Abstract: A method and system for determining change in a fluid's flow rate within a line. The pressure variation in a second fluid, separated from the first by a pumping membrane, is measured in response to energy applied in a time-varying manner to the second fluid. From the response of the second fluid to the applied energy, changes in the flow rate of the first fluid are determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measurement of tensile strength of materials, especially for indirectly measuring the tensile strength of weak rock and hard soil. The probe of the measuring device comprises a cylindrical body with an expandable flexible membrane designed to apply a uniform pressure to the walls of a cavity, such as a bore hole. There is no need to cut a core specimen to a particular shape for measurement, thus making it an attractive option for measurement of weakly bonded rock and hard soil.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is set in a conduit connected to a cylinder tube, and a temperature sensor is disposed within a chamber. Detection signals of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are sent to a control circuit. A sonic speed of the ultrasonic wave is corrected by using a relational formula or a map that is indicative of the relationship of the temperature and pressure of hydraulic oil to the sonic speed and that is stored in the storage device. A distance from an ultrasonic wave sensor to a bottom surface of the piston is calculated based on the sonic speed and a measurement time length detected by the ultrasonic wave sensor.

Abstract: In a tire pressure measurement system a display indicating whether a tire (1) has an inadmissible or incorrect tire pressure and which tire (1) has inadequate tire pressure, is only activated when the driver stops to refuel. One or more sensors (6) are located near to the tank for this purpose and these identify a fuel stop.

Abstract: A method for detecting a phase difference between first and second input signals is provided. The method includes modulating a duty cycle of first and second intermediate signals from a first duty cycle based on the phase difference between the first and second input signals. The method further includes creating a differential output signal based on the modulated duty cycles of the first and second intermediate signals that is related to the phase difference between the first and second input signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining fluid flow through a pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values.

Abstract: A method and system comprising providing a plurality of control signals, the control signals having one or more on periods that do not coincide with the on periods of the other control signals and a first frequency at which the one or more on periods are repeated, the method and system also including driving a plurality of process measurement transducers in response to the control signals by selectively coupling the transducers to ground, and capturing the output of the process measurement transducers within the one or more on periods of the control signals.

Abstract: A system and method for time constrained retrieval of sensor data includes a sensor monitor system coupled to a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is coupled to a device having a variety of variable parameters to be sensed at intervals within a given timeframe. When at least some of the parameter values are relatively stable within the intervals, the sensor monitor system selectively requests parameter values from only a subset of the sensors at one or more intervals. However, preferably, a parameter value is obtained for each parameter at least once within the timeframe. In such a case, a current set of parameter values includes the most recently obtained parameter values for each parameter, regardless of the interval from which each parameter value was obtained.

Abstract: As distinguished from conventional fluid flow vorticity determination methodologies, which must simultaneously measure all velocity components at plural locations, vorticity determination is inventively effected whereby velocity components are non-simultaneously (sequentially) measured at the various locations. At least three locations in the fluid are selected, a velocity signal is generated at each location, a reference signal (such as relating to pressure, acceleration or force) is generated at each location simultaneously with the generation of the velocity signal at such location, the time intervals between reference signals are recognized, and the foregoing information is received and/or considered by a computer system which mathematically accomplishes simultaneity of the generation of the velocity signals, thereby computing the vorticity as if such simultaneity has actually occurred.

Abstract: The real mass flow rate is calculated for a variety of gases. The variety of gases are classified into a plurality of classifications, and representative discharge coefficients are previously determined for the respective classifications. When an upstream pressure and a temperature are detected for a certain gas on an upstream side of the sonic nozzle, a theoretical mass flow rate is calculated. After the theoretical mass flow rate is calculated, reference is made to a theoretical mass flow rate-discharge coefficient correspondence table recorded in a memory corresponding to the classification of the gas to select a desired discharge coefficient. After the discharge coefficient is selected, a real mass flow rate is determined with a product of the selected discharge coefficient and the theoretical mass flow rate.

Abstract: The accurate determination of the presence of a fluid in a container is determined by assessing the difference in various pressure readings relative to a threshold value. The method distinguishes between actual aspiration of a fluid and aspiration of a film that can otherwise lead one to believe that fluid has been aspirated when it has not. The method is particularly useful in clinical analyzers such as automated enzyme immunoassay devices.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for detecting the proximity of conventionally hard-to-detect materials having a complex permittivity and/or a complex permeability is disclosed. The system includes an oscillator for producing an output signal, the oscillator having a transistor with an open and a closed loop gain and a base-emitter junction that rectifies resonant signals at the collector to produce the output signal. The oscillator includes negative feedback including a resistive element coupled to the emitter for reducing the sensitivity of the closed loop gain to variations in the transistor's open loop gain and a capacitive element coupling the resistive element to the collector for stabilizing the frequency of the oscillator. The detection system further includes a sensor coupled to the oscillator for varying the level of the oscillator output signal in response to certain electrical properties of the material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the amount of water in the vapor of multiple zones of a calcination or oxidation operation have been developed. The process begins with calibration of a vessel housing a capacitance probe. The level of water in a vessel housing the capacitance probe is adjusted so as to immerse from about 5 to about 15 percent of the probe and measuring and recording an initial capacitance, CI. A measured amount of vapor is passed through a condenser, the condensed water is conducted to the vessel and a final capacitance, CF, is measured and recorded. The change in capacitance is calculated, &Dgr;C=(CF−CI), and the difference, &Dgr;C, is used along with the calibration to determine the amount of water condensed. With the amount of water condensed and the measured amount of vapor passed through the vessel, the amount of water in the vapor may be readily calculated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the fluid consumption of a user over a given measurement time, including a volumetric meter (26) connected to a central information processing unit (28). This unit is designed to take a series of readings at successive intervals in said measurement time, so as to compare each reading with a reference value that corresponds to a predetermined nominal consumption threshold and thus from this deduce the quantity consumed over said measurement time corresponding to consumption with a flow rate higher than the nominal consumption threshold.

Abstract: In a tire air pressure estimating apparatus, wheel speeds of respective wheels are successively calculated when a vehicle is running. At least one of a tire resonance frequency and a tire spring constant is extracted from vibration frequency components included in a wheel speed signal with respect to each of tires. Tire air pressures of drive wheels are estimated based on the extracted tire resonance frequencies or the tire spring constants. Rotational state values (e.g. wheel speed values) of driven wheel tires are calculated based on the detected wheel speeds. Tire air pressures of driven wheels are estimated based on a deviation of the rotational state values of the driven wheel tires.

Abstract: Oil field management systems and methods for managing operation of one or more wells producing a high void fraction multiphase flow. The system includes a differential pressure flow meter which samples pressure readings at various points of interest throughout the system and uses pressure differentials derived from the pressure readings to determine gas and liquid phase mass flow rates of the high void fraction multiphase flow. One or both of the gas and liquid phase mass flow rates are then compared with predetermined criteria. In the event such mass flow rates satisfy the predetermined criteria, a well control system implements a correlating adjustment action respecting the multiphase flow. In this way, various parameters regarding the high void fraction multiphase flow are used as control inputs to the well control system and thus facilitate management of well operations.

Abstract: A fault protective device (48) for limiting the maximum current and voltage applicable to electronic components and wiring (26, 30) located in the fuel tank (10) of an aircraft. Particularly, a fuel gauging system circuit (18) extends from a generator (20) located outside the tank to at least one probe (14) located in the tank and from the probe to instrumentation (24) outside the tank. The device is electrically coupled to the circuit at the tank wall (28) and includes a voltage clamp (50) and series inductor-capacitor resonant circuit (46), so that the resonant circuit provides a low series impedance when applied with a signal at the operating frequency of the input signal applied by the generator but provides a high series impedance when experiencing a signal of a different frequency indicative of a system fault.

Abstract: A process parameter sensor for a material processing system includes a conduit configured to contain material from the material processing system. A plurality of motion transducers is operative to produce a plurality of motion signals representing motion at a number of locations on the conduit. An overdetermined process parameter estimator is responsive to the plurality of motion transducers and configured to receive the plurality of motion signals. The overdetermined process parameter estimator is operative to resolve conduit motion into motion attributable to each of a predetermined number of forces and to estimate a process parameter associated with a material in the conduit according to the resolved motion, wherein the number of locations exceeds the number of forces such that the plurality of motion signals provides an overdetermined information set for resolution of conduit motion into motion attributable to the predetermined number of forces.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for detection of fluid leakage through a membrane in a fluid flow control system. The fluid flow control system has a first chamber and a second chamber. A membrane is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber has a connection to a pressure tank, the pressure tank has a fluid with a pressure, and the connection defines a fluid path. The method indudes in a first step, blocking the fluid path. The pressure of the fluid in the pressure tank is then adjusted. The pressure is measured in the pressure tank which creates a pressure measurement at each of a first set of multiple timed intervals while the fluid path is blocked and after the pressure is adjusted. A blocked pressure rate is calculated based on the pressure measurements in the pressure tank at the first set of multiple timed intervals. Next, the fluid path is unblocked.

Abstract: An apparatus for calculating fluid flow in a channel including a very low profile probe which detects fluid depth in the channel; a mechanism for measuring average fluid velocity in the channel; a mechanism for correcting the detected fluid depth based upon the measured average fluid velocity to account for drawdown; and a mechanism for calculating average flow rate based upon the average fluid velocity measurement and the corrected fluid depth value. The probe has a height to width ratio of less than 0.52.

Abstract: An automated, computer-controlled landfill gas recovery system includes a number of equipment vaults, with each vault being associated with one or more wells in the landfill. The wells are in fluid communication with a piping system located in the associated vault, with the piping system including a main pneumatic control valve that can be adjusted to establish gas flow rate through the well or wells. Also, each vault includes a shielded enclosure that holds sensors and a local vault controller for generating signals representative of flow rate, vacuum, and oxygen/methane/carbon dioxide content of the gas being extracted from the well. These signals are sent to a remote computer. Based on the signals generated by the sensors, the computer communicates with each vault controller to control the pneumatic control valve of each vault to establish a gas flow rate from the associated well as appropriate to accord with one of several user-selected process control regimes.

Abstract: A method in a pressure transmitter and a pressure transmitter for determining a mass flow rate of a fluid in a conduit measure a differential pressure between two points in the fluid, where the conduit has a substantially constant cross-sectional area between the two points. In one aspect, the mass flow rate is calculated by multiplying the square-root of the differential pressure by a mass flow constant.

Abstract: A signal processor comprises wheel speed-detecting means for detecting a wheel speed signal including vibrational components of a tire, extraction means for extracting a resonant frequency of the vibrational components of the tire or a tire spring constant based on the wheel speed signals, air pressure-estimating means for estimating a tire air pressure based on the resonant frequency or the tire spring constant, and determining means for determining whether the estimated tire air pressure is abnormal or not by comparing with a determination value. Further, correcting means corrects at least one of the determination value, the estimated tire air pressure, the resonant frequency and the tire spring constant in response to a tire temperature. A temperature-sensing device is mounted inside the signal processor to detect a temperature associated with the tire temperature.

Abstract: The static pressure within an air-supported structure is monitored and controlled in accordance with monitored environmental conditions. The static pressure is kept at the minimum value required to maintain the structures's integrity, thereby using a minimum amount of energy. As outside wind velocity incrementally increases, the static pressure is increased incrementally. Under certain weather conditions such as high winds and frozen precipitation, the static pressure is increased to a maximum limit. As a safety feature, a secondary inflation device is activated to assist a primary inflation device to quickly increase pressure in the structure in response to a sudden loss in pressure.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a filtered signal which indicates of a flow of fluid to a fluid pressure communication conduit, the flow being dependent upon the pressure of fluid in a chamber. The pressure in the chamber is controlled by one or more pressure adjusting valves. The invention provides for receiving into a data processing module one or more valve signals indicating open states of the pressure adjusting valve or valves, and also a flowrate signal from a flowrate sensor, which represents the real instantaneous flowrate, and it is this signal which needs to be filtered to remove transients. The invention provides for choosing between a first processing mode and a second processing mode for the flowrate signal. The first processing mode is used when the second processing mode is not in effect, and when neither of the valve signals indicates an open valve. The second processing mode is activated a valve signal indicates an open valve.

Abstract: Data processing system for calculating the flowrate of air from a pressurized reservoir to an air pressure communication line. A pressure sensor is connected to the reservoir to provide an analog signal indicating pressure, which is converted into a digital pressure signal. The system also has a sensor connected to pressure ports upstream and downstream of an orifice, located between the reservoir and the air pressure communication line. This provides an analog differential pressure signal which is converted into a digital differential pressure signal, which is processed to obtain a first digital flowrate signal. This is combined with the digital pressure signal to obtain a flowrate correction value, from which a revised flowrate value is obtained. This revised flowrate value may be sent to an operator of the system, to a control system, or to an alarm system.

Abstract: An automated gas cylinder monitoring system includes: a data storage collar associated with a gas cylinder including a resident memory and an insulated housing, the insulated housing being configured for coupling with a gas cylinder; a read/write probe for writing data to and receiving data from the resident memory of said data storage collar; measuring devices for determining the volume of gas in a gas cylinder; and a host computer for transmitting information to and receiving information from the read/write probe.

Abstract: An integrated modular measurement system includes a universal module which is operable to receive measurement data from one or more measurement sensors, convert the measurement data into a value that represents a characteristic being measured and indicate the value to a user in a plurality of signal formats. An input module is coupled to the universal module and is operable to house one or more measurement sensors. The universal module and input module together operate to provide versatile measurement acquisition. A custom calibrated sensor module includes one or more sensors and a memory associated with and local to the one or more sensors. The memory contains calibration information which is uniquely associated with the sensors. In taking a measurement, the calibration information associated with the sensor taking the measurement is accessible for conversion instructions to thereby improve conversion accuracy.

Abstract: Methods of fluid handling are disclosed. In one method, a pump fluidly associated with a nozzle is energized to move a first fluid with respect to the nozzle. Pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with a pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle during movement of the first fluid. An average of the pressure substantially continuously monitored is calculated. The calculated average is used to determine a threshold. The pump fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to move a second fluid with respect to the nozzle. Pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with a pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle during movement of the second fluid. The substantially continuously monitored pressure is integrated. The threshold is compared with the integrated pressure to determine whether movement of the second fluid was intended or unintended.

Abstract: A device (10) for automatically determining filtration parameters for a sample of a filter aid material includes a measurement tube assembly (14) comprising a generally vertical measurement tube (34) and a septum (40) disposed within the tube for forming a filter cake of a filter aid material, a plurality of actuatable valves (V1-V12) coupled to the inlet (32) and discharge (44) of the measurement tube assembly for controlling water flow into and out of the assembly, a control and processor system (17) including a computer (200) operable to control the valves in accordance with a predetermined cycle to flush a slurry of filter aid into the measurement tube assembly and then cause water to flow under pressure through the measurement tube assembly and through a filter cake formed on the septum, and instrumentation (110, 120, 122, 130, 140) for measuring parameters needed for determining filtration parameters.

Abstract: A controller comprised of a high speed central processing unit, at least about 32 analog input channels operatively connected to the central processing unit, at least about 48 digital input channels operatively connected to the central processing unit, at least about 32 digital output channels operatively connected to the central processing unit, at least 20 control input channels connected to the central processing unit, and electroluminescent display means for displaying graphical information connected to the central processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the exhaust flowrate from an internal combustion engine (112) includes a laminar flowmeter (116). The flowmeter includes a capillary section (18) of ceramic material including an array of capillary tubes. Signals from a differential pressure sensor (128) which measures pressure loss across the capillary section as well as an absolute pressure sensor (126) and a temperature sensor (130) are input to a computer (134). The computer is programmed to calculate the flowrate of exhaust gas from the engine through its operating range.

Abstract: An automated gas permeameter measures permeabilities of porous samples, such as rocks, ranging from 0.1 milliDarcys to 10 Darcys within 0.5% under dry and humid conditions. The automated gas permeameter includes a program for estimating a coarse permeablity value. The program uses the coarse value to determine settling time for pressure to reach steady state within 0.1% and optimal operating conditions, such as the setting of mass flow rates imposed on the sample. Operating conditions of the permeameter are set by the program according to the resolution and range of flow controllers, accuracy of a pressure transducer, and the limit of applicability of Darcy's law for a sample.