Valved Piston Patents (Class 73/248)
  • Patent number: 8544321
    Abstract: A flow control device for automatically controlling the flow of a fluid at a predetermined rate that is capable of taking measurements of the pressure of the fluid within the device while the device is functioning and that is capable of real-time adjustment of the flow rate is provided. Said device includes a casing having a casing outlet, a piston having a piston inlet and an edge, wherein said piston interfaces with the casing in a manner such that the edge is cooperable with the casing outlet to control the flow of fluid through the device. A biasing member, such as a spring, for biasing the casing with the piston is further included, as is a sensor, such as a pressure transducer, for measuring the pressure within the interior of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Tommy Jefferson Jones, III
  • Patent number: 8328527
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria M. Ehimeakhe
  • Patent number: 8322995
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Victoria M. Ehimeakhe, Ken George Booth
  • Patent number: 8061195
    Abstract: A flow control device for automatically controlling the flow of a fluid at a predetermined rate that is capable of taking measurements of the pressure of the fluid within the device while the device is functioning and that is capable of real-time adjustment of the flow rate is provided. Said device includes a casing having a casing outlet, a piston having a piston inlet and an edge, wherein said piston interfaces with the casing in a manner such that the edge is cooperable with the casing outlet to control the flow of fluid through the device. A biasing member, such as a spring, for biasing the casing with the piston is further included, as is a sensor, such as a pressure transducer, for measuring the pressure within the interior of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Tommy Jefferson Jones, III
  • Patent number: 6457354
    Abstract: Gas flow sensor 10 generally comprises housing 20 defining internal cavity 40, diaphragm assembly 50 separating internal cavity 40 into first chamber 42 in communication with gas inlet 44 and second chamber 46 in communication with gas outlet 49 and having orifices 66 therethrough for passage of gas, valve 70 mounted on diaphragm assembly 50 for closing and opening orifices 66; and a sensing unit 80 sensing when diaphragm assembly 50 has moved at least to a predetermined location. Incoming gas moves diaphragm assembly such that valve 70 is pressed against wall 47 of second chamber 46 whereby valve 70 is opened and gas passes through orifices 66 and out gas outlet 49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventors: Tai-Tung Huang, Po-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 5408886
    Abstract: A piston flow meter for measuring gas flow through the flow meter comprising a hollow precision bore flowtube in a vertical orientation, with a movable piston containing a valve assembly for movement in concert with the piston between opposite ends of the flowtube. The valve assembly contains a latching mechanism, preferably a magnetic latch, to provide a positive seal across the piston. The magnetic latch is opened when the piston strikes a spring-loaded stop at the top end of the piston stroke, and is closed at the bottom end of the piston stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Gilian Instrument Corp.
    Inventor: Hill S. Lalin
  • Patent number: 5400650
    Abstract: There is provided a counting apparatus which is designed to be located in any position in series with a fluid flow line. The apparatus has a first magnet in an air chamber of the body of the counter. As the fluid passes through the air chamber, the first magnet is forced down the air chamber by the fluid flow. The magnetic field of the first magnet passes through a magnetic field of a second magnet located in the mechanical counter causing the counter to mechanically change the number. When the fluid flow is stopped, a spring returns the first magnet to its original position again passing by the second magnet in the counter allowing the counter to reset for the counting of the next cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: QED Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Lynn Niehaus, Kevin L. Newcomer
  • Patent number: 5209114
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston flow meter for measuring gas flow through the flow meter comprising a hollow precision bore flowtube in a vertical orientation, with a movable piston containing a valve assembly for movement in concert with the piston between one position at or near the bottom end of the flowtube, and an elevated position at or near the upper end of the flowtube. The valve assembly is mechanically activated at each opposite end of the piston stroke to permit the piston to reciprocate between each opposite end in response to the presence of a gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventors: Hill S. Lalin, Roman A. Stobnicki