Fluid testing device, and a method of testing a pressurized fluid for dissolved and/or entrained gasses

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9709081-B2
Application number	US-201514880570-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 12, 2015
Priority date	Oct 12, 2015
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

Abstract

A method of testing a pressurized liquid fluid for dissolved gasses includes evacuating both a first tank and a second tank. A test volume of a pressurized liquid fluid is introduced into the first tank. An initial absolute pressure in the second tank is sensed, and then fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank is opened to allow the pressurized fluid to flow from the first tank into the second tank, thereby de-pressurizing the fluid. The de-pressurized fluid in the second tank is maintained for a pre-defined out-gassing period, to allow any gasses in the de-pressurized fluid to separate from the de-pressurized fluid. A final absolute pressure in the second tank is sensed. A difference between the final absolute pressure and the initial absolute pressure is correlated to a volume of gasses released from the de-pressurized fluid.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of testing a pressurized fluid for dissolved and entrained gasses with a fluid testing device including a first tank having a first volume, and a second tank in fluid communication with the first tank and having a second volume that is larger than the first volume of the first tank, the method comprising:
connecting an evacuation and fluid filling system to the first tank;
evacuating both the first tank and the second tank with the evacuation and fluid filling system to form a vacuum in both the first tank and the second tank;
blocking fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank;
introducing a test volume of a pressurized fluid into the first tank with the evacuation and fluid filling system;
preventing fluid communication between the first tank and the evacuation and fluid filling system;
sensing an initial absolute pressure in the second tank with an absolute pressure sensor;
opening fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank to allow the test volume of the pressurized fluid to flow from the first tank into the second tank, thereby de-pressurizing the test volume of the fluid;
maintaining the test volume of the de-pressurized fluid in the second tank for a pre-defined out-gassing period to allow any dissolved or entrained gasses in the test volume of the de-pressurized fluid to separate from the de-pressurized fluid;
sensing a final absolute pressure in the second tank with the absolute pressure sensor, after the test volume of the de-pressurized fluid has been maintained in the second tank for the pre-defined out-gassing period; and
correlating a difference between the final absolute pressure and the initial absolute pressure to a volume of gasses released from the test volume of the de-pressurized fluid.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising opening fluid communication between the evacuation and fluid filling system and the first tank after connecting the evacuation and filling system to the first tank, and prior to evacuating the first tank and the second tank.

3. The method set forth in claim 2 further comprising blocking fluid communication between the evacuation and fluid filling system and the first tank after evacuating the first tank and the second tank, and prior to blocking fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank.

4. The method set forth in claim 3 further comprising maintaining the vacuum in both the first tank and the second tank for a pre-defined vacuum soak period to test for leaks in the fluid testing device, prior to blocking fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 further comprising opening fluid communication between the first tank and the evacuation and fluid filling system after blocking fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank to enable the introduction of the test volume of the pressurized fluid into the first tank.

6. The method set forth in claim 5 further comprising disconnecting the evacuation and fluid filling system from the first tank after introducing the test volume of the pressurized fluid into the first tank and blocking fluid communication between the evacuation and fluid filling system and the first tank.

7. The method set forth in claim 6 further comprising calculating the difference between the final absolute pressure and the initial absolute pressure.

8. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein calculating the difference between the final absolute pressure and the initial absolute pressure includes subtracting the initial absolute pressure from the final absolute pressure.

9. The method set forth in claim 7 further comprising draining the test volume of the de-pressurized fluid from the second tank.

10. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the test volume of pressurized fluid is brake fluid.

11. The method set forth in claim 10 wherein the test volume of pressurized fluid is introduced into the first tank at a pressure between 30 psi and 150 psi.

12. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the first tank is disposed vertically above the second tank so that the test volume of the pressurized fluid flows by gravity from the first tank into the second tank, when fluid communication between the first tank and the second tank is opened.

13. A fluid testing device comprising:
a first tank having a first inlet and a first outlet;
a fluid coupler attached to the first inlet, and operable to connect the first inlet to an evacuation and fluid filling system;
an inlet valve interconnecting the first inlet and the fluid coupler, and operable to open fluid communication between the first inlet and the fluid coupler, and block fluid communication between the first inlet and the fluid coupler;
a second tank having a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is disposed in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first tank;
a transfer valve interconnecting the first outlet of the first tank and the second inlet of the second tank, wherein the transfer valve is operable to open fluid communication between the first outlet and the second inlet, and block fluid communication between the first outlet and the second inlet;
a drain valve attached to the second outlet, and operable to open fluid communication between the second outlet and atmospheric pressure, and block fluid communication between the second outlet and atmospheric pressure; and
an absolute pressure sensor attached to the second tank, and operable to sense an absolute pressure within the second tank.

14. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 13 wherein the first tank defines a first volume, and the second tank defines a second volume, with the second volume larger than the first volume.

15. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 14 wherein the first volume and the second volume are each between 200 cc and 3000 cc.

16. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 14 wherein the second volume is between 2% and 50% larger than the first volume.

17. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 16 wherein the second volume is between 5% and 15% larger than the first volume.

18. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 13 wherein the first tank is disposed vertically above the second tank.

19. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 13 wherein the absolute pressure sensor is a digital sensor.

20. The fluid testing device set forth in claim 13 further comprising a baffle disposed within an interior of the second tank, and positioned to shield the absolute pressure sensor.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Sapienza Raymond J

Classifications

• F15B19/00 Primary

  Testing; {Calibrating; Fault detection or monitoring; Simulation or modelling of} fluid-pressure systems or apparatus not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G01N7/14 Primary

  by allowing the material to emit a gas or vapour, e.g. water vapour, and measuring a pressure or volume difference {(determining urea G01N33/48742)} · CPC title

• G01N33/2841

  Gas in oils, e.g. hydrogen in insulating oils · CPC title

• F15B21/044

  Removal or measurement of undissolved gas, e.g. de-aeration, venting or bleeding · CPC title