Patents by Inventor Billy Smith

Billy Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8408049
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Multiphase Flow International, LLC, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Patent number: 8176796
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Multiphase Flow International, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Patent number: 7954362
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Multiphase Flow International LLC
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20100274503
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Yildirim HURMUZLU, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20100268487
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Yildirim HURMUZLU, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20100113932
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for determining the coefficient of elasticity of a target by detecting an ultracritical reflection of ultrasound waves directed at the target using an ultrasound transducer at two or more angles simultaneously and calculating the elasticity coefficient of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Pietro Antich, Charles Y.C. Pak, Billy Smith, Edmond Richer, Matthew A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7611465
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for determining the coefficient of elasticity of a target by detecting determining simultaneously two or more critical-angle reflections of an ultrasound wave from the target using an ultrasound transducer that includes a transmitter and two or more receivers and calculating the elasticity coefficients of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter P. Antich, Charles Y. C. Pak, Billy Smith, Edmond Richer, Matthew A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090025460
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine fractions of various phases in a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes main body including an interior configured receive a multiphase fluid and an exterior. The apparatus senses fluid pressure of multiphase fluid received in the interior and senses a fluid temperature of the multiphase fluid. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave into the fluid and detects the transmitted wave to determine its velocity and attenuation. The apparatus may adjust the determined velocity and attenuation based on the temperature and pressure of the fluid to compensate for a difference between the sensed temperature and pressure and a standard temperature and pressure. The apparatus determines a gas fraction, water fraction, and a non-water fluid fraction of the multiphase fluid based on the sensed fluid pressure, the sensed fluid temperature, and the velocity and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Peter Antich, Ali Dogru, Edmond Richer, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20070240256
    Abstract: A toilet tank lever assembly may be mounted in various toilet tanks by selective positioning of a long lever arm relative a short lever arm. One such lever assembly include a long lever arm which may be mounted at an infinite degree of adjustment relative a short lever arm as provided by a ball and socket interface between the lever arms. The ability to reverse the short lever arm essentially doubles the number of mounting possibilities. By selecting between a front insert and a side insert, a handle is readily positioned for either front or side tank mounting. Various handles may also be readily attached to the lever post to provide various aesthetic appearances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Tau, Iosif Manga, Billy Smith
  • Publication number: 20050015010
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for determining the coefficient of elasticity of a target by detecting determining simultaneously two or more critical-angle reflections of an ultrasound wave from the target using an ultrasound transducer that includes a transmitter and two or more receivers and calculating the elasticity coefficients of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter Antich, Charles Pak, Billy Smith, Edmond Richer, Matthew Lewis