The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 1991
Filed:
Sep. 26, 1989
Robert W Brophey, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Robert J Kadwell, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing floating, substantially immiscible liquids such as hydrocarbons from containers or wells containing both floating liquids and water. In one aspect of the invention, a microprocessor control receives and processes input signals from a liquid sensor, an upper water interface sensor and a skim pump. The skim pump is located in the well proximate to the water interface. The liquid sensor is located proximate to the skim pump. The upper water interface sensor is located adjacent to and below the liquid sensor. The microprocessor control is initialized by setting certain parameters such as the initial conditions for pump output values. The microprocessor controls and operates the skim pump in response to the input signals so as to operate the skim pump in a manner responsive to the input signals.