Packing case with degradation monitoring
AssigneeDover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment, Inc.
InventorsJason Craig Martin, Vitali Kvachnev
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of monitoring degradation of seals of a packing case includes receiving signals from a first temperature sensor installed in a first location in a housing of the packing case; receiving signals from a second temperature sensor installed in a second location in the housing of the packing case; computing, from the signals, a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor at two or more times; and determining, at least in part from the temperature differential at the two or more times, a degradation indicator for at least one of the seals of the packing case.
Claims37
A method of monitoring degradation of seals of a packing case, comprising:
- receiving signals from a first temperature sensor installed in a first location in a housing of the packing case;
- receiving signals from a second temperature sensor installed in a second location in the housing of the packing case;
- computing, from the signals, a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor at two or more times;
- and
- determining, at least in part from the temperature differential at the two or more times, a degradation indicator for at least one of the seals of the packing case.
A monitoring system for a packing case having two or more seals and defining a cylinder-side and a driver-side, the monitoring system comprising:
- a first temperature sensor coupled to a housing of the packing case and configured to sense a temperature on the cylinder-side of one of the seals;
- a second temperature sensor coupled to the housing and configured to sense a temperature on the driver-side of the one of the seals;
- and
- a computing device communicatively coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, the computing device configured to:
- receive signals from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor;
- compute, from the signals, a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor at two or more times;
- and
- determine, at least in part from the temperature differential at the two or more times, a degradation indicator for at least one of the seals of the packing case.
The monitoring system of 15, wherein:
- the two or more seals comprise a second seal axially disposed on the cylinder-side of the one of the seals,
- the system further comprises a third temperature sensor axially disposed on the cylinder-side of the of the second seal,
- the computing device is communicatively coupled to the third temperature sensor, and
- the computing device is configured to compute a temperature differential between the third temperature sensor and at least one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.
A packing case assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of seals;
- a housing configured to hold at least two of the seals;
- an end plate coupled to the housing;
- a first temperature sensor coupled to a housing of the packing case and configured to sense a temperature on the cylinder-side of one of the seals;
- and
- a second temperature sensor coupled to the housing and configured to sense a temperature on the driver-side of the one of the seals.
A reciprocating compressor system, comprising:
- a compression cylinder defining a compression chamber;
- a driver;
- a rod coupled between the driver and the compression cylinder, wherein the driver operable to reciprocate the rod such that gas is compressed in the compression chamber;
- a packing case through which the rod passes between the compression cylinder and the driver, the packing case defining a cylinder-side and a driver-side, and comprising:
- a plurality of seals through which the rod passes;
- a housing configured to hold at least two of the seals;
- and
- an end plate coupled to the housing;
- and
- a packing case monitoring system, the packing case monitoring system comprising:
- a first temperature sensor coupled to a housing of the packing case and configured to sense a temperature on the cylinder-side of one of the seals;
- a second temperature sensor coupled to the housing and configured to sense a temperature on the driver-side of the one of the seals;
- and
- a computing device communicatively coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, the computing device configured to:
- receive signals from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor;
- compute, from the signals, a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor at two or more times;
- and
- determine, at least in part from the temperature differential at the two or more times, a degradation indicator for at least one of the seals of the packing case.
A method of monitoring degradation of seals of a packing case, comprising:
- receiving signals from one or more temperature sensors installed in a housing of the packing case;
- receiving signals from one or more pressure sensors coupled to the housing of the packing case;
- computing, from the signals, a temperature at two or more times and a pressure at two or more times;
- and
- determining, from at least one of the temperatures and at least one of the pressures, one or more degradation indicators for at least one of the seals of the packing case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.