Measuring and testing – Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-18
2001-09-04
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Liquid analysis or analysis of the suspension of solids in a...
C073S168000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282947
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for monitoring the useful properties of fluids, particularly of pressure fluids in fluid-technical installations. The arrangement has a testing device by means of which a test volume of the fluid can be removed from the container holding it and can be fed to a sensor device. The sensor device includes a plurality of sensors to make and evaluate certain variable measurements, each representing a useful property of the fluid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With operation of fluid-technical installations, the monitoring of certain properties of the pressure fluid for evaluating the usefulness of the fluid and for controlling and monitoring of assemblies of machines and the like is of great importance. The evaluation serves for the maintenance of the properties in a state useful for operation of the fluid-technical installations
When a fluid property falls below or exceeds certain boundary values, such property can negatively influence the adaptability for use in a fluid-technical installation during operation. The properties can include, among others:
a) contamination of the fluid with solids;
b) greasing or lubricating properties of the fluid;
c) impurities in the fluid in the form of other substances causing corrosion, especially water;
d) content of decomposition or degradation products in the fluid, causing oxidation, which negatively influences the usefulness by aging the fluid; and
e) fluid supply state of the pumps and/or assemblies of machines, in other words the fill level in the fluid container (the fluid level is referenced in the present framework as a useful property).
In case a circumstance or condition arises during operation which endangers the operational capacity of the relevant installation, automatic measures are to occur to avoid or overcome the problem (for instance switching on the cooling machinery). Alternatively, the operation of the installation must be modified or adjusted to avoid damage In any case, it is critical that the operator be informed of the occurrence of any disturbance, that some protocol take places and that an alarm be triggered.
When a test monitoring of the useful properties of fluids is carried out in a more or less automated manner and an analysis of the test volume is undertaken in the laboratory, an incomplete evaluation of the usefulness of the properties can result This is because the analyses and measurements which are carried out are comparable with one another only when the measurements are collected simultaneously at the different measuring sites. In other words, the sites of the test samplings are in definite space and time relationships to one another With two differently timed and cyclical variable test samples, it cannot be guaranteed that they are taken at the same measurement site A same-time measurement showing two different magnitudes at different sites in the system is affirmable if no gradients are present, for example pressure and temperature gradients.
To avoid this problem, a monitoring arrangement is disclosed in JP-A-63285467. The connection of the sensors with the fluid pump allows the same fluid current flows through both of them. On the basis of one test sample at one single measurement site, a continuous evaluation of different measurements relative to one can be guaranteed, and the same fluid current can pass through a plurality of sensors. A virtually error-free monitoring of the properties of the fluid regarding their usefulness is thus possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the present invention are to provide an arrangement for monitoring useful fluid properties that is characterized by a simple and especially compact construction.
The foregoing objects are basically obtained by an arrangement for monitoring useful fluid properties comprising a container containing a fluid to be monitored and having a container opening. A tubular frame extends through the container opening and into the container for immersion in the fluid. The frame has frame openings for the fluid to pass therethrough. A fluid pump with a driving motor is mounted on the frame and immersed in the fluid. A sensor block houses and integrates a plurality of fluid property sensors and flow channels connecting the sensors in series with one another, and with the fluid pump. The sensor block is mounted on the frame and immersed in the fluid. A sensor attachment plate bar is arranged within the frame, carries an electronic assembly for processing signals from the sensors, and is immersed in the fluid.
The entire testing or mounting arrangement is combined in one unit on the frame, including the sensor attachment plate bar with the electronic assembly processing the sensor signals, is constructed for a method of operation immersed in the fluid, and can be immersed directly in the fluid container. Thus, the measurements required for the monitoring can be evaluated with greater precision and with the smallest possible space requirement for the arrangement.
The series-connection arrangement, with the fluid stream to be tested flowing through the sensor block, preferably includes a particle sensor with integrated opacity measurement for determination of the particle concentration, a viscometer, and a moisture sensor with integrated NTC-resistance, in order, to measure both the free water content therein and also the temperature of the fluid.
With use of a viscometer in the form of a friction wheel viscometer with integrated brake coil, it is advantageously possible to evaluate not only the viscosity of the test fluid stream but also its flow rate. This sensor also facilitates measurement of magnitudes which are sensitive to the rate of flow and facilities control of the function of the monitoring device.
Since the sensor attachment plate bar along with the electronic assembly processing the sensor signals is immersed in the fluid, an evaluation of the dielectric constant of the fluid can be obtained by means of a interdigital capacitor Such capacitor can be provided on the plate bar, directly in contact with the fluid. The corrosion effect of the fluid on copper can be avoided with the aid of an interdigital capacitor of copper-conductor strips.
The signals from the sensors picked up by the electronic assembly are preferably digitized and converted into standardized primary data. Such data is compatible across systems, can be detected by some sort of data terminals and can be processed. Such an arrangement is suitable for the special direct control of auxiliary assemblies for influencing the state of the fluid, for example, by subsidiary flow cooling or heating elements, subsidiary flow filter for the removal of water, and rinsing and cleaning pumps.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3936192 (1976-02-01), Skala
patent: 4483189 (1984-11-01), Seal
patent: 4501143 (1985-02-01), Prior et al.
patent: 4510800 (1985-04-01), Prior
patent: 4546649 (1985-10-01), Kantor
patent: 5051921 (1991-09-01), Paglione
patent: 5686913 (1997-11-01), Coln et al.
patent: 0435713 (1991-07-01), None
patent: 63285467 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 90/06500 (1990-06-01), None
Kirsch Bernhard
Schon Otmar
Tumbrink Manfred
HYDAC Filtertechnik GmbH
Politzer Jay L.
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
Williams Hezron
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