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US 8,505,355 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for a bidirectional meter proving system
AssigneeWelker Flow Measurement Systems, Inc.
InventorDaniel J. Rudroff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bidirectional sphere prover is used to check the accuracy of a custody transfer meter when fluids, such as crude oil or gasoline are bought and sold. The bidirectional sphere prover of the present invention uses a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detection switches, the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of welds, flanges and elbows.
Claims9
A bidirectional sphere prover for use with a custody transfer meter for liquids, the prover comprising:
- a) a straight calibrated section of pipe having a first detector switch proximate a first end and a second detector switch proximate a second end and said straight calibrated section of pipe having a first flange at the first end and a second flange at the second end;
- b) the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of flanges, lateral openings and elbows between the first detector switch and the second detector switch;
- c) the straight calibrated section of pipe defining a tubular interior surface coated with a corrosion inhibitor;
- d) the first end of the straight calibrated section of pipe being connected to a first U-tube conduit being connected to a first elbow being connected to a first launch tube;
- e) the second end of the straight calibrated section of pipe connected to a second U-tube conduit being connected to a second elbow being connected to a second launch tube;
- f) a resilient single sphere moving back and forth from the first launch tube, through the first elbow, the first U-tube conduit the straight calibrated section of pipe, second U-tube conduit, the second elbow to the second launch tube in response to actuation of a 4-way valve;
- and
- g) the resilient single sphere being in sealing contact with the coating of corrosion inhibitor on the tubular interior surface of the straight calibrated section of pipe.
5 more elements
A bidirectional sphere prover having a 4-way valve for reversing the flow of crude oil through the prover, the prover comprising:
- a) a straight calibrated section of pipe having a first detector switch proximate a first end and a second detector switch proximate a second end and said straight calibrated section of pipe having a first flange at the first end and a second flange at the second end;
- b) the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of flanges, lateral openings and elbows between the first detector switch and the second detector switch;
- c) the straight calibrated section of pipe defining a tubular interior surface coated with a corrosion inhibitor;
- d) the first end of the straight calibrated section of pipe being connected to a first U-tube being connected to a first conduit being connected to a first launch tube;
- e) the second end of the straight calibrated section of pipe connected to a second U-tube connected to a second conduit being connected to a second launch tube;
- f) a resilient single sphere moving back and forth from the first launch tube, through the first conduit, the first U-tube the straight calibrated section of pipe, second U-tube, the second conduit to the second launch tube in response to actuation of the 4-way valve;
- and
- g) the resilient single sphere being in sealing contact with the coating of corrosion inhibitor on the tubular interior surface of the straight calibrated section of pipe.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.