Apparatus and method for pumping a fluid from a storage vessel and detecting when the storage vessel is empty
US7637113B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/32
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering a process fluid comprises a storage vessel, a process pump for pumping the process fluid from the storage vessel, a hydraulic drive system comprising a hydraulic drive unit operatively connected to drive the process pump, a pressure sensor for measuring hydraulic fluid pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic drive system, and, an electronic controller programmed to monitor a signal representative of hydraulic fluid pressure that is measured by the pressure sensor, process the signal to determine when the storage vessel is empty, and stop the process pump when the storage vessel is empty. The disclosed method relates to using the disclosed apparatus to measure hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic drive system, process measured hydraulic fluid pressure to determine when the storage vessel is empty, and stop the process pump when the storage vessel is empty.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.