Fluid flow monitoring system

• US 6,823,270 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compressor Products International LLC (Enpro Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Curtis Roys
• Inventors: Roys, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): NGHIEM, MICHAEL P
• Application Number:
  US10/176,385
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 702/45, 702/50, 702/100, 702/188, 738/611.2, 738/611.3, 738/611.5, 732/61
• US Class Current: 702/45
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means

Abstract

A fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system providing high accuracy for fluid flow systems having low volumes and high pressure includes fluid flow sensors mounted on positive displacement dispensing valves and a fluid flow monitor that received cycle signals from the fluid flow sensors and processes the cycle signals to determine fluid flow information. Information can be downloaded in from the monitor, even in an explosion rated environment, using infra-red link or data can be transmitted, for example via satellite, for posting on the Internet. The system can include dispensing valves having single inputs and single outputs for measuring fluid dispensed at a point of use, which measurement can be compared to measurements taken at a divider block earlier in the hydraulic path to verify that fluid sent into the path was actually dispensed. A novel fluid flow sensor prevents loss of internal components, yet allows internal components to be removed for repair.

Claims

1. A fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system suitable measuring low volume, high pressure fluid flow in an explosive environment, comprising:

one or more fluid flow dispensing valves operated by the pressure of the fluid being dispensed;

one or more fluid flow sensors, each associated with one of the one or more fluid flow dispensing valves for measuring the fluid flow through the corresponding dispensing valve; and

one or more fluid flow monitors, each including a microprocessor programmed to accept cycle signals from one or more of the fluid flow sensors and convert the cycle signals to fluid flow information, one or more of the fluid flow monitors including an infrared link for transmitting fluid flow data to a portable data processor device without creating a conductive path between the portable data processor device and the fluid flow monitor, thereby allowing the data to be downloaded from the fluid flow monitor to the portable computing device in an explosive environment.

2. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which one or more of the fluid flow sensors includes a radio transmitter for transmitting cycle signals and in which the fluid flow monitor includes a radio receiver for receiving the cycle signals, thereby allowing the fluid flow monitor to be positioned away from the one or more fluid flow sensors.

3. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which one or more of the fluid flow sensors is connected to an electrical conductor for transmitting cycle signals to a fluid flow monitor, thereby allowing the fluid flow monitor to be positioned away from the one or more fluid flow sensors.

4. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which one or more of the fluid flow monitors includes a communications path for posting the fluid flow information onto the Internet, thereby allowing a user access to fluid flow information from internet access anywhere in the world.

5. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which the one or more fluid flow sensors comprises one or more positive displacement pumps that dispenses a fixed quantity of fluid each cycle and in which the fluid flow monitor is programmed to accept cycle count information from the fluid flow sensor.

6. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which the one or more fluid flow sensors includes at least one positive displacement dispensing valve having a single inlet and only a single fluid outlet.

7. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which at least one of the one or more fluid flow sensors is associated with a dispensing valve having multiple outlets for dividing incoming fluid between multiple paths.

8. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 1 in which at least one of the one or more fluid flow sensors is associated with a dispensing valve having multiple outlets for dividing incoming fluid between multiple output fluid paths and a fluid flow sensor having a single input and only a single fluid output positioned in at least one of the multiple output fluid paths, the fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system providing the ability to compare fluid dispensed from the multiple outlet dispensing valve with the fluid dispensed from the single outlet dispensing valve positioned near a point of use to determine fluid loss between the multiple outlet dispensing valve and the point of use.

9. A fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system suitable measuring low volume, high pressure fluid flow, comprising:

one or more fluid flow dispensing valves operated by the pressure of the fluid being dispensed;

one or more fluid flow sensors, each associated with one of the one or more fluid flow dispensing valves for measuring The fluid flow through the corresponding dispensing valve; and

one or more fluid flow monitors, each including a microprocessor programmed to accept cycle signals from one or more of the fluid flow sensors and convert the cycle signals to fluid flow information, one or more of the fluid flow monitors including a communications link through an earth orbiting satellite for sending fluid flow information to a computer and posting the information on the Internet.

10. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation of claim 9 further comprising a computer executing software for receiving fluid flow information and posting it on the Internet.

11. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 9 in which at least one of the one or more fluid flow sensors is associated with a dispensing valve having multiple outlets for dividing incoming fluid between multiple paths.

12. The fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system of claim 9 in which at least one of the one or more fluid flow sensors is associated with a dispensing valve having multiple outlets for dividing incoming fluid between multiple output fluid paths and a fluid flow sensor having a single input and a single output positioned in at least one of the multiple output fluid paths, the fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system providing the ability to compare fluid dispensed from the multiple outlet dispensing valve with the fluid dispensed from the single outlet dispensing valve positioned near a point of use to determine fluid loss between the multiple outlet dispensing valve and the point of use.

13. A fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system suitable measuring low volume, high pressure fluid flow, comprising:

one or more fluid flow dispensing valves operated by the pressure of the fluid being dispensed;

one or more fluid flow sensors, each associated with one of the one or more fluid flow dispensing valves for measuring the fluid flow through the corresponding dispensing valve;

one or more fluid flow monitors, each including a microprocessor programmed to accept cycle signals from one or more of the fluid flow sensors and convert the cycle signals to fluid flow information, one or more of the fluid flow monitors including a communications link for sending fluid flow information to a computer and posting the information on the Internet; and

a global positioning system receiver for providing geographical location information as part of the fluid flow information.

14. A fluid flow monitoring and evaluation system suitable measuring low volume, high pressure fluid flow, comprising:

one or more fluid flow dispensing valves operated by the pressure of the fluid being dispensed;

one or more fluid flow sensors, each associated with one of the one or more fluid flow dispensing valves for measuring the fluid flow through the corresponding dispensing valve, the one or more fluid flow sensors including at least one positive displacement dispensing valve having a single inlet and only a single fluid outlet;

one or more fluid flow monitors, each including a microprocessor programmed to accept cycle signals from one or more of the fluid flow sensors and convert the cycle signals to fluid flow information, one or more of the fluid flow monitors including a communications link for sending fluid flow information to a computer and posting the information on the Internet.

15. A fluid flow sensor comprising:

a housing for mounting to a dispensing valve including a piston;

a magnet slidably positioned within the housing, the magnet coupled to the piston such that the magnet follows the motion of the piston; and

a removable insert for retaining the magnet within the housing during installation and operation, but being removable to access the magnet, the removable insert having a hole through which piston motion car be transmitted to the magnet,

the housing including an internally threaded portion for mating with threads on the removable insert and an externally threaded portion for mating with threads on a dispensing valve.

16. The fluid flow sensor of claim 15 further comprising a piston follower, a portion of the piston follower extending through the hole in the removable insert and transmitting piston motion to the magnet.

17. The fluid flow sensor of claim 16 further comprising a spring, the spring biasing the magnet against the piston follower and the piston follower against the piston during operation.

18. The fluid flow sensor of claim 16 in which the piston follower is a separate part from the magnet.

19. The fluid flow sensor of claim 16, in which the removable insert has a hole through which a portion of the piston follower extends to transmit piston motion to the magnet, the piston follower including a shoulder having a diameter greater than that of the hole in the removable insert, the shoulder preventing the piston follower and the magnet from falling out of the housing.