US3909596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for determining processing losses or gains
Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-18
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-06-18
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for providing substantially instantaneous reading and recording of processing losses and gains from a continuous liquid chemical process, such as refining of vegetable oil. The product inflow into and the product outflow from the process are separately and continuously measured. The measuring device is used to generate electronic pulses corresponding to the measurement, preferably at a rate in the order of, typically, about one hundred pulses per pound of liquid. High speed pulse counters electronically count these pulses, and gate means is actuated each time the pulses coming from either pulse stream reach a total of, say, 10,000. Then, the total count needed for the other pulse stream to reach the same total is determined and is displayed in terms of processing gain or loss percent, to the nearest tenth of 1%. Both counts then start over, and the counting cycles go on continuously. Temperature and moisture corrections may be applied, and an averaging or pulse selection system may be employed to avoid recording or displaying the instantaneous fluctuations that occur within the process system, thereby smoothing out the variations from the average or basic flow rates.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank E Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F15/00; G01F15/02; G01F15/022; G01F15/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for providing a substantially instantaneous reading of processing gain or loss from a continuous liquid process, comprising: continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, generating pulses corresponding to each of the inflow and outflow measurements, counting the pulses corresponding to the inflow and the pulses corResponding to the outflow, when a predetermined set number of pulses has been counted from either inflow or outflow, whichever is first, counting how many pulses it takes the other one to reach that same number, thereby providing a difference count, then starting each of the inflow and the outflow to begin counting again toward the same number, and displaying the difference count while indicating whether it is processing gain or loss, depending on whether the inflow or outflow counting first reached said number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for providing a substantially instantaneous reading of processing gain or loss from a continuous liquid process, comprising: continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, generating pulses corresponding to each of the inflow and outflow measurements, counting the pulses corresponding to the inflow and the pulses corResponding to the outflow, when a predetermined set number of pulses has been counted from either inflow or outflow, whichever is first, counting how many pulses it takes the other one to reach that same number, thereby providing a difference count, then starting each of the inflow and the outflow to begin counting again toward the same number, and displaying the difference count while indicating whether it is processing gain or loss, depending on whether the inflow or outflow counting first reached said number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pulses corresponding to the inflow and the pulses corresponding to the outflow are generated at a rate in the order of about one hundred pulses per pound of product flow and the predetermined set number of pulses is ten thousand and the processing gain or loss is displayed in numerals corresponding to the percentage of product gained or lost in the process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 1 wherein inflow pulses and outflow pulses are corrected for moisture content present in the product by determining the percentages of moisture to product at inflow and outflow, converting said percentages to an inflow pulse control signal and an outflow pulse control signal, reducing the number of inflow pulses by a number that corresponds with the percentages of moisture content present at the inflow before said predetermined set number is reached, simultaneously reducing the number of outflow pulses by a number that corresponds to the percentage of moisture content present at the outflow before said predetermined set number is reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 1 wherein inflow pulses and outflow pulses are corrected for temperature variations in product inflow and outflow by sensing the temperature at inflow and outflow, comparing said temperatures algebraically with a predetermined standard product temperature to produce an inflow temperature correction signal and an outflow temperature correction signal, varying the number of inflow pulses in accordance with the inflow temperature correction signal before said predetermined set number of pulses is reached, simultaneously varying the number of outflow pulses in accordance with the outflow temperature correction signal before said predetermined set number of pulses is reached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein inflow and outflow pulses are corrected for momentary transient fluctuations by selecting a switched variable fraction of inflow pulses generated and then counting said fraction, simultaneously selecting the same switched variable fraction of outflow pulses and then counting said fraction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 1 wherein internal functioning of apparatus used in the method may be selectively tested by generating a known number of simulated inflow pulses and simultaneously generating a different known number of simulated outflow pulses, replacing the pulses corresponding to the inflow with said simulated inflow pulses and simultaneously replacing the pulses corresponding to the outflow with said simulated outflow pulses, reading the difference count which should correspond to the difference in number between said simulated inflow pulses as known and said simulated outflow pulses as known.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein accuracy of the method may be selectively tested by reversing the product inflow and outflow and comparing a display resulting therefrom with the display of the difference count resulting from the normal product flow, and ascertaining that both displays are equivalent.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of providing a substantially instantaneous reading of processing gain or loss from a continuous liquid process, comprising: continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, generating pulses corresponding to each measurement in the order of about one hundred pulses per pound of product flow, counting said pulses, helping separate the Inflow count from the outflow count, when 10,000 pulses have been counted from either the inflow or the outflow, whichever is first to reach 10,000, determining how many pulses the other one is short of 10,000 to provide a difference count, then starting each one to count again from zero, and displaying the difference count, except for the units digits, as percent gain or loss correct to the nearest tenth of one percent, while indicating whether it is a gain or a loss.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of providing a substantially instantaneous reading of processing gain or loss from a continuous liquid process, comprising: continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, generating pulses corresponding to each measurement in the order of about one hundred pulses per pound of product flow, counting said pulses, helping separate the Inflow count from the outflow count, when 10,000 pulses have been counted from either the inflow or the outflow, whichever is first to reach 10,000, determining how many pulses the other one is short of 10,000 to provide a difference count, then starting each one to count again from zero, and displaying the difference count, except for the units digits, as percent gain or loss correct to the nearest tenth of one percent, while indicating whether it is a gain or a loss.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the values are corrected for moisture present in an otherwise non-aqueous product by determining the moisture percentages at both inflow and outflow, multiplying each percentage by 100, subtracting the inflow moisture multiple from 10,000 immediately upon the completion of the count of 10,000 and simultaneously subtracting the outflow moisture multiple from the pulse count there before subtracting that count from the count of inflow pulses and before displaying the difference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for providing substantially instantaneous reading and recording of processing losses and gains from a continuous liquid process comprising: means for continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, means for generating pulses corresponding to each of the inflow and outflow measurements, means for counting the pulses corresponding to the inflow and the pulses corresponding to the outflow, means for determining when a predetermined set number of pulses has been counted from either inflow or outflow, whichever is first, means for counting the number of pulses, the other flow pulse generating means produces thereafter before reaching that same predetermined set number, means for displaying the difference count while indicating whether it is a processing gain or loss, depending upon whether the inflow or outflow counting first reached said predetermined set number, and means for cyclically repeating the reading and recording sequence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for providing substantially instantaneous reading and recording of processing losses and gains from a continuous liquid process comprising: means for continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process, means for generating pulses corresponding to each of the inflow and outflow measurements, means for counting the pulses corresponding to the inflow and the pulses corresponding to the outflow, means for determining when a predetermined set number of pulses has been counted from either inflow or outflow, whichever is first, means for counting the number of pulses, the other flow pulse generating means produces thereafter before reaching that same predetermined set number, means for displaying the difference count while indicating whether it is a processing gain or loss, depending upon whether the inflow or outflow counting first reached said predetermined set number, and means for cyclically repeating the reading and recording sequence.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for continuously measuring both the product inflow into said process and the product outflow from said process comprises rotating flow meters connected at the inflow and outflow, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for generating pulses corresponding to each of the inflow and outflow measurements comprises pulse generators connected to the inflow and outflow flow meters, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the inflow and outflow pulse generators comprise rotary slotted discs axially coupled to said rotating flow meters and located between a light source and a light sensor so that rotation of the discs causes flashes of light to be passed to the light sensor resulting in emission of electrical pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the pulse generators generate pulses at a rate of about one hundred pulses per pound of product flow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein means for counting inflow and outflow pulses comprises an inflow pulse counter and an outflow pulse counter, respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for displaying the difference count comprises a digital display unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for displaying the difference count comprises a strip chart recorder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising moisture compensation means whereby material inflow and outflow rates are compensated for moisture content.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the moisture compensation means comprises mechanical means to vary the inflow and the outflow to the respective sensors in accordance with predeteremined amounts of inflow and outflow moisture content in the material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the moisture compensation means comprises means to vary the pulses generated by the pulse generator meaNs in accordance with predetermined amounts of inflow and outflow moisture content in the material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising temperature compensation means whereby material inflow and outflow rates are compensated for temperature content.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the temperature compensation means comprises mechanical means to vary the inflow and the outflow to the respective sensors in accordance with predetermined inflow and outflow temperatures of the material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the temperature compensation means comprises means for electrically varying the pulses generated by the pulse generator means in accordance with predetermined inflow and outflow temperatures.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the temperature compensation means comprises means for automatically and virtually instantaneously sensing the material temperature at inflow and outflow and varying the pulses generated by the pulse generator means in proportion to the change in volume of the material caused by any said changes in temperature thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising means for selectively averaging the number of inflow and outflow pulses prior to the counting thereof whereby the effect of any transient fluctuations in inflow or outflow does not materially affect the processing loss or gain reading.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the pulse averaging means comprises a switchable pulse frequency selector which selectively passes to the inflow and outflow counter means a fractional number of the pulses actually generated, for example, every second, fifth, tenth, twentieth, fiftieth, or hundredth pulse might be passed to the inflow and outflow counters in accordance with a particular setting of the frequency selector switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising test signal generation means whereby the electrical circuitry may be checked, adjusted or calibrated.
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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |