Refrigeration – Refrigeration producer – Sorbent type
Patent
1995-01-06
1997-02-04
Kilner, Christopher
Refrigeration
Refrigeration producer
Sorbent type
62 501, 62 507, F17C 1302, F17C 702
Patent
active
055987087
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to delivery of fluids and particularly, although not exclusively, to the delivery of liquefied gas such as liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG").
In currently known dispensing systems the dispensing of LPG from a supply tank involves passing a supply line from the tank to a vapour eliminator. The vapour eliminator comprises a vessel into which the LPG is introduced. The function of the vapour eliminator is to allow any LPG in vapour or gas phase which may have formed, e.g. in the supply line extending from the tank to the vapour eliminator, to rise to the top of the vapour eliminator vessel and to be returned to the main supply tank through a selectively operated valve. In one known system, the vapour return valve has been controlled by mechanical means, the particular arrangement being such that the presence of a vapour space in the top of the vapour eliminator vessel causes a float to open the vapour return valve. In another type of vapour eliminator, a constant bleed of liquid and any vapour that may be collecting at the top of the vapour eliminator vessel is returned to the main supply tank at all times. A sensitive differential valve associated with this bleed return line is used to sense when the vapour is being eliminated and to stop the metered dispensing of LPG from the vapour eliminator vessel.
In patent specification No. WO 91/14130 there is described and illustrated an LPG dispensing system in which there is provided a sensor in the top of the vapour eliminator vessel. This sensor senses the phase of the material within the vapour eliminator vessel by sensing the electrical properties, particularly the dielectric constant, of the material within the vessel. This system enables more accurate sensing of the presence of vapour or gas phase, even if a distinct and significant volume of vapour space does not develop above the liquid in the vessel. Also the system does not rely upon mechanical valves such as a float valve or sensitive differential valve since the detection of vapour or gas phase by electrical means enables solenoid valves to be used to achieve greater reliability and positive operation.
In the system disclosed in WO 91/14130, downstream of the vapour eliminator, the liquid phase LPG is passed through metering means and through delivery control valve means. Flow through the metering apparatus is most desirably prevented when there is vapour or gas phase present since such vapour or gas phase will introduce inaccuracies in the operation of the meter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid delivery system which is effective to control delivery of fluid and which enables control of the delivery in response to the changes in the phases or in the proportions of the gas and liquid phases in the fluid being delivered.
It is a further object to provide a fluid delivery system particularly suitable for controlling delivery of liquefied gas and for effectively controlling such delivery depending upon the phase or proportions of liquid and gas phase in the liquefied gas being delivered.
It is a further and preferred object of the present invention to provide a fluid delivery control system which can considerably simplify the control of liquified gas dispensing operations.
According to the present invention there is provided a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid through a delivery path, the system in use being in communication with a source of the fluid, the fluid being delivered through the delivery path under pressure, the system including a delivery control valve associated with the delivery path and which is selectably operable to close and open the delivery path for controlling the delivery of fluid through the delivery path, the system being characterised by sensing means operatively associated with the delivery path so that in use the fluid passes the sensing means in travelling along the delivery path to the delivery control valve, the sensing means being operative to monitor a parameter of the fluid and to sense the presence of vapour or gas
REFERENCES:
patent: 2610471 (1952-09-01), Thayer
patent: 3021684 (1962-02-01), Berck
patent: 3933030 (1976-01-01), Forster et al.
patent: 4062223 (1977-12-01), Lamphere et al.
Hanrath James P.
Kilner Christopher
LPG Engineering Pty Ltd.
LandOfFree
Phase responsive fluid delivery does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Phase responsive fluid delivery, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phase responsive fluid delivery will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-671008