Claims
- 1. A method of isokinetically obtaining a sample of a flowing fluid utilizing a liquid-filled fluid-tight container having therein a deflated inflatable bag, the bag being in fluid communication with the exterior of the container, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the fluid-tight container at a location within a flowing fluid stream from which a sample is to be taken; and
- withdrawing liquid from the container at a flow rate proportional to the flow rate of the flowing fluid stream to cause a sample of the fluid from the fluid stream to be drawn into the inflatable bag at a rate equal to the flow rate of the flowing fluid stream to inflate the bag within the container so as to replace the liquid withdrawn from the container.
- 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is withdrawn from the container by sensing the flow rate of the flowing fluid stream, and pumping liquid from the container at a rate proportional to the sensed flow rate.
- 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is withdrawn from the container by driving a propeller with the flowing fluid stream, and driving a pump with the propeller to pump the liquid from the container.
- 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is withdrawn from the container by driving a propeller with the flowing fluid stream, sensing the rate at which the propeller is driven, and driving a motor at a rate proportional to the sensed propeller rate to power a pump pumping the liquid from the container.
- 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.
- 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- the liquid is withdrawn from the container by pumping the liquid through an outlet tube from the container;
- the sample is drawn into the inflatable bag through an inlet tube to the bag; and
- the ratio of the flow rate of the liquid pumped through said outlet tube to the flow rate of the flowing fluid stream is substantially equal the ratio of the interior diameter of said inlet tube to the interior diameter of said outlet tube.
- 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flowing fluid stream is a liquid stream.
- 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the liquid stream is a water stream.
Parent Case Info
This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/571,645, filed Dec. 13, 1995 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,894.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
571645 |
Dec 1995 |
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