Patents by Inventor Joel David Bell

Joel David Bell 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: 11603724
    Abstract: A mud flow measurement apparatus is described which is capable of measuring mud flow rate and density at or near the wellhead during a drilling operation. A riser assembly includes a torus wedge meter and density detection elements which are interconnected with a flow computer. Flow parameters are measured for unscreened drilling mud exiting a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bell Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Publication number: 20230077079
    Abstract: A mud flow measurement apparatus is described which is capable of measuring mud flow rate and density at or near the wellhead during a drilling operation. A riser assembly includes a torus wedge meter and density detection elements which are interconnected with a flow computer. Flow parameters are measured for unscreened drilling mud exiting a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Patent number: 10794741
    Abstract: Flow measurement inserts replace standard orifice plates within single or dual-chamber orifice fittings. Flow measurement inserts are described which have insert bodies are shaped and sized to reside within the flow bore insert chamber of standard orifice fittings. An exemplary flow measurement insert includes an insert body with an opening formed therein which will align with the flow bore of the orifice fitting when the flow measurement insert is disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BELL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Publication number: 20200109975
    Abstract: Flow measurement inserts replace standard orifice plates within single or dual-chamber orifice fittings. Flow measurement inserts are described which have insert bodies are shaped and sized to reside within the flow bore insert chamber of standard orifice fittings. An exemplary flow measurement insert includes an insert body with an opening formed therein which will align with the flow bore of the orifice fitting when the flow measurement insert is disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Patent number: 10444044
    Abstract: A fluid flow measurement system for measuring the flow rate, density and/or other flow parameters of fluid flow through a flowbore. Additionally, the devices and methods advantageously provide for sampling of the fluid flow from different locations within the flow stream (i.e., center, proximate flowbore wall).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Publication number: 20190137308
    Abstract: A fluid flow measurement system for measuring the flow rate, density and/or other flow parameters of fluid flow through a flowbore. Additionally, the devices and methods advantageously provide for sampling of the fluid flow from different locations within the flow stream (i.e., center, proximate flowbore wall).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Zaki Din Husain
  • Patent number: 10060841
    Abstract: A fluid densitometer for measuring the density of fluid includes an inner tube and outer tube. A sensor assembly passes through the outer tube to contact an outer radial surface of the inner tube. The inner tube is vibrated at a predetermined frequency, and detected resonance signals are used to determine fluid density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Randall W. Dear, David A. Tinker
  • Patent number: 10054472
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter includes a flow meter body with a central flow passage and flow restriction opening defined therein. Fluid pressure is measured at the flow restriction opening and compared to fluid pressure measured at an upstream point. An annular flow region is defined within the flow meter body radially between the flow restriction opening and a pressure detection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Publication number: 20180216977
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter includes a flow meter body with a central flow passage and flow restriction opening defined therein. Fluid pressure is measured at the flow restriction opening and compared to fluid pressure measured at an upstream point. An annular flow region is defined within the flow meter body radially between the flow restriction opening and a pressure detection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Publication number: 20170052098
    Abstract: Densitometers for measuring the density of fluid in a flow of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Randall W. Dear, David A. Tinker
  • Patent number: 8365765
    Abstract: A flow restriction member having a cylindrical body and two ends, a two-faced flange disposed radially about the body, and a hub formed by the outer surface of the body not otherwise disposed by the two-faced flange. The flow restriction member further includes a first conically-shaped circular torus opening disposed on one end of the body, the torus opening progressively reducing in cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis into the body, a second conically-shaped circular torus opening disposed on the other end of the body, the torus opening progressively reducing in cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis into the body, and a sill opening disposed between the first and the second torus openings, the sill opening of constant cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the body. In one example, a handle disposed radially from the two-faced flange and an RFID tag disposed within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Publication number: 20090065061
    Abstract: A flow restrictor member having a means for conditioning the flow of fluids through a circular aperture, a means for positioning the flow restrictor member within a path for fluid flow, a means for aligning the flow restrictor member within the path for fluid flow, a means for sealing the flow restrictor member within the path for fluid flow, and a means for communicating information related to the flow restrictor member while the flow restrictor member is positioned, aligned, and sealed. In a specific example, a two-faced flange is integrally disposed on a torus-wedge flow restriction, forming hubs that are receivable by a flow path disposed in a pair of receiving flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Publication number: 20080216587
    Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the meter includes an inner cylindrical tube through which the fluid flows and an outer cylindrical tube tending over the inner cylindrical tube. The outer cylindrical tube is radially spaced from the cylindrical inner tube to provide an annular cylindrical space between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube. A seal between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube closes the annular cylindrical space adjacent ends of the annular cylindrical space. The inner cylindrical tube further defines at least one opening in a wall of the inner cylindrical tube to balance the fluid pressure in the annular cylindrical space with the pressure in the inner cylindrical tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Patent number: 7357040
    Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the meter includes an inner cylindrical tube through which the fluid flows and an outer cylindrical tube tending over the inner cylindrical tube. The outer cylindrical tube is radially spaced from the cylindrical inner tube to provide an annular cylindrical space between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube. A seal between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube closes the annular cylindrical space adjacent ends of the annular cylindrical space. The inner cylindrical tube further defines at least one opening in a wall of the inner cylindrical tube to balance the fluid pressure in the annular cylindrical space with the pressure in the inner cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Patent number: 6672173
    Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the meter includes an inner cylindrical tube through which the fluid flows and an outer cylindrical tube tending over the inner cylindrical tube. The outer cylindrical tube is radially spaced from the cylindrical inner tube to provide an annular cylindrical space between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube. A seal between said inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube closes the annular cylindrical space adjacent ends of the annular cylindrical space. The inner cylindrical tube further defines at least one opening in a wall of the inner cylindrical tube to balance the fluid pressure in the annular cylindrical space with the pressure in the inner cylindrical tube. A flow restriction member is mounted to an inner surface of said inner cylindrical tube for restricting the flow of fluid through the inner cylindrical tube and produces a pressure drop in the fluid as it flows past the flow restriction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Publication number: 20030226405
    Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the meter includes an inner cylindrical tube through which the fluid flows and an outer cylindrical tube tending over the inner cylindrical tube. The outer cylindrical tube is radially spaced from the cylindrical inner tube to provide an annular cylindrical space between the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube. A seal between said inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube closes the annular cylindrical space adjacent ends of the annular cylindrical space. The inner cylindrical tube further defines at least one opening in a wall of the inner cylindrical tube to balance the fluid pressure in the annular cylindrical space with the pressure in the inner cylindrical tube. A flow restriction member is mounted to an inner surface of said inner cylindrical tube for restricting the flow of fluid through the inner cylindrical tube and produces a pressure drop in the fluid as it flows past the flow restriction member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joel David Bell
  • Patent number: 5848607
    Abstract: A mounting plate is disclosed that is adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and at least two differential pressure transmitters, to place the two differential pressure transmitters in fluid communication with a pair of pipeline taps on opposite sides of a flow reducing orifice plate in the main flow line is disclose. The mounting plate includes a plate-like body generally rectangular in cross section along its longitudinal axis and longer than it is wide along its transverse axis. The plate-like body includes a pair of ports that extend through the body and are in fluid communication with the pair of pressure taps with the longitudinal axis of the body parallel to the main flow line. A plurality of passageways or bores extend into the body to connect the ports to various combinations of pressure transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Alan Fu Chou
  • Patent number: 5803123
    Abstract: A mounting plate is disclosed that is adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and at least two differential pressure transmitters, to place the two differential pressure transmitters in fluid communication with a pair of pipeline taps on opposite sides of a flow reducing orifice plate in the main flow line is disclose. The mounting plate includes a plate-like body generally rectangular in cross section along its longitudinal axis and longer than it is wide along its transverse axis. The plate-like body includes a pair of ports that extend through the body and are in fluid communication with the pair of pressure taps with the longitudinal axis of the body parallel to the main flow line. A plurality of passageways or bores extend into the body to connect the ports to various combinations of pressure transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Joel David Bell, Alan Fu Chou