Flow Metering Patents (Class 702/45)
  • Patent number: 8731848
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to monitor flow of single and multiple phase fluids. Sensors of a tool can be dispersed along the tool to collect measurements to be processed using an autocorrelation operation on the collected measurements to provide information relative to the phases of the fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Anthony H. van Zuilekom, Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett, Robert Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8731849
    Abstract: A hydrostatic pressure testing system for hydrostatic pressure testing of pipe or other vessels. A control center may include a computer program that monitors, records, and controls the system during testing. A test fluid assembly may include a fill conduit capable of providing a test fluid to an inlet section of a vessel to be tested in response to a command from the computer program. A pressure-release safety assembly may have a vent conduit in fluid communication between an outlet section of the vessel and a safety valve. The safety valve may be in fluid communication with a bleed tank for storing an outlet flow of test fluid from the vessel. The safety valve is actuated to relieve fluid pressure in the vessel in response to a selective condition. A method of using the system to conduct hydrostatic pressure testing is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Greene's Energy Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lubbert Westra, Michael W. Breaux, Russell Richard, Jr., Christopher D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140136125
    Abstract: The flow meter system includes flow meters taking measurements based on a set of parameters of a multiphase fluid, each measurement corresponding to respective groups of interrelated unknown variables. These unknown variables are selected from the set of parameters, and the groups of unknown variables are different from each other. A processor uses an iterative process to solve equations of a mathematical model, determined by the equations corresponding to the measurements and groups of unknown variables, so as to estimate an amount of a target unknown variable selected from the set of parameters. The method for estimating a target unknown variable of a multiphase fluid includes installing flow meters in the multiphase fluid; taking measurements based on a set of parameters; determining a mathematical model with equations corresponding to the measurements and groups of interrelated unknown variables; and solving equations with an iterative process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Agar Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: Joram AGAR, Vikram SIDDAVARAM
  • Publication number: 20140135732
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with monitoring systems (1) for medical liquid dispensing devices. The systems are intended for use in any medical setting wherein a medical liquid container (4), such as an infusion bag with fluid, is to be infused into a patient and are aimed at reducing the need for visual checking by nurses or other medical assistants. This is achieved by a combination of an identification unit (2), which identifies a medical liquid container and optionally the patient to be treated, a weight monitoring unit, which measures the weight of the medical liquid container when liquid is dispensed therefrom, and a processing unit (3), which processes and/or stores data that are acquired from the identification unit and the weight monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Leon Spronken, Michael Daenen, Ronald Thoelen, Vincent Claes
  • Patent number: 8725433
    Abstract: A signal processing method, a signal processing apparatus, and a Coriolis flowmeter are capable of always performing measurement with constant precision and performing phase measurement with high filtering performance and a small amount of computation even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, air bubbles are mixed into the fluid to be measured, or the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from a gas to a liquid. The Coriolis flowmeter detects at least one of a phase difference and a vibration frequency proportional to a Coriolis force acting on at least one flow tube or a pair of flow tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8725432
    Abstract: A signal processing method for a Coriolis flowmeter including: performing frequency conversion to combine an oscillation frequency to each of two flow rate signals obtained by A/D conversion on input signals of the phase difference and/or the vibration frequency proportional to the Coriolis force acting on the at least one flow tube; measuring a frequency of a composite waveform associated with at least one of the vibration detection sensors; transmitting a control signal based on the measured frequency; controlling so that a sum frequency component or a difference frequency component of a composite component of a composite frequency signal is constant; and measuring phases from a sum signal or a difference signal of each of controlled converted composite frequencies, to thereby obtain a phase difference signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8712705
    Abstract: A system to configure a field device of the type used to calculate a flow of a process fluid. The system includes a flow repository comprising a list of process fluids with which the field device can be used, fluid equation data which provides information related to fluid equations for calculating fluid parameters of the process fluid, a list of primary elements, and primary element equation data which provides information related to primary element equations and fluid equations for calculating flow of the process fluid. The flow application is adapted to retrieve data from the flow repository and to generate information which is used by field device to calculate the flow of the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall Leon Meier, Dale Scott Davis, David Eugene Wiklund, Andrey Leonidovich Rumyantsev, Kirill Victorovich Petrov
  • Publication number: 20140114588
    Abstract: A computer is caused to execute processes of: calculating a flow rate and a water level of a continuum at each point on a two-dimensional plane in a first region, on the basis of input data; expressing the continuum in a second region contained in the first region as an assembly of particles, and subjecting the state of the each particle to a three-dimensional analysis based on the calculated flow rate and water level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tamon SUWA
  • Publication number: 20140114589
    Abstract: A control and measurement system for a coriolis flowmeter having a flowtube, a driver adapted to vibrate the flowtube, and a pair of sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of movement of the flowtube when it is being vibrated by the driver, wherein the sensors are positioned relative to one another so the signals from the sensors are indicative of a mass flow rate of fluid through the flowtube. A digital drive signal generator is adapted to generate a variable digital drive signal for controlling operation of the driver. The digital drive signal generator can be adapted to cause the driver to resist motion of the flowtube during a first time period and amplify motion of the flowtube during a second time period. The digital drive signal generator can also be adapted to initiate motion of the flowtube by sending one or more square wave signals to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
  • Patent number: 8706430
    Abstract: Motion is induced in a conduit that contains a fluid. The motion is induced such that the conduit oscillates in a first mode of vibration and a second mode of vibration. The first mode of vibration has a corresponding first frequency of vibration and the second mode of vibration has a corresponding second frequency of vibration. At least one of the first frequency of vibration or the second frequency of vibration is determined. A phase difference between the motion of the conduit at a first point of the conduit and the motion of the conduit at a second point of the conduit is determined. A quantity based on the phase difference and the determined frequency is determined. The quantity includes a ratio between the first frequency during a zero-flow condition and the second frequency during the zero-flow condition. A property of the fluid is determined based on the quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Tombs
  • Patent number: 8700343
    Abstract: A signal processing method for a Coriolis flowmeter including: performing frequency conversion to combine an oscillation frequency to each of two flow rate signals obtained by A/D conversion on input signals of the phase difference and/or the vibration frequency proportional to the Coriolis force acting on the at least one flow tube; measuring a frequency of a composite waveform associated with at least one of the vibration detection sensors; transmitting a control signal based on the measured frequency; controlling so that a sum frequency component or a difference frequency component of a composite component of a composite frequency signal is constant; and measuring phases from a sum signal or a difference signal of each of controlled converted composite frequencies, to thereby obtain a phase difference signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8694168
    Abstract: A digital shower system contains a showering equipment including at least one first watering device and at least one second watering device; an input interface including a power key, a knob, an ok key, a return key, and a plurality of outlet switches; a valve unit including a motor, a mixing valve, and a number of outlet valves; a central process unit including a setting module, a time module, a memory module, a calculator module, and a water monitor module; and an indicator so that quantity of water use is known by the user to save water consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Jingyang Lin
  • Patent number: 8682601
    Abstract: The safety valve vibration analyzer includes: a set condition input unit in which set conditions of a physical model including a safety valve and an upstream pipe connected to the safety valve are inputted; a safety valve governing equation holder that holds a safety valve governing equations; a pipe governing equation holder that holds a pipe governing equation; a processing unit that derives a time variation of a valve lift by using the set conditions inputted, the safety valve governing equations, and the pipe governing equations; and a valve lifting force function holder that holds a valve lifting force function. The processing unit derives the time variation of the valve lift by applying the valve lifting force function to the equation of motion of the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventor: Izuchi Hisao
  • Patent number: 8677748
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an operating conditions module that interprets a number of compressor operating parameters; a compressor flow module that determines a compressor inlet flow in response to the number of compressor operating parameters; and a fresh air flow module that provides a fresh air flow value in response to the compressor inlet flow. The operating conditions module further interprets a current mass air flow value, and the apparatus further includes a mass air flow sensor trimming module that adjusts a mass air flow sensor drift value in response to the current mass air flow value and the fresh air flow value. The apparatus includes a diagnostics module that determines a mass air flow sensor is failed in response to the current mass air flow value and the fresh air flow value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Indranil Brahma, Ashwin Vyas, Vivek Anand Sujan, Phanindra Garimella, John N. Chi, Abdoul Karim Abdoul Azizou
  • Patent number: 8676518
    Abstract: A signal processing method for a Coriolis flowmeter, the signal processing method including: measuring a frequency of a first digital signal obtained by converting a first input signal from one of a pair of vibration detection sensors into the first digital signal; transmitting a modulatable frequency signal based on the measured frequency of the first digital signal; performing frequency conversion to add or subtract the frequency of the modulatable frequency signal to or from the frequency of the first digital signal; performing frequency conversion to add or subtract the frequency of the modulatable frequency signal to or from the frequency of a second digital signal obtained by converting a second input signal from the other one of the pair of vibration detection sensors into the second digital signal; and measuring a phase difference between (i) the frequency converted first digital signal and (ii) the frequency converted second digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8676526
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for processing sensor signals in a flow meter and for computing mass flow rate, density or volume flow rate includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201) and configured to generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal with a Hilbert transform and compute a phase difference from the ninety degree phase shift, the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. A frequency is computed from the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift. A second ninety degree phase shift can be generated from the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Richard L. Maginnis, Craig B. McAnally
  • Patent number: 8676517
    Abstract: A signal processing method for a Coriolis flowmeter including: performing frequency conversion of a first digital signal, the frequency conversion performed on the first digital signal modulating the frequency of the first digital signal so that the frequency of the first digital signal after the frequency conversion is 1/Nth of the frequency of the first digital signal before the frequency conversion, where N is an integer; performing frequency conversion of a second digital signal, the frequency conversion performed on the second digital signal modulating the frequency of the second digital signal so that the frequency of the second digital signal after the frequency conversion is 1/Nth of the frequency of the second digital signal before the frequency conversion; and measuring a phase difference between (i) the frequency converted first digital signal and (ii) the frequency converted second digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20140067287
    Abstract: An estimation device for a cylinder intake air amount in an internal combustion engine can make calculations in real time with a high accuracy in a small number of adaptation constants. The device includes an AFS, a volumetric efficiency corresponding value calculation unit that calculates a volumetric efficiency correction factor which is an index indicating an amount of air entering a cylinder, a physical model that models a response delay of an intake system, and a unit that calculates a cylinder intake air amount actually sucked into the cylinder by using the amount of intake air, the volumetric efficiency correction factor and the physical model. The volumetric efficiency correction factor required for calculating the amount of air sucked into the cylinder by a response delay model of the intake system is calculated by using the intake air amount, an intake manifold density, and an intake manifold density change amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Hideki HAGARI
  • Patent number: 8666683
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Warren Rogers Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren F. Rogers, John R. Collins, Jillianne B. Jones, William P. Jones, Michael A. Lenox
  • Patent number: 8655603
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for detecting whether an acceptable mixture of fluid and water has been delivered by a vending machine. Embodiments of the invention utilize one or more second flow meters located downstream of a mix manifold. The additional flow meter allows the controller of the delivery system or vending machine to monitor and compare the volume of water to the volume of the final mix in order to determine whether an appropriate volume of syrup has or has not been mixed in the dispensed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Larry E Hieb, Vishal Dali
  • Patent number: 8650948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic seepage meter for measuring groundwater-surface water exchange in a mixed zone of stream. The present invention includes: the chamber installed in streambed sediment; the device for measuring amount of groundwater recharge through a change in water level accompanied by discharging water in the water in case of losing stream; and the device for measuring amount of groundwater discharge through a change in water level according to an increased water from the chamber to the water bath for measuring discharge in case of gaining stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Bong Joo Lee, Kyung Seok Ko
  • Patent number: 8648704
    Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection devices are provided, the passenger protection devices being triggered as a function of a first acceleration signal and/or a driving dynamics signal. The acceleration signal is corrected by an offset by a comparison with the driving dynamics signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Melchert, Gunther Lang
  • Patent number: 8639456
    Abstract: Technology enabling a user to easily acquire the result of calculating the consumption of fluid used in a fluid discharge device is provided. A fluid consumption calculation device that calculates consumption of a fluid includes an input unit that receives information related to an output object; a discharge control unit that generates discharge data for a fluid used to form the output object using a fluid discharge device; an analysis unit that analyzes the discharge data; a calculation unit that uses information acquired from the analysis unit to calculate consumption of the fluid used to form the output object; and an output unit that generates and outputs output information using information acquired from the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Tsuchiya, Junji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8639464
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods relate to automated learning of a baseline differential pressure (dP) characteristic to monitor the performance of a field-installed gas flow meter by comparing on-line dP measurements to the learned baseline dP characteristic. In an exemplary embodiment, a first baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a first mode over a first predetermined period of time according to a first set of learning criteria, and a second baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a second mode over a second predetermined period of time according to a second set of learning criteria. The first period of time may be substantially shorter than the second period of time. The first set of criteria may be substantially more relaxed than the second set of criteria. During the second mode, meter performance degradation may be diagnosed by comparing measured dP against the first baseline dP characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Leon Artiuch, Paul Stephen Hooks
  • Patent number: 8635024
    Abstract: A sensing device for use in determining at least one attribute of a weather event comprising a plurality of elements. The sensing device can comprise a pressure sensitive surface. The pressure sensitive surface can comprise a pressure sensor. In response to receiving pressure applied by one of the elements, the pressure sensor can generate an output. A first attribute of the at least one attribute of the weather event is determinable at least in part from the output. A system, method, and computer program product for use in determining the at least one attribute are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Brillhart, Nicholas J. Karels
  • Patent number: 8635003
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a control module and a resistor. The resistor is connected in series between the control module and a non-contact position sensor. The control module selectively detects a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor. A method for controlling an engine includes providing a resistor connected in series between a control module and a non-contact position sensor, and selectively detecting a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, John Norman Stockbridge, J. Oscar Aparicio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8626455
    Abstract: Methods and devices for testing medical pumps via tracking induced single or multiple bubble trajectories within a fluid flow conduit by detecting a periodic synchronization event, via inserted bubble tracking of a signal processor unit, and methods of synchronized corrections of fluid flow data estimates based on the periodic synchronization event, where the periodic synchronization event detecting comprises detecting one or more pushes of a pump and one or more pauses of a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Pronk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, Mirik Hovsepian
  • Patent number: 8626456
    Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Moore, Terry W. Ostan, Lei Li, Jackson L. Bahm, Philip J. Fikany, Thomas J. Mockeridge, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8620601
    Abstract: An object is to detect an abnormality when the inside of a gas cutoff apparatus is submerged. A flow rate computing unit 15 computes an instantaneous flow rate from a detected value of a flow rate detecting unit 8 for measuring a flow rate, and an amplification degree determining unit 18 determines signal amplification adjusted by the flow rate detecting unit 8, and timing is started when the amplification degree is a predetermined value or more, and a measurement condition setting unit 16 sets a measurement condition of the flow rate detecting unit 8 from the flow rate obtained by the flow rate computing unit 15, and a measurement ratio computing unit 20 obtains a measurement condition ratio during predetermined time from a time measuring unit 19 and the measurement condition setting unit 16, and it is determined that the flow rate detecting unit 8 is abnormal when the measurement ratio is a predetermined ratio or more, and a cutoff unit 22 breaks supply of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichi Ueki
  • Publication number: 20130345995
    Abstract: A method for determining an air flow of an air handler including an indoor blower and a motor coupled to a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system, includes receiving a signal indicative of an air flow at an extreme operating range of the HVAC system; receiving operational constants of the air handler, the operational constants representing performance characteristics of the air handler; transmitting a torque command to the motor; receiving a motor signal indicative of an operating speed of the motor; and determining the air flow using at least the operating speed and the operational constants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Eugene Louis Mills, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130345993
    Abstract: Determining sensor placement in distributed networks includes identifying measurement locations in a distributed network with a tree topology and selecting a subset of the measurement locations for sensor placement with a mutual information function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Gowtham Bellala, Manish Marwah, Martin Arlitt, Geoff M. Lyon, Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant Patel
  • Patent number: 8608439
    Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 8612165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for determining an aerodynamic drag area CxA of a moving vehicle, for example a bicycle, in dependence upon the airflow yaw direction and speed without the use of a wind tunnel. The vehicle is equipped with sensors for collecting time-stamped values indicative of the vehicle speed, propulsion force, airflow speed and yaw angle of the airflow at various points during the trip. The trip data are then processed using successively refined hypotheses regarding the CxA(yaw) dependence to generate a plurality of elevation profiles for the travelled path. The generated elevation profiles are then evaluated based on available route elevation information to select a correct dependence of the aerodynamic drag area upon the yaw angle of the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Alphamantis Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Froncioni, Robert Chung
  • Patent number: 8606521
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid pressure measurement system includes a densometer adapted to measure a fluid density of a fluid flowing in a tubing system; and a monitoring unit communicably coupled to the densometer. The monitoring unit is adapted to receive a plurality of values representative of the fluid density from the densometer and includes a memory adapted to store the plurality of values representative of the fluid density; and one or more processors operable to execute a fluid pressure measurement module. The module is operable when executed to determine a fluid pressure of the fluid based on at least a portion of the values representative of the fluid density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Beisel, Stanley V. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 8606531
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to systems and methods for spot checking flow properties of a multiphase mixture containing one or more hydrocarbons flowing through a pipeline or the like. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for creating slug-type flows of isokinetically obtained samples of the multiphase mixture flow. By spot checking the slug-type flow of an isokinetically obtained sample of the multiphase flow, embodiments of the present invention may provide for determining flow properties of gas, oil/condensate and/or water components of the multiphase flow. In certain aspects of the present invention, an active sampling device may be used to enrich one of the phases of the slug-type flow of the sampled multiphase mixture and/or take a representative sample of one of the phases of the slug-type flow of the sampled multiphase mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Pinguet, Cheng-gang Xie, Paul Guieze, Graham Birkett
  • Publication number: 20130325368
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the service life of an HVAC air filter is disclosed and includes an airflow sensor that is positioned in an HVAC duct in relatively close proximity to the air filter. The airflow sensor output is sent to a processor that is pre-programmed with a filter evaluation algorithm. Each time the HVAC blower is activated begins a new duty cycle during which airflow signals are generated are sampled by the processor/algorithm. Selected sampled values are averaged to calculate a peak airflow velocity, Vpeak, for each duty cycle. The peak airflow velocity, Vpeak, is then compared to a base reference, Vreference, to determine whether the air filter requires service/replacement. The value of the base reference, Vreference, can be established during an initializing procedure and thereafter updated using the peak airflow velocity, Vpeak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Edwin ROBB
  • Publication number: 20130325363
    Abstract: A system for improving processing of polyethylene resins, comprising a processor; a memory; an output device; and an analysis component stored in the memory, that when executed on the processor, configures the processor to receive a shear stress as a function of shear rate for a plurality of multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene samples, wherein the determination of the shear stress as a function of the shear rate comprises using capillary rheometry; determine values for a magnitude of slip-stick, a stress for smooth to matte transition, and a shear rate for smooth to matte transition for each of the plurality of multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene samples based on the shear stress and the shear rate measured from capillary rheometry; identify individual multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resins from the plurality of multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene samples having a reduced tendency to melt fracture characterized by a magnitude of slip-stick greater than about 300 psi
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Paul J. DesLauriers, Yongwoo Inn, Qing Yang, Ashish M. Sukhadia, David C. Rohlfing
  • Publication number: 20130317760
    Abstract: A method for operating a Coriolis mass flow measuring device having at least one measuring pipe through which a medium flows, at least one vibration generator, at least a first vibration sensor, at least a second vibration sensor and at least a control and analyzing unit. The detection of measurement variables or diagnosis parameters is achieved with increased accuracy and security in that the control and analyzing unit calculates, at least indirectly and in a ratiometric manner, at least a derived secondary variable based on a primary measurement, wherein interested primary measurement signals are transmitted alternately to the control and analyzing unit via different measurement channels and wherein, based on the various values obtained from the different measurement channels regarding the primary measurement signals, compensation values of the transmitted primary measurement signals are calculated and used as a basis for the calculation of the derived secondary variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH & CO.
    Inventors: Kourosh Kolahi, Ralf Storm, Andreas Poremba
  • Publication number: 20130317761
    Abstract: The mass of a fluid flowing through a flow rate meter at a temperature which fluctuates in a given temperature range is determined by driving an exciter magnet system through the fluid with an exact correlation between the fluid volume flowing there through and the movement path covered by the exciter magnet system, producing a measurement voltage pulse after each passage through a movement path corresponding to a unit volume of the fluid by means of a Wiegand wire and a coil surrounding same, at each measurement time charging a first energy storage means by electric energy contained in each measurement voltage pulse, and using same as operating energy for measurement of the instantaneous temperature of the fluid, producing a temperature value as an integral multiple of the smallest temperature measurement unit to be resolved and an integral count value including said temperature value, and adding same to a sum contained in a non-volatile storage means from the precedingly ascertained count values for forming
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: 8594953
    Abstract: An intelligent gas flow sensor probe which outputs a state signal indicating whether there is forced gas flow present within a conduit or whether there is no gas flow. The intelligent gas flow sensor probe includes a heated thermistor and a reference thermistor functionally coupled to a microcontroller. The heated thermistor is continuously heated at a constant rate to a temperature above an ambient temperature within the conduit and outputs a signal responsive to a change in temperature induced by gas flow incident thereupon. Gas flow within the conduit causes heat to be transferred from the heated thermistor to the gas flowing over and/or around the heated thermistor. The reference thermistor is thermally insulated from the heated thermistor and outputs a reference signal responsive to an ambient temperature of the gas within the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ClearWater Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Philip J. Steckling
  • Patent number: 8589090
    Abstract: Devices for testing medical pumps via tracking induced single or multiple bubble trajectories within a light-transmissive fluid flow conduit including an outflow path and an inflow path relative to a manifold configured for bubble insertion by a carriage translatably disposed along the conduit, where the carriage including a first light emitting unit and a first photo receptor, and a signal processing unit configured to output motor command signals based on input signals from the first photo-receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pronk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, Mirik Hovsepian
  • Publication number: 20130304402
    Abstract: An analog input unit configured to be included in a programmable controller and to sequentially convert analog values input from outside into digital values, the analog input unit includes: an analog-to-digital conversion unit that converts an analog value being a measurement value of a flow meter into a digital value; a flow computation unit that calculates an instantaneous flow and a total integrated flow that is obtained by integrating a flow per setting time set in advance, based on the digital value from the analog-to-digital conversion unit; and a storage unit that includes a flow storage area for storing therein the instantaneous flow and the total integrated flow calculated by the flow computation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Ukena, Hironori Kameoka, Yuji Makimoto
  • Patent number: 8583378
    Abstract: A well passing through a geological formation is fitted with a tube, open at its bottom end, that is filled with a fluid. Another fluid is in the annular space between the tube and the wall of the well, the two fluids exhibiting an interface situated in the annular space. A hydraulic balance of the fluids of the well is disturbed and the trend of certain quantities is measured. These measurements are moreover simulated by computer by using different sets of values for the physical parameters, and efforts are made to estimate the geological formation. A comparison of the measurements with the simulation results makes it possible to identify an optimum set of values for the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventors: Antoine Jacques, Jean-Luc Boutaud De La Combe, Pierre Berest, Benoit Brouard
  • Patent number: 8583384
    Abstract: Expanded temperature split, superheat, enthalpy, humidity, and wet-bulb tables are created and used to determine recommended refrigerant charge and airflow adjustments. Previously unknown enthalpy split values are introduced and calculated in a defined region and then extrapolated using a nonlinear curve fit for undefined regions. Undefined target temperature split values are then calculated from a relationship between temperature split and enthalpy split. Previously undefined superheat values are extrapolated using a nonlinear curve fit from a defined region to obtain superheat values for undefined regions. The expanded temperature split and superheat tables are used during setup or maintenance to calculate refrigerant and/or airflow adjustments for optimal performance of the cooling system in previously undefined operating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robert J. Mowris
  • Patent number: 8583387
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a diagnostic assessment of an ultrasonic sensor that measures a fluid level. A PWM signal is generated based on a reflection of an ultrasonic signal output by the ultrasonic sensor. The PWM has a period, and a plurality of pulses. Each pulse encodes a predetermined parameter and has a width. The PWM signal encodes the fluid level, fluid temperature, fluid speed of sound, and a status of the ultrasonic transducer. The PWM signal is received at a processor. The processor performs the diagnostic assessment of the ultrasonic sensor based on the period of the PWM signal and the widths of the plurality of pulses of the PWM signal. The processor is able to detect time reference shifts by assessing the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 8576084
    Abstract: A flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20130289897
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter using a square wave excitation method includes a differential amplifier which outputs a detection signal; an analog-digital converter which converts the detection signal into a digital detection signal; a timing control circuit which generates a sampling signal for sampling the digital detection signal; an calculation unit which executes a flow rate calculation process and a abnormality judging process at a same time. The flow rate calculation process acquires a flow velocity output signal by sampling the digital detection signal in a flat portion in a positive/negative excitation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuichiro YAMAGUCHI, Takashi HIGUCHI, Takaki NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8571819
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 8571817
    Abstract: One disclosed feature of the embodiments is a control processor in a vapor delivery system for chemical vapor deposition precursors. A pressurization rate processor calculates first and second pressurization rate curves at first and second time instants. A volume calculator computes consumed volume based on first and second volumes at the respective first and second time instants. The first and second volumes are computed using slopes of lines fitting the first and second pressurization rate curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang
  • Patent number: 8571816
    Abstract: Gain switching is performed by a DC amplifying circuit. The DC amplifying circuit is provided with individual gain generating circuits and a gain selecting circuit, and saturation preventing circuits are provided in earlier stages than the individual gain generating circuits. The individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G1, the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G2 (where G2>G1), and the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G3 (where G3>G2). The gain selecting circuit selects, as a used gain generating circuit, one of the individual gain generating circuits, and sends the output thereof to an A/D converting circuit in a later stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Taka Inoue, Ichirou Mitsutake