US5601414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interstage liquid/gas phase detector
Assignee: VHC Inc FORMERLY KNOWN AS VARO Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-25
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A positive displacement rotary axial screw pump which comprises a series of sealed closures formed by meshing of the rotors for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet. A programmable logic circuit is provided for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions. A pressure monitoring device detects selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signals the logic circuit of the impending conditions. The pressure monitoring device includes a pressure sensing device associated with at least one isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. DiRe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:20
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04C; F04C14/00; F04C14/28; F04C2270/00; F04C2270/18; F04C2270/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A positive displacement pump which comprises: a series of isolated volumes for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having a pressure sensing device in at least one isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A positive displacement pump which comprises: a series of isolated volumes for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having a pressure sensing device in at least one isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pump set forth in claim 1 wherein modification of pump operations to compensate for the abnormal pressure conditions includes cessation of pump operations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pump set forth in claim 1 wherein the programmable logic circuit signals erratic pressure conditions in the pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pump set forth in claim 1 wherein the programmable logic circuit is activated upon substantial decreases in stage pressure in the pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The positive displacement pump set forth in claim 1 being a rotary axial screw pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The positive displacement pump set forth in claim 1 being a gear pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The positive displacement pump set forth in claim 5 wherein each isolated volume is formed by meshing of the rotors and defines a sealed closure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A positive displacement rotary axial screw pump which comprises: a series of sealed closures defined by isolated volumes formed by meshing of the rotors, for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having at least one pressure sensing device in an isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A positive displacement rotary axial screw pump which comprises: a series of sealed closures defined by isolated volumes formed by meshing of the rotors, for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having at least one pressure sensing device in an isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pump set forth in claim 8 wherein modification of pump operations to compensate for the abnormal pressure conditions includes shut-down of pump operations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pump set forth in claim 8 wherein the programmable logic circuit signals erratic pressure conditions in the pump.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pump set forth in claim 8 wherein the programmable logic circuit is activated upon substantial decrease in stage pressure in the pump.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for protecting a positive displacement pump from operating damage, which comprises: and a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions; the pressure monitoring device having a plurality of pressure sensing devices, each being associated with one of the isolated volumes, for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump and signaling the gradients to the pressure monitoring device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for protecting a positive displacement pump from operating damage, which comprises: and a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions; the pressure monitoring device having a plurality of pressure sensing devices, each being associated with one of the isolated volumes, for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump and signaling the gradients to the pressure monitoring device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A positive displacement pump which comprises: a series of isolated volumes for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having a pressure sensing device in at least one isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A positive displacement pump which comprises: a series of isolated volumes for building the internal pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; a programmable logic circuit for signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump and, upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; and a pressure monitoring device for detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions, the pressure monitoring device having a pressure sensing device in at least one isolated volume for sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A process for protecting a positive displacement pump from operating damage, which comprises the steps of: sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump using a pressure monitoring device, the device having a pressure sensing device associated with at least one in a series of volumes for determining the degradation or loss of pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump using a programmable logic circuit; upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions, using the pressure monitoring device; and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
123 words
A process for protecting a positive displacement pump from operating damage, which comprises the steps of: sensing internal pressure gradients of the pump using a pressure monitoring device, the device having a pressure sensing device associated with at least one in a series of volumes for determining the degradation or loss of pressure gradient of the pump from the pump inlet to its outlet; signaling impending abnormal pressure conditions in the pump using a programmable logic circuit; upon the onset of such conditions, modifying pump operation to compensate for the abnormal conditions; detecting selected disruption in the normal pressure gradient of the pump indicative of the impending abnormal conditions, using the pressure monitoring device; and signaling the logic circuit of the impending conditions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |