Gas sampling apparatus
The object of this invention is to provide a gas sampling system capable of taking discreet samples from a continuous flow of gas or fluid. Said apparatus offers a frame (1) and mounting components in the form of a fixed chuck (4) and a spring-loaded chuck with a sample container (5) mounted there between. The sampling container has self-sealing end cap valve assemblies (76) that automatically open when the sample container (5) communicates with the fixed chuck (4) and the spring loaded chuck (6) and the end cap valve assembly automatically closes when the sample container is removed. A value system allows the gas flow to be directed from one sample container to the other alternatively opening and closing a gas flow path. A sample extraction assembly (14) allows the efficient removal of samples from the sample containers. An extension rod pressurizer (117) in conjunction with the end cap value assembly, such as first end cap valve assembly (76) allow the sample to be pressurized to facilitate easy sample removal.
This Application claims the benefit of previously filed International Application PCT/US01/08652 which claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/197,181.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This apparatus relates to the collection, transportation and analysis of gas samples which may be required in various scientific, environmental and resource contexts.
2. Background of the Invention
The oil and gas industry provides a suggested context in which to examine the need for collection, transportation and analysis of gas samples. In oil and natural gas exploration, drilling, recovery and storage, periodic sampling of recovered gases and fluid are required for subsequent analysis. In the oil industry, “mud” is a colloquial term for a thick chemical composition that is pumped into drills as they penetrate the substrate. This “mud” is returned to the surface and contains gases that are released from the rock as the drill penetrates. Significant data is acquired from the analysis of these gases. In the context of natural gas storage, large underground storage deposits are often chemically tagged for later identification. This apparatus facilitates the recovery of samples from these storage deposits for testing and identification of the chemical tag.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,330 to Spencer provided for a sample extraction system with a sampling container and valves. Such a sampling system requires the interruption of the fluid flow as sampling containers are exchanged. Further, extraction of the sample from the sampling container was accomplished by “bleeding” the cylinder, a technique which relies on gravity and is suitable for fluids in a liquid rather than a gaseous state. Currently used in the industry are gas sample bags, which have the obvious problems of fragility, occupying a significant volume when being shipped and the inability to contain gas or fluid under any significant pressure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Objects and AdvantagesThe present invention provides a gas sampling apparatus in which continuous or periodic gas samples may be isolated in gas sampling containers. The gas sampling container associated with this apparatus contains self-sealing valves on either end which open when the sample container is positioned in the apparatus and automatically closes when the sampling container is removed from the apparatus. In one configuration, the apparatus has two gas sampling tubes mounted and the gas flow which is to be sampled is directed into and out of one gas sampling container and then, by operating a valve system, the flow to be sampled can then be directed through a second sample container. Upon removal from the apparatus, the first sample container self-seals and may be transported. An empty container can then take its place. When the valve system again is actuated, the gas flow is re-directed from one sample container to the other. In this way, continuous sampling of a gas flow may be achieved. Further, mechanisms are provided that facilitate the pressurization and removal of gas samples from the sample containers.
This gas sampling apparatus can also find use in any industry in which the continuous sampling of flows of gases or fluids are required. Further, the assembly also has applicability in any industry in which gas samples need to be transported in either a pressurized or unpressurized state and later need to be easily removed for testing.
- frame 1
- first three-way valve 2
- first fixed chuck 4
- first sample container 5
- first spring-loaded chuck 6
- first flexible connector 7
- first flexible connector fitting 7A
- second flexible connector 7B
- second flexible connector fitting 7C
- third flexible connector 7D
- third flexible connector fitting 7E
- second three-way valve 8
- valve control rod 9
- first control rod end 9A
- second control rod end 9B
- control handle 9C
- fourth flexible connector fitting 10
- fourth flexible connector 10A
- second spring loaded chuck 11
- second sample container 12
- second fixed chuck 13
- sample extraction assembly 14
- coupler 15
- coupler body 15A
- central longitudinal bore 15B
- first body end 16
- second body end 17
- central bore 18
- small diameter segment 19
- first larger diameter segment 20
- first lip 21
- first largest diameter segment 22
- second lip 23
- second larger diameter segment 24
- third lip 25
- annular bushing 26
- central bore 26A
- bushing retaining cap 27
- first seal 28
- second seal 29
- sample release device 30
- stem 31
- first stem end 32
- second stem end 33
- septum 34
- septum seat 35
- spring 35A
- septum retaining cap 36
- central conical aperture 36A
- stem retaining screw 37
- stem retaining screw central bore 37A
- threaded portion 38
- cap portion 39
- longitudinal planer segment 40
- first planer segment end 41
- second planer segment end 42
- first panel 43
- first panel first aperture 44A
- first panel second aperture 44B
- first panel third aperture 44C
- second panel 45
- second panel first aperture 46A
- second panel second aperture 46B
- second panel third aperture 46C
- first valve inlet 47
- first valve left outlet 48
- first valve right outlet 49
- first valve flow director 50
- passage 51
- first passage end 52
- second passage end 53
- second valve outlet 54
- second valve left inlet 55
- second valve right inlet 56
- second valve flow directing means 57
- conduit 58
- first conduit end 59
- second conduit end 60
- annular body 61
- internally threaded end 62
- externally threaded end 63
- first central bore section 64
- second central bore section 64A
- central bore 65
- seat 66
- plunger depressor 67
- first finger member 68
- first transverse member 69
- air passage aperture 70
- first flexible washer 71
- first flexible washer central bore 71A
- first annular chamber 72
- second annular chamber end 73
- first annular chamber end 74
- first end cap 75
- first end cap central bore 75A
- first self sealing valve 76
- second self sealing valve 76A
- first end cap valve body 77
- transverse base 78
- annular section 79
- first annular section end 80
- internal threads 80A
- external threads 80B
- second externally threaded annular section end 81
- central bore valve seat section 82
- second end cap 83
- first plunger-activated valve 86
- valve body 86A
- plunger 87
- plunger gasket 88
- spring 89
- central cavity 90
- first plunger valve body end 91
- central bore 92
- first valve body aperture 93A
- second valve body aperture 93B
- second plunger valve body end 94
- central bore 95
- first plunger rod support 96
- interior surface 96A
- central bore 97
- first plunger rod support aperture 98A
- second plunger rod support aperture 98B
- second plunger rod support 99
- central bore 100
- second plunger rod support first aperture 101A
- second plunger rod support second aperture 101B
- annular space 102
- first plunger end 103
- cap 103A
- second plunger end 104
- cap 104A
- conical plunger valve body segment 105
- first swaged edge 106
- first opposite notch 107A
- second opposite notch 107B
- end cap exterior 108
- first annular chamber end central aperture 109A
- first end cap central aperture 109
- valve body central bore 110
- annular rubber ring 111
- washer 112
- nut 113
- cap retaining nut 113A
- plunger valve body gasket 114
- spring stop 115
- a first plunger depressor retaining cap 116
- first chuck head 117
- extension rod pressurizer 117A
- first pipe 118
- first pipe first end 118A
- first pipe second end 118B
- snap ring 118C
- spring 118D
- bolt 119
- tube 119A
- lock nut 120
- first bushing 121
- first swage 121A
- second swage 121B
- third swage 121C
- fourth swage 121D
- plunger depressor 123
- finger member 124
- transverse member 125
- stem member 126
- spring 127
- seat 128
- seal 129
- sample container 130
- central bore 130A
- first internally threaded end 131
- second internally threaded end 132
- first externally threaded end valve 133
- second externally threaded end valve 133A
- first pressure gauge 150
- second pressure gauge 151
First spring-loaded chuck 6 and second spring-loaded chuck 11 as well as first fixed chuck 4 and second fixed chuck 13 their associated flexible connectors and the frame provide the mounting apparatus for first sample container 5 and the substantially similar, second sample container 12. Turning for a moment to
Disposed through both first annular chamber end central aperture 109A and first end cap central aperture 109 is first self-sealing valve 76. The end caps and nuts fixing the end caps to the self-sealing valves constitute the self-sealing valve.
Turning now to
Now returning to
Turning again to
Now turning to
Configured similarly to the fixed chucks 4 and 13 is the first chuck head 117 of the first spring loaded chuck 6 and second spring loaded chuck 11 as shown in
It can be seen in
At this point, it should be noted that the insertion of the end cap valve assemblies into spring loaded chuck 6 and fixed chuck 4 causes the ends of the end cap valve assemblies to be pressed into and to be pressed against the flexible washers such as the first flexible washer 71 as illustrated in
Returning to
Now turning to
Again, when control handle 9C is oriented towards second sample container 12, the second valve flow directing means 57 has its conduit 58 oriented in such a way that first conduit end 59 communicates with second valve inlet 56 and second conduit end 60 communicates with second valve right outlet 54. Now it can be seen that fluid or gas in sample container 12 may flow through spring loaded chuck 11 then through second flexible connector 7B into second valve inlet 56 through conduit 58 and into second valve outlet 54.
A method of acquiring samples would be to allow gas to flow through sample container 5 and then after having mounted sample container 12, orienting the control handle so that gas now flows through sample container 12 and gas flow is terminated through sample container 5. In this way, sample container 5 may be removed from the system and an empty sample container mounted. When sufficient sample has been gathered within sample container 12, the control handle 9C would then again be moved toward the fresh sample container thus occluding gas flow through sample container 12 whereupon it may be removed from the system. By alternating the removal of full sample containers and the replacement with empty containers, continuous or periodic samples in a line of gas or fluid flow may be obtained.
Once the sample container is removed from the gas sampling apparatus the fluid or gas sample must be removed from the container.
After the sample extraction assembly 14 is threadedly attached to an end cap valve assembly, such as first self sealing valve 76, a needle such as a hypodermic needle, is inserted through the central conical aperture 36A of the septum retaining cap 36. Depressing the sample release device 30 compresses spring 35A. In turn, stem 31 and stem retaining screw 37 are depressed such that stem retaining screw makes contact with plunger 87 shown in
Prior to removing a sample from the sample container, it may be necessary to pressurize the sample. This may be accomplished by removing the cap retaining nut such as cap retaining nut 113A and then threadedly mounting extension rod pressurizer 117A as seen in
An alternative mode of configuration for the fixed chuck and chuck heads of the spring loaded chuck is seen in
Claims
1. A gas sample extraction assembly whereby said gas sample is extracted from said sample containers, said sample extraction assembly having a coupler body, a first body end, a second body end, said first body end being fluidly connected to said self-sealing valves, a central longitudinal bore through which a stem is disposed, said stem itself having a central bore, a first stem end and a second stem end, a sealing septum in contact with said first stem end and said central bore whereby when said extraction assembly is connected to said self-sealing valve, and when said stem is depressed thereby opening said self-sealing valve, said gas sample may be obtained through said septum.
2. A extension rod pressurizer having an internally threaded tube, a bolt threadedly disposed within said tube whereby said bolt may be threadedly retracted increasing said extension rod pressurizer length, whereby when connected to said self-sealing valve and said self-sealing valve retainer is removed said self-sealing valve may be advanced within said sample container thereby pressuring said gas sample.
3. The gas sample extraction system of claim 1 further comprising:
- a first flow director,
- a second flow director,
- a plurality of flexible connectors fluidly connecting said fixed chucks to said first flow director,
- a plurality of flexible connectors fluidly connecting said opposing spring loaded chucks to said second flow director.
4. The first flow director of claim 3 further comprising:
- a first valve mounted to said first panel,
- said first valve having an first valve inlet, a first valve left outlet, and a first valve right outlet,
- said first valve inlet fluidly connected to said gas source,
- said first valve left outlet fluidly connected to said second flexible connector,
- said second flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,
- said first fixed chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container first end,
- said first valve right outlet fluidly connected to said third flexible connector,
- said third flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,
- said second fixed chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container first end,
5. The second flow director of claim 3 further comprising:
- a second valve mounted to said second panel,
- said second valve having a second valve outlet, a second valve left inlet and a second valve right inlet,
- said second valve left inlet fluidly connected to said first flexible connector,
- said first flexible connector fluidly connected to said first opposing spring loaded chuck,
- said first opposing spring loaded chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container second end,
- said second valve right inlet fluidly connected to said fourth flexible connector,
- said fourth flexible connector fluidly connected to said second opposing spring loaded chuck,
- said second opposing spring loaded chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container second end.
6. The flow directors of claim 1 further comprising:
- a control rod having a first control rod end and a second control rod end,
- said first control rod end rotatably mounted to said first valve,
- said second control rod end rotatably mounted to said second valve,
- a control rod handle mounted therebetween, whereby when said control rod handle is directed toward said first sample container, a gas sample is directed from said first valve,
- through said first sample container into said second valve, into second valve outlet
- whereby a discrete gas sample is disposed and contained in said first sample container, whereby when said control rod handle is directed toward said second sample container gas flow is terminated within said first sample container and a gas sample is directed from said first valve, through said second sample container into said second valve, into second outlet whereby a discrete gas sample is disposed and contained in said second sample container.
7. A gas sampling apparatus comprising: a plurality of flow directors fluidly attached to said mounting apparatus, said plurality of flow director sequentially disposing gas into said mounting apparatus and sample containers.
- sample containers which are two in number further comprising a first sample container and a second sample container into which gas samples are sequentially disposed,
- a mounting apparatus into which said sample containers are demountably disposed and fluidly connected,
- said sample containers further comprising a first sample container end having a first edge area wherein said edge area is partially curved inward around the circumference of said first sample container end, said first edge area having first opposing notches,
- a second sample container end having a second edge area wherein said edge area is partially curved inward around the circumference of said second sample container end,
- said second edge area having second opposing notches,
- a first self-sealing valve demountably and fluidly connected to said first sample container end,
- a first self-sealing valve retainer demountably connected to said first self sealing valve and to said first sample container end whereby said first self sealing valve is fixed and prevented from advancing within said first sample container,
- a second self-sealing valve demountably and fluidly connected to said second sample container end,
- a second self-sealing valve retainer demountably connected to said second self sealing valve and to said second sample container end whereby said second self sealing valve is fixed and prevented from advancing within said second sample container,
- said first self sealing valve, when said first self sealing valve retainer is removed, being capable of being advanced within said sample container while maintaining its self sealing characteristic, whereby said gas samples may be compressed,
- said second self sealing valve, when said second self sealing valve retainer is removed, being capable of being advanced while maintaining its self sealing characteristic within said sample container whereby said gas samples may be compressed,
- a first annular ring sealably connected to said first self sealing valve, whereby said first annular ring produces a seal against the walls of said first sample container, said first annular ring and said first self sealing valve may be inserted through said first opposing notches and retained within said first sample container end,
- a second annular ring sealably connected to said second self sealing valve, whereby said second annular ring produces a seal against the walls of said second sample container,
- said second annular ring and said second self sealing valve may be inserted through said second opposing notches and retained within said second sample container end.
8. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first sample container end further comprising a plurality of edge areas wherein said edge area is partially curved inward.
9. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second sample container end further comprising a plurality of edge areas wherein said edge area is partially curved inward.
10. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mounting apparatus further comprises
- a frame,
- a plurality of fixed chucks mounted to said frame,
- a plurality of opposing spring loaded chucks mounted to said frame opposite said plurality of fixed chucks, said opposing spring loaded chucks capable of being compressed in length, allowing the distance between said opposing spring loaded chucks and said fixed chucks to be increased whereby said sample containers may be inserted therebetween,
- said opposing spring loaded chucks capable of being decompressed thereby retaining said sample containers between said fixed chucks and said opposing spring loaded chucks,
- whereby said sample containers are fluidly connected to said opposing spring loaded chucks and said fixed chucks.
11. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 10 wherein said fixed chucks are self sealing.
12. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 10 wherein said opposing spring loaded chucks are self sealing.
13. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of fixed chucks, further comprise:
- a first fixed chuck,
- a second fixed chuck.
14. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of opposing spring loaded chucks, further comprising:
- a first opposing spring loaded chuck,
- a second opposing spring loaded chuck.
15. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 11 wherein said plurality of flexible connectors further comprising:
- a first flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,
- a second flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,
- a third flexible connector fluidly connected to said first opposing spring loaded chuck,
- a fourth flexible connector fluidly connected to said second opposing spring loaded chuck.
16. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 11 wherein said frame further comprise:
- a longitudinal planar segment having a first planar segment end and a second planar segment end,
- a first panel attached to said first planar segment end,
- a second panel attached to a said second planar segment end,
- said first panel and said second panel attached at right angles to said longitudinal planar segment,
- said first and second panel having a plurality of opposing apertures.
17. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first panel further comprises:
- a first panel first aperture,
- a first panel second aperture,
- a first panel third aperture,
- said second fixed chuck fixedly mounted within said first panel first aperture,
- said first fixed chuck fixedly mounted within said first panel third aperture.
18. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 17 wherein said second panel further comprises:
- a second panel first aperture,
- a second panel second aperture,
- a second panel third aperture,
- said second opposing spring loaded chuck fixedly mounted within said second panel first aperture, said first opposing spring loaded chuck fixedly mounted within said second panel third aperture.
19. The gas sampling apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first flow director further comprises:
- a first valve mounted to said first panel,
- said first valve having an first valve inlet, a first valve left outlet, and a first valve right outlet,
- said first valve inlet fluidly connected to said gas source,
- said first valve left outlet fluidly connected to said second flexible connector,
- said second flexible connector fluidly connected to said first fixed chuck,
- said first fixed chuck fluidly connected to said first sample container first end,
- said first valve right outlet fluidly connected to said third flexible connector,
- said third flexible connector fluidly connected to said second fixed chuck,
- said second fixed chuck fluidly connected to said second sample container first end,
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 17, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventors: Dennis Coleman (Champaign, IL), Todd Coleman (Champaign, IL)
Application Number: 12/009,175
International Classification: G01N 1/22 (20060101);