US3869903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Settling rate tester
Assignee: Permutit Co
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Filing: 1972-07-19
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1992-07-19
Abstract
Abstract The settling rate of particulate matter in a fluid is determined by passing a mixture of the fluid and the particulate matter up through an inverted cone at a known flow rate. The particulate matter accumulates at the level in the cone where the upward velocity of the fluid is equal to the settling rate of the particles. Sensors may be used to detect the presence of particles at one or more levels in the tube; and the signals from the sensors may be used to control the operation of a separator.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Beach
- 👤 Richard M Schlauch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for measuring the settling rate of particulate matter in a fluid comprising: a. an inverted cone; b. means for passing a stream of the fluid up through the cone at a known flow rate, at least one inlet pipe tangentially connected to the cone, and means for passing a mixture of fluid and particulate matter through the inlet pipe into the cone, whereby the particulate matter accumulates at the level within the cone where the upward velocity of the fluid is equal to the settling rate of the particulate matter; and c. means for indicating the settling rate of particles that accumulate at different levels in the cone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for measuring the settling rate of particulate matter in a fluid comprising: a. an inverted cone; b. means for passing a stream of the fluid up through the cone at a known flow rate, at least one inlet pipe tangentially connected to the cone, and means for passing a mixture of fluid and particulate matter through the inlet pipe into the cone, whereby the particulate matter accumulates at the level within the cone where the upward velocity of the fluid is equal to the settling rate of the particulate matter; and c. means for indicating the settling rate of particles that accumulate at different levels in the cone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for measuring the settling rate of particulate matter in a fluid comprising: a. an inverted cone; b. means for passing a stream of the fluid up through the cone at a known flow rate, at least one inlet pipe tangentially connected to the cone, and means for passing a mixture of fluid and particulate matter through the inlet pipe into the cone, whereby the particulate matter accumulates at the level within the cone where the upward velocity of the fluid is equal to the settling rate of the particulate matter; and c. means for indicating the settling rate of particles that accumulate at different levels in the cone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for measuring the settling rate of particulate matter in a fluid comprising: a. an inverted cone; b. means for passing a stream of the fluid up through the cone at a known flow rate, at least one inlet pipe tangentially connected to the cone, and means for passing a mixture of fluid and particulate matter through the inlet pipe into the cone, whereby the particulate matter accumulates at the level within the cone where the upward velocity of the fluid is equal to the settling rate of the particulate matter; and c. means for indicating the settling rate of particles that accumulate at different levels in the cone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a blowdown pipe adapted to remove a mixture of fluid and particulate matter from the center of said cone at substantially the same height as said tangential inlet pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for monitoring the operation of a separator wherein fluid flows up through a gradually expanding separation zone, whereby particulate matter settles out of the fluid in the separation zone, comprising: a. an inverted cone located outside the separator; b. means for withdrawing fluid from the separator and passing the fluid up through the inverted cone at a flow rate the simulates the flow rate of fluid up through the separation zone; whereby particulate matter in the fluid accumulates at a level in the inverted cone which simulates the level at which particulate matter accumulates in the separation zone; and c. means for sensing particulate matter at at least one elevation in the cone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for monitoring the operation of a separator wherein fluid flows up through a gradually expanding separation zone, whereby particulate matter settles out of the fluid in the separation zone, comprising: a. an inverted cone located outside the separator; b. means for withdrawing fluid from the separator and passing the fluid up through the inverted cone at a flow rate the simulates the flow rate of fluid up through the separation zone; whereby particulate matter in the fluid accumulates at a level in the inverted cone which simulates the level at which particulate matter accumulates in the separation zone; and c. means for sensing particulate matter at at least one elevation in the cone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for withdrawing fluid from the separator and passing the fluid up through the cone comprises: a. a fluid conduit having a first end connected to the separator and a second end tangentially connected to the cone; and b. means for passing a carrier fluid up through the cone, whereby the fluid withdrawn from the separator passes through the fluid conduit and mixes with the carrier fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including a blowdown pipe adapted to remove a mixture of fluid and particulate matter from the center of the cone at substantially the height of said second end of said fluid conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the inverted cone is transparent and the means for sensing particulate matter comprises at least one light on one side of the cone and at least one photocell on the opposite side of the cone.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |