U.S. patent number RE34,610 [Application Number 07/903,141] was granted by the patent office on 1994-05-17 for mounting means for fluid pressure transmitters.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Keystone International Holdings Corp.. Invention is credited to Alan F. Chou, Randall J. Miller.
United States Patent |
RE34,610 |
Miller , et al. |
May 17, 1994 |
Mounting means for fluid pressure transmitters
Abstract
A mounting plate (20) is positioned between a manifold (18) and
a pair of fluid pressure transmitters including a differential
pressure transmitter (22) and a gauge pressure transmitter (24).
The fluid pressure from high and low pressure taps or lines (14,
16) placed on opposite sides of a flow restriction (12) of a main
flow line (10) is measured and transmitted to a remote location by
the transmitters (22, 24). The mounting plate (20) has low and high
pressure ports (62, 64) for differential pressure transmitter (22)
and a low pressure port (66) for a gauge pressure transmitter (24).
A connecting fluid passage (68) connects the low pressure ports
(62, 66) and a block valve (80) is movable between open and closed
positions to permit or block fluid communication between the ports
(62, 66) and fluid communication between the transmitters (22, 24).
One pair of ports (66, 76) are arranged in symmetrical relation to
the other pair of ports (62, 64) to permit the mounting plate (20)
to be utilized with the gauge pressure transmitter (24) for
measurement of either a low pressure or a high pressure.
Inventors: |
Miller; Randall J. (Sugar Land,
TX), Chou; Alan F. (Sugar Land, TX) |
Assignee: |
Keystone International Holdings
Corp. (Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
24464098 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/903,141 |
Filed: |
June 23, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
615126 |
Nov 19, 1990 |
05036884 |
Aug 6, 1991 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/597; 137/270;
73/756 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F
1/36 (20130101); G01F 15/185 (20130101); G01L
19/0015 (20130101); Y10T 137/87249 (20150401); Y10T
137/5196 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
G01L
19/00 (20060101); G01F 1/34 (20060101); G01F
15/18 (20060101); G01F 15/00 (20060101); G01F
1/36 (20060101); G01F 001/34 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/269,270,597,884
;73/756 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Precision General, Inc. Catalog DMS489 (3 sheets). .
Rosemont Product Data Sheet 2622 (2 pages). .
Anderson Greenwood Bulletin 2-291-M65A (3 sheets). .
Precision General, Inc. Catalog 0886..
|
Primary Examiner: Fox; John C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vaden, Eickenroht, Thompson,
Boulware & Feather
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting to
a remote location measurements of fluid pressure in a main flow
line in fluid communication with a pair of fluid taps on opposed
sides of a reduced diameter orifice in said main flow line; said
fluid measuring and transmitting assembly comprising:
a valve manifold having a high pressure flow passage and a low
pressure flow passage in fluid communication with said pair of
fluid taps;
a .[.transmitting.]. .Iadd.plate-like pressure transmitter
.Iaddend.mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.mounted on
.[.said valve.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.manifold and .Iadd.capable of
supporting two pressure transmitters side-by-side, said adapter
.Iaddend.having high and low pressure flow passages therein in
fluid communication with said high and low .Iadd.pressure
.Iaddend.flow passages in said manifold;
a differential pressure transmitter mounted on said mounting
.[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.and having high and low pressure
flow passages therein in fluid communication with said high and low
.Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow passages in said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.for measuring the fluid pressure
differential between said high and low .Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow
passages .Iadd.and for transmitting the fluid pressure differential
to a remote location.Iaddend.; and
a gauge pressure transmitter mounted on said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.having a flow passage in fluid communication
with a predetermined one of said high and low .Iadd.pressure
.Iaddend.flow passages in said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter
.Iaddend.for measuring .Iadd.the pressure in one of said high and
low pressure passages .Iaddend.and transmitting the measurement to
a remote location.
2. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
1;
said gauge pressure transmitter being in fluid communication with
said low pressure flow passage in said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.downstream of said differential pressure
transmitter.
3. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
.[.measurement.intg.3 .Iadd.measurements .Iaddend.of .Iadd.high and
low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.]. .Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a
main flow line as set forth in claim 1;
said gauge pressure transmitter being in fluid communication with
said high pressure flow passage in said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.downstream of said differential pressure
transmitter.
4. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
1;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.having a block
valve in said flow passage .Iadd.in .Iaddend.communication with
said gauge pressure transmitter.Iadd., said valve being
.Iaddend.movable between open and closed positions therein.
5. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
1;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.including an
additional flow passage to permit said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.selectively to be connected between said
manifold and said transmitters with said gauge pressure transmitter
in fluid communication with the other of said high and low flow
passages.
6. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
.[.measurement.]. .Iadd.measurements .Iaddend.of .Iadd.high and low
.Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.]. .Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main
flow line as set forth in claim 1 .Iadd.further
including.Iaddend.;
means connecting said manifold to a side of said main flow line and
supporting said manifold, mounting g .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter
.Iaddend.and pressure transmitters therefrom.
7. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
1 .Iadd.further including.Iaddend.;
a stand adjacent said main flow line supporting said manifold,
mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.and pressure
transmitters thereon.
8. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
1;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.being of a
generally rectangular cross section and defining parallel inner and
outer planar surfaces;
said inner planar surface being in face to face contact with said
manifold and said outer planar surface being in face to face
contact with said gauge pressure transmitter and said differential
pressure transmitter.
9. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid g .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
8;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.having a first
pair of ports therein extending between said inner and outer
surfaces and in fluid communication with said high and low
.Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow passages in said manifold, said
differential pressure transmitter being in fluid communication with
said first pair of ports;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.having a second
pair of ports extending therethrough between said inner and outer
surfaces .[.and adapted for being in fluid communication with aid
high and low flow passage in said manifold.].,
a flow passage in said mounting adapter extending between the low
pressure port of said first pair of ports and a selected one of the
other pair of ports, a block valve in said flow passage for
selectively blocking fluid communication between .Iadd.said low
pressure ports.Iaddend.; said gauge pressure transmitter being in
fluid communication with .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.selected one
of said second pairs of ports to permit measurement of a selected
high or low pressure. .[.
10. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of fluid pressure in a main flow line as set forth in
claim 9;
said gauge pressure transmitter being connected to said low
pressure port of said second pair of ports;
a flow passage in said mounting plate extending between the low
pressure ports of said first and second pairs of ports, and a block
valve in said flow passage between said low pressure ports for
selectively blocking fluid communication between said low pressure
ports..].
11. A fluid measuring and transmitting assembly for transmitting
measurements of .Iadd.high and low .Iaddend.fluid .[.pressure.].
.Iadd.pressures .Iaddend.in a main flow line as set forth in claim
.[.10.]. .Iadd.9.Iaddend.;
said mounting .[.plate.]. .Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.adapted for
rotation of 180.degree. in a plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axes of said .Iadd.high and low pressure .Iaddend.flow
passages and subsequent connection to said manifold with said flow
passage and low pressure port in said mounting .[.plate.].
.Iadd.adapter .Iaddend.being reversed and connected in fluid
communication with said high pressure flow passage of said manifold
thereby to permit measurement of the high pressure in said flow
line by said gauge pressure transmitter.
12. Apparatus for measuring fluid pressure in a main flow line and
for transmitting the measurements to a remote location from a pair
of fluid pressure lines on opposed sides of a reduced diameter
orifice in said main flow line; said apparatus comprising:
a valve manifold having a straight high pressure flow passage and a
straight low pressure flow passage therethrough in parallel
relation to each other and in fluid communication with said pair of
fluid pressure lines to said main flow line;
a mounting plate secured to said manifold and having straight high
and low pressure flow passages in straight axial alignment with
said high and low .Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow passages in said
manifold, said mounting plate having inner and outer planar
surfaces with said inner planar surface being in contact with said
manifold;
a differential pressure transmitter mounted on said outer planar
surface of said mounting plate and having high and low pressure
flow passages in axial alignment with said high and low
.Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow passages of said mounting plate for
measuring the differential fluid pressure between said high and low
.Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow passages and transmitting the
measurement to a remote location; and
a gauge pressure transmitter mounted on said outer planar surface
of said mounting plate downstream of said differential pressure
transmitter and in fluid communication downstream with a
predetermined one of said high and low .Iadd.pressure .Iaddend.flow
passages in said mounting plate for measuring the fluid pressure
therein and transmitting the measurement to a remote location.
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said gauge pressure
transmitter is in fluid communication with said low pressure flow
passage, and a connecting flow passage in said mounting plate
extends between the low pressure flow passage for said differential
fluid pressure transmitter to said gauge pressure transmitter for
transmitting fluid pressure thereto.
14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein means permit said
mounting plate to be removed from said manifold and rotated
180.degree. in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of
said flow passages for subsequent mounting on said manifold in
fluid communication with said low pressure and high pressure fluid
passages of said manifold.
15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein a block valve is
mounted on said mounting plate for movement between open and closed
positions relative to said connecting flow passage for selectively
blocking fluid communication to said gauge pressure
transmitter.
16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein one half of said
mounting plate has a first pair of ports extending therethrough in
parallel relation to each other to provide said straight high and
low pressure flow passages therein in fluid communication with said
differential pressure transmitter; and
the other half of said mounting plate has a second pair of ports
extending therethrough positioned on said plate in a generally
symmetrical relation to said first pair of ports one of said second
pair of ports being in fluid communication with said gauge pressure
transmitter, the other of said second pair of ports being inactive
and not in fluid communication with said gauge pressure
transmitter.
17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second pair of
ports are adapted to be positioned in straight axial fluid
communication with said high and low flow passages of said valve
manifold and in straight axial alignment with said high and low
flow passages of said differential pressure transmitter upon
rotation of said mounting plate 180.degree. in a plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said flow passages.
18. A transmitter mounting plate adapted to be positioned between a
valve manifold and a pair of fluid pressure tansmitters with the
valve manifold and one of said fluid pressure transmitters having
straight axially aligned low and high fluid passages therein in
fluid communication with a pair of fluid pressure taps on opposed
sides of a reduced diameter orifice in a main flow line; said
mounting plate comprising:
a body of a generally rectangular cross section and being of a
generally rectangular shape as viewed in plan, said body having an
inner planar surface adapted to be positioned in face to face
contact with said manifold and an outer planar surface adapted to
be positioned in face to face contact with said pair of fluid
pressure transmitters;
a first pair of ports extending through the plate in parallel
relation to each other to provide straight high and low flow
passages therein adapted to be in straight fluid communication with
said low and high flow passages in said valve manifold and one of
said fluid pressure transmitters; and
a second pair of ports extending through said plate in parallel
relation to each other and positioned on said plate in a generally
symmetrical relation to said first pair of ports, one of said
second pair of ports being in fluid communication with the other of
said fluid pressure tansmitters and the other of said second pair
of ports being inactive and not in fluid communication with said
other of said fluid pressure transmitters; and a connecting flow
passage extends between one of said ports of said first pair and
one of said ports of said second pair.
19. The mounting plate as set forth in claim .[.17.]. .Iadd.18
.Iaddend.wherein said second pair of ports are adapted to be
positioned in straight axial alignment with said low and high fluid
passages of said valve manifold and said one of said fluid pressure
transmitters upon rotation of said mounting plate 180.degree. in a
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said flow
passages.
20. The mounting plate as set forth in claim .[.17.]. .Iadd.18
.Iaddend.wherein
a block valve is mounted on said mounting plate for movement
between open and closed positions relative to said connecting flow
passage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mounting means for fluid pressure
transmitters in fluid communication with a main flow line, and more
particularly to a common mounting means for both a differential
pressure transmitter and a gauge pressure transmitter.
Normally, a flow restriction is placed in a main flow line
transporting a fluid and pressure taps are made on each side of the
restriction for obtaining high and low fluid pressures. Such a flow
restriction may comprise an orifice plate, flow nozzle, or venturi
tube, for example. The high and low pressures taken from opposed
sides of the restriction in the main flow line are communicated to
a transmitter for measuring and transmitting the measured pressure
or pressure differential by a suitable electronic signal or the
like to a remote location, such as a control room, where the
pressure or pressure differential may be monitored and/or recorded
by an operator.
Gas flow measurements in a main flow line across a reduced diameter
orifice require several variable inputs including the differential
pressure and the gauge or static pressure. A separate installation
has normally been provided for each of the pressure transmitters
with each installation normally utilizing a pair of orifice taps or
ports one on each side of the reduced installation normally
utilizing a pair of orifice laps or ports one on each side of the
reduced diameter orifice. The use of two separate installations for
flow measurement through a main flow line increases the possibility
of malfunction from possible leakage at the connecting joints or
improper installation, as well as requiring a relatively large
amount of space for the two installations.
A manifold is normally mounted between the main flow line and the
pressure transmitters. The manifold permits blocking or venting of
the pressure lines to the transmitters which may be required for
proper calibration of the transmitters. While a single installation
from the main flow line has been used heretofore for a differential
pressure transmitter and a gauge pressure transmitter, the
transmitters have been mounted on separate sides of the manifold or
have been mounted in a series relation to each other with the gauge
pressure transmitter being downstream from the differential
pressure transmitter. Such an arrangement sometimes makes it
difficult for "rodding" or cleaning through passages and valve
seats, and usually requires utilization of he manifold for
calibration of the transmitters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is particularly directed to mounting means for a
differential pressure transmitter and a gauge pressure transmitter
in fluid communication with a main flow line while utilizing only a
single set of taps or ports for a reduced diameter orifice or
restriction in the main flow line. The mounting installation
preferably is mounted directly to the main flow line or positioned
closely adjacent the main flow line and an improved precision in
measuring the change in pressure is provided from the single set of
ports as pressure pulses or waves from the fluid in the main flow
line are transmitted practically instantaneously to the pressure
transmitters, which normally include flexible diaphragms for
measuring the fluid pressure.
A manifold is mounted closely adjacent the main flow line and is
connected to the pair of pressure taps or lines from the main flow
line. The manifold is normally used to control flow to a pressure
transmitter while permitting blocking, venting, zero checks, and
calibration, and includes five valves each movable between open and
closed positions relative to a flow passage in the manifold.
An important feature of the present invention is an adapter or
mounting plate for supporting both a differential pressure
transmitter and a gauge pressure transmitter. The mounting plate
has opposed planar sides or surfaces mounted between the manifold
and the pressure transmitters with the fluid flow to the
differential pressure transmitter from the manifold being along a
straight axis through the mounting plate. The mounting plate may
have its flow passages and associated valve seats to the
transmitters cleaned with a rod or "rodded out". The gauge pressure
transmitter is positioned downstream from the differential pressure
transmitter and a block valve in the mounting plate blocks fluid
communication or flow to the gauge pressure transmitter when it is
desired to calibrate the differential pressure transmitter.
Further, the mounting plate is provided with suitable flow
passaging to permit the gauge pressure transmitter to measure
either low pressure or high pressure from the main flow line by a
reversal of the connections to the mounting plate. Normally, the
gauge pressure transmitter measures the low pressure side of the
orifice in the main flow line, but it may be desired under certain
conditions for the gauge pressure transmitter to measure the high
pressure side of the orifice in the main flow line and the same
mounting plate may be utilized for such high pressure
measurement.
It is an object of this invention to provide a single installation
for a differential pressure transmitter and a gauge pressure
transmitter on a main flow line in fluid communication with a
single pair of pressure taps or lines on opposed sides of a reduced
diameter orifice in the main flow line.
It is a further object of this invention to provide mounting means
for such an installation including a mounting plate for both the
differential pressure transmitter and gauge pressure transmitter
positioned between the manifold and the transmitters.
Another object is to provide a mounting installation directly on
the main flow line with the high pressure line and the low pressure
line from the main flow line being along a straight axis to the
differential pressure transmitter through the manifold and through
the mounting plate.
An additional object is to provide such a mounting plate between a
manifold and the transmitters with the gauge pressure transmitter
being downstream of the differential pressure transmitter so that
fluid communication to the gauge pressure transmitter may be
blocked for calibration or venting of the differential pressure
transmitter.
Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be
apparent from the following drawings and specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system for measuring fluid pressure in a
main flow line utilizing the present invention in which a
differential pressure transmitter and a gauge pressure transmitter
are mounted on a manifold in fluid communication with a pair of
fluid pressure taps on opposed sides of a restriction in the main
flow line;
FIG. 2 is an elevation of one embodiment of the pressure measuring
and transmitting assembly of the present invention mounted directly
on a main flow line;
FIG. 3 is a perspective of a five valve manifold of the pressure
measuring and transmitting assembly of FIG. 2 positioned between
the main flow line and the mounting plate for the gauge pressure
transmitter and the differential pressure transmitter;
FIG. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, of the manifold shown in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the mounting plate with certain parts
broken away for showing fluid communication between the
differential pressure transmitter and the gauge pressure
transmitter;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation, with certain parts broken away, of the
mounting plate of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an elevation of a modification of the pressure measuring
and transmitting assembly mounted on a stand adjacent the main flow
line and showing the differential pressure transmitter mounted on a
planar face of the mounting plate and the gauge pressure
transmitter on a side of the mounting plate at right angles to the
differential pressure transmitter;
FIG. 8 is a plan of the modified pressure measuring and
transmitting assembly shown in FIG. 7 taken generally along line
8--8 of FIG. 7 but rotated 90.degree.;
FIG. 9 is a plan of the mounting plate shown removed from the
assembly of FIGS. 7 and 8;
FIG. 10 is a section taken generally along line 10--10 of FIG.
9;
FIG. 11 is an end elevation of the mounting plate shown in FIGS. 9
and 10;
FIG. 12 is a front elevation of a further modification of the
pressure measuring and transmitting assembly of the present
invention showing a manifold connected directly to a side of a main
flow line with the transmitter mounting plate extending in a
horizontal direction; and
FIG. 13 is an additional modification of the pressure measuring and
transmitting assembly of the present invention showing a manifold
connected directly to a side of main flow line with the mounting
plate extending in a generally vertical direction and the
transmitters extending in opposite directions from each other.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, and more
particularly to the pressure measuring and transmitting system
shown schematically in FIG. 1, the main flow line is generally
indicated at 10 having a flow restriction 12 therein which provides
a fluid pressure drop as well known. Flow restriction 12 may be in
the form of an orifice plate, flow nozzle ,or venturi, as well
known. A high pressure fluid tap or line is shown at 14 and a low
pressure fluid tap or line is shown at 16 on opposed sides of
restriction 12. A housing 17 is connected to flow line 10 as shown
in FIG. 2 for mounting restriction or orifice plate 12 within flow
line 10. High and low pressure lines 14, 16 are in fluid
communication with a five valve manifold generally shown at 18 and
well known in the art as will be explained further below.
High and low pressure lines 14, 16 extend along a straight axis
through suitable flow passages in manifold 18 to a mounting plate
generally illustrated at 20 on which a differential pressure
transmitter 22 and a gauge pressure transmitter 24 are mounted
.Differential pressure transmitter 22 is in fluid communication
along a straight axis with both the high pressure line 14 and the
low pressure line 16 from main flow line 10 for measuring the
differential pressure on opposite sides of restriction 12 while
gauge pressure transmitter 24 is in fluid communication with low
pressure line 16 downstream from differential pressure transmitter
22 to measure the fluid pressure on the low pressure side of
restriction 12. In some instances it may be desirable for gauge
pressure transmitter 24 to measure the fluid pressure on the high
pressure side of restriction 12 and mounting plate 20 may also be
utilized for that purpose as will be explained.
Transmitters 22 and 24 normally include a pressure transducer and
an associated electronic head for measuring the fluid pressure and
then transmitting an electronic signal indicating the measured
fluid pressure or differential pressure to a remote control site as
shown at 26 where the fluid pressure may be recorded and/or
visually displayed for monitoring. Transmitters 22 and 24 are well
known in the art and are commercially available. For example,
differential pressure transmitter 22 may be purchased as Model
3051CD, Rosemount Incorporated, Eden Prairie, Minn. and gauge
pressure transmitter 24 may be purchased under Model 3051CG of
Rosemount Incorporated.
Fluid pressure transmitters normally utilize a diaphragm for
measurement of the fluid pressure and it is desirable to have the
fluid pressure transmitter as close to the restriction 12 in main
flow line 10 as possible. Pressure surges occur from compressor
stations along the flow line and it is desirable to provide a large
number of measurements that an average differential pressure can be
obtained for increased accuracy. An increase or decrease in fluid
pressure at restriction 12 effects a pressure pulse or wave which
is received by the diaphragm of the transmitter and such a pulse
travels at the speed of sound. Thus, a practically instantaneous
measurement may be provided from a mounting of the measuring and
transmitting assembly directly on the flow line which transports a
gaseous fluid. In order to obtain maximum accuracy, the flow
passages to the transmitters from the low line should be at least
around 3/8 inch diameter to minimize attenuation or amplification
of the pressure pulse and the flow passages should be cleaned
periodically by rodding. Additionally, it is noted that the fluid
pressure from main flow line 10 to differential pressure
transmitter 22 is preferably transmitted along a straight constant
diameter flow path or passage thereby to obtain maximum precision
in pressure measurement.
Mounting plate 20 forms an important part of this invention and is
positioned between manifold 18 and transmitters 22 and 24. Both
transmitters 22 and 24 are mounted on mounting plate 20 with gauge
pressure transmitter 24 being positioned on mounting plate 20
downstream from differential pressure transmitter 22. Fluid
communication from flow line 10 to transmitters 22 and 24 is
controlled by manifold 18 which is a five valve manifold. As shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4, manifold 18 has a body 28 with opposed flanges 30
for connection to mounting plate 22 and a fitting generally
indicated at 32 for connection to fluid pressure taps or lines 14,
16 from flow line 10.
Manifold 18 has a high pressure flow passage 36 and a low pressure
flow passage 38 therethrough in communication with respective
pressure lines 14 and 16. Manifold 18 is a available commercially
as Model M65A from Anderson Greenwood & Company, Houston, Tex.
Hand valves 40 movable between open and closed positions control
fluid flow from pressure lines 14 and 16 to transmitters 22, 24.
Suitable block and bleed valves 41, 42 and 44 are provided for
blocking or venting to atmosphere either the high pressure side or
the low pressure side of transmitter 22 and 24. A connecting flow
passage 46 extends between passage 36 and 38. For example, if
desired to vent to atmosphere the low pressure side, valves 40 and
44 are closed. Then valves 41 and 42 are opened to permit fluid
flow from transmitters 22 and 24 through passages 38 and 46 to the
vent port opened by valve 42. Similarly, the high pressure side may
be vented to atmosphere by closing valve 40 and opening valves 42
and 44. Bleeding of fluid from transmitters 22, 24 may be desired
for repair or replacement, removal of contaminated fluids, or
calibration, for example.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 in which mounting plate 20 is
illustrated, bolts 48 extend through openings 50 for securing plate
20 onto adjacent flange 30 of manifold 18 and for threading within
aligned openings 52 of differential pressure transmitter 22.
Mounting plate 20 has an upper planar surface 53 on which
transmitters 22 and 24 are supported and a lower parallel planar
surface 53 in contact with flange 30 of manifold 18. Bolts 54
extend through openings 56 within aligned threaded openings 58 in
gauge pressure transmitter 24 for mounting transmitter 24 thereon.
Suitable elastomeric seal rings 60 are mounted on grooves between
plate 20 and transmitters 22, 24 for sealing therebetween. Low
pressure port 62 is in straight axial alignment with low pressure
flow passage 38 of manifold 18 and high pressure port 64 is in
straight axial alignment with high pressure flow passage 36 of
manifold 18. Ports 62 and 64 are in fluid communication with
suitable diaphragms (not shown) in differential pressure
transmitter 22 for measuring the differential pressure. A low
pressure port 66 is in fluid communication with a suitable
diaphragm not shown) in gauge pressure transmitter 24 for measuring
the low pressure. A longitudinally extending flow passage 68
extends the length of plate 20 and has end plugs 70 therein.
Transverse branch flow passage 72 having end plugs 74 extends
between flow passage 68 and low pressure ports 62 and 66 thereby to
provide fluid communication between ports 62 and 66. Port 76 is not
a live port as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is plugged at 78. Port 66
is plugged at 70.
In the event it is desired to block fluid communication between low
pressure ports 62 and 66, a hand operated plug valve indicated
generally at 80 has a plug 82 on its extending end received within
a tapered valve seat 84 in flow passage 68. Valve 82 is shown in a
closed position in FIG. 5 as might be desired for venting or
bleeding gauge pressure transmitter 24 from manifold 18.
At times, it may be desired for gauge pressure transmitter 24 to
measure high pressure instead of low pressure, and mounting plate
20 is adapted to be utilized for this purpose. A particular
installation will normally be installed for measuring either high
pressure or low pressure and mounting plate 20 may be utilized for
either installation without the requirement of having separate
mounting plate. Plate 20 may be rotated 180.degree. in a horizontal
plane relative to manifold 18 and transmitters 22, 24 as viewed in
FIG. 2. In this position, port 66 would be beneath differential
pressure transmitter 22 in fluid communication with high pressure
line 14 upon removal of plug 79 and port 62 would be beneath gauge
pressure transmitter 24 in fluid communication with port 66 through
line 68. Port 76 would be beneath differential pressure transmitter
22 in fluid communication with low pressure line 16 upon removal of
plug 78. Thus, gauge pressure transmitter 24 would be measuring the
high fluid pressure in main flow line 10. It is noted in FIG. 1
that pressure lines 14 and 16 are shown schematically as extending
on opposite sides of mounting plate 20 in order to illustrate fluid
communication between main flow line 10 and differential pressure
transmitter 22. It is noted that ports 66, 76 are positioned on
plate 20 in symmetrical relation to ports 62 and 66.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, another embodiment of this invention
is shown mounted on a stand indicated generally at 88 and
positioned adjacent main flow line 10. Such a stand or separate
support may be desirable when main flow line 10 is subjected to
substantial vibration from pressure surges or the like. A support
bracket 89 secured to stand 88 supports a manifold 18A thereon and
high and low pressure lines 14 and 16 extend to manifold 18A from
an associated main flow line (not shown). Oftentimes, a main flow
line, such as a pipeline, will vibrate and it is desirable to mount
any instrumentation on a separate stand adjacent the flow line.
Manifold 18A is a five valve manifold similar to manifold 18 in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. Mounting plate 20A is bolted by bolts 48A
to manifold 18A through openings 50A. Differential pressure
transmitter 22A is in fluid communication with high pressure line
14A through port 62A and with low pressure line 16A through port
64A. Suitable bolts (not shown) secure differential pressure
transmitter 22A to the upper planar surface 53A of mounting plate
20A.
Gauge pressure transmitter 24A has a flange 90 secured by bolts 92
to a side of mounting plate 20A. A fluid passage 68A in
communication with port 62A provides low pressure fluid to gauge
pressure transmitter 24A for measurement. Thus, transmitters 22A
and 24A extend at right angles to each other. If desired from gauge
pressure transmitter 24A to measure high pressure, mounting plate
20A may be rotated along with differential pressure transmitter 24A
180.degree. so that port 62A is in fluid communication with high
pressure line 14.
Referring to FIG. 12 another embodiment of the present invention is
shown in which a manifold 18B is mounted on a side of main flow
line 10 at restriction 12 and supports mounting plate 20B.
Differential pressure transmitter 22B and gauge pressure
transmitter 24B are supported on planar surface 53B of mounting
plate 20B. Mounting plate 20B is similar to mounting plate 20 of
the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and extends in a generally horizontal
direction.
Referring to FIG. 13, an additional embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in which a mounting plate 20C is secured
to manifold 18C supported from a side of flow line 10. Differential
pressure transmitter 22C and gauge pressure transmitter 24C are
supported on planar surface 53C of mounting plate 20C which extends
in a generally vertical direction. Transmitters 22C and 24 C extend
in opposite direction from each other. Mounting plate 20C is
similar to mounting plate 20 shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
1-6.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and
adaptations of the preferred embodiments will occur to those
skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that
such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope
of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
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