Modular sample system incorporating mounting bracket independent of housing, and method therefore

• US 10,627,320 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2018
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mayeaux Holding, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mayeaux Holding, LLC
• Inventors: St Amant, III, Valmond Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Brandi N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa M
• Application Number:
  US16/005,431
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2247 Sampling from a flowing stream of gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4005 by transferring a selected component through a membrane
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/44 Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1018 Gas suspensions; Fluidised beds
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/105 from high-pressure reactors or lines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/205 using a valve
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2238 the gas being compressed or pressurized
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2267 separating gas from liquid, e.g. bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00326 Analysers with modular structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis

Abstract

A modular sample conditioning system formed for in-situ sampling installation, referenced herein as “source mounted”. The present invention relates to a docking platform or substrate configured to receive multiple, diverse sampling components in various flow configurations, coupled with a unique housing/enclosure formed to engage the docking platform so as to further strengthen and stabilize the mount, the enclosure (in rigid and non-rigid, flexible forms) also formed to engage one or more of the mounted sampling components, so as to provide access outside of the enclosure for visibility and/or manual access of same, providing an easily installed and maintained, user-accessible, on-site modular sampling conditioning/monitoring system.

Claims

1. The method of housing a modular sample system, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a substrate coupling having a passage formed therethrough to receive a fluid extraction device, said substrate coupling having a first and second end;

b. mounting said substrate coupling so that said passage of said substrate coupling engages a conduit containing a pressurized fluid;

c. mounting a substrate bracket to said substrate coupling, said substrate bracket having a module mounting area;

d. mounting one or more modular components along said module mounting area of said substrate bracket, said mounted modular components having fluid communication therebetween pursuant to a desired flow path, providing mounted modular components;

e. providing a housing having one or more component openings to facilitate the passage therethrough a portion of one or more said mounted modular components, providing access and/or visibility of same;

f. positioning said housing to form an enclosure about at least a portion of said mounted modular components, while

g. mounting and securing said housing about one or more of said mounted modular components, comprising the step positioning said component opening(s) about said one or more said mounted modular components, so as to provide exterior access to a portion of said one or more mounted modular components outside of said housing as well as support and secure said housing in place.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

said housing comprises first and second enclosure components, and wherein in step “

g”

said step of combining said first and second enclosure components comprises utilizing said one or more of said module component access apertures formed in said housing to engage said one or more of said mounted modular components, so as to support and retain said housing in place.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

said housing is formed of flexible, insulated material, comprising a top, a sidewall joined along its upper edge with top, said sidewall forming first and second panels having first and second edges, respectively, said first and second edges having a space therebetween defining said one or more component openings to facilitate the positioning therebetween of one or more of said mounted modular components.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein step “

g”

comprises the step of utilizing fastener straps to engage said first and second edges of said first and second panels about said one or more mounted modular components.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein step “

g”

further comprises the step of utilizing said fastener straps to draw said first and second edges of said first and second panels together and block any space therebetween.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

said modular components comprise modular sample components, and wherein there is provided the added step “

h”

of facilitating the flow of fluid from said modular sample components to an analyzer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein in step “

h”

there is provided the sub-step “

h1”

of conditioning said fluid as it flows through said modular sample components to provide conditioned sample fluid, as well as the added sub-step “

h2”

of flowing said conditioned sample fluid to said analyzer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein in step “

d”

there is provided the added step “

d1”

of mounting said analyzer to said substrate bracket, and in step “

g”

said housing is secured so as to enclose said analyzer along with said mounted modular components, while providing exterior access to a portion of said one or more modular components.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

said housing comprises first and second enclosure components, and wherein there is further included the added sub-step “

e1”

of providing a gasket along said one or more said component openings formed in said housing, and wherein in step “

g”

there is included the added sub-step “

g1”

of utilizing said gasket to facilitate engagement of said first and second enclosure components forming said housing to one or more said mounted modular components.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein in step “

c”

said substrate bracket has module component mounting apertures formed along its length to receive said modular components, and said module component access apertures formed in said substrate bracket are in alignment with said component openings formed in said housing when said housing is mounted in steps “

f” and

“

g”

.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein there is provided the added step “

h”

of utilizing said exterior access to monitor and control the flow of fluid to said modular components.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein there is provided in step “

d”

the added sub-step “

d1”

of providing a fluid extraction device having a length, and engaging same to said substrate coupling by positioning a portion of said length of said fluid extraction device through said substrate coupling passage to provide a mounted extraction device, and there is further added the step “

i”

of removing at least one of said enclosure components to provide access to said mounted extraction device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, in sub-step “

d1”

, said fluid extraction device comprises a sample probe.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said housing is insulated, and there is provided after step “

i”

the added step “

j”

of heating said enclosure utilizing heat trace from an analyzer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein in step “

e”

said housing has an inner wall, and in step “

i”

said heat trace has a length, and there is further provided in step “

i”

the added sub-step “

ia”

of engaging a portion of said length of said heat trace to said inner wall of said housing.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein there is provided after step “

h”

the added step “

i”

of securing said first and second enclosure components to one another to selectively form said housing.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein there is provided after step “

h”

the added step “

i”

of securing said first and second enclosure components to one another via clips to selectively form said housing.

18. A modular sampling system for retrieving a sample from a pressurized gas source, comprising:

a substrate coupling having a first and second end, said substrate supported by a conduit containing a pressurized fluid said substrate coupling formed to allow the passage of an extraction device therethrough to engage said pressurized fluid;

a mounting bracket having a base engaging said second end of said substrate coupling, said mounting bracket having emanating therefrom a module mounting area having a length;

one or more modular components mounted along said length of said module mounting area of said mounting bracket, said mounted modular components having fluid communication therebetween pursuant to a desired flow path, said modular components formed to receive fluid from said extraction device;

a housing having one or more component passages for receiving portions of one or more of said modular components therethrough, so as to facilitate exterior access and/or monitoring of said one or more modular components outside of said housing;

whereby, upon positioning said housing about said modular components and said mounting bracket, positioning said one or more component passages about a portion of one or more of said mounted modular components to provide protruded modular components, and securing said housing to said protruded modular components via said component passages, said housing engages one or more of said mounted modular components so as to provide exterior access to portions of said mounted modular components, while supporting and retaining said housing in place.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more of said modular components are configured to condition said fluid from said extraction device to provide conditioned fluid.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said extraction device comprises a membrane probe.

21. The apparatus claim 19, wherein said housing comprises first and second enclosure components formed to enclose said module mounting area of said substrate bracket to form a said housing.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said module mounting area of said mounting bracket has module component mounting apertures formed along its length to receive said modular components, and said first and second enclosure components are formed to engage along their length to form said housing, said housing having formed there along module component access apertures aligned with said module component mounting apertures of said module mounting area, so as to allow the passage of portions of said mounted modular components through said housing, so as to provide access to said protruded modular components.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein one or more of said protruded modular components are positioned relative to said housing to facilitate exterior access thereto as well as facilitate the conditioning of fluid flowing therethrough, one or more of said protruded modular components further formed to engage said housing to support and retain said housing in place.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said substrate coupling is formed to receive said extraction device without having remove said mounting bracket or said substrate.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said fluid extraction device comprises a sample probe.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said housing is insulated, and

wherein there is further provided a heat trace for heating fluid flowing through one or more of said modular components.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said heat trace is powered by an electrical device associated with said modular sampling system.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said analyzer is supported by said substrate bracket and is situated within said housing.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said housing comprises first and second enclosure components formed to enclose said module mounting area of said substrate bracket, said first and second enclosure components configured to engage to one another to form said housing, while allowing access to one or more of said mounted modular components exterior said housing.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first and second enclosure components are secured to one another via pins to form said housing.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said enclosure components are secured to one another via clips to form said housing.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said enclosure components are formed to engage one another while interfacing with said mounted modular components and substrate coupling so as to provide a structural integration therebetween, said integration enhancing stability, while increasing rigidity of the system and retaining said housing in place.

33. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said housing is formed of flexible material.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said housing comprises side, front and back panels, and a top panel forming a cover, said front panel being longitudinally separated to form first and second edges.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said first and second edges have situated thereon first and second fastener strips, respectively.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, where a space between said first and second edges forms said one or more component passages.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein fastener straps are provided to engage and tighten said first and second edges about said protruded modular components.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said fastener straps comprise hook and loop material.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said fastener straps are configured to fill a gap between said first and second edges after said first and second edges are positioned between said protruded modular components.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said first and second edges of said front panel have formed therein weakened tear lines in a pattern so as to allow a user to remove a portion of said edges to provide a custom edge configuration to fit about said protruded modular components.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said first and second edges have printed adjacent pattern to as to indicate to a user where to cut said edges to provide a custom edge configuration formed to fit about said protruded modular components.

42. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein there is further provided belts or cinches formed to releasably engage and tighten said first and second edges about said protruded modular components.

43. A modular sampling system for retrieving a sample from a pressurized gas source, comprising:

a substrate coupling comprising;

a flange having first and second ends and a bore therethrough to receive a probe and provide passage therethrough to a conduit containing a pressurized gas;

at least first and second spacers having first and second ends, said first end of said spacers affixed to said first end of said flange, said second end of said spacers forming a mounting surface;

a substrate bracket mounted to said mounting surface of said spacers, said substrate bracket formed to engage and support modular components formed to receive pressurized fluid from said probe in a predefined flow pattern, providing conditioned fluid;

a housing formed enclose said substrate bracket, said housing having space formed therein to receive one or more of said modular components so as to provide in one or more of said modular components at least partial exterior access and/or visibility, providing protruded modular components;

whereby said housing is retained in place and supported by one or more of said protruded modular components.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein there is further provided an analyzer mounted to said substrate bracket, said analyzer configured to receive said conditioned fluid from said modular components.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein there is further provided a heat trace powered by said analyzer, said heat trace configured to heat fluid flowing through one or more of said modular components.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said housing is formed of a flexible material.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said housing is insulated.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said housing has an open bottom.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said substrate bracket has a base having a length and width, and wherein said open bottom of said housing has a length and width formed to envelope said base, so as to enclose said open bottom.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said pressurized gas source is situated in a pipeline, and said open bottom of said housing is formed to rest upon said pipeline, so as to enclose said open bottom.

51. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said housing is bifurcated.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said housing is formed of rigid material.

53. A method of providing a sample conditioning system, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a substrate coupling formed to engage a fluid passage, said substrate coupling having an axial bore formed to allow a fluid extraction device to be positioned therethrough;

b. mounting said substrate coupling to a conduit containing a pressurized fluid;

c. mounting a substrate bracket to said substrate coupling, said substrate bracket having emanating therefrom a module mounting area having a length;

d. mounting one or more modular components along of said module mounting area;

e. positioning said fluid extraction device through said substrate coupling via said axial bore to receive flow from said pressurized fluid;

f. providing a flow path from said fluid extraction device to one or more of said modular components

g. facilitating the flow of fluid from said fluid extraction device to one or more of said modular components via said flow path;

h. providing an enclosure to engage said substrate coupling to at least partially enclose same, forming a housing, while

i. providing exterior portions of one or more of said modular components outside of said housing for visibility and/or access.

54. A method of housing a modular sample system, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a substrate coupling formed to engage a fluid passage, said substrate coupling having an axial bore formed therethrough to facilitate the positioning of a fluid extraction device therethrough;

b. mounting said substrate coupling to a conduit containing a pressurized fluid;

c. mounting a bracket to said substrate coupling, said bracket having emanating therefrom a module mounting area having a length;

d. mounting one or more components to said module mounting area of said bracket;

e. positioning a fluid extraction device through said substrate coupling to engage said pressurized fluid;

f. facilitating the flow of said pressurized fluid through said fluid extraction device to one or more of said components;

g. positioning an enclosure to engage said substrate coupling, forming a housing about said modular sample system, while

h. allowing portions of one or more of said components to pass through said housing so as to facilitate visibility and/or access to same, providing exposed components;

while

i. utilizing said module mounting area of said bracket to stabilize and support said enclosure forming said housing.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein step “

g”

comprises the added step “

g1”

of providing one or more openings in said enclosure for receiving a portion of one or more of said components therethrough, while step “

h”

comprises added the step “

h1”

of positioning said one or more openings in said enclosure so to facilitate the visibility and/or access to said one or more components exterior said housing.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein following sub-step “

h1”

, there is provide the added sub-step “

h2”

of utilizing said portions of components passing through said openings to stabilize and support said housing about said modular sample system.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein in step “

i”

there if is further provided the step “

i1”

of utilizing said module mounting area to form a backplate to provide a barrier behind said exposed components, and “

i2”

allowing said backplate to engage said enclosure forming said housing to as to stabilize and support same.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein in step “

i”

there if is further provided the step “

i1”

of providing a backplate associated with said module mounting area of said substrate bracket, said backplate formed to provide a barrier behind the exposed components, and “

i2”

allowing said backplate to engage said enclosure forming said housing to as to stabilize and support same.

59. The method of housing a modular sample system, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a substrate coupling having a passage formed therethrough to receive a fluid extraction device, said substrate coupling having a first and second end;

b. mounting said substrate coupling so that said passage of said substrate coupling engages a conduit containing a pressurized fluid;

c. mounting a base of a substrate bracket to said substrate coupling, said substrate bracket having a first module mounting area orthogonally oriented relative to said base of said substrate bracket;

d. mounting one or more modular components along said first mounting area of said substrate bracket, providing mounted modular components;

e. providing a housing having one or more openings to facilitate exterior access to one or more said mounted modular components;

f. positioning said housing to engage said first module mounting area so that said component opening(s) provide exterior access to a portion of one or more of said mounted modular components;

while

g. utilizing engagement of said housing to said first module mounting area to support and secure said housing in place, with said housing enclosing said base and at least a portion of one or more of said modular components and said substrate coupling.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein in step “

d”

one or more of said modular components comprise modular sample components, and wherein there is provided the added step “

h”

of facilitating the flow of fluid from one or more of said modular sample components to an analyzer.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein in step “

h”

there provided the sub-step “

hi”

of conditioning said fluid as it flows through said one or more modular sample components to provide conditioned sample fluid, as well as the added sub-step “

h2”

of flowing said conditioned sample fluid to said analyzer.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein in step “

d”

there is provided the added step “

d1”

of mounting said analyzer to said substrate bracket, and in step “

g”

said housing is secured so as to house said analyzer along with said mounted modular components, while providing exterior access to a portion of said one or more modular components.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein in step “

e”

said housing comprises first and second enclosure components, and wherein there is further included the added sub-step “

e1”

of providing a gasket along said one or more said component openings formed in said housing, and wherein in step “

g”

there is included the added sub-step “

g1”

of utilizing said gasket to facilitate engagement of said first and second enclosure components forming said housing to one or more said mounted modular components.

64. A sampling system for retrieving a sample from a pressurized fluid source, comprising:

a substrate coupling having a first and second ends, said first end of said substrate coupling mounted to and engaging a conduit providing passage to a pressurized fluid, said substrate coupling formed to allow the passage of an extraction device therethrough to receive flow from said pressurized fluid;

a mounting bracket having a base engaging said second end of said substrate coupling, said mounting bracket further comprising a first mounting area having a length situated at a right angle relative to said base;

one or more components mounted along said first mounting area of said mounting bracket, wherein one or more of said mounted components are formed to receive fluid from said extraction device;

a housing having one or more openings formed to facilitate exterior access and/or monitoring of one or more of said components;

whereby, upon mounting said housing to said sampling system so as to form an enclosure enveloping at least a portion of said substrate coupling and one or more of said components, said housing concurrently engages said first mounting area of said mounting bracket so as to provide exterior access to portions of said mounted modular components, while utilizing said mounting bracket to support and retain said housing in place.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein one or more of said components are configured to condition pressurized fluid from said extraction device to provide conditioned fluid.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said extraction device comprises a sample probe.

67. The apparatus claim 66, wherein said housing comprises at least first and second enclosure components formed to enclose said mounting bracket, and at least a portion of said substrate coupling and said components.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said first mounting area of said mounting bracket has component mounting apertures formed along its length to receive said components, and said enclosure components are formed to engage along their length to form said housing, said housing having formed therethrough one or more component access apertures aligned with said component mounting apertures of said first mounting area, so as to provide exterior access to said components with said housing situated thereupon.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein there is further provided a second mounting area having a length emanating from and orthogonally oriented relative to said base, said second mounting area also orthogonally oriented relative to said first mounting area, said second mounting area having an analyzer mounted thereto, said analyzer formed to receive fluid flow from one or more of said mounted components.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein one or more of said mounted components are positioned relative to said housing to facilitate exterior access thereto as well as facilitate the conditioning of fluid flowing therethrough, and wherein one or more of said protruded modular components further formed to engage said housing to support and retain said housing in place.

71. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said extraction device comprises an insertion probe.

72. An insertion probe adapter comprising:

a body for receiving an insertion probe and supporting an abutting enclosure, said body having first mounting surface, and an oppositely-facing, second mounting surface;

an axial extension emanating from said first mounting surface of said body for mounting said adapter;

a socket having an opening at said second mounting surface of said body,

said socket further having base having a threaded port formed therein,

a passage leading from said threaded port though said axial extension;

said socket, passage, and threaded port being coaxially aligned along a central axis, so as to form a feed-through bore formed to coaxially receive an insertion probe.

73. The insertion probe adapter of claim 72, wherein said body further comprises at least one threaded mounting aperture formed in said body, said threaded aperture positioned to receive and secure at least one threaded fastener extending from said second mounting surface to secure a mounting bracket thereto.

74. The insertion probe adapter of claim 73, where at least one tool engaging notch is provided along said body.

75. The insertion probe adapter of claim 73, wherein said axial extension of said first mounting surface is mounted to an isolation valve via threaded engagement.

76. The insertion probe adapter of claim 75, wherein said socket and feed-through bore are formed to receive said insertion probe therethrough so as to selectively pass through said valve to a source of pressurized fluid.

77. The insertion probe adapter of claim 76 wherein said second mounting surface of said body is formed to threadingly engage and support, via said threaded mounting aperture, a base of a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket further comprising a first mounting area having a length situated at a right angle relative to said base.

78. The insertion probe adapter of claim 77, wherein there is further provided one or more component(s) mounted along said first mounting area of said mounting bracket, wherein one or more of said mounted components are formed to receive fluid from said insertion probe.

79. The insertion probe adapter of claim 78, wherein there is further provided a housing having one or more openings formed to facilitate exterior access and/or monitoring of one or more of said components wherein, upon positioning said housing about said sampling system so as to form an enclosure enveloping at least a portion of said substrate coupling while abutting same, said housing further engages said mounting bracket and/or component(s) mounted thereto so as to house said mounting bracket and components situated within said housing, while providing selective exterior access to portions of certain mounted modular components via one or more openings formed in said housing.

80. The method of housing a modular sample system, comprising:

a. mounting a first end of a mounting substrate to couple to an isolation valve;

b. mounting a substrate bracket to a second end of said mounting substrate;

c. mounting one or more components to said substrate bracket;

d. inserting a fluid extraction device through said mounting substrate and isolation valve to receive pressurized fluid flow;

e. providing a housing having one or more openings, and positioning said housing about said components to as to allow portions of one or more of said components to pass though said openings so as to provide visibility and access of said components from exterior said housing.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein there is further provided after step “

e”

the added steps;

f. flowing fluid through said fluid extraction device to one or more of said components;

g. utilizing said one or more of said components receiving fluid from said fluid extraction device to condition said fluid, providing conditioned fluid; and

h. flowing said conditioned fluid to an analyzer.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein in step “

e”

said housing is positioned to abut said substrate coupling, enclosing a portion of same.