System for monitoring a transient fluid

A system for monitoring a transient flow of a fluid for the presence of contaminants is disclosed. The system includes a fluid control valve having a body defining a fluid flow path therethrough. A fluid monitoring device is in fluid communication with the fluid flowing through the control valve. The fluid monitoring device is adapted to monitor the fluid flowing through the control valve for contaminants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the quality of a transient fluid, and more particularly to a fluid control valve including a fluid monitor to detect the presence of contaminants in the transient fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is necessary to monitor fuel such as aviation fuel, diesel fuel, or other fuels for vehicles and combustion devices such as heaters and boilers, for example, to determine whether the fuel includes contaminants. As sources and types of fuel have increased, the need to monitor the quality of the fuel to militate against contaminants being introduced into an engine, a heater, or a boiler, for example, has increased.

In many applications, individual fuel samples are taken periodically from a source of fuel and tested to determine whether any contaminants are contained therein. Taking periodic samples is typically time consuming and provides no test data in respect of the quality of the fuel supplied between samples.

Real time monitoring of the quality of transient fuel is a growing practice for suppliers of fuel. Typically, a real time fuel monitoring device can be readily included in a newly designed fuel supply system. However, it has been found that retrofitting an existing fuel supply system with a real time fuel monitoring device can be difficult due to space limitations and other constraints typically encountered with the existing fuel supply systems.

It would be desirable to produce a system for monitoring the quality of a transient fluid adapted to be utilized with an existing fluid supply system, wherein an ease of installation of the system is maximized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Concordant and consistent with the present invention, a system for monitoring the quality of a transient fluid adapted to be utilized with an existing fluid supply system, wherein an ease of installation of the system is maximized, has surprisingly been discovered.

The above objective, as well as others, may be achieved by a system for contamination analysis of a transient fluid comprising: a fluid control valve having a housing defining a fluid flow path therethrough; and a fluid monitoring device in fluid communication with the fluid flowing through the control valve to detect contaminants in the fluid, wherein the flow of fluid through the control valve is substantially stopped upon a detection of a selected predetermined level of contaminants.

In another embodiment, a system for contamination analysis of a transient fluid comprises: a fluid control valve having a body defining a fluid flow path therethrough, wherein the body includes an aperture formed therein; and a fluid monitoring device in fluid communication with the fluid flowing through the control valve to detect contaminants in the fluid, at least a portion of the fluid monitoring device disposed in the aperture, wherein a flow rate of fluid through the control valve is controlled based upon a detection of a predetermined level of contaminants.

In yet another embodiment, a system for contamination analysis of a transient fluid comprises: a fluid control valve having a body defining a fluid flow path therethrough, wherein the body includes an aperture formed therein and at least one wall adjacent the aperture and protruding outwardly from the body; and a fluid monitoring device in fluid communication with the fluid flowing through the control valve to detect contaminants in the fluid, at least a portion of the fluid monitoring device disposed in the aperture, wherein a flow rate of fluid through the control valve is controlled based upon a detection of a predetermined level of contaminants.

FIGS. 1-2illustrate a system for monitoring the quality of a transient fluid. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid being monitored is a fuel such as aviation fuel or diesel fuel, for example. It should be understood that the system can be employed to monitor the quality of other types of fuels and other fluids, as desired.

The system includes a fluid control valve10having a body12with a fluid inlet14and a fluid outlet16defining a flow path therethrough, and an opening into an interior of the body12. As a non-limiting example, the control valve10is similar to a 100-01 valve assembly manufactured by the CLA-VAL Company. However, other valve assemblies can be used. A cover20for the opening is removably attached to the body12to form a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, a mechanical fastener21is employed together with sealing means (not shown) to facilitate forming the substantially fluid tight seal. However, it should be understood that other means can be employed to form the substantially fluid tight seal between the body12and the cover20, as desired. A pair of flanges22,22′ is formed on the body12circumscribing the fluid inlet14and the fluid outlet16. The flanges22,22′ facilitate joining the valve10to associated fluid conduits as shown inFIG. 2. It should be understood that other means to join the valve10to the associated fluid conduits may be formed on the body12such as a male or a female threaded end, for example. Additionally, it should be understood that the valve10can be joined to the associated conduits employing other means such as welding, for example. It should be understood that the valve10typically includes means disposed therein to facilitate the regulation of a flow of the fluid therethrough. Additionally, it should be understood that the valve10can be manufactured to a custom size or any standard size. When manufactured to conform to a standard size valve, the valve10can be readily employed to replace a valve in an existing fluid supply system.

The body12includes at least one aperture26formed therein. Means to attach28a fluid monitoring device30to the body12is formed in the body12adjacent the aperture26. The means to attach28is adapted to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the fluid monitoring device30and the body12. The aperture26provides fluid communication between the interior of the body12and the fluid monitoring device30.

In certain embodiments, the body12includes an outwardly protruding wall32disposed adjacent the aperture26. A cover plate34is removably coupled to the wall32to at least partially enclose the aperture26and the fluid monitoring device30therein. Any means for coupling the cover plate34and the wall32can be used to form a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween. It is understood that any number of walls32can be used. It is further understood that the cover plate34may have any size and shape as desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, three apertures26are formed in the body12of the valve10with the means to attach28formed adjacent thereto. The three apertures26allow three separate components of the fluid monitoring device30to be attached to the body12in fluid communication with the interior of the body12. Favorable results have been obtained employing a fluid monitoring device such as the contaminant analyzer disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/627,105, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,518,719, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it should be understood that other fluid monitoring devices can be used as desired. Additionally, it should be understood that components of the fluid monitoring device30can be disposed within the interior of the body12such as a flow sensor and a calibration standard, for example. It is further understood that the fluid monitoring device30can have any shape and size and include any number of components, as desired.

The fluid monitoring device30is in communication with a source of electrical energy36. The flow sensor can be employed to selectively provide electrical communication between the source of electrical energy36and the fluid monitoring device30, wherein electrical energy is supplied to the fluid monitoring device30upon a detection of fluid flow through the valve10, and electrical energy to the fluid monitoring device30is interrupted upon a detection of a cessation of fluid flow through the valve10.

In certain embodiments, the source of electrical energy36is a flow powered turbine-style electrical generator disposed within the valve10. The generator is adapted to produce electrical energy upon a flow of the fluid through the valve10. The generator is in electrical communication with the fluid monitoring device30and employed to power the fluid monitoring device30. The use of the generator to provide electrical energy to the fluid monitoring device30eliminates a need to provide an external source of power for the fluid monitoring device30. Additionally, the generator can provide an automatic initiation and cessation of fluid monitoring upon the flow of the fluid or the stoppage of the flow of fluid, respectively.

It should be understood that the valve10and the fluid monitoring device30can be adapted to cause the valve10to close, or otherwise adjust a flow of the fluid therethrough, upon a detection of a selected predetermined level of contaminants in the fluid by the fluid monitoring device30. In certain embodiments, a controller38is in signal communication with the fluid monitoring device30to receive a control signal therefrom and selectively control a flow of fluid through the valve10based on the control signal. As a non-limiting example, the controller38is a solenoid valve adapted to actuate the control valve10to vary a flow rate of the fluid through the control valve10. It is understood that the solenoid may be energized to cause the control valve10to open or close, as desired. However, other controllers, actuators, or other devices, internal or external to the valve10can be adapted to stop or otherwise modify the flow of the fluid through the valve10upon a detection of a selected predetermined level of contaminants, for example. It is further understood that the controller38can be in communication with an energy source such as the electrical energy source36, for example, to facilitate an operation thereof.

Further, the fluid monitoring device30can provide a warning signal such as an audible or a visual signal, for example, upon a detection of a selected predetermined level of a contaminant in the fluid. Additionally, the fluid monitoring device30can be in communication with an electronic storage device40adapted to receive and retain data from the fluid monitoring device30. The storage device40may be a single storage device or may be multiple storage devices. Furthermore, the storage device40may be a solid state storage system, a magnetic storage system, an optical storage system or any other suitable storage system or device. Any data can be stored in the storage device40such as the parameters measured and calculated by the fluid monitoring device30, for example. It is further understood that certain known parameters may be stored in the storage device40to be retrieved by the fluid monitoring device30. The data can be accessed as desired for analysis by a person or an algorithm, for example.

In use, the valve10is installed in a fluid supply conduit (e.g. joined to the associated fluid conduits wherein the fluid flowing therein enters the interior of the body12of the valve10through the fluid inlet14; flows past the fluid monitoring device30attached to the body12; and exits the valve10through the fluid outlet16. The flow of the fluid through the valve10is detected by the flow sensor causing electrical communication between the fluid monitoring device30and the source of electrical energy36, which is employed to energize the fluid monitoring device30. The flow of the fluid and subsequent energizing of the fluid monitoring device30initiates the monitoring of the fluid. Electrical energy continues to be supplied to the fluid monitoring device30while fluid continues to flow through the valve10, which provides substantially continuous fluid monitoring while fluid is flowing through the valve10. When the fluid stops flowing through the valve10, the flow sensor interrupts the supply of electrical energy to the fluid monitoring device30and monitoring of the fluid is stopped. It should be understood that the flow of the fluid can be stopped by an automated or manual actuation of the valve10or another valve of the fluid supply system; or by other means such as deactivating a fluid pump of the fluid supply system, for example.

The fluid monitoring device30substantially continuously monitors the fluid flowing therethrough for contaminants. Further, the fluid monitoring device30can be adapted to provide and/or trigger a signal such as an audible or visual signal, upon a detection of a selected predetermined level of contaminants. It should be understood that the audible or the visual signal can be powered by an energy source such as the electrical energy source36, for example. Additionally, it should be understood that the electrical energy source36to power the controller38or the signal can be a public electrical grid, a generator disposed in the valve, or an electrical storage battery charged by the generator, for example.

The fluid monitoring device30can also be in communication with the storage device40to record data from the fluid monitoring device30. The data can be recorded in any usable format now know or later developed to facilitate a review and analysis of the detected contaminant levels. Typically, the storage device40is powered with electrical energy from an external source such as a public electrical grid, for example. However, the storage device40can also be powered by electrical energy from the generator, or an electrical storage battery charged by the generator, for example.

Additionally, it should be understood that the valve10can be manufactured to a custom size or any standard size. When manufactured to conform to a standard size valve, the valve10can be readily employed to replace a valve in an existing fluid supply system.

The body12of the valve10for the system for monitoring the quality of the transient fluid is typically formed to allow the valve10to replace an existing valve in the fluid supply system. The fluid monitoring device30is incorporated into the body12of the valve12to minimize the physical size of the valve10. Accordingly, the system for monitoring the quality of the transient fluid facilitates retrofitting an existing fluid supply system to have substantially continuous fluid monitoring capability by replacing an existing valve with the valve10including the fluid monitoring device30.