US4348117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for measuring boiling or flash pressure of pressurized fluid
Assignee: Republic Geothermal Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-12
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Granted: 1982-09-07
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Expires: 2000-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The pressure of a heated fluid is reduced in a test chamber. A small vent in the upper portion of the test chamber receives a stream of liquid from the chamber and yields a steady hiss when the fluid in the test chamber is under sufficient pressure to maintain the fluid solely in the liquid phase and it yields a sputtering hiss sound when the pressure in the test chamber is reduced sufficiently to permit steam and/or gases to coexist with the liquid in the chamber thus permitting liquid plus vapor to enter the vent. The change in sound may be used to alert an operator and/or pressure fluctuations in the test chamber may be automatically monitored to produce an output signal or a feedback signal for automatic control.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Michels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N7/00; G01N7/14; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/024; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; means for passing said fluid through said test chamber; means for controlling pressure of said fluid said test chamber; and a small-bore vent in an upper portion of said test chamber effective to vent said liquid from said test chamber, and to vent liquid plus vapor when said fluid is in said liquid-plus-vapor condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; means for passing said fluid through said test chamber; means for controlling pressure of said fluid said test chamber; and a small-bore vent in an upper portion of said test chamber effective to vent said liquid from said test chamber, and to vent liquid plus vapor when said fluid is in said liquid-plus-vapor condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1; further comprising means for sensing pressure in said test chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2; wherein said boundary pressure is detected by one of the onset and cessation of pressure fluctuations in said test chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 2; wherein existence of said boundary pressure is indicated by a change in a sound of said small-bore vent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 2; further comprising means for measuring a temperature of said fluid in said test chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2; wherein said means for controlling said pressure includes automatic control means responsive at least to said means for sensing pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said means for passing includes an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit and said means for controlling said pressure includes a controllable valve in said outlet conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for controlling said pressure further includes said outlet conduit having a greater flow capacity than said inlet conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said means for controlling said pressure includes at least a manually controllable valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said small-bore vent is a small-bore tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; an inlet conduit for feeding said liquid to said test chamber; an outlet conduit for discharging said fluid from said test chamber; a controllable valve in said outlet conduit for controlling pressure in said test chamber; a small-bore tube communicating an upper portion of said test chamber to atmospheric pressure; and a pressure sensor for sensing said pressure in said test chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; an inlet conduit for feeding said liquid to said test chamber; an outlet conduit for discharging said fluid from said test chamber; a controllable valve in said outlet conduit for controlling pressure in said test chamber; a small-bore tube communicating an upper portion of said test chamber to atmospheric pressure; and a pressure sensor for sensing said pressure in said test chamber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition, comprising the steps of: passing said fluid through a test chamber; varying the pressure of said fluid in said test chamber through said boundary pressure; venting an upper portion of said test chamber to atmospheric pressure whereby only liquid is vented when said pressure is above said boundary pressure and liquid plus vapor is vented when said pressure is below said boundary pressure; and determining said boundary pressure in response to a change in a characteristic of said venting.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition, comprising the steps of: passing said fluid through a test chamber; varying the pressure of said fluid in said test chamber through said boundary pressure; venting an upper portion of said test chamber to atmospheric pressure whereby only liquid is vented when said pressure is above said boundary pressure and liquid plus vapor is vented when said pressure is below said boundary pressure; and determining said boundary pressure in response to a change in a characteristic of said venting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12; wherein said characteristic of said venting is a change in a sound of said venting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 12; wherein said characteristic of said venting is a pressure fluctuation in said test chamber when said pressure is lower than said boundary pressure and a substantially steady pressure when said pressure is higher than said boundary pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; means for passing said fluid through said test chamber; means for controlling pressure of said fluid in said test chamber; and means in said test chamber effective to vent said liquid from said test chamber, and to vent liquid plus vapor when said fluid is in said liquid-plus-vapor condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for detecting a boundary pressure in a fluid between an all-liquid condition and a liquid-plus-vapor condition comprising: a test chamber; means for passing said fluid through said test chamber; means for controlling pressure of said fluid in said test chamber; and means in said test chamber effective to vent said liquid from said test chamber, and to vent liquid plus vapor when said fluid is in said liquid-plus-vapor condition.
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) | 1985-09-06 | 1986-03-08 | 1986-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-06 | 1990-03-08 | 1990-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-06 | 1994-03-08 | 1994-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |