Abstract: An improved insertion tool for placing/removing objects in a pressurized vessel, the object mounted on an elongate object-holder of a tool attached to the pressurized vessel, the insertion tool including (a) one or more elongate guides each having a distal end and a proximal end, (b) a retractor assembly attached to the proximal end of the elongate guides, (c) a top-plate assembly attached to the distal end of the elongate guides, and (d) a travel-plate assembly slidably mounted to the elongate guides and configured to be attached to the elongate object-holder and moved along the elongate guides by the retractor assembly, the improvement comprising: the retractor assembly includes a removable link block configured to be removably attached to a body of the connection tool, the link block configured to thereafter be removably mounted in the retractor assembly with no degrees-of-freedom of movement while mounted in the retractor assembly.

Abstract: An improved insertion tool for placing/removing objects in pressurized vessel, the object mounted on an elongate object-holder of a tool attached to the pressurized vessel, the insertion tool including (a) one or more elongate guides each having a distal end and a proximal end, (b) a retractor assembly attached to the proximal end of the elongate guides, (c) a top-plate assembly attached to the distal end of the elongate guides, and (d) a travel-plate assembly slidably mounted to the elongate guides and configured to be attached to the elongate object-holder and moved along the elongate guides by the retractor assembly, the improvement comprising: the retractor assembly includes a removable link block configured to be removably attached to a body of the connection tool, the link block configured to thereafter be removably mounted in the retractor assembly with no degrees-of-freedom of movement while mounted in the retractor assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a dry material sample flowing in a duct is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample tube having a closed distal end and a sample-inlet aperture in the wall of the sample tube adjacent the closed distal end, a housing configured as a fluid cylinder with a duct end and an outlet end and a piston mounted around and connected to the sample tube and positioned within the housing. The apparatus also includes first and second sealing sleeves around and slideably supporting the sample tube. The duct end includes the first sealing sleeve and the outlet end includes the second sealing sleeve. A duct-connecting structure extends between the duct end of the housing and the duct. The sample tube is a piston rod within the fluid-cylinder housing, and the fluid-cylinder housing is configured to extend and retract the sample tube within the duct.

Abstract: A flow totalizer apparatus for totalizing the volume of fluid flowing through the inventive apparatus. The apparatus includes a cylinder having a first cylinder port at one end and a second cylinder port at an opposite end, a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, a bistable spring mechanism, a directional control valve and a counter. The bistable spring mechanism has a motion axis with two stable positions therealong and includes a drive pin, a piston slotted bar and a spool slotted bar, both slotted bars slidably connected to the drive pin and aligned with the motion axis. The total volume is estimated by cylinder volume times the number of stable-position changes of the bistable spring mechanism.

Abstract: A flow totalizer apparatus for totalizing the volume of fluid flowing through the inventive apparatus. The apparatus includes a cylinder having a first cylinder port at one end and a second cylinder port at an opposite end, a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder, a bistable spring mechanism, a directional control valve and a counter. The bistable spring mechanism has a motion axis with two stable positions therealong and includes a drive pin, a piston slotted bar a spool slotted bar, both slotted bars slidably connected to the drive pin and aligned with the motion axis. The total volume is estimated by cylinder volume times the number of stable-position changes of the bistable spring mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a dry material sample flowing in a duct is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample tube having a closed distal end and a sample-inlet aperture in the wall of the sample tube adjacent the closed distal end, a housing configured as a fluid cylinder with a duct end and an outlet end and a piston mounted around and connected to the sample tube and positioned within the housing. The apparatus also includes first and second sealing sleeves around and slideably supporting the sample tube. The duct end includes the first sealing sleeve and the outlet end includes the second sealing sleeve. A duct-connecting structure extends between the duct end of the housing and the duct. The sample tube is a piston rod within the fluid-cylinder housing, and the fluid-cylinder housing is configured to extend and retract the sample tube within the duct.

Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.

Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below the pressure of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline, the hydraulic booster having a first side which communicates with the chemical in the injection conduit and another, isolated side which is exposed to hydraulic pressure but which is isolated from the chemical being injected. A flow control valve may be located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline.

Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.

Abstract: Apparatus for withdrawing a liquid sample from a vessel, the apparatus affixed to the vessel and having (a) a plunger forming a sample-receiving space movable from the vessel interior to and beyond a sample-delivery site, and (b) a valve for closing the vessel when the plunger is beyond the sample-delivery site. In the sampling apparatus, the sample-delivery site is incorporated in the valve.

Abstract: A new temperature-sensitive valve for handling liquids includes a housing having a valve seat and a valving member mounted for movement from a flow-permitting first position spaced from the seat to a flow-blocking second position against the seat. A latching mechanism is coupled to the valving member for retaining such member in the first position when the temperature of the liquid is below a shutoff temperature. A temperature-sensitive device is mounted in the valve body and has an actuator coupled to the latching mechanism. The valve body has a chamber containing the sensing portion of the temperature-sensitive device and also has flow apertures positioned so that when the valve is open, liquid flows across and is in contact with the sensing portion for excellent heat transfer and quick response. The latching mechanism is released and the valving member moves to the second position when the temperature of the liquid is above the shutoff temperature.

Abstract: The improved valve assembly controls flow of fluid in "stream sampling" applications. The assembly valve block has at least two inlet passages, an outlet passage and a separate flow control valve for connecting each inlet passage to the outlet passage. Each valve has a single primary valving surface and each of the two inlet passages is selectively placed in flow communication with the outlet passage by positioning one of the primary valving surfaces. Actuation of each valve places the corresponding inlet passage in flow communication with an outlet passage common to all inlet passages. Both ends of the outlet passage are connected together by a "smooth bend" curvilinear tube attached to a fluid analyzer. The assembly can be operated by a control device for "programmed" stream sampling.

Abstract: An automated sample conditioning system for conditioning and preparing steam and hot water samples at a constant flow rate and velocity continuously monitors and adjusts flow rate in the sample line. Sample flow is metered through a flow rate device such as an orifice plate of known flow characteristics, and a downstream pressure value is provided by either a fixed back pressure regulator/relief valve or by a pipe section of known length and diameter. A pressure transducer continuously monitors pressure in the sample line upstream from the orifice plate. A control analyzer automatically adjusts a motorized pressure reducing device in response to fluctuations in pressure monitored by the pressure transducer in order to maintain constant flow rate and velocity. Monitoring devices and displays acquire, display and control critical pressure, temperature and flow rate parameters throughout the system. Network communications capability for remote, unattended monitoring control and data acquisition is also provided.

Abstract: A variable pressure reducing device for reducing high pressure in steam and hot water samples forces the liquid through an annular passageway between a pair of rods within a complementary pair of tubes. The flow rate through the rod-in-tube device, or the pressure drop across the device, is adjustable by means of a rotatable guide screw for adjusting the position of the rods within the tubes. The rods are tapered to provide a smooth flow of liquid through the device. The seal around the guide screw is self energized by means of a seal jacket between a valve gland and a stem portion of the guide screw constructed so that the biasing force of a spring on the seal jacket is supplemented by pressure from liquid flowing through the device. The guide screw is centered within the valve gland to keep the guide screw properly aligned, particularly when the device is used with a motor for rotating the guide screw to adjust the position of the rods.

Abstract: The improved sampling valve assembly includes a diverting valve and an optional isolation valve in series for providing redundant shutoff. The assembly includes rounded-end, side-ported needles (as part of an easily-replaced needle assembly) to pierce the receptacle septum without "coring" and help prevent liquid "carryover." The assembly also has features providing metered, low pressure flow into the receptacle and very low dead volume. A receptacle guide has an interior cavity shaped like the receptacle to guide the inserted receptacle for aligned engagement of the septum with the needle assembly. The needle assembly is removable by removing only the keeper nut.

Abstract: A variable pressure reducing device for reducing high pressure in steam and hot water samples forces the liquid through an annular passageway between a pair of rods within a complementary pair of tubes. The flow rate through the rod-in-tube device, or the pressure drop across the device, is adjustable by means of a rotatable guide screw for adjusting the position of the rods within the tubes. The rods are tapered to provide a smooth flow of liquid through the device. The seal around the guide screw is self energized by means of a seal jacket between a valve gland and a stem portion of the guide screw constructed so that the biasing force of a spring on the seal jacket is supplemented by pressure from liquid flowing through the device The guide screw is centered within the valve gland to keep the guide screw properly aligned, particularly when the device is used with a motor for rotating the guide screw to adjust the position of the rods.

Abstract: An assembly for insertion of an object into a pipeline comprises a base, a connector, and a set of pins. The base has a cylindrical passage and is connected to a mechanism for configured to drive the object into an inlet in the pipeline. The connector includes a head and a cylinder with a threaded internal surface and a an external surface having a groove spanning a extending around the circumference of the external surface. The connector is rotatable within the cylindrical passage in the base in a first direction and is held substantially axially stationary within the cylindrical passage in the base in a second direction by the set of pins in cooperation with the groove. The base is rotatable in the first direction and held substantially stationary in the second direction while connected to the inlet in the pipeline by the connector.