Methods and apparatuses for measuring properties of a substance
Contents
1. 50 55 60 65 2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Itis believed that certain embodiments will be better under stood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG 1 is a front perspective view depicting a flow through sensing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment wherein the flow through sensing apparatus is in association with a portion of a supply conduit and a portion of a discharge conduit FIG 2A is a front perspective depicting a flow head of the flow through sensing apparatus of FIG 1 and apart from the remaining components of FIG 1 FIG 2B is a rear perspective view depicting the flow head of FIG 2A FIG 2C is a cross sectional view generally depicting the flow head of FIG 2A FIG 3A is a front perspective depicting a sensor of the flow through sensing apparatus of FIG 1 and apart from the remaining components of FIG 1 FIG 3B is a rear perspective view depicting the sensor of FIG 3A FIG 4 is a cross sectional view depicting the components of FIG 1 FIG 5A is a schematic view illustrating certain compo nents of the sensor of FIG 3A in accordance with one embodiment FIG 5B is another schematic view illustrating operation of the optical sensor of FIG 5A FIG 6 is a perspective view depicting a flow through sens ing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment wherein the flow through sensing apparatus is in association with mu2. provided in the supply conduit and or discharge conduit and or integrally to the flow head can be opened to facilitate flow of substance through each of the supply conduit 20 and the discharge conduit 22 relative to the sensor 24 In such a configuration prior to disconnecting the sensor 24 from the flow head 10 the valve s can be closed to prevent flow of substance through each of the supply conduit 20 and the discharge conduit 22 relative to the sensor 24 From time to time a cleaning agent or a calibrating agent can be provided to the input port 12 of the flow head 10 via supply conduit 20 to facilitate cleaning or calibration of the sensor element 46 respectively During normal operation of the flow through sensing apparatus the sensing element 56 can determine the refractive index temperature and or other process parameter of or relating to a substance in the sensing chamber 54 and in response can communicate a signal for transmission to a device external to the flow through sensing apparatus It will be appreciated that the flow through sensing appa ratuses of FIGS 8 and 9A 9D can be configured and function similarly to that described above with respect to the flow through sensing apparatus of FIG 1 except with respect to any mechanical differences as are specifically identified above and or as are apparent from the figures themselves 0 40 45 60 65 10 The foregoing description of embodiments and exa
3. 12 United States Patent Rainer et al US008528399B2 US 8 528 399 B2 Sep 10 2013 10 Patent No 45 Date of Patent 54 75 73 21 22 65 60 51 52 58 56 METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF A SUBSTANCE IN A PROCESS STREAM Inventors Michael D Rainer Burton OH US Peter J Gillespie Chagrin Falls OH US Douglas J Paige Lakewood OH US Kenneth J Maynard Amherst OH US Assignee The Mercury Iron and Steel Co Cleveland OH US Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 352 days Appl No 13 107 675 Filed May 13 2011 Prior Publication Data US 2012 0118058 A1 May 17 2012 Related U S Application Data Provisional application No 61 347 098 filed on May 21 2010 Int Cl GOLF 1 68 2006 01 GOIN 21 41 2006 01 US Cl SEC 73 204 11 356 135 Field of Classification Search USPC einn 73 204 11 356 128 137 335 343 See application file for complete search history References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 182 362 A 1 1980 Hewson et al 4 726 399 A 2 1988 Miller 5 342 126 A 8 1994 Heston et al 5 583 300 A 12 1996 Green et al 5 988 203 A 11 1999 Hutton 6 000 290 A 12 1999 Benton et al 6 000 427 A 12 1999 Hutton 6 067 151 A 2000 Salo 6 170 515 Bl 1 2001 Peterson et al 6 196 256 Bl 3 2001 Klampfer 6 374 859 4 2002 Vu et al 6 675 658 B2 1 2004 Petrich
4. 288 Concen tration Monitor User s Manual Jun 2006 32 pages Depicted com ponents believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 K Patents Inc manual entitled Semicon Process Refractometer PR 33 S Mar 2010 38 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 K Patents Inc document entitled Concentration Monitoring of Fab Chemicals In Cleanroom Environments Jan 2009 6 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 K Patents Inc document entitled PR 33 S Sensor Installation 2 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Mettler Toledo manual entitled InFlow 751 Instruction Manual Sep 1997 7 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Omega Engineering Inc document entitled Industrial pH Instru mentation amp Electrodes Flat Surface pH ORP Industrial Electrodes Mar 2009 3 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Omega Engineering Inc document entitled Industrial pH Instru mentation amp Electrodes In Line Flat Surface pH ORP Electrodes Mar 2009 2 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 HM Digital Inc document entitled SM 1 In Line Single TDS Monitor www tdsmeter com products sm1 html retrieved Oct 19 2010 1 page Depicted components believ
5. both of the flow head 10 and the sensor 24 can be provided with fins or heatsinks to facilitate self cooling for prevention of overheating For example the sensor 24 is shown in FIG 1 to include fins 99 Additional or alternative cooling provisions can be provided for one or both of a flow head and a sensor of a flow through sensing apparatus including for example Peltier type cooling elements and or provisions to facilitate closed loop or open loop cooling by fluids such as water or air One or both of a flow head and a sensor of a flow through sensing apparatus can additionally or alternatively comprise resistive or inductive type heating elements Turning now to FIG 4 the flow through sensing apparatus depicted in FIG 1 is shown in cross section The sensing chamber 54 is shown to be created by the fluid tight mating of flow head 10 chamber seal 42 and sensor 24 In operation a substance conducted through supply conduit 20 can enter flow head 10 through input port 12 and can be internally conducted to the sensing chamber 54 through input channel 50 and input channel opening 44 In this configuration input port 13 can be plugged to prevent leakage of the substance Sensing chamber 54 can be formed in such a manner as to minimize the volume of the substance present in the sensing chamber 54 thus providing for the rapid exchange of the substance and ensuring that the substance under test is repre sentative of the properties of the subst
6. differential on the discharge side of flow head 10 can cause the substance in sensing chamber 54 to be forced into the output channel opening 46 and into output channel 52 which can direct the substance to discharge conduit 22 removably connected to output port 14 In this configuration output port 16 can be plugged to prevent leakage of the substance In one embodiment sensing element 56 can include an optical sensor capable of determining the refractive index of the substance using the principle of total internal reflection In this example with reference to FIGS 5A and 5B sensing element 56 can comprise an LED 100 a light filter assembly 102 a first optical element 104 a second optical element 106 a linear array of photodiodes 114 and electronic circuitry including temperature measuring circuitry LED 100 in this example can have a peak transmission wavelength of about 589 3 nm or be so filtered as to pass only a particular wavelength of interest Light energy emitted from LED 100 can travel along a path forming a predetermined angle of incidence relative to the measuring surface 110 This light energy can be first conditioned by light filter assembly 102 which can comprise some combination of a light filter light diffuser and or polarizer before passing through first optical element 104 First optical element 104 can be a lens positioned directly in the path of incident light energy and so constructed as to collimate or focus
7. of a substance in the sensing chamber 2 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 being configured such that a partial turn ofthe sensor relative to the flow head results in movement of the sensor relative to the flow head between an unlocked position and a fully locked position 3 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the partial turn comprises an eighth turn 4 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a retractable locking mechanism configured for preventing inadvertent rotation of the sensor relative to the flow head 5 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the flow head comprises the retractable locking mecha nism the retractable locking mechanism comprises a thumb lever a pin and a spring and the thumb lever is configured for sliding the pin against a bias of the spring 6 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow head further defines an input channel and an output channel the input channel has an input channel opening the output channel has an output channel opening the input port is in fluid communication with each of the input channel and the input channel opening the output port is in fluid commu nication with each of the output channel and the output chan nel opening and the input channel opening 1s transversely positioned relative to the sensing element to direct the flow of a substance toward the sensing element 7 The flo
8. separated from sensor 24 In this embodiment the ports 12 and 13 can be configured as input ports for connecting one or more supply conduits e g 20 to selec tively convey a substance into flow head 10 and the ports 14 and 16 can beconfigured as output ports for connecting one or more discharge conduits e g 22 to selectively convey a substance away from flow head 10 With reference to FIG 4 the ports 12 and 13 can each be in fluid communication with an input channel 50 and an input channel opening 44 and ports 14 and 16 can each be in fluid communication with an output channel 52 and an output channel opening 46 When flow head 10 sensor 24 and a chamber seal 42 are mated in the fully assembled state as shown in FIG 4 a sensing cham ber 54 can be created and provided in communication with both the input channel opening 44 and the output channel opening 46 The chamber seal 42 can be provided on either the sensor 24 or the flow head 10 and can facilitate a seal between the sensor 24 and the flow head 10 when the sensor 24 15 coupled with the flow head 10 For example as shown in 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 FIG 2B the flow head 10 can define an annular channel 43 and the chamber seal 42 can comprise an 0 ring that can be at least partially received within the annular channel 43 It will be appreciated that a chamber seal can be provided in any of a variety of other suitable configurations Th
9. the substance can flow through an output port into a discharge conduit or drain It will be appreciated that valving can be provided either external or internal to the flow head 10 to facilitate selective provision of cleaning and or calibration agents to the sensing element 56 and or to selectively block the passage of process substance through the flow head 10 during the cleaning and or calibra tion processes US 8 528 399 B2 9 In this and other embodiments power to operate the elec tronics housed in the sensor 24 can be sourced externally or can be generated harvested or scavenged from within the flow head 10 or sensor 24 from the flow of the substance light energy thermal energy thermal gradients kinetic energy ambient RF energy and the like FIG 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the flow through sensing apparatus where flow head 60 can act as a manifold with any number of input ports e g 62 64 66 68 70 and 72 removably connected to a plurality of supply conduits for switchably supplying sensor 24 with substances from different sources Flow head 60 can also have any num ber of output ports which may or may not be associated with input ports 62 64 66 68 70 and 72 In this embodiment sensor 24 can do the work of many sensors FIG 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the flow through sensing apparatus where flow head 80 can accept one or more sensors 82 and 84 In this embodiment a sub stance
10. this light energy Light energy transmitted by first optical element 104 can then fall ona light incident surface 108 of second optical element 106 Second optical element 106 can comprise a prism a hemi spheric element or any of a variety of other suitable compo nents The second optical element 106 is shown to have the light incident face 108 the measuring surface 110 or interface which can be in physical communication with a substance of interest and a reflected light face 112 Light energy received at the light incident face 108 can then be further directed toward measuring surface 110 of second optical element 106 at an angle relative to this surface and dependent on the refractive index of second optical element 106 In the presence of air at the interface with measuring sur face 110 all light energy can be totally internally reflected at measuring surface 110 at an angle equal to its angle of inci dence This light energy can then be directed toward and pass through reflected light face 112 of second optical element 106 and fall upon linear array 114 so positioned as to absorb all incident light energy In this state associated electronics scanning linear array 114 can determine that all of the pho todiodes in a particular range of interest have a strong degree of light energy incident upon them With reference to FIG 5B in the presence of a different substance 116 at the interface with measuring surface 110 a substance with
11. UBSTANCE IN A PROCESS STREAM REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority of U S provisional application Ser No 61 347 098 filed May 21 2010 and hereby incorporates the same provisional application herein by reference in its entirety TECHNICAL FIELD A flow through sensing apparatus is provided and is con figured for sensing one or more physical properties or process parameters regarding a substance of interest BACKGROUND Conventional in line sensors monitor physical properties or process parameters regarding fluid flowing through pipes or other conduits In many instances installation calibration or replacement of conventional in line sensors requires tem porarily stopping the flow of fluid through the conduits or disconnecting the conduits SUMMARY In accordance with one embodiment a flow through sens ing apparatus comprises a flow head and a sensor The flow head defines an input port and an output port and comprises a first mating feature The sensor comprises a sensing element and a second mating feature The first mating feature is con figured to selectively engage the second mating feature in a twist lock configuration to provide a quick disconnect mechanical coupling between the sensor and the flow head When the sensor is coupled with the flow head the sensor cooperates with the flow head to at least partially define a sensing chamber The sensing chamber is in fluid communi cat
12. a refractive index higher than that of ambient air some of the light energy incident upon the measuring surface 110 can be transmitted into substance 116 and some light energy can then be directed towards and pass through reflected light face 112 of second optical element 106 and thereafter fall upon linear array 114 In this case since some light energy was transmitted into substance 116 and lost and still other light energy was able to be reflected onto linear array 114 the region of linear array 114 previously defined by the range of totally internally reflected light now has an illu minated region and a dark region The boundary between this illuminated and dark region is a phenomena caused by the critical angle of the substance relative to its refractive index and will move up and down the face of linear array 114 depending upon changes in the refractive index or tempera ture of the substance Temperature measurement circuitry 30 40 45 50 55 65 8 withinthe sensing element 56 can adequately compensate for changes in the refractive index of a substance under test After calibration of the system using solutions of known refractive index the position ofthe illuminated dark boundary on linear array 114 can be truly indicative of the refractive index of the substance being tested In addition or alternative to being configured for determin ing the refractive index of a substance it will be appreciated that the sensin
13. ance in a bypass and or main process stream Input channel opening 44 can be trans versely positioned relative to sensing element 56 such as shown in FIG 4 in such a manner as to direct the flow of the substance toward sensing element 56 which can havea clean ing effect on a sensing surface e g a measuring surface 110 discussed below and shown in FIGS 4 and 5A of the sensing element 56 For example with reference to FIG 4 the flow head 10 can be configured such that the flow of substance through the input channel 50 and from the input channel opening 44 is directed toward the sensing element 56 In one embodiment as shown in FIG 4 the input channel 50 can extend coaxially along a first longitudinal axis L1 the output channel 52 can extend coaxially along a second longitudinal axis L2 and each of the first and second longitudinal axes L1 and L2 can extend toward the sensing element 56 The first and second longitudinal axes L1 and L2 can converge toward one another while extending toward the sensing element 56 as shown in FIG 4 While in sensing chamber 54 sensing element 56 can measure physical properties of the substance and or various process parameters Signals from sensing element 56 can be carried to an electronic module which in this case can be incorporated into sensing element 56 where they can be US 8 528 399 B2 7 processed and then communicated to external devices through communication element 30 A pressure
14. e quick disconnect coupling 26 can facilitate selective attachment of sensor 24 to flow head 10 and can facilitate simple and quick removal and replacement of sensor 24 rela tive to flow head 10 such as for cleaning and maintenance of sensor 24 More particularly the quick disconnect coupling 26 can include one or more mating features on flow head 10 which can selectively engage one or more corresponding mating features on sensor 24 to join the two components into a single unified fluid tight assembly For example as shown with reference to FIGS 1 2 2 3A 3B and 4 the flow head 10 can comprise a body 11 and mating features in the form of flanges 40a 405 40c and 40d extending from the body 11 The sensor 24 can comprise a body 25 and mating features in the form of flanges 48a 487 48c and 48d extend ing from the body 25 The flanges 40a 405 40c and 40d can cooperate with the body 11 to define respective grooves 41a 415 41 and 41d The respective mating features of the flow head 10 and the sensor 24 can selectively engage one another in a twist lock configuration to provide a quick dis connect mechanical coupling between the sensor 24 and the flow head 10 For example to couple the sensor 24 with the flow head 10 through the twist lock action each of the flanges 48a 485 48c and 48d can be received within a respective one of the grooves 41a 41b 41c and 414 and sandwiched or compressed between a corresponding respec
15. ed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 The PR 1000 Inline Process Refractometer AFAB Enterprises May 5 2009 25 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Pending Design U S Appl No 29 365 064 Sensing Apparatus Michael D Rainer et al filed Jul 2 2010 U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 1 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 2 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 e m st 00 SS SS Ne cs KANT LAM m T U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 3 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 FIG 3B FIG 3A US 8 528 399 2 Sheet 4 of 9 Sep 10 2013 U S Patent L OL OS Iw lt vv 0119 EE ALONG DOMNE 2 2 7 SESS WN NONO WINS LS b S YT 77 22 TON Spy gt MN NA AAS U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 5 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 114 110 FIG 5A U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 6 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 ih 5 4123 Ci 66 WE AS umm a U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 7 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 8 of 9 U S Patent Sep 10 2013 Sheet 9 of 9 US 8 528 399 B2 NY 728 Zz AN NS S 7 WEE NL 2 4 2 222 Sey Wy j lt 222 6 US 8 528 399 B2 1 METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF A S
16. es and a mounting bracket 32 which can be used to mount the apparatus to another object At least one of the ports 12 13 14 and 16 can be configured as an input port US 8 528 399 B2 3 while at least one other one of the ports 12 13 14 and 16 can be configured as an output port In one embodiment at least one of the ports 12 13 14 and 16 can comprise a respective threaded aperture in the flow head 10 However it will be appreciated that one or more of the ports 12 13 14 and 16 might not be threaded For example with reference to the flow through sensing apparatus of FIGS 9A 9D a flow head can include only two ports 1 single input port and a single output port and each of those ports can comprise a respective push type compression fitting such as for receiving plastic or metal tubing as generally shown In still other embodiments ports on a flow head can comprise hose barb type fittings tubing or any of a variety of other suitable types of fittings or connections The flow through sensing apparatus can be positioned in a bypass stream that runs in parallel to a main process stream containing a substance of interest A substance from the main process stream can be diverted to the flow through sensing apparatus by a supply conduit 20 and likewise be carried away from the apparatus by a discharge conduit 22 Supply conduit 20 and discharge conduit 22 can each com prise any of a variety of suitable rigid or flexib
17. et al 6 760 098 B2 7 2004 Salo 6 886 606 B2 5 2005 Few et al 6 892 762 B2 5 2005 Porter et al 7 172 572 B2 2 2007 Diamond et al D562 169 S 2 2008 Oshima et al 7 343 933 B2 3 2008 McBeth et al D587 611 S 3 2009 Oshima et al Continued FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS DE 19855218 Al 8 1999 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Pending Design U S Appl No 29 408 355 Sensing Apparatus Michael D Rainer et al filed Dec 12 2011 Continued Primary Examiner Harshad R Patel Assistant Examiner Brandi N Hopkins 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Ulmer amp Berne LLP 57 ABSTRACT A flow through sensing apparatus includes a flow head and a sensor that are configured to be selectively coupled through use of a quick disconnect mechanical coupling When the sensor is coupled with the flow head the sensor cooperates with the flow head to at least partially define a sensing cham ber The sensor is configured to determine a process param eter such as refractive index regarding a substance in the sensing chamber 24 Claims 9 Drawing Sheets US 8 528 399 B2 Page 2 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 7 509 855 B2 3 2009 Garvin D602 794 5 10 2009 Oshima D609 591 5 2 2010 Oshima et al 2008 0006085 Al 2008 0135116 Al 2009 0025472 Al 2010 0064799 Al OTHER PUBLICATIONS Bronkhorst High Tech document entitled Flow SMS Mass Flow Surface Mount Solutions Apr 2006 1 page Depicted components believed to be in
18. g element 56 can determine temperature pres sure ph flow rate and or any of a variety of other substance and or process parameters In other embodiments respective sensors 24 can be configured to measure different parameters and or different ranges of parameters and can be selectively and alternatively coupled with the flow head 10 depending upon the nature of the substance or process to be monitored or which data is desired In this manner one of the sensors 24 can be quickly and simply replaced with another one of the sensors 24 and without need for tools or adjustment of con duits or other plumbing In one embodiment a valve assembly not shown can be provided for selectively stopping the flow of a substance provided by a supply conduit and or discharged through a discharge conduit whether the flow through sensing appara tus is positioned in a main process stream or in a bypass stream running parallel to the main process stream In this configuration in the event the flow though sensing apparatus is positioned in a bypass stream parallel to a main process stream flow to the apparatus can be stopped without requir ing interruption of flow in the main process stream This can eliminate the need to drain large diameter pipes that would otherwise need to be drained to facilitate removal of sensor 24 For example such a valve assembly can in one embodi ment exist as one or more separate components located exter nal to the flow t
19. hrough sensing apparatus and can include for example off the shelf valves However in another embodi ment a flow head can have one or more internal components configured to selectively stop the flow ofa substance either in response to manual force applied by an operator to a control device or in an automated manner in the event an associated sensor is decoupled from the flow head In the latter case the internal component can be automatically activated during the removal of the sensor through use of mechanical or electrical components The sensor element 46 can require periodic cleaning depending upon the properties of the substance being mea sured This cleaning may need to be performed as frequently as after each batch run or in some cases a process might be periodically paused to enable cleaning of the sensor 24 For this and other embodiments one or more of the input ports e g 13 can be used to selectively connect flow head 10 of the flow through sensing apparatus to a source of steam hot water chemical agent or other cleaning agent capable of cleaning the sensing element 56 In another embodiment a substance with known physical properties can be automati cally or manually conducted into sensing chamber 54 through an input port and brought into communication with the sens ing element 56 Sensor 24 can use the measured value of the substance to automatically set its own calibration Once the calibration operation is completed
20. ion with each of the input port the output port and the sensing element The sensing element is configured to deter mine the refractive index of a substance in the sensing cham ber In accordance with another embodiment a flow through sensing apparatus comprises a flow head and a sensor The flow head defines an input port and an output port The sensor comprises a sensing element The flow head and the sensor cooperate to define means for quick disconnect mechanically coupling the sensor and the flow head When the sensor is coupled with the flow head the sensor cooperates with the flow head to at least partially define a sensing chamber The sensing chamber is in fluid communication with each of the input port the output port and the sensing element In accordance with yet another embodiment a sensor is configured for quick disconnect mechanical coupling with a flow head The sensor comprises a sensing element and a mating feature The mating feature is configured to selec tively engage a flow head in a twist lock configuration to provide a quick disconnect mechanical coupling between the sensor and a flow head When the sensor is coupled with a flow head the sensor cooperates to at least partially define a sensing chamber The sensing chamber is in fluid communi cation with the sensing element The sensing element is con figured to determine the refractive index of substance in the sensing chamber 20 25 30 35 40 45
21. le hose tubing piping or other plumbing conveyance for conveying or con ducting a test substance to and from the apparatus Examples include readily available off the shelf tube fittings hose cou plings pipe fittings quick disconnect fittings instrumenta tion fittings compression fittings and the like The substance of interest can be a fluid which includes but is not limited to any single one or combination of liquids gasses or solids including homogenous or non homoge neous mixtures emulsions or colloidal solutions The force required to cause the substance to flow through the flow through sensing apparatus can be generated by any of a vari ety of sources including for example gravity feed external pumps pressure or temperature differential chemical reac tion or the like Alternatively this force can be generated from an internal pumping assembly located within flow head 10 Although the flow through sensing apparatus is described above as being positioned in a bypass stream it should be understood that in the embodiments presented herein noth ing limits the flow through sensing apparatus from being placed in the actual main process stream should supply con duit 20 and discharge conduit 22 of that process stream be constructed in such a manner as to be compatible with the size and flow rate parameters of the flow through sensing appa ratus Referring now to FIGS 2 3 the integrated flow head 10 is shown to be
22. ltiple supply conduits and at least one discharge conduit FIG 7 is a perspective view depicting a flow through sens ing apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment wherein the flow through sensing apparatus is in association with a portion ofa supply conduit and a portion ofa discharge conduit FIG 8 is a perspective view depicting a flow through sens ing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment FIG 9A is a front perspective view depicting a flow through sensing apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment wherein the flow through sensing apparatus is in association with a portion of a supply conduit and a portion of a discharge conduit FIG 9B is a rear perspective view depicting the compo nents of FIG 9A FIG 9C isacross sectional view depicting the components of FIGS 9A 9B and FIG 9D is a perspective view depicting the components of FIGS 9A 9C but wherein the sensor is uncoupled from the flow head DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG 1 illustrates a flow through sensing apparatus in its assembled state According to this embodiment the flow through sensing apparatus comprises an integrated flow head 10 having multiple ports 12 13 14 and 16 a sensor 24 that is removably connected to flow head 10 by way of a quick disconnect coupling 26 a retractable locking mechanism 28 for locking sensor 24 to flow head 10 a communication ele ment 30 for receiving power and or communicating with external devic
23. mples has been presented for purposes of illustration and descrip tion Itisnotintendedto be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art The embodiments were chosen and described for illustra tion of various embodiments The scope is of course not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein but can be employed in any number of applications and equiva lent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art Rather it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto What is claimed is 1 A flow through sensing apparatus comprising a flow head defining an input port and an output port and comprising a first mating feature and a sensor comprising a sensing element and a second mating feature wherein the first mating feature is configured to selectively engage the second mating feature in a twist lock configuration to provide a quick disconnect mechanical coupling between the sensor and the flow head when the sensor is coupled with the flow head the sensor cooperates with the flow head to at least partially define a sensing chamber the sensing chamber is in fluid communication with each of the input port the output port and the sensing element and the sensing element is configured to determine the refrac tive index
24. nnel the chamber seal comprises an O ring and the O ring is at least partially received within the annular channel 13 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing element is further configured to determine a tem perature of a substance in the sensing chamber 14 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing element comprises an optical sensor capable of determining the refractive index ofa substance in the sensing chamber through use of the principle of total internal reflec tion 15 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor further comprises electronic circuitry configured for converting signals from the sensing element into usable data or signals for communication to a device external to the sensor 16 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input port comprises at least two respective threaded apertures in the flow head in fluid communication with one another and the output port comprises at least two respective threaded apertures in the flow head in fluid communication with one another 25 40 45 12 17 A flow through sensing apparatus comprising a flow head defining an input port and an output port and a sensor comprising a sensing element wherein the flow head and the sensor cooperate to define means for quick disconnect mechanically coupling the sensor and the flow head wherein when the sensor is coupled with the flo
25. ocking mechanism 28 can be selectively operated to prevent inadvertent rotation or unlocking of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 For example as shown in FIG 2C the flow head 10 can comprise the retractable locking mechanism 28 which can include a thumb lever 35 which is attached to a pin 38 A portion ofthe pin 38 can be slideably received within a bore 34 formed in the flow head 10 and locking clips 37a and 375 can be providedto position and lock the thumb lever 35 to the pin 38 operator can operate the retractable locking mechanism 28 by sliding the thumb lever 35 along a corner of the flow head 10 Once the pin 38 is in the retracted position sensor 24 can be rotated e g 45 degrees to an unlocked position for US 8 528 399 B2 5 removal from the flow head 10 A spring 36 can be located behind the pin 38 for biasing the thumb lever 35 to keep the pin 38 engaged when manual pressure on the thumb lever 35 is absent It will be appreciated that a retractable locking mechanism can be provided in any of a variety of other configurations For example in one alternative configuration as shown in FIG 8 a thumb lever 235 of a retractable locking mechanism can be configured for sliding along an edge face of a flow head 210 In another alternative embodiment not shown a sensor as opposed to a flow head e g 10 can comprise a retractable locking mechanism In lieu ofa retract able pin it will be appreciated that an
26. output ports such as port 16 in FIG 1 the unused ports can each be manually plugged with an appropriate plug valve or shut off to prevent leakage of the substance shown with respect to port 16 in FIG 1 The sensor 24 depicted in FIG 1 is separated from flow head 10 and is shown in greater detail in FIGS 3A and 3B Sensor 24 comprises a sensing element 56 capable of sensing one or more physical properties or process parameters regard ing the substance of interest The sensor 24 can also comprise a microprocessor and or other electronic circuitry capable of converting signals from sensing element 56 into usable data orsignals to be communicated to external devices The micro processor and or other electronic circuitry can provide sensor 24 with intelligence independent of an external control or processing unit Sensor 24 can further include a communica tion element 30 for providing a signal or data to external devices The communications signal or data can be in analog and or digital form and can be communicated electrically optically and or wirelessly or by some combination of the foregoing For example in one embodiment the sensor 24 can both receive power and send a communications signal by way ofthe communication element 30 which is shown e g in FIG 3B to comprise a multi pin electrical connector In another embodiment a sensor can receive power by way ofa multi pin electrical connector but can send a communica tions
27. public use prior to May 21 2009 Bronkhorst High Tech document entitled Mani Flow Customised Manifold Solutions for Mass Flow and Pressure Jul 2006 page Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Burkert Fluid Control Systems document entitled INLINE fitting with paddle wheel for flow measurement Jul 5 2010 10 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Burkert Fluid Control Systems document entitled Positive dis placement flow fitting for continuous measurement and batch con trol Sep 21 2010 4 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Innovative Waters LLC document entitled Manifolds www in novativewaters com manifold html 2009 retrieved Oct 19 2010 2 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Omega Engineering Inc document entitled Industrial pH Instru mentation amp Electronics Retractable Lock N Load ALpHA pH ORP Electrode Assemblies Sep 2009 3 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 1 2008 Yamashita et al 6 2008 Sugiura et al 1 2009 Garvin 3 2010 Mais et al Jetalon Solutions Inc document entitled Concentration Monitor NX 148 Hammerhead Jun 2010 2 pages Depicted components believed to be in public use prior to May 21 2009 Swagelok Company manual entitled Swagelok CR
28. signal wirelessly In yet another embodiment a sensor can send a communications signal by way of a multi pin electrical connector but can receive power wirelessly and or by scavenging power wirelessly and or from the substance flowing through the sensor In still another embodiment a 0 an 5 20 40 45 55 65 6 sensor can wirelessly transmit a communications signal and scavenge power wirelessly and or from the substance flowing through the sensor and therefore might not include an elec trical connector The signal or data can be sent wirelessly or over field wiring to a signal converter a visual display data logger computer PLC chart recorder relay valve pump sensor wireless access point internet or other computer net work industrial field bus or any other external device capable of receiving the signal or data Flow head 10 sensor 24 and component parts of each can be constructed from any material or combination of materials that is are chemically and physically compatible with the substance to be tested and the testing environment This can include a nearly limitless combination of metals ceramics plastics and other materials Likewise it is contemplated that these components can be manufactured using any combina tion of manufacturing techniques including but not limited to machining casting injection molding material deposi tion forming or wire laser plasma or water cutting One or
29. supplied by supply conduit 86 to input port 88 can be internally directed into respective sensing chambers corre sponding with the respective sensors 82 and 84 where it physically communicates with respective sensing elements of the respective sensors 82 and 84 and is then discharged through discharge conduit 90 An example ofa method for installing a flow through sens ing apparatus will now be described A supply conduit 20 can be attached to the input port 12 of the flow head 10 and a discharge conduit 22 can be attached to the output port 14 of the flow head 10 In one embodiment the supply conduit 20 and the discharge conduit 22 cooperate with the flow through sensing apparatus to facilitate a bypass stream that runs in parallel to a main process stream Alternatively the supply conduit 20 and the discharge conduit 22 cooperate with the flow through sensing apparatus to facilitate a main process stream In one embodiment such as with reference to FIG 6 a flow head can serve as a manifold by attaching multiple supply conduits to one or more input ports of the flow head or by attaching multiple discharge conduits to one or more out put ports of the flow head The sensor 24 can be coupled with the flow head 10 through use of a quick disconnect mechanical coupling such as a twist lock type arrangement to at least partially define the sensing chamber 54 Following connection of the sensor 24 to the flow head 10 one or more valves e g
30. tive one ofthe flanges 40a 405 40c and 40d and the body 11 Accordingly in this configuration to facilitate the twist lock action a partial turn of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 can result in movement of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 between an unlocked position and a fully locked position FIGS 1 and 4 illustrate the sensor 24 in the fully locked position relative to the flow head 10 In the embodiment of FIGS 1 and 4 an eighth turn i e 45 degrees of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 can achieve movement of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 between the unlocked position and the fully locked posi tion However to facilitate the twist lock configuration it will be appreciated that a different amount of rotation less than 360 degrees e g 90 degrees 120 degrees or 180 degrees can alternatively achieve movement of a sensor relative to a flow head between an unlocked position and a fully locked position In still other embodiments a different amount of rotation greater than or equal to 360 degrees can alternatively achieve movement ofa sensor relative to a flow head between an unlocked position and a fully locked position It will be appreciated that selective mechanical coupling ofa flow head and a sensor can be achieved through use of any of a variety of other suitable mechanical features When the sensor 24 is in the fully locked position relative to the flow head 10 the retractable l
31. ured to determine the refractive index of substance in the sensing chamber 22 The sensor of claim 21 wherein the sensor comprises fins configured to facilitate self cooling of the sensor 23 The sensor of claim 21 wherein the sensor further comprises electronic circuitry configured for converting sig nals from the sensing element into usable data or signals for communication to a device external to the sensor 24 The sensor of claim 21 wherein the sensing element is further configured to determine a temperature of a substance in the sensing chamber
32. w head the sensor cooperates with the flow head to at least par tially define a sensing chamber with the sensing cham ber being in fluid communication with each of the input port the output port and the sensing element wherein the sensing element comprises means for deter mining the refractive index of a substance in the sensing chamber 18 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flow head comprises means for directing the flow of a substance toward the sensing element 19 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 17 further comprising means for facilitating a seal between the sensor and the flow head when the sensor is coupled with the flow head 20 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sensor further comprises means for converting signals from the sensing element into usable data or signals for communication to a device external to the sensor 21 A sensor configured for quick disconnect mechanical coupling with a flow head the sensor comprising a sensing element and a mating feature configured to selectively engage a flow head in a twist lock configuration to provide a quick disconnect mechanical coupling between the sensor and a flow head wherein when the sensor is coupled with a flow head the sensor cooperates to at least partially define a sensing chamber with the sensing chamber being in fluid com munication with the sensing element and the sensing element config
33. w through sensing apparatus of claim 6 wherein the input channel extends coaxially along a first longitudinal axis the output channel extends coaxially along a second longitudinal axis and each of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extends toward the sensing ele ment US 8 528 399 B2 11 8 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis converge toward one another while extending toward the sensing element 9 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow head comprises a first body the first mating feature comprises a first flange extending from the first body the sensor comprises a second body and the second mating feature comprises a second flange extending from the second body 10 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first flange cooperates with the first body to define a groove and when the sensor is coupled with the flow head the second flange is received within the groove and is sandwiched between the first flange and the first body 11 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a chamber seal provided on one of the sensor and the flow head and configured to facilitate a seal between the sensor and the flow head when the sensor is coupled with the flow head 12 The flow through sensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flow head defines an annular cha
34. y of a variety of other suitable mechanical devices can be provided to selectively prevent inadvertent rotation or unlocking of the sensor 24 relative to the flow head 10 It will also be appreciated that a flow through sensing apparatus might not include any retract able locking mechanism or other locking device such as for example with respect to the flow through sensing apparatus depicted in FIGS 9A 9D The mounting bracket 32 can be attached to a face of flow head 10 in order to fix flow head 10 to another object such as a wall C channel or other structure In the event that sensor 24 were to be removed from flow head 10 and flow head 10 were connected to another object by way of mounting bracket 32 then sensor 24 can be removed without the need to disassemble the associated supply conduit 20 and discharge conduit 22 connected to flow head 10 Although flow head 10 is shown in FIGS 1 2 with mounting bracket 32 it should be understood that flow head 10 can alternatively be indepen dently supported by the plumbing itself or by other method and without use or presence of a mounting bracket e g 32 In one embodiment flow head 10 can be equipped with a combination of one or more drain valves pressure release valves check valves and or over pressure release valves not shown In the event that after a given number of supply conduits and discharge conduits are connected to flow head 10 and there remain unconnected input and or
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