Flow meter prover apparatus and method

Abstract

A flow meter prover is disclosed which includes an outer fluid housing having an inlet and an outlet, a measuring conduit coaxially mounted within the outer housing and having first and second sets of fluid apertures adjacent, respectively, the upstream and downstream ends thereof, a fluid barrier mounted within the annular cavity between the outer housing and the conduit, a controllable piston mounted within the conduit, an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing, a bypass valve connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing, and first and second piston detection switches spaced apart along the length of the measuring conduit. There are provisions for automatically correcting for variations in the dimensions of the measuring conduit due to variations in fluid temperature. The prover also includes apparatus for continuously monitoring the integrity of the piston seals, and may be operated with equal fluid pressure on both sides of the piston.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid, comprising: an outer fluid housing having upstream and downstream ends, an inlet communicating with the upstream end and an outlet communicating with the downstream end;   a measuring conduit;   means for coaxially mounting the conduit within the outer housing, forming an annular cavity between the conduit and the housing;   a fluid barrier;   means for mounting the barrier within the annular cavity in a manner which divides the cavity into upstream and downstream sections;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing whereby the fluid can bypass the outer housing when the bypass is open;   first and second piston detection means;   means for positioning the first and second detection means in a spaced apart relationship where the distance between the first and the second detection means corresponds to the length of the fluid measuring portion of the conduit; and   second fluid bypass means including a first set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the upstream end thereof, and a second set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the downstream end thereof, whereby the fluid can bypass the piston where the piston is located at either the upstream or downstream limits of its travel within the conduit, and where the measuring portion of the conduit lies between the first and second sets of apertures; and where the means for coaxially mounting the conduit within the outer housing are located at positions of the conduit which exclude the fluid measuring portion of the conduit, so that the entire inner and outer surface of the fluid measuring portion of the conduit may be exposed to the fluid.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for coaxially mounting the conduit include fastening the downstream end of the conduit to the downstream end of the outer housing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 which further includes a third set of apertures provided in the conduit downstream of the second set of apertures, whereby when the piston covers the third set of apertures the fluid within the conduit smoothly decelerates the piston motion. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the means for mounting the conduit includes the fluid barrier, and where the means for mounting the fluid barrier includes affixing one end of the barrier to the inside surface of the outer housing upstream of the first set of apertures, and sealably engaging the other end of the barrier to the outer surface of the conduit in a manner which permits the free expansion of the conduit in response to fluid temperature. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid, comprising: an outer fluid housing having upstream and downstream ends, an inlet communicating with the upstream end and an outlet communicating with the downstream end;   a measuring conduit;   means for coaxially mounting the conduit within the outer housing, forming an annular cavity between the conduit and the housing;   a fluid barrier;   means for mounting the barrier within the annular cavity in a manner which divides the cavity into upstream and downstream sections;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing whereby the fluid can bypass the outer housing when the bypass is open;   first and second piston detection means;   means for positioning the first and second detection means in a spaced apart relationship where the distance between the first and the second detection means corresponds to the length of the fluid measuring portion of the conduit; and   second fluid bypass means including a first set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the upstream end thereof, and a second set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the downstream end thereof, whereby the fluid can bypass the piston when the piston is located at either the upstream or downstream limits of its travel within the conduit, and where the measuring portion of the conduit lies between the first and second sets of apertures, and where the means for positioning the first and second piston detection means includes means responsive to the temperature of the fluid for altering the spaced apart relationship between the detection means so that the fluid measuring portion of the conduit represents a constant displaced volume regardless of fluid temperature.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the piston detection means includes electrical switches, and the means for positioning the detection means further includes mounting the electrical switches along the length of and adjacent the outside surface of the conduit and within the annular cavity between the conduit and the housing. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the means responsive to the temperature of the fluid includes bimetal temperature sensitive elements to which the electrical switches are fastened, and which elements move the switches in response to fluid temperature in a manner which decreases the spacing between the switches as a function of increases in fluid temperature. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid, comprising: an outer fluid housing having upstream and downstream ends, an inlet communicating with the upstream end and an outlet communicating with the downstream end;   a measuring conduit;   means for coaxially mounting the conduit within the outer housing, forming an annular cavity between the conduit and the housing;   a fluid barrier;   means for mounting the barrier within the annular cavity in a manner which divides the cavity into upstream and downstream sections;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing whereby the fluid can bypass the outer housing when the bypass is open;   first and second piston detection means;   means for positioning the first and second detection means in a spaced apart relationship where the distance between the first and the second detection means corresponds to the length of the fluid measuring portion of the conduit; and   second fluid bypass means including a first set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the upstream end thereof, and a second set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the downstream end thereof, whereby the fluid can bypass the piston when the piston is located at either the upstream or downstream limits of its travel within the conduit, and where the measuring portion of the conduit lies between the first and second sets of apertures, and which further includes means for applying an upstream directed force to the free end of the actuating rod to move the piston from the downstream end to the upstream end of the conduit, and to restrain the downstream motion of the piston.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the means for applying a force to the free end of the actuating rod includes a pressure housing surrounding a portion of the actuating rod external to the outer fluid housing and means for applying a control fluid under pressure to the interior of the pressure housing. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the downstream motion of the piston may be controlled by regulating the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing is regulated in response to the flowing fluid pressure on the upstream side of the piston so that increasing flowing fluid pressure causes an increase in the flow of control fluid. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing is regulated in response to the differential pressure of the flowing fluid between the upstream and downstream sides of the piston so that an increase in the differential pressure causes an increase in the flow of the control fluid. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus for measuring a quaantity of a flowing fluid, comprising: an outer fluid housing having upstream and downstream ends, an inlet communicating with the upstream end and an outlet communicating with the downstream end;   a measuring conduit;   means for coaxially mounting the conduit within the outer housing, forming an annular cavity between the conduit and the housing;   a fluid barrier;   means for mounting the barrier within the annular cavity in a manner which divides the cavity into upstream and downstream sections;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing whereby the fluid can bypass the outer housing when the bypass is open;   first and second piston detection means;   means for positioning the first and second detection means in a spaced apart relationship where the distance between the first and the second detection means corresponds to the length of the fluid measuring portion of the conduit; and   second fluid bypass means including a first set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the upstream end thereof, and a second set of apertures provided in the conduit adjacent the downstream end thereof, whereby the fluid can bypass the piston when the piston is located at either the upstream or downstream limits of its travel within the conduit, and where the measuring portion of the conduit lies between the first and second sets of apertures; and in which the piston includes two spaced apart seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston, an annular cavity formed between the seals, a passage connecting the cavity to one end of a flexible tube, and means for connecting the other end of the flexible tube to the exterior of the outer housing, whereby the integrity of the piston seals may be continuously monitored from the output of the flexible tube while the piston is stationary or in motion.   
     
     
       14. A method for determining the calibration factor of a flowmeter comprising the steps of: providing an outer fluid housing having an inlet and an outlet,   providing a measuring conduit coaxially mounted within the outer housing and having first and second sets of fluid apertures adjacent, respectively, the upstream and downstream ends thereof,   providing a fluid barrier mounted within the annular cavity between the outer housing and the conduit,   providing a controllable piston mounted within the conduit,   providing an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing,   providing a bypass valve connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing,   providing first and second piston detection points positioned in a spaced apart relationship;   connecting the flowmeter in series within the outer fluid housing;   opening the bypass valve;   applying an upstream directed force to the free end of the actuating rod, causing the piston to move to, and remain at the upstream end of the conduit;   closing the bypass valve;   waiting an interval of time until the bypass valve is completely seated and fluid flow has achieved a steady state condition;   releasing the force from the free end of the actuating rod, allowing the piston to move downstream in synchronism with fluid flow;   measuring a time interval for the piston to travel the distance between the first and second piston detection points; and   comparing the response of the flowmeter during the time interval with the volume of the conduit defined by the distance between the first and second detection points, so as to determine the calibration factor of the flowmeter.   
     
     
       15. In apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid by means of a fluid barrier moving in a conduit and displacing a known volume of fluid, and having first and second barrier detection means spaced apart along the conduit so that the distance between the first and second detection means defines the known volume of fluid, the improvement comprising: means for automatically altering the spacing between the first and second detection means in response to the temperature of the fluid to correct for the conduit dimensional changes due to fluid temperature, so that the distance between the detection means represents a constant displaced volume regardless of fluid temperature.   
     
     
       16. In apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid by means of a piston moving in a conduit and displacing a known volume of fluid, the improvement comprising: the piston including two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston, an annular cavity formed between the seals, a passage connecting the cavity to one end of a flexible tube, and means for connecting the other end of the flexible tube to the exterior of the apparatus, whereby the integrity of the piston seals may be continuously monitored from the output of the flexible tube while piston is stationary or in motion. .Iadd.   
     
     
       17.  Apparatus for measuring a quantity of flowing fluid by means of a piston moving in a conduit to displace a volume of fluid, comprising: two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston and forming the walls of a cavity between the seals, and means for communicating fluid pressure within the cavity to a location external to the conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 17 where the means for communicating fluid pressure includes a passageway communicating with the cavity and extending through the conduit to its exterior..Iaddend. .Iadd.19. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of flowing fluid by means of a piston moving in a conduit to displace a volume of fluid, comprising:   two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston and forming the walls of a cavity between the seals, and a passageway communicating between the cavity and the exterior of the conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The apparatus of claim 19 further including means for measuring fluid pressure within   
     
     
        the passageway..Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  The apparatus of claim 19 in which the passageway is a tube axially projecting from the piston and extending through the conduit to its exterior..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid, comprising: a conduit having an inlet and an outlet;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, the free end of the rod being fluidically isolated from the conduit;   means for exerting a force on the rod to return the piston from its downstream to its upstream limit of travel;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the conduit whereby the fluid bypasses the conduit when the bypass is open;   second fluid bypass means for providing a first fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the upstream end of the conduit and a second fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the downstream end of the conduit, the first and second passages permitting fluid flow around the piston when it is located at either the upstream or downstream limits, respectively, of its travel within the conduit; and   means for detecting that the piston is at preselected positions within the conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The apparatus of claim 22 further including two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston and forming the walls of a cavity between the seals, and means for communicating fluid pressure within the cavity to a location external to the conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. Apparatus for measuring a quantity of a flowing fluid, comprising:   a conduit having an inlet and an outlet;   a controllable piston slidably mounted within the conduit and having upstream and downstream sides;   an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, the free end of the rod being fluidically isolated from the conduit;   means for applying an upstream directed force to the free end of the actuating rod to move the piston from the downstream end to the upstream end of the conduit and to restrain the downstream motion of the piston;   first fluid bypass means connected between the inlet and outlet of the conduit whereby the fluid bypasses the conduit when the bypass is open;   second fluid bypass means for providing a first fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the upstream end of the conduit and a second fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the downstream end of the conduit, the first and second passages permitting fluid flow around the piston when it is located at either the upstream or downstream limits, respectively, of its travel within the conduit; and   means for detecting that the piston is at preselected positions within the   
     
     
        conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  The apparatus of claim 24 further including two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston and forming the walls of a cavity between the seals, and means for communicating fluid pressure within the cavity to a location external to the conduit..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The apparatus of claim 24 in which the means for applying a force to the free end of the actuating rod includes a pressure housing surrounding a portion of the actuating rod external to the conduit and means for applying a control fluid under pressure to the interior of the pressure housing..Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The apparatus of claim 26 in which the downstream motion of the piston may be controlled by regulating the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing is regulated in response to the flowing fluid pressure on the upstream side of the piston so that increasing flowing fluid pressure causes an increase in the flow of control fluid..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the flow of control fluid from the pressure housing is regulated in response to the differential pressure of the flowing fluid between the upstream and downstream sides of the piston so that an increase in the differential pressure causes an increase in the flow of the control fluid..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A method for determining the calibration factor of a flowmeter comprising the steps of: providing a conduit having an inlet and an outlet;   providing a controllable piston mounted within the conduit adapted to travel through the measuring cylinder as a fluid barrier;   providing an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston, the free end of the rod being fluidically isolated from the conduit;   providing a bypass valve connected between the inlet and outlet of the conduit;   providing a first fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the upstream end of the conduit and a second fluid passage external to the piston and extending from the upstream to the downstream side of the piston adjacent the downstream end of the conduit, the first and second passage permitting fluid flow around the piston when it is located at either the upstream or downstream limits, respectively, of its travel within the conduit;   providing first and second piston detection points positioned in a spaced apart relationship;   connecting the flowmeter in series within the conduit;   opening the bypass valve;   applying an upstream directed force to the free end of the actuating rod, causing the piston to move to, and remain at the upstream end of the conduit;   closing the bypass valve;   waiting an interval of time until the bypass valve is completely seated and fluid flow has achieved a steady state condition;   releasing the force from the free end of the actuating rod, allowing the piston to move downstream in synchronism with fluid flow;   measuring a time interval for the piston to travel the distance between the first and second piston detection points; and   comparing the response of the flowmeter during the time interval with the volume of the conduit defined by the distance between the first and second detection points, so as to determine the calibration factor of the   
     
     
        flowmeter..Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  The method of claim 30 further including the steps of: providing two seals each encircling the perimeter of the piston and forming the walls of a cavity between the seals;   communicating the fluid pressure within the cavity to a location external to the conduit; and   monitoring the pressure within the cavity while the piston is in motion or at rest, to detect seal leakage..Iaddend.