US2281907A - Gauging device - Google Patents

Description

y 5, 1942- H. J. ASHLOCK 2,281,907

GAUGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1942- H. J. ASI -ILOCK 2,281,907

' GAUGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 19 10 2 sheets sheet 2 FIG-2 I 1 II III n l III-III Patented May 5, 1942 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAUGING DEVICE Application January 11, 1940, Serial No. 313,398

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a system for gauging liquid reservoirs, and more particularly a system for gauging liquid reservoirs in which to prevent evaporation losses the contents are held under super-atmospheric pressures.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for making liquid level measurements at atmospheric pressure of a liquid body held under greater or less than atmospheric pressure. It is also an object of the invention to provide a convenient means for gauging spheroidal tanks.

The invention and its objects may be fully understood from the following specification, when it is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a spheroidal tank;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the structure, enlarged and partly in section; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another portion of the structure, enlarged and partly in section.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I designates a spheroidal tank of generally conventional design in which has been included a gauging column 2 and its required equipment and pipe connections.

The column 2 may be a single or built-up length of standard steel pipe extending through a convenient opening in the highest portion of the tank, and supported therein by means of the frame support 3, which should be rigidly secured to the tank bottom by any suitable means. Preferably the bottom end of the pipe should be so supported as to be slightly above the maintained level of water in the tank. The upper end of the pipe column 2 extends through a flanged opening 4 in the upper wall, terminating a short distance thereabove. At a point adjacent the end, a collar 5 is welded to the pipe, and the collar 5 is flexibly joined to a flange 6, about opening 4, by means of a bellows or corrugated expansion joint member 1 secured in fluid-tight relation to both the collar and flange, as by bolts 8. The extreme and open end of the column 2 is capped by means of a gate valve 9, the lower flanged port of which is .joined to the flanged column end, while the upper flanged port is joined to a hatch member Ill having a substantially fluid-tight cover II.

The column 2 at its upper end is in restricted communication with the interior of the spheroid I by way of the pipe connection 12, joined to the column at a point intermediate the collar member 5 and the flanged end of the column, and to the tank at l3. The valve [4 provides for blocking the line as required in the operation later described, while valve l5 when open permits equalization of any pressure in the column with that of the surrounding atmosphere. This line should be provided with a flexible or movable joint as at lZa.

Within the tank I, a suitable frame support or box frame structure 3 is disposed about the column 2 supporting it rigidly within the tank. From the bottom of the column, a line l6 extends radially across the tank in an inclined plane, passing through the tank wall at H at substantially the lower level of the tank contents maintained above the water therein. At a point [8, slightly above the line IS, a draw-off line I!) is extended through the tank wall, opening thereinto, and connected at its outer end by means of line 20, to the outer end of the line I6. Suitable valves Zl, 22 and 23 are disposed in the respective pipe connections as shown. It is also desirable that the line l6 be provided with a flexible or swing joint as at 5a.

In operation, the valve I5 in the line I2 is closed, and valve l4 opened. At the same time, with valve 23 closed, valves 2| and 22 are opened, permitting the liquid within the tank to flow through lines I9, 20 and 16 into the lower part of the column 2. As pressure in the tank and column are equalized through the line l2, the liquid entering the column through line I6, will establish a level therein equivalent to the level of liquid in the tank. When the level of liquid has been established in the column, the valves I4, 21 and 22 are closed, and the valve I5 opened to vent the column to the atmosphere. With the column at atmospheric pressure, the gate valve 9 and hatch m are opened, and by any conventional means, the level of the liquid in the column may be determined. Of course, the liquid level in the column will be equivalent to that of the body of liquid in the tank. Such flashing of the liquid as might be expected to be occasioned by a reduction of pressure on the column, will have no noticeable effect in reducing the liquid level, due

to the small area of the liquid exposed, and the length of the liquid column.

When the liquid level has been gauged, the column may be sealed from the atmosphere and returned to communication with the interior of the tank. It is not necessary to drain the column unless desired, or when the tank is to be changed over to the storage of a dissimilar liquid. In such instance, the valves 2| and 23 may be opened before closing the valve [5, and the contents of the column led off through suitable pipe connections.

Of course, the use of the system disclosed is not limited to use under the pressure conditions set forth, and may also find application to ordinary tanks to reduce evaporation loss by exposure of large areas of liquid to air currents during a gauging operation. It is contemplated that numerous modifications and changes may be made with respect to the apparatus as described and illustrated, Without departing from the concept of the invention disclosed. It is not intended, therefore, that the invention shall be restricted in any Way by the description or the drawings, which have been set forth for the purpose of illustration and a better understanding of the invention, but only by the appended claim.

I claim:

In a spheroidal storage tank for liquids held under greater than atmospheric pressure, a liquid level gauging apparatus for making liquid level measurements at atmospheric pressure comprising a tubular column extending vertically of said tank through the upper portion of the roof thereof and terminating above the bottom of the tank, a corrugated tubular expansion member connecting the column to the roof, a conduit in communication with the lower end of said column extending in a downwardly inclined plane substantially horizontally therefrom through a side Wall of the tank, a second conduit communicating through said Wall with the interior of the tank adjacent the lower level of liquid in the tank, a valved pipe connection between said conduits to control the inlet of liquid from the tank to the column, a valved flexible pipe connection between the upper end of the column above the expansion member and the interior of the tank, above the liquid therein, valve means for venting said column to the atmosphere, the valves when open permitting the liquid Within the tank to flow into the column to a level equivalent to the level in the tank, and a closure for the upper end of said column giving access thereto for gauging the level of liquid therein when the valves are closed.

HAROLD J. ASHLOCK.

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