Tracer Patents (Class 73/1.24)
  • Patent number: 10458304
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a quality signal (26). The quality signal (26) is provided by a quality sensor (24) used in a reagent metering system (10). The reagent metering system (10) meters a urea/water solution (14) stored in a tank (12), the quality of which is checked by the quality sensor (24), upstream of an SCR catalytic converter (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Michl Hofmann, Reinold Weinmann
  • Patent number: 9459243
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining gas transport time from an input port to first and second ultrasonic detectors in a flow conduit for an aspirated smoke detector are provided. The method includes first measuring a transit time of ambient air between the detectors. Then, a different gas is injected into the conduit, and the time of injection is stored. The transit time is measured at least intermittently between the two ultrasonic detectors until a change therein is detected. A time of detected change is subtracted from the time of injection to establish a transport time for the aspirated smoke detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LIFE SAFETY DISTRIBUTION AG
    Inventors: Michele Susel, Federico Cernoia, Massimo Bressanutti
  • Publication number: 20140096586
    Abstract: A device for measurement of ultrasonic wave transit times of an ultrasonic flow sensor consists of: 1) a synchronization signal generator, 2) a reference pulse generator, 3) a sine wave generator, 4) an analog signal amplifier, 5) a comparator, 6) a plurality of latch circuits, 7) a digital adder, 8) an integrator, 9) an A/D converter, 10) a master counter, 11) a plurality of edge counters, and 12) an arithmetic circuit. The device measures the ultrasonic wave transit times using a method of averaging the ultrasonic wave arriving times at different measuring points (triggering point). This method has less dependency on triggering threshold level and the ultrasonic signal amplitude, and thus has less dependency on threshold drift, threshold stability, system gain fluctuation, electronic noise and signal amplitude variations. As a result, the method can greatly improve the velocity measurement accuracy and system robustness of an ultrasonic flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC
    Inventor: Chang Shen
  • Publication number: 20130219986
    Abstract: In the method for calibrating a flow meter, at least two acoustic sensors are arranged at a distance to each other on a straight measuring portion, and a tracer is fed into the fluid flowing in the process pipe at a set mixing distance from the first measuring point. The momentary reference value of the flow velocity of the flowing fluid is measured by determining the travel time of the acoustic tracer between at least two sensors on the same straight measuring portion, by using the acoustic sensors to detect the relative content response of the tracer. This measured value can be compared with the value displayed by the flow meter. The mixing distance of the tracer is arranged to be at least long enough for the tracer to have effectively mixed at the first measuring point over the entire cross-section of the flow path of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: OY INDMEAS AB
    Inventors: Ville Laukkanen, Risto Kuoppamäki
  • Publication number: 20130008225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (102) for measuring a velocity of a fluid (104) flowing through a flow channel (106). The system comprises a heating element (108) configured for generating a thermal marker in the fluid (104) in response to a predetermined time-varying level of power provided to the heating element (108). The system (102) furthermore comprises a sensor arrangement (110) for generating a measurement signal (112) indicative for the velocity of the fluid (104) flowing through the channel (106). Herein, the sensor arrangement (110) is configured for measuring a time series of the primary temperature (114) of the fluid (104) at a predetermined primary location. The primary location and the heating element (108) are situated on an axis having at least a component parallel to the longitudinal axis (119) of the flow channel (106). The measurement signal (112) is based on the maximum value (120) of the time series of time series of the primary temperature (114) in response to the thermal marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Jacob Roger Haartsen
  • Patent number: 8268623
    Abstract: A method and means for identifying the authenticity and the genuine nature of a solid or liquid bulk material, by incorporating a marking composition containing at least one trace ion into the said bulk material, whereby the total concentration of the incorporated trace ions in the market bulk material is chosen to be lower than the corresponding concentration of the same ions in standard sea water. The authenticity and the genuine nature or the adulteration level of the marked bulk material can be tested in-the-field using electrochemical sensors, and confirmed in the laboratory using a method such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography or mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SICPA Holding SA
    Inventors: Thomas Tiller, Sylvain Jaquier, Xavier Marguerettaz
  • Patent number: 8158432
    Abstract: System (50) for marking a fluid by a marker, the fluid flowing from a source to a destination, the system including a sensor (58) for determining a value of a fluid property and a fluid flow controller (54) for admitting a selected amount of the marker to the fluid, wherein the selected amount is determined according to the fluid value and a predetermined concentration of the marker in the fluid in the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Commission, State of Isreal
    Inventors: Yair Grof, Moshe Soschin, Uziel Ben-itzhak
  • Patent number: 8071386
    Abstract: A method and means for identifying the authenticity and the genuine nature of a solid or liquid bulk material, by incorporating a marking composition containing at least one trace ion into the said bulk material, whereby the total concentration of the incorporated trace ions in the market bulk material is chosen to be lower than the corresponding concentration of the same ions in standard sea water. The authenticity and the genuine nature or the adulteration level of the marked bulk material can be tested in-the-field using electrochemical sensors, and confirmed in the laboratory using a method such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography or mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: SICPA Holding SA
    Inventors: Thomas Tiller, Sylvain Jaquier, Xavier Marguerettaz
  • Patent number: 7415864
    Abstract: An orifice test calibration device tests the functionality of protective mask testers. The orifice test calibration device has a semi-rigid tubular channel with one end for sealing the flow outlet port of the protective mask tester and a second end for sealing the vacuum inlet port of the protective mask tester. The device also includes a sealable opening within the tubular channel and an insertable orifice plug having a set diameter for insertion into the sealable opening in order to calibrate the protective mask tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Joshua D. Israel, Corey L. Piepenburg, Malcolm D. Goodman
  • Patent number: 7227621
    Abstract: A system for measuring flow information of a fluid, the system includes a light emission control unit for passing an X-ray through a specimen only at desired moments; a scintillator installed on an axis of a beam to convert an X-ray wavelength flow image, which is generated while the X-ray passes through the specimen, into a visible wavelength flow image; and a recording device for acquiring a flow image focused on the scintillator. The system may further include a synchronization unit for synchronizing the recording device with the light emission control unit to acquire two or more flow images at a predetermined interval using the recording device; and a PIV velocity field measurement unit for extracting quantitative flow information from the two or more flow images acquired by the recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Postech Foundation
    Inventors: Sang Joon Lee, Guk Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 6595040
    Abstract: A test leak unit (1) includes a supply of test gas, preferably helium, and an element (14) for determining leakage rates. The aim of the invention is to create a simple, robust and easily refilled test leak unit, especially for detecting packaging leaks. To this end, the test gas supply is stored under substantially atmospheric pressure in a resealable reservoir (2) including a closing part (3), such that when the reservoir (2) is closed, a test gas-impermeable seal is developed between the closing part (3) and the reservoir (2), and the leakage rate-determining element (14) forms part of the closing part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Rudi Widt, Rudolf Flosbach
  • Patent number: 6192813
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism. The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell J. Memory, Robert K. Benneweis, Neil D. Klassen, Robert J. Wilson, James N. Wilson