Monitoring system for pressurized container

• US 7,168,333 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Inventors: Brazier, Geof, Clark, John P. III, Smallwood, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers; David A.
• Application Number:
  US10/226,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: 73/17.1, 73/37, 73/52, 137/15.11, 137/551, 137/552, 137/557, 340/603, 340/605, 340/606, 340/611, 340/626
• US Class Current: 73/865.8
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/1606 of the reverse-buckling-type F16K17/1633 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/02 Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment measuring in general G01
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/026 having the temperature as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/12 Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion flame traps A62C4/00 ; Other safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0314 breakable, e.g. with burst discs
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0404 Parameters indicated or measured
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0408 Level of content in the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0434 Pressure difference
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0465 Vibrations, e.g. of acoustic type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0473 Time or time periods
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0491 Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/06 : Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 : Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/075 : when full
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/077 : when empty
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/016 : Preventing slosh
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/022 : Avoiding overfilling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/023 : Avoiding overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 : based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 : With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8175 : Plural
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 : Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A system and method of monitoring a pressurized container having an auxiliary device are provided. The system includes a sensor operable to provide a signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container. The system also includes a control operable to receive the signal from the sensor and generate a warning when the sensed operating condition will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the system comprising:

a sensor operatively disposed in the pressurized container to generate a signal representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container, the signal generated by the sensor being independent from and unaffected by the condition of the auxiliary device; and

a control operably connected to the sensor and operable to receive the signal and monitor the signal to generate a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container system will adversely impact the intended operation of the auxiliary device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is chosen from the group including a pressure relief device, a pressure reduction device, a pressure control device, a pressure indicating device, and a pressure sensing device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is a pressure relief device and the signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the pressure relief device, and the warning is generated when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is representative of the pH level, and the warning is generated when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range appropriate for the proper operation of the auxiliary device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is representative of the pressure of a fluid within the pressurized container.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system has a maximum allowable working pressure and the warning is generated when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold that is a predetermined percentage of the maximum allowable working pressure.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the threshold is approximately 105% of the maximum allowable working pressure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature exceeds a first temperature limit.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature falls below a second temperature limit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control includes a first memory configured to store a series of signals received representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of the at least one operating condition over a predetermined time period.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a pressure event sensor operable to generate an event signal when the auxiliary device activates.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control includes a second memory means, the control transferring the series of signals received from the first memory to the second memory upon receipt of a burst signal.

14. A method of monitoring conditions experienced by a pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing at least one operating condition of the pressurized container;

generating a signal representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container;

receiving the signal;

monitoring the signal;

issuing a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container will adversely impact the intended operation of the auxiliary device; and

wherein the signal generated is independent from and unaffected by the condition of the auxiliary device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the auxiliary device, and the warning is generated when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is representative of the pH level in the fluid, and the warning is generated when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary device is a pressure relief device and further comprising:

inputting a set of performance characteristics of the pressure relief device into a control; and

comparing the at least one operating condition to at least one of the performance characteristics of the pressure relief device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal is representative of the pressure within the pressurized container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pressurized container has a maximum allowable working pressure and the performance characteristics of the pressure relief device include an operating ratio and a rated pressure, and wherein the warning is generated when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold determined by multiplying the operating ratio times the rated pressure of the pressure relief device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature exceeds an upper temperature limit.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature falls below a lower temperature limit.

23. A method of monitoring conditions experienced by a pressure reduction device sealingly engaged in a pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a series of signals representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container, each of the signals received representing a direct measurement of the operating condition existing at a particular time;

storing each signal in a first memory;

receiving a pressure event signal from a pressure event sensor;

transmitting a historical set of signals received to a second memory, the historical set containing the signals received during a predetermined time period immediately prior to receipt of the pressure event signal;

issuing a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container will adversely impact the intended operation of the auxiliary device; and

wherein the series of signals representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of at least one operating condition are independent from and unaffected by the condition of the pressure reduction device.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the deleting the signals received from the first memory after the predetermined time period has expired.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising sensing the operating conditions of the pressurized container prior to the step of receiving a series of signals.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the temperature within the pressurized container.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the pressure within the pressurized container.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the pH level within the pressurized container.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include a back pressure exerted on the pressure reduction device.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one sensor generates the series of signals representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container and the method further comprises sending an interrogation signal to the at least one sensor to determine if the at least one sensor is operational.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one sensor provides a return signal responsive to the interrogation signal, the return signal providing diagnostic information related to the at least one sensor.

32. A monitoring system for a pressure reduction device sealingly engaged in a pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the system comprising:

a pressure event sensor operable to generate an event signal upon activation of the pressure reduction device;

a condition sensor disposed in the pressurized container and operable to generate an operational signal representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container for a particular time, the operational signal generated by the condition sensor being independent from and unaffected by the condition of the pressure reduction device;

a control operable to receive the signals from the pressure event sensor and condition sensor, the control having a first memory for storing a historical set of operational signals representing a direct measurement within the pressurized container of the at least one operating condition over a predetermined time period and a second memory, the control transferring the historical set of operational signals to the second memory upon receipt of the event signal; and

wherein the control is operably connected to the condition sensor and operable to monitor the operational signal to generate a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container system will adversely impact the intended operation of the auxiliary device.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the operational signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the pressure reduction device and the control generates an additional warning when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the operational signal is representative of the pH level and the control generates an additional warning when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the control is operable to generate and send an interrogation signal to the condition sensor to determine if the condition sensor is operational.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the condition sensor is operable to provide a return signal responsive to the interrogation signal, the return signal providing diagnostic information related to the condition sensor.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the operational signal is representative of the pressure within the pressurized container.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the system has a maximum allowable working pressure and the control is operable to generate an additional warning when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold that is a certain percentage of the maximum allowable working pressure.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the operational signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the control is operable to generate an additional warning when the temperature exceeds an upper temperature limit.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the control is operable to generate an additional warning when the temperature falls below a lower temperature limit.