Patents by Inventor Earl L. Dowty

Earl L. Dowty 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: 5396807
    Abstract: The gas flow rate and liquid flow rate of a two phase fluid flow are determined by passing the fluid flow down an inclined pipe to stratify the flow. The fluid pressure, temperature and density are measured along with the liquid density. The differential pressure is measured to determine the dynamic head of the fluid. These measurements are used together to determine the gas flow rate and the liquid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Earl L. Dowty, Gregory J. Hatton
  • Patent number: 5195380
    Abstract: A multiphase petroleum stream pipeline analyzer including a defoaming device connected to an upstream section of the pipeline which reduces foam in the petroleum stream. Apparatus stratifies the petroleum stream after defoaming by causing the stream to flow down a decline at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. A device traps gas released during stratification and provides the gas to an accumulator. Liquid exits from the trap device and is allowed to re-enter the downstream section of the pipeline. The accumulator also accumulates gas from the defoaming operation and the stratification. The gas is allowed to exit from the accumulator to the downstream section of the pipeline so as to recombine the petroleum stream. A plurality of sensors monitor liquid and gas in the trap, and exit from the trap and the accumulator for various conditions of the liquid and the gas and provides corresponding signals. A water cut monitor provides a signal corresponding to the water cut of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hatton, Michael G. Durrett, Earl L. Dowty, Gary E. Collier, Clifford L. Redus, Steven M. Stockman
  • Patent number: 5127272
    Abstract: The flow rate monitor includes a test line containing a chamber wherein the test line is declinated at a predetermined angle so stratification of liquid and gas will occur in the chamber. A sample stream is removed from the liquid in the chamber and provided to a separator which separates the gas from the sample stream to provide a gas output and a liquid output. The gas output and the liquid output is returned to the test line. The water cut of the liquid output is determined while the pressure of the composite petroleum stream is sensed along with the temperature. The volumetric flow rate of the composite petroleum stream is monitored and the flow rate signal is provided. The density of the composite petroleum stream is also monitored. The flow rate of all three coponents of the composite petroleum stream is determined in accordance with the temperature signal, the pressure signal, the water cut signal, the flow rate signal and the density signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignees: Texaco Ltd., Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Dean, Earl L. Dowty, Startup Ian
  • Patent number: 5048348
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a rapid determination of the volumetric flow rate of a multi-phase fluid stream comprised of crude oil, water and gas. The gaseous component of the stream is first segregated to allow a measurement of the volumetric relationship between the respective liquid phases. Thereafter, the density of the remaining liquids is made. Translation of the values obtained by such measurements permits the system to function at a remote source of the multi-phase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Durrett, Earl L. Dowty, Gregory J. Hatton
  • Patent number: 4977377
    Abstract: A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. The test cell is maintained at a predetermined temperature. A source provides microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which provides the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the source provided microwave energy and the received microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Durrett, David A. Helms, Gregory J. Hatton, Earl L. Dowty, John D. Marrelli, Joseph D. Stafford, David J. Stavish
  • Patent number: 4947127
    Abstract: A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. A source transmits microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which irradiates the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the received microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Helms, Gregory J. Hatton, Michael G. Durrett, Earl L. Dowty, John D. Marrelli