IP Library Granted Patent US 10,969,060
Granted Patent B2
US 10,969,060 · App. 16/542,943 · Granted Apr 6, 2021

Flow control and gas metering process

Inventor: Bobby G. Watkins, II (Mabelton, GA)
Assignee: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
F17D3/01F23N1/002F23N1/022F23N2005/181F23N2005/185F23N2221/10Y10T137/7782
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,969,060
App. No.
16/542,943
Granted
Apr 6, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for controlling a flow may be provided. The system may comprise a first flow controller and a gas density meter. The gas density meter may be in fluid communication with the first flow controller. The gas density meter may be configured to calculate a gas density for a first gas flowing through the gas density meter. In addition, the gas density meter may be configured to output a first signal configured to cause the first flow controller to alter a first flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first flow controller. Furthermore, the gas density meter may be configured to output a density signal going to the second controller.

Claims (36)

1. A method for metering a first gas flow, the method comprising:

determining, at a gas density meter, a gas density of a first gas flowing through a first flow controller;

notifying, the first flow controller, via a first signal from the gas density meter a first flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first flow controller to cause a sooter nozzle to create a predetermined soot output for depositing soot into a casting wheel;

determining a second flow rate of a second gas flowing through a second flow controller;

notifying the second flow controller via a second signal the second flow rate of the second gas; and

adjusting, by a control module, the first gas flow and the second gas flow simultaneously based on the first signal and the second signal to maintain a preset gas flow ratio for the first gas flowing through the first flow controller and a preset gas flow rate for the second gas flowing through the second flow controller to create the predetermined soot output for depositing soot into the casting wheel.

2. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the first gas comprises an acetone and acetylene gas mixture, and

determining the gas density comprising an acetylene gas density within the acetone and acetylene gas mixture.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preset gas flow rate comprises a preset acetylene gas flow rate.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the first gas flow and the second gas flow to maintain an adjustable flow ratio of the first gas flow and the second gas flow.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein adjusting the first gas flow and the second gas flow comprises adjusting the first gas flow and the second gas flow based on ambient conditions.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the ambient conditions comprise at least one of the following: barometric pressure, atmospheric temperature, gas temperature, and gas pressure.

7. A method comprising:

receiving a first flow rate of a first gas of a first gas flow to a sooter nozzle configured for depositing soot onto a casting wheel;

receiving a pressure of a first tank that provides the first gas flow;

receiving a second flow rate of a second gas flowing through a second flow controller to the sooter nozzle;

receiving a pressure of a second tank that provides the second gas flow;

receiving a rotation speed of the casting wheel and a temperature of molten copper being poured into the casting wheel;

determining a predetermined soot output for the sooter nozzle based on the rotation speed of the casting wheel and the temperature of molten copper being poured into the casting wheel; and

sending, a first signal to a first flow controller and a second signal to the second flow controller, the first signal and the second signal configured to respectively cause the first flow controller and the second flow controller to respectively provide a rate of the first gas flow and a rate of the second gas flow configured to cause the sooter nozzle to create the predetermined soot output.

8. The method of claim 7 ,

wherein the first gas comprises a mixture of acetylene and acetone, and

wherein the method further comprising actuating the first flow controller in order to maintain a fixed flow rate of the first gas.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing the second flow controller configured to control the second gas flow of the second gas.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising adjusting the first gas flow and the second gas flow to maintain a preset ratio of the first gas to the second gas.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising adjusting the first gas flow and the second gas flow to manipulate a ratio of the first gas to the second gas.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first gas is acetylene and the second gas is oxygen.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the preset ratio comprises a ratio of acetylene and oxygen yielding at least one of a desired soot composition, desired soot deposition, desired combustion, desired pyrolysis, desired temperature, and desired flame characteristics.

14. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first gas flow comprises a hydrocarbon fuel gas.

15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first gas flow comprises at least one of the following: ethane; butane; methane; propane; and methylene.

16. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first gas flow comprises natural gas.

17. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first gas flow comprises at least 50% hydrocarbon fuel gas.

18. The method of claim 7 , wherein the second gas flow comprises oxygen.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gas flow comprises natural gas.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gas flow comprises at least 50% hydrocarbon fuel gas.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
AMENDMENT TO GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2021
From: COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057552/0299 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2019
From: WATKINS, BOBBY G., II
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 050076/0478 →
Continuity (3)
Division 14208899 · Mar 13, 2014
Provisional Application 61790315 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20190368663A1 · Dec 5, 2019