Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: A lighted switch set gauge includes Hall effect devices using a circuit activating switch attached to a lower extension of indicating and switch set pointers. The switch set pointer is externally adjustable. An overriding slip gear with automatic spring-back is incorporated in the switch set arm prevent damage to the set pointer at the extreme ends of its range of movement. The indicating pointer can be calibrated without removing a hub attached to the shaft of the gauge meter movement.

Abstract: An engine oil regulating device may monitor and regulate a fluid level for stationary engines or compressors for gravity feed and pressurized oil applications. Oil may be received in a float chamber that may have a safety shutdown float and an oil level regulating float. The engine oil regulating device may also include a safety shutdown mechanism to actuate an alarm and/or a shutdown switch such as an ignition cut-off switch. The safety shutdown mechanism may be configured as a single switch or a plurality of switches. A two switch safety shutdown mechanism may utilize a side-by-side layout or a stacked layout. The safety shutdown mechanism may include a high-low level shutdown, low level shutdown only, or high level shutdown only. A testing mechanism such as a rotatable test knob assembly may be provided to test the safety shutdown mechanism. An engine oil level adjusting mechanism such as an adjustable threaded thumb valve orifice member may also be provided.

Abstract: An indicator gauge may utilize a motion amplifying gauge movement. The motion amplifying mechanism makes it possible for a diaphragm-type pressure gauge to provide large angular displacements for an indicating pointer. The indicator gauge may be configured to have a maximum readout visibility in the range from about 0.degree. to about 270.degree.. A single-piece crankshaft located on an adjustable mounting translates the short range of motion of a diaphragm button to a pivotal gear segment. The crankshaft may be configured as a C-shaped crankshaft or an L-shaped crankshaft. The pivotal gear segment may be wedge-shaped or have an extension arm for contact with the crankshaft. The crankshaft may also contact a downwardly or upwardly extending boss located on the pivotal gear segment.

Abstract: A signaling gauge may utilize a magnetically actuated variable resistor made up of a plurality of noncaptivating, magnetically actuated switch elements, each of which is mounted in an influence zone of a path of a magnet carried on an arm of a condition sensor such as a gauge movement. The arm may be an indicating pointer of the gauge. The gauge may alternatively utilize a magnetically-sensitive, variable-resistance element in a contactless arrangement with a magnet. The variable resistance element may include a plurality of noncaptivating, magnetically actuated switch elements and associated resistors mounted in an influence zone of a path of a magnet. The contactless arrangement eliminates the need for electromechanical contacts.

Abstract: An adjustable signalling gauge may utilize a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element which is mounted in an influence zone of the path of a magnet carried by an indicating pointer of a gauge. The gauge may be easily adjusted by an indirect adjustment mechanism. The adjustment may be by a reducing gear. Indirect adjustment effectively allows a reduction in the torque required to change the switching threshold.

Abstract: A condition responsive sending and indicating unit for sensing a condition and transmitting a signal representative of the sensed condition to an indicator at a remote location. The sending unit includes indicia for giving an indication of the sensed condition at the site of the unit, and has a movable contact operatively associated with a variable resistor in circuit with the remote indicator, whereby a variable signal is produced in response to variation in the sensed condition. Calibration of the unit is accomplished by adjustment of the set point of the movable means, and by adjustment of the position of the resistor relative to the movable contact.

Abstract: A signalling gauge may utilize a non-captivating, magnetically actuated switch element which is mounted in an influence zone of a path of a magnet carried by an indicating pointer of the gauge. The gauge may operate despite the presence of dust, dirt or other pollutants for an extended period of time without inducing sparks or arcing often associated with electromechanical contacts. Hall effect switch elements such as latches or digital switches may be utilized as a switch element for signalling to drive an audio or visual alarm or a digital signal.

Abstract: A rising liquid level in a gas scrubber for an air compressor is sensed by a float in the scrubber which opens a normally closed pneumatic vent valve whereby a very small pneumatic signal is delivered through a pneumatic spool valve to the chamber of a large diaphragm liquid dump valve on the scrubber which is operated automatically to drain liquid from the scrubber to maintain a safe liquid level in the scrubber. The dump valve mounted on the scrubber side wall penetrates deeply into the scrubber to avoid freezing of the dump valve.

Abstract: An electromagnetic normally energized fault sensing and shut down switch is employed in a unique mode of operation with essential operating components of power equipment, such as engines, and in conjunction with normally open and normally closed safety switches. Costly power equipment is protected following failure or malfunction of any one operational accessory component and a fail-safe equipment monitoring and shut down system is provided.

Abstract: Liquid levels in remote underground bulk storage tanks are read and logged at a convenient location, such as in the office of a service station. A single liquid level gage within a sturdy tamper-proof housing is connected with a select valve which communicates through tubes with the bottom portions of the remote underground tanks. Atmospheric air is pumped simultaneously to the bottom of a selected tank through said valve and to a bellows compression chamber of said gage.

Abstract: A combination monitoring and regulating instrument for oil field stationary engines or compressors receives oil by gravity in a float chamber having a float operated oil admission and shut-off valve and particle filtering means. Oil from the float chamber is delivered by gravity feed to the crankcase of the associated stationary machine. When the external oil supply is depleted, the resulting movement of the float in the float chamber will produce rotation of a sealed shaft which extends into an explosion-proof chamber of the instrument to move a float position pointer therein, and to simultaneously activate an ignition cut-off switch, or equivalent pneumatic valve means in the explosion-proof chamber to shut down the stationary machine. A convenient oil level sight gage is provided on the instrument.

Abstract: An automatic vent valve for pneumatic control systems of compressors or the like allows a compressor to be shut down when the level of liquid in an associated gas scrubber reaches a certain level. The device is also applicable to pressure vessels, boilers or similar devices requiring level control. A pneumatic vent valve responds to float movement through a simplified direct-acting mechanism having a sealed shaft between the float and vent chambers.

Abstract: A vibration or shock (acceleration) responsive lever is normally held by magnetic attraction in a latched position for closing a control fluid (air) vent valve. The lever is resiliently biased to a tripped vent valve opening position by a force of lesser magnitude than the magnetic latching force. The unit may be mounted vertically or horizontally and possesses manual and remote lever reset means. A sensitivity adjustment is directly accessible through the cover plate of the body or housing of the device. Fewer parts of simpler construction are employed compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube pressure gage is employed to monitor operating pressures of machines, such as engines or compressors. The gage has a manually adjustable high pressure limit stop which arrests movement of the gage pressure indicating pointer. A carrier link for a bleeder valve has a lost motion connection with drive mechanism for said pointer, and the carrier link is attached to the movable extremity of the Bourdon tube to be bodily shifted thereby with said vent valve. An abutment on said pointer drive mechanism is in the path of movement of an actuator stem of the vent valve. The pressure chamber of the vent valve is in pressure communication with the low pressure chamber of a booster valve on the back of the pressure gage, said booster valve having low and high pressure input ports and a vent port.