US3707983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid flow monitoring
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for regulating and monitoring the flow of a liquid/gas fluid mixture such as the type encountered in crude petroleum recovery. The apparatus includes a first expansion enclosure receiving liquid and/or gas input with the first output from said expansion enclosure being applied through a biased valve which allows output flow at greater than predetermined pressures. A second valve member disposed in a second output of the expansion enclosure is operated via a float to close at a predetermined liquid level within said expansion enclosure and to open below such level thereby to allow by-pass flow of gas substance from said second output for later addition to the first output. Flow monitor means responsive to the position of said first valve means provides a flow time indication and/or output record.
Inventors
- 👤 W Butler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K24/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
-. Apparatus for regulating flow of fluid having both liquid and gas components, comprising: enclosure means having an input connection for receiving said fluid and sharing first and second output connections, first valve means sealingly disposed in said first output connection, said first valve means being normally open to flow of gas out from said enclosure means, second valve means sealingly disposed in said second output connector, said second connection valve means being biased closed against flow of liquid from said enclosure means, float means including actuating means coacting with said first valve means, said float means being disposed to float in the liquid within said enclosure means thereby to actuate said first valve means in accordance with float level, and by-pass conduit means connected to receive gas from said first output connection and to lead said gas to the second output connection while by-passing said second valve means, wherein said second valve means includes: swinging-type check valve means including a lever actuator, weight means adjustably affixed along said lever to assert predetermined bias force maintaining the valve means closed, magnet means affixed to said lever actuator, reed switch means secured at a position adjacent the arcuate travel of said lever actuator at a position where the valve is closed to provide a control output, and flow monitor means controlled in response to said control output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first valve means comprises: stop valve means including a valve seat member having first and second valve seats affixed across said first output connection, and first and second valve balls each movably disposed adjacent said respective first and second valve seats, said second valve ball being supported by said floaT means actuating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said valve seat member is vertically oriented and said first and second valve balls are upper and lower, respectively, such that the first or upper ball acts as a gravity actuated check valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said float means comprises: hollow bulb means floatable in said liquid; and rod means having a pusher pad on one end in coating contact with said first valve means and having the opposite end affixed to said float means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized to include: elongated guide means secured beneath said first valve means to extend therefrom while encompassing said rod means and pusher pad thereby to maintain the rod means in proper coactive relationship with said first valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include: interval timing means for generating a no flow indicating signal output in response to detection of said control output indicating valve closure for greater than a predetermined time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first valve means comprises: stop valve means including a valve seat member having first and second valve seats affixed across said first output connection, and first and second valve balls each movably disposed adjacent said respective first and second valve seats, said second valve ball being supported by said float means actuating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |