Pressure, Resistive, Or Capacitive Sensor Patents (Class 702/47)
  • Patent number: 8606531
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to systems and methods for spot checking flow properties of a multiphase mixture containing one or more hydrocarbons flowing through a pipeline or the like. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for creating slug-type flows of isokinetically obtained samples of the multiphase mixture flow. By spot checking the slug-type flow of an isokinetically obtained sample of the multiphase flow, embodiments of the present invention may provide for determining flow properties of gas, oil/condensate and/or water components of the multiphase flow. In certain aspects of the present invention, an active sampling device may be used to enrich one of the phases of the slug-type flow of the sampled multiphase mixture and/or take a representative sample of one of the phases of the slug-type flow of the sampled multiphase mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Pinguet, Cheng-gang Xie, Paul Guieze, Graham Birkett
  • Publication number: 20130317762
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for calculating well flow rates produced with electrical submersible pumps using measured voltage, current, frequency and pressure data. An efficiency to flow rate ratio is calculated from the voltage, current, and pressure data. The efficiency to flow rate ratio is used to obtain a non-dimensional flow rate. The flow rate through the electrical submersible pump is calculated from the non-dimensional flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence Anthony Patrick Camilleri
  • Patent number: 8583385
    Abstract: Thermal, flow measuring device and method for operating a thermal, flow measuring device. The thermal, flow measuring device has a first sensor with a first heatable resistance thermometer and at least an additional, second sensor with a second heatable resistance thermometer; wherein a decision coefficient is calculated according to the formula DC=(PC1?PC2)/PC1, with PC1(t=t1)=P1,1(t1)/(T1,heated;actual(t=t1)?Tmedium;actual(t=t1)) and PC2(t=t2)=P2,2(t2)/(T2,heated;actual(t=t2)?Tmedium;actual(t=t2)), with P being the heating powers consumed by the corresponding resistance thermometers at the points in time t, and T being the temperature values; wherein the value of the decision coefficient indicates the flow direction of a measured medium in the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Axel Pfau, Vivek Kumar, Anastasios Badarlis
  • Patent number: 8571817
    Abstract: One disclosed feature of the embodiments is a control processor in a vapor delivery system for chemical vapor deposition precursors. A pressurization rate processor calculates first and second pressurization rate curves at first and second time instants. A volume calculator computes consumed volume based on first and second volumes at the respective first and second time instants. The first and second volumes are computed using slopes of lines fitting the first and second pressurization rate curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang
  • Patent number: 8571818
    Abstract: A method of estimating fresh air flow rate entering an engine, for example a diesel engine, supercharged by a turbocharger, including at least one intake manifold of a volume, an exchanger, an air filter, a high-pressure EGR circuit, a low-pressure EGR circuit, an inlet butterfly, an exhaust butterfly, a flow meter, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pipe between the flow meter and the inlet of the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Laurent Fontvieille
  • Patent number: 8560096
    Abstract: A method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance for the plurality of equipment is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8560098
    Abstract: A system to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8560097
    Abstract: A computer assisted method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8554497
    Abstract: A method for testing a plurality of fire hoses having respective service test pressures and the test apparatus therefor wherein each hose is required to maintain a test pressure for a specified duration to pass the test. The test pressure is proportional to the service test pressure. Each hose is coupled to a respective hose fitting of a respective branch test conduit. Each branch test conduit includes an isolation valve, a pressure transducer, and a hose fitting downstream of the isolation valve. A variable frequency-variable speed controls a motor which drives a positive displacement water pump supplying water to and pressurizing a water header conduit and a plurality of branch test conduits interconnected therewith. An algorithm applied to the error signal for a respective hose line generates a pump speed command limited by the controller to regulate the rate of increase of pump output pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fire Catt LLC
    Inventors: David Hamilton, Dennis Zeiber
  • Patent number: 8548754
    Abstract: Detecting a leak, or the like, with high accuracy on the basis of pressure and a flow volume acquired during use of fluid is made possible. A volume of gas flowing through a flow path 102 is measured by a flow volume measurement unit 106, and pressure is measured by a pressure measurement unit 108. Measured flow data and measured pressure data are input to an analysis unit 112, to thus analyze following of a pressure change by a flow volume change. A determination showing that a following flow volume change is present, that a following flow volume change is not present, or that a following flow volume change is uncertain is made according to a magnitude correlation between an amount of pressure change of a predetermined level or more and an amount of flow volume change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Iwamoto, Hajime Miyata, Youichi Itou, Daisuke Bessyo, Kenichi Kamon
  • Patent number: 8548753
    Abstract: A process fluid flow measurement device includes a fluid flow member having an inlet with a first diameter and a throat with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. A first process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the inlet and a second process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the throat. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the first and second process fluid pressure taps. Differential pressure measurement circuitry is coupled to the differential pressure sensor to provide a differential pressure signal related to a difference in pressure between process fluid pressure at the first and second taps. A process fluid velocity measurement device is positioned in the throat to measure a velocity of process fluid flowing therethrough and provide a fluid velocity indication. The differential pressure sensor signal and the fluid velocity indication are used to provide a calculated indication of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Andrew J. Klosinski
  • Patent number: 8521450
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for measuring a flow rate of a gas/liquid flow. The method and system for measuring the flow rate include flowing a swirling gas/liquid flow separated into a gas core and a liquid outer layer through a conduit containing a constriction having a reduced conduit cross-section, measuring the differential gas core static pressure between a position upstream of the constriction and a position at the constriction, measuring a further quantity which provides the flow rate of the gas, the flow rate of the liquid, or a correlation between the flow rate of the gas and the flow rate of the liquid, and determining the flow rates of the gas and the liquid from the differential gas core static pressure and said measured further quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Coporation
    Inventor: Gary Oddie
  • Patent number: 8521452
    Abstract: A liquid level determination system includes pressure determination components that include an interference dampener to mitigate interference originating from a bubbler air compressor. The system may include a pressure pipe with a pressure sensing pipe end located adjacent to the pressure determination components and a bubbler pipe end locatable at least partially in a wet well. The wet well may include a pump that has a volute. The pressure pipe may further include layered pipe sections, and the position of the bubbler pipe end may be calculated so that it is not lower than a level substantially equivalent to a center line through the volute. The bubbler air compressor may provide air pressure to the pressure pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Smaidris, James Marion Boyd, Darrell Lee Manchester, Gregory Louis Valenti
  • Patent number: 8521334
    Abstract: A method and valve arrangement are provided for controlling the flow of a process medium through a pipeline. A pneumatic actuator moves a valve element, which is accommodated in a valve housing, and switches the flow of the process medium, in accordance with a positioning control system by means of a control piston, to at least one side of which control pressure is applied in a drive chamber. An electronic evaluation unit connected to the positioning control system monitors the operating state. A pressure sensor measures the pressure in the drive chamber, and the evaluation unit analyzes the measured pressure value with respect to a pressure p and the pressure change dp(t) over time to determine the flow into/from the drive chamber and/or the ratio (V/A) of the drive chamber volume to the effective opening cross section of the valve arrangement as a measure of the operating state of the valve arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Urs E. Meier, Detlef Pape
  • Patent number: 8515693
    Abstract: By detecting the pressure time characteristic on the high-pressure side of an injection pump, the delivery volume of the pump is able to be determined without intervention in the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Lehle, Michael Hackner, Frederik Blank
  • Publication number: 20130211744
    Abstract: There is described a method for continuous online monitoring of a pulsating pump. A first step involves monitoring discharge pressure patterns caused by each stroke of the pulsating pump. A second step involves using a computer processing unit to analyse each pressure spike in the discharge pressure patterns and arrive at derived calculations for stroke length, stroke frequency and flow rate. A width of the base of the pressure spike is indicative of pump stroke frequency and an area of the pressure spike being indicative of fluid pumped per stroke. The pump's stroke length and the pump flow rate is fluid pumped per stroke multiplied by stroke frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WAVE CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Wave Control Systems Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130204547
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Xu Fu, Baoming Huang, Yao Chen, Tong Zhao, Zili Cai, Zhongzhi Hu
  • Patent number: 8504318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Brooks Instruments, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Mendelson, Joseph C. Dille, Anthony B. Kehoe, Jeffrey L. Whiteley, Todd Berger, Walter Dennis Robertson, III
  • Publication number: 20130197831
    Abstract: A water meter that requires neither a smoothing capacitor of large capacitance nor a high frequency reference clock is offered. A rotation detection unit is formed to include a first coil, a first capacitor, a charging transistor, a power supply line, an activation transistor, an output buffer circuit, a DA converter, a comparator and a counter. A first LC resonant circuit is provided with the activation transistor connected in series with the first coil, the first capacitor connected in parallel with the first coil and the charging transistor for charging the first capacitor. The first LC resonant circuit is activated by turning on the activation transistor after the first capacitor is charged by turning on the charging transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshiaki YONEZAWA, Hideo KONDO
  • Publication number: 20130186471
    Abstract: In a gas supply device supplying many different gases to a gas use portion through many flow rate controllers, a flow rate controller calibration unit includes a build-up tank with inner volume, an inlet side on-off valve and an outlet side on-off valve V2 of the tank, and a gas pressure detector and a gas temperature detector for gas inside the tank, joined in a branched form to a gas supply line, with the valve V2 connected to vacuum. The calibration unit is used to calibrate a flow rate controller based on performing a first measurement of gas temperature and pressure inside the tank, and then building-up gas into the tank, and then performing a second measurement of gas temperature and pressure, and from respective measured values, calculating gas flow rate Q and by comparing a set gas flow rate and calculated gas flow rate Q, performing flow rate calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Nobukazu Ikeda, Yohei Sawada, Tooru Hirai, Kazuyuki Morisaki, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi
  • Patent number: 8494788
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for determining the static gas pressure in a gas/liquid flow. The apparatus and method may be non-invasive relative to the flow to be analyzed. The apparatus and method may include swirling a multiphase flow so that the flow is separated into a gas core and a liquid outer layer, measuring flow parameters, including the liquid layer tangential velocity, the liquid holdup, and the static pressure of the flow at the wall of conduit, and determining the static gas pressure in the gas core from the measured flow parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Atkinson, Cheng-gang Xie
  • Patent number: 8487632
    Abstract: An electrostatic sensor for a vehicle includes a loop-shaped electrode arranged in a seat bottom of the vehicle, and a sensor portion to detect a weak electric field generated between the electrode and a chassis of the vehicle when a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode. The electrode has an imaginary center line linearly extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The electrode defines a resistance distribution approximately symmetrical in a left-and-right direction of the vehicle relative to the imaginary center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Ootaka
  • Patent number: 8489341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring fluid in a fluid line are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first capacitor and a processor in communication with the first capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the first capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the first capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the first capacitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a second capacitor. The second capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the second capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the second capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Brown
  • Publication number: 20130179374
    Abstract: A system includes a custody transfer system configured to transfer a gas fuel from a gas supply to a gas turbine. The custody transfer system includes a plurality of small flow meters running in parallel with each other, each of the small flow meters configured to obtain a measurement of a portion of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing through the custody transfer system. Further, the custody transfer system includes a large flow meter in series with the plurality of small flow meters, configured to obtain a measurement of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing from the plurality of small flow meters. Additionally, the custody transfer system includes communications circuitry coupled to each of the small flow meters and the large flow meter, configured to provide metering metrics to a flow computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Victor Hains, Brian Michael Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8473225
    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 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eldec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
  • Publication number: 20130138251
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Ole Thøgersen, Allan Dyrmose
  • Patent number: 8452551
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20130110417
    Abstract: A portable test apparatus is for performing a pressure test of a vessel into which a liquid is being forced by a pump. The test apparatus includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the vessel. A processor is configured to monitor, during the test, stroke counts communicated from the pump and the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. A graphical user interface includes input fields to receive user-input of test parameter information, and further includes a graphical representation of the stroke counts and measured pressure in real time during the test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: John A. Balogh, David L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130103325
    Abstract: Method for operating a vortex flowmeter device for measuring the flow of a fluid that flows through a measuring tube in which a baffle is arranged for producing eddies in the fluid. A signal-processing device processes signals of first and sensors produced by pressure fluctuations. A first signal is obtained by multiplication of the signal of the first sensor with a correction factor, and the second signal is obtained by multiplication of the signal of the second sensor with another correction factor such that a wanted signal is obtained from the deviation between the first signal and second signals, and a sum signal is formed from the sum of the first and second signals. A correlation between the wanted signal and the sum signal is determined and the correlation is minimized by variation of the correction factors, whereby same-phase interfering signals superimposed on anti-phase sensor signals are at least minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
  • Patent number: 8428892
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of fluid flow within a piping system is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining a measured velocity of the fluid flow using a fluid flow meter; determining a measured difference in pressure value within the fluid flow using a differential pressure meter; selecting an estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; determining a calculated difference in pressure value using a model which relates the calculated difference in pressure value to the measured velocity and the estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; determining a degree of inaccuracy of the estimated Reynolds number using the measured difference in pressure and the calculated difference in pressure; and iteratively adjusting the estimated Reynolds number, determining the calculated difference in pressure, and determining the degree of inaccuracy using the adjusted Reynolds number, until the degree of inaccuracy is within an acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20130096850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SYSTEC CONTROLS MESS- UND REGELTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Systec Controls Mess- Und Regeltechnik GmbH
  • Patent number: 8423303
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Marine AS
    Inventors: Per Soleng, Per Huse
  • Patent number: 8423304
    Abstract: Thermal, flow measuring device and method for operating a thermal, flow measuring device, wherein the thermal, flow measuring device has a first sensor with a first heatable resistance thermometer and at least an additional, second sensor with a second heatable resistance thermometer. A decision coefficient is calculated according to the formula DC=(PC1?PC2)/PC1, with PC1(t=t1)=P1,1(t1)/(T1,heated;actual(t=t1)?Tmedium;actual(t=t1)) and PC2(t=t2)=P2,2(t2)/(T2,heated;actual(t=t2)?Tmedium;actual(t=t2)), with P being the heating powers consumed by the corresponding resistance thermometers at the points in time t, and T being the temperature values; wherein the value of the decision coefficient indicates the flow direction of a measured medium in the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Axel Pfau, Vivek Kumar, Anastasios Badarlis
  • Publication number: 20130079667
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly, snore detection assembly, and methods for fabricating the same. The flow sensor assembly includes a flow conduit for fluid flow, a flow disrupter for imparting a disturbance to the fluid flow, a first sensor responsive to the disturbance of the fluid flow and configured to generate signals responsive to the disturbance of the fluid flow, and a processor for determining a flow rate for the fluid flow through the flow conduit based on a first algorithm determining an amplitude of the fluid flow in a first flow regime and a second algorithm determining a frequency of the fluid flow in a second flow regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Stanton Earl Weaver, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Nannan Chen
  • Publication number: 20130073211
    Abstract: A microcontroller based breast milk flow meter and child milk volume intake detection and measuring method means comprising a silicone encapsulated flexible microcontroller circuit means with a plurality of on-board dielectric detector plate means and a piezo-resistive force sensor means. Where the dielectric detector plates function electrically, as a passive device means to determine the presence or absence of a quantity of milk in a holding chamber means and a piezo-resistive force sensor function electrically, as a passive device means to determine a continuous or sporadic flow quantity of milk from said chamber means. A special microcontroller algorithm is used to monitor, detect, and measure breast milk flow and quantity from mother to child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Samuel Hershkovich
  • Publication number: 20130054157
    Abstract: A method in which a sample of the material to be studied is placed in a sealed cell such that the upstream surface communicates with a first space (V0) and the downstream surface communicates with a second space. The pressure in the first space is modulated and the variations over time of the respective pressures in the first space and in the second space are measured. By means of a differential equation taking as parameters the intrinsic permeability of the material, the porosity and the Klinkenberg coefficient thereof, the pressure variations measured are digitally analysed to estimate at least the intrinsic permeability and the Klinkenberg coefficient of the material, and advantageously the porosity of the material during the same experiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicants: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE- CNRS, TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Didier Lasseux, Yves Jannot
  • Publication number: 20130024138
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the leakage rate of a downhole pump using either measured axial load information from the drive rod string or using measured production data. The invention is for methods of applying the leakage rate to a downhole dynamometer card, for a reciprocating rod pump, for determining well production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas M. Mills
  • Publication number: 20130018641
    Abstract: A method for computing or estimating fractional, multi-phase/multi-component flow through a porous medium employing a 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a computational fluid dynamics method to calculate flow rates, pressures, saturations, internal velocity vectors and other flow parameters is described. The method employs a unique method of introducing non-wetting and wetting fluids into the pores at the inlet face of the 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a novel process control application to achieve quasi-steady state flow at low inlet concentrations of non-wetting fluid. In addition, the method of the present invention reduces the time required to simulate to complete the fluid dynamic calculations. The resulting values of flow of non-wetting fluid, wetting fluid, saturation, and other parameters are used to generate plots of relative permeability imbibition and drainage curves. Computerized systems and programs for performing the method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: INGRAIN, INC.
    Inventors: Giuseppe de PRISCO, Jonas Toelke, Yaoming MU
  • Publication number: 20130006545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a field of measuring technology of oil and gas flow, solving the problem of separating and metering several gas wells separately, includes: an electric liquid discharge valve, a demister, a liquid flow meter, a pressure transmitter, a differential pressure transmitter, a temperature sensor, a plate-turnover liquid level gauge, a dew-point meter, and a flow computer, wherein a multi-tubes cyclone separator consists of 2˜100 tubular containers, the multi-tubes cyclone separator is connected with the liquid flow meter and the electric liquid discharge valve via a liquid exit tube, and connected with orifice plate flow meters via an annular tube and a gathering tube in parallel, the electric liquid discharge valve, the liquid flow meter, the plate-turnover liquid level gauge, the orifice plate flow meters, the pressure transmitter, the differential pressure transmitter, the temperature sensor, and the dew-point meter are connected with the flow computer via data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jiuqing Lu
  • Patent number: 8346488
    Abstract: A device (1) for measuring a force acting between a machining tool (4) and a work piece in a processing machine is disclosed. It comprises an arrangement of at least two hydrostatic pads (7), wherein the at least two hydrostatic pads are designed to receive and support a mounting part (10) of the machining tool (4), and each hydrostatic pad of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7) presenting a pressure sensor (13), a calculation unit (16) for —reading hydrostatic pad pressure related to the pressure sensors (13) and a constant based on characteristics of each one of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7), —calculating the force by calculating a difference between the products of, for each hydrostatic pad of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7), the hydrostatic pad pressure and the constant, and —indicating the force. Also, a device for monitoring a machining tool and a device for compensating for a deflection of a machining tool when machining a work piece comprising the device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Martin Gustafsson, Fredrik Gunnberg, Tobias Persson
  • Patent number: 8340927
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a flow velocity and a flow rate of groundwater leaking from the earth surface includes: a storage tank that is fixed to close a side surface and a top surface of an earth surface region from which the groundwater leaks and that stores the groundwater leaking from the earth surface; a liquid column tube that causes the groundwater stored in the storage tank to introduce thereto and causes a water column to rise; and a pressure-type measuring unit that is formed in a top opening of the liquid column tube and that senses a differential pressure. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and rapidly measure a flow velocity and a flow rate of groundwater leaking from the earth surface by the use of a user's terminal in real time, or by time zones, or on the user's request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
    Inventors: Ki-Sung Sung, Jeong-Chan Kim, Kue-Young Kim, Tae-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8340929
    Abstract: A liquid level determination system to determine the level of a liquid in a wet we is disclosed. The system may include pressure determination components and a pressure pipe with a pressure sensing pipe end located adjacent to the pressure determination components and a bubbler pipe end locatable at least partially in the wet well. A transducer is used to determine a pressure level within the pressure pipe maintained by a bubbler air compressor. A level detection processor may analyze the pressure level to determine a liquid level in the wet well. An interference dampener is included to mitigate interference originating from the bubbler air compressor. The interference dampener may be provided by transducer plug to restrict air flow. Alternatively, the interference dampener may be provided by a computer operated program to monitor and mitigate the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Smaidris, James Marion Boyd, Darrell Lee Manchester, Gregory Louis Valenti
  • Publication number: 20120323502
    Abstract: A flow volume measurement device or a flow velocity measurement device include a measurement cell including a main pipe, an incident tube that is connected to the main pipe, an emission tube that is connected to the main pipe, and a first purge-fluid supply tube that is connected to the incident tube, a purge-fluid supply unit that supplies purge fluid into the first purge-fluid supply tube of the measurement cell, a light emitting unit that emits a laser beam to the measurement cell, a light receiving unit that receives the laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit and having passed through the measurement cell, and outputs a received amount of light as a light reception signal, a calculation unit that calculates a flow volume or a flow velocity of exhaust fluid flowing in the measurement cell, based on a light reception signal output from the light receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Masazumi Tanoura, Kenji Muta, Atsushi Takita, Minoru Danno, Shinichiro Asami, Kageharu Moriyama, Daishi Ueno, Ichiro Awaya, Tadashi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120312726
    Abstract: Method and device for checking on the delivery performance of at least one first and/or second delivery means of a device for extracorporeal blood treatment by measuring the pressure in a closed container filled at least partially with air by a first pressure measurement, delivering a first liquid volume into the container with the first delivery means, measuring the pressure in the container by a second pressure measurement after delivering the first liquid volume, delivering a second liquid volume out of the container with the second delivery means, measuring the pressure in the container by a third pressure measurement after delivering the second liquid volume out of the container, and evaluating at least the measured values of the first pressure measurement and the third pressure measurement as a criterion for the deviation in the delivery performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Alfred Gagel
  • Patent number: 8332167
    Abstract: A digital multi range liquid level detector to verify and maintain a predetermined level in a container. The level is measured by a capacitive sensor located above or in the liquid to be maintained. The capacitive sensor is composed of a pair of probe connected to a signal converter chip to obtain a digital data. The digital data is then compared to a reference value obtain during the initial calibration. The present invention is composed of two paired components, a capacitive digital sensor and a fluid control valve that can be installed at different locations. The sensor determines the liquid level and then transmits the acquired data to the fluid valve control receiver via wire or radio frequency (RF). The sensor and valve are programmable in order to evaluate different possibilities such as water level, water activities and recurring low level demands. They can also be reprogrammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fusion RDI Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Boa
  • Patent number: 8332179
    Abstract: A sensor device for a fluid power apparatus and in particular a pneumatic cylinder comprises at least one sensor for producing at least one sensor value on the basis of a property or a condition of the fluid power apparatus, and a sensor communication means for the transmission of the at least one sensor value. As regards the sensor device there is a provision such that it includes a reading means for reading apparatus identification data characterizing the fluid power apparatus and the sensor device is adapted for the transmission of the apparatus identification data by way of the sensor communication means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co
    Inventors: Gerhard Nolle, Jurgen Arbter
  • Patent number: 8326550
    Abstract: When the damping time constant D? is changed to D?=0, the sampling period Ts is automatically changed from 100 ms to 50 ms. The sampling time is automatically changed from 60 ms to 30 ms. Thus, when the damping time constant D? is changed to D?=0, a processing unit samples an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure difference of a fluid detected by a differential pressure sensor for the sampling time ts=30 ms in every sampling period Ts=50 ms, and finds the measurement value ?P of the differential pressure by performing a variety of operation processing including a linearization operation and a square root operation on the sampled electrical signal. In the operation processing, the processing unit does not perform a damping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimakata, Koichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8320932
    Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) of using a context vector and database (202) for location applications can include a transceiver (104), a plurality of environmental sensors (114, 116, 118, 120, 121) including at least two location technology devices (110, 112), and a processor (102) coupled to the transceiver and the plurality of environmental sensors. The processor can be programmed to sense (302) an environmental condition for a given location, define (310) a context vector for the given location, detect (312) a context transition corresponding to a change in the environmental condition, and modify (314) an operation of the at least two location technology devices based on the context transition detected. The processor can be further programmed to form (320) a new context vector based on the context transition and attempt to match the new context vector with a pre-stored context vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellis A. Pinder, Charles B. Swope
  • Patent number: 8316879
    Abstract: A method in which a pressure in an imaginary vacuum container is determined by calculation based on a gas flow rate difference between an estimated discharge gas amount determined from the actual opening degree of a vacuum valve provided on the discharge conduit of a vacuum container and an estimated inflow gas amount determined in the preceding operation period, an estimated inflow gas amount at the present time is determined based on a difference between the calculated pressure and a pressure measured in an actual vacuum container by a pressure meter, a set discharge gas amount is determined by adding, to the estimated inflow gas amount, a correction gas amount obtained based on a pressure deviation between a set pressure and the measured pressure, and the degree of opening of the vacuum valve is controlled such that a discharge gas amount reaches the set discharge gas amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Saito, Toshiro Saeki
  • Patent number: 8307845
    Abstract: A flow rate controller detects a clogged state of an orifice to prevent errors during flow rate measurement. The flow rate controller includes a differential pressure flow meter, with an orifice disposed between a pair of pressure sensors, that converts a pressure difference detected by the two pressure sensors into a flow rate, a flow-rate adjusting valve whose degree of opening is controlled such that the difference between a measured flow rate value and a preset flow rate value falls within a predetermined range, and a control unit that controls the degree of opening of the flow-rate adjusting valve upon receiving the pressure values detected by the pressure sensors. The control unit compares the preset flow rate value and the measured flow rate value and determines that there is a clog fault when a flow rate difference, as compared with a predetermined value, continues for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuho Kouchi, Hiroki Igarashi