Patents Assigned to Fluid Components International LLC
  • Patent number: 11105666
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter employing thermal dispersion technology, and method for determining mass flow of a fluid throughout a range beyond that which possible for a constant ?T instrument at increasing power, and below that with which a constant power instrument can provide rapid ?T readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James Scott Patton, Michael Bess, Dang Le, Jack Barnett, Mark Oberman, Eric Wible
  • Publication number: 20190219431
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter employing thermal dispersion technology, and method for determining mass flow of a fluid throughout a range beyond that which possible for a constant ?T instrument at increasing power, and below that with which a constant power instrument can provide rapid ?T readings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michael BESS, Dang LE, Jack BARNETT, Mark OBERMAN, Scott PATTON, Eric WIBLE
  • Patent number: 9671265
    Abstract: A thermal mass dispersion flow rate sensing transducer and transducer assembly or instrument for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy. Several aspects of the transducer components and structure reduce thermal leakage within the transducer so the sensor (RTD) output signal is accurately transmitted to the signal processor, resulting in precise ?T determinations and consequent precise determinations of mass flow rate of the fluid flowing in the conduit. Additionally, the same components and structure also have long life without appreciable degradation, thereby delaying any basis for the need for recalibration of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Malcolm M. McQueen
  • Publication number: 20170003155
    Abstract: A thermal mass dispersion flow rate sensing transducer and transducer assembly or instrument for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy. Several aspects of the transducer components and structure reduce thermal leakage within the transducer so the sensor (RTD) output signal is accurately transmitted to the signal processor, resulting in precise ?T determinations and consequent precise determinations of mass flow rate of the fluid flowing in the conduit. Additionally, the same components and structure also have long life without appreciable degradation, thereby delaying any basis for the need for recalibration of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
  • Patent number: 9528868
    Abstract: A fluid flow or liquid level switch providing a high level of reliability. Dual reference sensors in a single thermowell operates with two active, independent sensors, which operate with independent electronics having dual signal outputs, to provide constant and continuous redundancy in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: John Kharsa, Eddie Iizumi
  • Publication number: 20160187174
    Abstract: A fluid flow or liquid level switch providing a high level of reliability. Dual reference sensors in a single thermowell operates with two active, independent sensors, which operate with independent electronics having dual signal outputs, to provide constant and continuous redundancy in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: John KHARSA, Eddie IIZUMI
  • Patent number: 9228881
    Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm M. McQueen, Eric J. Wible
  • Patent number: 9010994
    Abstract: A flow mixer and conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide mixing and conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters downstream and upstream to mix and condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fluid Components International LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm M. McQueen, Donald G. Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20140260521
    Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm M. MCQUEEN, Eric J. WIBLE
  • Patent number: 8806955
    Abstract: A device and method for conditioning media flowing within a conduit enabling sensors placed within short straight run distances to measure media flow with improved accuracy employing a thermal flow instrument. A flow conditioner downstream of a media flow measuring transducer has walls that diverge in the flow direction to optimize readings of the media flow from the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fluid Components International, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Wible, Michael R. Noel, Brian McDole
  • Publication number: 20140078859
    Abstract: A flow conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters to condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in pipes, ducts, or other conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Fluid Components International LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
  • Publication number: 20120144928
    Abstract: A device and method for conditioning media flowing within a conduit enabling sensors placed within short straight run distances to measure media flow with improved accuracy employing a thermal flow instrument. A flow conditioner downstream of a media flow measuring transducer has walls that diverge in the flow direction to optimize readings of the media flow from the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Eric Wible, Michael R. Noel, Brian McDole
  • Publication number: 20110174407
    Abstract: A flow mixer and conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide mixing and conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters downstream and upstream to mix and condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
  • Publication number: 20110174408
    Abstract: A flow conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters to condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
  • Publication number: 20110048564
    Abstract: A device and method for conditioning media flowing within a conduit enabling sensors placed within short straight run distances to measure media flow with improved accuracy employing a thermal flow instrument. A flow conditioner downstream of a media flow measuring transducer has walls that diverge in the flow direction to optimize readings of the media flow from the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Eric WIBLE, Michael R. NOEL, Brian MCDOLE
  • Patent number: 7201033
    Abstract: A calibration system includes a tube or other conduit, a gas source, and a computational device. The tube has an end positioned relative to a flow sensor, and is in communication with the gas source. The tube and gas source introduce calibration gas into the tube at a repeatable mass flow. During a calibration operation, the conduit directs at least a portion of the calibration gas onto the flow sensor. The computational device is used to calculate an estimated flow rate of the calibration gas based upon the measurements obtained from the flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Components International LLC
    Inventor: Eric J. Wible
  • Patent number: 7191645
    Abstract: A compensated flowmeter having a probe adapted to project into flowing media within a conduit. The probe includes a thermal dispersion sensor, and a compensating gas properties sensor contained within a no-flow chamber of the probe. The thermal flow sensor has active and reference sensor elements that responsively provide output signals relating to a flow rate of the media. The compensating gas properties sensor has compensating active and reference sensor elements that responsively provide output signals relating to the heat transfer of the media. A suitable processor is typically implemented for adjusting the measured flow rate detected by the thermal dispersion sensor to compensate for changes in heat transfer detected by the compensating gas properties sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fluid Components International LLC
    Inventor: Eric J. Wible
  • Patent number: 6843110
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing sensors in a fluid flow conduit to verify the accuracy of the flowmeter of which the sensors are a part. Where two similar sensors are employed, active and reference sensor functions are interchanged to verify their functioning accuracy. Alternatively, different stimulation levels can be used to provide a basis for cross-correlation of sensor outputs. A single, or multiple, time-shared sensor can be employed in place of two sensors. Transient or steady state responses are employed. Many sensor types can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Fluid Components International LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Deane, Malcolm M. McQueen