Process Measurement Probe Bottom Out Indicator

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for indicating bottoming contact between the inner wall of a fluid delivery conduit and the distal tip of a process measurement probe. A process device such as a fluid flow meter has the process measurement probe configured for insertion into the fluid delivery conduit. An insertion mechanism is connected to the process measurement probe and configured to apply a force to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit. A bottoming indicator is configured to provide an indication that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit based on a force or pressure associated with the insertion.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of a patent application with the application number 201510013042.3 and the application date of January 9, 2015, whose applicant is Dietrich Standard Company and the invention name is “Process Measurement Probe Bottoming Indicator”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an industrial process control or monitoring system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a process variable transmitter or sensing device of the type that uses an averaging pitot tube (APT) probe or other primary sensing probe to measure a process variable of an industrial process. Background Art

[0003] In industrial environments, control systems are used to monitor and control industrial processes, among other things. Typically, control systems that perform these functions use field devices that are distributed at key locations in the industrial process and connected to control circuits in the control room through process control loops. The term "field device" refers to any device that performs a function in a distributed control or process monitoring system, including all devices used in the measurement, control, and monitoring of industrial processes.

[0004] Some field devices include a transducer that is connected to the process fluid. A transducer is understood to mean a device that produces an output signal based on a physical input, or a device that produces a physical output based on an input signal. Typically, the transducer converts the input into an output having a different form. Various types of transducers include various analytical devices, pressure sensors, thermistors, actuators, solenoids, indicator lights, etc.

[0005] Field devices such as process variable sensors used in industrial processes can be installed in the field on pipes, tanks, and other industrial process equipment. One type of process variable sensor is a flow meter that can measure the amount of fluid flowing, for example. One type of flow meter that uses an averaging pitot tube base element is a common device for flow measurement because of the low pressure loss, lower cost, and reliable performance of the element, which can be inserted into and withdrawn from the flow line. The APT base element senses and averages the pressure from multiple locations in the pipeline through which the process fluid travels. This average pressure is then used in conjunction with flow theory and a quantity is experimentally determined to provide a flow measurement for the fluid. One type of APT is available from Emerson Process Management TM Purchased APT. At least for With respect to APT, preferably the APT is passed through the process piping so that multiple samples within a portion of the piping can be averaged to account for variations in flow through that portion of the piping.

[0006] Some types of APT base elements for pressure flow meters can be installed in the process pipeline while the process is running. In order to ensure the life and accuracy of the APT base element, the top of the APT base element must be firmly seated on the opposite side of the process pipeline from the APT base element installation side. If the APT base element is not fully inserted, the APT base element will vibrate due to eddy current divergence and send a poor signal to the auxiliary element (e.g., a transmitter) or break and cause damage downstream. If the APT base element is over-inserted, the APT base element will bend, thus causing the same problems as not being inserted to the bottom, such as poor signal, breakage, and damage to the pipeline.

[0007] A common method of inserting an APT base element into a process pipe uses a mark on the insertion / withdrawal lever. In an attempt to ensure a proper top end, a method of ensuring that the APT top end bottoms out on the inner wall of the process pipe opposite to the top end is to insert the APT base element until the mark on the insertion / withdrawal lever is close to the gear box used to control the insertion. Once the indicator is close to the gear box, the installer needs to "feel" when the hand crank on the gear box becomes more difficult to turn. The increased difficulty of turning the handle on the gear box indicates to the installer that the top end has bottomed out on the opposite side of the pipe. However, it may be difficult to "feel" when the top end bottoms out on the opposite wall. This is because the gear box used to insert the APT base element provides a mechanical advantage, so that the additional force of the top end bottoming out is negligible compared to the resistance of the packing gland and other installation forces of the process pressure. It is difficult to tell the difference between a top end that bottoms out and a top end that does not bottom out, and it is easy for the installer to cause the APT base element to not bottom out or to overload the APT base element and damage the APT base element. Due to poor installation, this will lead to failure rates of APT base elements that are sometimes as high as 5%.

[0008] The above discussion provides general background information only and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Summary of the invention

[0009] Disclosed are systems and methods for indicating bottoming contact between an inner wall of a fluid delivery conduit and a distal tip of a process measurement probe. A process device, such as a fluid flow meter, has the process measurement probe configured for insertion into the fluid delivery conduit. An insertion mechanism is connected to the process measurement probe and configured to apply a force to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit. A bottoming indicator is configured to provide an indication that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit based on an insertion-related force or pressure.

[0010] The Summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce selected concepts in a simplified form that will be further described in the Detailed Description below. The Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an industrial process control or monitoring system for monitoring or controlling a process fluid indicating bottoming contact between an inner wall of a conduit and an averaging pitot tube (APT) base element according to an example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 According to an example embodiment, Figure 1 A block diagram of the system and transmitter is shown in FIG.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and 2 A diagrammatic illustration of a first embodiment of a bottoming indication component of a system.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 and 2 A diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of a bottoming indication component of a system.

[0015] Figure 5-1 to Figure 5-6 is a diagrammatic illustration of components configured to provide a visual indication of the various stages of insertion of an APT base element into a catheter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Disclosed embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatus for bottoming out of an averaging pitot tube (APT) base element, which provide an indication of when the APT base element has been properly inserted into a fluid transport conduit. However, the disclosed embodiments are applicable to any process measurement probe. In some exemplary embodiments, the methods, systems, and apparatus directly measure or identify insertion and bottoming forces to ensure proper installation of the APT base element. By ensuring proper APT bottoming during installation, vibrations caused by eddy current divergence and resulting poor signal quality can be reduced. In addition, breakage of the APT base element and resulting damage to the downstream due to insufficient or excessive insertion of the APT base element (e.g., preventing the APT base element from bending and deforming) can be prevented or reduced.

[0017] In some disclosed embodiments, the insertion mechanism is connected to the APT base element of a fluid flow meter or a transmitter to control the insertion of the APT base element and the withdrawal of the APT base element from the conduit. The bottoming indicator is constructed to provide an indication that the distal top of the APT base element properly bottoms out to the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit according to the force or pressure associated with the insertion. In some embodiments, one or more springs are included in the bottoming indicator to transfer force from the insertion mechanism to the APT base element. The spring can be selected to be compressed in response to the application of force from the insertion mechanism to the APT base element, and provide a visual indication when the APT base element properly bottoms out, so that no more force is applied and the base element is not damaged. Other visual indications of appropriate bottoming out can also be provided. In some embodiments, the bottoming indicator is constructed to provide an output signal indicating that the distal top of the APT base element properly bottoms out, so that the output signal can be used directly or indirectly to control the insertion mechanism. Therefore, the process can be automated while also ensuring the appropriate bottoming out of the APT base element without causing damage to the APT base element.

[0018] Some industrial process control or monitoring systems, for example, employ an APT probe or base element inserted into a conduit such as a process pipe or tubing to measure the differential pressure associated with the flow of material through the conduit based on some differential pressure (DP) of the control or monitoring system. Figure 1 An industrial process control or monitoring system 100 is shown in FIG. Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a system 100 for monitoring or controlling a process fluid in an industrial process. The system 100 also provides an indication of bottoming contact between the inner wall of a fluid conveying conduit or process pipe and the distal tip of the APT base element.

[0019] Typically, a field device such as a process variable transmitter 102 is located at a remote location in a process facility and transmits a sensed process variable back to a centrally located control room 104. A variety of techniques may be used to transmit process variables, including wired communications and wireless communications. One common wired communication technique uses a known two-wire process control loop 106, where a single pair of wires is used to carry information as well as power to the transmitter 102. One technique for transmitting information is by controlling the intensity of current between 4 mA and 20 mA passing through the process control loop 106. Current values ​​in the 4-20 mA range are mapped to corresponding process variable values. Example digital communication protocols include (a hybrid physical layer consisting of a digital communication signal superimposed on a standard 4-20mA analog signal), FOUNDATION TMFieldbus (a fully digital communication protocol issued by the American Instrument Society in 1992), process fieldbus communication protocol or other protocols. Wireless process control loop protocols may also be used, such as those based on IEC62591. RF communication technology. Figure 1 The process control loop 106 in FIG. 1 represents one or both of a wired and wireless embodiment of a communication connection between the transmitter 102 and the control room 104 .

[0020] Process variable transmitter 102 is connected via mounting system or equipment 112. Figure 1 An example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an isolation valve 405 and an insertion / withdrawal mechanism 150. The APT base element or probe 120 can be extended into a fluid conveying conduit 108, which is a process pipe in the exemplary embodiment shown, and is configured to measure a process variable of a process fluid in the process pipe 108. Example process variables include flow, temperature, pressure, liquid level, pH, conductivity, turbidity, density, content, chemical composition, etc. The process variable transmitter 102 includes a sensor 124 and other components / circuits (in FIG. Figure 1 1 ), these components / circuits are configured to receive a process variable from a probe or APT base element 120 and provide a transmitter output to the process control loop 106. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the process variable transmitter 102 is a differential pressure transmitter and the probe 120 is an APT type probe. The components of the differential pressure transmitter 102 and the probe or APT base element 120 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0021] exist Figure 1 The insertion / withdrawal mechanism 150, also referred to as the insertion mechanism 150 and not necessarily used for withdrawal in all embodiments, is connected to the APT base element 120 and is configured to apply a force to insert the APT base element into the fluid delivery conduit 108. The mechanism 150 may include a variety of different components, such as a threaded control rod 415 and a corresponding gear box 410, a motor or hand crank (crank mechanism 418) for driving the gear box. For example, referring to Figure 3 and 4 The components of the exemplary embodiment of mechanism 150 will be shown and described in greater detail.

[0022] exist Figure 11, a cutaway portion of the conduit or pipe 108 allows viewing of a portion 122 of the APT base element 120 that diametrically spans the interior of the process pipe 108. Directional arrows 126 indicate the direction of fluid flow in the pipe 108. In order for fluid to flow in the pipe or conduit 108, process pressures exist in the conduit. These process pressures must be overcome when the APT base element is inserted into the conduit. The sensor 124 of the transmitter 102 is a pressure sensor 124 that is fluidly connected to the base element 120 via a passage 130.

[0023] Still Figure 1 Shown in the drawings is a bottoming indicator 160 that functions during the insertion of the APT base element into the conduit 108. The bottoming indicator 160 can be any type of mechanism, device, or system that is configured to provide an indication that the distal tip 123 of the APT base element 120 has properly bottomed out against the inner wall 121 of the process pipe or fluid delivery conduit 108 based on an insertion-related force or pressure. The insertion-related force or pressure, in an exemplary embodiment, is a force or pressure that is greater than a first force required to insert the APT base element 120 into the fluid delivery conduit 108 and is less than a second force that will damage the APT base element or the fluid delivery conduit once the distal tip 123 of the APT base element contacts the inner wall 121 of the fluid delivery conduit. As described in more detail below, the bottoming indicator 160 can be configured to provide an operator with a visual indication that the distal tip of the APT base element has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit. Additionally, or in an optional embodiment, the bottoming indicator can be configured to generate an output signal 162 (at a level indicating that the APT base element has properly bottomed out) indicating that the APT base element has properly bottomed out. Figure 2 ). For example, the bottoming indicator 160 may include a pressure or force transducer configured to measure insertion-related forces or pressures. In such an alternative embodiment, the insertion mechanism 150 may be connected to the bottoming indicator 160 directly or via a computer or controller, and configured to be controlled in response to the signal 162 so that when the control signal indicates that the distal tip of the APT base element has properly bottomed out to the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit, the insertion mechanism stops applying the force to insert the APT base element into the fluid delivery conduit. Thus, the insertion and withdrawal process can be automated while ensuring proper bottoming out of the APT base element.

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a system block diagram of an exemplary differential pressure measurement transmitter embodiment in system 100. As shown, system 100 includes flow transmitter 102 and APT basic element 120. Figure 1As in the case of the present invention, the system 100 includes an insertion mechanism 150 and a bottoming indicator 160 for inserting the APT base element 120 into the conduit 108 when the bottoming is properly reached and while avoiding damage to the base element or the conduit. The system 100 can be connected to a process control loop such as loop 106 and is suitable for transmitting a process variable output related to the pressure difference of the fluid flow in the conduit 108. The transmitter 102 of the system 100 includes a loop communication circuit 302, a pressure sensor 124, a measurement circuit 304 and a controller 306.

[0025] The loop communication circuit 302 can be connected to the process control loop 106 and is suitable for communicating based on the process control loop. The loop communication circuit 302 can include circuits for communicating via wired communication lines and / or wireless communication lines. Such communication can be based on any suitable process industry standard protocol, such as the above-mentioned protocols including wired protocols and wireless protocols.

[0026] In some exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensor 124 includes a first port and a second port 310, 312 connected to the first and second spaces 316, 318 of the APT probe 120 via the passage 130 and other conduits, respectively. The sensor 124 can be any device having an electrical characteristic that changes in response to a change in applied pressure. For example, the sensor 124 can be a capacitive pressure sensor whose capacitance changes in response to a pressure difference applied between the ports 310 and 312.

[0027] The measurement circuit 304 is connected to the sensor 124 and is configured to provide a sensor output related to at least the pressure difference between the ports 310 and 312. The measurement circuit 304 can be any electronic circuit capable of providing an appropriate signal related to the pressure difference. For example, the measurement circuit can be an analog-to-digital converter, a capacitance-to-digital converter, or any other appropriate circuit.

[0028] Controller 306 is connected to measurement circuit 304 and loop communication circuit 302. Controller 306 is adapted to provide a process variable output to loop communication circuit 302 that is related to the sensor output provided by measurement circuit 304. Controller 306 may be a programmable gate array device, a microprocessor, or any other suitable device or devices. Although loop communication circuit 302, measurement circuit 304, and controller 306 have been described with reference to a plurality of separate modules, it is contemplated that they may be combined on, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In an exemplary embodiment, memory 307 is included and connected to controller 306 for storing computer readable instructions, parameter values, etc. for setting controller 306 and / or measurement circuit 304.

[0029] The APT probe or base element 120 is connected to the transmitter 102 through a passage 130 (and typically other conduits). Thus, in some exemplary embodiments, port 310 of sensor 124 is connected to a first volume 316 of the APT base element, while port 312 of sensor 124 is connected to a second volume 318 of the APT base element. A "volume" is a passage, channel, conduit, etc., into which a fluid of a particular characteristic or pressure is introduced or contained and through which the fluid is transported or conveyed.

[0030] like Figure 2 Schematically shown, probe 120 may include an upstream surface 319 extending along the length of the probe, a downstream surface 320 extending along the length of the probe, and an intermediate or center surface 321 separating spaces 316 and 318. In some exemplary embodiments, spaces 316 and 318 are formed between surfaces 319 and 321 and between surfaces 320 and 321, respectively. One or more openings 322 are formed in each of upstream surface 319 and downstream surface 320 to allow process fluid to enter spaces 316 and 318. Sensor 124 measures a pressure differential corresponding to the pressure differential between the process fluids in spaces 316 and 318. Although in Figure 2 An exemplary APT base element design is shown in FIG. 1 , but the disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular APT base element design or configuration.

[0031] Reference now Figure 3 , Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the system 100 is shown. Figure 3 In the system shown in FIG. 1 , the insertion / withdrawal mechanism 450 is shown in FIG. Figure 1 and 2 1 and 2, while bottoming indicator member 460 represents an exemplary embodiment of bottoming indicator 160. Figure 3 , transmitter 102 is shown in block diagram form. An isolation valve 405 is connected to the process pipe or conduit 108, allowing the APT base element to pass through the valve into the conduit.

[0032] In this exemplary embodiment, the mechanism 450 includes a pair of gear boxes 410, corresponding control rods or struts 415, and a crank mechanism 418 such as a motor or hand crank. The crank mechanism 418 is connected to the gear box and is configured to provide a rotational input to the gear box. The control rod is connected to the top plate 420 to transmit an insertion force or pressure to the APT base element via a rod or member 422, the gear box 410, and the control rod 415, wherein the rod or member 422 reciprocates in the tube 424 under the drive and control of the crank mechanism 418.

[0033] exist Figure 3In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , to address the problem of the installer not being able to "feel" when the distal tip of the APT base element has bottomed out against the pipe or wall on the opposite side of the conduit 108, the bottoming indicator 460 includes one or more bottom loading springs 425 inserted between the support screw / control rod 415 and the top plate 420, and an optional anti-twist plate 430. The compression of the spring(s) 425 gives a clear visual indication when the APT base element has been properly bottomed out. For example, the spring 425 or a similar mechanism can indicate to the installer when the tip has bottomed out in a number of optional ways.

[0034] In the first technique, careful calculations are used in the design, and when a spring or multiple springs 425 are fully compressed, the APT basic element is properly bottomed out. The spring effectively transfers the insertion force from the crank mechanism 418 fixed to the process pipeline to the basic element that acts like a piston that travels through the process pipeline until it bottoms out. The size of the spring or multiple springs is specified so that the compression force that fully compresses the spring or multiple springs is greater than the sum of the process pressure, the friction of the packing gland that prevents the process fluid from leaking through the insertion connection, and the force required to press the APT basic element against the relative conduit wall, and is less than the force required to bend the basic element or break through the relative conduit wall. The operator simply continuously turns the motor that installs the hand crank or operates the crank mechanism 418 until the spring or multiple springs 425 are fully compressed. Once the spring is fully compressed, the operator can be sure that the top of the APT basic element is properly bottomed out and will not be over-compressed. In various embodiments, different APT basic element sizes and different process applications may require different spring stiffness coefficients and therefore different sizes of springs 425.

[0035] A second technique for indicating when the top of the APT primitive has properly bottomed out can be used as Figure 4 The bottoming indicator embodiment 560 shown in the figure can be implemented. In this embodiment, the bottoming indicator 560 can be a "fish scale" type indicator. When turning the hand crank or operating the motor of the crank mechanism 418 to insert the APT base element, the operator can zero or clear the "fish scale" type bottoming indicator to account for process pressure and friction from the packing gland. Once the top touches the opposite side pipe wall, the operator can continue to operate the crank mechanism until the "fish scale" reads a specific top bottoming force. In some embodiments, the top bottoming force can be specified on the APT base element. When the "fish scale" reads the specified force, the installer will know that the APT base element is properly bottomed.

[0036] In some embodiments, the bottoming indicator 560 includes a pressure or force transducer 505 that provides an output signal 162. If the pressure or force transducer 505 is placed between the control rod 415 and the top plate 420 instead of the spring or is connected to the control rod 415 and the top plate 420 to measure the insertion and bottoming forces, the output signal 162 can be used to control the insertion mechanism 450 via direct connection or by using a separate controller or calculator 507 to allow automation of the basic element insertion and withdrawal operations. By combining the signal 162 from the force / pressure transducer 505 with the automated isolation valve 405 and the automated insertion / withdrawal system 450, the APT basic element can be automatically withdrawn and inserted without the need for a field technician to "sense" when the top has bottomed out. This is particularly advantageous for oil and gas pipelines. The entire process is automated without sending a field technician out to withdraw the APT basic element before the "pigging operation" and sending the technician back to reinsert the basic element after the "pigging operation" is completed.

[0037] exist Figure 5-1 to Figure 5-6 Another illustrative embodiment is provided in , which shows a visual indication of multiple stages of insertion of an APT base element when one or more springs 425 are used. Figure 5-1 and Figure 5-2 As shown, with the APT base element fully retracted, the load spring has been uncompressed. To help illustrate the initial position, a position indicator rod or wire 605 is extended through the anti-twist plate 430, and an O-ring or another visual marker 610 is placed on the position indicator rod or wire 605 so that the marker 610 touches or is close to a reference point or feature such as the plate 430.

[0038] After the isolation valve has been opened and the installer has begun turning the crank on the gearbox to install the base element 120, the process pressure and the compression resistance will cause the spring 425 to compress a small amount. When the bottoming indicator O-ring 610 lifts upward away from the anti-twist plate 430, it can be clearly seen by the installer. Figure 5-3 and 5-4 An example of a partially inserted APT base element 120 and bottoming indicator O-ring 610 can be seen in FIG. Figure 5-5 and Figure 5-6 As shown, the installer can see the indicator or "O-ring" 610 move further away from the plate 430 after the top end has bottomed out. The difference between the O-ring position after bottoming out and the O-ring position during installation indicates the bottoming force as the spring is compressed. Figure 5-1 to Figure 5-6The examples shown in represent the general concept of separating process pressure and hold-down resistance / drag from bottoming forces. Any visual or automated techniques based on these pressures or forces for controlling the insertion process to ensure proper bottoming are considered to be within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one configuration, a graduated or marked indicator rod or line with an indication can be used in place of an O-ring. The user can note how much the scale reading on the rod is at each insertion level, and when the reading increases consistently, the APT is fully bottomed out. In addition, although specific embodiments using the APT have been discussed, any type of process measurement probe can be used. The term "proper bottoming out" as used herein refers to the finger-shaped end of the measurement probe being seated against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit with a desired force. Typically, the desired force will be sufficient to prevent or reduce the vibration of the probe due to the flow of the process fluid or other causes, but the desired force is less than the force required to damage the probe.

Claims

1. A system for indicating bottoming contact between an inner wall of a fluid delivery conduit and a distal tip of a process measurement probe, the system comprising: a process device having the process measurement probe configured for insertion into the fluid conveying conduit; an insertion mechanism connected to the process measurement probe and configured to apply a force to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit; as well as a bottoming indicator comprising a force or pressure transducer configured to provide an output signal indicating that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit based on the force or pressure associated with the insertion, Wherein, the insertion mechanism includes a control rod connected to the top plate, the force or pressure transducer is placed between the control rod and the top plate to measure the force or pressure associated with the insertion, and the insertion mechanism is connected to the bottoming indicator through a controller and is configured to be controlled by the controller in response to the output signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The insertion-related force or pressure corresponds to a force greater than a first force required to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit and less than a second force that will damage the process measurement probe or the fluid delivery conduit once the distal tip of the process measurement probe contacts an inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The bottoming indicator is configured to provide a visual indication that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The bottoming indicator is a fish scale type indicator that provides a visual output when the bottoming indicator has read a predetermined force or pressure indicating that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The fish scale type indicator is configured to be cleared or zeroed by the operator to account for process pressure and friction from the packing gland.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The bottoming indicator includes a visual indicia that moves when the distal tip of the process measurement probe achieves proper bottoming against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The visual markings may include an O-ring, a graduated rod, or other indicators.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The insertion mechanism ceases applying a force to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit when the output signal indicates that the distal tip of the process measurement probe is properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The process measurement probe includes an averaging pitot tube (APT) base element.

10. A method of inserting a process measurement probe into a fluid conveying conduit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling an insertion mechanism coupled to the process measurement probe to apply a force to insert the process measurement probe into the fluid delivery conduit; using a bottoming indicator including a force or pressure transducer to provide an output signal indicating that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit based on the force or pressure associated with the insertion; as well as controlling the insertion mechanism to cease applying the force when the force or pressure transducer has provided an output signal indicating that the distal tip of the process measurement probe has properly bottomed out against the inner wall of the fluid delivery conduit, Wherein, the insertion mechanism includes a control rod connected to the top plate, the force or pressure transducer is placed between the control rod and the top plate to measure the force or pressure associated with the insertion, and the insertion mechanism is connected to the bottoming indicator through a controller and is configured to be controlled by the controller in response to the output signal.

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