Patent US3744306A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring the ullage of a vessel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract There is described a system for indicating the remaining volume or ullage of a fully enclosed tank or other vessel in which the vessel is pressurized above atmospheric pressure and the air then permitted to discharge from the tank at a substantially constant rate. The time required for the pressure to drop from a first level to a second level of pressure provides an indication of the free volume in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 R Krueger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for measuring ullage of a tank or other enclosed storage vessel comprising means connected to the tank for pressurizing the interior of the tank above ambient pressure with a gas, means connected to the tank for discharging the gas from the pressurized tank at a substantially constant flow rate, a timer, first pressure sensitive means connected to the tank for starting the timer when the pressure in the tank drops to a first pressure level, and second pressure sensitive means connected to the tank for stopping the timer when the pressure in the tank drops to a second pressure level lower than said first pressure level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for measuring ullage of a tank or other enclosed storage vessel comprising means connected to the tank for pressurizing the interior of the tank above ambient pressure with a gas, means connected to the tank for discharging the gas from the pressurized tank at a substantially constant flow rate, a timer, first pressure sensitive means connected to the tank for starting the timer when the pressure in the tank drops to a first pressure level, and second pressure sensitive means connected to the tank for stopping the timer when the pressure in the tank drops to a second pressure level lower than said first pressure level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas discharging means is a nozzle having an orifice for controlling the rate of flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas discharge means is a flow meter device for regulating the rate of flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second pressure sensitive means include switches, the switches being connected in circuit with the timer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
66 words
The method of measuring the ullage volume of a sealed container comprising the steps of: pressurizing the container with a gas to a level above ambient, discharging the gas from the container at substantially constant rate between two levels of pressure in the container; and measuring the time interval for the pressure to go from the higher to the lower of said two levels of pressure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
66 words
The method of measuring the ullage volume of a sealed container comprising the steps of: pressurizing the container with a gas to a level above ambient, discharging the gas from the container at substantially constant rate between two levels of pressure in the container; and measuring the time interval for the pressure to go from the higher to the lower of said two levels of pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: selecting the said two pressure levels such that the discharge velocity of the gas is substantially below the velocity of sound.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of measuring the volume of a confined space comprising the steps of: a. connecting the space to a source of gas at a different pressure than said confined space; b. permitting gas to flow between said space and said source at substantially constant flow rate; and c. measuring the time required for the pressure in the confined space to change between two fixed pressure levels.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of measuring the volume of a confined space comprising the steps of: a. connecting the space to a source of gas at a different pressure than said confined space; b. permitting gas to flow between said space and said source at substantially constant flow rate; and c. measuring the time required for the pressure in the confined space to change between two fixed pressure levels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the source of gas is at a lower pressure than the gas in the confined space, the gas flowing from the higher pressure space into said lower pressure source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the source of gas is at a higher pressure than the gas in the confined space, the gas flowing from the higher pressure source into said lower pressure space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of maintaining said source at substantially constant pressure during said measuring time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for measuring ullage of a tank comprising: means connected to the tank for flowing gas between the tank and a constant pressure source at a constant flow rate, means sensing when the gas pressure in the tank is at a first level, means sensing when the gas pressure in the tank is at a second level, and timing means controlled by said sensing means for measuring the time reQuired for the pressure to change from one of said levels to the other of said levels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for measuring ullage of a tank comprising: means connected to the tank for flowing gas between the tank and a constant pressure source at a constant flow rate, means sensing when the gas pressure in the tank is at a first level, means sensing when the gas pressure in the tank is at a second level, and timing means controlled by said sensing means for measuring the time reQuired for the pressure to change from one of said levels to the other of said levels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for flowing gas includes orifice means for holding the flow rate constant, and means providing a pressure differential between the tank and the source for causing gas to move through the orifice.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means providing a pressure differential includes means for initially pressurizing the tank to a higher pressure than the constant pressure source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means includes a pump connected between the tank and the orifice means for pumping gas into the tank through the orifice from the constant pressure source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3059469A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |