Pgi International, Inc.

Pci International, Ltd.

Kevin J Cessac

Spencer M Nimberger

Spence M Nimberger

Robert L Ward

Frank Gonzales

A thermowell assembly () shown in FIG.is positioned in a pipeline () for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline () for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube () forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins () extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS.a liquid () is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple () and the temperature conducting tube (). Non-metallic members () are positioned between the pipeline () and the temperature transmitting tube () to isolate thermocouple () from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline () which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.anddo not contain any non-metal components and provide a minimal metal to metal contact between the metallic temperature conducting tube (B) of the thermowell (B) and the adjacent metal mounting structure (B,B). The embodiments shown in FIGS.illustrate a temperature sensing probe comprising a temperature sensing assembly (F,G) mounted within the internal bore (F,G) of the finned tube (F,G). The temperature sensing assembly (F,G) includes a carrier (F,G) with epoxy (F,G) mounting a temperature sensing element (F,G) within the carrier (F,G).

Temperature sensing device for metering fluids

A safety shutdown system is provided for use with a fluid delivery system, such as used on a delivery vehicle. The safety shutdown system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing characteristics of a fluid delivery system. A controller includes a query timer function initiated in response to the sensed characteristic of the fluid delivery system and/or in response to activation of selected vehicle functions. The operator may repeatedly reset the query timer before it times out by pressing a button on a wireless transmitter. If the timer times out, however, the controller automatically shuts off a vehicle engine and/or closes a valve to prevent further fluid delivery.

Safety shutdown system

A system for injecting an injection fluid into a pipeline includes an injection pump, a timer for initiating sequencing of the pump, a control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to power the injection pump, a controller for controlling operation of the control valve, and an electric motor responsive to the controller for rotating a cam on the motor shaft to open and close the control valve. The injected fluid may be methanol, so that the system automatically injects methanol into a pipeline which transmits natural gas. In one embodiment, the system includes a temperature sensor and a flow sensor for inputting signals to the controller.

Methanol injection system and method to prevent freezing of a natural gas pipeline

A GPS unit outputs a ground speed signal to an agricultural dispenser for applying chemicals to a field or for planting seeds. A GPS receiver receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, and outputs a vehicle ground speed signal based upon GPS calculations. A converter converts the vehicle ground speed signal to a series of pulses having a frequency indicative of the vehicle ground speed. The pulses are then transmitted to the agricultural dispenser which is pulled by a tractor to apply the desired amount of chemicals to the field or for planting the desired amount of seeds as a function of the vehicle ground speed.

Agricultural vehicle dispenser regulator and method

A gas sampling separator for the separation of liquid or other contaminants from gas received from a pipeline may be easily inspected visually and cleaned. A cylindrical body forming a separation chamber is threaded onto a base . A tube within the separation chamber receives gas from a port in the base and directs the gas into the separation chamber for separation of the gas from the contaminants. The separated contaminants collect in a sump formed by the base and may be vented upon actuation of a manually actuated valve

Gas sampling separator

A safety kit is provided for use with a flexible hose for interconnecting a portable tank with a another tank to transmit fluids between the tanks. The safety kit includes a control housing adapted for securing to one end of the hose, and a cable support housing for securing to the opposing end of the hose. A valve member is moveable relative to a seating surface for opening and closing flow through the control housing. A cable is provided for positioning within the flexible hose . The cable may be in compression in one embodiment and in tension in other embodiments. If in compression, the cable support housing includes a cable loading mechanism . When the cable is in tension, the trigger moves in response to movement of the cable to close off flow to the flexible hose.

Flexible hose safety kit

A catalytic heater has an insulation pad and a catalyst pad mounted in face-to-face relation within an enclosure having an open front face A starter is mounted within the catalyst pad and is effective for preheating of the catalyst pad. Fuel gas is supplied to the rear face of the insulation pad and air is supplied to the front face of the catalyst pad, so that a catalytic reaction occurs generally when the catalyst pad and sear the ope front face. After the catalytic reaction begins, electrical energy is ceased to the starter. The starter preferably comprises a quartz-halogen lamp of a relatively small size which is mounted within the catalyst pad.

Low power starter for catalytic heaters

An apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH to be applied to a field by measuring the NH flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH . The system includes a control station on the vehicle with a tachometer A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel . The control panel includes a toggle switch for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve . The vehicle transports a tank containing liquid NH and a tool bar for distributing the NH to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter , the NH is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing. The flow meter transmits a signal to the control panel, which is converted to a corrected flow rate signal in response to a fixed value vaporization correction factor. The temperature of the NH is also measured to correct for density variations. An improved variable area meter uses a hall effect sensor and a magnet mounted on a rotatable vane shaft to overcome problems with prior flow meters. The improved meter is ideally suited for measuring the fluid flow of a low temperature vaporization liquid, such as anhydrous ammonia, propane and butane.

Method and apparatus for flow control of NH3

A sample probe for a gas sampling system obtains a highly accurate hydrocarbon gas sample from a pipeline, particularly when ambient conditions are below the hydrocarbon dew point. A compartment houses a heater and a pump with the pump being mounted on an upper body of probe by suitable nuts A lower probe section having coarse threads is mounted within pipeline and has a diameter D of at least greater than 80% of the diameter D of internally threaded opening of pipeline Probe has large diameter upper body externally threaded for mounting compartment thereon. Probe is preferably formed of an anodized aluminum material having a high thermal conductivity in excess of 80 BTU/Ft Hr/Ft /&deg; F.

Sampling system for obtaining pipeline gas samples

Thermowell

A thermowell assembly ( ) shown in FIG. is positioned in a pipeline ( ) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline ( ) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter ( ). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube ( ) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins ( ) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. , a liquid ( ) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple ( ) and the temperature conducting tube ( ). Non-metallic members ( ) are positioned between the pipeline ( ) and the temperature transmitting tube ( ) to isolate thermocouple ( ) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline ( ) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly ( ). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS. and do not contain any non-metal components and provide a minimal metal to metal contact between the metallic temperature conducting tube ( B) of the thermowell ( B) and the adjacent metal mounting structure ( B, B). The embodiments shown in FIGS. illustrate a temperature sensing probe comprising a temperature sensing assembly ( F, G) mounted within the internal bore ( F, G) of the finned tube ( F, G). The temperature sensing assembly ( F, G) includes a carrier ( F, G) with epoxy ( F, G) mounting a temperature sensing element ( F, G) within the carrier ( F, G).

A thermostat valve is provided for controlling gas flow to an infrared catalytic heater . The thermostat valve includes a thermally responsive snap member positioned within a housing central flow path and moveable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. An elastomeric seal supported on the housing surrounds the central flow path and engages the snap member when in the closed position. A restricted flow path is provided in one of the housing and the snap disk for passing gas to the catalytic heater when the snap member is closed. The thermostat valve is relatively simple yet highly reliable.

Temperature actuated flow restrictor

A thermostat valve is provided for controlling gas flow to an infrared catalytic heater The thermostat valve includes a thermally responsive snap member positioned within a housing central flow path and moveable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. An elastomeric seal supported on the housing surrounds the central flow path and engages the snap member when in the closed position. A restricted flow path is provided in one of the housing and the snap disk for passing gas to the catalytic heater when the snap member is closed. The thermostat valve is relatively simple yet highly reliable.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Kevin J Cessac