US3906780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particulate material detection means
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1973-12-07
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A means for detecting the presence of particulate material, e.g., sand, in a fluid stream flowing through a conduit, said detection means comprising an acoustical means which is positioned on the outer surface of a substantial bend in said conduit. The detection means has a housing in which a transducer, e.g., piezoelectric means, is freely suspended. The housing is filled with oil to acoustically couple the transducer to the conduit. Particulate material in the fluid stream gives up kinetic energy upon striking the inner surface of said bend in said conduit which in turn excites the transducer to generate an output signal having a frequency component, e.g., 700 kilohertz, which is representative of the particulate material.
Inventors
- 👤 Willett F Baldwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/107; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/06; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/045; G01N29/046; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02408; G01N2291/02416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A means for detecting particulate material in a fluid stream which is flowing through a conduit comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned against the outside of said conduit; a transducer means responsive to acoustic energy to generate a signal representative of said energy; means for freely suspending said transducer means withiN said housing so that said transducer means does not contact said housing or said conduit when in an operable position and is free for relatively undampened vibration when excited by particulate material striking the inside of the conduit; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A means for detecting particulate material in a fluid stream which is flowing through a conduit comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned against the outside of said conduit; a transducer means responsive to acoustic energy to generate a signal representative of said energy; means for freely suspending said transducer means withiN said housing so that said transducer means does not contact said housing or said conduit when in an operable position and is free for relatively undampened vibration when excited by particulate material striking the inside of the conduit; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The detection means of claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises: a piezoelectric means having a primary resonant frequency in excess of 100 kilohertz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detection means of claim 2 wherein said primary resonant frequency is approximately 700 kilohertz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The detection means of claim 3 wherein said output means comprises: an electrical lead which also forms at least a part of said means for freely suspending said transducer in said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detection means of claim 3 including: a means within said housing for tuning said output signal to said primary resonant frequency of said transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A means for detecting particulate material in a fluid stream flowing through a conduit having a substantial bend therein, said detection means comprising: a housing having an open end, said housing being adapted to be positioned with said open end in abutment with the outer surface of said bend in said conduit; a transducer means responsive to acoustic energy to generate a signal representative of said energy, said transducer comprising a piezoelectric means having a primary reference frequency in excess of 100 kilohertz; means for freely suspending said piezoelectric means in said housing so that said piezoelectric means does not contact said housing or said conduit and is free for relatively undampened vibration when excited by particulate material striking the inside of the bend; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid when said housing is in place on said conduit; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A means for detecting particulate material in a fluid stream flowing through a conduit having a substantial bend therein, said detection means comprising: a housing having an open end, said housing being adapted to be positioned with said open end in abutment with the outer surface of said bend in said conduit; a transducer means responsive to acoustic energy to generate a signal representative of said energy, said transducer comprising a piezoelectric means having a primary reference frequency in excess of 100 kilohertz; means for freely suspending said piezoelectric means in said housing so that said piezoelectric means does not contact said housing or said conduit and is free for relatively undampened vibration when excited by particulate material striking the inside of the bend; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid when said housing is in place on said conduit; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detection means of claim 6 wherein said primary resonant frequency is approximately 700 kilohertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The detection means of claim 7 wherein said output means comprising: an electrical lead which also forms at least a part of said means for freely suspending said transducer in said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detection means of claim 7 including: a means within said housing for tuning said output signal to said primary resonant frequency of said transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detection means of claim 6 including: a flexible membrane sealing said open end of said housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |