Sludge flow measuring system
AssigneeSchwing America, Inc.
InventorsEdward A. Oakley, Harry K. Crow, Thomas M. Anderson, Richard T. Atherton, Berthold A. Fehn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for the transport of high solids sludge includes a positive displacement pump for pumping sludge through a pipeline. The volume of sludge transported is accurately measured by determining the fill percentage during pumping cycle.
Claims14
A method of monitoring operation of a positive displacement piston/cylinder pump, the method comprising:
- sensing a parameter which bears a known relationship to a flow of material out of a cylinder of the pump, the material containing solids, liquids and gases and being partially compressible;
- and
- determining a fill percentage of the cylinder based upon the sensed parameter;
- providing an output signal as a function of the determined fill percentage.
A method of monitoring operation of a positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material and an outlet at which material is delivered under pressure, the material received at the inlet being partially compressible such that a reduction in volume of the material occurs during each pumping cycle as it is pumped from the inlet to the outlet, the method comprising:
- sensing a parameter which bears a known relationship to an actual volume of material delivered under pressure from a material cylinder in the pump;
- determining a fill percentage of the material cylinder based upon the parameter sensed;
- determining an output value based upon the fill percentage;
- and providing an output signal as a function of the output value.
A method of monitoring operation of a positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material and an outlet at which material is delivered under pressure, the material received at the inlet being partially compressible such that a reduction in volume of the material occurs during each pumping cycle as it is pumped from the inlet to the outlet, the method comprising:
- sensing a beginning of a flow of material from the pump outlet;
- sensing an ending of the flow of material from the pump outlet;
- and
- determining a fill percentage of a material cylinder of the pump based upon the beginning of a flow of material and upon the ending of the flow of material.
A system for monitoring operation of a positive displacement piston/cylinder pump, the system comprising:
- means for sensing a parameter which bears a known relationship to a flow of material out of a cylinder of the pump, the material containing solids, liquids and gases and being partially compressible;
- means for determining a fill percentage of the cylinder based upon the sensed parameter;
- and
- means for providing an output signal as a function of the determined fill percentage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.