Abstract: A novel double block and double bleed stream switching system includes a common stream path for a multitude of fluid streams from, for example, a process pipeline. The common stream path includes a blocking port and a bleed port, and connects to at least one sample shut off. Preferably, the common stream path and sample shut off are shallow channels machined in a multi-layered block, with integrated pistons and ports controlling the flow from each stream and through the stream switching system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the phase volume fractions for a multiphase oil well effluent is disclosed. The apparatus measures multiple energy gamma ray attenuations through the effluent mixture, and the method determines the phase volume fractions from these measurements when the mixture is under inhomogeneous flow conditions. The apparatus includes a pipe section with a Venturi through which the mixture flows. A source of radiation transmits rays at two or more energy levels through the mixture. A solid state detector measures the transmitted attenuation count rates. A low absorption window of a truncated cone shape is preferably incorporated in lieu of the pipe wall in the area of the detector. The method comprises measuring ray attenuation, in the two-energy example, at one high energy emission line, to differentiate between the gas and liquid components, and at a relatively lower energy emission line, to differentiate between the oil and water phases within the liquid component.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph with multiple valves is disclosed. An embodiment of the multi-valve gas chromatograph includes multiple valves and multiple thermal conductivity detectors (TCD's). This allows separation and measurement of a gas sample in one compact integrated unit. Other features may also be present. For example, a first heating zone may include a band heater placed around the multi-valve block to heat the carrier gas and to keep the multi-valve block at a desired temperature. A second heating zone may include a spool and a cartridge heater to heat the columns through which the gas sample flows. Two sets of screws, one through the top of the multi-valve and one through the bottom, may be included to simplify maintenance of the multi-valve system. Insulation defining an oven can be placed around the assembly to stabilize the temperature of the multi-valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for measuring the properties and individual flow rates of a two-phase flow comprising a gas and a liquid is disclosed. This apparatus and related method also can determine whether the liquid is travelling in primarily a mist or stratified flow. More precisely, one embodiment of the disclosed invention uses measured parameters such as gain, standard deviation in upstream and downstream travel times for an ultrasonic signal, measured speed of sound, noise, signal quality, batch failure rate, and velocity profile to infer the amount of liquid in the gas flow, and in what form the liquid is travelling. For a horizontal two-phase flow, an internal measurement can be used as a dry gas reference, although the invention is also applicable to a vertical flow. For increased confidence, these determinations may be corroborated by the disclosed liquid level measurement device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the amount of liquid in a volume of gas and the associated flow rates. A method of determining the percentage of a liquid present in a volume of gas is provided. The method comprises the steps of impressing the volume of gas with ultrasonic energy, receiving the ultrasonic energy impressed upon and traversing the volume of gas, measuring the received ultrasonic energy which has traversed the volume of gas, evaluating various parameters of the measured ultrasonic energy for variations which variations are a function of the liquid fraction in the volume of gas. A method is provided for determining the flow rates associated with a liquid-gas mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal is provided. The apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal comprises a transmitter for emitting a signal, a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter, and means for detecting the onset of the signal as it arrives at the receiver such that the period of time from emission by the transmitter to the time the receiver initially receives the signal can be determined.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided for securing an opening in a seat having a seating surface. Typically, the sealing assembly of the present invention adapted for use with, for example, a dual-chamber orifice fitting. The sealing assembly comprises a drive, a carrier, a strip, a stop and a guide. The drive is actuateable for movement. The carrier is associated with the drive and moveably actuated by the drive. The strip is engaged with the drive for moving with the drive or at a right angle to the drive. The stop is engageable with the strip such that when the strip and the stop are engaged, the strip moves at a right angle to the drive, and when the strip and the stop are not engaged, the strip moves with the drive. The guide secures the strip, the carrier and the drive for operation in any orientation. When the stop is sufficiently displaced from the drive and the strip, the opening in the seat is unobstructed.

Abstract: A probe chromatograph apparatus and method is provided which engages directly the process stream from which the sample is taken. The probe chromatograph apparatus is a simple, miniaturized chromatograph installed directly into the source pipeline or vessel. An analyzer mechanism extends through a pipe nipple into the fluid flow from which the sample is drawn. A sampling mechanism transfers a fixed volume of sample into the probe chromatograph apparatus. Means for separating the sample into its constituents is provided, and a detector is provided for sensing and measuring the quantity of the respective constituents.

Abstract: A laminated rotor assembly is provided having a plurality of laminates, each of which has integral rotor blades. The rotor blades are angled at a predetermined amount with respect to a hub portion of the rotor assembly. The laminates are joined such that the laminated rotor assembly is closed.

Abstract: A rotatable flow control valve mechanism is provided having a valve body having a valve chamber and straight through flow passages intersecting the valve chamber. A rotatable valve element, which may be of straight, spherical or tapered configuration, is positioned for rotation within the valve chamber and is sealed with respect to the valve body by sealing elements that surround the flow passages. The rotary valve element defines a straight through flowway that is aligned with the flow passages of the valve body in the fully open condition of the valve and permits unobstructed flow through the valve and, when the flowway has a dimension at least as great as the dimension of the flow passage, permits objects such as pigs and scrapers to pass through the valve.

Abstract: A meter is provided for measuring the volumetric flow of a fluid in a conduit. The meter comprises a pair of turbine assemblies. Each of the turbine assemblies are adapted to have a speed of rotation representative of a volumetric fluid flow that is independent of the other turbine assembly. A flow randomizer is located between the pair of turbine assemblies. The flow randomizer is operable to eliminate substantially all flow effects of one of the turbine assemblies upon the other turbine assembly. Means are provided for transducing the speed of rotation of at least one of the turbine assemblies.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus is provided for use with an oval gear meter. The oval gear meter for receiving material such that the quantity of material is measured by the meter. The meter having the characteristic of alternating acceleration and deceleration for a constant flow of material passing through the meter due to the eccentricity associated with the elliptic shape of the oval gear thereby causing excessive instability or oscillatory conditions with respect to the measured material. The stabilizing apparatus includes a first actuator secured to and synchronized rotationally with an oval gear. The first actuator receives rotational force from the oval gear representative of the quantity of material passing through the meter. A second actuator secured to and synchronized rotationally with a shaft. The second actuator is rotationally driven by force received from the first actuator for transferring rotational force to the shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine meter that is miniaturized based on its design is disclosed. While the size of the gas turbine meter is small, it performs all the functions of prior gas turbine meters and has a large rangeability over a very large range of pressure. The turbine meter includes a body which is bilateral or symmetrical, permitting the turbine meter to be installed in either orientation in a flow line. Diffusers are included with the turbine meter that maintain the rotor of the turbine meter in position and prevent dust from entering into bearings which connect the rotor with the diffusers. The rotor of the turbine meter optimally has twelve flat vanes, each having blades angled at 45.degree. from the plane of the blank in which it was made. Close clearance is maintained between the blades and the interior of the meter. Slots are formed at the lower end of the rotor, thereby forming the shanks of the vanes. The slots are optimally sized to increase stiffness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a small nominal diameter oval gear flowmeter having curved swivel surfaces for automatic self-alignment of the oval gears about a longitudinal shaft axis to enhance measurement accuracy and facilitate restriction-free rotational movement of the oval gears by reducing gaps in the seal surfaces to prevent contact between the oval gears and the axial measuring chamber wall. Two or more oval gears are each supported on independent shafts which in turn are supported in the measuring insert of the housing. The oval gears are supported on the shafts in such a manner that they may swivel at a small angle about the longitudinal shaft axis and that small axial displacements of the oval gears may be accommodated on the shafts. A plurality of recesses that reduce the support length to approximately the shaft diameter are located on both sides of the frontal surfaces of the oval gears, to provide for automatic alignment of the oval gears.

Abstract: The invention concerns a permanent magnet front or central coupling unit that generally works through a watt to transfer measured values and torque in units that may, for example, be used in the volume gauge technology. In accordance with the task, the permanent magnet coupling shall be designed so that its transferable maximum torque is not present in the starting state and that it thus exhibits vibration-damping properties. In accordance with the invention, this is achieved by the fact that one or several permanent magnets are arranged in a fixed manner and that the poles are located such that they produce repulsive forces in their effective direction, i.e., the respective opposite magnet poles are of equal denomination. In the stationary state, the magnet poles thus occupy the greatest possible distance from each other, resulting in the lowest possible transferable torque. As a function of the required load, the coupling halves begin to rotate and the transferable torque increases to the required value.

Abstract: An orifice installation for sealing a plate within a fitting is disclosed. The plate has a seal surrounding its outer circumference. The seal has a large base area of elastomeric material and an outer and inner periphery face. A central circumferential extension larger than the distance in the fitting for permitting entry of a plate carrying device is formed between the shoulders. Circumferential indentations formed in the base separate the shoulders from the extension.

Abstract: An orifice installation for centering the center of a plate carrying device within a fitting is disclosed. The plate carrying device has a centering opening at its base which interacts with a stop pin in the base of the fitting. The plate carrying device further has ears on either side which interact with ears formed on the sides of an enlarged opening in the fitting to receive the carrying device therein in order to laterally center the carrying device. An opening is also formed in the top of the carrying device in which a plunger pin is positioned. A valve carrier of the fitting has a downwardly facing extension which upon positioning of the plate carrying device within the enlarged opening in the fitting and moving the valve carrier into place will contact the plunger pin, further stabilizing the carrier device within the fitting.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for valves incorporates an annular rigid seat member forming a reference face sealing surface and having a circular seal recess receiving a circular sealing member and a circular seal retainer member which project forwardly of said reference surface for sealing engagement with said working surface. The sealing element forms radially inner and outer stepped sealing surfaces which establish sealing engagement with the working surface of the valve element at various pressure conditions. The rigid seat element defines a cylindrical outer spring retainer recess which receives a plurality of compression springs for spring urged movement of the seat assembly toward the working surface of the valve element. A spring retainer and positioner element formed of a thin strip of sheet material defines spaced spring receptacles separated by spacer segments.

Abstract: An orifice installation for centering the orifice aperture within a plate carrying device is disclosed. The orifice installation uses an orifice plate in cooperation with a seal that surrounds the outer edge of the orifice plate to seal the plate to a fitting. Reliefs are formed in the nonsealing portion of the surface of the seal through which the orifice plate outer circumference protrudes. The carrying device is provided to receive the plate and the seal. A mechanism is provided to have contact between the carrying device and the protrusions in order to use the manufacturing tolerances of the plate and the carrying device to center the plate in the carrying device.

Abstract: An orifice installation for centering the orifice aperture within a plate carrying device is disclosed. The orifice installation uses an orifice plate in cooperation with a seal that surrounds the outer edge of the orifice plate to seal the plate to a fitting. Reliefs are formed in the nonsealing portion of the surface of the seal through which the orifice plate outer circumference protrudes. The carrying device is provided to receive the plate and the seal. A mechanism including an intermediate interface is provided to have contact between the carrying device and the protrusions in order to use the manufacturing tolerances of the plate and the carrying device to center the plate in the carrying device.