Flow Metering Patents (Class 702/45)
  • Publication number: 20120232810
    Abstract: A method for determining the electrical conductivity of a mass flow in a three dimensional target volume including the steps of placing electrodes in a measuring connection with the target volume; supplying alternating voltage or alternating current to the tar-get volume between two of the electrodes and measuring the current or the voltage between the electrodes; determining a state space model which defines the relationships between the electrical conductivity, the voltage and the current in the target volume and the evolution of the electrical conductivity as a function of time; comparing the currents and/or the voltages according to the state space model with the supplied and the measured ones; and modifying the state space model to decrease any differences. The electrodes are placed substantially within one plane; and the state space model is determined so as to the time-dependent flow field of the mass flow within the target volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Jari Kaipio, Anssi Lehikoinen, Arto Voutilainen, Marko Vauhkonen
  • Patent number: 8265794
    Abstract: A method associated with a valve controller configured to capture dynamic process conditions for monitoring, diagnosing and maintaining a valve assembly through knowledge-based valve performance criteria. The method includes determining the open and closed positions of a process valve. Measuring the peak torque value required by an actuator to open and close the process valve. Measuring the supply and exhaust pressure required by an actuator to open and close the valve. Determining a deviation zone associated with the peak torque value to open the valve where an alarm is triggered when the torque value falls outside the deviation zone. Creating the dynamic baseline over Nth process cycles when the valve is installed in-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Daniel W. Mrozinski
  • Patent number: 8265887
    Abstract: A fluid measurement apparatus capable of accurately determining an activated appliance is provided. A flow measurement apparatus 100 has a flow measurement unit 12 that measures an amount of fluid flowing through a passageway, a determination zone storage unit 16 that allocates and stores a flow measured by the flow measurement unit 12 into determination zones classified by combination of a plurality of conditions; a grouping unit 18 that groups determination zones according to appliances to be used on the basis of determination-zone-specific storage values stored in the determination zone storage unit 16 and that registers the grouped determination zones; and an integration unit 20 that integrates a flow value for each of the determination zones registered by the grouping unit 18. Thus, a flow is integrated for each determination zone grouped according to an appliance. An appliance is determined by reference to a database including the integrated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Youichi Itou, Hajime Miyata, Yasuhiro Umekage, Kenichi Kamon
  • Publication number: 20120226449
    Abstract: A device (12) that uses a temperature coefficient pre-calibrated for the device for measuring a flow within the device. The device includes a differential pressure sensor (80) configured to generate a differential pressure signal responsive to a differential pressure within a flow path (16) and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature near the differential pressure sensor. A differential amplifier amplifies differential pressure signals from the differential pressure sensor. A processor receives signals from the differential pressure sensor, amplified signals from the differential amplifier, and signals from the temperature sensor. The amplified signals are corrected based upon at least a predetermined temperature coefficient, and the processor calculates a flow rate based on the corrected representation of the differential pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Alain-Jean Delache, Steven Adam Kimmel
  • Patent number: 8260562
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J Cunningham, William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally
  • Patent number: 8260783
    Abstract: A method and system may receive time-series data of each of a plurality of real-time data streams from one or more sensors and create an electronic file based on the plurality of real-time data streams. The plurality of real-time data streams comprises a primary data stream, a low limit data stream, a high limit data stream, and a target value data stream. The electronic file includes a data portion and a metadata portion. The metadata portion of the electronic file comprises, for each of the plurality of data streams, one or more data stream identifiers, a time range, a source type, and a data type, and the data portion comprises the time-series data of each of the plurality of real-time data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christopher Patrick Milam
  • Publication number: 20120221258
    Abstract: A problem of the present invention is to provide a flow rate measurement device which is capable of simplifying calculation, reducing the amount of memory necessary for calculation, absorbing variations in the flow rate which changes in various ways depending on the state of usage, and improving identification precision of appliances with a configuration which extracts characteristics of appliances. The flow rate measurement device monitors and determines the change in the flow rate measured by a flow rate measurement unit, and extracts and determines codes obtained by a differential conversion unit and appliance characteristic flow rates representing the characteristics of gas appliances, thereby identifying the gas appliances in which appliance characteristics vary depending on the state of usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonisc Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yokohata
  • Publication number: 20120221153
    Abstract: A method and a system for establishing and executing correct automatic relubrication for a number of bearings incorporated in a grease lubrication system. The system determines initial values for the relubrication interval tf and/or lubricant volume utilizing data collected from the different bearing assemblies during operation. The data includes bearing load, bearing temperature and bearing rotational speed. A processor calculates a correct lubricant volume and a value for current lubrication interval tf by comparing an initial value with a current value. The calculated correct lubricant volume and current lubrication interval tf are supplying to an automatic lubricating apparatus, which functions in accordance with the determined values. The data collection and calculation procedures are repeated after each application of lubricant to the bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Roger Emlind, Hans Hansson, Björn Mathiasson
  • Publication number: 20120221260
    Abstract: A problem of the present invention is to provide a flow rate measurement device which is capable of simplifying calculation, reducing the amount of memory necessary for calculation, absorbing variations resulting from manual operation or ignition state when the appliances are used alone or in combination, and improving appliance identification precision of appliances having similar characteristics with a configuration which extracts characteristics of appliances. The flow rate measurement device identifies the appliances with high precision by extracting characteristics of gas appliances from code sequences into which a differential conversion unit converts, at regular time intervals, differentials by a first calculation unit which calculates differentials at regular time intervals in the flow rates measured by a flow rate measurement unit and by a second calculation unit which calculates differentials at time intervals different from the first calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Kamimura, Mitsuo Yokohata
  • Publication number: 20120221257
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Andy FRONCIONI, Robert Chung
  • Publication number: 20120221259
    Abstract: A problem of the present invention is to provide a flow rate measurement device which is capable of simplifying calculation, reducing the amount of memory necessary for calculation, absorbing variations resulting from manual operation or ignition state when appliances are used alone or in combination, and improving appliance identification precision with a configuration which extracts characteristics of appliances. The flow rate measurement device monitors and determines the change in a flow rate measured by a flow rate measurement unit, monitors and determines the code obtained by differential conversion unit, extracts appliance characteristic flow rates representing the characteristics of the gas appliances, and compares them with the appliance-specific characteristics, thereby identifying the gas appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yokohata
  • Patent number: 8255175
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Eldec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
  • Patent number: 8249752
    Abstract: In a slave electromagnetic flow meter, the synchronization signal from a master electromagnetic flow meter (that is, a master electromagnetic signal) MPs is monitored, and if the master synchronization signal MPs ceases to be received, then the synchronization signal used for the flow rate measurement is switched to a synchronization signal Ps that is generated by the synchronization signal generating unit of the slave electromagnetic flow meter, and the switched synchronization signal Ps is defined as the master synchronization signal MPs' for the slave electromagnetic flow meter in the next stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8249822
    Abstract: A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Lan, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20120209541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volume of a phase of a multiphase fluid flowing in a production tubular is provided. A magnetic field is imparted on the fluid to align nuclei of the multiphase fluid along a direction of the magnetic field. A radio frequency signal is transmitted into the multiphase fluid to excite the nuclei, and a signal is detected from the nuclei responsive to the transmitted radio frequency signal. An amplitude of the detected signal is determined and the volume of the phase flowing in the production tubular is determined using the determined amplitude and an amplitude of a calibration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joo Tim Ong, Songhua Chen, Terry R. Bussear
  • Publication number: 20120209540
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and managing wellhead production and costs associated therewith. Electronic equipment is placed at the well head to monitor the volume of product lifted from at a wellhead. The equipment monitors both the volume and the percentage of products lifted and stored at the well head. The status of the separation and the volume can be monitored in real time or on a delayed time basis. The data is displayed on a map and used to identify efficient routes for gathering the lifted product at an appropriate time. The data may be displayed in a user interface which displays desired data in connection with each well head in a represented geographic region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Neil Richardson, William Richardson, Michael Saltsman, Anthony Brownlow
  • Publication number: 20120209542
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the fluid flow within the pipe; b) providing a fluid flowmeter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe; c) providing a processor adapted to include an equation of state model for the pressure, volume, and temperature properties for the fluid flow, and further adapted to receive composition data values for the fluid flow, the flow pressure value, and the flow temperature value, and the flow velocity signals from the flowmeter; and d) determining a volumetric flow rate of one or more phases of the fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20120206595
    Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.
    Inventors: Deirdre Alphenaar, Walter F. Jones, Abudi Zein
  • Publication number: 20120203477
    Abstract: Methods of and devices for testing medical pumps via tracking induced single or multiple bubble trajectories within a fluid flow conduit (60) and methods of synchronized (600) corrections (604) of flow data estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, Mirik Hovsepian
  • Publication number: 20120197550
    Abstract: A combustion engine evaluation unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a microcontroller receiving measurement signals from a gas flow control system and outputting a state signal of the gas flow control system. The microcontroller includes, but is not limited to input ports for receiving as first set of measurement signals. Furthermore, the microcontroller includes, but not limited to input ports for receiving as a second set of measurement signals. The microcontroller is configured to calculate a first set of predicted values with a gas flow model based on the first set of measurement signals and calculate a second set of predicted values with a nominal model based on the second set of measurement signals. The microcontroller is also configured to generate the state signal based on a comparison of the first set of predicted values with the second set of predicted values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Francesco CIANFLONE, Gerhard LANDSMANN, Christopher ECK, Rolf ISERMANN, Andreas SIDOROW, Ulrich KONIGORSKI
  • Publication number: 20120191380
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a fluid and determining a leak comprising the steps of providing a meter and a meter register coacting with the meter. When a leak is detected, a signal is transmitted from the meter register regarding fluid consumption. The transmitted signal indicates a leak either when the measured flow rate remains a fixed volume over a fixed period of time, or the measured flow rate exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ARAD MEASURING TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Dan Winter
  • Patent number: 8229695
    Abstract: Meter electronics for geometric thermal compensation in a flow meter is provided according to the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface configured to receive sensor signals and a temperature signal (T) of the flow meter. The meter electronics further includes a processing system coupled with the interface and configured to receive the sensor signals and the temperature signal (T) and compute a geometric thermal compensation factor (TFe) for one or more flow conduits of the flow meter using the temperature signal (T). The geometric thermal compensation factor (TFe) is used to process the first and second sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Aart R Pruysen, Jacob Andreas Sinte Maartensdijk, Robert Barclay Garnett
  • Patent number: 8229686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a component of a stratified two-phase fluid flow within a substantially horizontally extending pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) determining a first fluid velocity value and a second fluid velocity value within the pipe section; b) determining a density of the fluid flow within the pipe section, and creating a measured fluid density value; c) determining a degree of fluid phase stratification of the fluid flow using at least one of the top and bottom fluid flow velocity values, and the measured fluid density value; and d) determining a flow rate value for at least one of a liquid component of the fluid flow and a gas component of the fluid flow within the pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Abhinav Singh Rawat
  • Patent number: 8229684
    Abstract: The detection system of the first preferred embodiment includes a detector, having a wide dynamic range, that receives photonic inputs from an interrogation zone and produces an analog signal; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), having a high bit resolution, that is coupled to the detector and converts an analog signal to a digital signal. The digital signal includes an initial data set of the full dynamic range of the input signals from the flow cytometer sample. The method of extracting and analyzing data from a flow cytometer system of the first preferred embodiment preferably includes the steps of: collecting a full dynamic range of input signals from a flow cytometer sample; recognizing and annotating aggregate particle events; and storing an initial data set and an annotated data set of the full dynamic range of the input signals from the flow cytometer sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Accuri Cytometers, Inc.
    Inventors: Clement James Goebel, Collin A. Rich
  • Patent number: 8229707
    Abstract: A method of extracting and analyzing a data set from a flow cytometer system of the preferred embodiment comprises the steps of (1) running a sample and saving all collected raw data, (2) viewing raw (or “unmodified”) data, (3) modifying the raw data (e.g., scaling and/or culling the raw data), (4) reviewing and saving the modified data, and (5) exporting the saved data. Once the sample has been run and all collected data have been saved, the user can repeat the steps of modifying the raw data, saving the modified data, and exporting the saved data as many times as necessary and/or desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Accuri Cytometers, Inc.
    Inventors: David Olson, Collin A. Rich, Clement James Goebel, III
  • Patent number: 8229600
    Abstract: To provide a flow controlling device capable of providing an accurate flow set by a setting device without mutual interference between flow controlling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Momose, Toshiya Arai
  • Patent number: 8224593
    Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. 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, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
  • Patent number: 8224592
    Abstract: A method is described for estimating the intake air flow rate in an internal combustion engine provided with an air intake system, wherein said system comprises valve means for controlling an intake air flow rate, characterized in that it comprises the phases of implementing a first and a second algorithm, suitable to determine respectively a first and a second engine intake air flow rate; and of selecting the first or the second flow rate, on the basis of a previously defined selection criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.P.A.
    Inventors: Ferdinando De Cristofaro, Alessandro Riegel, Domenico Tavella
  • Publication number: 20120179393
    Abstract: A meter for flowing material, e.g., water, has a meter register having an electronic display, e.g., an LED or LCD display, and a mechanical read-out display driven by a stepper motor to record units of water that flowed through the meter. In the event of an electrical power failure, the LED or LCD readout values are lost, however, the mechanical read-out values remain. Further, signals are transmitted to a microprocessor of a meter register to change the rotation of the stepper motor so that the meter register can be used with different types of meters. Still further, a meter generator co-acting with a meter register forwards an electrical pulse signal after a quantity of material or utility passes through a water meter to a microprocessor of a remote reader. The remote reader includes an odometer coupled to a stepper motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ARAD MEASURING TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Winter, Ronald N. Koch
  • Publication number: 20120179390
    Abstract: A subsea riser integrity diagnosis system comprising: one or more fibres deployed along a riser, preferably along the whole length subject to any potential failure, or alternatively deployed over the interval most subject to failure, a fibre optic sensor interrogation apparatus optically coupled to the fibre(s) and operable to detect changes in temperature (DTS), vibration (CRN), or strain (FBG) sensed by the fibre optic strain sensor, and a central processor means adapted to receive multiple measurement data from the interrogation apparatus and operable to determine from the received data the current status of temperature, pressure, vibration, strain or other parameters along the riser and to determine if the status is within safe limits or whether any number of potentially damaging events has occurred and to inform the operator(s) for possible action to be taken to safeguard the integrity of the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Kimmiau, Arthur Hartog, Gareth Lee, Azedine Kacher
  • Patent number: 8219329
    Abstract: A thermal mass flow meter and a thermal mass flow control device addresses a thermal siphon error, even if they are in a compact and inexpensive structure, without using a flow path converting block. A control computing process portion is configured to correct a measurement error caused by thermal siphon by calculating a correction value based on a measurement value at time of depressurizing fluid flow path and flow rate measuring conduit to an atmospheric pressure or less, a difference between the measurement value and a measurement value at time of charging an actual fluid into the flow rate measuring conduit, kind of the actual fluid, pressure at time of charging the actual fluid, and flow ratio of the fluid flowing in the fluid flow path and the flow rate measuring conduit, storing the correction value, and correcting an actual measured output flow value by the stored correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ebi, Tetsuo Shimizu, Hitoshi Kitagawa, Shuji Moriya, Tsuneyuki Okabe
  • Patent number: 8219330
    Abstract: A gas appliance judgment apparatus and method by which a type of gas appliance in use and the existence of a gas leak can be identified. In operation, noise is removed from measured instantaneous flow volume, whereupon the “length”, “initial flow volume” and “sequence of transited regions” of the variable portion of the flow volume and the “length”, “average value” and “gradient” of the flat portion of the flow volume are extracted. A rule having characteristics data which matches the characteristics of the variable portion and the flat portion of the flow volume is then searched, and points are added respectively for the type of gas appliance and for the existence of a gas leak. When the added points are not less than a previously established threshold value, then the type of gas appliance in use is determined, and appliance type information is output as a judgment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Toko Meter Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Sameda, Kenji Nakano, Yukio Takanohashi, Hiroto Uyama, Masaaki Ishino
  • Publication number: 20120173026
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring atmospheric parameters in an enclosed space using instrumented objects having measurement sensors. The instrumented objects travel through the space randomly or along defined flight paths. As the instrumented objects travel through the space, the measurement sensors measure atmospheric parameters and store the measurements to a memory. The devices periodically upload the measured atmospheric parameters to a controller circuit. By using self-propelled objects to carry measurement sensors, the system and method disclosed herein allow for periodically sampling atmospheric parameters in the interior of an enclosed space at a number of locations greater than the number of measurement devices employed. With data points taken from various locations within a volume of an enclosed space, the system and method can realize a more efficient utilization of energy by adjusting mechanical controls of an HVAC system or a ventilation system, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Roy Stephen Colby, Mark John Kocher
  • Publication number: 20120173169
    Abstract: Apparatus (300) and method for providing measurements relating to different phase components of a flowing fluid. The apparatus includes a device (306) configured to obtain, in use, at least one input (302, 304) representing a velocity of flowing fluid produced by at least one measuring device (302, 304) non-intrusively/externally mounted on a conduit (100) containing the flowing fluid. The apparatus also includes a device (306) configured to use the at least one velocity input to calculate (308) a total volumetric flow of the flowing fluid, and a device (306) configured to use the velocity input and the calculated total volumetric flow to compute (310, 312) at least one measurement relating to at least one phase component of the flowing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Paul Skelding
  • Publication number: 20120166108
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for interpreting multi-phase fluid flow in a conduit, such as a pipe in a wellbore. The method involves curve fitting holdup data sets and velocity data sets together wherein the second curve comprises a shape mutual to the first curve with an independent gain and an independent offset, and determining flow rates through the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew Colin Whittaker
  • Publication number: 20120166107
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate generally to diagnostic methods and systems for determining the operating condition and performance of a cooling element in a metallurgical reactor during operation of the reactor. In a system aspect, the system comprises sensing means, processing means and display means. The sensing means is located in or approximate the cooling element for sensing operating conditions of the cooling element. The processing means is in communication with the sensing means for receiving data corresponding to the sensed operating conditions and for processing the data to determine a relative condition indicator of the cooling element. The display means is in communication with the processing means and displays the relative condition indicator to a user of the diagnostic system. The display means can display a first, second or third state representative of the relative health indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Terry Gerritsen, Aloysius Henry Gunnewiek
  • Patent number: 8204693
    Abstract: A method for virtually metering flow rates in a cluster of injection wells comprises: closing each well in and performing a dynamically disturbed injection test (DDIT) on it, during which the injection rate to the well is varied while the flow rate in the header conduit assembly (HCA) and one or more injection well variables of the test well and the other wells are monitored, and the other wells are controlled so that their tubing head pressures or flow meter readings remain constant; for each tested well deriving a model providing a correlation between variations of the fluid flowrate attributable to the test well and variations of the well variables monitored during each DDIT; injecting fluid into each well while monitoring a flow pattern in the HCA and one or more well variables; calculating an estimated injection rate at each well basis on flow pattern, well variables and the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jan Jozef Maria Briers, Keat-Choon Goh, Christophe Lauwerys, Peter Stefaan Lutgard Van Overschee
  • Publication number: 20120150454
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing energy resources includes: a collection unit for collecting energy consumptions and resource information of a plurality of energy consumption devices; an integrated resource relation map management unit for generating and managing an integrated resource relation map which indicates correlations between energy resources one another consumed by the energy consumption devices by using the energy consumptions and the resource information; and an energy management unit for generating energy-saving measures based on the integrated resource relation map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jihyun LEE, Ji Yeon Son, Young Sung Son, Hark Jin Lee, Jeu Young Kim, Jun Hee Park, Kyeong Deok Moon
  • Patent number: 8197432
    Abstract: A method for batch implementation of settings in a renal replacement therapy device including: displaying on a user interface control settings which may be manually selected by an operator; selecting an independent control setting of the plurality of control settings; adjusting the independent control setting to an independent control setting level selected by an operator; temporarily storing the adjusted independent control setting level; automatically adjusting a dependent control setting level based upon the independent control level; displaying the adjusted independent control setting level and the adjusted dependent control setting, and implementing both the adjusted independent control setting level and the adjusted dependent control setting to control the device, by actuating a batch setting acceptance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro UF Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. O'Mahony, Thomas Robert Lendway, Andrew J. Halpert
  • Patent number: 8200450
    Abstract: A measuring system precisely for measuring the density of a medium flowing in a pipe line. The measuring system comprises a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. Both sensors communicate with measuring electronics of the system. The measuring electronics are operable to provide, based on temperature measurement, pressure measurement, and a numerical compensation factor a density measured-value, representing, a density of the flowing medium at a virtual density measuring point. The compensation factor corresponds with a locational variability of at least one thermodynamic variable of the medium, occurring along the flow axis of the measuring system and/or a locational variability of the Reynolds number of the flowing medium along the flow axis of the measuring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Rainer Höcker
  • Publication number: 20120137661
    Abstract: A method for predicting regeneration may include calculating total mass flow of reducing agent, calculating mass flow of the reducing agent used in nitrate reduction reaction, mass flow of the reducing agent used in NO2 reduction reaction, and mass flow of the reducing agent which is simply oxidized by using the total mass flow of the reducing agent, calculating mass flow of released NO2 and mass flow of reduced NO2 by using the mass flow of the reducing agent used in the nitrate reduction reaction and the mass flow of the reducing agent used in the NO2 reduction reaction, calculating mass flow of NO2 slipped from DeNOx catalyst, and calculating mass of NO2 and mass of NOx remaining at the DeNOx catalyst after regeneration based on the mass flow of the released NO2, the mass flow of the reduced NO2, and the mass flow of the slipped NO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, FEV MOTORENTECHNIK GMBH, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ha Lee, Jin Woo Park, Christopher Severin, Thomas Wittka
  • Publication number: 20120143528
    Abstract: A portable monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the measurements performed by the monitoring system include one or more of: an evaporator input air temperature, an evaporator output air temperature, evaporator air flow, evaporator air humidity, condenser air input temperature, condenser air output temperature sensor, electrical power. In one embodiment, the portable monitoring system receives information about the refrigerant-cycle system from either the system itself or from a computer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8191418
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring aggregate state changes on a thermal, flow measuring device of at least a first part of a measured medium, wherein, as a result of the temperature of the medium being measured, as a result means of the chemical composition of the medium being measured and as a result of the partial pressure of the at least first part of the medium being measured and/or as a result of the total pressure of the medium being measured, at least one phase boundary line of the at least first part of the medium being measured is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Markus Neuhaus, Michel Wagner
  • Patent number: 8195395
    Abstract: A moored buoy floating at the ocean surface and anchored to the seafloor precisely measures acceleration, pitch, roll, and Earth's magnetic flux field of the buoy over a limited sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Chung-Chu Teng, Rodney Riley, Richard Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8190390
    Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530 operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Micromed Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gino Morello, Bryan Lynch, Robert Benkowski
  • Patent number: 8180494
    Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one blower and at least one vent in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis to direct cool air to a section of the data center in need of cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Vincenzo V. Diluoffo, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Michael D. Kendzierski
  • Publication number: 20120116693
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Morten Gravild Bjerregaard Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20120109716
    Abstract: Consumption levels are monitored over a period of time and analyzed. In response to a determination that a monitored consumption level is above a threshold that is defined based on consumption levels of an associated reference group, a notification may be provided. A plurality of notifications may be prioritizing based on a priority index. The plurality of notifications or portions thereof may be provided based on the determined priorities. The priority may take into account parameters such as for example cost of consumption, variance in respect to past consumption levels, variance in respect to the reference group and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Avichai Giat, Dan Pelleg, Noam Slonim, Pnina Vortman
  • Publication number: 20120109542
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Cebulski
  • Publication number: 20120101745
    Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a flow rate detecting part, an analog/digital conversion part, and a signal processing part. The flow rate detecting part detects a flow rate of air flowing through the passage, and outputs a flow voltage signal, which is a voltage in accordance with the flow rate. The analog/digital conversion part converts the flow voltage signal from the flow rate detecting part into digital data, which is flow digital data. The signal processing part performs calculation processing upon the flow digital data, which includes averaging of a predetermined number of consecutive pieces of the flow digital data, and outputs the averaged flow digital data as a flow rate signal. The predetermined number is equal to or larger than two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Kohno, Takao Ban, Akitoshi Mizutani