Measuring and testing – Probe or probe mounting
Reexamination Certificate
1995-07-14
2001-07-24
Raevis, Robert (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Probe or probe mounting
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263747
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the installation of devices such as measuring instruments, sensors, conduits or the like from a remote location. For example, it is at times necessary to install flowmeters in sewer pipes but it is not desirable for the installer to enter the manhole and make such installation by placing his or her hands directly in the sewer pipe.
In one class of mounting apparatus, a metal expansion ring forms a cylinder slightly smaller in diameter than the sewer pipe when compressed but larger when expanded and having sufficient resilience to press against the wall of the pipe. If cylindrical, its slant height or length along the pipe is between six inches and two feet depending on the device that is to be held in place. Tabs may be cut in the bottom to hold a mounting fixture for the particular device that is to be mounted within the sewer pipe.
One method of installing devices remotely using this mounting apparatus is to: (1) fasten the device to a circular metal expansion ring sized to form a cylinder having a larger diameter than the sewer pipe when the expansion ring is expanded but able to have its ends compressed together to form a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the sewer pipe; (2) place the compressed expansion ring with the device attached within it in a sewer pipe while the expansion ring is compressed; and (3) permit the expansion ring to expand against the walls of the pipe with sufficient pressure to be held in place by frictional forces. With this procedure, the device is mounted within the sewer pipe.
In a prior art mounting method and apparatus of this class, the expansion ring contains no implement that permits it to be compressed and released from a distance. Thus, to install the expansion ring with a device attached to it, the ring must be compressed by hand and inserted into the sewer pipe from the immediate vicinity of the sewer pipe.
This type of prior art mounting method and apparatus has several disadvantages such as for example: (1) the expansion ring must be handled with the installer's hands to compress it and insert it in the sewer from the proximity of the sewer pipe, although this may require the installer to enter a manhole; (2) the installation procedure may be dangerous because of toxic materials in the sewer and manhole; (3) the procedure may be expensive since safety procedures require at least two people to be on site when someone enters a manhole; and (4) the procedure is time consuming and commonly requires special equipment for the installer to enter the manhole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel method and tool for remotely installing instruments or other apparatuses.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel combination of installable mounting fixture and transfer tool for moving the mounting fixture into location with an instrument or other apparatus on it and fastening the mounting fixture and instrument or other apparatus in place.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for inserting expansion rings at a remote location.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for installing instruments or other devices at a remote location.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for installing sensing or measuring devices or other devices from a remote distance such as for installing instruments or other apparatuses from street level into sewer pipes within a manhole.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for routing and fastening cables and conduits in place within a flow stream from a remote location.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for inserting an expansion ring with a device mounted to it in a sewer pipe intersecting a manhole some distance from the surface by an installer at the surface after orienting the expansion ring to accommodate the angle of the sewer.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for inserting and removing expansion rings at a remote location.
In accordance with the above and further objects of the invention, a mounting fixture and a transfer tool are provided. The mounting fixture includes a first fastening means for fastening the mounting fixture at a remote location and a second fastening means for fastening an instrument, device or conduit to the mounting fixture. The transfer tool includes a means for temporarily holding the mounting fixture with an adjustable orientation and releasing the mounting fixture after it has been moved to the remote location by the transfer tool. The mounting fixture can be removed from the remote location and pulled back to the installer without the transfer tool by using the means for fastening the mounting fixture at a remote location, which in the preferred embodiment is an elongated flexible member.
In the preferred embodiment, the mounting fixture includes an expansion ring and apparatus for contracting the expansion ring and for permitting the expansion ring to expand under the control of an operator at a remote location. The expansion ring includes means for mounting an instrument, device, cable or cord to it. In the preferred embodiment, there are tabs in the expansion ring and a holder is easily mounted to the tabs to hold a device such as a sensor or conduit or the like.
The apparatus for contracting the expansion ring in the preferred embodiment includes an elongated flexible member, a fastener, and a bearing surface or pully. One end of the elongated flexible member is fastened by the fastening means to one edge of the expansion ring and the bearing surface or pully is fastened to the other edge of the expansion ring. The elongated member passes over the bearing surface or pully and its free end extends to the location of the installer so that the installer can pull the free end and force the pully or bearing surface to be pulled closer to the fastener on the opposite edge of the expansion ring to compress the expansion ring. The elongated member can be released by the installer at the remote location to permit the two edges of the expansion ring to move back in place. With this arrangement, the expansion ring may be contracted by pulling the cord, the expansion ring inserted in a pipe and the cord released so that the expansion ring tightly engages the wall of the pipe to be firmly fastened in place.
The means for fastening to the transfer tool includes a mounting post and a tubular gripping means. The post is a cylinder fastened to one edge of the expansion ring and normally extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion ring aligned with one edge of the expansion ring but being adjustable in angle about a pivot point. Moreover, because it is a cylinder that is to be gripped by a cylinder, it can be positioned at different rotational angles in the gripping means. The tubular gripping means includes two aligned bushings with an aligned eyelet between them on one side of the transfer tool. The post is slidable through the bushings and the eye of the eyelet. The eyelet includes a threaded shank mating with a tapped opening in the transfer tool so the transfer tool can be turned to create pressure between the internal walls of the hole in one direction of the post and internal walls of the bushing on the other to grip the post and hold it at one end of the transfer tool.
The transfer tool includes a plurality of sections which may be connected together to form a rigid, elongated handle so that the mounting fixture may be connected to one end of the elongated handle and the other end of the elongated handle manipulated to move the mounting fixture in place.
In operation, a device such as a flow meter sensor or the like is mounted to the mounting fixture, the mounting fixture is mounted to a transfer tool and the transfer tool is used to move the mounting fixture to the re
Carson Douglas Timothy
Hull John D.
Wright Paul George
Carney Vincent L.
Isco, Inc.
Raevis Robert
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