Dynamic leak detector
First Claim
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1. A fluid flow measuring system comprising:
- a cylindrical measurement chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end through which the flow rate is to be measured;
a fluid barrier disposed between the inlet and outlet ends of the chamber for axial movement through the chamber, the barrier having first and second spaced apart seals against the chamber, the barrier also having a valve for alternatively allowing and preventing fluid flow through the barrier, the valve having third and fourth spaced apart seals against the barrier; and
a leak detection conduit having an outlet in the space between the first and second seals, and in the space between the third and fourth seals.
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Abstract
A dynamic leak detector is connected to a fluid flowmeter prover. The prover has a measurement chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a barrier which moves axially through the chamber between the fluid inlet andc the fluid outlet. First and second spaced apart seals between the barrier and the chamber interior prevent fluid from passing through the barrier. The leak detector is connected to the space between the first and second seals and urges fluid to flow out through the seals into the chamber, while the prover is operating. If more than a threshold amount of fluid passes through the seals during a test run, the operator is alerted and the test run is rejected.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A fluid flow measuring system comprising:
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a cylindrical measurement chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end through which the flow rate is to be measured; a fluid barrier disposed between the inlet and outlet ends of the chamber for axial movement through the chamber, the barrier having first and second spaced apart seals against the chamber, the barrier also having a valve for alternatively allowing and preventing fluid flow through the barrier, the valve having third and fourth spaced apart seals against the barrier; and a leak detection conduit having an outlet in the space between the first and second seals, and in the space between the third and fourth seals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a prover for measuring the flow rate of a fluid through a chamber having a barrier sealed against the chamber which, during a prover run, travels in the chamber with the fluid flow being measured, and means for transmitting a flow measurement to a utilization device, a dynamic leak detector comprising:
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means for detecting the presence of a leak through the barrier seals during a prover run; means for signalling the presence of the leak to a prover operator; and means for inhibiting the transmission of a flow measurement when a leak is detected during the prover run corresponding to the flow measurement. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a prover for measuring the flow rate of a fluid having a flow measurement chamber and a barrier sealed against the chamber which, during a prover run, travels in the chamber with the fluid flow being measured, a leak detector comprising:
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means for detecting leaks in the barrier seals during a prover run; means for detecting malfunctions in the means for detecting leaks; and means for signalling the presence of a malfunction to a prover operator. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. In a prover for measuring the flow rate of a fluid having:
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a flow measurement chamber; a barrier with first and second spaced apart seals against the chamber, the barrier being movable during a prover run within the chamber for measuring the flow rate; and a valve within the barrier for opening between prover runs to allow fluid to flow through the barrier, a leak detector comprising; a conduit having an outlet to the space between the first and second seals, the conduit extending through the valve to the outlet so that when the valve is opened, the conduit is open to the flow measurement chamber; means for urging fluid through the conduit outlet; a detector for determining if more than a threshold amount of fluid has been urged through the conduit outlet; and means coupled to the detector for signalling the presence of a leak when more than a threshold amount of fluid has been urged through the conduit outlet. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. In a fluid flow measurement system having a flow measurement chamber and a fluid barrier which moves through the chamber in a prover run to measure flow through the chamber, the barrier having first and second spaced apart seals against the chamber, a leak detector comprising:
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a fluid conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with the space between the seals; a leak detection cylinder in the fluid conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the conduit inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit outlet; a leak detection piston in the cylinder between the cylinder inlet and the cylinder outlet; means for opening the fluid conduit outlet to the chamber before each prover run; a rod for contacting and moving the piston to a start position proximate the cylinder inlet upon opening of the fluid conduit outlet; and means for biasing the piston toward the cylinder outlet during each prover run. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification