초록 ▼

Apparatus for gauging the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas under flow or zero gravity net conditions includes an accumulator and appropriate connector apparatus for communicating gas between the accumulator and the container. In one form of the invention, gas is removed from the con

Apparatus for gauging the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas under flow or zero gravity net conditions includes an accumulator and appropriate connector apparatus for communicating gas between the accumulator and the container. In one form of the invention, gas is removed from the container and compressed into the accumulator. The pressure and temperature of the fluid in the container is measured before and after removal of the gas; the pressure and temperature of gas in the accumulator is measured before and after compression of the gas into the accumulator from the container. These pressure and temperature measurements are used in determining the volume of gas in the container, whereby the volume of liquid in the container can be determined from the difference between the known volume of the container and the volume of gas in the container. Gas from the accumulator may be communicated into the container in a similar process as a verification of the gauging of the liquid volume, or as an independent process for determining the volume of liquid in the container.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for determining the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas at low or zero gravity net conditions, comprising: a. an accumulator for receiving gas and a compressor for transporting gas from the container to the accumulator; b. means for measuring the pressure and temperature of t

Apparatus for determining the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas at low or zero gravity net conditions, comprising: a. an accumulator for receiving gas and a compressor for transporting gas from the container to the accumulator; b. means for measuring the pressure and temperature of the gas in the accumulator; c. means for measuring the pressure and temperature of the gas in the container; d. means for selectively connecting the compressor and accumulator with the container; and e. a separator for removing gas from the container, said separator comprising: a generally tubular member positioned at least partly within said container and providing means for gas to exit said container; an impeller positioned for imparting rotation to the liquid and gas within the tubular member to establish a vortex therein, whereby liquid may be urged radially outwardly from the center of the tubular member and gas may be communicated along the tubular member; and a fluid communication line extending from said tubular member for communicating gas outside of the container.