Measuring and testing – Instrument proving or calibrating – Liquid level or volume measuring apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2001-06-12
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Instrument proving or calibrating
Liquid level or volume measuring apparatus
C073S001360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244094
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a closed loop calibrator, and a process for calibrating a liquid metering device in a closed environment using a graduated chamber without exposing the liquid being metered to the atmosphere.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Calibration devices, such as liquid level devices, also known as “sight gauges” or “sight glasses,” have been used in the past to calibrate liquid in a particular device being calibrated. Such calibration devices typically include a window interposed between a cover clamped to a chamber. The window allows visual inspection of the level of liquid in the chamber. The gauge can be fastened to a wall of the chamber or connected in parallel piping to a pipe or conduit. Graduations on the outer surface of the liquid level gauge around the window indicate the level of liquid within the liquid level device, and hence, within the device being calibrated.
However, heretofor, such calibration devices did not provide a closed environment for calibrating liquid metering devices, such that the liquid being metered is not exposed to the atmosphere. This is particularly desirable when calibrating a liquid metering device, such as an injector, used to additize fluids, for example, natural gas, propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with a liquid stenching agent, such as ethyl mercaptan, in that it is imperative that such a liquid stenching agent is not released to the atmosphere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a closed loop calibrator and calibration process conducted in a closed system that provides a way of calibrating a liquid metering device in a closed environment using a graduated chamber without exposing the liquid being metered to the atmosphere.
The closed loop calibrator of the present invention is structured such that an outlet of a liquid metering device, such as an injector, can be connected to the inlet of the closed loop calibrator of the present invention, and the outlet of the closed loop calibrator of the present invention can be connected to a storage tank, resulting in a closed environment under which the calibration process is conducted.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the closed loop calibrator includes a body member having a pair of fluid passages in space relation to a calibration chamber wherein one of the fluid passages has a pair of spaced apart side ports in fluid communication with opposite ends of the chamber, and an inlet at its lower end, located at the lower end of the body member, connected to a device to be calibrated. The other fluid passage has a side port in fluid communication with the upper end of the chamber and an outlet at its lower end located at the lower end of the body member, connected to a container, such as a storage tank.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fluid passages are in fluid communication with each other through a valve in a cross passage in the body member located below the chamber.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closed loop calibrator provides for calibrating a liquid metering device, such as an injector, by connecting the device to the inlet of the closed loop calibrator, and connecting a container, such as a storage tank, to the outlet of the closed loop calibrator, without exposing the liquid of the liquid metering device to the atmosphere as the calibration process is conducted.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features here and after fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
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Matthews John
Tillotson Ashley
Esposito Michael F.
Noland Thomas P.
The Lubrizol Corporation
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