US 6,349,735 B2Granted

Differential pressure sensor and isolation valve manifold assembly

AssigneeMamac Systems, Inc.

InventorS. Asim Gul

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Abstract

A pressure monitoring assembly includes an isolation valve assembly and a differential pressure sensor assembly. The rigid manifold has two pressure inlet ports which each communicate with respective pressure outlet ports through isolation valves. An equalization passage and valve connect the two pressure lines. The pressure sensor assembly is sized to mate directly with the monolithic manifold by having sensor inlet ports that line up with the pressure outlet ports. Pressure tight attachments releasably secure the pressure sensor assembly to the manifold, but a rigid to support the weight of the pressure sensor assembly. No bleeding valves are necessary. Orientation and the positioning and construction of the manifold effectively reduce the amount of heat transfer between the pressure lines and the pressure sensor(s).

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of assembling a pressure monitoring assembly comprising:

providing an isolation valve assembly comprising:
a rigid manifold having a first pressure inlet port, a first pressure outlet port, a second pressure inlet port and a second pressure outlet port, the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port being aligned in a parallel relationship with an outlet port spacing between the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port;
a first isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the first pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the first pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the first pressure inlet port to the first pressure outlet port is stopped;
and
a second isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the second pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the second pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the second pressure inlet port to the second pressure outlet port is stopped;
positioning the isolation valve assembly on an underlying planar surface with the first and second pressure outlet ports defining axes extending parallel to the underlying planar surface;
providing a pressure sensor assembly comprising:
a first pressure sensor port;
and
a second pressure sensor port rigidly secured relative to the first pressure sensor port, the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port being aligned in a parallel relationship with a sensor port spacing between the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port, wherein the sensor port spacing equals the outlet port spacing;
positioning the pressure sensor assembly on the underlying planar surface such that the first and second pressure sensor ports define axes which are aligned colinear with respective axes of the first and second pressure outlet ports;
sliding the pressure sensor assembly and the isolation valve assembly toward one another on the underlying planar surface;
releasably securing the first pressure outlet port to the first pressure sensor port in a pressure tight manner;
and
releasably securing the second pressure outlet port to the second pressure sensor port in a pressure tight manner.

12 more elements

A pressure monitoring assembly comprising:

an isolation valve assembly comprising:
a rigid manifold having a first pressure inlet port, a first pressure outlet port, a second pressure inlet port and a second pressure outlet port, the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port being aligned in a parallel relationship with an outlet port spacing between the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port;
a first isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the first pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the first pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the first pressure inlet port to the first pressure outlet port is stopped;
and
a second isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the second pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the second pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the second pressure inlet port to the second pressure outlet port is stopped;
a pressure sensor assembly comprising:
a first pressure sensor port;
and
a second pressure sensor port rigidly secured relative to the first pressure sensor port, the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port being aligned in a parallel relationship with a sensor port spacing between the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port, wherein the sensor port spacing equals the outlet port spacing;
a first pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the first pressure outlet port to the first pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner;
and
a second pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the second pressure outlet port to the second pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner.

9 more elements

A pressure monitoring assembly comprising:

an isolation valve assembly comprising:
a rigid manifold having a first pressure inlet port, a first pressure outlet port, a second pressure inlet port and a second pressure outlet port, the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port being aligned in a parallel relationship with an outlet port spacing between the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port;
a first isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the first pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the first pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the first pressure inlet port to the first pressure outlet port is stopped;
and
a second isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the second pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the second pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the second pressure inlet port to the second pressure outlet port is stopped;
a pressure sensor assembly comprising:
a first pressure sensor port;
and
a second pressure sensor port rigidly secured relative to the first pressure sensor port, the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port being aligned in a parallel relationship with a sensor port spacing between the first pressure sensor port and the second pressure sensor port, wherein the sensor port spacing equals the outlet port spacing;
a first pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the first pressure outlet port to the first pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner;
a second pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the second pressure outlet port to the second pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner;
wherein the first pressure tight attachment mechanism and the second pressure tight attachment mechanism can support the weight of the pressure sensor assembly with the pressure sensor assembly hanging under the isolation valve assembly, to reduce heat transfer from the isolation valve assembly to the pressure sensor assembly.

9 more elements

A pressure monitoring assembly comprising:

an isolation valve assembly comprising:
a rigid manifold having a first pressure inlet port, a first pressure outlet port, a second pressure inlet port and a second pressure outlet port;
a first isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the first pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the first pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the first pressure inlet port to the first pressure outlet port is stopped;
a second isolation valve adjustable between an opened position in which the second pressure inlet port is in fluid communication with the second pressure outlet port and a closed position in which flow in the rigid manifold from the second pressure inlet port to the second pressure outlet port is stopped;
an equalization connection formed in the rigid manifold permitting fluid communication between the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port through the rigid manifold;
an equalization valve adjustable between an opened position permitting fluid communication through the equalization connection between the first pressure outlet port and the second pressure outlet port and a closed position sealing the first pressure outlet port from the second pressure outlet port;
a pressure sensor assembly comprising:
a first pressure sensor port;
and
a second pressure sensor port rigidly secured relative to the first pressure sensor port;
a first pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the first pressure outlet port to the first pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner;
a second pressure tight attachment mechanism for releasably securing the second pressure outlet port to the second pressure sensor port in rigid alignment and in a pressure tight manner;
wherein the isolation valve assembly and the attached pressure sensor assembly have an internal length of fluid connections past the first and second isolation valves which is less than fourteen linear inches, and without a bleeding valve.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/778,674Filed 7 Feb 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 7 Feb 2000
Published: US 2001/0039964 A115 Nov 2001
Granted: 26 Feb 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01L 19/0015
Fluidic connecting means: using switching means
Y10T 137/0447
Repairing, securing, replacing, or servicing pipe joint, valve, or tank: including joint or coupling
Y10T 137/698
Buildings: wall
Y10T 137/8175
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means: plural