Patents by Inventor Brian H. Welker

Brian H. Welker 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: 6827486
    Abstract: An automatic insertion device includes a temperature sensing element structured to provide direct contact between the fluid in a pipeline and the sensor or sensing element. A valve assembly is provided to seal the interior of the conduit from its exterior when the sensing element is in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040233969
    Abstract: An automatic insertion device includes a temperature sensing element structured to provide direct contact between the fluid in a pipeline and the sensor or sensing element. A valve assembly is provided to seal the interior of the conduit from its exterior when the sensing element is in its retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6818045
    Abstract: The liquid separator with integral sight glass separates liquids, if present, from gases and allows a technician to visually confirm the presence or absence of liquids in the gas. The present invention is typically used when taking a spot sample from a natural gas pipeline. Spot samples of natural gas are often analyzed by gas chromatographs which do not tolerate the presence of liquids in a sample. If the technician visually confirms the presence of liquids, adjustments to the spot sampling technique can be made to possibly eliminate the creation of such liquids due to poor technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6764536
    Abstract: An integrated sampling device with liquid eliminator is provided. The device includes a body with integrated valving. A liquid eliminator device is provided within the body and interposed in a flow path such that gas will pass through and liquid will not. The gas will then be conducted to a sampling device while the liquid will pass through an exhaust port back to the source of fluid. An inlet valve is also provided to control the flow of fluid from the source to the liquid eliminator element. An outlet valve may be provided to control liquid back to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6761757
    Abstract: A probe is provided that combines in one housing a pressure regulator and filter/dryer element. The probe may be connected to a conduit for the transfer of a fluid sample, such as natural gas, from the conduit to provide separation of the fluid such that a gaseous component may be then subsequently transferred to an instrument or the like. If liquid is separated it may be returned to the conduit via a return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040101025
    Abstract: An automatic insertion device includes a temperature sensing element structured to provide direct contact between the fluid in a pipeline and the sensor or sensing element. A valve assembly is provided to seal the interior of the conduit from its exterior when the sensing element is in its retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040099068
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sampling of natural gas. The apparatus includes a fixed volume cylinder with a side wall and opposite end walls. A valve assembly is mounted in at least one end wall with the end wall functioning as a valve body housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040099143
    Abstract: An integrated sampling device with liquid eliminator is provided. The device includes a body with integrated valving. A liquid eliminator device is provided within the body and interposed in a flow path such that gas will pass through and liquid will not. The gas will then be conducted to a sampling device while the liquid will pass through an exhaust port back to the source of fluid. An inlet valve is also provided to control the flow of fluid from the source to the liquid eliminator element. An outlet valve may be provided to control liquid back to the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040083891
    Abstract: The liquid separator with integral sight glass separates liquids, if present, from gases and allows a technician to visually confirm the presence or absence of liquids in the gas. The present invention is typically used when taking a spot sample from a natural gas pipeline. Spot samples of natural gas are often analyzed by gas chromatographs which do not tolerate the presence of liquids in a sample. If the technician visually confirms the presence of liquids, adjustments to the spot sampling technique can be made to possibly eliminate the creation of such liquids due to poor technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Publication number: 20040079236
    Abstract: A probe is provided that combines in one housing a pressure regulator and filter/dryer element. The probe may be connected to a conduit for the transfer of a fluid sample, such as natural gas, from the conduit to provide separation of the fluid such that a gaseous component may be then subsequently transferred to an instrument or the like. If liquid is separated it may be returned to the conduit via a return line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6422737
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing dissimilar fluids or fluids having different densities is disclosed. A piston shaped for a close fit and slidably mounted within a tubular member divides a material container into a pressurized end and a mixing chamber. A pump is sealably attached to a base plate. The pump communicates with the mixing chamber through an inlet. The outlet bore is directed so that the discharging mixture from the pump causes a turbulent mixing action within the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6338359
    Abstract: A probe structure for inserting into and operating upon an object within a pipeline, especially a high pressure pipeline carrying liquid or gas, is characterized by two coaxial cylinders that can be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. A primary cylinder is adapted to be mounted onto a pipeline tee and/or valve, and includes a movable primary piston to which is fixedly attached a primary lower hollow shaft that moves with the primary piston and preferably a primary upper hollow shaft that also moves with the primary piston. The primary lower hollow shaft is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline while the primary upper hollow shaft extends above the primary cylinder and is fixed to a secondary cylinder, such that the secondary cylinder moves with the primary piston. The secondary piston includes a secondary piston that moves independently of the first and second cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6259523
    Abstract: An optic device for use in viewing the interior of pressurized vessels, especially high pressure fluid pipelines. Embodiments of the optic device allow manual or automatic insertion/retraction of the viewing head allowing variable depth viewing of the interior. The viewing head is capable of various embodiments including the ability to carry various optic devices and is adapted to withstand high pressures. The automatically insertable optic device can be either hydraulically or pneumatically actuated. Both the automatic and manual optic devices may be fixed or variable focus. The fixed focus devices utilize lenses, ultra-miniature color cameras, and fiberscopes either with or without integral light sources as part of the viewing head. The variable focus device utilizes lenses and a reflector. Preferably, the viewing head utilizes sapphire viewing windows which exhibit excellent light transmission and resistance to high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6120035
    Abstract: An end cap with a inwardly flanged bevel tapered seal utilized on sample cylinders for pipeline applications that provides a better means for sealing the sample cylinder. The present invention specifically relates to mating ring seal members having a beveled mitered interface and each member having an inward flange or lip. The preferred embodiment of the invention was designed with a sample cylinder in mind wherein the sample cylinder has an end cap with a purging port and a piston that reciprocates within said sample cylinder. The typical sample cylinder is designed such that contents in the internal sampling chamber can be purged through the purging port of the end cap by plunging the piston inside the sampling chamber against the end cap in a reciprocating fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6092519
    Abstract: A case for heating sample containers during transport, where the case has a housing that containing thermal insulation and a disposable heating material that generates heat by chemical reaction with oxygen. Closeable apertures allow control over the access of oxygen to the heating material, and thereby over the rate of reaction. A method of portably heating a sample cylinder is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventors: David J. Fish, Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6091489
    Abstract: An optic device for use in viewing the interior of pressurized vessels, especially high pressure fluid pipelines. Embodiments of the optic device allow manual or automatic insertion/retraction of the viewing head allowing variable depth viewing of the interior. The viewing head is capable of various embodiments including the ability to carry various optic devices and is adapted to withstand high pressures. The automatically insertable optic device can be either hydraulically or pneumatically actuated. Both the automatic and manual optic devices may be fixed or variable focus. The fixed focus devices utilize lenses, ultra-miniature color cameras, and fiberscopes either with or without integral light sources as part of the viewing head. The variable focus device utilizes lenses and a reflector. Preferably, the viewing head utilizes sapphire viewing windows which exhibit excellent light transmission and resistance to high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6085777
    Abstract: A probe structure for inserting into and operating upon an object within a pipeline, especially a high pressure pipeline carrying liquid or gas, is characterized by two coaxial cylinders that can be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. A primary cylinder is adapted to be mounted onto a pipeline tee and/or valve, and includes a movable primary piston to which is fixedly attached a primary lower hollow shaft that moves with the primary piston and preferably a primary upper hollow shaft that also moves with the primary piston. The primary lower hollow shaft is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline while the primary upper hollow shaft extends above the primary cylinder and is fixed to a secondary cylinder, such that the secondary cylinder moves with the primary piston. The secondary piston includes a secondary piston that moves independently of the first and second cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6036119
    Abstract: An elastomeric vaporizing injection nozzle for pipeline applications that provides an adjustable fluid flow rate, and a uniform, consistent and predictable spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 5996425
    Abstract: A sample cylinder for holding natural gas or other fluid samples for analysis which can completely clear itself of one sample before being filled with a subsequent sample. The piston is adapted to receive an elastomeric head which is preferably concave to the end cap. The end cap is also preferably sloped downward toward the outlet. When the piston head contacts the end cap, contact begins near the cylinder body wall and progresses inward to the outlet. The end cap is adapted to receive an elastomeric gasket seal instead of an o-ring. No spaces are left between the end cap and the cylinder body which could retain sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 5945611
    Abstract: A device for introducing a sample into or removing a sample from a pipeline, tube, or the like, and more particularly to a device for sampling fluids under pressure in a pipeline, tube, duct, conduit, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker