Solids measurement system

• US 6,480,009 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gl&V/ Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gl&V/ Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
• Inventors: Gelfand, Mikhail, Probst, Alexander, Engquist, Kenneth, Schwartz, William F., Opalanko, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vincent Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/711,428
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 324/437, 324/453, 324/445, 324/446, 324/724, 738/66
• US Class Current: 324/724
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/12 Dippers; Dredgers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/023 where the material is placed in the field of a coil

Abstract

In a solids profile measurement system for determining the quality of a solids bed formed from a liquid-solid slurry in a vessel, a sensor adapted to generate signals indicative of a profile as measured by progressively immersing the sensor deeper into the slurry is provided. An extension mechanism, at least a portion of which is coupled at one end to the sensor and at an opposite end to a piece of processing equipment, is provided to affect retrograde movement in a first direction to immerse the sensor in a slurry, and in a second direction opposite the first direction. A controller in communication with the extension mechanism is also provided and issues commands thereto and receives signals generated by the sensor.

Claims

1. A solids measurement system for selectively measuring the conductivity of a liquid-solid slurry throughout a vessel containing the slurry, the system comprising:

a vessel containing a liquid-solid slurry;

an inductive conductivity sensor adapted for generating signals indicative of the conductivity of the slurry;

extension means supporting said sensor for effecting retrograde movement in a first direction for progressively immersing said sensor in the slurry, and for affecting movement in a second direction opposite said first direction;

a controller in communication with said extension means and said sensor for controlling the motion of said extension means and for receiving said signals generated by said sensor;

said extension means movable back and forth across the vessel in response to commands issued from the controller; and

wherein a profile of a solids bed in the slurry can be determined from the results of a plurality of conductivity measurements of the solids throughout the vessel.

2. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 1 wherein said extension means includes:

a rod having said sensor coupled at one end thereof;

an actuator coupled to a support extending across said vessel; and

said rod being coupled to said actuator for movement between a raised and lowered position in response to commands issued from said controller.

3. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 2 wherein said actuator is movable back and forth along said support.

4. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 2 wherein said actuator is a stepper motor.

5. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 1 wherein said extension means includes:

a reel rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket;

a length of flexible cable wound about said reel and having said sensor coupled to an end thereof;

an actuator attached to said reel for rotating said wheel, thereby causing said flexible cable and said sensor to move in said first or second direction;

a sheeve coupled for rotation to said mounting bracket and over which said flexible cable is positioned such that said sensor can be raised or lowered into the slurry; and

a rotary encoder attached to said mounting bracket proximate said flexible cable for generating signals receivable by said controller indicative of the number of rotations of said sheeve and thereby the amount by which said cable has been moved relative to the vessel.

6. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 5 wherein said actuator is a manual handle.

7. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 5 wherein said actuator is a stepper motor.

8. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 1 wherein:

said extension means includes a pantograph mechanism having said sensor coupled at one end thereto;

drive means in communication with said pantograph mechanism for causing said pantograph mechanism to move said sensor in said first or second directions in response to commands issued from said controller.

9. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 8 wherein said drive means includes a cylinder having a rod slidably mounted therein and attached at an end thereof to said pantograph mechanism, said rod being moveable between an extended and retracted position, causing said pantograph mechanism to move in said first and second directions.

10. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 9 wherein said cylinder is pneumatic.

11. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 9 wherein said cylinder is hydraulic.

12. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 9 wherein said rod moves a first distance in response to commands issued from said controller, and said pantograph mechanism causes said sensor to move a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance.

13. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 7 wherein said second distance is approximately six times larger than said first distance.

14. A solids profile measurement system for determining the quality of a solids bed formed from a liquid-solid slurry along a lower surface of a vessel containing the slurry, the vessel forming part of a piece of processing equipment, said measurement system comprising:

a sensor adapted to generate signals indicative of a profile as measured by progressively immersing said sensor deeper into the slurry, said profile being formed by solids settling out of the slurry towards the lower surface of the vessel;

extension means, at least a portion of which is coupled to the processing equipment and to said sensor, for effecting retrograde movement in a first direction, thereby immersing said sensor in the slurry, and for affecting movement in a second direction opposite said first direction;

a controller in communication with said extension means and said sensor for issuing commands thereto and receiving said signals generated by said sensor;

said extension means is movable back and forth across the vessel in response to commands issued from the controller;

said extension means including a pantograph mechanism having said sensor coupled at one end thereto;

drive means in communication with said pantograph mechanism for causing said pantograph mechanism to move said sensor in said first or second directions in response to commands issued from said controller; and

wherein said drive means includes a cylinder having a rod slidably mounted therein and attached at an end thereof to said pantograph mechanism, said rod being moveable between an extended and retracted position, causing said pantograph mechanism to move in said first and second directions.

15. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 14 wherein said cylinder is pneumatic.

16. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 14 wherein said cylinder is hydraulic.

17. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 14 wherein said rod moves a first distance in response to commands issued from said controller, and said pantograph mechanism causes said sensor to move a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance.

18. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 17 wherein said second distance is approximately six times larger than said first distance.

19. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 14 wherein said extension means includes:

a reel rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket;

a length of flexible cable wound about said reel and having said sensor coupled to an end thereof;

an actuator attached to said reel for rotating said wheel, thereby causing said flexible cable and said sensor to move in said first or second direction;

a sheeve coupled for rotation to said mounting bracket and over which said flexible cable is positioned such that said sensor can be raised or lowered into the slurry; and

a rotary encoder attached to said mounting bracket proximate said flexible cable for generating signals receivable by said controller indicative of the number of rotations of said sheeve and thereby the amount by which said cable has been moved relative to the vessel.

20. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 19 wherein said actuator is a manual handle.

21. A solids measurement system as defined by claim 19 wherein said actuator is a stepper motor.