Flow Metering Patents (Class 250/356.1)
  • Patent number: 10593181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smoke detection device (1) for detecting smoke (7) from a fire (6) in a monitoring area (3), comprising a camera interface (8) for receiving an image sequence having chronologically successive individual images from a monitoring camera (2), wherein the individual images (4) show the monitoring area (3), and comprising an evaluating device (9) for detecting at least one moving object in the monitoring area (3), wherein the evaluating device (9) is designed to detect a motion of the at least one moving object from at least two individual images (4) of the image sequence (5), characterized by a filter device (10) for distinguishing the moving object as smoke (7) or as a non-smoke object on the basis of the motion of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Stadler
  • Patent number: 10155628
    Abstract: A method includes optically interacting a flow of bulk material or powder in a pneumatic conveyor with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the flow of bulk material or powder. The method includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, producing an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the flow, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the flow. Also, the method includes modifying at least one of a flow rate or an air pressure in the pneumatic conveyor in response to the value of the characteristic of the flow. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin Katherine Holden, Robert Paul Freese, John Gilbert Heaton
  • Patent number: 10101192
    Abstract: Radiometric measuring arrangement for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level or a density, of a fill substance located in a container and a method executable therewith for detection of accretion formation in the container. The variable to be measured is measured by means of a measuring system, which during operation sends radioactive radiation along a measuring path through the container, and measures radiation intensity emerging from the container along the measuring path, and by means of a comparison measuring system, which sends radioactive radiation along a comparison path through the container and measures radiation intensity emerging from the container along the comparison path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Dirk Glaser, Martin Urban
  • Patent number: 9863850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the content of at least one compound in an exhaust gas stream resulting from internal combustion. A first relative proportion of a first compound in the exhaust gas stream is measured by means of a first sensor, and a defined flow of a first gas is added to said exhaust gas stream downstream said first sensor. A second relative proportion of said first compound in the combined stream of said exhaust gas stream and said added gas is measured by means of a second sensor, and a mass flow of said first compound in said exhaust gas stream resulting from said combustion in said internal combustion is determined by means of said first and second relative proportions and said defined flow of said first gas. The invention also relates to a system and vehicle dynamometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Rototest International AB
    Inventor: Christian Engström
  • Patent number: 9625372
    Abstract: A solution for evaluating a sample gas for a presence of a trace gas, such as ozone, is provided. The solution uses an ultraviolet source and an ultraviolet detector mounted in a chamber. The chamber can include reflecting walls and/or structures configured to guide ultraviolet light. A computer system can operate the ultraviolet source in a high power pulse mode and acquire data corresponding to an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation detected by the ultraviolet detector while a sample gas is present in the chamber. Using the data, the computer system can determine a presence and/or an amount of the trace gas in the sample gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Bilenko, Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 9581558
    Abstract: A method is presented for determining at least one piece of information representative of a phase fraction of a fluid in a pipe. The method comprises the estimation of a number of counts received in each measuring interval based on each piece of representative information determined at a preceding iteration, then calculating a residual comprising a first criterion calculated from probabilities using a given statistical law to measure, for each energy, the number of counts measured in each interval, the given statistical law being parameterized based on the number of estimated counts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Geoservices Equipements
    Inventor: Sebastien Cadalen
  • Patent number: 9562797
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring apparatus capable of accurately measuring a mass flow rate of an exhaust gas, includes a laser distributor causing a sheet-like laser to move in a laser introduction duct. An imaging device takes images at specified times. A processor calculates, based on the images, motion vectors of an exhaust gas for a period at a plurality of positions in each image; averages the motion vectors into one motion vector; and calculates the Y-components of the averaged motion vectors in the images as movement amounts of the exhaust gas, an arithmetic mean of the movement amounts as a representative movement amount of the exhaust gas, an actual flow velocity of the exhaust gas from the representative movement amount, an actual flow rate of the exhaust gas from the actual flow velocity, and, based on the actual flow rate, a mass flow rate of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshikuni Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9448189
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid phase fraction of a multiphase fluid mixture (13) comprises: —a x-ray generator (20) arranged to emit a x-ray radiation spectrum comprising a low energy region and a high energy region, the high energy region including a Bremsstrahlung spectrum; —a pipe section (27) through which the multiphase fluid mixture (13) flows comprising a measurement section (28), said measurement section (28) being coupled to said x-ray generator (20); —a detector (30) coupled to said measurement section (28) and arranged to detect x-ray radiation that has passed through said multiphase fluid mixture (13), the detector (30) being coupled to a multichannel analyzer (32) producing a measurement output comprising a low energy (LE) and high energy (HE) measurement counts; wherein the measurement output further comprises a low energy (LV) and high energy (HV) control counts, in a low energy and high energy control windows located on an edge of the Bremsstrahlung spectrum, respectively; and wherein the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roman Vladimirovich Korkin, Lev Zakharov, Oleg Zhdaneev, Joel Lee Groves
  • Patent number: 9366558
    Abstract: Heteronuclear radioisotope nanoparticle of core-shell structure and a preparation method thereof are provided. The Heteronuclear radioisotope nanoparticle of core-shell structure comprising core of two different radioisotopes selected from a group consisting of 198Au, 63Ni, 110mAg, 64Cu, 60Co, 192Ir and 103Pd, and a shell comprising SiO2 surrounding the core. The Heteronuclear radioisotope nanoparticle of core-shell can be used as a tracer for the purpose of detecting variation of volume ratio or for the evaluation of the behavior characteristic of a water resource, based on information about phase ratio in the flow of multiphase fluid existing in a process which is operated under extreme condition such as high temperature and/or high pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Sung-Hee Jung, Seong-Ho Choi, Jong-bum Kim, Jinho Moon, Jin-Hyuck Jung
  • Patent number: 8791406
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring a property of a gas, such as the amount of liquid in a stream of the gas. The apparatus comprises a source of beta particles (20), a detector (23) capable of detecting beta particles, means (18) to support said source and said detector spaced apart from each other such that gas may enter the space between the source and detector and that the source is positioned to emit beta particles towards said detector; wherein said detector comprises a scintillation material in optical communication with a photodetector (26), and means (24) to physically isolate said photodetector from said gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey, PLC
    Inventors: Magne Kjetil Husebo, Tor Magnus Saevareide
  • Patent number: 8785877
    Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Quantum Technical Services LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Winfield, Stephen N. Harris, Lance Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140125058
    Abstract: The invention comprises a wind turbine optical wind sensor 10 mounted on the rotor 4 of a wind turbine, either on the blades 5 or on the hub 5. The sensor comprises a plurality of light sources, each generating respective sensor beams made up of at least two individual parallel component sensor beams. Transit times for particulate matter carried in the wind breaking the at least two component sensor beams are used to provide one or more of an indication of wind speed and/or a component of vertical wind speed. The data received from the sensor can be used in control processes for the operation of the wind turbine, particularly for temporarily pitching the rotor blades in adverse wind conditions, such as when vertical wind gusts are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Ib Svend Olesen
  • Patent number: 8569702
    Abstract: Method and apparatus enable direct measurement of at least one flow velocity for one or more phases within a multiphase fluid mixture flowing in a conduit. Some embodiments provide determination of actual individual phase flow rates for three phases (e.g., oil, water and gas) that are distinct from one another within the fluid mixture. A multiphase flowmeter according to embodiments of the invention includes at least two optical sensors spatially distributed along a length of the conduit and designed to detect light interactions with the fluid mixture unique to the phases such that detected time-varying signals can be processed via cross-correlation or an array processing algorithm to provide desired individual phase flow velocity for oil, water and/or gas phases. This flow velocity can be applied to phase fraction measurements, which can be obtained utilizing the same flowmeter or another separate device, to calculate the flow rates for the phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Espen S. Johansen
  • Publication number: 20130193327
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble liquid composition and its use to detect leaks and/or as antifreeze for water-based circuits. The composition comprises at least one fluorescent product and at least one liquid miscible with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Gabriele Berton
  • Publication number: 20130161517
    Abstract: An adjustable aperture device for an electromagnetic radiation detecting apparatus includes a position adjustment body configured for adjusting a position of a selected aperture hole of multiple selectable aperture holes, where electromagnetic radiation propagates through the selected aperture hole. The adjustable aperture device further includes a guide unit configured for guiding the position adjustment body along a predefined guide direction, and an aperture body defining the aperture holes and including multiple engagement sections, where the adjustment body is engagable in a selectable one of the engagement sections to thereby select the selected aperture hole. The adjustable aperture device further includes a pre-loading element configured for pre-loading the position adjustment body towards the aperture body, and a drive unit configured for driving the aperture body to move so that the position adjustment body is engaged in a respective one of the plurality of engagement sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8362440
    Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Quantum Technical Services LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Winfield, Stephen N. Harris, Lance Freeman
  • Patent number: 8129692
    Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Quantum Technical Services, LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Winfield, Lance Freeman, Stephen N. Harris
  • Patent number: 8089046
    Abstract: A method for determining the flow rate of a gas includes measuring a first concentration of a calibration gas provided to the process chamber at a first pressure and temperature by directing infrared radiation into the process chamber and monitoring a first amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the calibration gas. A mixture of a second gas and the calibration gas is provided to the process chamber while maintaining the first pressure and temperature. A second concentration of the calibration gas in the mixture is measured by directing infrared radiation into the process chamber and monitoring a second amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the calibration gas. A flow rate of the second gas is calculated by comparing the first and second concentrations of the calibration gas. In one embodiment, the calibration gas and the second gas may not absorb the infrared radiation at the same wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Davis, Thorsten B. Lill, Quentin E. Walker
  • Publication number: 20090078871
    Abstract: A workpiece processing system includes a platen configured to support a workpiece, a source configured to provide an electromagnetic wave proximate a front surface of the workpiece, and a detector. The detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic wave and provide a detection signal representative of an outgassing rate from the workpiece of outgassing byproducts. A method of detecting an outgassing rate is also provided. The method includes providing an electromagnetic wave proximate a front surface of a workpiece, receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic wave, and providing a detection signal representative of an outgassing rate from the workpiece of outgassing byproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Steven R. Walther, Harold M. Persing
  • Patent number: 7372039
    Abstract: A UV absorption spectrometer includes a housing, a controller, and a sensor unit including an ultraviolet light source, an analytical area in an analytical cell or in running water or gaseous medium, and an UV wavelength separator including a UV detector. An ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 200-320 nm emits from the light source through the analytical area to the wavelength separator, and the controller transforms output signals from the UV detector into absorbance values or optical densities for two or more wavelengths in the wavelength range, calculates differences of said absorbance values or optical densities, determines a concentration of a chemical in the solution with calibration constants found for a known concentration of the chemical and said differences of said absorbance values or optical densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Paul Schilling, Anna Pilipchenko, Paul R. Kraus, Katherine M. Sanville
  • Publication number: 20080032427
    Abstract: An ion analysis system to measure ion energy distribution at several points during a process of manufacturing a semiconductor circuit includes at least two ion flux sensors combined in a single system to measure an ion energy distribution function, each of the ion flux sensors having cells including an opening of 50 micrometers or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung Hee Lee, Andrey Ushakov, Yuri Tolmachev, Vladimir Volynets, Won Ceak Pak, Vasily Pashkovskiy
  • Patent number: 7102133
    Abstract: A device used to measure the mass flow of a particulate transported with the aid of a gas. The device includes an arrangement which is used to create an electromagnetic field, with a measuring area being defined therein. An evaluation device for electromagnetic radiation which is reflected at least off of the solid(s) is connected to a detector. The evaluation device is provided with a differentiator which is connected to the detector for detecting reflected electromagnetic radiation. A rectifier is connected to the differentiator in order to determine an amount, whereby mass flow is obtained from the reflection amount. The reflection is measured, at least from the solid(s) within the measuring area of the magnetic field, whereupon the differential quotient is determined as a function of time from the chronological progression of the measuring signal and the absolute value is obtained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: mic measuring ideas consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Happel
  • Patent number: 6433861
    Abstract: A method for non-invasive measurement of the velocity of a medium selected from either a gas or a fluid at an examination location by boosting atoms and molecules of the medium into an excited atomic or molecular state with a focused first pulsed light beam in the investigation location, allowing the excited atoms and/or molecules to relax into a metastable state and then boosting the atoms and/or molecules in the metastable state into an excited atomic or molecular state with a second pulsed light beam that is weaker than the intensity of the first beam to transirradiate the investigation location and to produce a characteristic luminescence, detecting the characteristic luminescence of the selectively excited atoms and/or molecules and determining the coordinates of the investigation location and of the occurrence of the luminescence of a luminescent cloud in an image field and then calculating the velocity of the medium on the basis of the distance between the investigation location and the mid-point of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Martin Nägele, Wilfried Staude
  • Patent number: 6335959
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the phase volume fractions for a multiphase oil well effluent is disclosed. The apparatus measures multiple energy gamma ray attenuations through the effluent mixture, and the method determines the phase volume fractions from these measurements when the mixture is under inhomogeneous flow conditions. The apparatus includes a pipe section with a Venturi through which the mixture flows. A source of radiation transmits rays at two or more energy levels through the mixture. A solid state detector measures the transmitted attenuation count rates. A low absorption window of a truncated cone shape is preferably incorporated in lieu of the pipe wall in the area of the detector. The method comprises measuring ray attenuation, in the two-energy example, at one high energy emission line, to differentiate between the gas and liquid components, and at a relatively lower energy emission line, to differentiate between the oil and water phases within the liquid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Daniel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Lynch, Gary John Miller
  • Publication number: 20010044109
    Abstract: A method is described for determining the sequence of nucleic acids. The method employs small solid phase particles having transponders, with a primary layer of an oligonucleotide of known sequence attached to the outer surface of the particle. A read/write scanner device is used to encode and decode data on the transponder. The stored data includes the sequence of the oligonucleotide immobilized on the transponder. The sequence of sample nucleic acids is determined by detecting annealing to an oligonucleotide bound to a particle, followed by decoding the transponder to determine the sequence of the oligonucleotide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Pharmaseq, Inc.
    Inventor: Wlodek Mandecki