CA2249510C - Gas blanket controller - Google Patents
Gas blanket controller Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2249510C CA2249510C CA 2249510 CA2249510A CA2249510C CA 2249510 C CA2249510 C CA 2249510C CA 2249510 CA2249510 CA 2249510 CA 2249510 A CA2249510 A CA 2249510A CA 2249510 C CA2249510 C CA 2249510C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- gas blanket
- tank
- secured
- microswitch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 29
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010962 carbon steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011133 lead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003245 working effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
- G05D16/14—Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power
- G05D16/16—Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power derived from the controlled fluid
- G05D16/163—Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power derived from the controlled fluid using membranes within the main valve
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Safety Valves (AREA)
Abstract
A gas blanket controller, comprising a housing defining a chamber sealed with a diaphragm on a first side of the chamber, and a fitting for a tank outlet on another side of the chamber; a rod secured to the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm; a rod guide secured to the housing, the rod being guided by the rod guide; weights secured to the rod providing a force resisting movement of the rod; a control linkage secured to the rod; a microswitch mounted on the housing, the microswitch having a toggle that is actuated by the control linkage; a gas blanket supply line; a gas blanket motor control valve on the gas blanket supply line; a communication link between the microswitch and the gas blanket motor control valve; and the rod having a range of motion such that the toggle is operable by contact with the control linkage, whereby the microswitch opens and closes the gas blanket control valve upon operation of the toggle.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Gas Blanket Controller NAME OF INVENTOR
Robert Carl Rajewski FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gas blanket controllers for controlling gas blanket pressure supplied to tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gas blanket controllers are used to sense pressure in a tank and control the flow of blanket gas to the tank. In one prior art design, gas pressure is provided to one side of a diaphragm to which is attached a rod. The rod is biased by a spring and connects directly to a valve to control flow of blanket gas into the tank. This arrangement is somewhat cumbersome and the inventor considers it hard to adjust to a set pressure. A simpler, more dependable and more accurate design is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention a gas blanket controller, comprising a housing defining a chamber sealed with a diaphragm on a first side of the chamber, and a fitting for a tank outlet on another side of the chamber; a rod secured to the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm; a rod guide secured to the housing, the rod being guided by the rod guide; weights secured to the rod providing a force resisting movement of the rod; a control linkage secured to the rod; a microswitch mounted on the housing, the microswitch having a toggle that is actuated by the control linkage; a gas blanket supply line; a gas blanket motor control valve on the gas blanket supply line; a
Gas Blanket Controller NAME OF INVENTOR
Robert Carl Rajewski FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gas blanket controllers for controlling gas blanket pressure supplied to tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gas blanket controllers are used to sense pressure in a tank and control the flow of blanket gas to the tank. In one prior art design, gas pressure is provided to one side of a diaphragm to which is attached a rod. The rod is biased by a spring and connects directly to a valve to control flow of blanket gas into the tank. This arrangement is somewhat cumbersome and the inventor considers it hard to adjust to a set pressure. A simpler, more dependable and more accurate design is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention a gas blanket controller, comprising a housing defining a chamber sealed with a diaphragm on a first side of the chamber, and a fitting for a tank outlet on another side of the chamber; a rod secured to the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm; a rod guide secured to the housing, the rod being guided by the rod guide; weights secured to the rod providing a force resisting movement of the rod; a control linkage secured to the rod; a microswitch mounted on the housing, the microswitch having a toggle that is actuated by the control linkage; a gas blanket supply line; a gas blanket motor control valve on the gas blanket supply line; a
2 communication link between the microswitch and the gas blanket motor control valve; and the rod having a range of motion such that the toggle is operable by contact with the control linkage, whereby the microswitch opens and closes the gas blanket control valve upon operation of the toggle.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the communication link is a hydraulic line.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control linkage comprises upper and lower stops on the rod, which may be formed of washers.
These and other aspects of the invention are described in the detailed description of the invention and claimed in the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
There will now be described preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings, by way of illustration only and not with the intention of limiting the scope of the invention, in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic of a gas blanket controller according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic showing a detail of the inner workings of the gas blanket controller according to the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a gas blanket controller 10 attached to an outlet 12 of a tank 14 by a conventional fitting 16. The gas blanket controller 10 is formed of a housing 18 defining a chamber 20 sealed with a diaphragm 22 on a first side of the chamber 20. The fitting 16 is on the other side of the chamber. The
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the communication link is a hydraulic line.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control linkage comprises upper and lower stops on the rod, which may be formed of washers.
These and other aspects of the invention are described in the detailed description of the invention and claimed in the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
There will now be described preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings, by way of illustration only and not with the intention of limiting the scope of the invention, in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic of a gas blanket controller according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic showing a detail of the inner workings of the gas blanket controller according to the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a gas blanket controller 10 attached to an outlet 12 of a tank 14 by a conventional fitting 16. The gas blanket controller 10 is formed of a housing 18 defining a chamber 20 sealed with a diaphragm 22 on a first side of the chamber 20. The fitting 16 is on the other side of the chamber. The
3 diaphragm 22 itself is conventional, and moves up and down with variation in gas pressure in the tank 14.
A rod 24 is secured to the diaphragm 22 in conventional fashion so that the rod moves up and down as the diaphragm 22 moves with gas pressure in the tank 14.
The rod 24 extends upward through a tube 26 that is secured to the housing 18. The tube 26 forms a guide for the rod.
Weights 28 are secured to the rod 24 at one end to provide a force resisting movement of the rod 24 upward. Selection of the weights 28 permits accurate control of the tripping pressure of the gas blanket controller 10. Greater weight means greater pressure is required to move the rod 24. A
compartment for the weights 28 is provided by a drum 27 secured to the tube 26, with the drum 27 being capped by a lid 29 that protects the controller 10 from the elements.
Washers 30 and 32 are secured to the rod 24 to form upper and lower stops of a control linkage. An air vent or breather hole 33 is provided in the tube 26 for venting the controller 10 above the diaphragm. A microswitch 34 is mounted on the tube 26, which itself is mounted on the housing 18. The microswitch 34 has a toggle 36 disposed between the washers 30 and 32. The microswitch 34 forms part of a control circuit for a gas blanket motor control valve 38 on a gas blanket supply line 40. The gas blanket supply line 40 is connected to a source of blanket gas (not shown) and is connected to the tank 14 through a conventional fitting 41. A communication link between the microswitch 34 and the gas blanket motor control valve 38 is formed by hydraulic lines 42 and 44, with line 42 providing pressure in and line 44 providing pressure out.
The rod 24 is provided with a range of motion such that the toggle 36 is operable by contact with the washers 30 and 32. The range of motion may be controlled by the selection of the weights. As the toggle 36 is moved from
A rod 24 is secured to the diaphragm 22 in conventional fashion so that the rod moves up and down as the diaphragm 22 moves with gas pressure in the tank 14.
The rod 24 extends upward through a tube 26 that is secured to the housing 18. The tube 26 forms a guide for the rod.
Weights 28 are secured to the rod 24 at one end to provide a force resisting movement of the rod 24 upward. Selection of the weights 28 permits accurate control of the tripping pressure of the gas blanket controller 10. Greater weight means greater pressure is required to move the rod 24. A
compartment for the weights 28 is provided by a drum 27 secured to the tube 26, with the drum 27 being capped by a lid 29 that protects the controller 10 from the elements.
Washers 30 and 32 are secured to the rod 24 to form upper and lower stops of a control linkage. An air vent or breather hole 33 is provided in the tube 26 for venting the controller 10 above the diaphragm. A microswitch 34 is mounted on the tube 26, which itself is mounted on the housing 18. The microswitch 34 has a toggle 36 disposed between the washers 30 and 32. The microswitch 34 forms part of a control circuit for a gas blanket motor control valve 38 on a gas blanket supply line 40. The gas blanket supply line 40 is connected to a source of blanket gas (not shown) and is connected to the tank 14 through a conventional fitting 41. A communication link between the microswitch 34 and the gas blanket motor control valve 38 is formed by hydraulic lines 42 and 44, with line 42 providing pressure in and line 44 providing pressure out.
The rod 24 is provided with a range of motion such that the toggle 36 is operable by contact with the washers 30 and 32. The range of motion may be controlled by the selection of the weights. As the toggle 36 is moved from
4 the on to off positions, the microswitch 34 opens and closes the gas blanket motor control valve 38 upon operation of the toggle 36.
An optional pressure regulator 46 may be provided on the pressure-in line 42. The gas blanket controller thus described may be set to all standard pressure settings starting at % " W.C.
The microswitch, blanket gas motor control valve, and the control lines are all readily commercially available parts. As for example, the microswitch may be an InvalcoTm 316 Fl-221 microswitch, the motor control valve may be from any of various manufacturers such as Fisher or Kimray, and may have a size (eg 1", 211) to suit the intended application, and the diaphragm may be made of TEFLONTm, VITONTm or other flexible, impermeable, inert material that is suitable for the kind of gases used in the intended application. The weights may be lead, carbon steel, stainless steel or coated carbon steel or other metals or coated materials, so long as they provide a weight for the rod and may be secured to the rod. Several weights should be used to allow selection of the desired on and off pressures.
Immaterial modifications to the invention described here are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
An optional pressure regulator 46 may be provided on the pressure-in line 42. The gas blanket controller thus described may be set to all standard pressure settings starting at % " W.C.
The microswitch, blanket gas motor control valve, and the control lines are all readily commercially available parts. As for example, the microswitch may be an InvalcoTm 316 Fl-221 microswitch, the motor control valve may be from any of various manufacturers such as Fisher or Kimray, and may have a size (eg 1", 211) to suit the intended application, and the diaphragm may be made of TEFLONTm, VITONTm or other flexible, impermeable, inert material that is suitable for the kind of gases used in the intended application. The weights may be lead, carbon steel, stainless steel or coated carbon steel or other metals or coated materials, so long as they provide a weight for the rod and may be secured to the rod. Several weights should be used to allow selection of the desired on and off pressures.
Immaterial modifications to the invention described here are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OF PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMS ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A tank and a gas blanket controller in combination, comprising:
a tank having a tank outlet;
a housing defining a chamber sealed with a diaphragm on a first side of the chamber, and a fitting for the tank outlet on another side of the chamber;
the housing being secured to the tank by the fitting;
a rod secured to the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm;
a rod guide secured to the housing, the rod being guided by the rod guide;
weights secured to the rod providing a force resisting movement of the rod;
a control linkage secured to the rod;
a microswitch mounted on the housing, the microswitch having a toggle that is actuated by the control linkage;
a gas blanket supply line in fluid communication with the tank;
a gas blanket motor control valve on the gas blanket supply line;
a communication link between the microswitch and the gas blanket motor control valve; and the rod having a range of motion such that the toggle is operable by contact with the control linkage, whereby the microswitch opens and closes the gas blanket motor control valve upon operation of the toggle and controls fluid flow from the gas blanket supply line to the tank.
a tank having a tank outlet;
a housing defining a chamber sealed with a diaphragm on a first side of the chamber, and a fitting for the tank outlet on another side of the chamber;
the housing being secured to the tank by the fitting;
a rod secured to the diaphragm for movement with the diaphragm;
a rod guide secured to the housing, the rod being guided by the rod guide;
weights secured to the rod providing a force resisting movement of the rod;
a control linkage secured to the rod;
a microswitch mounted on the housing, the microswitch having a toggle that is actuated by the control linkage;
a gas blanket supply line in fluid communication with the tank;
a gas blanket motor control valve on the gas blanket supply line;
a communication link between the microswitch and the gas blanket motor control valve; and the rod having a range of motion such that the toggle is operable by contact with the control linkage, whereby the microswitch opens and closes the gas blanket motor control valve upon operation of the toggle and controls fluid flow from the gas blanket supply line to the tank.
2. The tank and gas blanket controller of claim 1 in which the communication link is a fluid line.
3. The tank and gas blanket controller of claim 1 in which the control linkage comprises upper and lower stops on the rod.
4. The tank and gas blanket controller of claim 3 in which the upper and lower stops are formed of washers.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2249510 CA2249510C (en) | 1998-10-05 | 1998-10-05 | Gas blanket controller |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2249510 CA2249510C (en) | 1998-10-05 | 1998-10-05 | Gas blanket controller |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2249510A1 CA2249510A1 (en) | 2000-04-05 |
| CA2249510C true CA2249510C (en) | 2007-08-28 |
Family
ID=29425415
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2249510 Expired - Fee Related CA2249510C (en) | 1998-10-05 | 1998-10-05 | Gas blanket controller |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2249510C (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-10-05 CA CA 2249510 patent/CA2249510C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2249510A1 (en) | 2000-04-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20131007 |