair structure or the urinal is connected to the intake funnel, or the intake funnel is formed by the chair structure or the urinal, or the apparatus in a compact structural form is suspended in a toilet.