Patents Assigned to Liquid Controls
  • Patent number: 11788872
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for accurately determining the volume of liquid in a container, such as after or prior to a fluid transfer into/from the container. The volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter can be measured at multiple data intervals by a flow meter. Further, the height of a liquid inside the container can be measured by a liquid level sensor at the multiple data intervals. A register can receive data indicative of the respective measurements, and the volume of liquid in the container can be determined based on the relationship between data indicative of the measurement of the volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter at the multiple data intervals and the measurement of the height of a liquid inside the container at the multiple data intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventors: Douglas E. Bond, Bryan Haynes, Dan Clevenger, Jeff Hageman
  • Patent number: 11199187
    Abstract: A plunger pump, comprising: a liquid tank; a pump body including a liquid storage part, a suction passage configured to allow communication between the liquid storage part and the liquid tank and a discharge passage configured to discharge a liquid in the liquid storage part to outside; and a plunger reciprocally movably supported in the pump body so that a tip reaches the liquid storage part. The suction passage includes a first suction passage, the tip of the plunger being reciprocally slidably inserted into the first suction passage, and a second suction passage provided in parallel to the first suction passage, and a check valve configured to allow only a flow of the liquid from the liquid tank to the liquid storage space is disposed in the second suction passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: NITTOKU CO., LTD., NAKA LIQUID CONTROL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Oda, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Takahiro Sato, Yuji Kanbayashi
  • Publication number: 20210325215
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for accurately determining the volume of liquid in a container, such as after or prior to a fluid transfer into/from the container. The volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter can be measured at multiple data intervals by a flow meter. Further, the height of a liquid inside the container can be measured by a liquid level sensor at the multiple data intervals. A register can receive data indicative of the respective measurements, and the volume of liquid in the container can be determined based on the relationship between data indicative of the measurement of the volume of liquid flowing through a flow meter at the multiple data intervals and the measurement of the height of a liquid inside the container at the multiple data intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventors: Douglas E. Bond, Bryan Haynes, Dan Clevenger, Jeff Hageman
  • Publication number: 20210031946
    Abstract: An improved fluid transfer accuracy, information collection, and overall management. A system may utilize a pump to transfer fluid from a source to a target vessel, a meter for measuring an amount of fluid transferred, a density meter to detect actual fluid density, and a control unit to determine actual fluid transfer amount based on density. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a flow conduit to determine fluid volume, along with the density meter to detect real-time density of transferred fluid. During a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, fluid volume can be converted to fluid weight in real-time based on actual density. The real-time fluid weight can be used to determine if a target fluid weight has been reached, and fluid flow can be shut off at the appropriate time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Hageman, Bryan Haynes, Dan Clevenger, Frank Montalvo
  • Publication number: 20200332794
    Abstract: A plunger pump, comprising: a liquid tank; a pump body including a liquid storage part, a suction passage configured to allow communication between the liquid storage part and the liquid tank and a discharge passage configured to discharge a liquid in the liquid storage part to outside; and a plunger reciprocally movably supported in the pump body so that a tip reaches the liquid storage part. The suction passage includes a first suction passage, the tip of the plunger being reciprocally slidably inserted into the first suction passage, and a second suction passage provided in parallel to the first suction passage, and a check valve configured to allow only a flow of the liquid from the liquid tank to the liquid storage space is disposed in the second suction passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicants: NITTOKU CO., LTD., NAKA LIQUID CONTROL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio ODA, Yasuhiro TANAKA, Takahiro SATO, Yuji KANBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10697453
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing for improved liquid fuel delivery, by helping to mitigate damage to pumps when operated in an undesired condition. A sensor detects the presence of a liquid fuel at the inlet to the pump during pump operation, and sends the signal to a controller. Based on the detection signal from the sensor, the controller can determine whether a desired amount of liquid is present at the inlet to the pump. If a desired amount of liquid is not identified at the inlet to the pump, the controller may interrupt the power provided by a power supply, which is supplying power to operate the pump, thereby interrupting operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventors: Don Crowder, Grant Davisson, Jeremy Patten
  • Publication number: 20200126401
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing for improved fluid transfer information collection and management. Such a system may utilize scannable codes to collect fluid transfer information, mitigating the use of printable tickets, manual collection, or wireless connection and transmission to remote external devices while improving security. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a register that collects flow information from the meter and other collected information associated with fluid transfer. Upon completion of a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, data associated with the transfer event, such as amount, type, conditions, operator, time, etc., can be converted into an encryptable, scannable code, such as a QR code. The scannable code can be displayed on a display screen, and captured by a portable device, and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventor: Dan Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20180230996
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing for improved liquid fuel delivery, by helping to mitigate damage to pumps when operated in an undesired condition. A sensor detects the presence of a liquid fuel at the inlet to the pump during pump operation, and sends the signal to a controller. Based on the detection signal from the sensor, the controller can determine whether a desired amount of liquid is present at the inlet to the pump. If a desired amount of liquid is not identified at the inlet to the pump, the controller may interrupt the power provided by a power supply, which is supplying power to operate the pump, thereby interrupting operation of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Liquid Controls LLC
    Inventors: Don Crowder, Grant Davisson, Jeremy Patten
  • Publication number: 20160178423
    Abstract: A flow meter with a metallic case and bearing plates but with a blocking rotor and displacement rotors that are polymeric. The rotors may be sized for a reduced clearance between the rotors and surfaces of the case, bearing plates and blocking rotor. Using closer clearances between the rotors and the case bearing plates reduces leakage and provides for a more accurate measurement of the fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Liquid Controls LLC.
    Inventors: David T. Vaughn, William J. Kolb
  • Patent number: 8752425
    Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed with a hollow blocking rotor. The flow meter includes a housing that has a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. The flow meter also includes a pair of displacement rotors with a blocking rotor disposed between the displacement rotors. The blocking rotor includes a pair of convex walls and a pair of concave walls. The blocking rotor further includes a shaft coupled to the pair of concave walls. Each concave wall is disposed between and coupled to a pair of opposing convex walls. The concave walls provide clearance for rotation of the displacement rotors when the displacement rotors sweep along the concave walls. The hollow configuration of the blocking rotor reduces the impedance of the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Liquid Controls Group, A Unit of IDEX Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Vaughn, Sean P. Hays
  • Publication number: 20130319106
    Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed with a hollow blocking rotor. The flow meter includes a housing that has a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. The flow meter also includes a pair of displacement rotors with a blocking rotor disposed between the displacement rotors. The blocking rotor includes a pair of convex walls and a pair of concave walls. The blocking rotor further includes a shaft coupled to the pair of concave walls. Each concave wall is disposed between and coupled to a pair of opposing convex walls. The concave walls provide clearance for rotation of the displacement rotors when the displacement rotors sweep along the concave walls. The hollow configuration of the blocking rotor reduces the impedance of the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Liquid Controls Group
    Inventors: David T. Vaughn, Sean P. Hays
  • Patent number: 8100023
    Abstract: A rotary positive displacement flowmeter of the type utilizing two displacement rotors and a blocking rotor with the blocking rotor having a single recess and the displacement rotor cylinders being of substantially similar size as the blocking rotor, resulting in a uniform flowpath through the flowmeter with alignment of the rotor axes in a 180 degree plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Liquid Controls, LLC
    Inventor: Vince Herr
  • Patent number: 7765978
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor apparatus for use in a fuel delivery system measures the differential pressure of the fuel between a point immediately upstream and a point immediately downstream of a fuel monitor element. The differential pressure sensor apparatus uses an electronic transducer to monitor differential pressure and may be used with interlocks to shutdown fuel delivery if the measured value of the differential pressure is above a predetermined threshold value and to notify an operator of the fuel delivery system of such an increase in the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Liquid Controls Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Ruesch, Bryan P. Haynes
  • Publication number: 20060093538
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the nucleation level of a stream of material such as a polyol resin for forming a polyurethane foam. Temperature and pressure control devices communicate with a stream of nucleated material flowing in a recirculation loop from and into a supply of nucleated material. Continuous density measurements are made of the nucleated material in the recirculation loop and are fed to a controller which regulates the amount of a gas injected into the recirculation loop. A material feed line extends from the recirculation loop to a material dispenser. A material bypass line extends from the dispenser back to the recirculation loop for returning unused nucleated material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Larsen, Jean-Paul Mahieu
  • Patent number: 7000628
    Abstract: A liquid flow metering system is disclosed which includes a pump disposed between a liquid supply and a reservoir. The reservoir includes an inlet connected to the pump, an air/liquid outlet and a liquid outlet. The air/liquid outlet is connected to an air separation chamber. The liquid outlet is connected to a flow meter and a liquid outlet valve. The air separation chamber is connected to an air outlet. The air outlet is connected to an air release valve. The air separation chamber accommodates an optical sensor for sensing the presence of air in front thereof and within the air separation chamber. The optical sensor, air release valve and liquid outlet valve are all linked to a controller. When the optical sensor senses air in front of the optical sensor, the sensor sends a signal to the controller to open the air release valve and close the liquid outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Liquid Controls
    Inventors: James R. Ruesch, James S. Nerstrom, Thomas T. Tschanz
  • Patent number: 6535830
    Abstract: A scaled quadrature pulse output signal is generated for representing direction and volume in predetermined increments of the flow of a liquid or a gas through a meter. An unscaled pulse signal is received from a meter. A scaling factor is applied to each unscaled pulse signal for accurately representing an increment of volume. The increments are sequentially added or subtracted to/from one another (depending upon flow direction) and a scaled quadrature output signal is provided for indicating the direction of flow and the volume of flow in predetermined increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Liquid Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ruesch, Bryan P. Haynes, Arthur J. Degner
  • Patent number: 6422427
    Abstract: A dispensing tool according to the present invention includes a dispensing outlet and at least a first material storage tube having a material storage chamber and an outlet. The tool also includes a drive assembly that is at least partially disposed within the first material storage tube and adapted to dispense material from the first material storage tube through the dispensing outlet. A valve assembly allows the material storage tube to be automatically reloaded when the tool is placed in a reloading station. A clamp may be used to hold the tool at the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery E. Brown, Aaron D. Marshall, William C. Schiltz, Brent R. Kaiser, John R. Scopelite
  • Patent number: 6308868
    Abstract: The high pressure cartridge feed system of the invention includes a cradle that supports the material cartridge so that the cartridge will not fail at the high dispensing pressures. A powered ram assembly drives a ram head into the cartridge to create the high dispensing pressure. The cartridge is supported on all sides to prevent failure. A smooth connection fitting is provided to allow cartridges to be quick changed. The cradle is pivotably mounted to allow the cartridge to be loaded in a substantially horizontal position. In one embodiment, the cradle is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander M. Hoffman, Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6234359
    Abstract: A dispensing tool according to the present invention includes a dispensing outlet and at least a first material storage tube having a material storage chamber and an outlet. The tool also includes a drive assembly that is at least partially disposed within the first material storage tube and adapted to dispense material from the first material storage tube through the dispensing outlet. A valve assembly selectively controls the flow of material from the material storage tube to the dispensing outlet. The valve assembly and the drive assembly are linked such that activation of the drive assembly causes the valve to open allowing material to be dispensed. When the drive assembly is stopped, the valve is automatically closed. Material may be reloaded into the material storage tube through an inlet that is selectively connected to a source of bulk material. The selective connection may be provided by a controllable valve, or a selective connection between a pair of coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery E. Brown, Aaron D. Marshall, William C. Schiltz
  • Patent number: 6105822
    Abstract: A device for mixing and dispensing a pair of flowable materials includes a housing containing a pair of control valves for controlling the flow of the two materials into a mixer tube mounted on an outlet end of the housing. The mixer tube contains a mixing element within the bore of the tube. A control device such as a pneumatic piston, moves a shaft which is connected to the mixing element, to move the mixing element linearly axially within the tube to prevent the leakage of materials from within the tube after the control valves on the housing are moved to a closed position. An air motor may be connected to the shaft for rotating the mixing element within the tube to enhance the mixing of the materials moving therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Liquid Control Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm C. Larsen, Craig W. Decker