Patent US3724499A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3724499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-cavitation system for fluid loading arms
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A system of specially modified pipe elbows and a back pressure device to control cavitation in the fluid flowing through a fluid loading arm, thus minimizing noise generation and pipe vibration, and facilitating greatly increased flowrates. The arm''s elbows contain one or more rigid vanes curved in the configuration of the flow passage through the elbow in which they are mounted, and the back pressure device comprises a cavitating venturi positioned at the discharge end of the arm. The venturi may be removable to provide unrestricted reverse flow through the arm when unloading fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 S Huniu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:59
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15D; F15D1/00; F15D1/02; F15D1/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/8807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A fluid loading arm, comprising at least one arm section supported for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, said arm section having a fluid-conducting flow passage terminating in a receiving end and a discharge end, said arm section including at least one curved pipe section forming part of said fluid-conducting flow passage, at least one rigid, curved vane mounted in the flow passage of the curved pipe section, said vane curved lengthwise in the configuration of the pipe section flow passage, and a cavitating venturi in the arm section''s flow passage adjacent it''s discharge end, whereby the combination of said vane and cavitating venturi facilitate significantly increased flow rates by preventing flow-restricting hard cavitation in the fluid flowing through said loading arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A fluid loading arm, comprising at least one arm section supported for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, said arm section having a fluid-conducting flow passage terminating in a receiving end and a discharge end, said arm section including at least one curved pipe section forming part of said fluid-conducting flow passage, at least one rigid, curved vane mounted in the flow passage of the curved pipe section, said vane curved lengthwise in the configuration of the pipe section flow passage, and a cavitating venturi in the arm section''s flow passage adjacent it''s discharge end, whereby the combination of said vane and cavitating venturi facilitate significantly increased flow rates by preventing flow-restricting hard cavitation in the fluid flowing through said loading arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 1 wherein the vane extends the full length of the curved flow passage through the pipe section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 1 wherein the vane has a leading edge with an aerodynamically clean configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 3 wherein the leading edge is round.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 1 wherein the vane has a concave surface, a convex surface, and a trailing edge that is tapered from said concave surface to said convex surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 5 wherein the taper of the vane''s trailing edge defines an angle of between approximately 20* and 25*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 5 wherein the taper of the vane''s trailing edge defines an angle of approximately 22.5*.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 1 wherein the cavitating venturi has a throat that defines an inlet angle of between approximately 10* and 40*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 8 wherein the inlet angle is approximately 30*.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid loading arm according to claim 8 wherein the inlet angle is no greater than approximately 40*, and the venturi has a rounded, annular throat edge at its minimum diameter.
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 |