Flow Metering Patents (Class 702/45)
-
Patent number: 11585797Abstract: Systems and method for automatically determining offset correction values in a differential measurement system, and for correcting measurement offsets between two measurement devices in the differential measurement system. A method for determining real-time offset corrections in a gas analysis system having first and second gas analyzers includes for each of a plurality of gas concentrations within a range of gas concentrations: a) supplying the concentration of gas to the first and second gas analyzers through first and second gas flow lines, respectively; b) measuring a first gas concentration value using the first gas analyzer; and c) measuring a second gas concentration value using the second gas analyzer. The method may also include determining an offset value between each corresponding first and second gas concentration value, and determining a functional relationship between the offset values and gas concentration measurements of the first gas analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Li-Cor, Inc.Inventors: Jon Welles, Aaron Saathoff
-
Patent number: 11530937Abstract: A flow measurement apparatus comprising an elongated mounting stem having an inner stem cavity, the mounting stem configured to be mounted in an area of flow to be measured. A probe housing is mounted to an outer surface of the mounting stem and positioned on an upstream side of the mounting stem. The probe housing has a first hole near a center point of the housing and a second, third and fourth hole positioned near the perimeter of the housing. A fifth hole is located on a downstream side of the mounting stem. At least five pressure sensors and a plurality of pressure tapping tubes connecting the holes to the corresponding pressure sensors are included.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Guillermo Paniagua Perez, David Gonzalez Cuadrado, Valeria Andreoli, James Braun, Zhe Liu
-
Patent number: 11519766Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of a flow measuring device with a testing device. The flow measuring device comprises an inlet section and an outlet section. A rotor is arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section. The rotor is designed for a rotational movement in the event of a fluid flow between the inlet section and the outlet section. At least one indicator element is arranged on the rotor. The flow measuring device further comprises a measuring element, which is adapted to detect a movement of the indicator element. The indicator element comprises a magnetic material. The testing device is designed to set the rotor in rotational motion, preferably without contact. The invention further relates to a method for the functional testing of a flow measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignees: INNOVATIVE TAP SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventor: Hermann Redl
-
Patent number: 11448618Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for monitoring slug flow in subterranean wells. In one aspect, a method includes at a time instant, transmitting an acoustic signal across a cross-section of a pipeline flowing multiphase fluid including gaseous fluid and liquid fluid, wherein a portion of the acoustic signal is carried through the cross-section of the pipeline by the multiphase fluid and determining, at the time instant, a first quantity of the gaseous fluid and a second quantity of the liquid fluid passing the cross-section of the pipeline based, in part, on an energy of the portion of the acoustic signal carried through the cross-section and at least a portion of a total energy of the transmitted acoustic signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Talha Jamal Ahmad, Michael J. Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
-
Patent number: 11423203Abstract: A method for modeling a thermal circuit of power inverter includes setting a first input node of the thermal circuit to a first measured temperature. The method also includes setting a second input node of the thermal circuit to a second measured temperature. The method also includes determining at least one thermal characteristic of the thermal circuit using, at least, the first measured temperature. The method also includes determining an operating temperature of the thermal circuit based on the at least one thermal characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITEDInventors: Lijun Zheng, Ronald J. Krefta
-
Patent number: 11408906Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid-dynamic drag on an object, such as a bicycle, ground vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or portion of a wind turbine are provided. An array of sensors obtain sensor readings for example indicating: power input for propelling the object; air speed and direction relative to motion of the object; and ground speed of the object. Sensor readings may also indicate: temperature; elevation and humidity for providing a measurement of air density. Sensor readings may also indicate inclination angle and forward acceleration. Processing circuitry determines a coefficient of drag area based on the sensor readings and optionally one or more stored parameters, according to a predetermined relationship. A pitot tube based apparatus for measuring fluid speed and direction is also provided. Methods for dynamic in situ calibration of the pitot tube apparatus, and of adjusting correction factors applied to correct measurement errors of this apparatus are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: 1323079 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Chris Morton, Kelly Zwarych
-
Patent number: 11402279Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus may be applicable to managing and monitoring refrigeration assets, including refrigeration plants and cold-storage facilities comprising large numbers of refrigeration assets. A method of managing refrigeration systems includes receiving measurements captured by a plurality of sensors deployed with a refrigeration asset, the measurements being related to temperatures within a temperature-controlled chamber of the refrigeration asset, identifying a difference between a first temperature measurement obtained from measurements provided by a first sensor and a second temperature measurement obtained from measurements provided by at least one sensor, and calibrating the first sensor based on the difference between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: KLATU NETWORKS, INC.Inventor: Richard Kriss
-
Patent number: 11397102Abstract: It is possible to suppress overcorrection. A physical quantity detecting device includes: a physical quantity detecting sensor that detects a physical quantity of a measurement target fluid and outputs a detection signal; a compensation amount calculation unit that calculates, by using the detection signal, a lead compensation amount used in lead compensation for the detection signal; and a gain control unit that adjusts the lead compensation amount based on a deviation that is an amount of change in lead compensation amount over time.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Yamamoto, Tsutomu Kono, Takahiro Miki, Yuki Isoya
-
Patent number: 11379801Abstract: A maintenance support system for a plurality of maintenance-target apparatus in a plant includes a maintenance information delivery unit that delivers maintenance information Im that indicates an operational status of each maintenance-target apparatus to maintenance personnel every preset time T, wherein the maintenance information delivery unit delivers predictive information If to the maintenance personnel at a specified time Tf between the previous delivery of the maintenance information Im and the next delivery of the maintenance information Im, the predictive information If providing predictions regarding the operational status of each maintenance-target apparatus at the next delivery of the maintenance information Im.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyasu Fujiwara, Kazunori Oda, Yoshio Miyamae, Hiroki Kawahara
-
Patent number: 11300933Abstract: Described herein is automated water pressure monitoring system. The system monitors the water use within a pressurized water system. A pressured water system may include a water line receiving water from a water source such as a well. The system includes a sensor, control module, and data repository. The sensor is mounted along a water line configured to detect pressure generated by a water pressurization system within the water line. The sensor continuously provides data regarding the pressure generated by the water within the water line. The control module is operatively coupled to the sensor and continuously receives data from the sensor. The control module is configured to detect variances over time in the pressure generated by the water.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: 541 Water Inc.Inventor: David E. Funderburk
-
Patent number: 11299983Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that provide chemical composition data of a fluid. The system includes a first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to transmit microwave radiation through the fluid. The microwave radiation is generated by the first downhole electro-opto-mechanical device in response to a first light signal. A second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device receives the microwave radiation and generates a second light signal in response to the received microwave radiation. A light detection device is coupled to the second downhole electro-opto-mechanical device to generate an electrical signal in response to the second light signal. The electrical signal is indicative of the chemical composition of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Satyan Gopal Bhongale, Wolfgang Hartmut Nitsche, Yenny Natali Martinez
-
Patent number: 11274621Abstract: An air flow measurement device that measures an air flow rate based on an output value of a sensing unit attached in an environment in which air flows, the air flow measurement device is provided. The air flow measurement device may calculate an average air amount, which is an average value of the air flow rate, from the output value. The air flow measurement device may calculate a pulsation maximum value, which is a maximum value of the air flow rate, from the output value.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kengo Ito
-
Patent number: 11230300Abstract: Implementations are described for maintaining helium/air mixture within a tube in an evacuated tube transportation system. A first implementation includes a set of helium tanks uniformly fitted along the tube length, where helium is injected with controlled valves that open or close to maintain the desired level of helium. An operations control center (OCC) receives helium concentration levels in the tube and instructs a controller in the tube to release helium into the tube when detected levels of helium is lower than the desired level of helium. Another implementation is described where a capsule traversing the tube may have a source of helium gas that can be released into the tube. A hybrid approach is also described where helium can be released from a source within the tube and from another source within the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alexandre Neophytou, Michael Sarin, Alexandre Zisa, Spencer John Baldwin
-
Patent number: 11215476Abstract: The present invention provides a gas meter query method based on a compound Internet of Things (IoT) and an IoT system, and relates to the field of the IoT. The method includes: sending, by the first gas meter of a plurality of gas meters, when reading the data information corresponding to the second gas meter, the data information to the management platform via the sensor network platform; sending, by the management platform, the first control signal to the second gas meter via the sensor network platform, so that the second gas meter sends the first prompt information; sending the second prompt information to at least one of a plurality of service sub-platforms; and sending, by one of the service sub-platforms that receives the second prompt information, the second prompt information to the user sub-platform corresponding to the second gas meter.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Zehua Shao
-
Patent number: 11214282Abstract: A tubular transportation system is disclosed for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route. A method and an algorithm are described for determining optimum operating points for power/cost and helium-air ratios in a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes in a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alexandre Neophytou, Michael Sarin, Alexandre Zisa, Spencer John Baldwin
-
Patent number: 11169657Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to resource monitoring and resource consumption analytics. Resource usage is tracked through a gateway device monitoring resources using remote input sensors, and usage data is transmitted to a central processing unit whereby the data is interpreted and compared with usage over time and site conditions such as weather. For example, incoming usage data is compared with resource signatures in a signature library representing an ideal usage or historical usage for given site condition. This data is interpreted into simple command displays with alerts, alarms, thereby reporting and alerting to an end-user via multiple delivery mechanisms, of potential sources of resource waste or loss. Further, the alerts or alarms can include easily interpreted recommendations to allow a non-skilled worker to take corrective procedures to maximize efficient use of the consumable resources.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: APANA Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Rose, Frank Burns, Tom Remmers, Matt Maher Peterson
-
Patent number: 11162832Abstract: A method for calibrating a flowmeter (5) is provided. A relationship between a flow calibration factor and a pressure coefficient for a class of flowmeter is determined. A unique flow calibration factor is then determined for a flowmeter (5). A unique pressure coefficient for the flowmeter (5) is determined, and the unique pressure coefficient is applied to the flowmeter (5).Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. Kolbeck, Aart R. Pruysen, Dean M. Standiford, Jacob Andreas Sinte Maartensdijk
-
Patent number: 11132061Abstract: A fluidic haptic device includes a chamber, a compressible or incompressible fluid disposed within the chamber, and an actuatable element in hydraulic or pneumatic contact with the fluid. The actuatable element is adapted to be displaced by movement of a user of the device, which can apply pressure to the fluid. The haptic device may interact directly with one or more body parts of a user, including the user's skin, and may be operable without an external pressure source.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Arthur Stanley, Nathan Scot Usevitch, Amirhossein Hajiagha Memar, Nicholas Colonnese
-
Patent number: 11122043Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided that allow the authentication of devices within analyte monitoring systems. The analyte monitoring systems can be in vivo systems and can include a sensor control device with a sensor and accompanying circuitry, as well as a reader device for communicating with the sensor control device. The analyte monitoring systems can interface with a trusted computer system located at a remote site. Numerous techniques of authentication are disclosed that can enable the detection of counterfeit components, such as a counterfeit sensor control device.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.Inventors: Michael R. Love, Mark Sloan, Glenn Berman, Nathan Crouther, Gil Porat
-
Patent number: 11085802Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a magnetic-inductive flow meter for measuring the flow rate or the volumetric flow of a medium in a measuring tube and to such a flow meter, wherein the medium is acted upon by magnetic fields of different polarity and field strength, wherein the alternation between magnetic fields causes a voltage pulse in the medium, wherein a voltage pulse during a phase without a magnetic field is used for calculation of a correction of an electrode voltage characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Küng, Günther Bähr
-
Patent number: 11061416Abstract: A system is provided for determining whether a specific water appliance is malfunctioning. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to detect, from at least one sensor in a distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, a plurality of normal water usage profiles; associate at least one of the plurality of profiles with each of the plurality of appliances; detect at least one current water usage profile; and compare the at least one current profile with at least one of the stored profiles to determine a corresponding identity of an associated appliance and to determine if a deviation exists between the stored profile for the identified appliance and the at least one current profile. The deviation may be reflective of a potential malfunction in the associated appliance. The system may initiate remedial action if the deviation, reflective of a potential malfunction, is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: WINT WI LTDInventors: Shay Ravid, Alon Haim Gal, Dror Galron
-
Patent number: 11047392Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a use condition of an appliance, such as a sump pump, and outputting an indication of the current use condition of the appliance. A system implementing the method will first generate an actual first signature of a first characteristic associated with the appliance. The system will then generate an actual second signature of a second characteristic associated with the appliance. Each of the actual first and second signatures are then compared to corresponding expected signatures. The system then selects a current use condition from a plurality of use conditions based on the relationship between the actual signatures and the expected signatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: CONNECTM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Nayeem M. Hussain, Ryan T. Fant, William J. McLeod, Theodore R. Ullrich, Dean DiPietro, Nathan Gardner Meryash, Pepin Sebastian Gelardi
-
Patent number: 11002111Abstract: The disclosure describes hydrocarbon flowline corrosion inhibitor overpressure protection. Such a protection system includes a fluid flow pathway fluidically coupled to a corrosion inhibitor injection pump that injections corrosion inhibitor into a hydrocarbon carrying flowline. When the injection pump pressure exceeds a threshold flow pressure, the corrosion inhibitor is flowed through a first branch of the fluid flow pathway to relieve the excess pressure. The first branch is fluidically isolated from a second branch. When a rupture disc in the first branch fails, then the corrosion inhibitor is diverted to flow through the second branch and the first branch is isolated from the corrosion inhibitor flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Fathi BuGubaia, Khalid Al Ghamdi, Mohammad R. Khunaizi, Rashid D. Al Hajri, Khalid Al Subaie, Zayed Qahtani
-
Patent number: 10996756Abstract: The disclosed tactile input mechanisms may include a bladder dimensioned to hold a fluid, a pressure sensor coupled to the bladder and configured to sense a pressure exerted against the bladder, and a fluidic valve coupled to the bladder and configured to vent the bladder in response to the sensed pressure reaching a predetermined threshold. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam Ahne, Nicholas Roy Corson, Andrew Arthur Stanley
-
Patent number: 10969431Abstract: A semiconductor package comprises a controlled voltage domain (CVD) and a master voltage domain (MVD). The MVD comprises an error-tolerance control (ETC) circuit. A basic execution block in the CVD generates a basic output value, based on at least two input values. A test execution block in the CVD generates a test digital root, based on digital roots of the input values. A digital root comparator in the CVD determines whether a digital root of the basic output value matches the test digital root. An error reporter in the CVD sends an error report to the ETC circuit in response to a determination that the digital roots do not match. The ETC may automatically adjust at least one power characteristic of the CVD, based on the error report. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Richard William Dorrance, Andrey Vladimirovich Belogolovy, Xue Zhang, Hechen Wang
-
Patent number: 10955276Abstract: A wet gas measuring system for calculating mass and volume of a gas and a liquid independently and simultaneously, having one or two hollow bodies, each hollow body having conical section mount interrupting the flow of a mixture of gas and liquid, a conical area ratio changer conditioning the gas to a uniform geometric shape; a protruding dome upstream of the first conical area ratio changer; a ram inlet bore through the dome unaffected by changes in gas viscosity, changes in Reynolds' number, changes in gas and liquid turbulence, and an upstream static pressure sensor; downstream pressure sensor for detecting a differential pressure; a temperature sensor; a ram velocity sensor with a processor and computer instructions for calculating velocity and mass of the gas using a detachable and re-attachable conical area ratio changer.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: DYNAMIC FLOW COMPUTERSInventor: Sami O. Halilah
-
Patent number: 10935401Abstract: A power supply is configured with “smart” technology compatible with functionality on metrology hardware, like gas meters. This technology enables functions on the power supply to retain and generate data. The data may characterize discharge of an energy source, like batteries, that is resident on the power supply. Other data may indicate charge levels that are commensurate with ambient storage and use conditions, for example, to identify effects of “self-discharge” that may occur on the power supply after manufacture but before use on the gas meter. In one implementation, the gas meter may process the data from the power supply to track connection (and disconnection) of the power supply, set life expectancy of the power supply, and manage maintenance on the device as necessary to pre-empt issues that may occur at the end-of-usable life for the power supply, among other favorable functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventor: Roman Leon Artiuch
-
Patent number: 10928233Abstract: A measuring system comprises a measuring and operation electronic unit (ME) and a transducer device electrically coupled thereto. The transducer device has two tubes through which a fluid flows and causes to vibrate, a vibration exciter, two vibration sensors on the inlet and outlet sides, respectively, for generating vibration signals, and an inlet-side temperature sensor coupled to a wall of the tube for thermal conduction and an outlet-side temperature sensor coupled to a wall of the tube for generating temperature measurement signals. The measuring and operation electronic unit feeds electrical power into the vibration exciter in order to effect mechanical vibrations of the tube. Furthermore, the ME generates a mass flow sequence, by means of each of the vibration signals and each of the temperature measurement signals in such a way that mass flow measurement values are independent of the temperature difference.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Ennio Bitto, Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder
-
Patent number: 10917162Abstract: Phase or amplitude compensation for beam-former Apparatus for an antenna with a plurality of antenna elements, the antenna providing a radiation pattern including one or more beams and the apparatus comprising: a digital beam-former for digitally weighting component signals corresponding to the one or more beams with respective beam-forming weights to provide each component signals of a beam with a phase relationship and amplitude relationship to other component signals of the same beam; and a processing arrangement for processing signal for the beam-former or for processing signals received from the beam-former; the apparatus further comprising compensation means for compensating for at least one out of phase and amplitude distortions between component signals associated with the same frequency channel and related to the same beam arising in the processing arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Robert Smart, Chiok Leong
-
Patent number: 10838433Abstract: A system is provided for detecting abnormal consumption in one portion of a distributed water infrastructure while normal water usage occurs in another portion of the distributed water infrastructure. The system may comprise at least one processor. The system may receive from at least one sensor associated with the distributed water infrastructure indications of regular water usage. The system may determine, from a plurality of indications received over a time period, a plurality of baseline water usage profiles. The system may receive from the at least one sensor a current water usage profile. The system may compare the current water usage profile with the plurality of baseline water usage profiles. The system may determine an abnormal water consumption based on the comparison between the current water usage profile and the plurality of baseline water usage profiles. The system may generate an abnormal water consumption signal when abnormal water consumption is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: WINT WI LtdInventors: Avy Tahan, Dror Galron, Shay Ravid
-
Patent number: 10816374Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for processing a signal is provided. The apparatus includes a comparator having one input terminal to which a signal is inputted, a first switch configured to switch between application and non-application of a reference voltage, a second switch configured to switch between application and non-application of an envelope reference voltage; a third switch configured to switch between application and non-application of an error detection reference voltage; and a controller configured to perform switching control of the first switch, the second switch and the third switch based on an output of the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventor: Isao Niwa
-
Patent number: 10799900Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes a housing, a sensor assembly, and a traveler. The housing defines an interior cavity, and includes an inlet for fluid to enter the interior cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the interior cavity. The sensor assembly is disposed in the interior cavity, and extends longitudinally in the direction of fluid flow. The traveler is movably supported by the sensor assembly such that fluid flow through the interior cavity causes the traveler to move longitudinally along the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly detects a longitudinal position of the traveler relative to the sensor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Andrew Boyd, Kale Schrader
-
Patent number: 10760934Abstract: An electronic flow meter that is configured to use localized flow conditions to determine volumetric flow. The embodiments may include a body forming a pass-through channel and a by-pass channel; a semiconductor device comprising a sensor disposed proximate the by-pass channel, the sensor configured to generate a signal with data that reflects localized pressure and localized temperature of a stream in the by-pass channel; and a processing component coupled with the sensor to receive and process the signal so as to identify a flow condition for the stream, select a calculation for volumetric flow rate in response to the flow condition, use data for localized pressure and localized temperature in the calculation to generate a value for the volumetric flow rate; and generate an output with data that reflects the value for the volumetric flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventors: Roman Leon Artiuch, Ertugrul Berkcan, Nannan Chen
-
Patent number: 10739370Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid-dynamic drag on an object, such as a bicycle, ground vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or portion of a wind turbine are provided. An array of sensors obtain sensor readings for example indicating: power input for propelling the object; air speed and direction relative to motion of the object; and ground speed of the object. Sensor readings may also indicate: temperature; elevation and humidity for providing a measurement of air density. Sensor readings may also indicate inclination angle and forward acceleration. Processing circuitry determines a coefficient of drag area based on the sensor readings and optionally one or more stored parameters, according to a predetermined relationship. A pitot tube based apparatus for measuring fluid speed and direction is also provided. Methods for dynamic in situ calibration of the pitot tube apparatus, and of adjusting correction factors applied to correct measurement errors of this apparatus are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: 1323079 Alberta Ltd.Inventors: Chris Morton, Kelly Zwarych
-
Patent number: 10739171Abstract: A menu navigation engine that enables user configuration of a vortex flowmeter. The vortex flowmeter includes a memory device and a processor, among other hardware components. Software instructions stored on the memory device and executable by the processor implement the menu navigation engine by displaying use case identifiers on the user interface, receiving selections of use case identifiers via the user interface, generating a formatted hierarchical tree of vortex flowmeter configuration nodes associated with the selected use case, and displaying the generated tree on the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.Inventors: Peter Allstrom, Briane Ritchie
-
Patent number: 10704946Abstract: A meter register of the type having a sealed register body, and a member adapted to measure liquid flow through the meter and an antenna mounted within the register body is improved by providing a microprocessor adapted to have a calculated water meter maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate defined as the meter flow rate range. The member co-acts with the microprocessor to determine flow rate, and the microprocessor is adapted to forward a signal to the antenna when the flow rate of the meter is outside, or within, the meter flow rate range, and the antenna transmits the signal to the water utility that the meter is not properly sized, or is properly sized, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Master Meter, Inc.Inventors: Scott H. Seehoffer, Jerry Potter
-
Patent number: 10698980Abstract: A method of modeling fluid flow in a computational fluid dynamics model space in a way that tracks both linear and rotational position of the modeled flow in the model space by representing flow elements as resistors and resistor arrays having resistance valued relative to the fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Inventor: John Michael Snider, Sr.
-
Patent number: 10648935Abstract: The invention relates to a flow measurement system for determining a flow of a medium, comprising a Coriolis flow sensor, a thermal flow sensor and a processing unit connected thereto. According to the invention, the processing unit is arranged for determining, based on the output signals of both the Coriolis flow sensor and the thermal sensor, at least one of the thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of a medium in the flow measurement system. The invention further relates to a method of determining at least one of the thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of a medium.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Berkin B.V.Inventors: Joost Conrad Lötters, Egbert Jan Van Der Wouden, Jarno Groenesteijn, Wouter Sparreboom, Theodorus Simon Josef Lammerink, Remco John Wiegerink
-
Patent number: 10626863Abstract: A system comprising: a reservoir (14) for holding a liquid (1); a pump (20) arranged to pump the liquid (1) out of the reservoir (14) to a system outlet (24) or into the reservoir (14) from a system inlet; a pressure sensor (34) arranged between the reservoir (14) and the system outlet (24) or between the system inlet and the reservoir (14), the pressure sensor (34) configured to measure the discharge pressure (Pd) of the pump (20) and to generate discharge pressure data; a level sensor (26) configured to detect the level (1) of the liquid (1) in the reservoir (14) and to generate level data; a power monitor (28) configured to monitor the power consumed (p) by the pump (20) and to generate power data; a volume monitor configured to monitor the volume (V) of liquid (1) pumped by the pump (20) and to generate volume data; and a controller (30) configured to: receive the power data, the volume data, the discharge pressure data and the level data; process the discharge pressure data to determine a discharge headType: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Pulsar Process Measurement LimitedInventors: Keith Victor Beard, Sang Tran
-
Patent number: 10612959Abstract: An Electronic Volume Corrector (EVC) for measuring a flow of a gas in a gas line includes a plurality of EVC sensor interface units for collecting a plurality of sensed sensor parameters including uncorrected gas volume data (UGVD) from a gas meter, a gas pressure from a gas pressure sensor and gas temperature from a gas temperature sensor. An EVC processing unit is communicably connected to the EVC sensor interface units for performing volume correction for generating corrected GVD (CGVD) from the UGVD received from each of the EVC sensor interface units, data logging, and networking functions. The EVC sensor interface units and the EVC processing unit are configured independent including being physically separate from one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Dinesh Kumar Kn
-
Patent number: 10578030Abstract: A method of adjusting a fuel flow rate in a turbine engine propelling an aircraft, including: obtaining a first estimate of a flow rate of fuel injected into a combustion chamber of the turbine engine propelling an aircraft and as delivered by a fuel metering device of the turbine engine; obtaining a second estimate of the fuel flow rate, which second estimate is more accurate than the first estimate for at least one range of fuel flow rate values and being delivered by an estimator device having a flow meter; and adjusting the fuel flow rate threshold value with help of a difference evaluated between the first estimate and the second estimate, the threshold value being for use in an open loop for regulating the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Christophe Javelot, Cedrik Djelassi, Bruno Robert Gaully, Ismail Sylla
-
Patent number: 10571380Abstract: Vibronic sensor and method of operation for monitoring the density and/or the viscosity of a medium in a container, comprising a mechanically oscillatable unit, a driving/receiving unit and an electronics unit, wherein the driving/receiving unit is embodied, using an electrical exciter signal, to excite the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations, and to receive the mechanical oscillations and to convert them into an electrical, received signal, wherein the electronics unit is embodied to produce the exciter signal such that a predeterminable phase shift is present between the exciter signal and received signal, wherein the electronics unit is embodied to set a first predeterminable phase shift and a second predeterminable phase shift, and to ascertain a first frequency and a second frequency corresponding to the predeterminable phase shifts, and to determine from the two frequencies the density and/or the viscosity of the medium using a first and/or second analytical formula.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventor: Tobias Brengartner
-
Patent number: 10500528Abstract: The ability to estimate a filter clog by a means other than measuring fluid pressure is presented. The filter monitoring system of the present disclosure comprises a vibration data transmission unit, which is mounted on a filtration device, detecting filter vibrations associated with the operation of filtration device described above, sending such as vibration data, and a clog estimation unit, which detects the phenomenon of declining vibration value caused by a filter clog, estimating the degree of blockage for the filter described above.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Think-Lands Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Miyaji, Kenji Furuki, Hitoshi Era, Kei Mori, Kazuo Kawaguchi, Hidetsugu Yamaguchi
-
Patent number: 10496948Abstract: A data processing method comprises receiving a request to analyze a relationship between an explanatory element and a response element and obtaining, in response to the request, data associated with the explanatory element and the response element. The method further comprises determining coefficients for an equation and storing the coefficients in digital computer memory by: computing, using a plurality of processes in parallel and for each of the coefficients, summations derived from a zero first derivative of the equation with respect to each of the coefficients, computing a value for each of the coefficients using the summations, determining, in response to the computing, a vector of response element values in the digital computer memory using the value of each of the coefficients and values representing the explanatory element as input, and causing displaying a trend graph of the relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: XACTLY CORPORATIONInventor: Shenshen Liang
-
Patent number: 10480672Abstract: Provided is a flow rate adjusting device including: an ultrasonic flow metering portion; a flow rate adjusting portion; a control portion configured to control the flow rate adjusting portion so that the flow rate of the fluid measured by the ultrasonic flow metering portion matches a set value; a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid flowing into an upstream side of a measurement flow channel from an inflow port; and a storage portion configured to store information that associates the flow rate of the fluid obtained from the propagation time difference measured by the ultrasonic flow metering portion, the set value of the target flow rate, and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor with each other when the control portion controls the flow rate adjusting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SURPASS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Atsushi Inoue
-
Patent number: 10458444Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided to digitally control both position and crossover pressure in a double-acting pneumatic actuator, in view of constraints (e.g., a deadband range comprising a set point) set on the crossover pressure. Control may be achieved, via a control algorithm (e.g., a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) control algorithm) acting upon inputs of actuator position feedback and crossover pressure feedback (e.g., as indicated by pressure feedback of each respective pneumatic chamber). Further, the embodiments described herein may reduce the necessary frequency of control actions for adjusting crossover pressure, thus reducing wear on process components, and allowing for finer control of actuator position.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Michael R. Fontaine, David L. Smid
-
Patent number: 10408647Abstract: An infrastructure and methods for the analysis of flow in pipe systems. In a preferred form, the infrastructure and methods account for energy status of a sensor device and wear cost functions. The infrastructure comprises a controller and a plurality of sensor devices coupled to the pipe system to collect measurements related to one or more of the following: vibration, magnetic field, fluid pressure, temperature, humidity, chemical composition of the fluid, fluid flow or fluid throughput. The controller has access to a database containing one or both of—(i) current energy status of a sensor device and/or (ii) a cost allocation relating to use of a sensor device and assigns workloads using energy status and/or cost.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Olea Networks, Inc.Inventors: David Mackie, Stefan Grefen, Corey James Boelter, Astrid Jaehde
-
Patent number: 10407143Abstract: Dive computers incorporating a variety of features are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a dive computer including a microprocessor, memory configured to store a software application, a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information, and a communications device configured to communicate with external devices, wherein the software application configures the microprocessor to create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log includes recorded information including depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, and transmit the dive log using the communications device.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.Inventors: Robert R. Hollis, John E. Lewis, Michael S. Hollis, Ed Pataky, Hoan Hoang
-
Patent number: 10402044Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to resource monitoring and resource consumption analytics. Resource usage is tracked through a gateway device monitoring resources using remote input sensors, and usage data is transmitted to a central processing unit whereby the data is interpreted and compared with usage over time and site conditions such as weather. For example, incoming usage data is compared with resource signatures in a signature library representing an ideal usage or historical usage for given site condition. This data is interpreted into simple command displays with alerts, alarms, thereby reporting and alerting to an end-user via multiple delivery mechanisms, of potential sources of resource waste or loss. Further, the alerts or alarms can include easily interpreted recommendations to allow a non-skilled worker to take corrective procedures to maximize efficient use of the consumable resources.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: APANA Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Rose, Frank Burns, Tom Remmers, Matt Maher Peterson
-
Patent number: 10359351Abstract: A method of electrically measuring the electrical properties of individual particles flowing in a liquid, which method comprises: (i) providing apparatus (3) which is for electrically measuring the individual particles and which has: (a) a fluidic channel (5) for receiving a liquid (6) having the individual particles (4) in suspension in the liquid (6); (b) a first electrode arrangement (8) having at least one measurement electrode (16) and at least one signal electrode (11); and (c) at least one other electrode arrangement (9) having at least one measurement electrode (18) and at least one signal electrode (13); (ii) providing a flow of the liquid (6) through the fluidic channel (5); (iii) applying a first electrical signal through the liquid (6) and along a first conduction path between the measurement electrode (16) and the signal electrode (11) of the first electrode arrangement (8); (iv) applying an electrical signal through the liquid (6) and along at least one other conduction path; (v) comparing the eType: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: University of SouthamptonInventors: Daniel Christopher Spencer, Hywel Morgan