Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of ultrasonic meter operation with respect to Reynolds number. The condition monitor is further configured to determine whether a value of the parameter at a Reynolds number of the fluid flowing in the passage at a time associated with the value is within a predetermined range of values for the parameter at the Reynolds number.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter is and configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to record values of the parameter over a predetermined time interval. The condition monitor is further configured to determine reference values for the parameter based on the recorded values, and to apply the reference values to values of the parameter acquired after the predetermined time interval to validate operation of the flow metering system.

Abstract: A surge relief valve includes a piston housing and a piston located within the housing for reciprocal motion. The surge relief valve also includes a position sensor to resolve the axial position of the piston relative to the piston housing. The position sensor includes a sensor body coupled to the piston housing and a movable element configured to move linearly relative to the sensor body and configured to move axially with the piston. At a least portion of the sensor body is located within the piston housing.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonic flow metering. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a plurality of ultrasonic flowmeters. Each of the ultrasonic flowmeters includes a flow processor. The flow processor is configured to maintain a plurality of velocity bins, each of the bins corresponding to a flow velocity range for the flowmeters. The flow processor is also configured to maintain, within each of the bins, a value indicative of past average velocity of fluid flow through a given one of the flowmeters associated with a given one of the bins. The flow processor is further configured to determine, responsive to one of the flowmeters having failed, an estimated average fluid flow velocity through the system based on the values maintained within the bins.

Abstract: A welding fixture for releasably engaging a weldable object includes a support body having a fluid passage, and a receiver coupled to the support body having an internal chamber that receives the object. At least one fluid delivery tube is disposed along the receiver and is in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the support body. The fixture allows the weldable object to be precisely positioned for welding, and supplies a fluid delivery system for delivering inert gas to the weld site.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ultrasonic flow metering of viscous fluids. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes an ultrasonic flow meter, a flow conditioner, and a reducer. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged to exchange ultrasonic signals through a fluid stream flowing between the transducers. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the ultrasonic flow meter. The reducer is disposed between the flow conditioner and the ultrasonic flow meter to reduce the cross sectional area of the fluid stream flowing from the flow conditioner to the ultrasonic flow meter.

Abstract: A welding method includes inserting a weldable object at least partially into a through-bore formed in a generally tubular body, the tubular body having an interior flow passageway and an outer surface, and the through-bore having a borehole wall; transmitting inert gas between the weldable object and the borehole wall, the gas being transmitted through the through-bore; and welding the weldable object to the tubular body while the inert gas is being transmitted.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring flow meter operation. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the flow meter, and to compare a value of the parameter to a threshold. The condition monitor is also configured to generate an alarm based on the value exceeding the threshold, and to compute, based on the alarm, a confidence level indicating a degree of certainty that the system is operating in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an orifice meter includes providing an orifice fitting body having a bore, an orifice plate, a plurality of tap holes, and a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the plurality of tap holes. The method further includes removing the orifice plate and the plurality of pressure sensors from the orifice fitting body and installing a plurality of transducers into the plurality of tap holes. At least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to generate a signal and at least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to receive the signal. Additionally, the method includes measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the bore based on an output of each of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, and an ultrasonic flow meter. The temperature sensor is disposed to measure temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of pairs of ultrasonic transducers and control electronics. Each pair of transducers is configured to form a chordal path across the passage between the transducers. The control electronics are coupled to the ultrasonic transducers. The control electronics are configured to measure speed of sound between each pair of transducers based on ultrasonic signals passing between the transducers of the pair. The control electronics are also configured to determine, based on the measured speeds of sound, whether a measured temperature value provided by the temperature sensor accurately represents temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for proving a flow meter including a launch hold facility and a seal leak detect device.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an orifice meter includes providing an orifice fitting body having a bore, an orifice plate, a plurality of tap holes, and a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the plurality of tap holes. The method further includes removing the orifice plate and the plurality of pressure sensors from the orifice fitting body and installing a plurality of transducers into the plurality of tap holes. At least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to generate a signal and at least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to receive the signal. Additionally, the method includes measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the bore based on an output of each of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A control valve includes a piston-housing having a hollow portion. The hollow portion has a first end, an open end, first and second internal chambers, and a fluid port configured to allow fluid to exit the second chamber. The first chamber is nearer the first end, and the second chamber is nearer the open end. A piston is located within the housing and is adapted for reciprocal motion. The piston includes a first and second seal-engaging portions. The first seal-engaging portion has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second seal-engaging portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ultrasonic flow metering of viscous fluids. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes an ultrasonic flow meter, a flow conditioner, and a reducer. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged to exchange ultrasonic signals through a fluid stream flowing between the transducers. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the ultrasonic flow meter. The reducer is disposed between the flow conditioner and the ultrasonic flow meter to reduce the cross sectional area of the fluid stream flowing from the flow conditioner to the ultrasonic flow meter.

Abstract: A method for audibly detecting a fluid flow state change in a flow meter pipeline. The flow state change may be identified as an upset in the normal flow state. The upset may be corrected to improve the accuracy of the flow meter. A system includes acoustic sensors mounted in the flow meter pipeline, and a computer to collect audible data from the acoustic sensors and compare the audible data to a baseline to detect an upset in the normal fluid flow state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for proving a flowmeter. In one embodiment, a flowmeter prover includes a flow tube, a displacer, and a signal analyzer. The displacer is moveable in a flow passage of the flow tube. A magnetic target is disposed on the displacer. One or more inductive transducers are disposed on the flow tube and configured to detect the magnetic target as the displacer moves in the flow tube. The signal analyzer is configured to detect a maximum slope of rising and falling edges of a signal generated by the transducer responsive to the magnetic target traversing the transducer. The signal analyzer is further configured to determine displacer velocity based on the detected maximum slope.

Abstract: A flow meter is presented having a meter body that is enveloped by a compliant shroud that protects transducers and transducer cables. The shroud forms a chamber between the shroud and meter body, and includes a releasable portion to allow access into the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for proving a flow meter at low temperatures. A flow meter measuring low temperature fluids (e.g., less than about ?50° F., or less than about ?220° F.) must still be proved. Low temperature fluids can be destructive to piston or compact provers, or may require indirect proving methods. The apparatus disclosed is a low temperature prover directly coupled into the pipeline carrying the low temperature fluids. In some embodiments, a magnetic pickup coil and a magnetic member communicate between the displacer and the flow tube. The magnetic target member may be carbon-free. In some embodiments, a pair of ultrasonic transceivers coupled to the flow tube communicate a signal across the flow tube and a displacer is moveable to interrupt the signal. In some embodiments, the flow tube includes an inner surface having a microfinish for lubrication. The displacer may be a piston rotatable while being moved axially.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an orifice meter includes providing an orifice fitting body having a bore, an orifice plate, a plurality of tap holes, and a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the plurality of tap holes. The method further includes removing the orifice plate and the plurality of pressure sensors from the orifice fitting body and installing a plurality of transducers into the plurality of tap holes. At least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to generate a signal and at least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to receive the signal. Additionally, the method includes measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the bore based on an output of each of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a turbine flow meter via adjustment of electromagnetic sensor position are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a turbine flow meter includes a flow tube, a plurality of electromagnetic pickups, and a locator plate. The electromagnetic pickups are configured to detect rotation a flow indicator in the flow tube. The pickups are secured to the locator plate. The locator plate is configured to adjustably position the pickups relative to the flow tube.