초록 ▼

A microprocessor based fluid tank test management system and method, for measuring the tightness of fluid tanks for leakage. The system includes, an automatic temperature sensing apparatus to measure any temperature change in the fluid during a test period, apparatus for continuously circulating the

A microprocessor based fluid tank test management system and method, for measuring the tightness of fluid tanks for leakage. The system includes, an automatic temperature sensing apparatus to measure any temperature change in the fluid during a test period, apparatus for continuously circulating the fluid in the tank, apparatus for stabilizing the geometry of the tank, apparatus for automatically maintaining a constant fluid head in communication with the fluid in the tank and for measuring the fluid added to or removed from the fluid head to keep it constant during the test period, apparatus to determine the coefficient of expansion of the fluid in the tank, and apparatus for utilizing the values of the temperature change, the fluid measurement, and coefficient of expansion, to automatically calculate any fluid leak from the tank during the test period.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for testing the tightness of a fluid tank having a fill pipe to determine the rate of leakage therefrom, said system including: (a) means to circulate a fluid in said tank to equalize the temperature thereof; (b) means to stabilize the shape of said tank; (c) means to measure the change in

A system for testing the tightness of a fluid tank having a fill pipe to determine the rate of leakage therefrom, said system including: (a) means to circulate a fluid in said tank to equalize the temperature thereof; (b) means to stabilize the shape of said tank; (c) means to measure the change in temperature of the fluid in said tank; (d) means to determine the coefficient of expansion of the fluid in said tank; (e) means to determine if any fluid has leaked from said tank to provide the rate of leakage; (f) said means to stabilize the shape of the tank includes means to establish and maintain a constant static fluid head in communication with the fluid in said tank; (g) said means to establish and maintain a constant static fluid head includes, (1) a standtube in fluid communication with said tank; (2) means to measure the fluid added to or removed from said standtube to maintain said static fluid head constant; and, (3) a small granduated cylinder in fluid comunication with said standtube; (h) said means to circulate a fluid in said tank includes, (1) a probe assembly insertable into said tank through the fill pipe thereof; (2) a pump connected to said probe assembly; and, (3) said pump having an inlet and an outlet connected to said probe assembly; (i) said probe assembly includes: (1) and inlet tube; and, (2) a discharge tube disposed coaxially inside said inlet tube; (j) said discharge tube is disposed proximate the bottom of said tank and has a discharge nozzle proximate the end thereof, directed at approximately a 45 degree angle from the bottom of the tank to be tested; (k) said probe assembly has a seal adaptor disposed proximate the top thereof to seal the probe assembly into said fill pipe; (l) a system controller; (m) a power supply connected to said system controller; (n) a metering system connected to said power supply and said system controller; (o) a level sensor system connected to said system controller; (p) a temperature sensor system connected to said system controller; (q) said system controller further includes, (1) a microprocessor and an analog-to-digital converter connected to said power supply; (2) a level detector connected to said power supply; (3) a human interface connected to said power supply; and, (4) a printer interface and printer mechanism connected to said power supply; (r) said power supply further includes, (1) a first power supply and a second power supply connected to said microprocessor and analog-to-digital converter; (2) a third power supply connected to said level detector; (3) a fourth power supply connected to said human interface; (4) a fifth power supply connected to said metering system; (5) a sixth power supply connected to said printer interface and printer mechanism; and (6) a seventh power supply connected to said level detector; (s) said means to establish and maintain a constant static fluid head includes, (1) the metering system connected to said level detector and said fifth power supply; and, (2) the level sensor system connected to said level detector; (t) said microprocessor and analog-to-digital converter further includes, (1) a control bus; (2) a data bus; (3) a microcontroller connected to said data bus; and, (4) a 17-bit analog-to-digital converter connected to said microcontroller, said control bus and said data bus; (u) said level sensor means further includes, (1) an upper level sensor; and, (2) a lower level sensor; and, (v) said level sensor means further includes, (1) a sine wave oscillator having an an output, said output connected to said upper level sensor and said lower level sensor; (2) a test phase switch having at least a third position and a fourth position, said third position being connected to said upper level sensor and said fourth position being connected to said level sensor; (3) a sensor operational amplifier being connected to a center tap of said test phase switch; (4) a phase discriminator having inputs and a high and lower output, the inputs of said phase discriminator being connected to said sensor operational amplifier and said sine wave oscillator; (5) a first noise reduction circuit connected to the high output of said phase discriminator; (6) a first operation amplifier connected to said first noise reduction circuit; (7) a second noise reduction circuit connected to the low output of said phase discriminator; and, (8) a second operational amplifier connected to said second noise reduction circuit.