Abstract:
Fluid sampling device for use in obtaining a precise volume of fluid to be sampled from sealed pressure vessels equipped with a hydraulic fitting to which the fluid sampling devices are connectable. The first embodiment of the device a fluid float chamber with an internally sealable top opening which opens into an upper fluid passage. A floating ball is located in the fluid float chamber and is sized to be sealable at the top opening. A non-floatable ball is sized to seat on a lower seat through which fluid can enter the fluid float chamber. A vacuum line connects between the top opening and the sealed pressure vessel. The second embodiment of the device has a vacuum chamber into which is received a fluid sample container. A fluid supply tube connects between the vacuum chamber and the fluid inlet. A fluid overflow tube also connects between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum cylinder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to the art of collecting fluid samples, and more particularly to a fluid sampling device for obtaining a sample of a fluid as the fluid is being delivered to a container. 
     2. State of the Prior Art 
     Being able to easily take samples of fluids such as motor oil as the fluids are collected from different vehicles and/or machines can be quite useful. In the case of crank case oil in vehicles, particularly trucks, industrial vehicles and machinery, the presence of certain contaminants and the fluid&#39;s physical properties can provide vital information about the condition of various parts of the machinery, such as the condition of bearings, pistons, rings etc. Being able to monitor the conditions of these parts can help avoid breakdowns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,704 to Peters discloses a fluid sampler for taking a sample of a fluid in an oil well. A chamber is pressurized with a floating ball so the floating ball seals off the top end of a chamber. The device is lowered into an oil well. When the hydrostatic pressure in the oil well exceeds the pressure in the chamber, oil will fill the chamber, float the floating ball to the top, and again seal off the chamber so that no more oil enters the device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,704 to Davidowicz et al. discloses a fluid sampling device with a chamber with two balls—one floating and one non-floating. By pressurizing and depressurizing the float chamber, a precise sample of fluid can be obtained. U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,789 to Liegel et al. discloses a valve assembly for controlling hydraulic fluids. It utilizes balls and springs, but not floating balls. 
     While these devices may be suitable for obtaining samples from unsealed containers, they are not specifically adapted for taking samples of fluids as the fluids are collected from a particular fluid source, such as from a single vehicle, and delivered to a collection vessel. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the invention is to provide an on-line fluid sampling device for use in obtaining a sample of a fluid from a fluid source being delivered to a container, comprising: 
     a fluid chamber with upper and lower opened ends with a seat located at each end; 
     a non-floatable ball sized to be seatable on the lower seat and a floatable ball sized to be seatable on the upper seat, said balls thereby being capable of sealing off the seats; 
     a ball stop positioned in said fluid chamber to prevent said non-floating ball from pushing said floating ball down against said upper seat; 
     a connector means to detachably place a lower end of said fluid chamber in fluid connection with a fluid line used to deliver fluid to the container; and 
     a vacuum hose adapted to establish a fluid connection between the upper end of said fluid chamber above said upper seat and said container, to place a vacuum on said fluid chamber. 
     Another object of the computer is to provide an on-line fluid sampling device, for connection to vacuum cylinder into which fluid is suctioned into, said device comprising: 
     a vacuum chamber which is sized to receive a fluid sample container; 
     a fluid supply tube in connection between a source of fluid to be sampled and said vacuum chamber; 
     a fluid overflow tube in connection between said vacuum chamber and the vacuum cylinder. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially exposed side view of a first embodiment of the fluid sampler of the invention, not yet placed on a fluid collection cylinder. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exposed view depicting of a fluid sampler of the invention of FIG. 1 attached to a fluid collection cylinder. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the fluid sampler of FIG. 1 being filled with the sampled fluid. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the fluid sampler of FIG. 1 filled with a precise volume of the sampled fluid and removed from the cylinder. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the fluid sampler of FIG. 1 having its collected fluid being emptied into a shipping container. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the fluids sampler of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an exposed side view of a third embodiment of a fluid sampler of the invention as the fluid sampling is initiated. 
     FIG. 8 is an exposed side view of the third embodiment of the device of FIG. 7, with the fluid sample container in the process of being filled. 
     FIG. 9 is an exposed side view of the third embodiment of the device of FIG. 7, with the fluid sample container filled with fluid. 
     FIG. 10 is an exposed side view after the fluid sample has been taken. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the fluid sampler  10  of the invention is shown. It has a lower attachment end  12  an upper attachment end  14 . A fluid chamber  16  is provided in which are retained a non-floating ball  18  (such as a steel ball bearing) and a floating ball  20  (such as provided by a hollow aluminum or plastic ball), separated by a ball stop  22 . The fluid chamber  16  has a lower seat  24  upon which the non-floating ball  18  is sized to seatable engage. A lower fluid passage  26  permits fluid communication between the lower attachment end  12  and the fluid chamber  16 . The ball stop  22  positioned in the fluid chamber  16  permits fluid to freely pass therethrough, but prevents the two balls  18  and  20  from pushing each other up or down. An upper fluid passage  28  permits fluid communication between an upper seat  30  on the upper attachment end  14 . The floating ball  20  is sized to be seatable on the upper seat  30 , to block it off. The fluid chamber  16  preferably has a transparent view window  32 —so a user can see fluid filling the fluid chamber  16  thereof. This can be easily accomplished by making the fluid chamber from transparent material such as clear plastic or glass. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the fluid sampler  10  is shown attached to a pressure cylinder  34 . The cylinder  34  has a T-fitting  36  attached to an upper fitting  38 , preferably with a quick connect hydraulic valve  40 . Preferably, the lower attachment end  12  of the device  10  has a quick connect hydraulic valve connector  42 . The T-fitting  36  has a fluid inlet  44  connected to a fluid delivery line  46 , which is used to collect the fluid to be sampled from the fluid utilizing source, e.g. a motor vehicle&#39;s motor crank case. A top port  48  communicates with the fluid inlet  44  and a fluid outlet  50 , which thus permits fluid to be delivered to the cylinder  34 . A vacuum access port  52  is fitting on the cylinder  34 . A vacuum line  54  connects between the vacuum access port  52  and the upper attachment end  14  on the device  10 . The upper end  56  of the vacuum line  54  preferably has a quick connect hydraulic fitting  58  for quick connection to the complementary, upper attachment end  14 . The optional quick connect hydraulic fittings  58  and  42  permit the device  10  to be quickly and easily disconnected from the cylinder  34  without causing loss of vacuum in the cylinder  34 . The cylinder  34  is placed under vacuum and is used to vacuum up fluid, i.e. motor oil, lubricating oil, coolant, and the like, from a machine or vehicle for example, to remove the fluid for replacement with new fluid. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, as fluid “F” begins to be vacuum up into the cylinder  34  through the fluid delivery line  46 , due to the vacuum be placed on the device&#39;s fluid chamber  16  by the vacuum line  54 , fluid F will travel through the top port  48  and up the lower fluid passage  26  to fill the fluid chamber  16 . The non-floating ball  18  normally seats on the lower set  24 . However, due to the presence of the vacuum in the fluid chamber  16 , the fluid F will percolate up. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, as the fluid F continues to fill the fluid chamber  16 , the floating ball  20  will float on the fluid F, until it finally floats up and seats on and blocks off the upper seat  30 , so no more vacuum is placed on the fluid chamber through the upper fluid channel  28 . There being no further vacuum being placed on the fluid chamber  16 , the non-floating ball  18  will now seat on the lower seat  24 , and prevent any additional fluid F from passing through the lower fluid passage  26 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the device  10  is detached from the T-fitting  36  and has the vacuum line  56  disconnected therefrom. Due to the presence of the non-floating ball  18  seating on the seat  24 , no fluid F will flow out of the lower fluid passage  26 . Referring to FIG. 5, the device is then flipped so that its upper tip  14  is pointed down. The rotatable ball  20  will float up away from contact with the upper seat  30 , unblocking the upper passage  28 , and permitting fluid to be poured into a container  60 . In the position, non-floating ball  18  will fall into contact with the ball stop  22 , rather than force the floating ball  20  down. The container  60  can comprises a convenient shipping container which can be mailed to an analysis laboratory, so that the collected fluid can be analyzed for impurities and contaminants. 
     Depending on the relative levels of various contaminants in the sample of fluid, the lab can make an evaluation of the condition of the machine and/or motor. For-example, the presence of coolant in motor oil would indicate coolant leakage. As bearings start to wear, certain types of elements and additives will start to appear in the motor oil. All of these can be measured. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the device  10  can be fitted with optional valves  62  and  64  to control fluid flow through the lower and upper passages  26  and  28 , respectively, so that the fluid flow into and out of the fluid chamber  16  can be carefully regulated. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-10, a third embodiment of an on-line fluid sampling device  70  is shown. It comprises a vacuum chamber  72  in which fits a fluid sample container  74 . The vacuum chamber  72  has two parts  76  and  78  which are sealably fittable together, FIGS. 7-10 show a kamlock fitting  80  used to lock the two parts  76  and  78  together, with an airtight seal  82  therebetween. A fluid inlet tube  84  extends through the top  86  of the first part  76  of the vacuum chamber  72 , and terminates at an open end  88  in the vacuum chamber  72 . A fluid outlet tube  90  also extends through the top  86  of the first part  76  of the vacuum chamber  72 , and terminates at an open end  92 . The open end  92  of the fluid outlet tube  90  is preferably spaced in the fluid chamber  72  lower than the open end  88  of the fluid inlet tube  84 . 
     A waste fluid vacuum cylinder  94  is fitted with an inlet fitting  96 . The inlet fitting  96  has a T-fitting  98  attached thereto. Fluid is drawn in the cylinder  94  through a waste fluid supply tube  100  connected to an inlet end  102  of the T-fitting  98 . A quick connect hydraulic fitting  104  is preferably fitted to an outlet end  106  of the T-fitting  98  to allow for quick connection to the waste fluid cylinder&#39;s fitting  96 . A top port  108  communicates with the T-fitting&#39;s fluid passageway  110 . The waste fluid vacuum cylinder  94  can be fitted with a vacuum gauge  112  so the user will know at a glance the pressure in the cylinder  94 . The cylinder  94  is also fitting with a vacuum inlet  114 , with an upper end  116 . A sample fluid supply tube  118  connects between the top port  108  of the T-fitting  98  and the fluid inlet tube  84  of the vacuum chamber  72 . A sample fluid overflow tube  120  connects between the fluid outlet tube  90  of the vacuum chamber and the upper end  116  of the vacuum inlet  114  on the cylinder  94 . The fluid supply tube  118  and the sample fluid overflow tube  120  are preferably formed of clear, flexible plastic so that the user can see the flow of sample fluid therethrough, and detect any blockages which may occur. 
     The upper part  76  of the vacuum chamber  72  can have a bracket  122  fixed thereto, which fits on a collar  124  on the cylinder  94 . 
     The operation of the third embodiment of the on-line fluid sampler device  70  is now described with reference to FIGS.  7 - 10 . Referring first to FIG. 7, the two halves  76  and  78  of the fluid chamber  72  are fitted together with the fluid sample container  74  located therein. The open end  88  of the fluid inlet tube  84  and the open end  92  of the fluid outlet tube  90  are positioned in the fluid sample container  74 , again with the level of the open end  92  of the fluid outlet tube  90  lower than the level of opening  88  of the fluid inlet tube  84 . With the device  70  fitted to the vacuum cylinder  94 , a vacuum is established in the cylinder  94 . Waste fluid “F” will be drawn through the waste fluid supply tube  100  and into the cylinder  94 . However, since a vacuum is also established in the vacuum chamber  72  by virtue of a vacuum being exerted through the sample fluid overflow tube  120  and fluid sample supply tube  118 , fluid will also flow up the top port  108 , through the fluid sample supply tube  118 , and into the fluid sample container  74  in the vacuum chamber  72 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, when the level of fluid “F” in the sample container  74  reaches the level of the open end  92 , fluid will begin to be suctioned up through the fluid overflow tube  120  and into the cylinder  94 . The internal diameter of the fluid overflow tube  120  can be sized to be significantly smaller than the internal diameter of the fluid sample tube  118  since the fluid overflow tube  120  functions mainly to establish a vacuum in the vacuum chamber  72 , which can be accomplished with a small interior diameter tube as well as a large interior diameter tube. 
     For use with taking a sample of used motor oil, as the used motor oil is suctioned through the waste fluid supply tube  100 , a sample of the waste oil will fill the sample fluid container  74  to be a predetermined level. After all the waste fluid is drained up through the tube  100  and into the cylinder  94 , the vacuum will clear out any waste fluid remaining in the fluid supply tube  118  and overflow tube  120 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, after the used oil is removed from the vehicle, the lower portion  78  of the vacuum chamber is disengaged from the upper portion  76  by deactivating the kamlok  80 . The sample fluid filled container  74  can then be removed and sent for analysis of the sample of used oil. 
     By adjusting the size of the tubes  118  and  120 , the rate as which fluid “F” to be samples flows into and out of the sample container  74  can be adjusted. In order to permit the used fluid filled sample container  74  to be removed from the vacuum chamber  72  while waste fluid is still being removed from a waste fluid source, without losing the vacuum in the cylinder  94 , quick connect hydraulic fittings or valves can be placed between the vacuum chamber and the fluid supple tube  118  and overflow tube  120  (not shown). Also, while a kamlock  80  is shown as used to provide sealing between the two halves  76  and  78 , they can also screw together, or be connected together by other known means. 
     The drawings and the foregoing description are not intended to represent the only form of the invention in regard to the details of its construction and manner of operation. In fact, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Changes in form and in the proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient; and although specific terms have been employed, they are intended in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being delineated in the following claims: