Remote Seal Coupling for Pressure Measurement Through Narrow Penetrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote seal systems for pressure transmitters face challenges in routing through narrow penetrations in containment structures, particularly in applications like nuclear process measurements, where the maximum allowed penetration diameter is limited, inhibiting the installation of traditional remote seal assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A process pressure measurement system with a remote seal assembly and capillary conduits filled with incompressible fill fluid, featuring couplings that can pass through narrow penetrations, allowing for flexible routing and minimizing fluid loss and air introduction, with diaphragms that are punctured during connection to form a closed system, ensuring a high-quality seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional remote seal assemblies are used, then reliable pressure measurement is achieved, but the assembly cannot pass through narrow penetrations in containment structures
Solution Approach 1:
The remote seal assembly is divided into separate components: a process connection assembly with process diaphragm, a transmitter assembly with sensor diaphragm, and capillary tubing connecting them. This segmentation allows the individual components to be routed through narrow penetrations while maintaining the functional integrity of the complete pressure measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested coupling mechanisms where the process connection assembly and transmitter assembly are connected through capillary tubing that passes through containment barriers. The couplings are designed to nest together, with one coupling passing through the containment barrier while the other remains on the opposite side, enabling routing through narrow penetrations.
2Ease of repair
If quick-connect couplings are used for field serviceability, then ease of repair is improved, but seal quality and fluid retention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function into separate, removable couplings that can be detached and reattached in the field. The process connection assembly and transmitter assembly can be separated for maintenance or replacement while maintaining a reliable seal through the designed coupling interface with O-ring seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary tubing is pre-filled with seal fluid and sealed at the factory before connection. This preliminary sealing action ensures that when the couplings are connected in the field, the seal fluid is already in place, eliminating the need for complex field sealing procedures while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the system is sealed at the factory with precise fill fluid levels, then measurement precision is improved, but field serviceability and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into factory-sealed modules (process connection assembly and transmitter assembly) that can be independently handled. This allows the critical seal fluid volume to be precisely established at the factory while still enabling field serviceability through the removable coupling interfaces between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for the recovery and reuse of the seal fluid when couplings are disconnected in the field. The process connection assembly and transmitter assembly can be separated, with the seal fluid retained in the system, allowing components to be serviced or replaced while preserving the precious seal fluid for reconnection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables reliable and efficient pressure measurement by maintaining a high-quality seal, reducing fluid loss and air introduction, and enduring severe conditions such as radiation and vibration, while accommodating narrow penetration constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The remote seal communicates hydraulically with the process fluid through a thin flexible diaphragm, which is used to isolate the process fluid from a fill fluid used in the capillary tube. As the diaphragm flexes, the incompressible fill fluid translates the pressure change through the capillary tube to a diaphragm of a pressure sensor located in the pressure transmitter.
Implementation Method 2
The remote seal communicates hydraulically with the process fluid through a thin flexible diaphragm, which is used to isolate the process fluid from a fill fluid used in the capillary tube.
Implementation Method 3
A first coupling is coupled to the first capillary conduit. A second coupling is coupled to the second capillary conduit and to the first coupling to provide fluidic communication from the remote seal diaphragm to the pressure inlet of the process fluid pressure transmitter.
Data Source
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AI summary
A process pressure measurement system is provided. The system includes a remote seal assembly (12) configured to couple to a process and having a remote seal diaphragm (26) that has a first side adapted to contact a process fluid (20) and a second side adapted to contact a substantially incompressible fill fluid. A first capillary conduit (16) is coupled to the remote seal (12) and is filled with the substantially incompressible fill fluid. A first coupling (38A) is coupled to the first capillary conduit (16). A process fluid pressure transmitter (14) having a pressure sensor (32) is operably coupled to a pressure inlet. A second capillary conduit (16) is coupled to the process fluid pressure transmitter (14). The second capillary conduit (16) is filled with the substantially incompressible fill fluid. A second coupling (38B) is coupled to the second capillary conduit (16) and to the first coupling (38A) to provide fluidic communication from the remote seal diaphragm (12) to the pressure inlet of the process fluid pressure transmitter (14). At least one of the first and second couplings (38A, 38B) is sized to pass through a penetration (42) in a process containment barrier (40). A method of joining two closed fluid systems for process pressure measurement is provided. A remote process seal assembly (12) is also provided.