Isothermal flow controller for air sampler

Abstract: An air or gas sampling device utilises a small tube (8) calibrated under isothermal conditions. The relationship of pressure at the input end of the tube to flow is plotted and stored in a microprocessor for comparison with pressure monitored during sample pumping. Pulsations in flow caused by the air or gas pump (2) can be neutralised by a damper (9) comprising a small chamber having a diaphragm (6) for one wall.

Description: The present invention is related to a method of measuring gas flow in a gas sampling device of the type as defined in the preamble of claim 1, to an apparatus for measuring gas flow in a gas sampler of the type as defined in the preamble of claim 8. A method and an apparatus of this type is disclosed in US-A-4,569,235. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump interconnected to an air plenum chamber which is utilised to dampen the pump stroke associated with the vacuum pump, so as to provide an even flow of air through a flow sensing means arranged downstream of the air plenum chamber. The flow sensing means is an orifice arranged centrally between two tapered passageways which reduces the flow diameter immediately before the orifice, and which increases the flow diameter immediately after the orifice. Consequently, the orifice appears to function like a Venturi means. A pressure transducer is connected to the sensing means immediately before and immediately after the tapered passageways, respectively. This invention relates to controlling and measuring the air flow in an air sampling device. In particular, it utilises the concept of isothermal air flow in a flow measuring device, and substantially eliminates the effects of pulsation in the flow of sampled air induced by the strokes of a vacuum pump. It is common practice in air sampling pumps to maintain the air flow at a constant rate independent of build-up in back pressure by direct measurement of the air flow using a suitable sensor, the signal from which is then used to control the speed of the vacuum pump such that constant flow is maintained. In theory, the volume or rate of air delivered by a small vacuum pump such as is commonly used in a personal air sampler may be controlled and/or measured by employing the known characteristics of the pump in a microprocessor or the like, and comparing the known characteristics to current inputs representing flow, perhaps modifying the inputs by other variables such as outside air pressure or temperature. Various prior art reflects approaches to the problem of maintaining accurate air flow readings for use in calculating the concentrations of air contaminants. In US-A-5,107,713 a table of values is used which relate the pump motor's RPM to air flow rates, store them in a microprocessor, and modulate the current pulse width as a function of deviations from the known RPM/flow relationship. In US-A-4,527,953, the current to the pump is varied, and hence its output, also by varying the current pulse width, but as a function of the relative durations of open and closed positions of a differential pressure switch located parallel to an adjustable orifice in the air conduit. It is tried to keep the air flow smooth with the aid of an "accumulator" which may be milled or moulded into the frame of the pump and covered on one wall with an elastomer sheet (col. 4, lines 17-24). The accumulator is positioned upstream of and removed from the pressure sensor. In US-A-4,269,059, an accumulator is placed between the filter on the intake and the pump. Pulse width modulation is also used in US-A-5,269,659 to control the air pump, as a function of pressure differential across a Venturi. US-A-5,163,818, uses a programmable computer to calculate flow from a number of variables, and to regulate the voltage to the pump motor to maintain a desired air flow rate. US-A-5,520,517, bases the pump motor control on changes in load, sensed by changes in pressure and speed and compared to pump characteristics stored in memory. Systems relying on known characteristics of pumps assume to one degree or another that the pumps and motors controlling them will not change, but it is known that pumps and motors will wear, lubrication will change with age, gaskets and bearing surfaces will erode or otherwise deteriorate, and various other problems arise to change the response of the pump to a current of a given characteristic. US-A-4,532,814, discloses: known pump sampling systems which control flow by adjustment of pump motor speed produce an air flow with relatively high pulse undulations particularly at low flow levels. With a highly pulsed flow it is difficult to set the flow rate. A steady flow of gas or air to a sample collecting device is maintained by providing a supplementary flow of gas or air to the inlet of the pump in response to a signal representing pressure differential across an orifice in the air or gas conduit, thus avoiding controls on the pump motor. Settings for the flow control valve are manually adjusted. The supplementary flow to the inlet of the pump may be taken from the outlet of the pump. See also US-A-4,576,054. US-A-5,562,002, discloses a device for damping the pump pulsations in a reciprocating piston flowtube comprising a diaphragm and a porous member having open channels. The piston drops by gravity to the bottom of the flowtube; the diaphragm is supported by the porous member. US-A-5,000,052, shows a laminar flow sensing element which comprises a stack of individual flow channels. None of the above constructions provide a simple device for measuring air or gas sample flow which neutralises the effect of the back pressure caused by the strokes. US-A-5,295,790, requires a special laminar flow element such as porous member in a suitable housing, which will simulate this linear relationship between the flow rate and pressure drop in a portable personal sampling pump, provided the air flow is maintained at a low Reynolds number. While trying to simulate linear relationship, this is done at the cost of providing the special laminar flow element. The porous element or a small orifice are susceptible to the build-up of particles from the air which can clog up the orifices through which the air must pass, and across which pressure drop is measured. It should be noted that a major use of air sampling pumps of this type is for dust measurement and even with a suitable in-line filter, small particles can still pass into the sensor causing the build-up of changes in calibration over time. US-A-5,621,180, uses a coiled capillary tube of 5 cm to 5000 cm length and an internal diameter up to 0.53 mm to control the flow of gas for a predetermined time into an evacuated sample vessel. Of further interest is an article "NEW LAMINAR FLOWMETER" in Instruments & Control Systems, Vol. 35, pages 98-100, April 1962. The developed air sampling system in accordance with claims 1 or 8 uses a tube of large bore in relation to dust particles, such that they will pass through the system rather than clog up small air passageways. This invention utilises the mathematical relationship that exists between the velocity of a compressible medium (air or other gas) flowing isothermally through a smooth conduit and the pressure drop measured across the two ends of the conduit. The flow can be considered to be isothermal if the energy converted to heat by friction is equal to the heat transferred out of the fluid, i.e. the air maintains constant temperature. This condition can occur in a uninsulated conduit with the same temperature inside and out, with low fluid velocity, i.e. typically up to about three litres of air per minute but including also flows up to 30 litres per minute. The relationship between flow rate and pressure relies on the medium flowing at a constant rate over the measuring interval, such that a stable pressure reading is obtained. If the flow rate should rise, there is a finite time required for the system to stabilise at the new pressure. This is a problem in sample pump applications, where the reciprocal strokes of a diaphragm pump produce pulses rather than a smooth flow. Most personal air samplers use such a pump, and this invention contemplates its use. The invention utilises a pulsation damper which is a small chamber including a diaphragm in at least one of its walls. The pulsation damper is inserted in the main flow conduit of the air sample exhaust, downstream of the pump. The diaphragm will modify the pulsations of the flow in a predictable manner which permits accurate conversion to flow rate. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. Figure 1 shows air flow in terms of a pressure profile at the input of a flow sensing device, in particular an isothermal sensor tube. Figure 2 illustrates the effect of a pulsation damper on air flow. Figures 3a, and 3b are diagrammatic depictions of air sampling devices. Figure 4 is an isothermal flow tube curve. Figure 5a and 5b are block diagrams of alternate overall configurations of the invention, differing primarily in the manner of using the microprocessor. Figure 1 illustrates a unitless profile of pressure versus time typically produced by a double diaphragm pump at the input of a flow measuring device, exemplified in this case by an isothermal sensor tube described elsewhere herein. Periodic negative pressures at points N are notable. Such negative pressure points represent back flow, and complicate the accurate calculation of flow. Positive peaks P tend to be sharp but cleaved. Figure 2 shows a plot of pressure versus time similar to that of Figure 1 where a pulsation damper is connected to the air conduit at the upstream end of an isothermal sensor according to the invention, as illustrated in Figure 3. It will be seen that no negative pulses are delivered, and the positive peaks P are benign compared to those of Figure 1. Such a flow pattern is much easier to work with, specifically to project an accurate flow rate, than the pattern of Figure 1. In Figure 3, the invention is shown in place with an air pump 2 having an air intake 1. Air intake 1 for pump 2 comes from one or more sample collecting devices not shown, upstream of air intake 1; the pump 2 draws a vacuum on the sample collecting device or devices. Conduit 3 leads to isothermal sensor tube 8. A pulsation damper 9 is interposed. Pulsation damper 9 is a small chamber into which air may enter from channel 3. Pulsation damper 9 has a diaphragm 6, shown in its normal position; dotted line 5 represents the extended position of diaphragm 6 when it responds to increased pressure in the chamber of pulsation damper 9. In the "gap" between pulses the elastic action of the pulsation damper diaphragm 6 will result in the diaphragm 6 relaxing and this action will tend to maintain the flow of air through the isothermal sensor tube 8. In this way the variation in pressure at the inlet to the isothermal sensor tube 8 as seen by transducer 7 will be diminished as the peaks (see P, Fig. 1) will be reduced and the troughs N "filled in" by the expanding and contracting diaphragm 6. Connected to pulsation damper 9 is pressure transducer 7 for measuring pressure in pulsation damper 9, effectively the upstream end of isothermal sensor tube 8. The damped version of the air flow meter, comprising the pulsation damper 9, isothermal sensor tube 8, and pressure transducer 7, is shown in the dotted square 4. Pressure transducer 7 is conventional in that any transducer capable of sensing air pressure and converting it to an electrical signal representative thereof may be used. The analog or digital signal representing pressure at the upstream end of isothermal sensor tube 8 may be used to calculate flow, by itself, or using also either atmospheric pressure at end 10 of isothermal sensor tube 8 (the atmospheric pressure may be measured anywhere in the vicinity) or based on actual sensing of pressure near the end of tube 8 as shown in Figure 3c. Flow calculation is accomplished by a microprocessor such as microprocessor 20, shown in Figures 5a and 5b, which has stored in its memory the air flow/pressure calibration of the isothermal sensor tube 8. In Figure 3b, transducer 7 operated as a differential transducer. That is, it receives pressure inputs through connection 11 to the exhaust end of isothermal sensor tube 8 and also through connection 12 to pulsation damper 9, generating an electrical signal as a function of the difference. The signal generated by transducer 7, whether representing the pressure in pulsation damper 9 alone, or the difference between pressure in pulsation damper 9 and atmospheric pressure, or the difference between pressure in pulsation damper 9 and measured exiting pressure of isothermal sensor tube 8, may be used to calculate the flow in a microprocessor (see Figures 5a and 5b) utilising a curve such as that of Figure 4. In Figure 4, the characteristics of an isothermal sensor tube such as isothermal sensor tube 8 are shown in terms of pressure and flow. It will be seen that the relationship of pressure and flow is not linear but can readily be used for calibration, computations, and data storage. Isothermal sensor tube 8 is, as explained above, of a large enough intemal diameter to pass any and all airborne particulates which might somehow find their way past the particle collection filters or other sample collection means upstream of the pump 2 (see Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c). The Weight Flow rate in an isothermal tube may be described by the following expression: G = C(P 2 1 - P 2 2 ) where G = Weight flow rate; C = A constant term representing the physical dimensions of the conduit and gas constants; P 1 = Pressure measured at the inlet to the isothermal sensor tube, and P 2 = Pressure measured at the outlet of the isothermal sensor tube. By an isothermal sensor tube, a tube of smooth bore is meant having an internal diameter of about 1 millimetre to about 5 millimetres and a length of at least about 10 mm. The length can be conveniently up to about 150 mm. It can also be considerably longer, i.e. 500 mm or more so long as the above described isothermal relationship is present and the tube can be calibrated to a curve such as that of Figure 4. Preferably, the tube is straight and the internal diameter or bore is of a good consistency - that is, it will not vary more than ± 5%. Referring now to Figure 5a, the microprocessor 20 has programmed into it the airflow versus pressure characteristics for the isothermal sensor tube 8 under various conditions of temperature and atmospheric pressure. The user enters the required flow rate using the keyboard 19 and the microprocessor 20 varies the voltage drive to the pump motor 13 until the expected voltage is received back from the pressure transducer 7, through analog-to-digital converter 14. The microprocessor 20 will then adjust its output to the pump motor 13 to maintain the required flow under all loading conditions. The functions of the microprocessor 20 may include variables (electrical inputs) from temperature sensor 15 and atmospheric pressure sensor 16. Display 18 may show flow rate, a running volume total, temperatures and pressures as desired. In the version of Figure 5b, the microprocessor 20 has programmed into it the airflow versus pressure characteristics for the isothermal sensor tube 8 under various conditions of temperature and atmospheric pressure. The user enters the required flow rate using the keyboard 19 and the microprocessor outputs the voltage that it expects the pressure sensor to produce if the airflow is at the correct rate. This voltage is compared with the actual voltage produced by the transducer 7. The analog feedback network comprising comparator 31, drive amplifier 17, pump 2, and transducer 7 adjusts the pump motor 13 until the two inputs of the comparator 21 -- the microprocessor 20 output voltage and the transducer 7 output voltage -- are equal. In this way the drive to the pump 2 is adjusted to maintain the required flow under all loading conditions. It should be understood that any of the air flow meter configurations 4 shown in Figures 3a, 3b, and/or 3c may be used in either of the layouts of Figures 5a and 5b. As has been seen, in any of the versions described herein, the microprocessor 20 may generate not only a signal representing flow, which may be recorded and stored for reference, but may also generate a control signal for modulating the pump motor to assure a steady flow of gas. For most air sampling uses, the pulsation damper comprises a chamber having a volume of about 3000 mm 3 to about 20,000 mm 3 connected to the air exhaust conduit from the pump. It will have a diaphragm or other expandable portion in its wall or top, to absorb pulsations in the air flow as the air is delivered from the pump. The pressure transducer is connected directly to the chamber defined by the pulsation damper.

Claims: Method of measuring gas flow in a gas sampling device including a vacuum pump (2) which generated pulsations in said gas flow, comprising the steps of passing the exhaust from said pump through a sensing means (8), damping said pulsations in said gas flow in a pulsation damper (9) located at the upstream end of said sensing means (8), and measuring the pressure (P 1 ) at the upstream end of said sensing means (8), characterised by the following steps: passing the exhaust from said pump through a tube (8) forming said sensing means, said tube having an internal diameter of about 1 mm to about 5 mm and a length of about 10 mm to about 150 mm under isothermal conditions, damping said pulsations in said gas flow in a pulsation damper (9) located at the upstream end of said tube (8), measuring the pressure (P 1 ) at the upstream end of said tube (8), wherein the pressure measurement taken at said upstream end of said tube (8) is taken in said pulsation damper (9), and deriving gas flow from a predetermined relationship between gas flow in said tube (8) under isothermal conditions and upstream pressure in said tube (8). Method of claim 1, characterised in that said pump (2) is a dual diaphragm pump. Method of claim 1, characterised in that the downstream pressure (P 2 ) is also measured at the downstream end of said tube (8), and that said downstream pressure (P 2 ) is also used to drive said gas flow from said predetermined relationship between gas flow in said tube (8) under isothermal conditions and said upstream pressure (P 1 ) in said tube (8). Method of claim 1, characterised in that said gas is air and atmospheric pressure is also measured in the vicinity of said gas sampling device and said atmospheric pressure is also used to derive said gas flow from a predetermined relationship between air flow under isothermal conditions and said upstream pressure in said tube (8). Method of claim 1, characterised in that said tube (8) is straight, its bore is smooth, and its internal diameter is constant with variations no more than about 5%, whereby said gas flow is determined according to the formula G = C(P 2 1 - P 2 2 ) where G = weight flow rate, C is a constant representing the physical dimensions of said bore and the physical characteristics of said gas, P 1 is pressure at said upstream end of said tube, and P 2 is pressure at the downstream end of said tube. Method of claim 1, characterised in that said pulsation damper (9) comprises a diaphragm (6). Method of claim 1, characterised by adjusting said vacuum pump (2) as a function of gas flow. Apparatus for measuring gas flow in a gas sampler including a vacuum pump (2) having a gas exhaust, a sensing means (8) connected to said gas exhaust, a pulsation damper (9) at the upstream end of sensing means (8), and a transducer (7) for sensing pressure (P 1 ) at the upstream end of sensing means (8) and generating an electrical signal as a function of said pressure, characterised in that said sensing means is a tube (8) which is at least 10 mm long and has an internal diameter of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, said transducer (7) is arranged for measuring pressure in said pulsation damper (9), and means are provided for deriving gas flow from a comparison of said electrical signal to a predetermined relationship of pressure at said upstream end of said tube to isothermal gas flow in said tube. Apparatus of claim 8, characterised in that said transducer is also for sensing pressure at the downstream end (10) of said tube (8) and generating an electrical signal also as a function of said downstream pressure (P 2 ). Apparatus of claim 8, characterised in that said pulsation damper (9) comprises a chamber, preferably with a volume of about 3 x 10 3 mm 3 to about 20 x 10 3 mm 3 , having a diaphragm (6) on at least one wall thereof. Apparatus of claim 8, characterised in that said means for deriving gas flow is a microprocessor (20). Apparatus of claim 8, characterised by a separate transducer for sensing atmospheric pressure and generating an electrical signal as a function thereof, and wherein said means for deriving gas flow derives gas flow also from said electrical signal. Apparatus of claim 11, characterised in that said microprocessor (20) includes means for generating a signal as a function of gas flow for adjusting the output of said vacuum pump (2). Apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that: the tube is varying no more than about 5% in diameter throughout its length, and the means are adapted to derive air flow from said signal representative of said pressure as a non-linear function thereof.

Inventors: HALL PETER M, HALL, PETER M.
Applicants: SKC INC, SKC, INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G01N1
IPC codes: G01N1