US 9,429,490 B2 · Systems and related methods for installing or replacing a process measurement instrument

Abstract

The present disclosure provides improved process measurement assemblies and methods for replacing/installing devices/instruments (e.g., gauges, digital gauges, transducers, switches, etc.) associated with process measurement assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved process measurement assemblies (e.g., diaphragm seal assemblies or isolation ring assemblies) having couplings (e.g., dry-break couplings) that allow a user to replace and/or install process measurement instruments/devices to and/or from the process measurement assemblies, and related methods of use. In general, the present disclosure provides for improved systems/methods for installing or replacing a process measurement instrument to and/or from process measurement assemblies (e.g., diaphragm seal assemblies or isolation ring assemblies). In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a system/method for installing/replacing a process measurement instrument wherein the process operating under pressure is a flow stream process, the flow stream process having a solids content.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for replacing a process measurement instrument comprising:

operating a process under pressure;
providing a first measurement instrument mounted with respect to a measuring assembly positioned for measuring a parameter associated with the process;
removing the first measurement instrument from the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure;
replacing the first measurement instrument with a second measurement instrument while the process operates under pressure by installing and mounting the second measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly;
wherein the first measurement instrument includes a first coupling that allows a user to remove the first measurement instrument from the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure without substantial loss of fill or sensing media from the first measurement instrument;
wherein the second measurement instrument includes a second coupling that allows the user to replace the first measurement instrument by mounting the second measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure, the second measurement instrument:
(i) containing pre-filled sensing media configured to react to pressure of the process, and (ii) pre-charged to a pre-determined pressure level.

4 more elements

A method for replacing a process measurement instrument comprising:

operating a process under pressure;
providing a first pressure measurement instrument mounted with respect to a measuring assembly positioned for measuring pressure associated with the process;
removing the first pressure measurement instrument from the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure;
replacing the first pressure measurement instrument with a second pressure measurement instrument while the process operates under pressure by installing and mounting the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly;
wherein the first pressure measurement instrument includes a first coupling that allows a user to remove the first pressure measurement instrument from the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure without substantial loss of fill or sensing media from the first pressure measurement instrument;
wherein the second pressure measurement instrument includes a second coupling that allows the user to replace the first pressure measurement instrument by mounting the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly while the process operates under pressure, the second pressure measurement instrument:
(i) containing pre-filled sensing media configured to react to pressure of the process, and (ii) pre-charged to a pre-determined pressure level;
wherein the fill or sensing media of the first measurement instrument is configured to react to pressure of the process when the first measurement instrument is mounted with respect to the measuring assembly;
wherein the first and second couplings are dry-break couplings;
wherein the measuring assembly includes a third coupling that allows the user to:
(i) couple the first coupling to the third coupling to mount the first pressure measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly, or (ii) couple the second coupling to the third coupling to mount the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the measuring assembly;
and
wherein the third coupling is a dry-break coupling.

10 more elements

A method for replacing a process measurement instrument comprising:

operating a flow stream process under pressure, the flow stream process having a solids content;
providing a first pressure measurement instrument mounted with respect to a seal assembly positioned for measuring pressure associated with the flow stream process;
removing the first pressure measurement instrument from the seal assembly while the flow stream process operates under pressure;
replacing the first pressure measurement instrument with a second pressure measurement instrument while the flow stream process operates under pressure by installing and mounting the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the seal assembly;
wherein the first pressure measurement instrument includes a first coupling that allows a user to remove the first pressure measurement instrument from the seal assembly while the flow stream process operates under pressure without substantial loss of fill or sensing media from the first pressure measurement instrument;
wherein the second pressure measurement instrument includes a second coupling that allows the user to replace the first pressure measurement instrument by mounting the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the seal assembly while the flow stream process operates under pressure, the second pressure measurement instrument:
(i) containing pre-filled sensing media configured to react to pressure of the flow stream process, and (ii) pre-charged to a pre-determined pressure level;
wherein the seal assembly includes a housing with a flexible member exposed to the flow stream process, the housing containing fill or sensing media;
wherein the fill or sensing media of the housing is configured to react to pressure introduced to the flexible member;
wherein the fill or sensing media of the first measurement instrument is configured to react to pressure of the flow stream process when the first measurement instrument is mounted with respect to the seal assembly;
wherein the seal assembly includes a third coupling that allows the user to:
(i) couple the first coupling to the third coupling to mount the first pressure measurement instrument with respect to the seal assembly, or (ii) couple the second coupling to the third coupling to mount the second pressure measurement instrument with respect to the seal assembly;
and
wherein the first, second and third couplings are dry-break couplings;
and
wherein the second pressure measurement instrument is pre-charged to substantially the same pressure of the first pressure measurement instrument prior to installing the second pressure measurement instrument.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and related methods for installing or replacing a process measurement instrument

Life of this patent

Systems and related methods for installing or replacing a process measurement instrument

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21