Abstract:
Apparatus for stopping fluid flow when liquid is present in the fluid flow. The apparatus generally includes two parts, an internal structure with a float valve, and an external tank. The internal structure includes a plurality of fluid entry holes positioned, sized, and numbered relative to a drain hole. The design is generally thread less, and the preferred process used for making the apparatus includes welding and promotes the conservation of materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/437,794, filed on Jan. 31, 2011. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the technical field of apparatuses that stop fluid flow when liquid is present in the flow. Specifically, the present invention is ideal for use as a water knock-out bottle in the oil and gas industry. When operating with the forces and pressures of a gas well, threaded solutions tend to fail. What is needed is a welded solution that can be constructed in a cost effective and economical manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a generally thread-less automatic shut-off apparatus that stops fluid flow when liquids are present in the flow, and the process that is used to create the apparatus. The apparatus generally comprises two main components: an external tank with an inlet flange and a drain; and an internal float valve with an exit flange. The process includes welding and creating the internal float valve using parts from the creation of the external tank. The internal structure, or float valve, has a particular configuration and size of fluid entry and drain holes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a water knock out bottle; 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view of an embodiment of a water knock out bottle; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the internal float valve; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the internal float valve; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view cross section of the present invention in a gas-flow state; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view cross section of the present invention in a shut-off state; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view cross section of the present invention in a drain state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  an external view of a shut-off device, or water knock out bottle is shown. In the embodiment shown, outer tank  81  is a continuous piece of rigid material. Welded to tank  81  is an internal structure that is described further in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a.  Flange  100  is welded to tank  81 . Tank  81  has an inlet opening that allows for fluid to pass through flange  100  into tank  81 . Similarly, tank  81  has a vertical opening that allows for the internal structure to be inserted into tank  81  and welded in place. Either internal structure described in this document may be installed inside of tank  81 . Drain  110  is installed in the bottom of tank  81  so that gravity assists the flow of fluid within the tank out of drain  110 . Tank  81  has an opening for the installation of drain  110 . Drain  110  can be any device that allows for fluid to flow through it, and has the ability to stop the fluid flow via plug, valve, or any other means of stopping fluid flow through an opening. 
     Referring now to the invention shown in  FIG. 1   a , the outside of another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the system is made using commercial off-the-shelf parts. Outer pipe  80  is welded to top cap  83  and bottom cap  87 . Pipe  80  has a side-opening for an inlet, and for the installation of entry flange  100 . Entry flange  100  can be welded to pipe  80  or, in the preferred embodiment, welded to entry fitting  90 . In the preferred embodiment, entry fitting is a commercially available “weldolet.” In the latter scenario entry fitting  90  is welded to the side-opening in pipe  80 . In his embodiment, entry flange  100  is a 2″ 300# flange and is welded to a 2″ Diameter×6″ weld-o-let fitting (entry fitting  90 ) that is welded to the side opening of pipe  80 . 
     Still referring to the invention shown in  FIG. 1   a , drain  110  is installed onto bottom cap  87 . Drain  110  may be attached with traditional threads or welded to bottom cap  87 . Bottom cap  87  has an opening to allow for fluid to flow out of the apparatus through drain  110 , Further, exit flange  10  and coupling  20  are shown. Exit flange  10  and coupling  20  are part of the internal structure shown in  FIG. 2   a  that has been welded to top cap  83 . Flange  10  or coupling  20  may be welded to top cap  83 , but in the preferred embodiment, coupling  20  is welded to top cap  83 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2   a , two separate internal structures are shown.  FIG. 2   a  represents an internal structure that is made with commercial off-the-shelf parts. 
     Referring now to the invention shown in  FIG. 2 , internal structure is shown that is made from one continuous piece. The internal s e includes a flange  9  capable of being attached to another flange the is not part of the system, so that the apparatus may be installed in-line in typical gas wells. This is true of all flanges described in this document. The internal structure also includes an elongated cylinder  7 . In this embodiment, flange  9  and cylinder  7  are one continuous piece of metal, but they can be separate pieces welded together. Cylinder  7  has an opening at the top. Inside cylinder  7  is seat  41 . Seat  41  is configured so that ball  70  cannot pass through flange  9 , but fluids can. When ball  70  is in contact with seat  41 , a seal is created so that fluid cannot pass through flange  9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , the internal structure is created using off-the-shelf parts. Exit flange  10  is welded to coupling  20 . In the preferred embodiment exit flange  10  is a 2″ diameter 300# flange, and coupling  20  is a 2″ diameter socket weld coupling. In the preferred embodiment, coupling  20  is welded to bushing  30 . Here, bushing  30  is a 2″ diameter×1″ bushing. Bushing  30  is welded to nipple  35 . Here, nipple  35  is threaded so that female union  40  may be attached to nipple  35  using threads. However, the invention is not limited by the use of threads, as nipple  35  may be welded to female union  40 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , Female union  40  is a 1″ diameter threaded female union, and nipple  5  is a 1″ Diameter by 4″ threaded nipple. Also welded to bushing  30  is internal pipe  5 . In the preferred embodiment, internal pipe  5  has a 2″ diameter. Finally, the bottom of internal pipe  5  is sealed by seal means  8 . In the preferred embodiment, seal means  8  is a 2″ diameter circular piece of metal welded to the bottom of internal pipe  5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , top holes  50  are cut out of cylinder  7  and internal pipe  5  so that fluids can enter the internal structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , there are two rows of 9½″ holes for a total of  18  holes that are installed so that the center line between the rows of holes is 6″ below bushing  30 . Further, bottom hole  60 , also called a drain hole, is cut out of cylinder  7  so that liquid can escape the internal structure when the liquid is drained from the system via d  110 . In the preferred embodiment hole  60  is a ½ hole. Through experimentation, the optimal ratio of bottom hole  60  over top holes  50  was found to be approximately 1/18. This ratio allows for gas to flow through the internal structure without disturbing float  70 . As the ration becomes larger, gas entering through bottom hole  60  may push float  70  into its seat and stop fluid flow when water is not present. When claimed, the size of openings me s the surface area of the space of the openings. The size of all top openings means the combined surface area of all top openings. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , in the preferred embodiment, float  70  is a ball that has a specific gravity of slightly less than one. In the preferred embodiment, float  70  is stainless steel, or some other type of material that resists corrosion. Further, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , float  70  has a diameter of 1¾″, so that it is just slightly smaller than a 2″ diameter internal pipe  5 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  a cross section of a water knock out bottle is shown. The present invention uses gravity and buoyancy to operate,  FIG. 3  shows the systems gas-flow state, where the smaller arrows depict gas flowing through the inlet, traveling through small holes and exiting the device. The larger arrow depicts liquid entering the system and travelling to the bottom of the apparatus due to the force of gravity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the present invention is shown in its shut-off state. Here, liquid has entered the apparatus; float  70  has travelled upwards and created a seal between float  70  and seat  41 . In this figure, seat  41  is female union  40 . When the system is in its shut-off state, fluid flow is stopped, and will continue to be stopped until drain means  110  is engaged to allow for fluid to exit the system. 
     Referring now to the invention shown in  FIG. 5 , drain  110  is engaged. The liquid level is represented by a dashed line, and the arrows represent the direction of the fluid flow. Fluid drains out of drain means  110 , and the system returns to its gas-flow state shown in  FIG. 3 . Drain means  110  is returned to its closed state so that fluid cannot escape vie drain means  110 . 
     The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, a generally thread-less solution for water knock out bottles used in the oil and gas industry. A thread-less solution is less likely to fail during its service. 
     In broad embodiment, the present invention is a generally thread-less apparatus that ensures that only gas flows through it, and stops fluid flow when liquid flows into the apparatus. Further, the present invention is a process of making a generally thread-less apparatus that ensures that only gas flows through it, and stops fluid flow when liquid flows into it. The process relies on welding instead of using threaded parts. 
     While the foregoing written description of he invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.