Fluid Or Fluid Flow Measurement Patents (Class 702/100)
  • Patent number: 7881886
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate as gas flows through a gas flow delivery system is provided. The method includes sending the gas through the gas flow delivery system into a gas conduit, wherein a section of the gas conduit is widened to form an orifice. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice of the gas conduit. The method further includes measuring upstream pressure of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes calculating the actual flow rate based on the upstream pressure of the orifice of the gas conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, James V. Tietz, Vernon Wong, Richard J. Meinecke
  • Patent number: 7881897
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. The calibration map serves as a criteria for selecting the time points. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop a color coded output map. The calibration map, the color coded output map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hadassa Degani
  • Patent number: 7877220
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter assembly is described in which an excitation field is set up across a flow conduit and electrodes are used to sense the electromagnetic field generated across the flow conduit as a result of interaction between the excitation field and fluid flowing along the flow conduit. The signals obtained from the electrodes are processed, together with stored calibration data, by processing circuitry to determine flow measurements and means is provided for dynamically updating the calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Limited
    Inventor: Troy Wray
  • Publication number: 20110013184
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the quantitative determination of total suspended solid particles in a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Said S. Al-Jaroudi, Rashed A. Hadi, Amer A. Al-Shahri
  • Patent number: 7865317
    Abstract: A fuel measurement system and method that can determine the fuel level in a vehicle fuel tank, even when the fuel is sloshing, splashing, or experiencing other dynamic conditions. Generally speaking, the system and method use different fuel measuring techniques to address different fuel tank conditions. For example, during normal conditions a traditional fuel level sensor may be used. During dynamic conditions, such as when the vehicle is experiencing significant acceleration, maneuvering, inclination, yaw rate, etc., the system may employ other measuring techniques that are better suited to address such an environment. One measuring technique that may be used is a consumption-based technique that uses fuel usage signals from one or more fuel injector sensor(s) to determine the amount of fuel consumed, and then subtracts that amount from a previous fuel level reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Begin
  • Patent number: 7860677
    Abstract: Systems and associated apparatus, methods, and computer program products, relate to a small, portable diagnostic instrument for checking the correct operation of a gas metering system that include a gas meter, an electronic corrector, and a junction there between. Some embodiments may use calibrated sensors to check the operation of a rotary or other positive displacement type gas meter or turbine meter. For example, reference sensors may be temporarily applied to monitor gas temperature and pressure, as well as the motion of a flow-responsive element (e.g., impellers, turbine, or diaphragm) in the gas meter. Measured volume signals from the gas meter system may be compared to reference volume signals determined from the reference sensors to check operation of the junction, and/or the electronic corrector. Some embodiments may detect other failure mechanisms, such as bearing-related problems in the gas meter, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Roman Leon Artiuch
  • Patent number: 7856335
    Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Micromed Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gino Morello, Bryan Lynch, Robert Benkowski
  • Publication number: 20100286931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for determining the flow rate of a fluid. The system, method, and computer program product generate a thermal sensor based mass flow rate for the fluid, where the thermal sensor based mass flow rate is determined at least in part from the thermal sensor signal (36). The system, method, and computer program product generate a pressure sensor based mass flow rate for the fluid, wherein the pressure sensor based mass flow rate is determined at least in part from the pressure sensor signal (51a). The system, method, and computer program product generate at least one calibration factor (?) using the thermal sensor based mass flow rate and the pressure sensor based mass flow rate. The system, method, and computer program product may generate a calibrated pressure sensor based mass flow rate by using the at least one calibration factor (?) to modify the pressure sensor based mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Jay Mendelson, Joseph C. Dille, Anthony B. Kehoe, Jeffrey L. Whiteley, Todd Berger, Walter Dennis Robertson, III
  • Patent number: 7827844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the flow calibration factor of a Coriolis flowmeter. In accordance with a first embodiment, an improved material density is obtained by measuring material density when the temperature of the material is equal to a predetermined reference temperature. In accordance with a second embodiment, a preprogrammed data base stores density/temperature relationships. Improved density information is obtained by measuring the density and temperature of the material, applying the measured density/temperature information from the data base, and obtaining density information compensated for a predetermined reference temperature. The improved density information obtained for both embodiments is unaffected by temperature changes and is used to validate the flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor compensation for pressure changes and changes in material composition is obtained in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Timothy Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Patent number: 7831400
    Abstract: A system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes comprises a means for calibrating the flow meter for a number of desired modes. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes includes a means for determining a density of a material flowing through the flow meter associated with each mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes further includes a means for determining the flow rate effect on density for each desired mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes a means for calculating a flow rate based on the density and flow rate effect on density values for each desired mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Marc Allan Buttler, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Patent number: 7826986
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a mass flow controller is described. One embodiment validates the operation of a mass flow controller thermal sensor, including detecting zero drift and span drift in the sensor by comparing the thermal sensor output to a pressure sensor output. In one embodiment, each sensor provides a signal to a digital controller or other processing unit and the controller calculates the mass flow rates of a gas flowing through the unit as measured by the sensors. The mass flow rates may then be compared to determine if one of the thermal sensor is operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Mike McDonald
  • Patent number: 7822570
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes delivering gas by a gas flow delivery system controlled by a mass flow controller (MFC) to an orifice, which is located upstream from the reaction chamber. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice. The method further includes measuring a set of upstream pressure values of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes applying a calibration factor of a set of calibration factors to determine the actual flow rate. The calibration factor is a ratio of an average of the set of upstream pressure values to an average of a set of golden upstream pressure values, which is associated with an indicated flow rate for an MFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, James V. Tietz, Vernon Wong, Richard J. Meinecke
  • Patent number: 7809473
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a thermal mass flow sensor in combination with a pressure sensor to provide a mass flow controller that is relatively insensitive to fluctuations in input pressure. The pressure sensor and thermal sensor respectively provide signals to an electronic controller indicating the measured inlet flow rate and the pressure within the dead volume. The electronic controller employs the measured pressure to compensate the measured inlet flow rate and to thereby produce a compensated measure of the outlet flow rate, which may be used to operate a mass flow controller control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Nicholas Kottenstette, Jesse Ambrosnia
  • Publication number: 20100250155
    Abstract: A method for measuring a flow rate through a cooling hole of a film cooled part includes the steps of 1) measuring a transient thermal response of an internal surface temperature corresponding solely to an inside portion of a cooling hole for a film cooled part resulting from a flow of fluid through the part, the fluid having an initial temperature that is different from an initial temperature of the film cooled part, 2) mathematically characterizing the transient thermal response, and 3) determining the cooling hole flow rate from the mathematical characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Jason Randolph Allen
  • Patent number: 7805271
    Abstract: The object of the present invention provides an evaluation system for evaluating accurately emission amount of environmental influence substance of fuel in a fuel supply facility for supplying stored fuel to a consumer. An evaluation system evaluates the emission amount of environmental influence substance of fuel in which the environmental properties (greenhouse gas emissions) accumulated in the process of drilling a first energy, transporting and storing, producing fuel, and supplying the fuel are taken into account. The evaluation system enables to present the environmental properties of the sold fuel to the fuel consumer and allows the fuel consumer to select, thereby promoting the reduction of emission amount of the greenhouse gas of the fuel supplier and the fuel consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Nojima, Akiyoshi Komura, Takeyuki Itabashi, Sunao Funakoshi, Hiroshi Arita, Yukinobu Maruyama, Youichi Horii, Takao Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100241387
    Abstract: A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one element for drawing the rod and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of switches, linear encoder or laser detector provides position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing in the cylinder. These signals, representative of this volume and flow rate, are compared with preset parameters to determine the degree of equivalence. Thereby, self testing and validation occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Ignatian
  • Patent number: 7801693
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving accuracy of measurement of fluid pressure at a fluid port, such as at a supply port or control port of a fluid control valve, involves a closed-loop precision pressure measurement method with barometric pressure and temperature compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Seid, Timothy M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100211346
    Abstract: A multi-phase process fluid is passed through a vibratable flowtube. Motion is induced in the vibratable flowtube. A first apparent property of the multi-phase process fluid based on the motion of the vibratable flowtube is determined, and an apparent intermediate value associated with the multi-phase process fluid based on the first apparent property is determined. A corrected intermediate value is determined based on a mapping between the intermediate value and the corrected intermediate value. A phase-specific property of a phase of the multi-phase process fluid is determined based on the corrected intermediate value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Michael S. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20100204945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting various system conditions in a fluid delivery system (such as an HVAC system) based on a motor parameter are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting: filter condition, frozen coil condition, register condition, energy efficiency, system failure, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting fluid delivery system conditions based on motor parameters including system current, system power, system efficiency, motor current, motor power, motor efficiency, and/or a change (or rate of change) in motor parameters. Techniques for responding to a clogged filter and a frozen coil are also disclosed. Also disclosed are techniques for characterizing a fluid delivery system off-site, prior to system installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Prakash B. Shahi, Eric J. Wildi, Mark E. Carrier, Randy L. Bomkamp, Hung M. Pham, William P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20100198547
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein related to measuring hydraulic parameters across a surface water-aquifer interface. In particular, the systems include a pressure differential sensor within a watertight housing. The pressure differential sensor has two inlets, one of which is connected to a piezometer located in an aquifer, and the other of which is connected to a surface water body. A solenoid valve allows the systems to switch between a first, measurement configuration and a second, calibration configuration. A pump and a conductivity-temperature sensor enable a third and fourth configuration for measuring the electrical conductivity and temperature of surface water and groundwater. The collected data is then locally stored or transmitted wirelessly. The low-power components and calibration capabilities of the systems allow for long-term deployment, on the order of six months or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Ann E. Mulligan, Alan T. Gardner, Terence Hammar, Charles Harvey, Harold F. Hemond
  • Patent number: 7768530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying operation of process variable transmitters in process control or monitoring systems is provided. A process variable is measured with a process variable transmitter to verify operation of the process variable transmitter by comparing the process variable with a reference. A data entry is placed in a database which indicates operation of the process variable transmitter has been verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter H. Sigtermans, Patrick M. Dobrowski
  • Patent number: 7769549
    Abstract: A method for on-line acoustic detection of the quality of foams and aerated fluids whereby at least one emitter/receiver pair is placed in a close vicinity to the foam flow. At least one acoustic pulse is emitted and the time within which the acoustic pulse travels from the emitter to the receiver is recorded. Sound speed in the foam is determined by analyzing an acoustic response of the receiver and a pressure in the foam is also measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arkady Yurevich Segal, Marc Jean Thiercelin
  • Patent number: 7769557
    Abstract: A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Prehn Bey, Richard Gehman
  • Publication number: 20100191497
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ECOWATER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Kennedy, David Sinkula, Jeffrey Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20100161267
    Abstract: A method and a device for carrying out calibration verification (CV process) of an analyzer for determining different measurement parameters in body fluids is provided. The device according to the invention comprises the following components: a cartridge with a plurality of containers, which can be connected to an intake system of an analyzer, each of which contains a measurement fluid with known measurement parameter values; a storage unit assigned to the cartridge for storing the measurement parameter values of the measurement fluids and data relevant for the CV process of the analyzer to be verified; a docking or intake area at or in the analyzer for receiving the cartridge with a data path for reading the storage unit; an evaluation unit typically housed in the analyzer for evaluating the values measured by the analyzer; and an output unit for printing an evaluation protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Arnold Bartel, Bernhard Engel
  • Patent number: 7742883
    Abstract: A battery powered, low voltage faucet flow timer, water usage calculator, and energy consumption awareness meter is simple to install and calibrate and may enable a user to understand the water usage associated with showering, bathing or other open faucet water use activity. The device may provide a simple method for calculating the flow characteristics for a shower, bath or other faucet and entering this flow rate into the timing device so that the timer provides an accurate calculation of water usage indicating both the time spent with the water running and approximate total water usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Mark R Florence
  • Patent number: 7740024
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device a flow control device that comprises an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a pressure sensor, which may or may not be the only pressure sensor of the fluid control device, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a single pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Publication number: 20100139361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration arrangement (10) for calibrating an apparatus that is arranged to prepare a beverage from water and an instant product, for different types of instant product. The calibration arrangement comprises: input means (20) for entering a setting into the apparatus, said setting providing the apparatus with dispense information of a particular instant product type, thereby enabling the apparatus to dispense appropriate amounts of said instant product; conversion means (15) for providing the settings for the respective instant product types. The conversion means (15) and the input means (20) function brand independently, that is without making use of or referring to a brand of the instant product type or some other type indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Anke Sinnema, Peter Sofrides Viet, Gertrude Riette Van Der Kamp, Matthijs Hendrikus Lubbers, Jacqueline Van Driel, Roland Van Straaten, Simon Martijn Oversteegen
  • Patent number: 7734441
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for measuring and controlling an amount of flow and volume of liquid fluid and/or electrical energy consumed by an electro-pump. The method and system obtains a plurality of values for electrical parameters of the electro-pump including voltage value, currents value and active/reactive energy value; calculates the plurality values; and determines and controls the amount of instant flow and volume of said liquid fluid based on said calculated values. The system/method gathers these two measuring and controlling features (i.e. measuring and controlling the volume of liquid and amount of energy) in one casing, thereby, where applicable, provides a secure reference for policy making of both two parameters at the same time (e.g. for underground water resources).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Mohsen Taravat, Amin Moazedi, Hossein Nazarboland Jahromi
  • Patent number: 7725272
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described for monitoring reservoir fluid in an implantable infusion pump. Such methods and devices can be used when the infusion pump has a temperature-dependent component. For example, a method of monitoring reservoir fluid can include obtaining measurements from the reservoir that include corresponding data related to the amount of fluid and temperature in the reservoir. A pair of measurements can be used to monitor the fluid level, or flow rate out of, the reservoir when the corresponding temperatures of the measurements are within a temperature tolerance value. In such an instance, a measured amount difference can be calculated based on the fluid amounts corresponding to the pair of measurements. Other variations of fluid monitoring methods, and implantable infusion pump systems that can perform fluid monitoring, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Codman Neuro Sciences, SARL
    Inventors: Alec Ginggen, Rocco Crivelli
  • Patent number: 7720574
    Abstract: A fluid flow monitoring, evaluation, and control system providing accurate dispensing of fluids in low volume, high pressure systems. The system includes one or more fluid flow sensors mounted on positive displacement dispensing valves and a processor that receives cycle signals from the fluid flow sensors to determine fluid flow information. If the fluid flow is not within specified limits, a signal is sent to a pump control device to adjust the pump to return the fluid flow to desired level. A dispensing valve can include a display to show cycle time or other fluid flow measurement. The system can include dispensing valves having single inputs and single outputs for measuring fluid dispensed at a point of use, which measurement can be compared to measurements taken at a divider block earlier in the hydraulic path to verify that fluid sent into the path was actually dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Curtis Roys
  • Patent number: 7711509
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a fluid-level measurement system is provided. A first response of the system is recorded when the system's sensor(s) is (are) not in contact with a fluid of interest. A second response of the system is recorded when the system's sensor(s) is (are) fully immersed in the fluid of interest. Using the first and second responses, a plurality of expected responses of the system's sensor(s) is (are) generated for a corresponding plurality of levels of immersion of the sensor(s) in the fluid of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Bryant D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7702423
    Abstract: An apparatus to control the rate of flow of a stream of pressurized fluid through a conduit. The apparatus comprises a flow measurement device operatively connected to the conduit, a flow control device operatively connected to the conduit, and a controller operatively connected to the flow control device. The flow measurement device generates an output signal proportionate to the rate of flow of fluid therethrough. The flow control device includes an adjustable orifice wherein upon the opening of the orifice a portion of the stream of pressurized fluid is independently released from the conduit by the flow control device. The controller receives the output signal generated by the flow measurement device and causes the adjustable orifice in the flow control device to open or close as necessary to maintain the flow of pressurized fluid as measured by the flow measurement device within pre-determined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership c/o Weatherford International Ltd.
    Inventors: Adrian Steiner, Mike Fredric Grossman
  • Patent number: 7702478
    Abstract: A process coupling for coupling a diagnostic device to process fluid of an industrial process includes a process interface configured to physically couple to the process fluid. A fluid pathway extending from the process interface configured to couple a process interface element of the process device to the process fluid. The fluid pathway is configured to optimize transmission of process noise from the process fluid to the process device for use by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, David A. Broden
  • Patent number: 7689376
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an actuator system for a turbocharger variable nozzle, the actuator system comprising an electronically controllable actuator coupled with a variable-geometry member of the nozzle and operable for causing movement thereof, and an electronic controller operable for controlling the actuator, the electronic controller having a memory for storing data. The method comprises (a) supplying a flow of fluid through the nozzle, (b) causing a continuous or stepwise movement of the actuator so as to move the variable-geometry member to cause a continuous or stepwise change in flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle, monitoring the changing flow rate, and recording at least two different points representing two different actuator positions and corresponding flow rates, and (c) storing in the memory of the electronic controller a multi-point calibration representing actuator position as a function of an input parameter designed to achieve a desired flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
    Inventors: Umesh V Padhye, Todd Ratke, Scott MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 7689370
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the viscosity of a lubricating fluid in a process on line. The method of the present invention obviates the need to accurately control the temperature of the lubricating fluid in the system when taking fluid viscosity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Grosser, Eugenio Sanchez, Angela Galiano-Roth, Alan M. Schilowitz
  • Patent number: 7680617
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling processes related to the amount of fluid in a container subjected to externally-excited motions. Fluid level sensor measurements in processing tanks on-board boats are confused by ocean waves and swells. A hydrodynamic model of a fluid in a tank can be constructed using non-linear dynamic model algorithms with inputs such as multi-axis accelerations, fluid viscosity, and apparent level measurements. The model can be used to filter-out boat motion disturbances to obtain a corrected level of the fluid in the tank. The corrected fluid level signal can be further processed using a dynamic model of the tank and associated input and output flow rates in a closed loop observer. The methods and systems are especially advantageous for offshore equipment such as cementing and fracturing ships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehdi Mazrooee, Jason D. Dykstra
  • Publication number: 20100063765
    Abstract: An infusion pump and method are provided which combine flow rate measurements calibrated by accurate volume measurements over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: FLUIDNET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Carlisle, Lawrence M. Kuba, John M. Kirkman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7676338
    Abstract: The invention enables an abnormality of a temperature sensor to be simply detected. In S1, a temperature measurement is performed with each temperature sensor, and measured signals are digitalized to obtain a temperature value. Then, in S2, a detection temperature Tb? equivalent to a detected temperature of a corresponding temperature sensor is calculated with use of an arithmetic expression and a characterization factor stored in a parameter storage device, and in S3, an absolute value ?T of a temperature difference between Ta and Tb? is obtained. Subsequently, in S4, the calculated absolute value ?T is compared with a limit value ?, and when ?T is larger than the limit value ?, Ta or Tb is determined to be abnormal and an alert is issued with an alarm or the like in S5, followed by issuance of a command to a correcting device in S6 not to change a correction amount set before the abnormality occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Reiji Sato
  • Patent number: 7672794
    Abstract: A system for monitoring, diagnosing, and/or controlling a flow process uses one or more flow meters based on an array of pressure sensors. A signal processor outputs at least one of a flow signal, a diagnostic signal, and a control signal in response to the pressure signals from the pressure sensors. The flow signal indicates the at least one parameter of the fluid, the diagnostic signal indicates a diagnostic condition of a device in the flow process, and the control signal is effective in adjusting an operating parameter of at least one device in the flow process. The system may be arranged as a distributed control system (DCS) architecture for monitoring a plurality of flow meters based on array-processing installed at various locations throughout a flow process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey, Patrick Curry
  • Patent number: 7672797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ADS LLC
    Inventor: Alan M. Petroff
  • Patent number: 7672796
    Abstract: A method for providing a system for establishing a control valve performance in a process operation. The system includes establishing an expected flow rate for a control valve by measuring a differential pressure between an upstream and downstream position of a control valve of interest and using the formula Q = Cv × ? ? ( x ) × ? ? ? P G , measuring an actual flow rate across the control valve, comparing the actual flow rate with the expected flow rate to determine the difference in value between the actual and expected flow rate, determining if the difference is within an acceptable range of values from the expected flow rate and establishing the performance of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Ching Hua Lee, Sharad Vishwasrao, Naveen Kashyap, Emelin Ornelas
  • Publication number: 20100049461
    Abstract: A system and method of compensating for pressure variations in a flow controller entails the use of the compressibility of the gas being controlled to provide a more accurate measurement of the flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CELERITY, INC
    Inventor: JOHN Michael LULL
  • Patent number: 7660689
    Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a volumetric flowrate measuring device. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Wade M. Mattar
  • Publication number: 20100030388
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7653503
    Abstract: A temperature compensating fluid flow sensing system is provided that comprises a resistance-based sensor element that is included in a constant voltage anemometer circuit configured to establish and maintain a command voltage across the first sensor element and to provide a constant voltage anemometer (CVA) output voltage corresponding to the resistance change in the first sensor element due to heat transfer between the first sensor element and the fluid. A controller is configured to establish the command voltage based on a desired overheat across the sensor and an actual overheat across the first sensor element. A power dissipation (PDR) module is configured to determine at least one fluid flow parameter and an actual overheat value based at least in part on the CVA output voltage and to transmit to the controller the actual overheat for use by the controller in updating the command voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tao of Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Mangalam, Siva M. Mangalam
  • Patent number: 7650245
    Abstract: An impulse line-clogging detecting apparatus. The apparatus is provide with: a differential pressure detecting unit that detects a differential pressure of a fluid, and outputs time-series data of the differential pressure. Fluctuations are determined by a differential pressure fluctuation calculating unit that calculates a differential pressure fluctuation, and a fluctuation variance calculating unit that calculates a variance of the differential pressure fluctuation. Based upon the calculated variance, a variance ratio calculating unit calculates a variance ratio of the differential pressure fluctuation variance to a differential pressure fluctuation variance obtained in advance in a normal state of the high and low pressure side impulse lines. A variance ratio correcting unit calculates a correction value for suppressing a change of the variance ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Hashizume, Tetsuya Wakui, Jyun-ichi Eino, Nobuo Miyaji, Yoshitaka Yuki
  • Publication number: 20100007888
    Abstract: A device to measure the amount of light able to transmit through a test liquid sample. A single lamp is used to illuminate a liquid sample cell containing the test water. A light detector is fixed relative to the lamp and is used to detect the amount of light from the lamp able to transmit through the liquid sample cell. The liquid sample cell is shaped in such a way as to provide at least two sets of opposed side walls that are able to transmit the light emitted from the lamp, where each set of opposed side walls defines a different path length through the liquid sample in the liquid sample cell. A rotation mechanism is used to provide relative rotation between the liquid sample cell and the lamp/light detector assembly. A microprocessor connected to the light detector calculates the light transmitted through at least two different path lengths through the liquid sample. Using these calculated transmittances the microprocessor then calculates the overall transmittance of the test water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: 002134761 ONTARIO LTD.
    Inventor: James Andrew Glover
  • Publication number: 20100004889
    Abstract: A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Prehn Bey, Richard Gehman
  • Patent number: 7643947
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a flowmeter, comprising choosing a pipe configuration from a list of pipe configurations, defining a number of diameters downstream from the pipe configuration where a transducer is to be installed, determining an initial curve number for the chosen pipe configuration, wherein the initial curve number corresponds to a predetermined flow profile correction curve, determining a swirl factor for the chosen pipe configuration, and computing a calibration factor for a given Reynolds number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Baumoel