Stillwell apparatus
OwnerCraig T. Nelsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention involves a new housing for a liquid level detection device. More particularly, the new stillwell apparatus comprises, at least one tubular section, a means for extending the length of the stillwell, a conduit for delivering a cleansing solution to the bottom of the tubular sections, a gas inlet tube for determination of the presence of hazardous gases, and a means for pressure equalization. In addition this invention reveals novel installation, removal and cleansing methods making it possible to install, remove, and cleanse the stillwell from an exterior of a vessel, thereby eliminating the need for highly trained personnel to enter the vessel in order to install, maintain, cleanse, or remove the stillwell.
Claims28
A stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device, wherein the stillwell apparatus comprises:
- a) a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device;
- b) an exterior for mounting parallel to said stillwell apparatus a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) an upper section and an opposing lower section, said upper section comprises means for sealingly connecting to an exterior of a vessel, said lower section comprises means for passage of solution to be analyzed;
- and
- d) a means for extending the length of the stillwell apparatus.
A stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device, wherein the stillwell apparatus comprises:
- a) a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device;
- b) an exterior for mounting parallel to said stillwell apparatus a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) an upper section and an opposing lower section, said upper section comprises means for sealingly connecting to an exterior of a vessel;
- d) a means for extending the length of the stillwell apparatus;
- e) said vessel is selected from the group consisting of underground storage tanks, chemical reaction vessels, water tanks, water wells, municipal waste containers, municipal tanks, waste water tanks, and sewage tanks;
- f) said upper section further comprises means for pressure equalization, wherein said means for pressure equalization comprises vent holes;
- g) said upper section further comprises a gas inlet tube;
- h) said upper section further comprises a lid;
- and
- i) said means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus comprises a conduit for delivery of a cleansing solution from an exterior source of a cleansing solution to the lower section of the stillwell;
- and
- j) said means for extending the length of said stillwell apparatus comprises insertion of a middle section therebetween said upper section and said lower section.
A stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device, wherein the stillwell apparatus comprises:
- a) a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device;
- b) an exterior for mounting parallel to said stillwell apparatus a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) an upper section comprising first and second opposite ends, said upper section first end sealingly connected to a top of a vessel and the upper section second end sealingly connected a lower section and in fluid communication therewith,
- d) the lower section comprising first and second opposite ends, said lower section first end sealingly connected to said upper section second end, said lower section second end comprising a plurality of port holes to admit a solution to be analyzed.
A method for installing a stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device comprising the steps of
- a) providing a stillwell apparatus;
- said stillwell apparatus comprising an upper section, said upper section comprising a gas inlet tube, a lid, and vent holes;
- an opposite lower section, said lower section having port holes;
- an interior and an exterior;
- b) attaching a conduit to said exterior;
- c) inserting said stillwell apparatus into a vessel;
- d) attaching a lid to the stillwell upper section;
- and
- e) sealingly connecting said upper section to said vessel.
A method for installing a stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device comprising the steps of
- a) providing a stillwell apparatus, said stillwell apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical shape having en interior for housing the analytical device, an exterior, an upper section having first and second opposite ends, and a lower section having first and second opposite ends;
- b) mounting on said exterior and parallel to said stillwell apparatus a cleansing conduit for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) attaching an upper section first end to an exterior of a vessel, said upper section first end comprising vents;
- and
- d) connecting an upper section second end to a lower section first end.
A method for installing a stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device comprising the steps of
- a) providing a stillwell apparatus, said stillwell apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device, an exterior, an upper section having first and second opposite ends, and a lower section having first and second opposite ends;
- b) mounting on said exterior and parallel to said stillwell apparatus a cleansing conduit for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) inserting said stillwell apparatus into a vessel,
- d) extending the length of said stillwell apparatus, and
- e) connecting said stillwell apparatus to an exterior of a vessel.
A method for installing a stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device comprising the steps of
- a)providing a stillwell apparatus, said stillwell apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device, an exterior, an upper section having first and second opposite ends, and a lower section having first and second opposite ends;
- b) mounting on said exterior and parallel to said stillwell apparatus a cleansing conduit for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- c) attaching an upper section first end to an exterior of a vessel, said upper section first end comprising vents;
- d) connecting an upper section second end to a lower section first end;
- and
- e) extending the length of said stillwell apparatus.
A method for cleaning a stillwell apparatus comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a stillwell apparatus into a vessel, wherein said stillwell apparatus comprises an interior for housing an analytical device and an exterior for attaching a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus,
- b) connecting said stillwell apparatus to said vessel,
- c) connecting said means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus to an exterior source of cleansing solution,
- d) extending the length of said stillwell apparatus,
- e) inserting an analytical device for the detection of substances selected from the group consisting of gases, liquids, and solids,
- f) detecting a physical parameter associated with substances selected from said group consisting of gases, liquids, and solids,
- g) cleansing said stillwell apparatus with substances selected from the group consisting of liquid cleansers, solid cleansers, and gaseous cleansers.
A stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device, wherein the stillwell apparatus comprises:
- a) a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device;
- b) an exterior for mounting parallel to said stillwell apparatus a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus.
A stillwell apparatus for housing an analytical device, wherein the stillwell apparatus comprises:
- a) a generally cylindrical shape having an interior for housing the analytical device;
- b) an exterior for mounting parallel to said stillwell apparatus a means for cleansing said stillwell apparatus;
- and
- c) a means for extending the length of the stillwell apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.