Gaseous Mixture (e.g., Solid-gas, Liquid-gas, Gas-gas) Patents (Class 702/24)
  • Publication number: 20100148973
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for detecting unknown chemical compounds in the field are provided. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) includes a database of chemical signatures and corresponding chemicals. An air sample is analyzed in the field and chemical signature of any chemicals present is determined. This chemical signature is then correlated with the chemicals in the database. If a match is found, the operator is alerted to the fact. If no match is found, the operator is alerted to the fact that an unknown chemical compound is found but no correlation could be found. A corresponding system and method are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Charlie L. Tolliver
  • Patent number: 7739057
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for measuring the rate of permeation using a mass spectrometer as detector. The gas container containing the test sample is filled with a gas or vapor inside a filling chamber. A pressure-compensating device attached to the gas container alleviates the effect of pressure decrease inside the gas container due to permeation. After transferring the test sample to the investigation chamber the partial pressure of the gas or vapor is detected after permeation through the test sample. After calibration the measured partial pressure is converted into the rate of permeation. The rate of permeation can be studied position-resolved at different locations on the sample. The method can be used to measure permeation through film samples, edges or complete devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Technolox Ltd.
    Inventor: Holger Nörenberg
  • Publication number: 20100140477
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one gas variable by way of a gas sensor system, and at least one system variable of that gas sensor system, in which:—the gas variable is measured at least twice, the at least two measurements differing because two different values are set for a parameter of the gas sensor system, and—based on the at least two measurements, the at least one system variable and the at least one gas variable are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Holger Mielenz
  • Publication number: 20100138166
    Abstract: One or more alcohol inputs are received at the interactive system. Each of the alcohol inputs corresponds to an alcoholic beverage to be consumed by a consumer. The system calculates an estimated blood-alcohol level of the consumer based on the alcohol inputs. The estimated blood-alcohol level is compared with one or more alcohol impairment limits retrieved from an electronic data store. If the comparison reveals that the consumer might be impaired, an alert is automatically signaled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia Mai Do, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Seacat Deluca
  • Publication number: 20100131207
    Abstract: A system for obtaining emission flux of a gas plume, emanating from a source, includes an airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system for determining multiple concentration path length (CPL) values along a flight path; and an airborne wind measuring system (WMS) for determining a wind vector at the aircraft altitude. Also included is a processor for receiving the multiple CPL values determined by the DIAL system and the wind vector determined by the WMS. The processor uses the CPL values to compute either (a) an area-integrated concentration (AIC) value or (b) an average concentration value over a cross-plume extent, defined along the length dimension of the flight path. The processor also scales the wind vector to the near ground altitude level of the gas plume to obtain a scaled wind vector. The emission flux is obtained by multiplying either the AIC value or the average concentration value with a component of the scaled wind vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JOSEPH LAWRENCE LIPPERT, Steven Vincent Stearns, Daniel Everett Brake, Caren M. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20100121796
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting gas concentrations in a target environment uses an array of sensors. Each sensor generates a respective voltammogram in response to the environment, and the voltammograms are collectively transformed into bins that each have a distribution and a height. Normalized bins are then matched with a training set to determine whether a selected gas is present. Also, an un-normalized bin is fitted with the training set to ascertain a concentration of the gas. For this operation, the training set includes normalized and un-normalized data references previously derived from empirically defined voltammograms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Heather A. Staines, Oscar E. Rodriguez, Marianne T. Dobrino, Holger H. Streckert
  • Publication number: 20100107748
    Abstract: A procedure for checking the functionality of a reducing agent pump (172) of a NOx-reduction system of a combustion engine (110) is thereby characterized, in that it is checked, whether the pump (172) reaches a default engine speed value in a defined time interval within defined limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Feldges, Andreas Wagner
  • Patent number: 7711496
    Abstract: A process system adapted for processing of or with a material therein. The process system includes: a sampling region for the material; an infrared photometric monitor constructed and arranged to transmit infrared radiation through the sampling region and to responsively generate an output signal correlative of the material in the sampling region, based on its interaction with the infrared radiation; and process control means arranged to receive the output of the infrared photometric monitor and to responsively control one or more process conditions in and/or affecting the process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose I. Arno
  • Patent number: 7705740
    Abstract: A method and a mobile terminal for gas detection warning are disclosed to solve the problem that people cannot detect gas by themselves due to the lack of a portable gas detecting apparatus. The mobile terminal is portable and typically includes a central control unit, a gas detection unit, a warning unit and a user interface unit. The apparatus performs a warning operation by using a warning policy corresponding to the detected air concentration by setting warning policies corresponding to a kind of gas in different concentration ranges respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dongjie Wang
  • Patent number: 7704301
    Abstract: A differential absorption spectrum for a reactive gas in a gas mixture can be generated for sample absorption data by subtracting background absorption data set from the sample absorption data. The background absorption data can be characteristic of absorption characteristics of the background composition in a laser light scan range that includes a target wavelength. The differential absorption spectrum can be converted to a measured concentration of the reactive gas using calibration data. A determination can be made whether the background composition has substantially changed relative to the background absorption data, and new background absorption data can be used if the background composition has substantially changed. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: SpectraSensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Xiang Liu, Alfred Feitisch, Gregory M. Sanger
  • Publication number: 20100100339
    Abstract: Singular sealed apparatus and method suitable for confirming pressure measurements in a rebreather prior to use of the rebreather. The singular sealed apparatus may have a canister lid, gas sensors and a processor, all from a rebreather, as well as a pressure sensor, an input device, a processor, an indicator and a pod with a pressure measurement outlet, a gas supply inlet, a relief valve and a gas exit valve. Alternatively, the singular sealed apparatus may have a gas sensor from a rebreather and an analyzer, a pressure sensor, an input device, a processor, an indicator, a lid and a pod with a pressure measurement outlet, a gas supply inlet, a relief valve and a gas exit valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin W. Juergensen
  • Patent number: 7698004
    Abstract: A controller is provided for directing control of a process performed to control an amount of a pollutant emitted into the air. The process has multiple process parameters (MPPs) The controller includes either a neural network process model or a non-neural network process model. Whichever type model is included, it will represent a relationship between one of the MPPs and other of the MPPs. The controller also includes a control processor having the logic to determine the validity of a measured value of the one MPP based on the one model. The control processor directs control of the process in accordance with the measured value of the one MPP only if the measured value of the one MPP is determined to be valid. On the other hand, if the measured value is determined to be invalid, the control processor may direct control of the process in accordance with an estimated value of the one MPP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Stephen Piche
  • Publication number: 20100076695
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, estimating air in a cooling system includes measuring a property that can be used to estimate the air to yield a plurality of measurements. The measurements are performed for different heat loads and for different concentrations of non-condensable gas in the cooling system. The measurements are stored a data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: William G. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7681407
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting flash gas in a vapor-compression refrigeration or heat pump system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator interconnected by conduits providing a flow path for a refrigerant, by determining a first rate of heat flow of a heat exchange fluid flow across a heat exchanger of the system and a second rate of heat flow of the refrigerant across the heat exchanger, and using the rates of heat flow for establishing an energy balance from which a parameter for monitoring the refrigerant flow is derived, to thereby provide early detection of flash gas with a minimum number of false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Bjarne Dindler Rasmussen, Steen Lauridsen, Vagn Helberg
  • Patent number: 7684931
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing a plurality of gas measurement systems, including a mainstream and a sidestream gas measurement system, to a host system via an interface unit. The present invention also pertains to a sidestream gas measurement system that output signals emulating the signals output by a mainstream gas measurement system or portion thereof, so that the sidestream gas measurement system can seamlessly communicate with a host system configured to communicate with a mainstream gas measurement system or a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony T. Pierry, David R. Rich
  • Publication number: 20100070404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of tracking enterprise gas emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions. The systems and methods relate to collecting or entering data relating to one or more emissions source of an enterprise or an enterprise location, calculating emissions totals, and, according to certain embodiments, generating emissions reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: VERISAE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert S. McConnell, Paul Hepperla, Daniel T. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100070198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and reporting the controlled and uncontrolled emissions of hydrogen gas from an end use application such as a hydrogen cooled electrical generator. The system first determines a quantity hydrogen produced by a hydrogen conversion device from a first operating parameter. The quantity of hydrogen released in a controlled manner is determined from a second operating parameter. The amount of uncontrolled hydrogen emissions may then be calculated from the produced hydrogen and controlled release values. A report detailing the type and amounts of hydrogen emissions may then be created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, William Raymond Bailey, III, Angelo Alberto Morson, Lawrence Clinton Moulthrop
  • Patent number: 7680607
    Abstract: A System and Method for Gas Recognition by Analysis of Bispectrum Functions is based on the Higher-Order Spectral analysis of time series measurements of resistance fluctuations in Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors, such as Taguchi-type sensors. A two-dimensional contour plot module of the bispectrum function is treated as a pattern. These patterns include information about the analyte(s) whereby characteristics of the gas can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Janusz Smulko, Laszlo B. Kish, Gabor Schmera
  • Publication number: 20100063749
    Abstract: A gas density transducer including: a piezoresistive bridge sensor operative to provide an output indicative of an applied pressure, a computing processor having multiple inputs and at least one output, with the output of the bridge sensor coupled to an input of the processor; a temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor for providing at an output a signal indicative of a temperature of the bridge sensor, the output of the temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor; and, at least one memory accessible by the processor and having stored therein: compensation coefficients for compensating the output of the bridge sensor for temperature variation; an algorithm for solving Van der Waal's equation; and, code for providing at an output of the processor a signal indicative of a gas density when the bridge is subjected to a gas containing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: KULITE SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Wolf S. Landmann
  • Publication number: 20100063748
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for sensing gases includes a gas detector with at least one light emitter and at least one light detector configured to detect an intensity of light at wavelengths of light indicative of target gas(es). The system also includes a processor circuit and a data storage device in communication with the gas detector and configured to determine an amount of target gas in the volume of the gas-air mixture and to determine a lower explosive limit (“LEL”) level for at least one target gas in the gas-air mixture. The processor is configured to receive data regarding temperature and relative humidity of the gas-air mixture such that the processor circuit can adjust the LEL according to the temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity sensors may be included to sense these conditions for inputting to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Delphian Corporation
    Inventor: Francois Mottier
  • Publication number: 20100057377
    Abstract: In a system and method for feature alignment in chromatographic systems, the system runs a first sample through a first separation column. The system determines a first set of features for the first sample run. The system runs a second sample through a second separation column and detects a second set of features for the second sample run. The system estimates a systematic shift in features between the first sample run through the first separation column and the second sample run through the second separation column. The system adjusts the second set of features detected for the second sample run through the second separation column based on the estimated systematic shift to obtain a third set of adjusted features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Xiangdong Don Li
  • Publication number: 20100042333
    Abstract: System and method are utilized for testing the performance of a gas monitor against predetermined monitor characteristics to determine if performance of a gas monitor is validated following testing gas being directly delivered to a gas sensor of the gas monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur Scheffler, Cristian D. Nanea
  • Patent number: 7664607
    Abstract: A pre-calibrated gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a cathode and an anode for outputting a current signal responsive to a sensed oxygen concentration and a signal processing module in communication with the cathode and the anode and configured to receive the current signal and to output a pre-calibrated signal representative of the sensed gas concentration based on a value of the received current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen H. Broy
  • Publication number: 20100030486
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring at least one measured variable of an at least partially gaseous medium with at least one mechanically oscillatable unit, which is excited to execute mechanical oscillations, and whose mechanical oscillations are received and evaluated. At least one characteristic curve is stored, which describes for at least one gas or a gas mixture at least the dependence of at least one characteristic variable of the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit on pressure; at least the characteristic variable of the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit is determined; the determined characteristic variable is compared with the stored characteristic curve; and, starting from the comparison of the determined characteristic variable with the stored characteristic curve, the measured variable of the medium is determined. Further, an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring the measured variable is envisioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH +Co. KG
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Helmut Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7657384
    Abstract: Method for managing a response to a triggering event in connection with a fugitive emissions monitor of a component. In one implementation, the method may include determining whether an input is a triggering event. If the input is a triggering event, then a message regarding the triggering event and one or more actions to remedy the triggering event may be displayed. The method may further include displaying one or more queries to confirm that the actions have been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Analytics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rex Moses
  • Publication number: 20100017148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for measuring the saturation level of a filter comprising a parallel filter; a divider for dividing said gas flow into at least a main flow and a sub flow, wherein said main flow is fed into said main filter and said sub flow is fed into said parallel filter, wherein the volume ratio between said main flow and said sub flow is substantially equal to the filter capacity ratio and/or filter volume ratio between said main filter and said parallel filter, and a detector operatively associated with the flow coming from the main filter and/or from the discharge side of said parallel filter, for measuring the concentration of the component in said flows and detecting a difference in said concentrations. The detector is arranged for detecting the concentration of the component at a temperature higher than 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Albert Bos, Hendrik Oord
  • Patent number: 7634937
    Abstract: Particle and multi-phase system monitoring methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed. Preferred embodiments comprise one or more mechanical resonator sensing elements. In preferred embodiments a sensor or a sensor subassembly is ported to a fluidized bed vessel such as a fluidized bed polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Symyx Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Burdett, Timothy Lynn, Oleg Kolosov, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Leonid Matsiev
  • Publication number: 20090309744
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for detecting air pollution, characterized by using an air pollution detecting device for detecting air pollutants, using a positioning device for locating the air pollution detecting device, and enabling a data transmission device to transmit air pollution data and position data to a data analysis and management device via a network system, and then enabling the data analysis and management device to perform analysis and management process on the data; accordingly, perceiving air pollution status at each area and thus proving air pollution information and improvement to air pollution areas in a shorter time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Huai-Lei Fu, Kai-Hsiang Hu, Ting-Yu Wang, Zih-Ci Lin, Phone Lin, Yuguang Fang
  • Patent number: 7630835
    Abstract: A first frequency of electromagnetic radiation and a second frequency of electromagnetic radiation are received at a detector. The first and second frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are transmitted through a medium within a frequency range of approximately 0.1 TeraHertz to approximately 10 TeraHertz. Signals are generated that are proportional to the transmittance of the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation through the medium. A ratio of the of the signals is formed, and one or more of a relative humidity, an absolute humidity, and a water vapor concentration of the medium are calculated as a function of a temperature of the medium, the ratio, and a set of functional parameters associated with the temperature of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Cox, Christopher J. Zins
  • Publication number: 20090299651
    Abstract: A filtration testing system is provided. The filtration testing system includes one or more filtration systems configured for filtering a fluid. A filtration system of the one or more filtration systems includes one or more filter units. The filtration testing system further includes a gas detector configured to quantify gas in the fluid at a downstream side of the one or more filter units of the one or more filtration systems. The gas detector is configured to generate a gas quantification, compare the gas quantification to a predetermined gas characteristic, and detect a fault in the one or more filtration systems if the gas quantification exceeds the predetermined gas characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventor: Michael James Sadar
  • Publication number: 20090287418
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for detection of agents such as pathogens or toxic substances and, in particular, to methods and systems for determining the most important background constituents to suppress in a sample, e.g., in a bulk aerosol sample, in order to reduce the probability of false alarms and improve the level of detection of potentially harmful airborne agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: SPARTA, INC.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Trepagnier, Philip D. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20090287425
    Abstract: Safety clothing (1) for persons in dangerous situations is provided including at least one device (3) for generating light and/or at least one device for generating sound and/or at least one mechanical device for generating a warning stimulus, which is perceptible by the person, an interface (5) for generating data or signals with a gas-measuring device (12) and a power supply device (9) for supplying the at least one device (3) and/or the interface with power. The features are in functional connection with one another, for optically and/or acoustically and/or mechanically warning the person when at least one limit value of a harmful gas is exceeded or in case of at least one implausible measured value of the air detected by the gas-measuring device (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Stefan BARTEN, Markus WANSING, Volker KUHN
  • Publication number: 20090287424
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particulate matters includes a particulate matters collecting part 1 that collects particulate matters contained in exhaust gas from an engine 200 by a collecting filter 41 during a predetermined period while the engine 200 is dynamically driven. A second measuring part 22 continuously measures properties indirectly indicating the mass of the particulate matters contained in the exhaust gas during the predetermined period. A correlation calculating part 82 calculates a correlation between the measurement result of the mass of the particulate matters collected by the particulate matters collecting part 1 and a time integration value of the measurement result in the second measuring part 22 during the predetermined period. A converting part 83 converts the continuous measurement data in the second measuring part 22 into a time series variation of the mass of the particulate matters based on the correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090265117
    Abstract: A system and method for automated collection and reporting of data indicative of greenhouse gas emissions reductions (GHGER) and GHGER is disclosed. Improvement upon the known process of collecting and reporting data indicative of GHGER for use in proposing verification, by a jurisdiction, of said data as GHGER and submitting GHGER for acceptance, by a jurisdiction, to an accounting registry, is combined using a computer database software application (CDSA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Jay James Castino
  • Patent number: 7606668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing a plurality of volumetric measurement systems, each of which includes a gas measurement and a flow measurement system, to a host system via an interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony T. Pierry, David R. Rich
  • Patent number: 7606669
    Abstract: A method for predicting local concentrations of short-lived microparticles having an unstable composition in a room simply and in a short time is provided. The method for predicting the concentration distribution of microparticles includes the steps of determining a flow field in a room, determining the age-of-air distribution in the room on the basis of the flow field in the room, and converting the age of air into the concentration of the microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Ohtsuka, Yukishige Shiraichi
  • Publication number: 20090257055
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rui CHEN, Marko Klaus BALLER, Peter Joseph CODELLA, Anis ZRIBI, Renato GUIDA, Alexey Vasily VERT, Radislav Alexandrovich POTYRAILO, Xiaoyong LIU, Zhiyong WANG
  • Patent number: 7599803
    Abstract: Methods and systems for testing a hydrocarbon well. Real time monitoring of the flow stream discharging from a well is used to collect physical and electromagnetic characterization data on the flow stream. A data filter is used to exclude data points uncharacteristic of the true performance of the well at that time in the operational cycle of the well. A statistical evaluation during or after at least some data has been collected is used to determine when the data set meets an acceptable level of data quality. The filtering parameters are adjusted to improve future detection, correction, and filtering of uncharacteristic data. Corrective transforms can be derived and applied to selected uncharacteristic data to recondition and retain the data. The filtered and completed data set is used to generate a hindsight determination of crude petroleum oil production output, including petroleum oil, water, and gas fractions and production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Phase Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley N. Scott
  • Patent number: 7599815
    Abstract: A method for measuring compliance with building air quality attribute set points. The method includes the steps of sensing a first attribute of environmental air quality, setting a range of acceptable values for the first attribute, setting a penalty function for the first attribute and comparing sensed data to the first range of acceptable values. The first penalty function is applied as appropriate to assess a first set of points for the first attribute. An index value is created that is a function of the first set of points. In another aspect, the method includes sensing a second attribute, comparing the data against acceptable values and applying a second penalty function as appropriate. The index value is also a function of the second set of points. In yet another aspect, the method includes the step of sensing a first attribute at a second site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: PureChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan S. Reichel, James M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7588726
    Abstract: A vapor analysis system comprising a vapor analyzer capable of collecting and analyzing a vapor sample for detection of a compound that may be contained within the vapor sample. A controller is coupled to the vapor analyzer. The controller is programmed to produce an indicator signal indicative of a relative concentration of the compound detected by the vapor analyzer within the vapor sample. A sample probe includes a housing containing a vapor channel through which the vapor sample is collected, and a vapor cable couples the sample probe to the vapor analyzer to allow collection and channeling of the vapor sample to the vapor analyzer. A multi-dimensional user indicator is disposed on the housing of the sample probe receives and operates in response to the indicator signal to indicate the relative concentration of the compound detected within the vapor sample for presentation via a multi-directional stimulus to a user of the vapor analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Mouradian, Patrick John Kennedy, K. Stephen Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7583710
    Abstract: A laser and monitoring system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (hereinafter “MIIPS”) method is used to characterize the spectral phase of femtosecond laser pulses and to correct them. A further aspect of the system of the present invention is employed to monitor environmental chemicals and biological agents, including toxins, explosives, and diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Marcos Dantus, Vadim V Lozovoy, Matthew Comstock
  • Publication number: 20090216463
    Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring the fraction of a liquid in a wet gas flow are described, the device including one or more light sources emitting at a first wavelength at which the liquid is highly absorbing and emitting at a second wavelength close to the first wavelength and at which the liquid is not highly absorbing; and one or more sensor for detecting the transmittance of the light at the first and second wavelengths through said gas flow, the device further including processing means for determining a liquid fraction of the liquid in the wet gas flow by correcting the transmittance measured at the first wavelength for the effects of scattering using the transmittance measured at the second wavelength. By making use of cross-correlations or know flow rate meters the device can be used as a flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Gang Xie, Paul Hammond
  • Publication number: 20090216462
    Abstract: Apparatus for spectroscopic analysis which includes a tunable diode laser spectrometer having a digital output signal and a digital computer for receiving the digital output signal from the spectrometer, the digital computer programmed to process the digital output signal using a multivariate regression algorithm. In addition, a spectroscopic method of analysis using such apparatus. Finally, a method for controlling an ethylene cracker hydrogenator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: James D. Tate, Christopher H. Domke, Christopher J. Reed, Linh Le, Mary Beth Seasholtz, Charles Lipp, Andy Weber
  • Publication number: 20090202877
    Abstract: The standard permeation amount of an impurity substance, that is, the permeation amount per unit area of the impurity substance under a standard concentration is calculated from the gas pressures in the gas channels, the impedance, and the fuel cell temperature. The permeation index of the impurity substance at each of locations in the anode-side gas channel is calculated on the basis of the previously calculated value of the concentration distribution of the impurity substance. Then, on the basis of the standard permeation amount and the permeation index, the permeation amounts of the impurity substance at the locations in the anode-side gas channel are calculated. On the basis of a total of the permeation amounts, the amount of the impurity substance accumulated in the anode-side gas channel is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Tezuka, Yoshihito Kanno
  • Patent number: 7559223
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining entrained and/or dissolved gas content of gas-liquid mixtures. Data generated is used to control the True (air-free) or Apparent (air-containing) Density or Entrained Air content of liquids within optimum ranges, e.g. in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, paints, petroleum blends, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.
    Inventors: Qingyuan Chen, Robert Josef Franda
  • Publication number: 20090164138
    Abstract: An exhaust gas analysis method comprises applying a laser beam to the exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, receiving the laser beam that has passed through the exhaust gas, and measuring the concentration of any of the components contained in the exhaust gas based on the received laser beam. The exhaust gas analysis method further comprises detecting the absorption spectrum of the laser beam absorbed in the exhaust gas by using the received laser beam (S1), calculating the concentration of the specific gas component by using the absorption spectrum (S2), calculating the temperature of the exhaust gas by using the absorption spectrum (S3), calculating the pressure of the exhaust gas by using the absorption spectrum (S4 to S6), correcting the calculated concentration of the component contained in the exhaust gas by using the calculated temperature (S7), correcting the concentration by using the calculated pressure (S8), and outputting the true concentration value (S9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Goto, Masahiro Yamakage, Tomoyasu Iwase, Tokio Okano, Yoshihiro Deguchi, Masanobu Mizoguchi, Atushi Takita, Norihiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7548818
    Abstract: Improved systems, apparatus, methods, and programming useful for the automated analysis of complex compounds using mass spectrometers. Systems, apparatus, methods, and programming according to the invention provide for the automatic determination by a controller 54 of a mass spectrometer 14, 214 of an analysis operation to be implemented using the mass spectrometer, the analysis operation adapted specifically for analysis of one or more substances based contained within a compound based on identification of the compound and/or substances provided by a user of the spectrometer, and a database 66 or other library of information concerning suitable processes or process steps for analyzing substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignees: MDS Analytical Technologies, Applera Corporation
    Inventor: Byron Kieser
  • Publication number: 20090150087
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for chromatographic analysis. The described system includes a pressurized source of a mobile phase and a flow path in fluid communication with the pressurized source such that the mobile phase flows through the flow path. The system also includes an injector in fluid communication with the flow path and downstream of the pressurized source, the injector being configured to inject a sample into the flow path. A first column located downstream of the injector, contains a stationary phase, and forms part of the flow path. A first detector is positioned to detect properties of fluid in the flow path at a location downstream of the injector and upstream from the first column. A second detector is positioned to detect properties of fluid in the flow path at a location downstream of the first column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Steinecker
  • Patent number: 7542853
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for geobaric analysis. The method may include acquiring an in situ gas volume of a subterranean formation, acquiring a drilling fluid characteristic, determining a volume of gas excavated from the subterranean formation utilizing the drilling fluid characteristic, and estimating the formation pressure utilizing the in situ gas volume and the excavated gas volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Scott G. Lapierre, Bruce H. Prine
  • Publication number: 20090138210
    Abstract: A light emitting element and a light receiving element is placed in such a manner that the light axis of a light emitting element constructing a light emitting circuit and the light axis of a light receiving element constructing a light receiving circuit cross each other. The light pathway length R1, R2 of both the light waves are determined in such a manner that the object light, the light waves via the object pathway, are delayed by ?/2 in phase from the reflected light, i.e. relative to light waves via the reflected light pathway. A synchronous detector selects signals having the same phase as the object light from receive signals provided from the light receiving circuit. Accordingly, the fog detector can detect the object light without being influenced of the reflected light, which allows a determination processing device to accurately determine the density of fog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi