Fluid handling – Systems – Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-01-23
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
C137S343000, C073S201000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176262
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a manifold system for mounting pressure sensing transmitters, and more particularly such a manifold system having separate common base and interchangeable functional manifold components.
2. Background Art
Multi-valve manifolds are typically used to mount pressure-sensing devices, such as Rosemount® Coplanar™ style pressure transmitters. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,224 issued Jan. 11, 1994 to Peter B. Hutton, et al. discloses a five-valve manifold for use with a pressure sensing apparatus. Other arrangements include the IntelliMount™ System, manufactured by Anderson Greenwood, and the Model 305 and 306 family of manifolds manufactured by Rosemount, Inc. The Model 305 and 306 manifolds require assembly with a transmitter prior to arrival of the assembly on-site, thus prohibiting connection of process lines to the manifold prior to installation of the transmitter. Furthermore, none of the above-referenced manifolds permit a functional manifold change without involving the manifold-to-process line connections. A further disadvantage of the IntelliMount™ manifold arrangement is that condensate cannot be fully drained from all pressure cavities to avoid potential calibration errors in the pressure sensing transmitter.
It is therefore desirable to have a two-piece manifold system which allows pressurizing of process lines with a base manifold component of the system in place, prior to a transmitter arriving on site. It is further desirable to have a functional control manifold component that attaches directly to the transmitter, and can be assembled with the transmitter at the factory or shop whereat it can be accurately torqued to the value required by the transmitter manufacturer. Pre-attachment of the functional manifold also protects the transmitter sensing foils during subsequent shipment and installation of the transmitter onto a pre-installed base manifold. Additionally, provision of a separate functional manifold, allows functional manifold changes without compromising the base manifold and possible shut down of a process system as a result of open pressure lines. It is further desirable to have a two-piece manifold system for mounting pressure-sensing transmitters in which condensate will fully drain from all pressure cavities to avoid potential errors during calibration of the pressure transmitting apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a two-piece manifold system includes separable base and functional control manifolds. The base manifold has internal passageways that extend between inlet and outlet ports that are controlled by flow control valves. base manifold also has a first side in which the inlet ports are disposed and which communicate with respective separate ones of the internal passageways, and a second side which has outlet ports provided thereon and which also are in fluid communication with respective separate ones of the internal passageways. The functional control manifold component of the two-piece manifold system embodying the present invention has a first side adapted to mate with the second side of the base manifold component, and a second side adapted to mate with a predefined mounting surface of a test instrument. The functional manifold also includes a pair of inlet ports disposed on the first side and a pair of outlet ports provided on the second side, with first and second internal passageways extending between respective ones of the inlet ports and outlet ports. The functional control manifold further includes a third passageway extending between the first and second internal passageways and at least one flow control valve disposed in the third passageway to control fluid flow between the first and second internal passageways. The two-piece manifold system also includes a means for attaching the functional control manifold to the base manifold and a means for attaching the functional control manifold to the test instrument.
In one embodiment of the two-piece manifold system embodying the present invention, the functional control manifold also includes fourth and fifth internal passageways and first and second vent ports. The fourth internal passageway provides fluid communication between the first internal passageway and the first vent port, and the fifth internal passageway provides fluid communication between the second internal passageway and the second vent port.
In a second embodiment, the functional control manifold additionally includes a second flow control valve arranged to selectively control the flow of fluid through the fourth internal passageway, and a third flow control valve arranged to selectively control the flow of fluid through the fifth internal passageway.
In a third embodiment of the functional control manifold embodying the present invention, an additional internal passageway extends between the above-described third internal passageway and a vent port, and a flow control valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through a portion of the third passageway that extends between the first internal passageway and the additional internal passageway. A second flow control valve is arranged to control the flow of fluid through a portion of the third internal passageway extending between the second internal passageway and the additional internal passageway. A third flow control valve is arranged to control the flow of fluid through the additional internal passageway.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4182362 (1980-01-01), Hewson et al.
patent: 4582089 (1986-04-01), Nimberger
patent: 4672728 (1987-06-01), Nimberger
patent: 5277224 (1994-01-01), Hutton et al.
patent: 5668322 (1997-09-01), Broden
patent: 6009758 (2000-01-01), Petrich et al.
IntelliMount™ System, “a new generation of instrument manifold systems”, Anderson Greenwood tyco flow contgrol.
Model 305 and 306 Manifold Solutions, RosemountR, Fisher-Rosemount™ Managing The Process Better™.
Model 305 Integral Manifolds, RosemountRMeasurement, Fisher-Rosemount™ Managing The Process Better™.
Chambers A. Michael
Jenkens & Gilchrist A Professional Corporation
McShane Thomas L.
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