US 12,306,076 B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for sample cylinder inspection, pressurization, and sample disposal
Alex M. Markins, Findlay, OH (US); Heath B. Jones, Findlay, OH (US); Nicci R. Triche, Findlay, OH (US); John J. Langenfeld, Findlay, OH (US); Masaru F. Williams, Findlay, OH (US); David S. Spence, Findlay, OH (US); Jason M. Chauvin, Findlay, OH (US); and Gregory D. Bender, IV, Findlay, OH (US)
Assigned to Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed by MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed on May 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/660,290.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/466,043, filed on May 12, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0377287 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. G05D 11/00 (2006.01); F16K 13/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/20 (2006.01); G01N 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/2035 (2013.01) [G01N 1/2226 (2013.01); G01N 2001/205 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2085 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2238 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for enhancing handling of a sample cylinder, the system comprising:
(a) a platform having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening;
(b) a first station positioned to receive a sample cylinder in a first state in which the sample cylinder contains a material sample, the first station comprising:
(i) a first mounting fixture attached to the platform proximate the first opening and configured to be attached to the sample cylinder;
(ii) an at least partially transparent receptacle configured to be attached to the sample cylinder and facilitate inspection of a portion of the material sample; and
(iii) a first valve positioned proximate the first mounting fixture and configured to provide fluid flow from the sample cylinder, thereby to remove a portion of the material sample from the sample cylinder;
(c) a second station positioned to receive the sample cylinder in a second state following the first state in which the sample cylinder contains the material sample, the second station comprising:
(i) a second mounting fixture attached to the platform proximate the second opening and configured to be attached to the sample cylinder in the second state; and
(ii) a second valve positioned proximate the second mounting fixture and configured to provide fluid flow between a source of pressurized gas and the sample cylinder, thereby to pressurize the sample cylinder;
(d) a third station positioned to receive the sample cylinder in a third state following discharge of at least a portion of the material sample from the sample cylinder, the third station comprising:
(i) a third mounting fixture attached to the platform proximate the third opening and configured to be attached to the sample cylinder in the third state; and
(ii) a third valve positioned proximate the third mounting fixture and configured to provide fluid flow between the sample cylinder and one or more of ventilation ductwork or a receptable; and
(e) a grounding assembly positioned to electrically ground one or more of a person handling the sample cylinder, the first station, the second station, or the third station, the grounding assembly comprising one or more of:
(i) an electrically grounded connection bus;
(ii) a clamp configured to be attached to one or more of the first station, the second station, or the third station, the clamp being electrically conductive;
(iii) a first cable connected to the clamp and the electrically grounded connection bus, the first cable being electrically conductive;
(iv) a wearable attachment configured to be attached to the person handling the sample cylinder, the wearable attachment being electrically conductive; or
(v) a second cable connected to the wearable attachment and the electrically grounded connection bus, the second cable being electrically conductive.