Pressure, Resistive, Or Capacitive Sensor Patents (Class 702/47)
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Patent number: 7881883Abstract: A method for detecting occlusions including providing a signal that characterizes a conveying status of a fluid, and determining from a difference between two such signals whether an occlusion has occurred. The invention encompasses a device for detecting an occlusion including a sensor for sensing a fluid flow parameter and/or an operational parameter of the device and an evaluation unit for processing the output of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AGInventor: Axel Remde
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Patent number: 7881828Abstract: A bus module for connecting electrically triggerable fluidic valves to a data bus. The bus module has an electrical circuit configuration, which evaluates address data and user data from data telegrams transmitted on the data bus and which triggers a fluidic valve determined by the address data in accordance with the user data of the data telegram. In order to keep the current load on the bus module low particularly when triggering hydraulic valves, the electronic circuit configuration, following the reception of user data in the form of a switch-on command for one of the fluidic valves connected to the bus module, first constantly supplies a supply voltage to the fluidic valve determined by the address data during a gate-controlled rise time of specifiable duration. Following the expiration of the gate-controlled rise time, the electronic circuit configuration supplies the fluidic valve with the supply voltage in a pulse width modulated form having a specifiable pulse control factor.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AGInventor: Stefan Schmidt
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Patent number: 7881886Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate as gas flows through a gas flow delivery system is provided. The method includes sending the gas through the gas flow delivery system into a gas conduit, wherein a section of the gas conduit is widened to form an orifice. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice of the gas conduit. The method further includes measuring upstream pressure of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes calculating the actual flow rate based on the upstream pressure of the orifice of the gas conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, James V. Tietz, Vernon Wong, Richard J. Meinecke
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Patent number: 7881885Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the instantaneous rate of the mass flow of a flow of a fluid pulsating periodically at a frequency f, said method comprising the following steps: a) a pressure gradient in the flow over a certain period (P) is determined, b) the harmonic amplitude of the pressure gradient is calculated by means of Fourier transformation, c) the frequency f and the time t are converted into dimensionless numbers F, t and d) the rate of the mass flow is determined using a table from which at least one corresponding value describing the mass flow rate and/or a phase difference can be deduced for each dimensionless number F of the frequency f.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Inventors: Buelent Uensal, Dimosthenis Trimis, Franz Durst
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Publication number: 20110022366Abstract: Systems and methods for determining, characterizing and/or predicting the impact of a sprinkler discharge spray on a fire induced mass flow through a vent, preferably a doorway, of a compartment. Provided are systems and methods for determining a sprinkler coefficient that characterizes the ability of a sprinkler to reduce a fire induced mass flow from the compartment. The sprinkler coefficient preferably defines a ratio of a mass flow from a compartment, in the absence of a discharging sprinkler, to the mass flow from a compartment, in the presence of a discharging sprinkler. Accordingly, the systems and methods herein provide for the sprinkler coefficient to define a mass flow equation by accounting for the influence of a discharging sprinkler spray and provide for a new fire induced mass flow calculator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS LPInventor: Jeremiah P. Crocker
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Publication number: 20110022335Abstract: The invention concerns a system for real-time measurement of the instantaneous flow rate of a fluid with steady or unsteady flow in a conduit, comprising a flow member (1) for the fluid provided with at least two wall pressure taps (A,B), means (2) to measure pressure difference coupled with the two pressure taps (A,B), and programmed computing means (3) for real-time computing of flow rate by solving a nonlinear, ordinary, differential equation relating instantaneous flow rate to pressure difference, the pressure difference in said formula being positive or negative in relation to the variation in flow velocity of the fluid in the conduit and/or to the direction of flow of the fluid, characterized in that the flow member (1) comprises a filter (4) positioned between the two pressure taps (A,B) to increase pressure drop.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Eric Foucault, Philippe Laurent Micheau, Philippe Szeger, Janki Laumonier
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Publication number: 20110022334Abstract: This disclosure relates to mass flow verification systems for and methods of measuring and verifying the mass flow through a mass flow measurement device such as a mass flow controller. A mass flow verification system comprises a preset volume, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor. The measured verified flow determined by the mass flow verification system can be adjusted to compensate for errors resulting from a dead volume within the mass flow measurement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Junhua Ding, Kaveh Zarkar
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Publication number: 20110010111Abstract: 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. An amount of flow volume change responsive to an amount of pressure change of a predetermined level or more is classified into a plurality of ranges by means of a predetermined threshold value, and a following flow value change is determined on the basis of determination conditions of the respective ranges of amounts of flow volume changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Hajime Miyata, Kenichi Kamon, Youichi Itou, Daisuke Bessyo, Ryuji Iwamoto
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Publication number: 20110004423Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Ryuji Iwamoto, Hajime Miyata, Youichi Itou, Daisuke Bessyo, Kenichi Kamon
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Publication number: 20100332154Abstract: A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC.Inventors: Daniel L. GYSLING, Douglas H. LOOSE
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Patent number: 7860668Abstract: A device to measure pressure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes at least one element with two layers separated by a space which changes over a variable time period in response to a voltage applied across the two layers. The time period may be measured and indicative of the ambient pressure about the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kasra Khazeni
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Patent number: 7853416Abstract: A flow rate verification failure diagnosis apparatus is applied to a gas supply pipe system including flow rate control devices and a flow rate verification unit for detecting flow rate abnormality by measuring flow rate of each of the flow rate control devices on the basis of pressure measured by a pressure measurement device. The flow rate verification failure diagnosis apparatus comprises a failure diagnosis device having a mode to diagnose a failure in the pressure measurement device at a time of the flow rate verification unit detecting the flow rate abnormality, thereby the reliability of flow rate verification can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: CKD CorporationInventors: Akiko Nakada, Keisuke Kato, Akihito Sugino, Hiroki Doi
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Publication number: 20100305880Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Gary Oddie
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Publication number: 20100305882Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: EXPRO METERS, INC.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Publication number: 20100305881Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ian Atkinson, Cheng-gang Xie
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Publication number: 20100299087Abstract: A method for diagnosing pressure sensors of an air supply of an internal combustion engine, the air supply having an intake port, which, viewed in the air supply direction, leads into at least two sub-ports, via which air is suppliable to different cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine, a first pressure sensor being assigned to a first sub-port, a second pressure sensor being assigned to a second sub-port, and a third pressure sensor being assigned to the intake port, a first air mass flow associated with the first pressure sensor, a second air mass flow associated with the second pressure sensor and a third air mass flow associated with the third pressure sensor being ascertained, pressure values ascertained by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor being compared to each other and the sum of the first air mass flow and the second air mass flow being compared to the third air mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Patrick MENOLD, Soenke Mannal
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Publication number: 20100292934Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing emissions includes an emissions analyzer for estimating a concentration of a selected emission of the emission; a flow rate analyzer for estimating a volumetric flow rate of the emission; and a processor in data communication with the emissions analyzer and the flow rate analyzer, the processor including instructions for estimating a mass per time unit value for the selected emission based on the estimated concentration and the estimated volumetric flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Joseph L. Stark, Huzeifa Ismail, Koral B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20100286931Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Jay Mendelson, Joseph C. Dille, Anthony B. Kehoe, Jeffrey L. Whiteley, Todd Berger, Walter Dennis Robertson, III
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Publication number: 20100241367Abstract: At a time of a teaching mode that is performed before conditions of a flow path where fluid flows, a pressure and a flow rate of the fluid are sampled. Also at a time of a detection mode to detect the conditions of the flow path, the pressure and the flow rate are sampled. Then, in a case where a difference between the flow rate in the teaching mode in the pressure obtained in the detection mode and the flow rate in the detection mode is larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that clogging has been caused in the flow path. A processing program for this case is selectively transmitted in advance from a processing program storage device 50 that stores a plurality of processing programs to the sensor 30.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2006Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: SUNX LIMITEDInventors: Takanobu Yada, Takashi Fujii
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Publication number: 20100241368Abstract: Method for real time measurement of mass flow rate of bulk solids, in where said bulk solids are loaded, or unloaded, by a pneumatic transport system, comprising the following steps: arranging at least two pressure gauges in a pipe section of the transport system, as measuring devices; measuring pressure drop ?P between said pressure gauges as the gas-solids flow of air and bulk solids takes place; calculating suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture of air and bulk solids; and wherein the bulk solids mass flow rate Ms at a given location over a given length of a pipeline is estimated, by at least said suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventor: Per Soleng
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Patent number: 7801691Abstract: Method of acquisition and processing of an intake pressure signal in an internal combustion engine without an intake manifold; the internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder that receives fresh air through an intake duct, which is controlled by a butterfly valve and is provided with a pressure sensor connected to an electronic control unit. The acquisition and processing method provides for the following steps: measuring, via the pressure sensor, the instantaneous induction pressure at a plurality of different crank angles distributed over an engine cycle; storing, during each engine cycle, the instantaneous induction pressures in a fast acquisition buffer of the electronic control unit; and determining, at the end of each engine cycle, the mean induction pressure in the engine cycle by calculating a mean of the instantaneous induction pressures previously stored in the fast acquisition buffer of the electronic control unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Panciroli, Loris Lambertini, Francesco Alunni, Matteo Domenico Albertazzi, Marco Montaguti
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Publication number: 20100228502Abstract: A system for monitoring a condition of a downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP) assembly is disclosed. The system includes: a downhole assembly configured to be disposed in a wellbore in an earth formation; the ESP assembly connected to the downhole assembly and including a motor and a pump, the ESP assembly in electrical communication with a surface electrical source via a conductor; a power gauge unit configured to measure the electrical power supplied to the ESP assembly; and a processor configured to receive data from the power gauge unit and calculate a flowrate of the ESP assembly based on at least the electrical power supplied to the ESP assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Eric Atherton
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Publication number: 20100218765Abstract: Systems and methods are described for application of a transitory corrective modification to a hot-wire anemometer flow voltage and/or calculated flow rate to compensate for transient thermal response of the anemometer during a change in mixture of a mixed gas being measured. According to one embodiment a method of applying the transitory corrective modification is provided. An output signal of an exhalation flow sensor of a medical ventilator is received. The flow sensor includes a hot-wire anemometer. The output signal is indicative of a rate of flow of expired gas by a patient. Transient thermal response of the hot-wire anemometer is compensated for by applying a corrective modification to the output signal or a value based thereon. The corrective modification is based at least in part on a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) being supplied by the medical ventilator to the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLCInventors: Mehdi M. Jafari, Rhomere S. Jimenez, Edward R. McCoy, Jeffrey K. Aviano
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Publication number: 20100214120Abstract: The well test system has a net oil computer NOC that captures and stores information from disparate well instrumentation devices, measures produced oil, water, and gas quantities based on the information and controls well processes based on the quantity measurements. The NOC includes operational software that collects instrumentation data from a plurality of wells. Configuration software downloads user programmable configuration information to the NOC, which enables the NOC to record data from a wide variety of flow devices, water test meters, or the like. User programmable alarms are included. A plurality of controllers can control processes associated with individual wells. A wireless communication system electronically sends data and test results to cell phones, radio devices, and the like. A daily test data log provides a historical database, which is analyzed to formulate “Data Confidence” information for each well. The net oil computer is operable with two-phase or three-phase separators.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Stephen R. Means, Mark L. Surber, Mike G. Hagenston, Robert C. Riley, Michael E. Crossman, Lee M. Britt
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Publication number: 20100217193Abstract: An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on a series of measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.Inventors: SHELDON B. MOBERG, Ian B. Hanson, Cary D. Talbot
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Publication number: 20100211332Abstract: A gas flow meter reader has a first shaft that rotates in response to a first gas pressure from gas in a gas line, and a second shaft that rotates in response to a second gas pressure from the gas line. Each of the first and second shafts are connected to an inclinometer that converts the rotation of each of the first and second shafts into an electric signal. A processor is electrically connected to the inclinometers for processing the electric signals to output a flow rate of the gas in the gas line.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Philip M. Isaac, Kevin D. Clarke
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Publication number: 20100198533Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for evaluating the performance of a gas lift well are disclosed. A gas lift well surveillance kit is disclosed. A method for evaluating the performance of a gas lift well includes injecting a tracer into an annulus, measuring a concentration of the tracer present in a substance retrieved from the well, determining actual travel times of the tracer, segmenting the gas lift well into a plurality of ranges of well depth, determining lift gas loss parameters, calculating lift gas velocities in the annulus and in the production tubing for each of the plurality of ranges of well depth based on the lift gas loss parameters, and determining points of entry of the lift gas into the production tubing based on: (i) the actual travel times of the tracer, and (ii) the lift gas velocities in the annulus and in the production tubing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: WELLTRACER TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.Inventors: Larry Peacock, Dan Dees
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Publication number: 20100198532Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the theoretical internal diameter of a tube of unknown internal diameter comprising an air regulation system comprising a pressure regulator and a volumetric flow meter for obtaining an actual volumetric flow rate through the tube of unknown internal diameter. Calculating a theoretical volumetric flow rate for a range of tubes of known internal diameters. Calculating the theoretical internal diameter of the tube of unknown internal diameter, wherein the actual volumetric flow rate obtained from the apparatus is interpolated with the respective theoretical volumetric flow rates of the tubes of known internal diameter to obtain the theoretical internal diameter of the tube of unknown internal diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Weston Gerwin, Michael Sterling Lynch, Kirk Heckathorn
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Publication number: 20100191481Abstract: An improved flow meter, which has diagnostic capabilities due to the reading of total pressure head loss, calculation of corresponding flow rate and comparison with flow rates calculated from other differential pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2006Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventor: Richard Steven
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Patent number: 7758676Abstract: A control system for particulate filters is provided. The control system for a particulate filter includes a clean filter estimating module that estimates a clean pressure based on a first pressure in the particulate filter within a predetermined period of a regeneration event. A soot prediction module estimates a level of soot in the particulate filter based on a comparison of the first pressure and a second pressure in the particulate filter received after the predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Inventors: Rahul Mital, Chad E. Marlett, James R Ireton, Jr., Thomas E Wiseman
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Publication number: 20100161249Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring a liquid having a gas inclusion at least at times and for determining the amount of liquid transferred, in which the liquid is conveyed through a line, a degree of filling measurement is carried out in the line, a flow measurement is carried out in the line and a calculation, in particular multiplication, is performed on the result of the degree of filling measurement and the result of the flow measurement, whereby a conveyed amount value is obtained. It is thereby provided that the conveyed amount value, which is obtained by performing a calculation on the result of the degree of filling measurement and the result of the flow measurement, is corrected with a value which takes into consideration a dissolution of the gas inclusion in the liquid, whereby a corrected conveyed amount value is obtained, and the corrected conveyed amount value is used as a measure for the liquid amount transferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Alfred Boehm, Wilhelm Binder, Dieter Lerach
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Publication number: 20100152908Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: ABB Technology AGInventors: Urs E. Meier, Detlef Pape
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Patent number: 7734441Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for measuring and controlling an amount of flow and volume of liquid fluid and/or electrical energy consumed by an electro-pump. The method and system obtains a plurality of values for electrical parameters of the electro-pump including voltage value, currents value and active/reactive energy value; calculates the plurality values; and determines and controls the amount of instant flow and volume of said liquid fluid based on said calculated values. The system/method gathers these two measuring and controlling features (i.e. measuring and controlling the volume of liquid and amount of energy) in one casing, thereby, where applicable, provides a secure reference for policy making of both two parameters at the same time (e.g. for underground water resources).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Inventors: Mohsen Taravat, Amin Moazedi, Hossein Nazarboland Jahromi
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Publication number: 20100138168Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a mass flow rate of a multi-phase fluid flowing through a conduit. The apparatus includes a differential pressure element located in the conduit, wherein a first differential pressure measurement device is in communication with the multi-phase fluid between a first and second position across the differential pressure element and is able to measure a first fluid differential pressure. A second differential pressure measurement device is in communication with the multi-phase fluid between a third and fourth position across the differential pressure element and is able to measure a second fluid differential pressure. A processor is in communication with the first and second differential pressure measurement devices, and is able to calculate the Reynolds number and discharge coefficient using the first and second fluid differential pressures. The processor is also capable of calculating the mass flow rate by using the Reynolds number and discharge coefficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Bruno Pinguet, Bernard Theron, Andrew Parry
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Publication number: 20100138169Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine phase fractions for phases within a fluid mixture flow under a wide range of flow conditions including wet-gas flow. Appropriate flow algorithms can utilize this phase fraction information with a total flow rate of the mixture to find individual flow rates for phases, such as oil, water, and gas or gas and liquid, which can represent a combination of oil and water phases. For some embodiments, a multiphase flowmeter includes an array of spatially distributed pressure sensors configured to determine a velocity of the mixture flow and hence the total flow rate, which is applied with information from a differential pressure meter to calculate the bulk density of the fluid mixture. Further, additional speed of sound information or a water-in-liquid ratio as may be determined by spectral analysis can enable differentiation between the oil and water phases.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: ESPEN S. JOHANSEN, Omer Haldun Unalmis, John Lievois
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Publication number: 20100131212Abstract: A method for providing a characteristic quantity for a state of an air system of a supercharged internal combustion engine includes: detecting a characteristic quantity measured value as characteristic quantity information with the aid of a sensor; providing a characteristic quantity model, using which a characteristic quantity model value is computed on the basis of one or more quantities different from the characteristic quantity measured value; and providing the characteristic quantity either based on the characteristic quantity measured value or on the characteristic quantity model value computed by the characteristic quantity model, as a function of a state of the air system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Matthias Heinkele, Patrick Menold, Michael Drung
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Publication number: 20100125424Abstract: A system performs mass flow delivery of a fluid, and also performs mass flow verification of the fluid. The system includes an inlet valve that controls flow of the fluid into a chamber, an outlet valve that controls flow of the fluid out of the chamber, a pressure transducer that measures the pressure of the fluid within the chamber, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the fluid within the chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to control opening and closing of the inlet and outlet valves, using the measurements of the pressure and the temperature change within the chamber, so as to verify, when in a first mode, a measurement of the flow rate of the fluid by a device, and so as to deliver, when in a second mode, a desired amount of the fluid from the chamber into a processing facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Junhua Ding, Kaveh Zarkar
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Publication number: 20100106433Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes process communication circuitry, a processor, and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is configured to communicate with at least one additional process device. The processor is coupled to the process communication circuitry and is configured to execute instructions to provide a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle includes a number of flow-related calculations. Measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to a plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure during each cycle, and to obtain static pressure, and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute a process fluid flow value using a current differential pressure sensor indication and at least one flow-related value calculated during a previous cycle. The process communication circuitry communicates the computed process fluid flow value to the at least one additional process device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, David E. Wiklund
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Patent number: 7706925Abstract: An integrated pressure and flow ratio control system includes N mass flow controllers MFCi (i=1, . . . , N) that each control the flow rate of a fluid Fi (i=1, . . . , N) flowing into a processing chamber. These N mass flow controllers are linked together by a digital communication network. One of the mass flow controllers is a master MFC, and the remaining N?1 MFCs are slave MFCs. The master MFC receives a pressure set point and a plurality N of flow ratio set points from a host controller, and communicates these set points to all the slave MFCs. In this way, the pressure in the chamber is maintained at the pressure set point and the flow ratios Qi/QT are maintained at the flow ratio set points, where Qi is flow rate of the i-th fluid Fi, and QT=Q1+Q2+ . . . QN is the sum of all N flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Junhua Ding, Michael L'Bassi, Kaveh H. Zarkar, William R. Clark
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Patent number: 7706926Abstract: The present invention provides an advanced spray control system for controlling a sprayer, which comprises a controller, a plurality of sensors and feedback means, and an output means for controlling the application system of the sprayer. The controller receives inputs from the operator through a user interface, and/or various feedback signals from the sensors of the system (e.g., a flow meter, or a pressure transducer). After processing these inputs, the controller sends signals to other components of the sprayer, such as, the pump, the storage means, the boom sections, and/or the nozzles, to maintain or change their operating conditions. Also provided are a method of controlling a sprayer using the spray control system and a sprayer comprising the spray control system of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: John Peterson
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Publication number: 20100094569Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of fluid flow within a piping system is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: EXPRO METERS, INC.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Publication number: 20100088045Abstract: One embodiment provides a flow meter including an airfoil movably secured in the airflow path of a fan in an electronic system. The airfoil is configured to generate a lift component in response to the airflow. A sensor engages the airfoil and generates a signal in relation to the movement of the airfoil. Airflow parameters such as volumetric airflow rate and turbulence may be identified by an analysis of the movement of the airfoil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gordon McLean, Keith Manders Campbell, Raymond Todd Greggs, Carloine Magdy Metry
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Publication number: 20100063753Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: David P. Bour, Christopher L. Chua, Zhihong Yang
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Patent number: 7676331Abstract: A compressor drive torque estimating device suppresses a discrepancy between an estimated drive torque, which is based on a torque estimating device of a compressor, and an actual drive torque of the compressor. The discrepancy is due to delay in switching between employment of the torque estimating device and the actual drive torque of the compressor in judging the compressor torque. Thus, even in a transitional state immediately after the start of compression, the idling speed of an engine driving the compressor is controlled based on an accurate estimate of the compressor torque, to improve the stability of the engine idle speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata, Kazuma Miyazaki
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Publication number: 20100057382Abstract: A method for monitoring measurement of water resources controls a measurement meter to acquire and report measurement data of the water resource to a monitoring server through sending short messages comprising control commands. The method also presets a reporting period for the measurement meter to automatically acquire and report the measurement data to the monitoring server.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: CHENG-HSIU LI
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Patent number: 7672796Abstract: A method for providing a system for establishing a control valve performance in a process operation. The system includes establishing an expected flow rate for a control valve by measuring a differential pressure between an upstream and downstream position of a control valve of interest and using the formula Q = Cv × ? ? ( x ) × ? ? ? P G , measuring an actual flow rate across the control valve, comparing the actual flow rate with the expected flow rate to determine the difference in value between the actual and expected flow rate, determining if the difference is within an acceptable range of values from the expected flow rate and establishing the performance of the control valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Joseph Ching Hua Lee, Sharad Vishwasrao, Naveen Kashyap, Emelin Ornelas
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Patent number: 7664609Abstract: A device for impact sensing having at least two pressure sensors is described, where pressure values are communicated from the pressure sensors to a processor, and the processor performs impact sensing on the basis of the pressure value. The processor communicates the pressure values to additional vehicle systems, which use them to fulfill their own functions, or at least to carry out a plausibility check of their own pressure values.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Boris Adam, Christian Ohl
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Publication number: 20100017151Abstract: Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Brian M. Kerrigan, Randolph S. Kolvick, Jason A. Matteson, Thomas D. Pahel, JR., Mark E. Steinke
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Publication number: 20100010755Abstract: A method for the detection of diagnosis of a blockage of an impulse line in a pressure measurement transducer and a corresponding pressure measurement transducer are disclosed, in which at least one characteristic value is compared with at least one reference value for the analysis of at least one measurement signal and, depending on the result of the comparison, an action is triggered, wherein the, or every, characteristic value is produced, with the aid of at least single parameters of a model describing the transmission behavior of impulse lines with which the pressure measurement transducer is coupled to a line traversed by a fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2006Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventor: Christoph Paulitsch
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Publication number: 20090326839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Andrew J. Klosinski