Flow Metering Patents (Class 702/45)
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Patent number: 8515692Abstract: Object of the present invention is to measure the quantity of a gas flowing through a gas meter and accurately calculate, on a per-appliance basis, the quantity of used gas in each time during which a gas appliance connected to a downstream point is used, without involvement of a waveform pattern. A flow rate measuring apparatus (10) has a flow rate measurement unit that measures a flow rate at given time intervals; an appliance determination unit that calculates a flow difference between flow rates acquired at two arbitrary times by measuring the use of an appliance connected to a downstream point with reference to the flow rate measurement unit, thereby determining an operating appliance; and an appliance flow rate calculation unit that calculates the appliance-specific usage flow rate by switching a calculation method according to the number, types, combinations, and priority levels of currently-operating gas appliances that are results of determination made by the appliance determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Umekage, Hajime Miyata, Kenichi Kamon
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Publication number: 20130211745Abstract: Usage of a utility in a multi-unit building is apportioned to a single unit by measuring the total usage of the utility using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement, then positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building and monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit to produce monitoring data. Then a processor unit receives the total usage measurement and the monitoring data and correlates them to generate correlated data. Finally, the processor unit apportions the total usage measurement to the single unit based on the correlated data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: HP VENTURES A/SInventor: HP VENTURES A/S
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Publication number: 20130204547Abstract: A system for determining a real time solid flow rate of a solid-gas mixture is provided. The system includes multiple sensors, a data-fusion unit and an estimating unit. The sensors generate multiple measurement signals for obtaining at least two measured values of the real time solid flow rate. The data-fusion unit receives the measured values and establishes a state-space model based on the measured values. The estimating unit estimates the state-space model to generate an estimated value of the real time solid flow rate. A method for determining a real time solid flow rate of a solid-gas mixture is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Xu Fu, Baoming Huang, Yao Chen, Tong Zhao, Zili Cai, Zhongzhi Hu
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Publication number: 20130204546Abstract: A system for measuring real time efficiency/performance of at least one pump in a plant or other facility includes a plurality of monitoring devices disposed in relation to said at least one pump to measure power usage, pump speed and flow characteristics of the at least one pump. A processing system is configured to receive input signals from the sensors in which the efficiency of the at least one pump can be calculated based on the sensor inputs in real-time. The processing system can also compare the calculated pump efficiency values with a user defined set point or threshold or compare to the expected pump performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: GHD Pty Ltd.Inventors: Thomas W. Devine, Alissa J. Diminich, Andrew James Weiss
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Patent number: 8504310Abstract: An impact sensor is located in a distribution tower which divides the seed and/or nutrient flow into individual rows, and a second sensor provides a compensation signal dependent upon one or more variables such as the velocity of the air in the conveying system, implement vibrations. As the seed/fertilizer bounces off of the impact sensor and flows into the individual row air streams, the impact sensor provides a force signal to a processor which calculates the total particulate mass flow rate from the force signal and the air velocity signal. To determine individual seed and fertilizer rates, a rate controller temporarily changes the metering rate of one of the materials, and the processor then calculates the desired information from the mass flow change and meter speed change. Another embodiment includes seed sensor structure at the meter output for achieving or confirming accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Donald K. Landphair, James J. Phelan, James Z. Liu
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Patent number: 8504318Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for determining the flow rate of a fluid. The system, method, and computer program product generate a thermal sensor based mass flow rate for the fluid, where the thermal sensor based mass flow rate is determined at least in part from the thermal sensor signal (36). The system, method, and computer program product generate a pressure sensor based mass flow rate for the fluid, wherein the pressure sensor based mass flow rate is determined at least in part from the pressure sensor signal (51a). The system, method, and computer program product generate at least one calibration factor (?) using the thermal sensor based mass flow rate and the pressure sensor based mass flow rate. The system, method, and computer program product may generate a calibrated pressure sensor based mass flow rate by using the at least one calibration factor (?) to modify the pressure sensor based mass flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Brooks Instruments, LLCInventors: Jay Mendelson, Joseph C. Dille, Anthony B. Kehoe, Jeffrey L. Whiteley, Todd Berger, Walter Dennis Robertson, III
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Patent number: 8504311Abstract: A mass flow controller (MFC), a method for calibrating an MFC, and a method for operating an MFC are disclosed. The method for calibrating the MFC includes obtaining data relative to two signals from a thermal mass flow sensor when operating the mass flow controller at different flow rates with a calibration gas, and storing the data relating to the two signals in connection with corresponding flow-rate values. The method for operating the MFC includes obtaining data relative to the two signals from the thermal mass flow controller and accessing the calibration data to determine an unknown flow rate for a process gas that may be the same gas as the calibration gas or may be another gas that is different from the calibration gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael J. Zolock
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Patent number: 8504307Abstract: A machine diagnosing device includes a drive object driving force estimating unit for estimating drive object driving force based on a torque command value toward a servo motor which is acquired using a position command value, an elastic deformation error estimating unit for estimating an elastic deformation error of a ball screw with the drive object driving force, and a positional deviation calculating unit for calculating a positional deviation using a rotation position of the servo motor and the position of a table, and a machine damage diagnosing unit for diagnosing a machine damage by calculating a machine damage coefficient using the elastic deformation error and the positional deviation, comparing the obtained machine damage coefficient with a previously set threshold value, and diagnosing a damage state of the drive object.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Okuma CorporationInventor: Takashi Norihisa
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Publication number: 20130197829Abstract: A sensing system and method for use with a gas filter in a gas conduit attached to a gas blower, having a motor for producing a first gas flow blower speed, discards readings taken when the blower is off or during blower startup and shutdown, and recalculates a clog threshold in response to changes in the fan speed of a multi-speed blower.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: William Sherman, III, Richard Green
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Publication number: 20130197827Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the volume of hot water dispensed during a given timeframe from a hydrocarbon fueled water heater based on the volume of fuel consumed by the water heater during the timeframe and the average temperature difference between the inlet water temperature and the outlet water temperature during the timeframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: John K. BESORE, Chelsea Rose Miko, Brian Michael Schork
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Publication number: 20130197828Abstract: A meter controller comprises a first input, a second input, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive first and second volumetric flow measurements and to calculate a quasi fluid density value required to cause the first volumetric flow measurement to equal the second volumetric flow measurement. The processor is further configured to subtract a first fluid density value from the quasi fluid density value for calculating a density correction factor. The density correction factor is subtracted from the first fluid density value to calculate a corrected second density value. The corrected second density value is applied to at least one of the first volumetric flow measurement and the second volumetric flow measurement for calculating a mass flow rate measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventor: Bruce Paradise
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Patent number: 8498851Abstract: An improved method and computer system is provided, for analyzing the two- or three-dimensional movement of a fluid in an absorbent article that comprises fluid-swellable composite material, which comprises a fluid-swellable solid material, and that comprises void spaces in the fluid-swellable composite material, the fluid-swellable composite material being defined by a virtual two-dimensional or three-dimensional mesh, to determine the performance or property of at least one feature of the fluid-swellable composite material thereof, or the absorbent article, the method comprising: inputting one or more properties for the fluid-swellable (composite) material into a model and evaluating this to determine the performance of a feature of the absorbent article or fluid-swellable composite material thereof, the virtual model.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Mattias Schmidt, Holger Beruda, Rodrigo Rosati, Raffaele Virgilio, Hans-Joerg Diersch, Volker Clausnitzer, Volodymyr Myrnyy
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Patent number: 8498732Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to detect contact between a person and the blade of the saw. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: SD3, LLCInventor: Stephen F Gass
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Patent number: 8498828Abstract: The calculating device has first and second Fourier transform portions performing Fourier transforms on two respective inputted signals; a complex conjugate deriving portion deriving a complex conjugate of a value outputted from the first Fourier transform portion; a multiplier multiplying the complex conjugate with the value outputted from the second Fourier transform portion, and outputting the value after the multiplication; a Hilbert transform portion performing a Hilbert transform on the value after multiplication; first and second inverse Fourier transform portions performing respective inverse Fourier transforms on the value after multiplication and the value outputted from the Hilbert transform portion; a phase relationship deriving portion deriving a phase relationship between the two inputted signals based on the values outputted from the first and second inverse Fourier transform portions; and a time difference deriving portion deriving a time difference between the two inputted signals based on thType: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Azbil CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
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Publication number: 20130191045Abstract: A flow meter device is coupled to at least one sensor that measures a flow speed and provides status signals from which the flow speed can be determined. The flow meter receives and processes the flow measurement data provided by the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is enabled at defined time instances for a defined interval time. The flow meter receives at least one status signal from the sensor each time the sensor is enabled and processes the status signals to generate a trigger event when certain conditions arise. A processing unit wakes up from a sleep mode when a trigger event is generated by the flow meter device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AGInventors: Sergio Rossi, Renato Bessegato
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Publication number: 20130186332Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, gas supply paths provided in a corresponding relationship with the kinds of process gases supplied into the processing chamber, and valves respectively arranged in the gas supply paths. The apparatus further includes a measuring unit for measuring a physical parameter associated with each of the process gases passing through the gas supply paths, a register unit which stores the physical parameter, and a control unit configured to determine a process status based on the physical parameter stored in the register unit. The register unit is provided in a lower-hierarchy control device connected to the control unit of a higher hierarchy to transmit and receive signals to and from the control unit. The lower-hierarchy control device is configured to control input and output signals between the control unit and end devices under the control of the control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
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Patent number: 8493221Abstract: One embodiment involves detecting the fouling of an air filter used to filter airflow entering a computer system. An expected airflow rate is obtained from a current fan speed. An expected temperature rise between two positions is computed as a function of the expected airflow rate and the power consumption of heat-generating components, such as servers. An actual temperature rise is obtained from temperature sensors. An electronic alert is automatically generated in response to the actual temperature rise exceeding the expected temperature rise by a setpoint. Different setpoints may be used to trigger distinct electronic alerts.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Cash, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
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Publication number: 20130185004Abstract: A system, a device and a method are for retrieval of measured values, items of diagnostic information or device parameters in level measurement, pressure measurement, flow measurement or limit detection. Provided in the measuring device is a flag which is raised when the measuring device changes a measuring device parameter, for example. An external control device receives this flag and, using said flag, can determine whether a device parameter has been changed in the measuring device. If this is the case, it requests the group of device parameters, associated with this device parameter, from the measuring device. In this manner, the transfer of data can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventor: VEGA Grieshaber KG
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Patent number: 8489342Abstract: A fluid flow meter estimates the velocity of water or another fluid flowing through pipe by comparing measurements of the water velocity to one or more pre-determined templates. The fluid flow meter may collect measurement signals from one or more flow sensors (e.g., ultrasonic transducers), estimate the fluid velocity or flow rate by comparing the measurement signals to the template(s), and either store the comparison results in local memory, transmit the results to a remote memory or server, or both. In some embodiments, the fluid flow meter transmits the results to a server via a wireless interface (e.g., a Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Wi-fi interface). The transducers and processing system can be powered by a battery, a power line, or, for manifolds installed outdoors, a solar cell. Example transducers and processing systems may also have a passive wake-up feature for power reduction; that is, they may only draw power when water or another fluid flows through the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Soneter, LLCInventors: Jeffery Dugger, Jeffrey L. Leaders
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Patent number: 8483979Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal. In a digital synthesis mode of operation, the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal. The digital flowmeter may revert to a previous mode to regain stable and desired oscillation of the flowtube, such as might be required during a recovery operation associated with a disturbance to an operation of the digital flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Publication number: 20130173182Abstract: A method for the deployment and retrieval of data loggers, which are deployed in a first step at separate locations on a supply network having numerous branching pipelines, e.g. for drinking water, which record, in a second step, at least the flow sounds of the medium flowing at the deployed locations, and which, in a third step, are read out by a vehicle driving past, having a readout device disposed therein, wherein the reading device is allocated a GPS module, and that when the data loggers are deployed at the locations assigned to them on the pipeline, the current GPS locations of the data loggers at said locations are stored in the readout device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: SEBA DYNATRONIC MESS -UND ORTUNGSTECHNIK GMBHInventor: Seba Dynatronic Mess-und Ortungstechnik GmbH
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Patent number: 8473224Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael S. Tombs
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Patent number: 8473214Abstract: A method for determining permeability of a reservoir using a packer-probe formation testing tool. The elements of the method include generating, using a dual packer tool module, fluid flows from the reservoir into a wellbore, obtaining pressure data associated with the fluid flows using an observation probe tool module, wherein the packer-probe formation testing tool comprises the dual packer module and the observation probe tool module, identifying a portion of the pressure data corresponding to a spherical flow regime, determining horizontal permeability based on the portion of the pressure data, and displaying an output generated using the horizontal permeability.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ihsan Murat Gok, Peter S. Hegeman, Mustafa Onur, Fikri John Kuchuk
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Patent number: 8473225Abstract: A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Eldec CorporationInventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
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Publication number: 20130158898Abstract: A mobile-object information acquiring apparatus (100) acquires the state of a mobile object. A current-information acquiring unit (101) acquires energy consumption (actual energy consumption) accompanying travel of the mobile object. As setting unit (102) sets for each factor causing energy consumption of the mobile object to change, information related to the mobile object affected by the factor. An estimating unit (103), based on information that is related to the mobile object and for a reference point in time, estimates energy consumption (reference energy consumption) consequent to the travel of the mobile object. A calculating unit (104) calculates for each factor, the amount of change of the actual energy consumption with respect to the reference energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATIONInventors: Tatsuya Fukuda, Mitsuo Yasushi, Susumu Ohsawa, Kyoichiro Fujii
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Publication number: 20130158749Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a measuring the velocity of a fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventor: Aaron Contorer
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Patent number: 8467986Abstract: Drive techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The drive techniques account for delays caused during digital signal processing of sensor signals that correspond to a motion of a flowtube, as well as drive signals that impart motion to the flowtube. Such delays may be caused by a variety of factors, including delays associated with analog/digital conversion of the signals and/or filtering of the signals. The techniques include open-loop techniques and closed-loop techniques, which can be used separately or together during the start-up and operation of the digital flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Patent number: 8463446Abstract: In a cooling section having a plurality of coolant outlets, the coolant outlets are supplied with the coolant via transmission lines and a mutual main line. Individually opening and closing valves are disposed in the transmission lines. An automation device of the cooling section opens and closes the valves at valve-specific opening and closing times during the normal operation of the cooling section in order to apply coolant to the rolling stock according to a quantitative target coolant course. During the determination of the opening times, the automation device considers a respective valve-specific characteristic. In calibration operation of the cooling section, the respective characteristic is initially determined at least for some of the valves by opening and closing the respective valve, and detecting the chronological course of the quantitative coolant flow effected thereby by a measuring arrangement disposed in the main line.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Udo Borgmann, Markus Forsch, Stefan Schmors, Klaus Weinzierl
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Patent number: 8457907Abstract: A compensation device for fluidic oscillation flow meters is provided. The compensation device includes a fluid supply unit, a fluidic oscillator, an electronic valve, a reference tank and a computer. The fluid supply unit supplies fluid into a pipe. The fluidic oscillator generates a characteristic oscillation frequency when the fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit passes through the fluidic oscillator. The electronic valve controls a flow rate of the fluid passing through the fluidic oscillator. The reference tank accumulates and stores the fluid passing through the electronic valve. The computer calculates a characteristic linear compensation coefficient using data about the time for which the fluid had passed through the fluidic oscillator, an oscillation frequency of the fluidic oscillator, a preset flow rate of the electronic valve, and a preset fluid accumulation amount of the reference tank. The computer stores the calculated characteristic linear compensation coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Shindonga Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Moon Young Kim, Young Geun Hong, Hyoung Kee Yang, In Sung Cha
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Publication number: 20130138364Abstract: A fan of a computing system is associated with a performance characteristic. It may be determined whether a component associated with the computing system is installed based on the performance characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: David R. Cowles, Rajeev Grover
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Publication number: 20130138251Abstract: In-service diagnostic testing of containers with a climate control system used in intermodal freight transport includes automatically testing the functioning of the climate control system at a possibly pre-scheduled time which may depend on the period of time since the latest pre-trip inspection. According to the invention in-service diagnostic testing is performed with cargo in the container during transportation from origin to destination at a suitable time before expected arrival to the destination so that the approval resulting from the in-service diagnostic testing is fresh and up-to-date. Results of the in-service diagnostic testing are transmitted wirelessly to a receiver at a central facility where managing and allocating a large number of containers to individual transport tasks is performed, and containers which have not passed the in-service diagnostic testing can be taken out of service for maintenance and repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: Ole Thøgersen, Allan Dyrmose
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Publication number: 20130132003Abstract: A method for determining a resulting total mass flow to an exhaust gas mass flow sensor involves providing an exhaust gas mass flow sensor comprising a first sensor element and a second sensor element. The second sensor element comprises a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor arranged in a row in an exhaust flow direction. A specific heat output is determined at the exhaust gas mass flow sensor with the first sensor element and the second sensor element. A value of a summed mass flow is determined from a stored first characteristic map, a specific heat output being a function of the value. A normalized temperature gradient is determined. A back flow portion is determined from a stored second characteristic map, the back flow portion being a function of the specific heat output in dependence on the normalized temperature gradient. The resulting total mass flow is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Andres Toennesmann, Karsten Grimm, Sven Nigrin
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Patent number: 8447535Abstract: A multi-phase process fluid is passed through a vibratable flowtube. Motion is induced in the vibratable flowtube. A first apparent property of the multi-phase process fluid based on the motion of the vibratable flowtube is determined, and an apparent intermediate value associated with the multi-phase process fluid based on the first apparent property is determined. A corrected intermediate value is determined based on a mapping between the intermediate value and the corrected intermediate value. A phase-specific property of a phase of the multi-phase process fluid is determined based on the corrected intermediate value.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Michael S. Tombs
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Patent number: 8447538Abstract: The present technology relates to a volumetric measurement device and various methods for operation of the device. The device comprises at least one accelerometer for detecting the angle of tilt/tip of a container. The device also comprises at least one fluid property processor capable of providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid, a flow-rate processor capable of continuously calculating the present flow rate of the fluid when poured from the container, and a volume processor capable of continuously calculating the present volume of the fluid within the container. The flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based on the angle of tilt/tip of the apparatus, the at least one fluid property value, and the present volume of fluid within the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Inventor: James Cebulski
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Patent number: 8447533Abstract: A method of reducing rainwater and/or groundwater inflow and infiltration into a wastewater treatment collection grid. The method preferably involves the steps of (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of major subsystems, (b) determining flow depth levels in each major subsystem under dry and wet conditions, (c) using these wet weather and dry weather flow depth measurements to determine a volume flow ratio for wet versus dry conditions, (d) using these flow ratios to identify the particular major subsystem(s) in which the greatest amount of inflow or infiltration is occurring, and then (e) further dividing the highest ranking major subsystem(s) into smaller subsystems in which the same dry and wet weather level measurement and ranking analysis is preferably conducted to further isolate problem locations for surveillance, maintenance, and/or repair.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Eastech Flow Controls, Inc.Inventors: Franklin Sinclair, David D. Williams
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Patent number: 8447534Abstract: A controller for a flowmeter includes an input module operable to receive a sensor signal from a sensor connected to a vibratable flowtube. The sensor signal is related to a fluid flow through the flowtube. The controller also includes a signal processing system operable to receive the sensor signal, determine sensor signal characteristics, and output drive signal characteristics for a drive signal applied to the flowtube. An output module is operable to output the drive signal to the flowtube and a control system is operable to modify the drive signal and thereby maintain oscillation of the flowtube during a transition of the flowtube from a substantially empty state to a substantially full state.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 8447536Abstract: A measuring system for the precise measuring a density of a medium, flowing in a line. compressible. The measuring system comprises: a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. Both sensors communicate with a measuring electronics of the system. The measuring electronics are operable to provide, based on temperature measurement and pressure measurement signal, density measured-value representing, instantaneously, a local density, of the flowing medium at a virtual density measuring point, predeterminably spaced from the pressure measuring point and/or from the temperature measuring point, along the flow axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventor: Rainer Höcker
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Publication number: 20130124111Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) monitoring and reporting system and a method of monitoring and reporting information on an ERV. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a processor configured to carry out a plurality of monitoring and reporting functions on the ERV based on a model, and types and locations of sensors, of the ERV, (2) a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store data gathered from the sensors and (3) a commissioning database associated with the memory and configured to contain commissioning data regarding the model of the ERV.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Justin McKie, Eric Perez, Greg Thomas
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Publication number: 20130124112Abstract: An anemometer and method for analyzing fluid flow is described. In one embodiment, a transistor sensor is heated by applying power to cause its base-emitter junction to rise from an ambient first temperature to a second temperature. The power is removed, and the Vbe is measured at intervals as the junction cools. The Vbe equates to a temperature of the junction. The temperature exponentially decreases, and the time constant of the decay corresponds to the fluid flow velocity. A best fit curve analysis is performed on the temperature decay curve, and the time constant of the exponential decay is derived by a data processor. A transfer function correlates the time constant to the fluid flow velocity. The transistor is thermally coupled to a metal rod heat sink extending from the package, and the characteristics of the rod are controlled to adjust the performance of the anemometer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Lynn Heath, Harry Joseph Kleeburg, Heath Dixon Stewart
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Publication number: 20130124113Abstract: A system for determining a quantity of transported fluid, includes a measured parameter receiver (1) for obtaining a plurality of measured parameters relating to the fluid within the conduit at different measurement times during at least a predetermined time interval. A measured parameter combiner (2) for combining the measured parameters relating to the predetermined time interval, to obtain a first quantity indicative of an amount of fluid that has been transported through the conduit during the predetermined time interval. The system further includes a time interval divider (3) for dividing the predetermined time interval into a plurality of subintervals, and a parameter corrector (5) for determining a corrected value for at least one of the averaged parameters. A quantity corrector (6) for determining a corrected value for the quantity based on the corrected value for the at least one of the averaged parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: SpiritIT B.V.Inventor: SpiritIT B.V.
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Publication number: 20130118496Abstract: The disclosed concept maintains that Qp=Qc?Qleak, where, Qp is the estimated patient flow, Qleak is the estimated leak and Qc is the measured total circuit flow. Qleak is given by a transfer function ?(?) where x is a set of independent measured or fixed variables. The transfer function is thus Qleak=?(?). The transfer function (?(?) is adjusted given the constraint that, Qp shall be zero. The transfer function converges over time to accurately estimate the leak because over an extended time the mean patient flow will always be zero. In one example, ?(?)=g,orfP?and the coefficient gorf is adapted until Qp is zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: William A. Truschel, Anandi Mahadevan
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Patent number: 8442696Abstract: Setting safety function, as appropriate, according to a user environment is enabled, thereby enhancing safety function. According to selection information from a safety function selection unit 120, a function setting unit 116 sets arbitrary function among a plurality of functions as safety function pertaining to usage of a gas. When operating conditions for safety function are fulfilled, a monitoring unit 112 detects malfunction, which would arise during usage of a gas, and outputs a safety signal to a control unit 114 in accordance with the set safety function. In accordance with a safety signal from the monitoring unit 112, the control unit 114 cuts off a gas supply when an event fulfilling operating conditions for the set function has arisen. When an event fulfilling operating conditions for an unset function has arisen, a communication unit 124 reports occurrence of malfunction pertaining to unset function to the monitoring center 200.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
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Publication number: 20130116939Abstract: A computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and on which instructions are stored for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes, upon receiving utility consumption data of a group of elements, defining clusters of elements by like geography and like utility consumption, evaluating a significance of each cluster by comparing an average utility consumption within the cluster with utility consumption of elements neighboring the cluster and determining from a result of the evaluating which clusters exhibit significant differences in utility consumption from the neighboring elements and defining those clusters as regional outliers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Jing D. Dai, Feng Chen, Milind R. Naphade, Sambit Sahu
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Publication number: 20130116940Abstract: A flow sensor assembly is provided and includes a flow conduit configured to impart a disturbance to a flow, multiple sensors disposed at respective sensing locations along the flow conduit. Each sensor is responsive to the disturbance of the flow and generates a corresponding response signal. The flow sensor assembly further includes a processor operably connected to each sensor, the processor being configured to compute a cross-correlation function between the response signals generated by said sensors, and determine a flow rate and a direction for the flow through the conduit based on the computed cross-correlation function. Additional flow sensor assembly arrangements are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
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Patent number: 8434343Abstract: An aspirating system for detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard and a method of detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard in an aspirating system are provided. The system comprises: piping that includes a plurality of apertures spaced apart along the length of the piping; an aspirator for drawing air from outside the piping into the piping through at least one aperture, a detector coupled to the piping for detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard; a generator of test stimulus for generating the product representative of a hazard; wherein the test stimulus generator is fixed in, near, or on the piping such that in use a test stimulus is provided adjacent to at least one aperture of the piping. A control means can be provided to control the activation of the test stimulus from the generator and the time taken for the test stimulus to reach the detector can be measured.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: No Climb Products LimitedInventor: William J. Rossiter
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Patent number: 8433527Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic flow meter that applies magnetic fields with a first frequency and a second frequency, to a fluid to be measured, calculates a first flow rate, calculates a second flow rate, performs low-pass filtering on the first flow rate to calculate a first low-pass filtered flow rate, and performs low-pass filtering on the second flow rate to calculate a second low-pass filtered flow rate, the electromagnetic flow meter including: an abnormality detecting unit that detects an abnormal state in which, the fluid is at non-full level on the basis of at least one of the first flow rate and the second flow rate; and an abnormality removing unit that removes the abnormal state on the basis of the first low-pass filtered flow rate and the second low-pass filtered flow rate, when the abnormality detecting unit does not determine that the fluid is in the abnormal state.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Fujikazu Sugawara, Tooru Shimura
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Patent number: 8428891Abstract: Usage of a utility in a multi-unit building is apportioned to a single unit by measuring the total usage of the utility using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement, then positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building and monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit to produce monitoring data. Then a processor unit receives the total usage measurement and the monitoring data and correlates them to generate correlated data. Finally, the processor unit apportions the total usage measurement to the single unit based on the correlated data.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: HP Ventures A/SInventor: Morten Gravild Bjerregaard Jaeger
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Publication number: 20130096850Abstract: Method for determining an absolute flow rate of a volume or mass flow, comprising the following process steps: measuring continuous reference values, where each individual reference value is in a direct physical relationship to the flow rate, determining reference value fluctuations, calculating or mapping the absolute flow rate as a function of a numerical and/or statistic evaluation function of the reference value fluctuations, in particular a fluctuation value generated therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: SYSTEC CONTROLS MESS- UND REGELTECHNIK GMBHInventor: Systec Controls Mess- Und Regeltechnik GmbH
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Patent number: 8423303Abstract: The mass flow rate of bulk solids in a pneumatic transport system is measured in real time. At least two pressure gauges (P1, P2) are provided in a pipe section of the transport system. The pressure drop ?P between the pressure gauges is determined during a gas-solids flow of air and bulk solids through the pipe section. The suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture of air and bulk solids is calculated. The bulk solids mass flow rate Ms at a given location along a given length of a pipeline is estimated based at least on the suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce Marine ASInventors: Per Soleng, Per Huse
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Patent number: 8423302Abstract: The invention herein is referred to the technical field of measuring and consumption control systems of water. The invention can be installed in a meter that provides the media and signals necessary for its interconnection. The System of the invention herein comprises a Micro-controller devise, therefore, the actions that it carries out can be modified according to the requirements of each agency that supplies drinkable water. Each pulse emitted by the meter, is sensed by the System of the invention; concurrently, a real time clock allows the measurement of the difference of timetables between pulses to obtain the real instant flow rate, in order to increase, later, one of the volume counters that correspond to the consumption recorded within the preset instant flow rate ranges, same that, jointly, will comprise a consumption flow rate histogram.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Inventor: Fernando Milanes Garcia-Moreno