Patents Assigned to SGS North America Inc.
  • Patent number: 11293846
    Abstract: A device for generating milling measurement data at an output includes a support structure. A measurement station is supported by the support structure for measuring an attribute of milled material collected thereon and outputting a measurement of the attribute to the output. A mill is supported by the support structure above the measurement station for, while engaged, performing a continuous milling action on a feed material, and continuously or regularly depositing milled material onto the measurement station wherein the measurement station can measure the milled material without interrupting the milling action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventor: Khiratt Husain
  • Patent number: 9945821
    Abstract: Composite sampling of a fluid flowing through a conduit includes collecting, in a vessel coupled to the conduit through which the fluid is flowing, a first discrete sample of fluid from the conduit, the first discrete sample having a first selected volume, and collecting, in the vessel and at a first interval from the first sample, a second discrete sample of the fluid from the conduit, the second discrete sample having a second selected volume, thereby forming a composite sample in the vessel while the vessel is coupled to conduit. The composite sample includes the first discrete sample and the second discrete sample, and may include one or more additional discrete samples. An apparatus for collecting the composite sample includes a gas chromatograph, and is arranged such that the composite sample is provided to the gas chromatograph without removing the composite sample from the apparatus or transporting the composite sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Sven Lataire
  • Patent number: 9863926
    Abstract: Analyzing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid includes providing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to a separation system including a cyclone separator, and separating the hydrocarbon-containing fluid into a gas phase sample and a liquid phase sample. The liquid phase sample is separated into an aqueous sample and a non-aqueous sample. The volume of the gas phase sample and of the non-aqueous sample are assessed, and the ratio of the volume of the non-aqueous sample to the volume of the gas phase sample yields the condensate-gas ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Jerry W. Swearingen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9846109
    Abstract: A fluid sampling device having a first conduit configured to couple an outlet of a fluid source to a sample inlet port; a second conduit configured to couple a sample outlet port to an inlet of the fluid source; an expansion chamber including an inlet and an outlet coupled to the first and second conduits by a valve assembly; and a pressure relief valve configured to couple the outlet of the expansion chamber to the inlet of the fluid source. The fluid sampling device facilitates acquisition of a fluid sample and subsequent purging of its internal components while inhibiting the release of sample fluid to the surrounding environment, thereby protecting the environment and sampling personnel from harmful chemical release. The fluid sampling device may facilitate a sample acquisition process that provides closed-loop flush and expansion operations for obtaining a representative sample at the appropriate fill density of the sample vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Hall, Sven Lataire
  • Patent number: 9431876
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating use of instruments in hazardous environments includes a fluid line and a fluid-driven generator. The fluid line includes: an inlet to receive a flow of fluid from a fluid source; a first outlet to convey a first portion of the fluid flow to an instrument as a purge gas; and a second outlet to convey a second portion of the fluid flow. The fluid-driven generator is coupled to the second outlet of the fluid line, and converts fluid-stored energy in the second portion of the fluid flow to electrical energy deliverable to the instrument as the second portion of the fluid flow is received from the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Alex R. Lynn
  • Publication number: 20150300997
    Abstract: Analyzing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid includes providing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to a separation system including a cyclone separator, and separating the hydrocarbon-containing fluid into a gas phase sample and a liquid phase sample. The liquid phase sample is separated into an aqueous sample and a non-aqueous sample. The volume of the gas phase sample and of the non-aqueous sample are assessed, and the ratio of the volume of the non-aqueous sample to the volume of the gas phase sample yields the condensate-gas ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Jerry W. Swearingen, JR.
  • Patent number: 9097695
    Abstract: Composite sampling of a fluid flowing through a conduit includes collecting, in a vessel coupled to the conduit through which the fluid is flowing, a first discrete sample of fluid from the conduit, the first discrete sample having a first selected volume, and collecting, in the vessel and at a first interval from the first sample, a second discrete sample of the fluid from the conduit, the second discrete sample having a second selected volume, thereby forming a composite sample in the vessel while the vessel is coupled to conduit. The composite sample includes the first discrete sample and the second discrete sample, and may include one or more additional discrete samples. An apparatus for collecting the composite sample includes a gas chromatograph, and is arranged such that the composite sample is provided to the gas chromatograph without removing the composite sample from the apparatus or transporting the composite sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Sven Lataire
  • Patent number: 8991233
    Abstract: A self-contained analysis system operable to assess gas to oil ratio (GOR), shrinkage of reservoir fluid, and composition of pressurized reservoir fluids. The analysis system can be used for extended compositional analysis of rich flashed gas and lean gas samples as well as flashed equilibrium liquids, condensates, and black oils. Analysis of the various samples is achieved without cross contamination, for example, between rich flashed gases and lean gases or between extended natural gas and liquids (e.g., black oils and condensates). The system yields accurate results up to and including C20 for gas samples and up to and including C36+ for liquid samples, and entrained water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Graham M. Mullings
  • Patent number: 8966969
    Abstract: Processing a reservoir fluid sample includes separating the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, assessing a composition of the vapor phase stream, sampling a property of the liquid phase steam, and assessing a volume of a components of the liquid phase stream based at least in part on the sampled property of the liquid phase stream. A system for processing a reservoir fluid sample includes a volumetric receptacle adapted to accept the reservoir fluid sample, a phase separator configured to receive the reservoir fluid sample from the volumetric receptacle and to separate the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, a gas chromatograph arranged to receive the vapor phase stream from the phase separator, and a liquid flow meter configured to detect an interface including at least one component of the liquid phase stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Shuzong Cai, Francisco J. Azcarate
  • Publication number: 20140324284
    Abstract: A monitoring sub-system coupled to an evaporative emission canister fluidically coupled to a fuel tank and an engine of a machine includes a temperature sensor and a control module coupled to receive sensory output from the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor measures temperature within the evaporative emission canister. The control module is configured to monitor a sorption capacity of the evaporative emission canister based on the received sensory output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SGS North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard P. Glinsky, Michael St. Denis
  • Patent number: 8797517
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing pressure-volume-temperature testing on fluids include: a portable environmental control chamber 14, a first pressure vessel 12A disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, a second pressure vessel 12B disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, the second pressure vessel in hydraulic communication with the first pressure vessel, a viscometer 18 configured to measure the viscosity of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, and an optics system 22 configured to measure optical properties of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Karnes, Lee Williams
  • Publication number: 20120127466
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing pressure-volume-temperature testing on fluids include: a portable environmental control chamber 14, a first pressure vessel 12A disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, a second pressure vessel12B disposed inside the portable environmental control chamber, the second pressure vessel in hydraulic communication with the first pressure vessel, a viscometer 18 configured to measure the viscosity of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, and an optics system 22 configured to measure optical properties of fluids flowing between the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Karnes, Lee Williams
  • Publication number: 20120011919
    Abstract: Processing a reservoir fluid sample includes separating the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, assessing a composition of the vapor phase stream, sampling a property of the liquid phase steam, and assessing a volume of a components of the liquid phase stream based at least in part on the sampled property of the liquid phase stream. A system for processing a reservoir fluid sample includes a volumetric receptacle adapted to accept the reservoir fluid sample, a phase separator configured to receive the reservoir fluid sample from the volumetric receptacle and to separate the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, a gas chromatograph arranged to receive the vapor phase stream from the phase separator, and a liquid flow meter configured to detect an interface including at least one component of the liquid phase stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SGS NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kriel, Shuzong Cai, Francisco J. Azcarate
  • Patent number: 7596419
    Abstract: An inspection system adapted to perform retro positive material identification of components of a multi-feature system. The inspection system comprises an electronic drawing, a positive material identification database, a field load sheet and a data logger. The electronic drawing has tagged locations identifying respective features of the multi-feature system to be read for retro positive material identification analysis. The electronic drawing has at least one unique identification code for each tagged location. The positive material identification database has component information records for respective components. Each component information record correlated to a component associated with one tagged location of the electronic drawing. The field load sheet has identification codes for respective tagged locations. The identification codes of the field load sheet are correlated to the component information records of the positive material identification database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: SGS North America Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Fiore, John M. Bailey, Robert E. Bagot