Probe system for determining acidity of fluid flowing through pressurized pipe line

Claim 1

A pH probe system having a pH probe adapted to be removably installed in-line within a pressurized pipe line to determine the pH of a fluid flowing through the pipe line, said system comprising: (a) a pipe assembly mounted on the pipe line for providing access to the interior of the pipe line; (b) valve means for closing and opening said pipe assembly, said valve means being disposed medially of said pipe assembly; (c) a sleeve mounted on an outer end of said pipe assembly, said sleeve having a bore opening into said pipe assembly; (d) a pH probe assembly telescopingly mounted in said sleeve, said probe assembly extending through said sleeve bore and through said pipe assembly, said probe assembly being operable to convert the pH of the fluid flowing through the pipe line to an electrical signal representing the acidity of the fluid, and said probe assembly having a sensor head portion and a glass electrode disposed at an inner end of said sensor head portion within said pipe line; (e) sealing means providing a fluid-tight seal between said probe assembly and said sleeve bore; and (f) a protector shield secured to said probe assembly, said protector shield including an elongated flange disposed outwardly spaced from and adjacent to said sensor head portion on the upstream side of said sensor head portion within said pipe line, said protector shield being operative to protect said sensor head portion and said electrode from dynamic fluid flow forces within said pipe line on the upstream side while allowing exposure of said sensor head portion and said electrode to the fluid in said pipe line on the downstream side.