Apparatus and method for detecting an interface from a remote location

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) locating the lower end of the tube substantially at the interface, (b) locating the detector portion in the tube above the lower end and the interface, and (c) introducing the drive fluid into the tube above the detector portion.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) locating the upper end of the tube substantially at the interface, (b) locating the detector portion in the tube below the upper end and the interface, and (c) introducing the drive fluid into the tube below the detector portion.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: introducing compressed air as the drive fluid.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of locating a sample taking type detector remote from said interface.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of locating a probe of a suspended solids meter remote from the interface.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of locating a probe or a sludge blanket detector remote from the interface.

Claim 11

Apparatus for using a conventional interface detecting instrument having a detector portion located remote from an interface between two fluids to detect the interface, comprising a pipe like member adapted to extend away from the interface, said pipe like member having two spaced apart openings one higher than the other, one of said openings being adapted to be located substantially at the interface and the other opening being adapted to be located away from the interface, said pipe like member receiving on its interior the detector portion at a position between said two openings, and means for introducing a drive fluid into said pipe like member for causing the fluid at said one opening of said pipe like member to flow past the detector portion, said means for introducing a drive fluid being in communcation with the interior of said pipe like member between the detector portion and said other oepning in said pipe like member which is spaced away from the interface, whereby fluid flow may be caused in said pipe like member past the detector portion by the introduction of the drive fluid, said fluid flowing in said pipe like member may be detected, and said detector portion and interior of said pipe like member may be kept clean by the flowing fluid.

Claim 12

Apparatus for using a conventional interface detecting instrument having a detector portion located remote from an interface between two fluids to detect the interface, comprising a pipe like member adapted to extend away from the interface, said pipe like member having two spaced apart openings one higher than the other, one of said openings being adapted to be located substantially at the interface and the other opening being adapted to be located away from the interface, said pipe like member receiving on its interior the detector portion at a position between said two openings, and means for introducing a drive fluid into said pipe like member for causing the fluid at said one opening of said pipe like member to flow past the detector portion, said means for introducing a drive fluid being in communcation with the interior of said pipe like member between the detector portion and said other oepning in said pipe like member which is spaced away from the interface, whereby fluid flow may be caused in said pipe like member past the detector portion by the introduction of the drive fluid, said fluid flowing in said pipe like member may be detected, and said detector portion and interior of said pipe like member may be kept clean by the flowing fluid.

Claim 13

The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said means for introducing drive fluid comprises a gas line under pressure.

Claim 14

The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said gas line under pressure is a compressed air line.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said openings in said pipe like member are provided by the ends thereof.

Claim 16

The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said pipe like member has one end above the other.

Claim 17

The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said end located substantially at the interface is below said detector portion.

Claim 18

The apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said means for introducing a drive fluid introduces a fluid lighter than the two fluids forming the interface.

Claim 19

The apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the drive fluid is compressed air.

Claim 20

The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said end located substantially at the interface is above said detector portion.

Claim 21

The apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the means for introducing a drive fluid introduces a fluid heavier than the two fluids forming the interface.

Claim 22

The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said detector portion is a sample taking detector and is adapted to take samples from fluids within said pipe.

Claim 23

The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said detector portion is part of a suspended solids meter and is adapted to take readings from fluids within said pipe.

Claim 24

The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said detector portion is part of a sludge blanket detector and is adapted to take readings from fluids within said pipe.

Claim 25

Apparatus for using a conventional interface detecting instrument having a detector portion located remote from a horizontal interface between two fluids to detect the interface, comprising a tube like member to be located in the fluids and extending from the interface, said tube like member being arranged generally vertically and having spaced apart ends, the lower end being located substantially at the interface and the upper end being located adjacent the surface of the upper of said two fluids, said tube like member receiving on its interior the detector portion at a position between said two ends, the detector portion being located generally a foot or more from said upper end, and means for introducing a pressurized gas into said tube like member for causing fluid flow passed the detector portion, said means for introducing a pressurized gas being in communication with the interior of said tube like member between the detector portion and said upper end of said tube, whereby fluid flow may be caused in said tube like member from said lower end, past the detector portion, and out said upper end by the introduction of the pressurized gas, and the fluid flowing in said tube like member may be detected, while the flow keeps the detector portion clean.

Claim 26

Apparatus for using a conventional interface detecting instrument having a detector portion located remote from a horizontal interface between two fluids to detect the interface, comprising a tube like member to be located in the fluids and extending from the interface, said tube like member being arranged generally vertically and having spaced apart ends, the lower end being located substantially at the interface and the upper end being located adjacent the surface of the upper of said two fluids, said tube like member receiving on its interior the detector portion at a position between said two ends, the detector portion being located generally a foot or more from said upper end, and means for introducing a pressurized gas into said tube like member for causing fluid flow passed the detector portion, said means for introducing a pressurized gas being in communication with the interior of said tube like member between the detector portion and said upper end of said tube, whereby fluid flow may be caused in said tube like member from said lower end, past the detector portion, and out said upper end by the introduction of the pressurized gas, and the fluid flowing in said tube like member may be detected, while the flow keeps the detector portion clean.

Claim 27

The apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the pressurized gas is compressed air.

Claim 28

Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said tube like member is circular in cross-section and has a length extending from the interface to an inch or more above the upper surface of said upper fluid forming the interface.

Claim 29

The apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said detector portion takes samples of fluids.

Claim 30

The apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said detector portion is part of a suspended solids meter.

Claim 31

The apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said detector portion is part of a sludge blanket detector.

Claim 32

The apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the means for introducing a pressurized gas communicates with the tube like member at least 4 inches above the location of the detector portion in the tube like member, whereby interference with the detector portion is prevented.