High pressure housing and optical viewing system
Inventors
Tucker, John E. • Howard, Paul L. • Reintjes, John F.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9810616-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-07
Expiration Date
2035-06-01
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A system and method for maintaining the face of an optical window at a desired axial position with respect to the face of a high pressure housing, suitable for use in a high pressure optical flow cell for a real time optical particle monitoring system. The window fits within a mounting hole that extends through the pressure housing. The window has a smaller-diameter cylindrical end portion extending to the high pressure side and an opposite larger-diameter cylindrical end portion, with a shoulder between the cylindrical end portions. A threaded retaining member axially compresses a gasket, o-ring, or other compliant sealing member between the shoulder of the optical window and a corresponding shoulder in the mounting hole, creating a static seal and maintaining the high pressure face of the optical window at a desired position over a wide range of temperatures and pressures.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a high pressure housing and optical viewing system designed to separate a high pressure environment from a low pressure environment while allowing optical analysis of high pressure fluid. The system includes a housing with a mounting hole that has two cylindrical portions of different diameters and corresponding shoulder surfaces, and an optical window also featuring two cylindrical end portions with a shoulder. The window is positioned so that its smaller diameter end faces the high pressure side, with a compliant gasket sealing between the window shoulder and the housing shoulder, while an externally-threaded retaining member compresses the gasket to create a static seal and maintain the axial position of the optical window's face.
The system addresses the challenge of maintaining the face of an optical window at a desired axial position relative to the face of a high pressure housing, while ensuring a static seal over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. This is especially important for high pressure optical flow cells used in real-time optical particle monitoring systems where the position and sealing of the optical window are critical for accurate optical analysis and to prevent fluid leakage.
Additionally, the system incorporates features such as a spacer and washer of varying compliances and thicknesses positioned between the optical window and the retaining member to distribute mechanical stresses, reduce the chance of window breakage, and accommodate axial expansions or contractions due to temperature or pressure changes. This design enables the flow cavity thickness to be controlled and maintained within precise tolerances for optimal imaging, even under high pressures and temperature variations. The system also includes mechanical clamping to hold the housings and shim tightly and fluid passageways to direct the high pressure fluid through the optical flow cavity for real-time monitoring.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent system claim and one independent method claim describing innovative features related to a high pressure housing with an optical window assembly and the method of positioning the optical window face.
Housing with stepped mounting hole and optical window with corresponding shoulders
The housing includes a mounting hole with a smaller-diameter cylindrical portion, a larger-diameter cylindrical portion, and an internally-threaded cylindrical portion; the optical window similarly has a smaller-diameter end portion and a larger-diameter end portion with a radially outward shoulder. This configuration allows proper seating of the optical window within the housing.
Compliant gasket sealing arrangement
A compliant gasket fits around the smaller-diameter end of the optical window and is positioned axially between the shoulder of the window and the first shoulder of the mounting hole, creating a static seal when compressed.
Threaded retaining member for axial compression and positioning
An externally-threaded retaining member is positioned in the internally-threaded portion of the mounting hole; tightening it compresses the gasket against the shoulder of the mounting hole, forming a static seal and precisely positioning the optical window’s smaller end at a desired axial location relative to the housing surface.
Use of spacer and washer with varying compliances
Optional spacer and washer components, with decreasing compliance from washer to spacer to retaining member, are positioned between the window and retaining member to distribute forces, protect the window, and accommodate thermal and pressure expansions.
Optical path through coaxial holes in washer, spacer, and retaining member
The washer, spacer, and retaining member each have an axial hole allowing light to pass through the optical window assembly for optical analysis.
The claims define a system and method for securely positioning an optical window in a high pressure housing, using a stepped housing hole and window design combined with a compliant gasket and threaded retainer to maintain sealing and precise axial positioning under high pressure conditions.
Stated Advantages
Maintains the optical window face flush with the housing surface within a very small tolerance over wide temperature and pressure ranges.
Provides a static seal preventing fluid leakage across the optical window to withstand high pressure environments.
Distributes mechanical stresses to reduce the risk of window breakage through the use of compliant washers and spacers.
Allows adjustment of flow cavity thickness by simply replacing the shim component.
Enables ease of disassembly and reassembly for maintenance, cleaning, or replacement of optical components and seals.
Supports modularity with optional adapters and configurations for varying flow and light directions.
Documented Applications
Real time optical particle monitoring of debris or particles suspended in high pressure flowing fluids such as hydraulic fluid or lubricating oil.
Optical analysis of fluid flow in caustic, high pressure environments for detecting number, size, and type of particles including solid and semi-solid particles.
Use in systems requiring real-time online monitoring and imaging of particles in high pressure fluid flow conditions.
Potential adaptation for other sensor types such as fiber optic temperature or pressure sensors positioned at the fluid flow cavity.
Interested in licensing this patent?