With Liquid Level Monitor Or Timer Patents (Class 73/1.31)
  • Patent number: 11241885
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method of detecting an ink use amount of an inkjet printer, which allow detection of an ink use amount of an inkjet printer configured to perform image forming by discharging an inkjet ink on a web-shaped print base material by a single-pass method, and an inkjet printer. A system of detecting an ink use amount of an inkjet printer configured to perform image forming by discharging an inkjet ink on a web-shaped print base material by a single-pass method, includes: an ink tank mass measuring device configured to measure a mass of an ink tank; a comparison operation device configured to perform a comparison operation between a setting reference value of an ink use amount, which is prepared in advance, and a use amount measurement value of the ink tank mass measuring device; and a display device configured to display a warning when a difference between the use amount measurement value and the setting reference value exceeds a range set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: THINK LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Shigeta
  • Patent number: 10876881
    Abstract: A valve of a first container is opened to remove fluid into a second container, where the output of the first container is above a maximum fluid level of the second container. The valve of the first container is closed based on a sensor indicating that a fluid level in the first container is at a first fluid level. A pump pumps the fluid from the second container to the first container via a flow meter. An indication is received that causes the pump to stop pumping based on the indication. An amount of fluid pumped into the first container is determined based on the first fluid level and a second fluid level indicated by the sensor. An indication of total fluid volume measured by the flow meter is compared to the amount of fluid pumped. An indication of accuracy of the flow meter is output based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Adam Fisher, Wesley John Warren, Cameron Michael Kramer
  • Patent number: 9851239
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly located within a pipeline (301). The sensor assembly (10) is in fluid communication with one or more fluid switches (309). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure one or more flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is further configured to receive a first fluid switch signal (214) indicating a fluid condition within the pipeline (301) from a first fluid switch (309) of the one or more fluid switches. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to correct the one or more flow characteristics if the fluid condition is outside a threshold value or band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Aart R Pruysen, Steven M Jones, John Ansdell Houghton
  • Patent number: 9638607
    Abstract: A portable physical phase stratification and separator device that includes a “U”-shaped frame connected to a fluid sump having a tank with an inlet port is disclosed. The inlet port is connected to a calibrated sampling column having a graduated cylinder by a gate valve. Above the sampling column is a vacuum port that selectively applies a vacuum to draw a fluid sample from a reservoir. The vacuum can be supplied by an external vacuum pump or by an internal venturi pump. The drawn fluid sample is directed into the cylinder where it separates. A sample of the drawn fluid can be extracted for external analysis. Various valves and fittings route pressures and vacuums and fluid sample as required around and out the portable physical phase stratification and separator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Hawthorne, Steve Fruendt
  • Patent number: 9383241
    Abstract: A fluid flow system (300) is provided. The fluid flow system (300) includes a pipeline (302) with a flowing fluid. The fluid flow system (300) further includes a first vibrating meter (5) including a first sensor assembly (10) located within the pipeline (302) and configured to determine one or more flow characteristics, including a first flow rate. A second vibrating meter (5?) including a second sensor assembly (10?) located within the pipeline (302) is provided that is in fluid communication with the first sensor assembly (10) and configured to determine one or more flow characteristics, including a second flow rate. The fluid flow system (300) further includes a system controller (310) in electrical communication with the first and second vibrating meters (5, 5?). The system controller (310) is configured to receive the first and second flow rates and determine a differential flow rate based on the first and second flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Paul J. Hays
  • Publication number: 20140137629
    Abstract: A nozzle adapter assembly is provided for adapting use of nozzles on liquid dispensing pumps with test and measurement equipment such as liquid provers, test measures and liquid proving systems. The adopter can be used with automatic shut-off nozzles through which the liquid may normally be dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Pemberton Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. MURNANE, JR., Christopher Lewis BRADLEY, Henry Vernon OPPERMANN, Daniel L. CLEMENS
  • Publication number: 20140116107
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly located within a pipeline (301). The sensor assembly (10) is in fluid communication with one or more fluid switches (309). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure one or more flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is further configured to receive a first fluid switch signal (214) indicating a fluid condition within the pipeline (301) from a first fluid switch (309) of the one or more fluid switches. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to correct the one or more flow characteristics if the fluid condition is outside a threshold value or band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Aart R Pruysen, Steven M Jones, John Ansdell Houghton
  • Patent number: 8666684
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units and one or more outdoor units to drive the indoor units. The one or more outdoor units are coupled to the indoor units through refrigerant pipes that include one or more branch points. A calculator calculates an amount of filling refrigerant based on capacities of the indoor units and the one or more outdoor units and lengths of the refrigerant pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungtae Ko, Sangchul Youn, Chisun Ahn
  • Publication number: 20130199262
    Abstract: Fluid level measurements for the shared tank and outflow information provided by calibrated flow meters corresponding to dispensing stations connected to the shared tank may be used to derive a filled volume model for the tank as a function of fluid level. Subsequently, a filled volume change for a shared tank over a selected time interval may be determined from pre-change and post-change fluid level measurements. The change in filled volume may be compared with the total fluid flow over the selected time interval as indicated by the flow meters of active dispensing stations. If the filled volume change for the tank is substantially different than the total fluid flow indicated by the flow meters, the flow meters may be collectively adjusted to provide a more accurate indication of the filled volume change in the shared tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nielson, William Barrett
  • Patent number: 8350751
    Abstract: A radar level gauge for determining the filling level of a product in a tank, comprising a transceiver for transmitting and receiving microwaves, processing circuitry connected to the transceiver and adapted to determine the filling level, an antenna connected to said transceiver and arranged to emit and receive microwaves through an opening of the tank, and a microwave transmissive sealing member adapted to cover said opening and to provide pressure sealing of the tank. The sealing member comprises a metal grid layer providing structural strength, which metal grid layer has sealed openings formed to allow transmission of microwaves. The tank opening is thus divided into a number of smaller openings by the metal grid, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the sealing member. At the same time, the sealing member is designed to maintain its pressure sealing properties, e.g. by suitable dielectric filling of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Olov Edvardsson, Stig Larsson
  • Publication number: 20120324995
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the levels of product in a chemical dispensing system. A probe assembly is operatively disposed in a container holding product to be dispensed. A detection circuit including an oscillator sensitive to the impendence coupled to the detector is selectively coupled to the probe assembly and produces a signal in response to the impedance of the probe assembly indicating if the level of product in the container has dropped below the probe assembly. The probe assembly includes conductive probes formed from corrosion resistant material infused with carbon and separated by an angle. The level of the first and second conductive probes is adjustable to provide control over the level of product to be detected. Multiple probe assemblies may be selectively coupled to the detection circuit in a repeating sequence by a multi-probe monitoring unit to allow monitoring of multiple containers by a single remote alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Terry Tincher, William Sand
  • Patent number: 8032256
    Abstract: A system that control levels of liquids in reservoirs may include a control component that causes a compressor to pump gas through a tube extending in a liquid in a reservoir to an air bell for a predetermined amount of time responsive to a pump pumping portions of a liquid from the reservoir. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the control component determining that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the compressor was previously operated. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time, responsive to the control component determining that a pressure sensor component in fluid communication with the tube indicates a possible decrease in the liquid level to at least a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: SJE-Rhombus
    Inventors: Aaron R. Wolf, William D. Chandler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7874195
    Abstract: A liquid proving system is provided with a bottom drain liquid prover draining into a holding tank. The fill opening of the prover has a prover fill opening self sealing assembly that remains closed except when a nozzle used to pump liquid into the prover is pushed through the opening of the prover fill opening self sealing assembly. The prover fill opening self sealing assembly may comprise a nozzle sealing gasket and a nozzle removed self seal assembly. There is a vapor conduit connecting the interior of the prover in the region of the fill opening and the interior of the holding tank to form a saturated vapor environment in the prover and holding tank from the vapors emitted from liquid in the holing tank. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Pemberton Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Murnane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7661289
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for calibrating a droplet dispensing apparatus using acoustic energy to dispense a plurality of droplet sets of a liquid from a source container into a plurality of target containers, with each droplet set being comprised of one or more individual droplets of the liquid, and with a liquid level of the liquid in the source container being measured before each of the droplet sets are dispensed. The average droplet volume for the individual droplets in each of the droplet sets is then calculated by detecting the presence of an indicator, such as a fluorescent chemical. Once the average droplet volume has been calculated, it is determined if the average droplet volume for each droplet set is acceptable or not acceptable. Where the average droplet volume is determined to be not acceptable, an existing droplet dispensing parameter is changed to a new droplet dispensing parameter that will cause the average droplet volume for that droplet set to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: EDC Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarlochan S. Jhutty, Humphrey W. Chow, Kevin Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090188298
    Abstract: A liquid proving system is provided with a bottom drain liquid prover draining into a holding tank. The fill opening of the prover has a prover fill opening self sealing assembly that remains closed except when a nozzle used to pump liquid into the prover is pushed through the opening of the prover fill opening self sealing assembly. The prover fill opening self sealing assembly may comprise a nozzle sealing gasket and a nozzle removed self seal assembly. There is a vapor conduit connecting the interior of the prover in the region of the fill opening and the interior of the holding tank to form a saturated vapor environment in the prover and holding tank from the vapors emitted from liquid in the holing tank. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Robert M. Murnane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090007625
    Abstract: A calibration system for a flow meter includes a flow simulator, the flow simulator including a receiver configured to receive flow meter transducer signals from a flow meter. A simulation subsystem is configured to create simulated transit time signal pulses, and to transmit the simulated transit time signal pulses to the flow meter at preselected time intervals. A calibration subsystem is configured to receive from the flow meter a transit time differential value generated by the flow meter based on the simulated transit time signal pulses and output a calibration factor to the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaolei S. Ao, Jeffrey Tilden
  • Patent number: 7451773
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dishwasher, by which an appropriate quantity of water can be stably supplied. The present invention includes a sump storing water therein, a floater received in a chamber having a predetermined volume, the floater ascending according to a rise of a water level of the sump, a switch preventing the water from being oversupplied to the sump, a pushing member lifted by the floater to turn on the switch by pushing the switch, and an off-delay part delaying the switch to be turned off on a descent of the floater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Chul Bang
  • Publication number: 20070169537
    Abstract: A pulse production interval measurement module (or temporal reconciliation module) for preferred use with a computational flowmeter and/or non-computational flowmeters to thereby temporally reconcile or time shift flowmeter output produced by a volume of fluid flow through the computational flowmeter with the start and stop times of the flow of a calibrated fluid volume through a prover. The pulse production interval measurement module may be implemented with software and/or hardware and operate on stored data or real time or near real time measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Galen Cotton
  • Patent number: 7079037
    Abstract: An indicator for displaying either low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions within a tank includes a sensor for detecting the liquid level conditions, a photodetector for detecting an ambient dark condition, a pair of indicator lights for indicating either the low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions, and electrical circuitry operable to illuminate one of the indicator lights upon detection of the ambient dark condition by the photodetector and detection of either the low liquid level condition or satisfactory liquid level condition by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventors: Herbert G. Ross, Jr., Bud Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6922150
    Abstract: Method and device for calculating the level of the surface of a product in a storage room by a radar level gauging system, which includes a first gauging device for calculating a first value of level and functionally separated from the first gauging device a second gauging device for calculating a second value of said level, wherein: a first signal is produced being dependent of a preset first threshold value of the level in the first gauging device, a first current level value signal is output from the first gauging device, a second signal is produced in dependence of a preset second threshold value of the level in the second gauging device, a second current level value signal is output from the second gauging device and the value of the current level of said surface is presented by an indicating unit adapted to receive at least one of the first level value signal and the second level value signal for evaluation of the current level value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Saab Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Ola Håll, Stig Larson, Daniel Johansson
  • Patent number: 6766276
    Abstract: A method for detecting malfunctions in a flowmeter includes the measuring of the receive signal VIN output by a transducer. A characteristic of the receive signal is compared to a predetermined reference characteristic VREF and the peak voltage VPK of the receive signal is stored. An alarm signal VAL is generated when a trigger characteristic VDEC of the receive signal is less than the predetermined reference characteristic. A threshold voltage VTH is defined, proportional to the peak amplitude VPK of the receive signal in such a manner that VTH=K×VPK where K is a factor depending on the transducer. The receive signal is compared with the threshold voltage and a conditioned output signal VOUT is generated in a first state when the receive signal is greater than the threshold voltage, and in a second state when the receive signal is less than the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Actaris S.A.S.
    Inventor: Herve Dury
  • Patent number: 6651480
    Abstract: The mass of particulate matter in a particle laden gas stream is measured using a single mass detector. The particle laden gas stream and a substantially identical but particle-free gas stream alternately engage the mass detector during successive measurement time periods. A difference between a reading provided by the mass detector for a current measurement time period and a reading provided by the mass detector for a consecutive measurement time period is determined. This difference intrinsically corrects for volatilization losses occurring during the current measurement time period. A measure of the mass or concentration of particulate matter in the particulate laden gas is determined from this difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Patashnick, Georg Rupprecht
  • Patent number: 6249752
    Abstract: A plurality of motion signals is received representing motion at a plurality of locations of a vibrating conduit containing material. The received plurality of motion signals is processed to resolve the motion into a plurality of real normal modal components. A process parameter is estimated from a real normal modal component of the plurality of real normal modal components. According to one aspect, the motion signals may be processed by applying a mode pass filter to produce an output that preferentially represents a component of the motion associated with a real normal mode of the vibrating conduit. A process parameter may be estimated from the filtered output using, for example, conventional phase difference techniques. According to another aspect, real normal modal motion is estimated from the received plurality of motion signals, and a process parameter is estimated from the estimated real normal modal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, David F. Normen, Gary E. Pawlas, Stuart J. Shelley