Measuring and testing – Sampler – sample handling – etc. – Conduit or passageway section capture chamber
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-12-18
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Sampler, sample handling, etc.
Conduit or passageway section capture chamber
C073S864730
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330834
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a liquid sampling tool and method of use and more particularly to tool that enables a sample of liquid to be obtained from a tank or other reservoir.
BACKGROUND
Proper maintenance of helicopters includes the task of sampling the fuel for contaminants such as water, bugs, dirt, and the like, on a regularly scheduled basis. Such sampling, for example, is performed on Bell OH-58 helicopters that are used for law enforcement purposes. The fuel tank or sump on each of these aircraft is located in the belly of the fuselage, and the drain valve through which the fuel must be drained is located under the fuselage. Periodically, a small quantity, say about one-half of a quart, is drained from the tank and analyzed. Because the belly of the aircraft where the drain valve is located is very close to the ground, the mechanic, pilot, or other person taking the sample usually lies down under the aircraft or crouches or squats down to open and close the valve in order to take the sample.
Prior to the present invention, the method followed by the person taking the sample was to place a catch basin or other receptacle on the deck under the aircraft in alignment with the drain valve, to lie or crouch down under the fuselage, and to reach up with a wrench and engage the valve handle or knob of the valve. The wrench would then be turned to open the valve and allow the small quantity of fuel to flow or drain down into the receptacle, and subsequently the valve would be closed. Unfortunately, however, this method Invariably also caused the draining fuel to run down the wrench onto the person's hand(s) and arm(s) and clothing while the wrench was being held on the valve during draining of fuel and during opening and closing of the valve. Until the subject invention, the described method, although unsatisfactory, was tolerated as the only method available to sample the fuel. Not only does this method require a special clean-up, contact of the fuel with the skin may be harmful or irritating.
Although a satisfactory tool for obtaining a sample of fuel from a helicopter fuel tank has not been previously known, tools have been available for bleeding air bubbles from hydraulic brake systems, such as used in automobiles. The U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,809,359 and 4,905,731 disclose such brake bleeder tools. These tools have general features in common with the tool of the present invention, but they are not satisfactory for taking the fuel samples as above described. In contrast, the tool of the present invention is especially suited for the task of draining aircraft fuel from helicopters, and perhaps other aircraft, or from any tank supported above the ground, floor or deck, that holds various other liquids, where the drain valve is at the bottom or sump of the tank, so that when the valve is opened, the liquid drains down out of the valve.
SUMMARY
A liquid sampling tool and method for its use in taking a sample of liquid is disclosed. The tool is used to open the drain valve of a tank and cause a sample of the liquid in the tank to flow by gravity through the tool into a container below the tank and tool without allowing the liquid to contact the person taking the sample. The tool is especially suited for taking samples of jet fuel used in a helicopter or other aircraft but is not so limited. The tool includes a head having an axially extending wrench socket that fits over the drain valve and has a transverse inner base wall to limit axial movement of the socket over the valve. The head has a fluid passageway extending therethrough with an upper inlet communicating with the socket and a lower outlet opening through the lower end portion. When the valve is opened by the tool, the liquid flows out of the tank, through the valve and into the passageway, from which it is directed into the container. A handle extends radially from the head and is spaced under the tank for enabling the mechanic or other person the apply torque to the valve without the person's hand rubbing against the tank.
An object of this invention is to facilitate the taking of samples of liquid from the sump of a tank such as is involved in sampling fuel in a helicopter.
Another object is to allow the drain valve in the sump of a tank to be opened and closed so as to drain liquid from the tank without also causing some of the liquid to flow onto the hands or arms or clothing of the person taking the sample.
An additional object is to avoid contact of liquid being drained out of a tank, especially reactive liquids such as jet fuel, with the skin of the person performing the task.
Yet another object is to allow the drain valve in the sump of a tank to be opened and closed so as to drain liquid from the tank without also causing some of the liquid to flow onto the outside of the tool being used to open and close the valve.
A further object is to provide an interfitted relationship between a drain valve on a sump of a liquid reservoir or tank and a tool for opening the valve so that the tool controls the flow of liquid draining out of the valve, causing it to pass through the tool when the valve is opened without overflow or spillage out of the tool.
Yet an additional object is to prevent chemical interaction between a tool used to open and close a valve for taking a sample of a reactive liquid, such as jet fuel, from a tank containing the liquid.
Still another object is to enable a person to use a tool to open and close a valve located under a tank without rubbing or scraping the person's hands against the undersurface of the tank.
A still further object is to facilitate the manufacture of a liquid sampling tool of the type described.
An additional object is to make a liquid sampling tool from a material that is lightweight, hard, and chemically resistant to reactive liquids.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1270705 (1918-06-01), Croad
patent: 3635262 (1972-01-01), Stebbins
patent: 3677513 (1972-07-01), Truelove
patent: 3809359 (1974-05-01), Truelove, Sr.
patent: 3855882 (1974-12-01), Wittmann
patent: 4230002 (1980-10-01), Skidmore
patent: 4714138 (1987-12-01), Zaccone
patent: 4867017 (1989-09-01), Holman
patent: 4905731 (1990-03-01), Tamashiro et al.
patent: 11069 (1997-01-01), None
Costello Leo F.
Fayyaz Nashmiya
Williams Hezron
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