Fluid Flow Testing

• US 20150346008A1
• Filed: 06/03/2014
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kisela, David, Sabo, Daniel S., Ames, Gerald L., Himmelein, Marvin Karl, Gerdeman, James Edward, Miller, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,581,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/007 by measuring the level variations of storage tanks relative to the time
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/003 by measuring the weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/06 having means for controlling the supply or discharge

Abstract

A fluid flow testing apparatus for measuring the you profile of a container has a rotatable container carrier and an assembly for rotating the container between a first position allowing fluid to be retained within the container and a second position causing fluid to be poured from the container. Sensors far sensing the weight of the container as liquid is poured from the container are provided in order to determine the pour profile of the container. A controller receives input signals from the sensors in order to record the weight of the container over time as liquid is poured from the container as the container is rotated. The change of weight of the container over time establishes a pour profile for the container.

Claims

1. A fluid flow testing apparatus for measuring the pour profile of a container, the apparatus comprising:

a rotatable container carrier;

an assembly for rotating the container between a first position allowing fluid to be retained within the container and a second position causing fluid to be poured from the container;

sensors for sensing the weight as fluid is poured from the container; and

,

a controller that receives input signals from the sensors for recording the change in weight of the container over time as liquid is poured from the container as the container is rotated, wherein the change of weight of the container over time establishes a pour profile for the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

load cells for sensing the change of weight of the container comprising the sensors for sensing the weight of the container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

one or more ambient condition sensors to measure and record ambient conditions during the operation of the fluid flow test apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

at least one of a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, and an accelerometer comprising the ambient condition sensors.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a collection assembly to receive fluid poured from the container.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a temperature sensor in the collection assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid poured from the container.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a prime mover comprising a portion of the assembly for rotating the container between a first position and a second position, wherein the prime mover is coupled to the rotatable container carrier.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a load plate for supporting the weight of the container carrier and the carrier; and

,

load cells supporting the load plate, wherein the load cells comprise the sensors for sensing the change of weight of the container and the pouring of fluid from the container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a sensor flag coupled to the rotatable container carrier and rotating with the carrier; and

,

sensors on the apparatus for sensing the rotation of the sensor flag.

10. A method for measuring the pour profile of a container, the method comprising:

positioning the container in a rotatable container carrier;

rotating the container between a first position allowing fluid to be retained within the container and a second position causing fluid to be poured from the container;

sensing the weight of the container; and

,

recording a change in weight of the container over time as liquid is poured from the container as the container is rotated in order to establish a pour profile for the container.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

sensing the change of weight of the container in order to sense the pouring of fluid from the container.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

measuring and recording ambient conditions during the operation of the fluid flow test apparatus using one or more ambient condition sensors.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

measuring at least one of ambient vibrations, the ambient temperature, the barometric pressure, and the humidity in order to measure the ambient conditions.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving fluid poured from the container in a collection assembly.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

sensing the temperature of fluid poured from the container using a temperature sensor in the collection assembly.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing a prime mover in the assembly for rotating the container between a first position and a second position, coupling the prime mover to the rotatable container carrier in order to rotate the container between the first and second positions.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

supporting the weight of the container carrier and the container on a load plate;

supporting the load plate on load cells; and

,

sensing the change of weight of the container and as fluid is poured from the container using the load cells.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

mounting a sensor flag on the rotatable container carrier;

rotating the sensor flag with the carrier; and

,

sensing the rotation of the sensor flag.