Sensor replacement valve
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsSteven Robert Eccles, Frank Babayi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid control system may comprise a pressurized fluid path; at least two sensors for determining a state of fluid within the main fluid path; an isolation valve; and fluid-filled connection paths between the main fluid path and each of the at least two sensors. The connection paths may comprise first sensing tubes connected between the main fluid path and the isolation valve; the isolation valve; and second sensing tubes connected between the isolation valve and the at least two sensors. Upon closure of the isolation valve, the connection paths may be interrupted so that the sensors may be isolated from the main fluid path and so that they may be removed from the system without a need to de-pressurize or drain the fluid from the main fluid path of the system.
Claims18
A fluid control system comprising:
- a main fluid path;
- at least two sensors for determining a state of fluid within the main fluid path;
- an isolation valve;
- fluid-filled connection paths between the main fluid path and each of the at least two sensors;
- wherein the connection paths comprise:
- first sensing tubes connected between the main fluid path and the isolation valve;
- the isolation valve;
- and
- second sensing tubes connected between the isolation valve and the at least two sensors;
- wherein the first and second sensing tubes are connected to inlet and outlet ports in closed ends of hollow cylinders in the isolation valve;
- wherein the inlet and outlet ports associated with each cylinder are non-communicating with the inlet and outlet ports of the other cylinders;
- wherein pistons are positionable in the cylinders so that free ends of the pistons engage with the closed ends of the cylinders to produce closure of the isolation valve;
- and
- wherein, upon closure of the isolation valve, the connection paths are interrupted so that the sensors are isolated from the main fluid path.
A sensor isolation system for a fluid control system comprising:
- an isolation valve comprising;
- a plurality of cylinders, each with a closed end having an inlet port and an outlet port formed through the closed end, wherein the inlet and outlet ports associated with each cylinder in the plurality of cylinders are non-communicating with the inlet and outlet ports of the other cylinders in the plurality of cylinders;
- a piston movably positionable within each cylinder so that the inlet and outlet ports are open when the piston is in a first position and so that a free end of the at least one piston occludes the inlet and outlet ports when the piston is in a second position, wherein all of the pistons associated with a plurality of flow paths are positionable by a single cam-operated driving member adapted to move the pistons to their second position;
- a first pressure sensing tube connecting a main fluid path of the fluid control system with the inlet port of a particular cylinder;
- a second pressure sensing tube connecting the outlet port of the particular cylinder to a sensor;
- and
- wherein movement of the piston into its second position isolates the sensor from the main fluid path.
A method of removing a sensor from a fluid control system without draining fluid from the system comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of sensors to determine a state of fluid in a main fluid path of the system;
- providing fluid-filled connection paths between the main fluid path and each of the at least two sensors wherein the connection paths comprise an isolation valve having a plurality of cylinders, each having an inlet port and an outlet port formed through a closed end, wherein the inlet and outlet ports associated with each cylinder in the plurality of cylinders are non-communicating with the inlet and outlet ports of the other cylinders in the plurality of cylinders;
- closing the isolation valve to interrupt the connection paths so that the sensors are isolated from the main fluid path when removal of any one or more of the sensors is required for repair or replacement;
- removing one or more of the sensors;
- and
- wherein the removing step is performed without draining fluid from the main fluid path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.