Abstract: A thermowell assembly (20) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned in a pipeline (10) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline (10) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (12). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube (36) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins (40) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1–7, a liquid (50) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple (28) and the temperature conducting tube (36). Non-metallic members (70, 74, 80) are positioned between the pipeline (10) and the temperature transmitting tube (36) to isolate thermocouple (28) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline (10) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (20). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.

Abstract: A system for injecting an injection fluid into a pipeline includes an injection pump, a timer for initiating sequencing of the pump, a control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to power the injection pump, a controller for controlling operation of the control valve, and an electric motor responsive to the controller for rotating a cam on the motor shaft to open and close the control valve. The injected fluid may be methanol, so that the system automatically injects methanol into a pipeline which transmits natural gas. In one embodiment, the system includes a temperature sensor and a flow sensor for inputting signals to the controller.

Abstract: A GPS unit 40 outputs a ground speed signal to an agricultural dispenser for applying chemicals to a field or for planting seeds. A GPS receiver 3 receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, and outputs a vehicle ground speed signal based upon GPS calculations. A converter 5 converts the vehicle ground speed signal to a series of pulses having a frequency indicative of the vehicle ground speed. The pulses are then transmitted to the agricultural dispenser 52 which is pulled by a tractor 34 to apply the desired amount of chemicals to the field or for planting the desired amount of seeds as a function of the vehicle ground speed.

Abstract: A gas sampling separator 29 for the separation of liquid or other contaminants from gas received from a pipeline may be easily inspected visually and cleaned. A cylindrical body 62 forming a separation chamber 64 is threaded onto a base 40. A tube 68 within the separation chamber receives gas from a port in the base and directs the gas into the separation chamber for separation of the gas from the contaminants. The separated contaminants collect in a sump 58 formed by the base and may be vented upon actuation of a manually actuated valve 76.

Abstract: A catalytic heater 10 has an insulation pad 36 and a catalyst pad 34 mounted in face-to-face relation within an enclosure 11 having an open front face 20. A starter 48 is mounted within the catalyst pad and is effective for preheating of the catalyst pad. Fuel gas is supplied to the rear face of the insulation pad and air is supplied to the front face of the catalyst pad, so that a catalytic reaction occurs generally when the catalyst pad and sear the ope front face. After the catalytic reaction begins, electrical energy is ceased to the starter. The starter preferably comprises a quartz-halogen lamp of a relatively small size which is mounted within the catalyst pad.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH3 to be applied to a field by measuring the NH3 flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH3. The system includes a control station 12 on the vehicle with a tachometer 12A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel 13. The control panel includes a toggle switch 17 for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve 52 in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve 52. The vehicle transports a tank 20 containing liquid NH3 and a tool bar 30 for distributing the NH3 to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter 40,60, 130, the NH3 is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing. The flow meter transmits a signal to the control panel, which is converted to a corrected flow rate signal in response to a fixed value vaporization correction factor.

Abstract: A GPS unit 40 outputs a ground speed signal to an agricultural dispenser for applying chemicals to a field or for planting seeds. A GPS receiver 3 receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, and outputs a vehicle ground speed signal based upon GPS calculations. A converter 5 converts the vehicle ground speed signal to a series of pulses having a frequency indicative of the vehicle ground speed. The pulses are then transmitted to the agricultural dispenser 52 which is pulled by a tractor 34 to apply the desired amount of chemicals to the field or for planting the desired amount of seeds as a function of the vehicle ground speed.

Abstract: A catalytic heater 10 has an insulation pad 36 and a catalyst pad 34 mounted in face-to-face relation within an enclosure 11 having an open front face 20. A starter 48 is mounted within the catalyst pad and is effective for preheating of the catalyst pad. Fuel gas is supplied to the rear face of the insulation pad and air is supplied to the front face of the catalyst pad, so that a catalytic reaction occurs generally when the catalyst pad and sear the ope front face. After the catalytic reaction begins, electrical energy is ceased to the starter. The starter preferably comprises a quartz-halogen lamp of a relatively small size which is mounted within the catalyst pad.

Abstract: A sample probe 18 for a gas sampling system obtains a highly accurate hydrocarbon gas sample from a pipeline, particularly when ambient conditions are below the hydrocarbon dew point. A compartment 20 houses a heater 44 and a pump 30, with the pump being mounted on an upper body 50 of probe 18 by suitable nuts 56, 58. A lower probe section 48 having coarse threads 76 is mounted within pipeline 10 and has a diameter D1 of at least greater than 80% of the diameter D of internally threaded opening 14 of pipeline 10. Probe 18 has large diameter upper body 50 externally threaded for mounting compartment 20 thereon. Probe 18 is preferably formed of an anodized aluminum material having a high thermal conductivity in excess of 80 BTU/Ft Hr/Ft2/° F.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly (20) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned in a pipeline (10) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline (10) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (12). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube (36) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins (40) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, a liquid (50) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple (28) and the temperature conducting tube (36). Non-metallic members (70, 74, 80) are positioned between the pipeline (10) and the temperature transmitting tube (36) to isolate thermocouple (28) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline (10) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (20). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH3 to be applied to a field by measuring the NH3 flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH3. The system includes a control station 12 on the vehicle with a tachometer 12A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel 13. The control panel includes a toggle switch 17 for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve 52 in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve 52. The vehicle transports a tank 20 containing liquid NH3 and a tool bar 30 for distributing the NH3 to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter 40,60, 130, the NH3 is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing. The flow meter transmits a signal to the control panel, which is converted to a corrected flow rate signal in response to a fixed value vaporization correction factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH3 to be applied to a field by measuring the NH3 flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH3. The system includes a control station 12 on the vehicle with a tachometer 12A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel 13. The control panel includes a toggle switch 17 for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve 52 in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve 52. The vehicle transports a tank 20 containing liquid NH3 and a tool bar 30 for distributing the NH3 to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter 40, 60, 130, the NH3 is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing. The flow meter transmits a signal to the control panel, which is converted to a corrected flow rate signal in response to a fixed value vaporization correction factor.

Abstract: A gas sampling separator 29 for the separation of liquid or other contaminants from gas received from a pipeline may be easily inspected visually and cleaned. A cylindrical body 62 forming a separation chamber 64 is threaded onto a base 40. A tube 68 within the separation chamber receives gas from a port in the base and directs the gas into the separation chamber for separation of the gas from the contaminants. The separated contaminants collect in a sump 58 formed by the base and may be vented upon actuation of a manually actuated valve 76.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly (20) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned in a pipeline (10) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline (10) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (12). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube (36) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins (40) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, a liquid (50) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple (28) and the temperature conducting tube (36). Non-metallic members (70, 74, 80) are positioned between the pipeline (10) and the temperature transmitting tube (36) to isolate thermocouple (28) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline (10) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (20). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of a cathodic protection system are disclosed. In one embodiment of a system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a remote telemetry device may be communicatively coupled to at least one cathodic protection device operable to provide direct current to a metallic object, the telemetry device may be programmable to communicate with a central station, and the telemetry device may incorporate a transmitter and a processor. The processor may include memory and programming code to control operation of the telemetry device, and the transmitter may be operable to communicate information to a central station.

Abstract: A system comprising a remote telemetry device to monitor at least one sensor input, a central station, responsive to the remote telemetry device, a central database to store and organize information communicated by the telemetry device, and a computer network user interface that provides a user with remote access to the information stored at the central database. The telemetry device may be programmable to communicate with a central station upon at least one of an alarm condition and a regular time interval. The central station may include a central station computer server and software embedded therein to provide connection with a wide area network communications module, a database hosting module hosting a central database, and a notification module to issue alarm notification messages.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly (20) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned in a pipeline (10) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline (10) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (12). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube (36) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins (40) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, a liquid (50) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple (28) and the temperature conducting tube (36). Non-metallic members (70, 28, 80) are positioned between the pipeline (10) and the temperature transmitting tube (36) to isolate thermocouple (28) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline (10) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (20). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.