US3724261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for measuring heat release in continuous calorimeter
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-08-31
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-08-31
Abstract
Abstract Voltages reflecting the heat released in a continuous calorimeter and absorbed by the coolant flow therethrough are sensed and converted to a convenient parameter by means of the device described herein. The device comprises in combination an electric heater disposed to heat the coolant flow downstream of the calorimeter; means for controlling power input to the electric heater; a first and second pair of means for generating an electromotive force (EMF) as a function of temperature differential (e.g. thermocouples); means (e.g., a strip chart recorder) electrically connected to said first and second pair of generating means for comparing the voltage outputs thereof and continuously displaying the relation therebetween (or some parameter related thereto); the EMF-generating means being disposed in contact with the coolant flow and being electrically connected to the comparing and display means; the two EMFgenerating means of the first pair being disposed at the inlet and outlet, respectively, of the coolant flow to and from the calorimeter and the two EMF-generating means of the second pair being located downstream of the first pair with one upstream and one downstream of the electric heater.
Inventors
- 👤 P Kydd
- 👤 G Jernakoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K17/00; G01K17/06; G01K17/08; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/20; G01N25/22; G01N25/40; G01N25/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
In a calorimeter for measuring the chemical energy contEnt of a combustible gas wherein a combustion chamber is disposed in flow communication with means for effecting heat exchange between the products of combustion and a liquid coolant flow; means are connected to said heat exchange means for admitting liquid coolant flow thereto; means are connected to said heat exchange means for removing liquid coolant flow therefrom, first and second means, respectively, are provided for sensing the temperature of coolant flow entering and leaving said heat exchange means; said first and second sensing means being electrically interconnected so that known quantities of said gas can be admitted to and burned in said combustion chamber and the resulting temperature rise in the coolant flow can be measured, the combination with said coolant flow removing means of: a. means for electrically heating said coolant flow located downstream of said second sensing means; b. means electrically connected to said heating means for adjusting electric power input thereto at a preselected level; c. third means for sensing the temperature of the coolant flow at a location between said second sensing means and said heating means; d. fourth means electrically connected to said third sensing means for sensing the temperature of the coolant flow at a location downstream of said heating means and e. means electrically connected to said third and fourth sensing means and receiving a reference voltage input therefrom for comparing the voltage output of said first and second sensing means with said reference voltage and indicating therefrom the actual heating value of the combustible gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
In a calorimeter for measuring the chemical energy contEnt of a combustible gas wherein a combustion chamber is disposed in flow communication with means for effecting heat exchange between the products of combustion and a liquid coolant flow; means are connected to said heat exchange means for admitting liquid coolant flow thereto; means are connected to said heat exchange means for removing liquid coolant flow therefrom, first and second means, respectively, are provided for sensing the temperature of coolant flow entering and leaving said heat exchange means; said first and second sensing means being electrically interconnected so that known quantities of said gas can be admitted to and burned in said combustion chamber and the resulting temperature rise in the coolant flow can be measured, the combination with said coolant flow removing means of: a. means for electrically heating said coolant flow located downstream of said second sensing means; b. means electrically connected to said heating means for adjusting electric power input thereto at a preselected level; c. third means for sensing the temperature of the coolant flow at a location between said second sensing means and said heating means; d. fourth means electrically connected to said third sensing means for sensing the temperature of the coolant flow at a location downstream of said heating means and e. means electrically connected to said third and fourth sensing means and receiving a reference voltage input therefrom for comparing the voltage output of said first and second sensing means with said reference voltage and indicating therefrom the actual heating value of the combustible gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the comparing and indicating means is a strip chart recorder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the sensing means are thermocouples.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the heating means is located within the means for removing coolant flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a method for measuring the chemical energy content of a combustible gas by burning known quantities of the gas with air, effecting heat exchange between the combustion products and at least one fluid coolant flow and sensing the temperature of coolant flow entering and leaving the heat exchanger whereby the chemical energy of the combustion gas can be determined knowing the flow rate of the air, the added steps of: a. continuously introducing heat energy into the coolant flow downstream of said heat exchanger at a predetermined rate sufficient to raise the temperature of the coolant flow a preselected amount corresponding to the rise in temperature of the coolant flow brought about by combustion of a gas of known calorific value, b. continuously sensing the rise in temperature in the coolant flow by the introduction of heat energy in step a) and c. continuously comparing the actual temperature rise in the coolant flow by heat exchange with the preselected temperature rise in the coolant flow downstream of said heat exchanger by the introduction of heat energy and indicating therefrom the actual heating value of the combustible gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a method for measuring the chemical energy content of a combustible gas by burning known quantities of the gas with air, effecting heat exchange between the combustion products and at least one fluid coolant flow and sensing the temperature of coolant flow entering and leaving the heat exchanger whereby the chemical energy of the combustion gas can be determined knowing the flow rate of the air, the added steps of: a. continuously introducing heat energy into the coolant flow downstream of said heat exchanger at a predetermined rate sufficient to raise the temperature of the coolant flow a preselected amount corresponding to the rise in temperature of the coolant flow brought about by combustion of a gas of known calorific value, b. continuously sensing the rise in temperature in the coolant flow by the introduction of heat energy in step a) and c. continuously comparing the actual temperature rise in the coolant flow by heat exchange with the preselected temperature rise in the coolant flow downstream of said heat exchanger by the introduction of heat energy and indicating therefrom the actual heating value of the combustible gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein electric heating is employed downstream of said heat exchanger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the rise in temperature of the coolant in the heat exchanger and the rise in temperature of the coolant flow by electric heating are each determined using means for generating an electromotive force as a function of temperature differential.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the electromotive force-generating means are thermocouples.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the continuous comparison of temperature rises is recorded.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |