Patent GB-780129-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to liquid pipelines
Inventor: WINTER ERNEST FREDERICK
IPC: G05D7/01
Filed: 1955-03-23
Abstract: 780,129. Hygrometric apparatus. SHELL RESEARCH, Ltd. Feb. 14, 1956 [March 23, 1955], No. 8529/55. Class 97(3) [Also in Group XXIX] A liquid pipeline comprises an auxiliary flow channel connecting points spaced along a main flow channel, the auxiliary channel containing a filter pack made of material which will permit the passage of liquid other than water but which absorbs water carried in the liquid stream and in so doing expands, means responsive to the expansion being provided to indicate the presence of water and/or automatically stop the flow of liquid in the pipeline. The pipeline shown, in which oil flows in the direction of the arrow 3, comprises a main channel 1 and an angled auxiliary channel 2, one limb of which is closed by a member 22 to which is attached a sleeve 45. The filter pack 16, consisting of -layers of impregnated filter paper, is mounted between a plate 17, fixed in the sleeve 45 and a movable plate 18 attached to a stem 19, the pack being held in compression by a spring 27. The plate 18 is apertured to permit access of oil to the outside of the pack 16. Any water in the oil causes an expansion of the pack. 16 which closes a valve 25 on the stem 19 against the plate 17. The flow in the main channel is controlled by a butterfly valve 4 on a stem 5 operated by a crank 36 and rod 35 coupled to a bellows 40 in a chamber 41. The supply of oil to the bellows and the chamber to control the valve 4 is controlled by the valve 51 shown in detail in Fig: 3. The valve member 51 slides in a bore 45a in the sleeve 45 which is sealed in the channel 2 by seals 46. The valve member is hollow and when oil is supplied to the channel 2 flows through the central bore 52, through ports 53 and passages 54 into the annular space 56, surrounding the sleeve 45, and through conduits 58 and 42 (arrow A) into the chamber 41 to hold the valve 4 closed. The oil pressure however opens a valve 49 to cause a flow through the filter pack and as it moves it carries with it the valve 51 which closes the passages 54 and uncovers passages 55 to supply oil to the annular space 57 and through conduits 59 and 43 (arrow B) to the bellows 40 to open the valve 4. Any water in the oil which causes the pack 16 to expand and close the valve 25 stops the flow in the channel 2 and permits the valve 49 to be closed by the spring 50. This moves the valve 51 so as to close the valve 4 again. To prevent hydraulic lock additional conduits 60 lead from the bellows 40 and the chamber 41 through throttle plates 61 to the inlet of the pump supplying the oil. In another embodiment the outside of the bellows 40 communicates directly with the channel 1 while the interior communicats with a venturi in the channel 2, again so that the valve 4 is opened or closed according as there is a flow in the channel 2. In another embodiment the expansion of the pack controls the valve 4. directly or through an electrical link. In this embodiment the filter pack is of a kind which, when a small quantity of water flows through it, seals itself against further liquid flow so that no valve is needed to close the auxiliary channel.