US3722530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline by pass flow control system
Assignee: M&J Valve Co
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for ensuring continual movement of clean-out devices or product separating spheres past the pumping stations of pipelines. Valve controlled branch lines connect through flowtees with the by-pass portion of the line. The valves of the branch lines are controlled by means including sphere detectors to provide an operating cycle for opening and closing the valves in such a fashion as to cause continual movement of clean-out devices or spheres through the by-pass line section.
Inventors
- 👤 Arsdale L Van
- 👤 F Lathrop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:53
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D3/00; F17D3/03; F17D3/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
In apparatus for use at pumping stations of liquid conveying pipelines where the station pump is normally connected to a portion of the line which connects upstream and downstream line portions, four flow-tees serially connected in the line between the upstream and downstream portions, branch lines connecting between the flow-tees and the suction and discharge sides of the station pump, a control valve in each branch line (the flow-tees hereinafter termed first, second, third and fourth tees in the order in which they are disposed commencing with the tee nearest the upstream line portion, the corresponding branch lines termed first, second, third and fourth branch lines, and the corresponding control valves being termed first, second, third and fourth control valves), the first and third branch lines connecting with the suction side of the pump and the second and fourth branch lines connecting with the discharge side of the pump, a check valve in the line between the first and second flow-tees, another check valve in the line between the third and fourth flow-tees, a sphere detector on the upstream side of the third flow-tee, another sphere detector on the downstream side of the fourth flow-tee, and means for cycling operations of the control valves to cause a sphere arriving at the upstream detector to be flow propelled through the flow-tees and check valves to the downstream line portion, said last means including means responsive to actuation of the first named sphere detector, with the first and second control valves closed and the third and fourth control valves open, for opening the first control valve, means for closing the third control valve responsive to complete opening of the first control valve, means for opening the second control valve responsive to complete closing of the third control valve, means for closing the fourth valve responsive to complete opening of the second control valve, means for opening the fourth valve responsive to actuation of the downstream sphere detector, means for closing the second control valve responsive to complete opening of the fourth control valve, means for opening the third control valve responsive to closing of the second control valve, and means for closing the first control valve responsive to opening of the third control valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
372 words
In apparatus for use at pumping stations of liquid conveying pipelines where the station pump is normally connected to a portion of the line which connects upstream and downstream line portions, four flow-tees serially connected in the line between the upstream and downstream portions, branch lines connecting between the flow-tees and the suction and discharge sides of the station pump, a control valve in each branch line (the flow-tees hereinafter termed first, second, third and fourth tees in the order in which they are disposed commencing with the tee nearest the upstream line portion, the corresponding branch lines termed first, second, third and fourth branch lines, and the corresponding control valves being termed first, second, third and fourth control valves), the first and third branch lines connecting with the suction side of the pump and the second and fourth branch lines connecting with the discharge side of the pump, a check valve in the line between the first and second flow-tees, another check valve in the line between the third and fourth flow-tees, a sphere detector on the upstream side of the third flow-tee, another sphere detector on the downstream side of the fourth flow-tee, and means for cycling operations of the control valves to cause a sphere arriving at the upstream detector to be flow propelled through the flow-tees and check valves to the downstream line portion, said last means including means responsive to actuation of the first named sphere detector, with the first and second control valves closed and the third and fourth control valves open, for opening the first control valve, means for closing the third control valve responsive to complete opening of the first control valve, means for opening the second control valve responsive to complete closing of the third control valve, means for closing the fourth valve responsive to complete opening of the second control valve, means for opening the fourth valve responsive to actuation of the downstream sphere detector, means for closing the second control valve responsive to complete opening of the fourth control valve, means for opening the third control valve responsive to closing of the second control valve, and means for closing the first control valve responsive to opening of the third control valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |