Patents Assigned to Fluid Components International LLC
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Patent number: 11105666Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: James Scott Patton, Michael Bess, Dang Le, Jack Barnett, Mark Oberman, Eric Wible
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Publication number: 20190219431Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Michael BESS, Dang LE, Jack BARNETT, Mark OBERMAN, Scott PATTON, Eric WIBLE
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Patent number: 9671265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: Malcolm M. McQueen
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Publication number: 20170003155Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLCInventor: Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
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Patent number: 9528868Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: John Kharsa, Eddie Iizumi
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Publication number: 20160187174Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLCInventors: John KHARSA, Eddie IIZUMI
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Patent number: 9228881Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Malcolm M. McQueen, Eric J. Wible
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Patent number: 9010994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Fluid Components International LLCInventors: Malcolm M. McQueen, Donald G. Lundberg
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Publication number: 20140260521Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL, LLCInventors: Malcolm M. MCQUEEN, Eric J. WIBLE
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Patent number: 8806955Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Fluid Components International, LLCInventors: Eric Wible, Michael R. Noel, Brian McDole
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Publication number: 20140078859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Fluid Components International LLCInventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
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Publication number: 20120144928Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Eric Wible, Michael R. Noel, Brian McDole
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Publication number: 20110174407Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
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Publication number: 20110174408Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Donald G. LUNDBERG, Malcolm M. MCQUEEN
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Publication number: 20110048564Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: FLUID COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Eric WIBLE, Michael R. NOEL, Brian MCDOLE
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Patent number: 7201033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Fluid Components International LLCInventor: Eric J. Wible
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Patent number: 7191645Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Fluid Components International LLCInventor: Eric J. Wible
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Patent number: 6843110Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Fluid Components International LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Deane, Malcolm M. McQueen