Remote Fluid Sampler With Flush Cycle for Homogeneous Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machinery fluid sampling methods pose hazards to personnel, particularly in remote locations, and often result in the collection of stagnant or non-representative samples, which can lead to inaccurate assessments of machinery health and performance.
Innovation Solution
A remote fluid sampler system that includes an inlet and outlet port, a fluid circuit, a 4-way diverter control valve, a fluid meter, and a controller with a wireless transceiver. The system performs a flush cycle to ensure a homogeneous sample and allows for remote monitoring and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sampling methods are used in remote locations, then personnel safety is improved by avoiding direct exposure to hazards, but sample quality deteriorates due to collection of stagnant or non-representative fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sampling system that automatically collects fluid samples through a remotely operated sampler. The sampler includes a pump, valve system, and container that work together to draw fresh fluid from the machinery without requiring personnel direct access. This intermediary system bridges the gap between safety requirements and sample quality needs by automating the sampling process while maintaining proper sampling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with an automated electronic control system. The controller receives signals from sensors and automatically actuates pumps, valves, and containers to complete the sampling process. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to manually handle hazardous fluids while ensuring consistent, representative sampling through programmed control sequences.
2Measurement precision
If sampling is performed during machinery operation at operating temperature, then sample representativeness is improved, but personnel hazard increases due to exposure to hot fluid and remote location dangers
Solution Approach 1:
The remotely operated sampler acts as an intermediary between the hot fluid source and the personnel. The sampler is positioned close to the machinery to capture representative samples at operating temperature, while the automated system transfers samples to containment containers and transports them to safe storage or analysis locations. This eliminates direct personnel exposure to hot hazardous fluid while maintaining sample quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is designed to be self-operating through automated control. The controller monitors conditions and automatically initiates sampling sequences without requiring human intervention during the actual sampling process. Sensors detect fluid conditions and trigger the pump and valve systems to collect samples, then the system secures and transports samples autonomously, eliminating personnel exposure throughout the entire process.
3Device complexity
If manual sampling procedures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sampling accuracy deteriorates due to inability to ensure homogeneous sample collection
Solution Approach 1:
The automated sampling system maintains continuous fluid flow through the sampling circuit, ensuring that samples are collected from moving fluid rather than stagnant pools. The pump continuously circulates fluid through the valve system and into the container, maintaining homogeneity throughout the sampling process. This continuous action eliminates the need for complex manual procedures while ensuring accurate, representative samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor fluid conditions, pump operation, and sample collection status. The controller receives feedback from these sensors and automatically adjusts sampling parameters to ensure optimal conditions. If the pump stalls, valves fail to open, or sample volume is insufficient, the system detects these conditions and corrects them automatically, ensuring sampling accuracy without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a remote fluid sampler for sampling fluid, such as oil, from machinery (8). The sampler comprises inlet and outlet port (12) and (14) with a fluid circuit (16) defined therebetween. Fluid sampler also include a 4-way diverter control valve (18), a fluid meter (20), a normally-open (NO) control valve (22) arranged in parallel with a normally-closed (NC) control valve (24) for dynamic fluid flow regulation, and a plurality of check valves (26) for passive fluid flow regulation through the fluid circuit (16). Also included is a sampling port (28) for receiving a metered dose of fluid, and a controller (32) arranged in signal communication with the fluid meter, 4-way diverter and control valves and configured to perform a user-configurable control regime comprising a flush cycle and a meter cycle wherein the sampler facilitates flushing of fluid through the fluid circuit to allow collection of a homogeneous fluid sample from the machinery, in use.