Patent US3792331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3792331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interface gaging system for underwater oil storage tanks
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An interface gaging system for underwater oil storage tanks employs a flexible conduit through which a stream of electrically conductive seawater passes, emerging from the end of the conduit through an orifice such as a spray head or nozzle. The spray head is located in the storage tank and raised and lowered by a motor controlled by a sensing system which determines when the spray head is situated in salt water by the closiing of an electrical circuit including the stream of seawater in series with the main body of seawater. When the spray head is located in the nonconductive oil, the circuit is open rather than closed, thus activating a control which drives the spray head in the appropriate direction to seek out the interface between the oil and water phases, and to stop when it is reached. The height of the spray head above the tank bottom then represents the oil level in the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 I Wissmiller
- 👤 D Lundy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
Level gaging apparatus for gaging the interface level between two immiscible liquids of different densities in a storage container, one of said liquids being electrically conductive and one being nonconductive, said apparatus comprising: flexible electrically nonconductive conduit means provided at one end with an orifice located within said container, the vertical position of said orifice being controllable; means for establishing a stream of said electrically conductive liquid within said conduit means, said stream discharging through said orifice into the main body of one of said liquids in said container, depending on the vertical position of said orifice; electrical circuit means including in series, the main body of said electrically conductive liquid and said stream of conductive liquid, said circuit being closed when said stream discharges into the main body of said conductive liquid and open when it discharges into said nonconductive liquid; positioning means for varying the vertical position of said orifice within said container; control means responsive to the opening and closing of said circuit means for activating said positioning means to move said orifice in a direction toward the interface between said liquids and stopping said movement when said interface is reached; and indicating means for indicating the level of said orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
Level gaging apparatus for gaging the interface level between two immiscible liquids of different densities in a storage container, one of said liquids being electrically conductive and one being nonconductive, said apparatus comprising: flexible electrically nonconductive conduit means provided at one end with an orifice located within said container, the vertical position of said orifice being controllable; means for establishing a stream of said electrically conductive liquid within said conduit means, said stream discharging through said orifice into the main body of one of said liquids in said container, depending on the vertical position of said orifice; electrical circuit means including in series, the main body of said electrically conductive liquid and said stream of conductive liquid, said circuit being closed when said stream discharges into the main body of said conductive liquid and open when it discharges into said nonconductive liquid; positioning means for varying the vertical position of said orifice within said container; control means responsive to the opening and closing of said circuit means for activating said positioning means to move said orifice in a direction toward the interface between said liquids and stopping said movement when said interface is reached; and indicating means for indicating the level of said orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage container is a part of the series electrical circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for establishing a stream of said conductive liquid includes an electrically insulated tank supported above the top of said container, to which tank is connected said flexible conduit, said stream of liquid being produced by the force of gravity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said positioning means includes an endless belt and a rotatable sheave which supports said belt in a vertical position, the orifice of said flexible conduit being attached to said belt, adjustment of the vertical position of said orifice being effected by rotating said sheave.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said control means includes: relay means which is actuated on the closing of said circuit means to cause said positioning means to move said orifice in a first direction toward said interface and to stop said movement when said interface is reached; and time delay relay means which is actuated on the opening of said circuit to move said orifice in a second direction opposite to said first direction, after the expiration of a time delay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
158 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes: an electrically insulated tank supported above the top of said container, to which tank is connected said flexible conduit, said stream of liquid being produced by the force of gravity; relay means which is actuated on the closing of said circuit means to cause said positioning means to move said orifice in a first direction toward said interface and to stop said movement when said interface is reached; time delay relay means which is actuated on the opening of said circuit to move said orifice in a second direction opposite to said first direction, after the expiration of a time delay, and means for filling said insulating tank with said conductive liquid, comprising: pump means for pumping said liquid intO said tank; and control means for controlling the operation of said pump means and which limits the operation of said pump means to delay periods of said time delay relay means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of gaging the interface level between two vertically adjoining bodies of immiscible liquids of different densities, one of said liquids being electrically conductive and one being nonconductive, which method comprises: establishing a stream of said conductive liquid through a flexible electrically nonconductive conduit, said stream being electrically conductive and discharging through an open end of said conduit; positioning said open end of said conduit in one of said bodies of liquid, whereby said stream discharges directly into said one of said bodies and sensing when said stream discharges into said condutive liquid and makes electrical contact therewith; establishing an electrical circuit including an electromotive force in series with said stream of conductive liquid and the main body of said conductive liquid, said circuit being closed when said stream discharges into said main body and is otherwise open; moving said open end of said conduit vertically in a direction which will cause it to pass through the interface between said conducting and said nonconducting liquids; and gaging the location of said interface by the change sensed in said circuit between open and closed condi ions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of gaging the interface level between two vertically adjoining bodies of immiscible liquids of different densities, one of said liquids being electrically conductive and one being nonconductive, which method comprises: establishing a stream of said conductive liquid through a flexible electrically nonconductive conduit, said stream being electrically conductive and discharging through an open end of said conduit; positioning said open end of said conduit in one of said bodies of liquid, whereby said stream discharges directly into said one of said bodies and sensing when said stream discharges into said condutive liquid and makes electrical contact therewith; establishing an electrical circuit including an electromotive force in series with said stream of conductive liquid and the main body of said conductive liquid, said circuit being closed when said stream discharges into said main body and is otherwise open; moving said open end of said conduit vertically in a direction which will cause it to pass through the interface between said conducting and said nonconducting liquids; and gaging the location of said interface by the change sensed in said circuit between open and closed condi ions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said conductive liquid is sea water and said nonconducting liquid is oil.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |