A flow sensor having an inlet and an outlet comprising: a plate moving in response
to fluid flow therethrough, being displaced further as flow increases; a sensor
for determining moving plate's position and creating an electronic signal related
thereto; a biasing means for biasing the plate towards the sensor's inlet end.
The sensor may include a sealing means for preventing flow therethrough until a
specified differential pressure is reached allowing the device to be used as a
bypass mechanism. The sealing means may also constitute a check valve means to
prevent flow in an undesired direction. The check means comprises: a bullet rod
adapted to be received within an orifice defined in a moving plate, such that the
bullet rod prevents flow through the orifice until the moving plate is displaced
past a terminal end of the bullet rod; and a plate means sealingly and slidingly
received within a cylinder, which is closed for a portion of its length and open
for another portion of its length, such that flow is prevented until the plate
is displaced past the closed portion of the cylinder. The method using the sensor
in multipurpose piping systems includes use of the apparatus in a system incorporating
at least one fire sprinkler, the piping system also preferably providing at least
one other use in the structure. The other use in the structure may be supplying
domestic needs, or supplying heating/cooling water for a heating/air conditioning system.
