Patents Examined by Jewel V Dowtin
  • Patent number: 10585109
    Abstract: A fluid sensing device includes an outer body having a fore side, an aft side, and an interior space, the outer body including a fluid inlet disposed at the fore side; an inner body extending at least partially out of the fluid inlet of the outer body along a longitudinal axis; one or more vents disposed aft of the fluid inlet to allow passage of fluid through the fluid sensing device; and at least one load sensor coupled to the inner body to measure a fluid drag force on the inner body, wherein the inner body is configured to induce the Coanda effect in at least a portion of a fluid contacting the inner body at an angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: University of Kansas
    Inventors: Saeed Farokhi, Ray R. Taghavi, Shawn S. Keshmiri
  • Patent number: 10584991
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a measuring channel including fluid supply passages at its ends, this measuring channel forming a waveguide made into a solid body, comprising at each end a transducer capable of emitting or receiving ultrasounds circulating in the axis of the channel, where each transducer includes a shell transmitting the ultrasounds, comprising a waveguide facing the measuring channel, and outside this waveguide shapes orientating the ultrasounds in directions different from that of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: EFS SA, ECOLE CENTRALE DE LYON, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE CLAUDE BERNARD LYON 1, INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES DE LYON
    Inventors: Julian Robin, Pascal Gucher, Alexandre Huchon, Sébastien Ollivier, Philippe Blanc-Benon
  • Patent number: 10578638
    Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Morris G. Anderson, Murali Krishnan Payangapadan, Narasimha Reddy Venkatarayappa, Grant A. Gordon, Rama Sateesh Venkata Kandula
  • Patent number: 10578637
    Abstract: An air data probe includes a body, a mount adjacent to the body, a primary low ice adhesion surface coating on a primary impact region of the air data probe, the primary impact region being positioned for direct impact with water drops, and a secondary low ice adhesion surface coating on a secondary impact region of the air data probe, the secondary impact region being positioned for indirect contact by water drops. The primary low ice adhesion surface coating has a different composition than the secondary low ice adhesion surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Daniel Matheis, Matthew Anderson, Greg Allen Seidel, Paul Llamas
  • Patent number: 10571325
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow measurement system comprising a flow tube for the fluid whose flow rate is to be determined and at least two ultrasound transducer circuitry. At least one of the at least two ultrasound transducer circuitry comprises an ultrasound transmitter that is arranged for transmitting ultrasound signals through said fluid in a transmitting phase, and at least another one of the at least two ultrasound transducer circuitry comprises an ultrasound receiver that is arranged for receiving transmitted ultrasound signals in a receiving phase. The system further comprises at least one receiving circuit that is arranged for reading out the ultrasound receiver in the receiving phase; and control means connected to the at least two ultrasound transducer circuitry and to the at least one receiving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventor: Eduard Dieter Van Hattum
  • Patent number: 10571321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring fluid parameters, comprising a Coriolis flow meter. The meter comprises a flow tube and an actuator forcing the flow tube into vibration and/or rotation. Further, the meter comprises a displacement sensor for sensing a displacement of the flow tube. The displacement sensor is arranged for measuring an optical fiber length change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Fugro Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Singer, Devrez Mehmet Karabacak
  • Patent number: 10564019
    Abstract: The invention is a gas flowmeter that produces precise flow measurements at low-flowrate ranges (for example, between 0.25 mL/min to 5,000 mL/min). It uses an infrared (“IR”) beam to detect the passing of a gas bubble through a liquid within a glass column. A “broken” beam is detected by the microcontroller for each passing of a bubble. This ability to allow the IR beam to be broken exactly at the passing of a bubble is made possible by the slit-over-slit design at the sides of the glass column and the column holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    Inventors: Dhan Lord B. Fortela, Kyle S. Farmer, Nicholas S. Marcil, Wayne W. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10564017
    Abstract: Ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring the flowrate of a fluid based on transit times of opposite propagating ultrasonic wave packets, including two ultrasonic transducers arranged at a flow tube for transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave packets through a fluid; a control circuit configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive co-propagating and counter-propagating ultrasonic wave packets, and to determine transit times between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave packets; wherein the control circuit is further configured to continuously determine the flowrate of the fluid based on sequential application of separate flow measurement sequences and flow estimation sequences, the flow measurement sequence including transmitting and receiving a co-propagating wave packet and a counter-propagating wave packet, determining a transit time difference between the co-propagating and the counter-propagating wave packets, determining the speed of sound in the fluid, and calcu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Søren Tønnes Nielsen, Jens Lykke Sørensen, Paul Martin Bendixen
  • Patent number: 10564014
    Abstract: A water consumption meter for animals allowing a precise measurement of fluids entering an attached water vessel. The materials and design of the meter allow the meter to endure freezing events and function properly after such freezing events. The meter has internal vanes set at a particular angle that contribute to a more accurate measurement of the liquid being consumed by the animal. The water consumption meter can include a rotational member with angled vanes that assist in a more accurate measurement of the water entering and exiting the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Nelson Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10557739
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly for measuring the flow rate of a fluid includes a flexible conduit comprising a wall that defines a lumen through which the fluid passes. In one embodiment, a flow sensor is removably secured around the outside of the flexible conduit, the flow sensor having one or more transducer/receiver pairs. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the first and second housing portions each defining respective recessed interior portions that define a cavity that is configured to encapsulate and retain the flow sensor and flexible tubing contained therein. In an alternative embodiment, the flow sensor is directly embedded or integrated into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ALPHINITY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean C. Richards, Steven V. Cates
  • Patent number: 10557730
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a fluid flow by an alternating magnetic field flow meter, comprising determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit by generating a first magnetic field to move a magnetic token along a direction of a flow path of a fluid flowing through a conduit, detecting a first electrical signal based on the movement of the magnetic token, generating a second magnetic field to move the magnetic token opposite to the direction of the flow path, detecting a second electrical signal based on the movement of the magnetic token, and determining a conductivity of the fluid flowing through the conduit by generating a current along the flow path and detecting a third electrical signal based on the current generated along the flow path, and determining a conductivity measurement of the fluid flow based on the detected third electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fouad M. Alkhabbaz, Maatoug Al-Maatoug
  • Patent number: 10557732
    Abstract: A flowmeter body assembly includes a flowmeter body defining a central bore and a plurality of angled connectors extending from a sidewall of the flowmeter body. The flowmeter body and the plurality of angled connectors form a one-piece structure that is devoid of welded joints, and each of the plurality of angled connectors is configured to support a respective sensor to enable measurement of a flow rate of a fluid across at least one chordal plane of the flowmeter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel John Gottlieb, Gopalakrishna Srinivasamurthy Magadi
  • Patent number: 10551403
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining pressure measurements in an airstream includes a Pitot tube. The Pitot tube includes at least one total pressure port configured to be positioned in the airstream facing upstream, at least one static pressure port configured to be positioned in the airstream facing downstream, at least one first directional port, and at least one second directional port. The at least one first directional port and the at least one second directional port are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one total pressure port and face obliquely with respect to the direction that the at least one total pressure port faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Austin Moss, Shilei Ma
  • Patent number: 10551404
    Abstract: A pitot tube having an inclined surface according to one embodiment may comprise: a housing which forms the outer appearance of the pitot tube; an opening which is arranged on the front side of the housing to allow a fluid to be injected thereinto; a first flow path which is connected to the opening; a slit which is arranged on the side of the housing to allow the fluid to be introduced thereinto; a second flow path which is connected to the slit; and a heater for heating frozen ice introduced into the opening and the slit to liquefy the ice, wherein the first flow path may be located above the center of the opening. Further, an inclined surface may be provided between the first flow path and the opening such that the liquefied fluid collides with the inclined surface after passing through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventor: Sung Yug Kim
  • Patent number: 10551231
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed comprising adjustable rotating blocks and a piezoelectric wafer mounted in connection with each rotating block. The piezoelectric wafers or chips are used for transmitting and/or receiving upstream and downstream ultrasonic waves. The rotating blocks adjust the incident angle of the piezoelectric wafers to account for installation in connection with different pipe sizes. By adjusting angle in a linked and continuous manner, no translational sensor movement is required for an optimal ultrasonic wave reflection for the downstream transducer to receive a signal from the upstream transducer and the upstream transducer to receive a signal from the downstream transducer. As such, the devices and methods described enable measurement of liquid flowing in pipes across a range of different diameter pipes so as to greatly increase the convenience and the extent of application or technology adoption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Cong Xiao, Matthew Olin, Shengshuang Lin
  • Patent number: 10551354
    Abstract: It is provide a method for determining at least one of physical, chemical and biological properties of a medium with the aid of at least two transmitter-receiver pairs and on the basis of at least one first and one second acoustic wave. The first acoustic wave has propagated at least in part between a first transmitter-receiver pair through the medium and the second acoustic wave has propagated at least in part between a second transmitter-receiver pair through the medium, wherein the medium adjoins an inner lateral surface of an elongate conduction element that is arched transversely to its direction of longitudinal extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SENSACTION AG
    Inventor: Jens Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 10551402
    Abstract: An air sensor system including a pressure or airflow sensor, a filter housing that defines an air flow path to the air pressure sensor, and a filter in the air flow path. The filter includes a micro filter and a hydrophobic membrane. The hydrophobic membrane is downstream of the micro filter in the air flow path to the pressure or airflow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bart M. A. Missotten, Glenn Aesaert, Michael Carpentier, Dré W. J. Jongmans, Brecht Vanmullem, Karel M. C. Viaene
  • Patent number: 10551232
    Abstract: A flow meter detects a flow rate of a fluid. The flow meter includes a housing having a flow passage, through which the fluid can be guided from an inlet opening of the housing to an outlet opening of the housing, a measuring tube, which is inserted into the flow passage and constricts the flow cross section in one section of the flow passage, and a holding device, by which the measuring tube is retained on the housing. A respective flow straightener having at least one aperture through which the fluid can flow is arranged between the inlet opening and the measuring tube and/or between the measuring tube and the outlet opening. The flow straightener is configured as a separate component part, which is secured on the holding device by a form-locking or force-locking connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Messthaler, Markus Eff, Hans-Michael Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 10545040
    Abstract: A flowmeter includes an orifice plate assembly having a carrier that includes an aperture, an annular rim disposed about the aperture, and an annular ledge extending radially inward from the rim to the aperture. An orifice plate and annular seal are disposed within the annular rim. The plate engages the ledge and is retained on the carrier by a retaining ring and the energized annular seal. The seal is disposed in a seal gland formed between the orifice plate, the carrier, and the ring member, and sealingly engages at least one surface of each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Daniel Measurment and Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Gwen Doom, Thomas Henry Loga, Gregory Theron Jay, Mark O'Daniel, Anthony Eugene Carter, David Bruce Stevens
  • Patent number: 10539443
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring velocity of a fluid stream via deflection of a wire filament. Also disclosed is a process for measuring velocity of a fluid stream, requiring deflecting two or more wire filaments in a fluid stream, measuring two or more resistances, and equating the velocity of the fluid stream to the result of a function of the two or more resistances. In both the apparatus and method, one wire filament must have a length dimension longer than at least one of a dimension of the wire filament in the primary sensing or transverse direction, as well as a dimension of the wire filament in the primary sensing and/or transverse direction less than 50 ? ? U ? ? ? throughout a predetermined operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Marcus Hultmark, Clay Byers, Matthew Fu, Yuyang Fan