Venturi Patents (Class 73/861.63)
  • Patent number: 11947370
    Abstract: A fluid flow device that can measure and control a flow of a fluid is described. Various procedures, including measuring, controlling, balancing, or calibration procedures can leverage differential pressure measurement. These differential pressure measurements can be measured across the fluid flow device such that a first pressure measurement is taken upstream of the fluid flow device while a second pressure measurement is taken downstream of the fluid flow device. Moreover, one or more of the various pressure measurements, and in particular the downstream pressure measurement, can be performed at stagnation zone where the flow has stagnated. Such can provide significant amplification and/or turndown capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: BEST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John C. Karamanos, Herbert Willke
  • Patent number: 11719683
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating pressure data from at least two pressure sensors, storing one or more parameters indicative of water cut in a neural network model, receiving pressure data from at least the two pressure sensors respectively indicative of the pressure at two points of a well bore, determining a pressure drop between the two points, generating an input water cut estimate, estimating a dynamic pressure loss to initiate an iterative process, estimating a potential energy loss, inverse modeling a water cut estimate, comparing the water cut estimate to the input water cut estimate to generate a water cut ?, utilizing the water cut estimate as the input water cut estimate for the iterative process when the water cut ? exceeds a threshold, and continuing the iterative process until the water cut ? is below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali M. Al Shahri, Anas A. Al Shuaibi, Mohammed Sami Kanfar, Kalid Saad Dosary, Abdulaziz A. Alsaleh
  • Patent number: 11360114
    Abstract: A monitoring device includes a sensor module disposed between an aeroshell and a cavity assembly. A surface of the aeroshell and a surface of the cavity assembly may form a flow-facing surface of the monitoring device. A junction area on the flow-facing surface within which the aeroshell abuts the cavity assembly may be a smooth surface to minimize the disruption to the surrounding flow of fluid. The sensor module may sample the absolute pressure from ports distributed about the flow-facing surface. The absolute pressure measurements may be used to compute the velocity of the fluid flow, including speed and/or direction. The monitoring device may be powered by inductively received energy or harvested energy. In one variant of the monitoring device, the monitoring device may be constructed from an electrically coupled mosaic of flexible thin-profile tiles, each of which may be responsible for one functional aspect of the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Bradley Charles Ashmore
  • Patent number: 11199428
    Abstract: A device for measuring flow rate of wet gas based on an exempt radioactive source, includes a section of cylindrical pipe and a conical throttle located inside the cylindrical pipe and coaxially arranged therewith. The conical throttle includes a head cone section and a tail cone section arranged to have a common bottom surface. The head cone section faces a wet gas inlet of the cylindrical pipe. An annular gap is defined between the inner wall of the cylindrical pipe and the maximum diameter of the conical throttle for passage of wet gas. An exempt radioactive source block is arranged at the maximum diameter of the conical throttle in such a way that the gamma rays emitted from the radioactive source block can transmit radially through the annular gap to reach the gamma ray detector located outside the cylindrical pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WUXI SEA PIONEERS TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Jige Chen, Peng Guo, Jingyang Li
  • Patent number: 11156079
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system includes a downhole tool in a bottom hole assembly attached to a drill string, configured to perform gas measurements during drilling operations. The downhole tool includes a housing to house the downhole tool; sensors positioned along external walls of the housing and including coaxial resonators; electrical circuitry located inside the downhole tool and configured to enable communication by, and operation of, the downhole tool; at least one processor configured to convert scattering parameter 11 signals received from sensors to permittivity values and determine signatures from permittivity values. A memory stores data collected by sensors. A sensor system monitors changes from a baseline signal of drill mud produced during the drilling operations, the changes based at least in part on signatures determined from permittivity values. The downhole tool provides communications to surface systems when a gas kick event is detected by the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jose Oliverio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11079162
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage chamber; a door for opening or closing the storage chamber; a case in which an inlet through which air flows from the storage chamber and an outlet through which the air is discharged to the storage chamber are formed; an evaporator provided inside the case for exchanging heat with the air to supply cool air; and a differential pressure sensor provided inside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangbok Choi, Yonghwan Eom, Kyongbae Park, Juyeong Heo, Cholok Han, Sungwook Kim, Wookyung Baik
  • Patent number: 10859415
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring fluid flow rates. The apparatus comprises a meter body comprising a throughbore with a fluid flow path and a flow displacement member. The apparatus also provides a sleeve slidably mounted within the fluid flow path. The sleeve is configured to be movable between at least two axial positions within the fluid flow path to select a predetermined flow rate measurement range for the flow measurement apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GM Flow Measurement Services Limited
    Inventor: Gavin Munro
  • Patent number: 10648841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure aim to provide advanced multiphase flow meters utilizing advanced sensor configurations and data analysis. In an embodiment, a system is provided and configured with permittivity sensors configured around the throat section of an extended throat venturi enclosure. In a particular embodiment, the permittivity sensors in the described system are configured with a computer system or a micro-computer system, that can be configured with a computer circuit board comprising a processor, memory, networking capability, and software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Akram Karimi, Atif Shamim
  • Patent number: 10502011
    Abstract: A method for continuously controlling fluid flow rates through a well (4) provides to shut off the drilling mud at the well inlet and outlet and detect measurements of flow rate and density of said drilling mud by a Venturi measuring device (10,2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Luigi Peveri
  • Patent number: 10281302
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling flow includes a flow control element, an actuator, a linkage assembly, and a sensor module. The linkage assembly is coupled between the flow control element and the actuator, and includes a rotatable linkage element coupled to impart force to the flow control element. The sensor module is affixed to the rotatable linkage element. The sensor module includes a MEMs-based strain gauge affixed to a substrate and operably coupled to measure torque on the linkage element, and a processing circuit disposed on the substrate. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive torque measurement information representative of the measured torque. The processing circuit generates a fluid flow measurement value based on the torque measurement information and position information representative of a position of a flow control device of the flow control element. The flow control device is mechanically coupled to the rotatable linkage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean B. Anderson, Matthew D. Cook
  • Patent number: 10126156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for online measurement of gas flowrate and liquid flowrate of a wet gas in a horizontal pipe, comprising the following parts: a horizontal Venturi tube, comprising a truncated cone-shaped inlet pipesection with section area reduced gradually, a cylindrical throat pipesection and a truncated cone-shaped outlet pipesection with section area increased gradually; and a gamma ray monitor, comprising a gamma ray emitter and a gamma ray detector arranged in a manner that gamma rays emitted by the gamma ray emitter can radially pass through the cross section of the throat pipesection to reach the gamma ray detector. The invention also relates to a method for online measurement of gas flowrate and liquid flowrate of a wet gas in a horizontal pipe by using above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HAIMO TECHNOLOGIES GROUP CORP.
    Inventors: Jige Chen, Jianhua Xie, Guodong Wu, Bo Hu, Jie Chen, Junjie Ye
  • Patent number: 10060869
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring electrical characteristics of a fluid flowing through a section of a pipe, the system comprising a coaxial resonator, formed by an essentially coaxial insert in said pipe defining an annular volume between a chosen part of said insert and the pipe wall, said insert and pipe wall being made from an electrically conductive material, the system further comprising at least one antenna adapted to emit electromagnetic signals into and receive electromagnetic signals from said coaxial resonator, and means to measure the frequency response of said coaxial resonator within a frequency range including the waveguide mode TE11 of said coaxial resonator, The coaxial insert is mounted to the pipe wall through at least one support leg being positioned outside said annular volume, and one electrically conductive fin is positioned at least partially in the annular volume, said fin being positioned in a radial plane, said plane being different from the plane of said at le
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Roxar Flow Measurement AS
    Inventor: Ebbe Gustaf Nyfors
  • Patent number: 9989975
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accurately measuring and monitoring accumulated volume of hydraulic fluid in a blowout preventer (BOP) system, specifically for a function of interest, are disclosed. One method includes initializing a state machine algorithm, the state machine algorithm responsive to a BOP function of interest being activated; measuring an initial hydraulic flow rate baseline and an initial pressure baseline to create a hydraulic impedance variable for use in the state machine algorithm; monitoring an aggregate hydraulic flow rate and pressure of the BOP system over time; applying the hydraulic impedance variable to negate BOP system hydraulic flows not related to the BOP function of interest; and applying the state machine algorithm to determine when the BOP function of interest has been completed responsive to a total accumulated volume of hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution, LLC
    Inventors: John S. Holmes, James Nolan
  • Patent number: 9927273
    Abstract: A flow measuring device, comprising a container for receiving a flow of liquid, a plurality of optical sensors associated with the container, each of the plurality of optical sensors producing an output signal dependent upon the presence of liquid reaching a level in the container associated with each optical sensor, means for modifying the output signal in accordance with at least one predetermined temperature compensation factor, and means for calculating a flow rate from the time at which the liquid traverses between two levels in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Fluke Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Charles Brown, Keith Norman McMann
  • Patent number: 9909413
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a rheological parameter of a fluid within a wellbore. The methods comprise receiving a plurality of differential pressure measurements of a fluid within a flow region of the wellbore; storing the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generating a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determining the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve. The systems comprise a conduit arranged in a wellbore; a plurality of pressure sensors along the conduit configured to measure pressure of the fluid within the wellbore; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to: receive a plurality of differential pressure measurements of the fluid from the pressure sensors; store the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generate a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determine the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric van Oort, Ali Karimi Vajargah, Besmir B. Hoxha
  • Patent number: 9909909
    Abstract: A venturi flowmeter for connection to single-use containers is provided. The venturi flowmeter includes a meter body formed of a polymer and configured to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first annular diaphragm is mounted proximate an inner surface of the meter body has a first internal diameter. A second annular diaphragm is mounted proximate an inner surface of the meter body has a second internal diameter different from the first internal diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9797334
    Abstract: Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein indicate a correlation exists between a specific gravity of combustible fuel and the occurrence of low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) within engines. Thus techniques are disclosed herein for online measurement of the specific gravity of fuel within an engine, and allow for preventative measures to be executed to minimize or otherwise mitigate the incidence of LSPI when the calculated specific gravity of the fuel exceeds a predefined threshold. In an embodiment, the preventative measures may include, for example, altering or otherwise adjusting an engine map such that an injection timing scheme injects less poor-quality fuel into engine cylinders, thus advantageously preventing the engine from operating at full-power when conditions for LSPI are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Garrett L. Anderson, Thomas E. Briggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9789423
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus whose interior is divided into a filtrate zone and a filtering zone. The filtering zone is adapted to receive a stream of raw-water and a lower portion of its volume is filled with filtering grains, and the filtrate zone is adapted to receive a filtrate obtained from passage of said stream of raw-water via the filtering grains and a perforated member. The apparatus further includes a pressure reducing device in fluid communication with the lower portion of the filtering zone and with an upper portion thereof. The pressure reducing device is adapted to receive a stream of water and responsively to continuously remove filtering grains from said filtering zone and separate filtration residues therefrom by the reduction of pressure conditions thereinside, and direct a stream comprising the stream of water and the separated filtering grains and filtration residues to the upper portion of said filtering zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: LIQUID AUTOMATION LTD., KESSLER ILAN MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (2001) LTD.
    Inventor: Haim Ben-Dosa
  • Patent number: 9696187
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring total pressure of a fluid flow comprises a tubular member having an inlet chamber with an inlet opening at a first end of the tubular member. The tubular member also comprises an outlet chamber having an outlet opening at a second end of the tubular member. The inlet opening has a diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis and the outlet opening has a second diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis. The ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is from 3:1 to 10:1. The tubular member also includes a transitional chamber between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. Total pressure can be measured in the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Mackenzie Whalen, Brian Daniel Matheis
  • Patent number: 9583315
    Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus of the present disclosure etches a substrate by plasma of a processing gas. The plasma etching apparatus includes a processing container; a holding unit configured to hold a substrate; and an electrode plate. The plasma etching apparatus further includes configured to supply the processing gas to a space between the holding unit and the electrode plate and disposed in n (n is a natural number of two or more) regions of the substrate divided concentrically in a radial direction, respectively. In addition, the plasma etching apparatus further includes a high frequency power source configured to supply a high frequency power to at least one of the holding unit and the electrode plate so as to generate plasma. The plasma etching apparatus controls a flow rate of the processing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsujimoto, Tomoyuki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9488512
    Abstract: A method of determining a mass flow rate of product being applied with an agricultural implement includes the steps of: calibrating a pressure drop across a known distance in an air line at a number of air flow rates; metering a product at a desired application rate into the air line at a selected air flow rate; establishing a pressure drop across the known distance at the selected air flow rate, while the product is being metered; calculating a specific pressure drop by dividing the established pressure drop by the determined pressure drop; ascertaining the values of parameters A and B using the mathematical expression: ?=1+A?+B?{square root over (?)} ?where: ?=specific pressure drop; ?=mass loading ratio; and A and B=parameters based on measured data for the specific product being applied; and estimating a mass flow rate of the product being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mohammad Shabbir Hossain, Scott D. Noble, David Sumner
  • Patent number: 9389152
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is one that, in the case where a sampling part is configured to include a plurality of venturis, with suppressing an increase in size of an apparatus and an increase in cost, accurately obtains a diluent gas flow rate in accordance with a diluted exhaust gas flow rate obtained on the basis of a combination among the plurality of venturis, in which the sampling part collecting part of diluted exhaust gas is configured to parallel connect the plurality of venturis that control the flow rate of the diluted exhaust gas, and a flow rate control part provided in a diluent gas sampling flow path is configured to parallel connect a plurality of venturis that control the flow rate of diluent gas to be introduced into a diluent gas analyzing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuki Kumagai
  • Patent number: 9304025
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises at least one measuring tube for carrying a flowing medium as well as a transducer housing mechanically coupled with the at least one measuring tube. The transducer housing includes: an inner shell forming a cavity accommodating the at least one measuring tube; and an outer cladding formed at least partially by means of yarn, namely cladding placed outside of the cavity and surrounding the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Michael Schuker
  • Patent number: 9068867
    Abstract: An aspect provides a flow metering apparatus, comprising: a fluid conduit having a differential pressure producer therein; at least one pressure port angled between 0 and 90 degrees in a wall of the fluid conduit; and at least one other pressure port; wherein the at least one pressure port and the at least one other pressure port provide pressure signals. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: McCrometer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Steven Ayers, Gerald E. Davis, Clinton Paul Hobbs, Eric Dahl Mikkelsen
  • Publication number: 20150135853
    Abstract: A pressure sensing element includes a sensing sub-element disposed on a diaphragm, the element including a shield disposed over the sub-element and configured to substantially eliminate influence of external charge on the sub-element during operation. A method of fabrication and a pressure sensor making use of the pressure sensing element are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Mark P. McNeal, Douglas B. Strott, Stephen P. Greene
  • Publication number: 20150135854
    Abstract: A pressure sensing element includes a sensing sub-element disposed on a diaphragm, the element including a shield disposed over the sub-element and configured to substantially eliminate influence of external charge on the sub-element during operation. A method of fabrication and a pressure sensor making use of the pressure sensing element are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Mark P. McNeal, Douglas B. Strott, Stephen P. Greene
  • Publication number: 20150134275
    Abstract: Provided are a steam flow metering device and a metering method therefor. The device mainly comprises a mono-energetic gamma sensor (5), a Venturi-type flowmeter (6), a temperature transmitter (2), a pressure transmitter (3), a pipe connection section at the steam-inlet (1), and a pipe connection section at the steam-outlet (7), the function thereof being to measure the quantity of saturated water and saturated steam within the steam effectively and in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jige Chen, Yanzhi Pan, Guodong Wu, Zhiyong Wu
  • Patent number: 8966994
    Abstract: Method for monitoring a body inserted in pipe conducting a fluid flow, the body being positioned in a distance from the pipe wall providing a gap between the body and the pipe wall, the gap constituting an electromagnetic, e.g. microwave, resonator, at least one coupling probe being positioned close to said gap, the method comprising the steps of applying an electromagnetic signal, monitoring the frequency response of the resonator through the probe, and analyzing the frequency response to provide a measure of movements, e.g. vibrations induced by a turbulent flow, of the body. The invention also relates to an insert with support structure especially shaped to avoid influence on the resonance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Roxar Flow Measurement AS
    Inventors: Roberto Gentile, Rune Sørhus, Ebbe Gustaf Nyfors
  • Patent number: 8960016
    Abstract: A method for determining the flow rates of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: a. the permittivity of the multi-component mixture is determined based on an electromagnetic measurement, b. a statistical parameter related to the electromagnetic measurement is calculated, c. the density of the multi-component is determined, d. the temperature and pressure are obtained, e. based on the knowledge of densities and dielectric constants of the components of the fluid mixture, and the result from the above steps a-c, the water fraction of the multi-component mixture is calculated, characterized by a method for determining the liquid fraction and flow rates of the multi-component mixture where f. the liquid fraction is calculated based on the statistical parameter from step b and the calculated water fraction from step e using an empirical derived curve, g. the velocity of the multi-component mixture is derived, and h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Multi Phase Meters AS
    Inventors: Arnstein Wee, Ingve Morten Skjaeldal
  • Patent number: 8938961
    Abstract: A disclosed method of operating an engine may include discharging exhaust gas from at least one combustion chamber of the engine. The method may also include recirculating at least a portion of the exhaust gas to the at least one combustion chamber through an EGR system, including directing at least a portion of the exhaust gas through an EGR duct. Additionally, the method may include sensing pressure in a portion of the EGR duct by directing the pressure to a first pressure sensor via a first sensor passage having a first end connected to a portion of the EGR duct and a second end connected to the first pressure sensor, while maintaining a temperature of gas in the first sensor passage adjacent the second end at a bulk temperature of at least about 75 percent of a bulk temperature of gas in the first sensor passage at the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Edward Leustek, Justin Werner McMenamy, Jeffrey S. Morris, Matthew John Liening, Joseph John Stabnik, William Lyle Schell
  • Patent number: 8939033
    Abstract: Both a flow meter system and method are provided for accurately measuring the percentage amounts of liquid and gas phases in a multiphase flow through a conduit when the liquid phase constitutes a small minority portion (e.g., less than about 20%) of the multiphase flow. The system includes a flow meter that includes a differential pressure sensor connected across a Venturi in the conduit, and a dual energy fraction meter, each of which is operably connected to a digital processor. The system further includes a pump connected to the conduit upstream of the flow meter that introduces at least one pulse of a known quantity of liquid, the pulse being sufficient in volume to temporarily increase the liquid phase by a detectable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Baker, Cosan Ayan
  • Patent number: 8857256
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring sanitary sewer systems designed to carry away wastewater through a system of buried pipes, often referred to as “sewer lines”, to a sewage treatment facility, the apparatus and method use a weir which facilitates the collection of flow rate data in the sewer lines which in turn facilitates the determination of infiltration and inflow (“I/I”) of rain water, or clear water, into the sewer system in a manner which further allows the identification of specific I/I locations so that repair and construction of sewer systems can be efficiently coordinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Stantec Technology International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michael Hamden Barton
  • Patent number: 8833397
    Abstract: A flow pattern transition pipe for use in a pneumatic conveyance system is provided. The flow pattern transition pipe comprises a first expansion pipe section gradually increasing in inner diameter in an axial direction, a second shrink pipe section following the first section from a maximum inner diameter end of the first section and gradually reducing in inner diameter in an axial direction away from the first section, and a third pipe section following the second section from a minimum inner diameter end of the second section, with a substantially identical inner diameter smaller than a minimum inner diameter of the first section. An axial length of the first section is from about three to about five times of the axial length of the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lishun Hu, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8801656
    Abstract: Infusion systems and methods containing unique inner passage configurations are provided to improve the in-line detection of air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system by reducing the problems associated with the presence of bouncing air bubbles and stuck fluid droplets in the fluid delivery line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hospira, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Lowery, Tamas Ban, Anatoly S. Belkin, Paul T. Kotnik
  • Publication number: 20140144248
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a stern supported by the housing, and a valve member coupled to the stem. The valve member has a first passage defined therein with a metering flow profile, An apparatus includes a well tree having a production bore and a flow metering valve coupled to the well tree and communicating with the production bore. The flow metering valve Includes a valve member having a first passage defined therein with a metering flow profile and a second passage defined therein with an unrestricted flow profile. The second passage having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the production bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Sean Walters
  • Patent number: 8707779
    Abstract: A system for measuring and monitoring the internal liquid within a three phase separator allows a user to accurately and reliably calculate the volumetric flow rate of the liquids exiting the three phase separator. For each liquid inside of the three phase separator, a differential pressure device is attached to where the extension fitting enters its respective liquid. Once a dump valve is actuated, the extension fitting guides its respective liquid out of the three phase separator, and the differential pressure device creates a differential pressure within the respective liquid. A sensor reads the differential pressure through a pair of sensing lines. The sensor relays the differential pressure reading to an RTU flow computer that calculates the volumetric flow rate of the liquid exiting the three phase separator. The calculation is then sent to a SCADA system, which allows the user to observe the volumetric flow rate in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Samuel E. Thornhill
  • Patent number: 8646486
    Abstract: This invention sets forth a water flow restrictor for insertion into a water line connected to a water dispensing fixture. The restrictor includes an in-line restrictor body having a longitudinal flow passageway. The body also has an upstream coupling and a downstream coupling so that the body can be coupled into a water line. The body further has an upstream water receiving chamber and a downstream water passing chamber. An orifice of selectable restrictive size is located between the chambers. The orifice limits the flow of water through the passageway. The upstream water receiving chamber has an elliptically converging interior configuration approaching the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Watermiser, LLC.
    Inventor: John Schommer
  • Publication number: 20130298882
    Abstract: A flow meter that may be used in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is disclosed. The EGR system may be part of an internal combustion engine or other power source. The flow meter includes a venturi that includes a body that defines an inlet section, a throat and a diverging outlet section. The flow meter also includes a sensor coupled to the venturi via a plurality of pressure passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph John Stabnik, Matthew Edward Leustek, Matthew John Liening, Jeffrey Scott Morris
  • Patent number: 8578971
    Abstract: A fluid nozzle for a pipe having a flow meter includes an inner surface having a contour. The contour is substantially defined by a compound of two ellipsoidal bodies of revolution which prevents negative pressure gradients in the fluid along the inner surface as fluid in the pipe flows through the nozzle in the pipe. The nozzle includes a throat, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the throat to a diameter of the pipe upstream of the throat is 0.7 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Gregor J. Brown, Donald R. Augenstein, Herbert Estrada
  • Publication number: 20130233058
    Abstract: A remote seal assembly for subsea applications is provided. The assembly includes an upper housing having a fluid coupling for coupling the remote seal to a process fluid pressure measurement device. A lower housing is coupled to the upper housing and has an interface that is configured to mount to a pressure vessel. The lower housing also has a process fluid inlet. An isolation diaphragm is disposed between the upper and lower housings. At least one of the upper housing, lower housing and isolation diaphragm are constructed from a material suitable for immersion in saltwater. In some embodiments, the lower housing has a shoulder disposed about the process fluid inlet and a plurality of self-energizing seals configured to couple the assembly to a venturi flow meter body. A subsea process fluid flow measurement system is also provided that includes a pressure transmitter and at least one subsea remote seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Ivar Breen, Brent W. Miller, Jay Scheldorf, Gokhan Aydar, David Broden
  • Patent number: 8528420
    Abstract: An eccentric, smoothly tapered body for installation into cylindrical pipe to cause a constriction in the pipe to facilitate measuring the flow of fluid through the pipe. The body defines a flow constrictor having a smoothly tapered inner surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an apex therebetween. A bore extends through the flow constrictor at the apex. Pressure is measured at the bore at the apex and upstream of the flow constrictor and flow rate is calculated from the pressure differential therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Energyneering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Benny Benson, Jason MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 8521450
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for measuring a flow rate of a gas/liquid flow. The method and system for measuring the flow rate include flowing a swirling gas/liquid flow separated into a gas core and a liquid outer layer through a conduit containing a constriction having a reduced conduit cross-section, measuring the differential gas core static pressure between a position upstream of the constriction and a position at the constriction, measuring a further quantity which provides the flow rate of the gas, the flow rate of the liquid, or a correlation between the flow rate of the gas and the flow rate of the liquid, and determining the flow rates of the gas and the liquid from the differential gas core static pressure and said measured further quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Coporation
    Inventor: Gary Oddie
  • Patent number: 8511180
    Abstract: A flowmeter device for measuring a flow rate of a fluid includes a conduit for the fluid flow. The conduit is characterized by a cross-sectional area and includes at least one section within which the cross-sectional area is different from the cross-sectional area of at least one other section of the conduit. The device also includes a reference tube separated from the conduit by a wall and at least one opening in the wall between the section and the reference tube. The device includes a flexible diaphragm forming a space between the diaphragm and a region of the wall at the section of the conduit, and which includes the opening, to inhibit flow of the fluid between the conduit and the reference tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ofer Melamed
    Inventor: Ofer Melamed
  • Patent number: 8473225
    Abstract: A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eldec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
  • Patent number: 8464582
    Abstract: A variable throat Venturi flow meter includes an upstream pipe section having an upstream cross-sectional area, a throat section having a variable throat cross-sectional area that is smaller than the upstream cross-sectional area, and a plurality of section-varying elements adapted to temporarily vary the throat cross-sectional area to allow a downhole tool to pass through the throat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gilles Roux, Céline Gabard-Cuoq, Stéphane Chareille, Pierre Mouget
  • Patent number: 8434373
    Abstract: A cone type venturi integrated valve device includes a main body, a venturi cone, a valve path, and valves disposed in the valve path. The main body has a venturi path which penetrates though the main body in a horizontal direction and a hole which penetrates through the main body from the venturi path to a bottom of the main body, wherein the venturi path includes an inlet, an outlet, a first pressure point P1 at a distance from the inlet, and a second pressure point P2 at a distance from the outlet. The venturi cone is mounted between the first pressure point P1 and the second pressure point P2 in the venturi path of the main body. The venturi cone has a fixing leg bent downward and a bent end of the fixing leg is inserted into the hole of the main body and attached by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Hitrol Co., Ltd, Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Lawrence, Bong-Ku Kim, Jin-Ho Seol, Yong-Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 8429983
    Abstract: A device for measuring the physical characteristics of a flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a hollow ring having an outer wall fixably attached to a meter flange that is inserted between two sections of pipe, and an inner wall on which a sensor is mounted to facilitate accurate flow measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao
  • Patent number: 8429985
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining a plurality of characteristics of a multiphase flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises first and second constrictions, a sheltered zone between the first and second constrictions, a sensing device coupled to an interior wall of the pipe, and a sheltered device coupled to the interior wall of the pipe and located within the sheltered zone. A first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is determinable from data generated by the sensing device. A second characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is determinable from data generated by the sheltered device. In one exemplary embodiment, the first characteristic is a gas fraction, and the sensing device is a plurality of pressure sensors. In another exemplary embodiment, the second characteristic is a phase fraction, and the sheltered device is a plurality of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward Randall Furlong
  • Patent number: 8255175
    Abstract: A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Eldec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
  • Patent number: 8230735
    Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tubing is determined using a flow meter. The flow meter measures a value related to the flow rate. The tubing has a valve for controlling the fluid flowing through the flow meter. The method of determination of the flow rate includes closing the valve and measuring a first zero flow rate value at a first time and a second zero flow rate value at a second time, estimating an error of the value measurement based on the first and second zero flow rate values, opening the valve and measuring value of the flowing fluid, applying an error correction to the measured value of the flowing fluid, and calculating a corrected flow rate based on the corrected value of flowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Chouzenoux, Yann Dufour, Cecile Lionnet