US3913600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the composition of flammable gas mixtures
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1974-09-03
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for monitoring and controlling the composition of a flammable gas mixture to prevent accumulation of explosive gas mixtures in a substantially closed container. The apparatus includes a combustion chamber through which a sample stream of gas mixture is propelled. In operating the apparatus, the mixture within the combustion chamber is subjected to a series of high voltage ignition charges by means of an automotive spark plug which receives ignition charges from a conventional automotive capacitor discharge ignition system power unit and automotive ignition coil with the ignition charges being triggered by an electrically powered oscillator at a frequency preferably between 10 and 20 Hz. The electrical components and combustion chamber are housed within an explosion proof housing. A temperature responsive switch within the combustion chamber causes the actuation of solenoid operated pneumatic valves to provide continuing visual indication of the status of the system and provide injection of non-combustion-supporting gas into the closed container to prevent accumulation of explosive mixtures therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce M Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/50; G01N25/54; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0324; Y10T137/0329; Y10T137/0346
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of sensing the presence of a flammable gas mixture within a zone under test, comprising the steps of: 1. drawing a sample of gas mixture from the zone under test; 2. introducing the sample of gas mixture into a closed chamber; 3. applying periodic high intensity ignition impulses to the sample of gas mixture within the chamber at a predetermined frequency; 4. continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber; and 5. introducing a non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test for a predetermined period of time when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value in response to the ignition of a flammable gas mixture sample within the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of sensing the presence of a flammable gas mixture within a zone under test, comprising the steps of: 1. drawing a sample of gas mixture from the zone under test; 2. introducing the sample of gas mixture into a closed chamber; 3. applying periodic high intensity ignition impulses to the sample of gas mixture within the chamber at a predetermined frequency; 4. continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber; and 5. introducing a non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test for a predetermined period of time when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value in response to the ignition of a flammable gas mixture sample within the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
introducing the sample of gas mixture into a closed chamber;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
introducing the sample of gas mixture into a closed chamber;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
passing the sample stream through a closed combustion chamber;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
9 words
passing the sample stream through a closed combustion chamber;
Claim 7
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of continuously testing and adjusting the composition of a gas mixture in a zone under test to prevent the accumulation of an explosive gas mixture in said zone, comprising the steps of:
Claim 8
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of continuously testing and adjusting the composition of a gas mixture in a zone under test to prevent the accumulation of an explosive gas mixture in said zone, comprising the steps of:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
removing a sample stream of gas mixture from the zone under test;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
removing a sample stream of gas mixture from the zone under test;
Claim 11
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of continuously testing and adjusting the composition of a potentially explosive gas mixture within a zone under test containing flammable gases to prevent the accumulation of an explosive gas mixture in said zone, comprising the steps of:
Claim 12
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of continuously testing and adjusting the composition of a potentially explosive gas mixture within a zone under test containing flammable gases to prevent the accumulation of an explosive gas mixture in said zone, comprising the steps of:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
applying periodic high intensity ignition impulses to the sample of gas mixture within the chamber at a predetermined frequency;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
applying periodic high intensity ignition impulses to the sample of gas mixture within the chamber at a predetermined frequency;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
8 words
passing the sample stream through a combustion chamber;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
8 words
passing the sample stream through a combustion chamber;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
applying continuous periodic high voltage ignition impulses to the sample stream within the chamber at a predetermined frequency;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
applying continuous periodic high voltage ignition impulses to the sample stream within the chamber at a predetermined frequency;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber to detect an increase in temperature in response to ignition of the gas sample within the chamber; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber to detect an increase in temperature in response to ignition of the gas sample within the chamber; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 3 characterized further to include the additional step of: halting the introduction of additional non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test when the temperature sensed within the chamber no longer exceeds the predetermined value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
applying a series of high intensity ignition impulses to the gas mixture sample within the chamber;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
applying a series of high intensity ignition impulses to the gas mixture sample within the chamber;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
8 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber; and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
8 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber; and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
introducing a non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test for a predetermined period of time when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value in response to the ignition of a flammable gas mixture sample within the chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
introducing a non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test for a predetermined period of time when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value in response to the ignition of a flammable gas mixture sample within the chamber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber to detect a temperature increase in response to the ignition of a gas mixture sample within the chamber; and
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
continuously sensing the temperature within the chamber to detect a temperature increase in response to the ignition of a gas mixture sample within the chamber; and
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
introducing a quantity of non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test when the temperature sensed within the combustion chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
introducing a quantity of non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test when the temperature sensed within the combustion chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
introducing additional non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
introducing additional non-combustion-supporting gas into the zone under test when the temperature sensed within the chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |