Flow Displacement Element Actuates Electrical Controller Patents (Class 137/101.21)
  • Patent number: 11860016
    Abstract: A mass flow controller assembly includes a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of internal passages, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet. A valve is connected to the housing, has an inlet fluidly coupled to the second outlet of the housing and an outlet fluidly coupled to the second inlet of the housing. The valve is configured to control fluid flow from the second outlet of the housing to the second inlet of the housing. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) Coriolis flow sensor is arranged in the cavity, includes an inlet fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the first inlet of the housing and is configured to measure at least one of a mass flow rate and density of fluid flowing through the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor. An outlet of the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor is fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the second outlet of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer, Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11591890
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon production system comprises a base pipe; and a separator having a body with an inner surface defining a conduit, the inner surface being coated with a polymer blend comprising a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component, an inlet, a water outlet, and an oil outlet fluidly coupled to the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhi Yong He, Yuh Loh, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 11209838
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for odorizing natural gas flowing through a distribution pipeline. The system includes a bypass line adjacent to a distribution pipeline, wherein bypass gas flows through the bypass line and an odorant tank connected to the bypass line, and into the distribution pipeline; a high-flow control valve and a low-flow control valve in the bypass line, wherein bypass gas flows through the odorant tank into the distribution pipeline when the high-flow control valve or the low-flow control valve is open; and a programmable logic controller connected to the high-flow and low flow control valve; wherein the programmable logic controller opens the high-flow or low-flow control valve for a predetermined dwell time proportional to an amount of bypass gas needed to odorize gas in the distribution pipeline each time that a preselected quantity of gas flows through the distribution pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Welker, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Welker, Wade Williams, Paul Minier
  • Patent number: 11185728
    Abstract: A fire apparatus includes a fluid delivery system having a water circuit, an agent circuit, and a ratio controller. The water circuit includes a water pump configured to pump water from a water source through the water circuit. The agent circuit includes an agent tank configured to store an agent, an agent pump configured to pump the agent through the agent circuit, and an agent metering valve positioned to variably restrict a flow of the agent therethrough. The ratio controller is positioned to receive the water and the agent. The ratio controller is configured to provide an agent-water solution to one or more outlets. The agent metering valve is a self-adjusting metering valve having a valve controller configured to adjust at least one of an orifice size and a valve position based on a water flow rate entering the ratio controller and a preselected agent-to-water ratio for the agent-water solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: David Fieber, Brian Piller, Chad Trinkner
  • Patent number: 10449281
    Abstract: A method and a device use pulsed flow profiles in the addition of a solution to an extracorporeal circulation to improve the mixing of the added solution with the blood, in particular in regional anticoagulation with citrate. Extracorporeal blood treatment processes are usually carried out with anticoagulation of the blood. In regional anticoagulation with citrate, sometimes a clot is observed in the extracorporeal blood circulation at the point of addition of the calcium infusion solution. If the extracorporeal circulation becomes occluded, the treatment must be interrupted. To prevent this, the method and device add the calcium infusion solution with a pulsed flow profile, with which better mixing is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Arne Peters
  • Patent number: 10294092
    Abstract: A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SESTRA SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Lev Volftsun
  • Patent number: 10241479
    Abstract: A new apparatus & method of use thereof for providing a selectable e-liquid juice solution from a dispenser are provided. In one embodiment a method for (a) providing a user determined combination of various liquids in a predetermined mixture that results in customized e-liquid juice having user specified quantities of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavoring is disclosed; (b) separately storing at least four liquids to be mixed after user determined selections are input; (c) facilitating the storage in memory of recipes for e-liquid juice or combinations thereof; (d) receiving a selection or user input for a specific combination of liquids; (e) dispensing automatically in response to the selection or user input the resulting volume of liquid combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Liquid Barn, LLC
    Inventors: Ashkan Mazarei, Robert Bishop
  • Patent number: 10125002
    Abstract: A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SESTRA SYSTEMS, INC
    Inventor: Lev Volftsun
  • Patent number: 9586161
    Abstract: A device for decanting a supernatant includes a decanter which is pivotally attached to a clarifier and which includes a decanter head that has a water inlet opening, a pivoting device which is connected to the decanter via an actuator with an adjustable length for raising and lowering the water inlet opening relative to a floor of the clarifier, a first measuring device for measuring a fill level of the wastewater received in the clarifier, a device for determining a length of the actuator, an evaluating device with which a distance of the water inlet opening of the decanter to the floor of the clarifier can be determined from the length of the actuator, and a controller for controlling the pivoting device such that a water inlet opening immersion depth, which results from the difference between the fill level and the distance, is kept in a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INVENT UMWELT—UND VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 9279419
    Abstract: There is provided a process for controllably supplying a chemical agent to a flowing process fluid for effecting generation of treated flowing fluid comprising a chemical agent-derived fluid component material, wherein the chemical agent-derived fluid component material is derived from the chemical agent. The controllably supplying comprises: while discharging a chemical agent from a chemical agent supply system, modulating distribution of the chemical agent that is being discharged, between at least a flowing process fluid and a fluid bypass, with a chemical agent supply modulation system, in accordance with a system operating cycle, wherein the system operating cycle includes a single system supply mode and a single system bypass mode, and wherein the system bypass mode follows the system supply mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Prochem ULC
    Inventor: Shawn French
  • Patent number: 9239008
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Patent number: 8475550
    Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sentry Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Zeck
  • Patent number: 8349038
    Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below the pressure of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline, the hydraulic booster having a first side which communicates with the chemical in the injection conduit and another, isolated side which is exposed to hydraulic pressure but which is isolated from the chemical being injected. A flow control valve may be located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sentry Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Zeck
  • Patent number: 8091575
    Abstract: A valve system for monitoring and controlling a flow of a fluid additive into a main fluid line is disclosed. The system includes a pump that provides a constant flow of the additive from a fluid reservoir through a supply conduit into the main fluid line. A portion of the fluid additive may be diverted into one or more return conduits leading back to the reservoir by opening a solenoid actuated valve in the return conduit. Flow meters are employed to detect the flow rates of the fluids in the supply conduit and the main fluid line. The flow meters provide signals to a control system, which are effective to control the operation of the solenoid actuated valves to maintain a desired flow of the additive into the main fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gammon Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Gammon
  • Publication number: 20090178713
    Abstract: A valve positioner for controlling a valve closure element is provided. The positioner includes a positioner housing with a plurality of fluid flow passageways in fluid communication with a fluid supply source and the valve closure element. The positioner housing is configured to receive a detachable spool manifold assembly. The spool manifold assembly is positioned adjacent the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a reciprocally moveable spool configured to selectively port fluid flow from the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a diaphragm connected to the spool via a flexible shaft. The diaphragm is in fluid communication with a transducer for receiving a fluid causing the diaphragm to expand or contract and thereby displacing the spool. The flexible shaft is radially elastic in order to minimize axial backlash between the diaphragm and the spool. The flexible shaft configuration minimizes the spool stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Flavio Tondolo
  • Publication number: 20080314452
    Abstract: A system for supplying at least two fluids in proportioned quantities may include a first and second intake passages configured to be in flow communication with sources of first and second fluids, respectively. The system may include a fluid transfer device in flow communication with the first intake passage and the second intake passage, and a pump in flow communication with the first intake passage. Operation of the pump is configured to supply a quantity of the first fluid to a first chamber of the fluid transfer device such that a quantity of the second fluid is expelled from a second chamber of the fluid transfer device. When operation of the pump is ceased, a quantity of the second fluid enters the second chamber and a quantity of the first fluid is expelled from the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Clyde M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080131323
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling the position of the interface between two or more laminar flow stream in a microfluidic device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first fluid reservoir shaving an output, a first pressure sensor connected to the output of the first fluid reservoir, a first actuator connected to the first fluid reservoir, a feedback loop connected between the first pressure sensor and the first actuator, a second fluid reservoir having an output, a second pressure sensor connected to the output of the second fluid reservoir, a second actuator connected to the second fluid reservoir, a feedback loop connected between the second pressure sensor and the second actuator, and a microfluidic device including a first input connected to the output of the first fluid reservoir, a second input connected to the output of the second fluid reservoir, and an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: M. Brandon Kuczenski, William Charles Messner
  • Patent number: 7287540
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing drag in a fluid stream. The method includes admixing the components of a drag reducer to form an incipient drag reducer and injecting the incipient drag reducer into the fluid stream wherein the drag reducer components are admixed at the site of the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Hammonds, Vladimir Jovancicevic, C. Mitch Means, David Green
  • Patent number: 6886639
    Abstract: A fire-fighting system in which multiple water discharge lines each have associated with them a foam concentrate delivery line where each of the foam concentrate delivery lines are supplied from a foam concentrate tank by way of a positive displacement pump having the capability of having its flow rate adjusted. Each of the water discharge lines includes a flow meter as do all of the foam concentrate delivery lines. The foam concentrate delivery lines also include a valve whose orifice size is electrically controlled. Associated with each of the foam concentrate delivery lines is a microprocessor-based line controller module that receives inputs from the flow meters in the water discharge lines and the flow meters in the foam concentrate delivery lines whereby the proportion of foam concentrate to water in the separate water discharge lines can be set at predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hypro Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Arvidson, Robert S. Horeck, Robert L. Hosfield
  • Publication number: 20040216780
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing drag in a fluid stream. The method includes admixing the components of a drag reducer to form an incipient drag reducer and injecting the incipient drag reducer into the fluid stream wherein the drag reducer components are admixed at the site of the fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Hammonds, Vladimir Jovancicevic, C. Mitch Means, David Green
  • Patent number: 6609534
    Abstract: A multi-additive injection system for injecting required amounts of different additives to flowing fuel in a fuel line (6) comprises a number of additive injection sub-systems (1, 2, 3 and 4). Each sub-system includes a source of additive (7), a pump (13) to deliver additive from the source (7) to the fuel line (6), and an additive meter (21) to measure an amount of the additive being delivered to the fuel line (6) by the pump (13). The multi-additive injection system further includes a meter to measure the amount of fuel flowing through the fuel line (6) and a control device such as a computer to control the pump (13) of each sub-system to adjust the amount of additive being delivered by each pump, should the amount metered by the meters (21) deviate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Fluid Transfer Limited
    Inventors: Brian Frederick Beaney, Bruno Peter Paul La Terra
  • Patent number: 6543469
    Abstract: A system for mixing and dispensing a structural foam formed from two or more component foam parts mixed together in a predetermined mass ratio. At least a first one of said component parts is pre-mixed with a blowing agent and maintained under pressure. The system comprises volumetric flow sensors to measure the rate of flow of each of the component foam parts to be mixed, a feedback loop comprising a digital computer, to determine whether the predetermined mass ratio has been achieved on an instantaneous basis, and at least one gear-type variable flow controller to reduce the flow rate of said first one of the component foam parts to be mixed. The gear-type variable flow controller is adjustable by at least one of an electro-mechanical, hydraulic or electrical type braking device in response to the rate of flow data measured by said volumetric flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Compsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Lewit, Miles Mackaness
  • Patent number: 6418954
    Abstract: A system for dividing a single flow of gas into two or more secondary flows of known, precise values, without requiring a high upstream pressure. The system includes an inlet for receiving the single gas flow, and first and second flow lines connected to the inlet. A mass flow meter measures gas flow through the first line and provides a signal indicative of the measured flow rate. A restrictor restricts gas flow through the first line to a desired flow rate, and has a smallest cross-sectional flow area selected to provide an upstream pressure high enough to allow the mass flow meter to operate properly and lower than a predetermined upper pressure limit. A mass flow controller receives the signal indicative of the measured flow rate from the mass flow meter and maintains a flow rate through the second line based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Taylor, John Christopher Hallahan, William R. Clark
  • Patent number: 6253779
    Abstract: A system for blending two-blend components to form a blended final product including a first supply line for supplying a first blend component at a first flow rate and a second supply line for supplying a second blend component at a second flow rate. The first supply line and the second supply line intersect to form a blended product line. The system further includes a blended product measuring device positioned in the blended product line for measuring the flow rate of the blended product and an auxiliary measuring device positioned in the first supply line for measuring the flow rate of the first blend component. The auxiliary measuring device may have a degree of accuracy less than that of the blended product meter. Alternatively, the auxiliary measuring device may have the same level of accuracy as that of the blended product meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Masconi Commerce Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, John S. McSpadden
  • Publication number: 20010000282
    Abstract: A single meter blending fuel dispensing system utilizing a pair of proportional flow control valves each having a pressure transducer positioned aft of the valve flow control mechanism. A computer controller is used to program a desired fuel mixture by varying the pressure for each flow control valve. A pressure decrease in one valve produces a corresponding pressure increase in the other valve. A third pressure transducer can be situated downstream of the valves and is set such that the pressure it receives cannot exceed that of the two valve pressures. Flow meters can be substituted for the pressure sensors. A calibration method for calibrating the positive displacement meter is also disclosed. At installation the positive displacement meter is at its most accurate and is synchronized with the less accurate pressure sensors or flow meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: April 19, 2001
    Inventors: Edward S. Poleshuk, Joseph D. Long