Radiant Energy Patents (Class 702/49)
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Patent number: 11255710Abstract: A disclosed mass flow meter/controller includes: a flow tube to direct a fluid from an inlet of the flow tube to an outlet of the flow tube; an actuator to cause a vibration in the flow tube; a light source to emit light; at least one beam splitter to split the light emitted by the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam; a first optical sensor to output first measurements of a first position of a first location on the flow tube based on detecting the first light beam; a second optical sensor to output second measurements of a second position of a second location on the flow tube based on detecting the second light beam; and control circuitry to determine a mass flow rate and/or a density of the fluid in the flow tube based on the first and second measurements.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Vladimir Krakhman
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Patent number: 11002583Abstract: A flow measurement method for optical measurement of a volume flow of a fluid in a closed cross-section, and a flow measurement device for this purpose, has at least one light source and at least one sensor unit. Particles present in the fluid are detected within a measurement plane by the sensor unit. At least one measurement plane and the particles present therein are illuminated with the light source. The sensor unit is provided with at least two or with a plurality of individual detectors with which sensor signals are outputted. A computing unit is connected downstream of the sensor unit, with which the sensor signals are processed in real time by integrating and weighting the individual signals of the individual detectors using a spatial-filtering technique and outputted as an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: SIKA DR. SIEBERT & KÜHN GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Bastian Wilke, Nils Damaschke, Andre Kleinwächter, Martin Schäper
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Patent number: 10690532Abstract: A method of determining a fraction of one or more phases in a multi-phase fluid in a conduit is provided. The method includes exciting (602) a sensing device to cause emission of electromagnetic waves of a range of frequencies into a multi-phase fluid. The sensing device comprises an antenna and a dielectric layer, selected to cause resonance in at least one of a first set of frequencies or a second set of frequencies based on a flow state of the multi-phase fluid, when placed proximate to the multi-phase fluid. The method also includes receiving (604) transmitted or reflected electromagnetic waves from the multi-phase fluid. The flow state of the multi-phase fluid is selected (606) based on a classification parameter. Fractions are determined (608) utilizing at least one fraction determination model that is selected based on the flow state of the multi-phase fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Prafull Sharma, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat, Vikram Melapudi
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Patent number: 10690529Abstract: Ultrasonic measurements are made of a multiphase fluid (oil, water and gas) in pipe or conduits with high values of gas content in the multiphase fluid. Ultrasonic transceivers are positioned around the pipe wall in acoustic contact with the fluid system. The fluid flow is caused to move in a vortex or swirling flow with vortex inducing elements located in the pipe upstream of the transceivers, forcing the gas phase to a cylindrical area at the center of multiphase flow in the pipe, with water and oil multiphase fluid components forming an outer annular flow. Measures of cross sectional composition of the gas portion of multiphase fluid are provided based on the reflected waves from the interface. Tomographic images of the relative presence and position of the three fluid phases are also formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10539497Abstract: A method and a flow cytometer system in which a light path is aligned to optimally direct light from a light source to a flow cell of a flow cytometer instrument are provided. The flow cytometer may include an orientable mirror disposed in the light path between the light source and the flow cell. By changing an orientation of the mirror through a sequence of different orientations, an optimal orientation of the mirror may be determined, and the mirror may be oriented accordingly before proceeding to conduct a flow cytometry investigation.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Essen Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Smolak, Erica Dawson Tenent, Kathy L. Rowlen, Garrett S. Wilson, Christopher H. Converse, Evan M. Toth
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Patent number: 10175075Abstract: A device for measuring properties of a fluid flow includes a pipe having a first pipe section which includes a fluid flow modifying feature for causing a liquid part of the fluid flow to form an annular layer at an inner wall of a second pipe section arranged downstream of the first pipe section, the second pipe section including a near field probe for applying a low frequency signal to the annular layer and a full volume field probe for applying a high frequency signal into the second pipe section, and a third pipe section arranged downstream of the second pipe section, the third pipe section including a resonance enabling element that together with at least the second pipe section provides a resonator which captures parts of the frequency range of the full volume field probe.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea ASInventors: Anders Eriksson, Svein-Petter Hanserud, Truls-Martin Larsen, Arnstein Wee
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Patent number: 9785731Abstract: A method of projection a production characteristic includes receiving down well video image data depicting multiphase flow within the well, determining a flow rate data of at least one phase of the multiphase flow based on the down well video image data, and projecting the production characteristic based at least in part on the determined flow rate using a well performance model.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: DATAINFOCOM USA, INC.Inventors: Frederick Johannes Venter, Atanu Basu
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Patent number: 9166709Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying ambient signal data in a test signal data set. A cumulative amplitude distribution of data elements is identified in the test signal data set in order by amplitude values. The data elements comprise frequency values and corresponding amplitude values. A subset of data elements from the test signal data set is identified. The subset of data elements comprises the data elements with the amplitude values greater than a first threshold value. The data elements in the subset of data elements are identified wherein a difference between the amplitude values of adjacent data elements in the cumulative amplitude distribution of data elements is greater than a second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Ryan Lee Carlson
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Patent number: 9046339Abstract: Methods for determining improving quantitative and qualitative motion contrast information collected with optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are presented. In one embodiment, flow within a cross-sectional area of a sample is calculated independent of the Doppler and en face angles using a bidirectional OCT system. In another embodiment, motion contrast images are improved by averaging motion contrast information collected from a bidirectional OCT system.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.Inventors: Cedric Blatter, Rainer A. Leitgeb
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Publication number: 20150149099Abstract: A flow measuring device, comprising a container for receiving a flow of liquid, a plurality of optical sensors associated with the container, each of the plurality of optical sensors producing an output signal dependent upon the presence of liquid reaching a level in the container associated with each optical sensor, means for modifying the output signal in accordance with at least one predetermined temperature compensation factor, and means for calculating a flow rate from the time at which the liquid traverses between two levels in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Malcolm Charles Brown, Keith Norman McMann
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Patent number: 9031810Abstract: A system and method for enhanced and expanded localized geometry characterization. Objects of interest are enhanced, detected, and classified according to user-defined parameters, and this enables enhanced contrast and more accurate feature detection, as well as more accurately defined feature object regions for feature geometry measurement and characterization.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Inventors: Haiguang Chen, Jaydeep K. Sinha, Sergey Kamensky
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Publication number: 20140324366Abstract: An example system includes a separator that accepts and separates a multiphase flowback effluent stream into a plurality of secondary streams. A first sensor assembly monitors the multiphase flowback effluent stream and generates a first signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of the multiphase flowback effluent stream. A second sensor assembly monitors one of the plurality of secondary streams and generates a second signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of the one of the plurality of secondary streams. A signal processor receives the first and second signals and determines a mass flow rate of a substance present in both the multiphase flowback effluent stream and the one of the plurality of secondary streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Matthew Ljungdahl, Sean A. Roach, Alexis Wachtel
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Patent number: 8874374Abstract: A method and system for determining a rate of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation (TKED) in a turbulent fluid environment are provided. A light source provided at a first end of a predetermined path-length passes a beam of light through the turbulent fluid environment. An angle of arrival detection unit detects the angle of arrival of the at least one beam of light. The angle of arrival is then processed at a processing unit that calculates temperature dissipation spectra as a function of the autocorrelation of the angle of arrival. The peak of the temperature dissipation spectra represents the rate of TKED. A number of turbulent quantities can be determined by using the method and system.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Inventor: Darek J. Bogucki
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Patent number: 8855947Abstract: Various methods of metering a multi-phase composition in a pipe using patch antenna(s), that operate in a radio or microwave frequency range, are disclosed including locating and then exciting the patch antenna(s) over a range of frequencies; measuring transmitted and reflected signals over time; estimating a shift in a resonant frequency from a baseline resonant frequency; then calculating a permittivity of the composition, based on the shift; and calculating a phase composition of the multi-phase composition. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Prafull Sharma, Manoj Kumar Koyithitta Meethal, Mandar Diwakar Godbole
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Patent number: 8849593Abstract: The present invention provides a water heater, including a combustor, a gas pipe, a combustion controller, a pressure gauge, and a controller. The gas pipe supplies the combustor gas. The combustion controller controls combustion of the combustor. The pressure gauge detects a gas pressure in the gas pipe and generates an electrical signal in association with the gas pressure. The controller is electrically connected to the gas gauge and the combustion controller to receive the electrical signal from the gas gauge and controls the combustion controller according to the electrical signal to adjust the combustion of the combustor. In addition, the present invention further provides a method of controlling the water heater.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Grand Mate Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Kuan-Chou Lin, Yen-Jen Yen
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Patent number: 8843281Abstract: Seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods of planting seed are provided. Such meters, planters, and methods may include a housing defining a chamber, a seed disc rotatably coupled to the housing and at least partially positioned within the chamber with the seed disc adapted to engage a seed, and a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the seed after the seed disengages the seed disc and before the seed exits the seed meter. The sensor may be coupled to a seed chute of the seed meter and may detect a wide variety of seed characteristics such as seed position within the seed chute, seed size, and seed shape. The seed characteristic may be used to adjust operation of the seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods. In some instances, the adjustment may be manual. In other instances, the adjustment may be automatic.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Courtney N. Achen, Marvin L. Bachman
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Patent number: 8798942Abstract: In a method and a device for phase-sensitive flow measurement of a volume segment of an examination subject in a measurement system, the volume segment is divided into multiple partial volume segments and the following steps are executed repeatedly until the volume segment has been completely measured: movement of a table such that a center of one of the partial volume segments to be measured essentially corresponds to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance system, and implementation of the phase-sensitive flow measurement for the partial volume segment to be measured while the center of the partial volume segment essentially corresponds to the isocenter.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Greiser, Edgar Mueller, Michael Zenge
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Publication number: 20140200838Abstract: A water saving device including a housing and a processor disposed within the housing. The processor calculates a water volume expended over a period of time based on a predetermined volumetric flow rate and time. A sensor is disposed within the housing for sensing the presence of a user. The sensor is operably connected to the processor. The sensor generates a signal to cause the processor to begin calculating the water volume upon sensing the presence of a user. A display indicates the expended water volume and is operatively connected to the processor. The display shows a virtual water level which rises as time and water usage increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GREEN STARTS HERE, LLCInventor: Kevin Myers
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Patent number: 8712703Abstract: The invention comprises a turbulence sensor and sensor system for determining the condition of a wind turbine blade. A turbulence sensor comprises a sensor membrane provided in the surface of a wind turbine blade. A light source and light detector provided in a sensor cavity in the blade illuminate the sensor membrane and detect the light reflected back. The reflected light is mixed with non-reflected light to give an interference pattern indicative of the quality of the airflow, whether it is laminar or turbulent. The turbulence sensor can be used in a sensor system for detecting the accumulation of unwanted matter, such as dirt or ice, on the blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Ib Olesen
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Publication number: 20140110105Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring a multiphase fluid and determining a characteristic of the multiphase fluid. One system includes a flow path containing a fluid, at least one integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the fluid and thereby generate optically interacted light, at least one detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light from the at least one integrated computational element and generate an output signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of a phase of the fluid, and a signal processor communicably coupled to the at least one detector and configured to determine the at least one characteristic of the phase of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Robert P. Freese, Michael T. Pelletier, Robert Atkinson
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Patent number: 8639475Abstract: A system and method of signal detection from a given point, in which a radiative aperture, such as a sonar sensor, radar antenna, acoustic sensor, or the like, receives radiation from the point at more than one range. At each range, the signal incident on each point within the aperture is weighted by the cosine of the angle between a surface normal at the point on the aperture, and a vector from the point on the aperture to the given point. The physical size and shape of the aperture may also be changed to cause the aperture to subtend the same solid angle having the given point as the vertex, at each range. In this manner, the signal from the given point becomes aperture shape independent, facilitating object recognition and imaging.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Richard Rikoski
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Patent number: 8626457Abstract: Methods of and devices for testing medical pumps via tracking induced single or multiple bubble trajectories within a fluid flow conduit by detecting a periodic synchronization event, via bubble tracking of a signal processor unit comprising a central processing unit and addressable memory and methods of synchronized corrections of fluid flow data estimates based on the detected periodic synchronization events.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Pronk Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, Mirik Hovsepian
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Patent number: 8618497Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing apparatus including a plurality of drawing units each of which is configured to perform drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, a plurality of first processors configured to be selectively connectable to each of the plurality of drawing units, an information processor configured to determine, from the plurality of first processors, a first processor to be connected to a first drawing unit among the plurality of drawing units, based on drawing data, and a connection unit configured to connect the determined first processor to the first drawing unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Ohishi, Tomoyuki Morita
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Patent number: 8615370Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for estimating a mass of silicates in a fluid flowing in a member is disclosed. A magnetic field is induced in the fluid to align nuclei of the fluid along a direction of the magnetic field. A radio frequency signal is transmitted into the fluid from a transmitter to excite silicon nuclei present in the fluid. A signal is received from the silicon nuclei responsive to the transmitted radio frequency signal at a receiver. A processor estimates the mass of silicates in the fluid directly from the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Joo Tim Ong
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Publication number: 20130275061Abstract: A conveyor mechanism conveys a powder along a path. A first camera device arranged above the conveyor mechanism detects movement of a recognizable feature on an upper surface of the powder over a period of time. A velocity of the powder can be determined based on the movement of the recognizable feature over the period of time. A device can be used to generate the recognizable feature. A first light-emitting device can illuminate the upper surface to aid detection of the recognizable feature. A second light-emitting device can project a contour line on the upper surface, and a second camera device can be used to detect a position of the contour line. A cross sectional area of the powder can be correlated based on the position of the contour line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: ANUBIS MANUFACTURING CONSULTANTS CORP.Inventor: Tharwat Fouad-Fahmi
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Publication number: 20130211746Abstract: The multiphase flow measurement system and method includes video sensors and illumination along a pipe upstream, and a similar arrangement of sensors and illumination downstream displaced from the first location by a known distance utilized for velocity calculation between images at both locations. Image capturing and processing is done from video data at both locations. Objects corresponding to each flow phase in the video images are characterized and sorted by size, color, spectral properties, shapes, and pattern features using automatic pattern recognition. Image cross-correlation and pattern recognition are applied to each group of objects corresponding to one or more flow phases to estimate the velocity of each phase based on the delay calculation. Flow velocity is calculated from the weighted average of the phase velocities. Overall flow type is estimated using the estimated phase velocities and the areas occupied by the objects corresponding to each phase in the images.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALSInventors: MOUSTAFA ELSHAFEI, FOUAD AL-SUNNI, SAMI EL-FERIK
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Patent number: 8504310Abstract: An impact sensor is located in a distribution tower which divides the seed and/or nutrient flow into individual rows, and a second sensor provides a compensation signal dependent upon one or more variables such as the velocity of the air in the conveying system, implement vibrations. As the seed/fertilizer bounces off of the impact sensor and flows into the individual row air streams, the impact sensor provides a force signal to a processor which calculates the total particulate mass flow rate from the force signal and the air velocity signal. To determine individual seed and fertilizer rates, a rate controller temporarily changes the metering rate of one of the materials, and the processor then calculates the desired information from the mass flow change and meter speed change. Another embodiment includes seed sensor structure at the meter output for achieving or confirming accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Donald K. Landphair, James J. Phelan, James Z. Liu
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Publication number: 20130080082Abstract: A system for creating a flow cytometer network includes: a flow cytometer with an interrogation zone and a fixed gain detection system that collects sample data from the interrogation zone; a flow cytometer data center that stores and manages sample- related data from the flow cytometer; and a network communication module that communicates sample-related data between the flow cytometer and the data center. The system may include a second flow cytometer and a second network communication module, where the first and second flow cytometers are calibrated to have substantially identical fixed gain settings. A method for creating a flow cytometer network includes: calibrating first and second flow cytometers with a calibration solution; collecting sample data with a fixed gain detection system; uploading data to a flow cytometer data center; retrieving data from the data center; and performing data analysis on the retrieved data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: ACCURI CYTOMETERS, INC.Inventors: Grant C. Howes, Collin A. Rich
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Patent number: 8340913Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for analyzing phase properties in a microfluidic device. A fluid is introduced under pressure into microchannel, and phase states of the fluid are optically detected at a number of locations along the microchannel. Gas and liquid phases of the fluid are distinguished based on a plurality of digital images of the fluid in the microchannel. Bi-level images can be generated based on the digital images, and the fraction of liquid or gas in the fluid can be estimated versus pressure based on the bi-level images. Properties such as bubble point values and/or a phase volume distribution ratio versus pressure for the fluid are can be estimated based on the detected phase states of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Farshid Mostowfi, Younes Belahnech
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Publication number: 20120323502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Masazumi Tanoura, Kenji Muta, Atsushi Takita, Minoru Danno, Shinichiro Asami, Kageharu Moriyama, Daishi Ueno, Ichiro Awaya, Tadashi Aoki
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Publication number: 20120310553Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for estimating a mass of silicates in a fluid flowing in a member is disclosed. A magnetic field is induced in the fluid to align nuclei of the fluid along a direction of the magnetic field. A radio frequency signal is transmitted into the fluid from a transmitter to excite silicon nuclei present in the fluid. A signal is received from the silicon nuclei responsive to the transmitted radio frequency signal at a receiver. A processor estimates the mass of silicates in the fluid directly from the received signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Joo Tim Ong
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Patent number: 8296082Abstract: A performance inspection system for an array ultrasound transducer includes: a driver for selectively applying an electric signal to all or some parts of constituent channels of the array ultrasound transducer; an acoustic power measurement unit for measuring an ultrasound acoustic power emitted from individual channels receiving the same voltage from the driver; a radiation conductance conversion unit for measuring a voltage signal applied to each channel although the driver applies different voltages to the individual channels, and converting the measured voltage into an ultrasound acoustic power acquired when the same voltage is applied to the channels; and a channel uniformity estimation unit for estimating uniformity of the acoustic power value acquired by the radiation conductance conversion unit or uniformity of acoustic power values of the individual channels measured under the same voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceInventors: Yong-tae Kim, Moon-jae Jho, Sung-soo Jung, Ho-chul Kim, Yong-hyeon Yun
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Patent number: 8290632Abstract: A method for controlling the influx of fluids into a multizone well in which each inflow zone is provided with an inflow control device, comprises: assessing the flux of oil, gas, water and other effluents from the well; monitoring production variables, including ICD position and/or fluid pressure in each inflow zone upstream of each ICD and/or downstream of each ICD; sequentially adjusting the position of each of the ICDs and assessing the flux of crude oil, natural gas and/or other well effluents; monitoring production variables; deriving a zonal production estimation model for each inflow zone of the well; and adjusting each ICD to control the influx of crude oil, natural gas and/or other effluents into each inflow zone on the basis of data derived from the zonal production estimation model for each inflow zone of the well.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Jan Jozef Maria Briers, Keat-Choon Goh, Christophe Lauwerys, Peter Stefaan Lutgard Van Overschee, Henk Nico Jan Poulisse
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Publication number: 20120209543Abstract: Method for operating a thermal, flow measuring device and a thermal, flow measuring device having a first sensor having a first heatable, resistance thermometer and at least one additional, second sensor having a second heatable, resistance thermometer, wherein a decision coefficient is calculated according to the formula DC=(PC1?PC2)/PC1, wherein PC1(t=t1)=(t1)/(T1,heated;actual(t=t1)?Tmedium;actual(t=t1)) and P2,2(t=t2)=P2,2(t2)/(T2,heated;actual(t=t2)?Tmedium;actual(t=t2)), with P being the heating powers absorbed by the corresponding resistance thermometers at the points in time t and the temperature values T, wherein the value of the decision coefficient shows flow direction of a measured medium in the measuring tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: Emderss + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Axel Pfau, Vivek Kumar, Anastasios Badarlis
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Publication number: 20120203477Abstract: Methods of and devices for testing medical pumps via tracking induced single or multiple bubble trajectories within a fluid flow conduit (60) and methods of synchronized (600) corrections (604) of flow data estimates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: Karl A. Ruiter, Mirik Hovsepian
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Publication number: 20120143530Abstract: A portable device, a system and a method measure a volume of a vessel, such as, for example, an expandable bag and/or a pressurized vessel, using a light-emitting diode (LED) located within the portable device. A shaft which may extend from the portable device may be introduced into the vessel. The light emitted by the LED may travel through the shaft into the vessel, and light reflected by the interior of the vessel may travel through the shaft into the portable device. The shaft may be introduced into a container in which at least a portion of the vessel is located. The light emitted by the LED may travel through the shaft into the container, and light reflected by the interior of the container and/or the exterior of the vessel may travel through the shaft into the portable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventor: Bradley W. Engstrand
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Patent number: 8190404Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing airflow through a vehicle radiator and identifying how cooling openings in the vehicle affect airflow through the vehicle radiator. A plurality of pathlines each describing airflow through a vehicle front end and including a position identifier and velocity magnitude are computed. A plurality of intersection points are calculated to identify locations within a vehicle radiator that intersect with a generated pathline to identify pathlines from which air flows through the vehicle radiator. One or more elements are generated from the intersection points using a triangulation method, such as Delauney triangulation, so that the generated elements include intersection points as nodes and are non-overlapping. An airflow rate is calculated for each element based on the velocity magnitudes of the pathlines associated with the intersection points included in the element and the element area.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thomas N. Ramsay, Kurt Zielinski
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Publication number: 20120022803Abstract: A system and method for monitoring utilization and waste of a natural resource, such as water. Data is received indicating natural resource consumption by a facility. An indication of at least one period of natural resource usage by the facility is received. Natural resource usage corresponding to utilization of the natural resource for a useful purpose. Quantities of the natural resource consumed by the facility during the at least one period of water usage is recorded as a utilized quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: IAN ABBOTT DONNELLY, Youssef Drissi, Tyrone W. Grandison, Colin G. Harrison, Kaan K. Katircioglu, Jurij R. Paraszczak
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Publication number: 20120022804Abstract: A system in which a fluid flows characterized by a change with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. To select time points a calibration map is calculated using color hue indicative of wash-out and color intensity indicative of wash-in. A color coded output map is developed. The calibration map, the color coded output map and image are novel implementations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventor: Hadassa DEGANI
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Publication number: 20120004865Abstract: A method for measuring the mean velocity (VH) of an extracorporeal blood fluid or infusion fluid, by means of retroinjection interferometry, comprises the step of emitting a first laser light beam (41), from the laser cavity (40) of a semiconductor laser source (60), reflection of a second laser beam (45) by the fluid (50) and consequent generation of interference with the first laser beam (41) inside the laser cavity (40), detection of the interference signal by a monitoring photodiode (46), and processing, by means of an electronic processing and control circuit (100), of the interference signal detected. The invention also comprises an apparatus (62) for implementing the method described and an extracorporeal circuit (58) comprising said apparatus. The invention also comprises a method for replacing a laser source in said apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: DATAMED SRLInventors: Giampiero Porro, Roberto Pozzi, Alessandro Torinesi, Michele Norgia, Luigi Rovati
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Publication number: 20120004864Abstract: The invention provides an optical measuring apparatus having a plurality of measuring sections each having a light irradiating section for irradiating light to specimens and a light receiving section for receiving optical data acquired by irradiating the light to the specimens and a flow rate calculating section for calculating flow rate values of the specimens based on a difference of measured times of the optical data measured by the plurality of measuring sections with respect to the specimens and a distance between the plurality of measuring sections. The optical measuring apparatus measures the optical data of the specimens by irradiating light to the specimens, i.e., the objects to be measured, dispersed within a sample fluid flowing through a flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken Tsukii, Toru Takahashi, Jie Xu
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Patent number: 8067760Abstract: A fluid flow control system using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Fluidnet CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Carlisle, Charles E. Kramer, John M. Kirkman, Jr., Douglas E. Vincent
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Publication number: 20110246094Abstract: The invention comprises a turbulence sensor and sensor system for determining the condition of a wind turbine blade. A turbulence sensor comprises a sensor membrane provided in the surface of a wind turbine blade. A light source and light detector provided in a sensor cavity in the blade illuminate the sensor membrane and detect the light reflected back. The reflected light is mixed with non-reflected light to give an interference pattern indicative of the quality of the airflow, whether it is laminar or turbulent. The turbulence sensor can be used in a sensor system for detecting the accumulation of unwanted matter, such as dirt or ice, on the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Ib Olesen
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Publication number: 20110213573Abstract: A flow meter for monitoring fluid flow through a pipeline, the flow meter comprising a conduit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for communication with respective sections of the pipeline; a target element positioned inside the conduit between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the target element being mounted for resilient axial displacement under a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet; an arm secured at an anchor point on one side of the conduit and extending radially across the conduit, the target element being coupled to the arm for applying a load to the arm, upon said axial displacement of the target element, so as to deflect the arm relative to the anchor point; a sensor arrangement for measuring deflection of the arm at a point on the opposite side of the applied load to the anchor point; and a processor configured for providing a signal representative of the steam flow through the conduit in response to said measured deflection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: SPIRAX-SARCO LIMITEDInventors: Richard Quentin Carmichael, Roger Manley, Ben Frisby
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Publication number: 20110196625Abstract: Various methods of metering a multi-phase composition in a pipe using patch antenna(s), that operate in a radio or microwave frequency range, are disclosed including locating and then exciting the patch antenna(s) over a range of frequencies; measuring transmitted and reflected signals over time; estimating a shift in a resonant frequency from a baseline resonant frequency; then calculating a permittivity of the composition, based on the shift; and calculating a phase composition of the multi-phase composition. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Prafull Sharma, Manoj Kumar Koyithitta Meethal, Mandar Diwakar Godbole
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Publication number: 20110172935Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for determining forces which act on a body with a controlled volume which is provided inside the flow tunnel and in which the body is arranged. A first measuring means is used to measure a pressure distribution for each surface defining the controlled volume. A second measuring means measures a velocity field for each defining surface of the controlled volume. Furthermore, a calculation unit is provided for calculating the forces acting on the body as a function of the pressure distributions and velocity fields measured for the defining surfaces of the controlled volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Winfried Kuehn, Klaus-Peter Neitzke, Andreas Schroeder, Eric Wilhelmus Maria Roosenboom
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Publication number: 20110153231Abstract: In a method and a device for phase-sensitive flow measurement of a volume segment of an examination subject in a measurement system, the volume segment is divided into multiple partial volume segments and the following steps are executed repeatedly until the volume segment has been completely measured: movement of a table such that a center of one of the partial volume segments to be measured essentially corresponds to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance system, and implementation of the phase-sensitive flow measurement for the partial volume segment to be measured while the center of the partial volume segment essentially corresponds to the isocenter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Andreas Greiser, Edgar Mueller, Michael Zenge
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Publication number: 20110106397Abstract: Provided is a fluid measuring device for measuring flow speed of a fluid in detail. A fluid measuring device (10) is provided with a plurality of detecting sections (30, 40) and a calculating section (50). The detecting sections are arranged with a space in between on a pipe line (22) wherein a fluid flows, and the detecting sections detect parameters which change corresponding to a change of the state of the fluid. The calculating section calculates the flow speed of the fluid, based on the time shift (?T) of the parameter change detected by the pair of detecting sections and on a distance (L) along the pipe line of the pair of detecting sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kenji Muta, Masazumi Tanoura, Atsushi Takita, Daishi Ueno, Tadashi Aoki, Mitsunobu Sekiya
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Publication number: 20110087447Abstract: Fluid flows through a conduit. To measure flow speed the fluid is heated at a heating location in the conduit with a time-dependent heating strength. A speed of sound in fluid flowing in the conduit is measured at a plurality of sensing locations downstream from said heating location. The flow speed of the fluid is determined from a delay with which the time dependence is detected in the sound speeds measured at said sensing locations. In an embodiment a frequency of the variation of heating strength that is used to determine the flow speed is selected automatically dependent on the flow speed and/or other circumstances.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Arno Willem Frederik Volker, Leon Ferdinand Gerard Geers, Huibert Blokland, Theodoor Peter Martijn Hunter
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Publication number: 20110029261Abstract: Provided is a fluid measurement device and the like for measuring flow velocity of a fluid in detail.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Kenji Muta, Masazumi Tanoura, Atsushi Takita, Daishi Ueno, Tadashi Aoki, Mitsunobu Sekiya, Hikaru Tsukakoshi, Kiyoshi Mine