Gas flow test apparatus and method

US9714852B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• ULC Robotics, Inc. · US
• National Grid USA Service Co., Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ray Moore · Houma, US
• Mike McGrade · Islip, US
• Serafino Catapano · Staten Island, US
• Robert Kodadek · Long Beach, US
• G. Gregory Penza · Old Field, US
• Hermann Herrlich · Lindenhurst, US
• Griffin Reames · Ypsilanti, US
• Joseph M. Vitelli, Jr. · Northport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 25, 2017
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F1/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A gas flow test apparatus and method include a flow monitor that is selectively connectable to a gas pipeline. An air motor driven regenerative blower is used to increase the flow of gas through the around a blockage in the pipeline to simulate an increased gas loading condition on the intake side of the apparatus. The gas drawn from the intake side is not vented to the atmosphere, but rather, is discharged to the exhaust side of the apparatus back into the pipeline. Pipeline pressure is measured on the intake side of the apparatus to ensure that gas supply is adequate for blocking off the pipeline for maintenance.