Marine vessel liquid strainer clogging indicator

• US 7,491,320 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald P. Gross
• Original Assignee: Donald P. Gross
• Inventors: Gross, Donald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savage; Matthew O
• Application Number:
  US11/101,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/87, 210/103, 210106-108, 210/171, 210/416.1, 210/739, 731/181, 731/98, 738/613.53, 731/180.1, 731/146.8, 738/617.9, 738/618.7, 123/41.15, 700/271, 700/304, 114/183.R, 165/11.1, 165/119
• US Class Current: 210/87
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators

Abstract

An apparatus and method for estimating blockage within a liquid strainer used in a marine vessel is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor for measuring the rate of liquid flow through the strainer and a sensor for measuring the operational speed of a device utilizing the strained liquid. The apparatus also includes a control panel and central processing unit configured to receive at least one measurement from the flow sensor and receive at least one measurement from the speed sensor. The central processing unit then compares the relationship of the measured liquid flow rate and measured device speed to a predetermined clean strainer reference relationship of liquid flow rate and device speed at an equivalent device speed to determine the degree of strainer blockage. Visible and audible indicators are actuated when blockage becomes excessive.

Claims

1. An apparatus for estimating blockage within a liquid strainer used in a marine vessel comprising:

a sensor for measuring a rate of liquid flow through a liquid strainer on a marine vessel;

a sensor for measuring an operational speed of a device on a marine vessel that utilizes the strained liquid;

a central processing unit configured to;

receive at least one measurement from the liquid flow rate sensor;

receive at least one measurement of operational speed from the operational speed sensor; and

compare a relationship of the measured liquid flow rate and measured device speed to a predetermined reference relationship of liquid flow rate and device speed at an equivalent device speed to determine a degree of blockage in the liquid strainer

and further comprising a removable magnet/paddlewheel assembly within the liquid flow sensor and a valve adjacent to the liquid flow sensor, wherein the magnet/paddlewheel assembly is not removable when a handle on the valve is oriented in a valve open position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a visual indicator to show when excessive blockage of the strainer occurs.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an audible indicator to show when excessive blockage of the strainer occurs.

4. An apparatus for estimating blockage within a liquid strainer used in a marine vessel comprising:

a sensor for measuring a rate of liquid flow through a liquid strainer on a marine vessel;

a sensor for measuring an operational speed of a device on a marine vessel that utilizes the strained liquid;

a central processing unit configured to;

receive at least one measurement from the liquid flow rate sensor;

receive at least one measurement of operational speed from the operational speed sensor; and

compare a relationship of the measured liquid flow rate and measured device speed to a predetermined reference relationship of liquid flow rate and device speed at an equivalent device speed to determine a degree of blockage in the liquid strainer

and further including a removable magnet/paddlewheel assembly within the liquid flow sensor and a locking and pull ring and set screw affixed to the flow sensor wherein the locking and pull ring may be engaged with the set screw to prevent rotation of the magnet/paddlewheel assembly whereby when the magnet/paddlewheel assembly is removed, the apparatus may be operated as part of a flooded bilge clearing system, as bilge water is pumped in through the sensor opening where the assembly was and then out of the vessel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further including a visual indicator to show when excessive blockage of the strainer occurs.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further including an audible indicator to show when excessive blockage of the strainer occurs.