Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – Flow divider – deflector – or interceptor
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-25
2001-01-30
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
Flow divider, deflector, or interceptor
C073S863020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178831
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to composite wastewater samplers.
In one type of composite wastewater sampler, samples are automatically periodically drawn from a wastewater pipe under the control of a computer and the samples are permitted to flow into a large container which accumulates the samples. The wastewater in the container is used to determine the content of flow over a period of time to learn of the amount of different solids and liquids in a wastewater system.
In one prior art wastewater sampler of this type, a peristaltic pump periodically draws samples directly from the pipe and flows it to a single container. A composite wastewater sampler of this type is sold under the designation model 2710FR Fiberglass Refridgerated Composite Wastewater Sampler by Isco, Inc., P.O. Box 82531, Lincoln, Neb. 68501-2531, USA. This type of composite wastewater sampler has some disadvantages in that: (1) the nozzle which draws fluid from the pipe is easily clogged; and (2) if not carefully monitored by a human operator, the container may overflow.
Another prior art type of composite wastewater sampler includes a wastewater pipe which extends into a cabinet and has an outlet port opening into a flowthrough-chamber which is larger than the wastewater pipe. Wastewater flows into the flow-through-chamber of a larger flow-bed area from which samples of wastewater are scooped up and permitted to flow into a container. After the wastewater flows through the flow-throughchamber, it is forced back into a return section of the pipe. A composite wastewater sampler of this type is sold under the designation model TC-2 Sampler by Sonford Samplers, a Divison of Comelex Corporation, 905 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 55401, USA.
This type of composite wastewater sampler has several disadvantages, such as: (1) it does not draw an accurate sample of the solids in the wastewater because the solids settle to a lower level before the scoop receives them; (2) it is relatively complicated; and (3) it requires careful monitoring by human operators to be sure that containers gathering the composite sample do not overflow and are replaced timely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel composite wastewater sampler.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method for drawing wastewater and storing it in a container.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a composite wastewater sampler that provides a better and more accurate indication of the content of wastewater.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a wastewater sampler that automatically ends the sampling for one container and applies sampling to another container at a predetermined amount of fluid to prevent overflowing of a container even though the sampler is not attended by a human operator.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel wastewater sampler which is not subject to clogging as prior art samplers.
According to the above and further objects of the invention, a composite wastewater sampler includes a flow-through-chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port with a path between them that gradually increases in depth and width and then decreases in width. It is shaped to cause fluid to: (1) flow from the inlet port; (2) drop to a lower level of flow within the flow-through-chamber; (3) gradually adjust in cross-sectional shape to the outlet port; and (4) flow back into a wastewater pipe. A sampling nozzle extends into the flow-through-chamber adjacent to the inlet port and within the path of the downwardly flowing wastewater so that wastewater exiting the port contacts the nozzle and flows downwardly across it.
Advantageously, the intake nozzle is located from between just outside the surface of the inlet port of the flow-through-chamber such as one-quarter inch to four inches from the inlet port in the direction of the flow-through-chamber depending on the expected velocity of the fluid. In the preferred embodiment, it is approximately three-quarters inch from the opening. The nozzle is tapered and smooth except for an aligning keyway. The taper is between 1½ to 3 degrees in slope with respect to a longitudinal axis inwardly toward the longitudinal axis opposite in direction to the flow of fluid and in the direction of the inlet port.
The intake nozzel: (1) is positioned at an angle to the vertical of between 5 and 40 degrees and preferably at an angle of 25 degrees from the vertical pointing in the direction of flow and normally at an angle that is at the same angle as the surface of the inlet port into the flow-through-chamber; (2) extends approximately to the middle of the flow stream from the inlet port but in its location is selected to provide substantial flow of fluid downwardly and to permit the tip to be in contact with the fluid for drawing fluid instead of air; and (3) has a bottom open end cut to provide an intake port facing the flow of the wastewater at an angle of 10 degrees with respect to the center line of the inlet port of the flow-through-chamber but may be at differing angles which are selected together with the angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and center axis of the inlet port to cancel venturi effect and permit drawing of fluid instead of air by a peristaltic pump at sampling intervals. The angle of the nozzel intake port may be between 5 and 40 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inlet port to the flow-through-chamber but in the preferred embodiment is 10 degrees.
A computer controlled peristaltic pump draws fluid at the same velocity as the fluid flowing through the wastewater pipe at preprogrammed intervals and deposits them into the sampling container. A computer counts revolutions of the peristalic pump and the number of samples drawn and deposited into a container and from these measurements, it calculates the volume of samples in the container. Before the container is full, at a pre-programmed amount of liquid, the computer activates a motor which moves the outlet end of the peristaltic pump tubing over a second container to begin drawing samples and transferring them into the second container. With this arrangement, continuous human monitoring is not needed and yet overflowing of containers is avoided.
From the above description, it can be understood that the composite wastewater sampler of this invention has several advantages such as: (1) it is not easily clogged and is self-cleaning; (2) it takes a more representative and accurate sample of the amount of solids in the wastewater than the prior art wastewater samples; (3) it is relatively uncomplicated; (4) it is readily adaptable to scooping samples manually; (5) it permits automatic direct pumping for higher accuracy; and (6) it does not require continuous attendance and may fill sequentially composite containers automatically.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2447595 (1948-08-01), Pigott et al.
patent: 3595087 (1971-07-01), Starks
patent: 4167117 (1979-09-01), Stakley
patent: 4170900 (1979-10-01), Ozawa
patent: 4461185 (1984-07-01), Schoffel
patent: 4918999 (1990-04-01), Wenshau et al.
patent: 133835 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 1280478 (1986-12-01), None
Dawson Brian D.
Hartz Richard D.
Carney Vincent L.
Isco, Inc.
Noland Thomas P.
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