Patents Assigned to Flow Management Devices, LLC
  • Patent number: 10830632
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Prover valve includes improved poppet valve disk shape that provides for smoother fluid flow, additional volume, and better sealing. Disk also includes angled wings and complimentary poppet seating to provide for better and more resilient seal. Retention ring may be fitted over poppet seal, and includes bolts that provide for removing retention ring to allow servicing of poppet seals (and replacement thereof) while tension remains on prover valve and rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Edward J Elliott
  • Publication number: 20180328778
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Prover valve includes improved poppet valve disk shape that provides for smoother fluid flow, additional volume, and better scaling. Disk also includes angled wings and complimentary poppet seating to provide for better and more resilient seal. Retention ring may be fined over poppet seal, and includes bolls that provide for removing retention ring to allow servicing of poppet seals (and replacement thereof) while tension remains on prover valve and rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Edward J. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9470573
    Abstract: A leak sensor for sensing fluid flow through the bearings and seals about a shaft extending from a prover. Any leakage of fluid through the bearings and seals will migrate into the annular cavity within a housing and surrounding the shaft. A conduit or passageway in fluid communication with the annular cavity conveys the leaking fluid into a collection chamber. A float within the collection chamber will trigger an electrical or mechanical signal when the float rises a preset distance. If electrical, the signal is transmitted to an alarm unit to trigger a warning indicative of the amount of fluid in the collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Ignatian, Gary Cohrs
  • Patent number: 9103709
    Abstract: Apparatus for flow prover precisely measures the volume and the flow rate of a fluid through a cylinder. The prover includes a piston within a cylinder supporting a shaft extending longitudinally through the cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means draws the shaft and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the volume of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of emitter/detector modules provides piston position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing through the cylinder. A switch bar rigidly and permanently fixes the position of the emitter/detector modules with respect to the piston and with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140331738
    Abstract: Apparatus for flow prover precisely measures the volume and the flow rate of a fluid through a cylinder. The prover includes a piston within a cylinder supporting a shaft extending longitudinally through the cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means draws the shaft and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the volume of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of emitter/detector modules provides piston position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing through the cylinder. A switch bar rigidly and permanently fixes the position of the emitter/detector modules with respect to the piston and with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140318238
    Abstract: A leak sensor for sensing fluid flow through the bearings and seals about a shaft extending from a prover. Any leakage of fluid through the bearings and seals will migrate into the annular cavity within a housing and surrounding the shaft. A conduit or passageway in fluid communication with the annular cavity conveys the leaking fluid into a collection chamber. A float within the collection chamber will trigger an electrical or mechanical signal when the float rises a preset distance. If electrical, the signal is transmitted to an alarm unit to trigger a warning indicative of the amount of fluid in the collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Ignatian, Gary Cohrs
  • Patent number: 8677800
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC.
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 8578752
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Publication number: 20120216595
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Publication number: 20120216594
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 8205479
    Abstract: A method for mounting a prover and its attached motive means either horizontally or vertically as a function of the footprint available on the surface on which the prover is to be mounted. The method includes attaching the prover and its motive means to a lower framework. Attaching a plurality of stanchions to the lower framework. Mounting an upper framework on the stanchions. Adding a plurality of I-beams to the upper framework and to the stanchions to render the mounting for the prover rigid, whether the prover is mounted horizontally or vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 8196446
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the lower framework draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Upon such movement of the rod, a poppet valve formed as part of the piston opens to permit fluid flow through the piston. A clutch serving as part of the motive means permits travel of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder and serve the flow rate measuring function of the prover. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 8161791
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one element for drawing the rod and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of switches, linear encoder or laser detector provides position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing in the cylinder. These signals, representative of this volume and flow rate, are compared with preset parameters to determine the degree of equivalence. Thereby, self testing and validation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Publication number: 20100241387
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one element for drawing the rod and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of switches, linear encoder or laser detector provides position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing in the cylinder. These signals, representative of this volume and flow rate, are compared with preset parameters to determine the degree of equivalence. Thereby, self testing and validation occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Publication number: 20100154506
    Abstract: A method for mounting a prover and its attached motive means either horizontally or vertically as a function of the footprint available on the surface on which the prover is to be mounted. The method includes attaching the prover and its motive means to a lower framework. Attaching a plurality of stanchions to the lower framework. Mounting an upper framework on the stanchions. Adding a plurality of I-beams to the upper framework and to the stanchions to render the mounting for the prover rigid, whether the prover is mounted horizontally or vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Publication number: 20100116019
    Abstract: A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the lower framework draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Upon such movement of the rod, a poppet valve formed as part of the piston opens to permit fluid flow through the piston. A clutch serving as part of the motive means permits travel of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder and serve the flow rate measuring function of the prover. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 7650775
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one reel mounted belt for drawing the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Upon such movement of the rod, a poppet valve formed as part of the piston opens to permit fluid flow through the piston. A clutch serving as part of the motive means permits travel of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder and serve the flow rate measuring function of the prover. Apparatus is also provided to permit opening of the poppet valve for maintenance and/or repair purposes. A framework permits support of the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Flow Management Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian