Liquid Level Or Volume Determination Patents (Class 702/55)
  • Patent number: 8635024
    Abstract: A sensing device for use in determining at least one attribute of a weather event comprising a plurality of elements. The sensing device can comprise a pressure sensitive surface. The pressure sensitive surface can comprise a pressure sensor. In response to receiving pressure applied by one of the elements, the pressure sensor can generate an output. A first attribute of the at least one attribute of the weather event is determinable at least in part from the output. A system, method, and computer program product for use in determining the at least one attribute are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Brillhart, Nicholas J. Karels
  • Patent number: 8630814
    Abstract: Apparatus, including an ultrasonic liquid level gauge and control system, includes a gauge configured to be coupled on the outside of a device, having a boiler or hot water tank, having liquid contained therein. The gauge is also configured to receive and contain a small part of the liquid of the device; and an ultrasonic transducing and signal processing arrangement configured to: reflect an ultrasonic pulse off a liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge, and determine the level of liquid in the device based at least partly on a time of flight analysis related to the ultrasonic pulse reflected off the liquid surface of the small part of the liquid of the device contained in the gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC.
    Inventors: Andrew A. Cheng, James J. Gu, John E. Branzell
  • Publication number: 20140005959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a pulsed radar level gauge system, comprising the steps of: acquiring a signal indicative of a present operating temperature; determining an initial frequency control parameter for control of at least one of transmission signal generating circuitry and reference signal generating circuitry based on the present operating temperature and a plurality of data sets each comprising data indicative of a previous operating temperature and a previously determined frequency control parameter for the previous operating temperature; and controlling, starting from the initial frequency control parameter, at least one of the transmission signal generating circuitry and the reference signal generating circuitry to achieve the known frequency difference between the first pulse repetition frequency and the second pulse repetition frequency at the present operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR AB
    Inventors: Leif Nilsson, Håkan Delin, Håkan Nyberg
  • Patent number: 8620603
    Abstract: A tank to contain a fluid includes a tank wall having an inner surface. A vane is disposed within the tank. The vane is configured to facilitate extraction of fluid from the tank. The vane may include an electrically conductive material. The tank also includes a first connector to electrically couple at least one portion of the tank wall to a capacitance sensing device and a second connector to electrically couple at least one portion of the vane to the capacitance sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kimberly P. Hicks, David M. Van Leuven
  • Publication number: 20130317766
    Abstract: A dual sensor sediment monitoring system for stormwater management facilities comprises a capacitive sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. The former periodically determines if a liquid layer exists above the sediment and activates the ultrasonic sensor when it does not. The echo delay measured by the ultrasonic sensor is used to calculate the sediment level, which is wirelessly transmitted to a remote computer for database compilation and use in scheduling maintenance involving sediment removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Decker
  • Publication number: 20130317764
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring a liquid product held in a sealed vessel and determining taxes that will be owed on the liquid product at a future dumping time. The apparatus and method also allow one to determine fault conditions within a sealed vessel as well as to determine when the product in the sealed vessel is ready for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar, Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, Patrick J. Garrity
  • Patent number: 8594954
    Abstract: Method of estimating the volume (Vtk) of a tank (1), comprising: a step of calculating the volume (Vtk) of the tank (1) by applying the law of conservation of enthalpy (H) of the gas, considering that the transfer of the checking stream of gas is adiabatic (Ttk(t1)=Ttk(t2) and Tsi(t1)=Tsi(t2)), expressing the enthalpy of the gas in the tank as a function only of the temperature Ttk(ti) of the gas and the pressure Ptk(ti) of the gas (Htk=function of (Ttk(ti); Ptk(ti)), using the perfect gas law or a Van der Waals equation of state expressing the volume of the tank Vtk(ti) (in cubic meters) only as a function of the known or previously estimated variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jonathan Macron, Loïc Damongeot
  • Patent number: 8587443
    Abstract: A gas level display controller sequentially calculates a mass of a compressed gas stored in a tank and makes a comparison between a first calculated value obtained at a first timing and a second calculated value obtained at a second timing later than the first timing. When the second calculated value is smaller than the first calculated value, the gas level display controller makes the remaining amount of the compressed gas in the tank displayed on a predetermined display device, based on the second calculated value. When the second calculated value is not smaller than the first calculated value, the gas level display controller makes the remaining amount of the compressed gas in the tank displayed on the predetermined display device, based on the first calculated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Kanie
  • Patent number: 8583387
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a diagnostic assessment of an ultrasonic sensor that measures a fluid level. A PWM signal is generated based on a reflection of an ultrasonic signal output by the ultrasonic sensor. The PWM has a period, and a plurality of pulses. Each pulse encodes a predetermined parameter and has a width. The PWM signal encodes the fluid level, fluid temperature, fluid speed of sound, and a status of the ultrasonic transducer. The PWM signal is received at a processor. The processor performs the diagnostic assessment of the ultrasonic sensor based on the period of the PWM signal and the widths of the plurality of pulses of the PWM signal. The processor is able to detect time reference shifts by assessing the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Murphy
  • Publication number: 20130297235
    Abstract: Capacitances are measured for a level measurement capacitive sensor (18) spanning from a lower end to a higher end of a fluid level measurement range (30), a first capacitive calibration sensor (20) below the fluid level measurement range (30), and a second capacitive calibration sensor (22) above the fluid level measurement range (30). A degree to which the lower end of the fluid level measurement range (30) is immersed in a first fluid and the upper end of the fluid level measurement range (30) is immersed in a second fluid is determined based on a capacitance of the level measurement capacitive sensor (18), a first calibration value characterizing the first fluid and derived from a capacitance of the first capacitive calibration sensor (20), and a second calibration value characterizing the second fluid and derived from a capacitance of the second capacitive calibration sensor (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J. Oldfield, Nissim Hen, Assaf Pines
  • Patent number: 8570605
    Abstract: A patch is printed on a printing medium, and ink discharge amount information is acquired from a colorimetric value that is acquired by measuring a printed patch. According to the information, color correction is performed on image data to be processed for printing, using a correction table that corresponds to a designated type of printing media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Murase
  • Publication number: 20130275062
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for monitoring the levels of propane or other consumable liquid in remotely located storage tanks and coordinating delivery of liquid to those tanks, including an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to identify out-of-ordinary conditions at remote tanks, optimally schedule purchases or deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: RICHARD L. HUMPHREY
  • Patent number: 8555697
    Abstract: The invention relates to the method and apparatus for forming the calibration chart used to measure the amount of fuel inside the fuel tanks (1) which comprises at least one laser distance measurement device (2) positioned inside said fuel tank (1) and measuring the distance between itself and the inner wall of said fuel tank (1) at separate points, at least one main shaft (14) providing said distance measurement device (2) with rotational movement circularly in the direction of B through up to 360 degrees and in the upward-downward direction of A through up to 270 degrees and at least one inclinometer (4) positioned on the surface (9) and measuring the angle X between said fuel tank (1) and the ground on which it is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Asis Akaryakit Servis Istasyon Sistemleri Ve Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi
    Inventor: Yusuf Kaya
  • Patent number: 8554495
    Abstract: Systems and methods for head impact injury prediction. A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user. The generated indicator is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: X2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw, Robert Snook
  • Patent number: 8554496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Abbott Donnelly, Youssef Drissi, Tyrone W. Grandison, Colin G. Harrison, Kaan K. Katircioglu, Jurij R. Paraszczak
  • Publication number: 20130261996
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a level of fuel in a tank, comprising determining a dielectric constant of fuel in a tank; measuring a capacitance of an unknown depth of the fuel in the tank; and calculating the depth using the dielectric constant and the capacitance. Embodiments of the apparatus utilize a capacitor plate submerged in the fuel to determine the dielectric constant of the fuel, and then use a plate of a separate capacitor to determine the fuel level, once the dielectric constant is known.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: STARTRAK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert Perten
  • Publication number: 20130261812
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a hot water tank (10) of a hot water heating system, particularly with a view to minimising the energy consumed in supplying sufficient hot water. The apparatus comprises at least two tank temperature sensors (4, 5, 6) for sensing the temperature at at least two different tank heights and generating respective sensor signals in response to the sensed temperatures; a processing arrangement (22) configured to receive the tank sensor signals, determine therefrom a hot water level parameter value which is indicative of the proportion of the total volume of water in the tank which is above a predetermined temperature threshold, and output the hot water level parameter value; and an electronic memory (24) for receiving and storing the hot water level parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: PassivSystems Limited
    Inventors: Peter Roberts, Chloe Fotherby, Vivek Awasthi
  • Publication number: 20130261997
    Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.
    Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20130253857
    Abstract: A tank overflow protection system and method for measuring process temperature and pressure utilizing one or more piezoresistive pressure transmitters. The piezoresistive pressure transmitter includes a differential pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. Data from the piezoresistive pressure transmitters can be digitally communicated via a cable. The pressure transmitters convert signals indicative of temperature and pressure to a digital value and transmit the signals to a main processor printed wire assembly for final compensation, diagnostics, and transmission to a distributed control system. A differential pressure can be calculated by subtracting two digital pressure measurement values. The temperature measurement can be employed to calculate any changes in density for a user-defined reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: George Hershey
  • Patent number: 8538591
    Abstract: A fuel management system and method that permits accurate accounting of fuel consumption within the context of a fuel consuming system is disclosed. The system/method may be broadly described as comprising a fuel level sensor, fuel level sensor transponder, fuel accounting system, and optional regulated fuel dispenser. The fuel level sensor accurately determines the contents of a fuel tank. This information is reported via fuel sensor transponder to a fuel accounting system that tracks the fuel consumption of the fuel consuming system and provides billing information based on the detected fuel consumption. This accounting information may be utilized within an optional regulated fuel dispenser to refill the fuel tank to an accurately predetermined fuel level for the next fuel management accounting cycle. While the present invention has many applications, one preferred embodiment targets fuel management within the context of rental/lease vehicles and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Mark Klughart
  • Patent number: 8528608
    Abstract: A pressure gauge may be coupled to a vessel into which a liquid chemical is to be dispensed. The volume of the vessel may be known and a control device may determine an initial pressure of the vessel using the pressure gauge. A volume of liquid chemical may be dispensed into the vessel which may cause the pressure within the vessel to increase to a second pressure. The control device may determine the second pressure using the pressure gauge may calculate the volume of liquid chemical dispensed into the vessel using the volume of the vessel, the initial pressure of the vessel, and the second pressure of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kelekar, Guarav Verma, Kurt Weiner
  • Publication number: 20130231877
    Abstract: A method is proposed of filling level measurement in a container having a medium and at least one interference layer arranged thereabove, wherein an electromagnetic signal is transmitted along a probe arranged in the container and a signal extent of the signal reflected in the container is recorded, a first measurement pulse corresponding to the interface to the medium and a second measurement pulse corresponding to the interference layer are identified in the signal extent and the filling level of the medium is determined from the first measurement pulse and/or the filling level of the interference layer is determined from the second measurement pulse. An expectation value A2E of the amplitude A2 of the first measurement pulse and an expectation value A1E of the amplitude A1 of the second measurement pulse are calculated and the first measurement pulse and the second measurement pulse are identified using the expectation values A1E, A2E.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: SICK AG
    Inventors: Thomas WEBER, Dennis SONNTAG, Stefan SCHWEIGER
  • Patent number: 8521452
    Abstract: A liquid level determination system includes pressure determination components that include an interference dampener to mitigate interference originating from a bubbler air compressor. The system may include a pressure pipe with a pressure sensing pipe end located adjacent to the pressure determination components and a bubbler pipe end locatable at least partially in a wet well. The wet well may include a pump that has a volute. The pressure pipe may further include layered pipe sections, and the position of the bubbler pipe end may be calculated so that it is not lower than a level substantially equivalent to a center line through the volute. The bubbler air compressor may provide air pressure to the pressure pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Smaidris, James Marion Boyd, Darrell Lee Manchester, Gregory Louis Valenti
  • Patent number: 8521495
    Abstract: Systems and method for simulating liquid containment behavior. The system comprises a solid modeler and a nonlinear equation solver. The nonlinear equation solver takes as input the solid model representation of the containment vessel from the solid modeler, a desired orientation in space, dynamic conditions (e.g., lateral acceleration) and an amount of liquid. To find the level of liquid in the vessel, the system solver iteratively performs successive Boolean subtractions using an infinite horizontal half-space that represents the liquid level of the vessel. The resulting sliced solid model is used to compute the volume of the liquid at that level. The iterative system solver terminates when the computed volume of the sliced containment vessel matches the specified volume of liquid (e.g., fuel) within a given tolerance. To accommodate dynamic situations, e.g., when acceleration is present, the horizontal liquid plane is replaced with a plane at an angle that corresponds to the total acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Ray, Thomas A. Grandine, Jan H. Vandenbrande, Douglas A. Carr
  • Patent number: 8515694
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel quantity gauging system is described. The method includes utilizing redundant sensor sets at separate locations within a fuel tank to measure properties of the fuel mixture within the fuel tank, inputting the measured properties into a fuel regression equation, a separate fuel regression equation for each sensor set location, solving the multiple fuel regression equations to determine a slope and intercept and define a fuel regression curve for the fuel mixture, and utilizing the defined fuel regression curve to calculate at least a quantity of fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Parker-Hannifan Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene F. Orloff, Sridhar Rokkam
  • Patent number: 8510065
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for wirelessly measuring liquid quantity in an enclosure. According to various aspects, an incident electromagnetic wave is transmitted within a conductive enclosure. One or more rebound electromagnetic waves that correspond to the incident electromagnetic wave are received. Using the rebound electromagnetic waves, a transfer function of the rebound electromagnetic waves is measured and a quantity of liquid stored in the enclosure is calculated based on the measured transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jason P. Bommer, James P. Irwin, Andrew M. Robb, Wayne Cooper, Dennis M. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130204550
    Abstract: A method for limit level monitoring with a radiometric limit switch. A detector measures discrete radiation intensities. Statistical distributions of radiation intensities in a state, free of medium, and in a state, covered by medium, are given by two Poisson distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Mingzheng Jiang, Robert Schäuble
  • Patent number: 8489341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring fluid in a fluid line are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first capacitor and a processor in communication with the first capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the first capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the first capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the first capacitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a second capacitor. The second capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the second capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the second capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Brown
  • Publication number: 20130179097
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a measuring chain of an aircraft turbojet engine, the measuring chain including at least two replicated channels for measuring a variable of the turbojet engine, the method including a step for measuring the position of a fuel metering valve of the turbojet engine during the flight of the aircraft and a step for normalizing the deterioration indicator according to the position of the fuel metering valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: SNECMA
  • Patent number: 8480374
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and auto-control system on improving pumping system performance. The system contains a pump, a pool, pipelines, a parameter setting module, a water level measuring module and a system control module. The parameter setting module is configured to preset a characteristic parameter and a control parameter of the pump and the pipelines. The water level measuring module is configured to measure, determine and compute a high level pool water level, a flow demand trend and a system instantaneous flow at regular intervals. The system control module is configured to receive the data sent by the water level measuring module that is measured and computed, and controls the operation of the system based on the data. Compared to existing pumping control system, the system in the present invention can save energy for 10%-30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Zhijin Yang
  • Patent number: 8473227
    Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8473226
    Abstract: A method of determining an average degree of saturation with ammonia (X) of a solid ammonia storage medium porous or not and capable of ad- or absorbing and desorbing ammonia reversibly in a storage container is described. A part of the volume (Vcon) of the container is occupied by gaseous ammonia of a pressure (p) and defines a free volume (Vfree)). Ammonia flows out of the container with a flow (f). n pairs ((fi, pi), (Fi, pi)) of flows (fi), or accumulated flows (Fi), and pressures (pi) are sampled at a sequence of points of time (ti), i=1 . . . n and n?2; an estimate volume value (Vfit) on the basis of the sampled pairs ((fi, pi), (Fi, pi)) is determined; and the degree of saturation with ammonia (X) is determined by applying a predetermined relationship (Rel) between a plurality of estimate volume values (Vfit) and a plurality of values of the average degree of saturation with ammonia (X) to the determined estimate volume value (Vfit).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Amminex A/S
    Inventor: Ulrich Joachim Quaade
  • Patent number: 8467981
    Abstract: A non-invasive liquid level sensing system for monitoring the amount of liquid in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a liquid-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of liquid in the at least one container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Management Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Somnath Mukherjee, Ajay Kumar Das
  • Patent number: 8463445
    Abstract: A method for controlling a water level of a drum of a heat recovery steam generation system for a combined cycle power plant is provided. The method includes determining an optimum drum water level during start up operation of the heat recovery steam generation system based on a characteristic chart model. The characteristic chart model is generated based on a plurality of vapor pressures of the drum and a plurality of temperatures of drum metal at the time of the start up operation of the heat recovery steam generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajeeva Kumar, Erhan Karaca
  • Patent number: 8457907
    Abstract: A compensation device for fluidic oscillation flow meters is provided. The compensation device includes a fluid supply unit, a fluidic oscillator, an electronic valve, a reference tank and a computer. The fluid supply unit supplies fluid into a pipe. The fluidic oscillator generates a characteristic oscillation frequency when the fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit passes through the fluidic oscillator. The electronic valve controls a flow rate of the fluid passing through the fluidic oscillator. The reference tank accumulates and stores the fluid passing through the electronic valve. The computer calculates a characteristic linear compensation coefficient using data about the time for which the fluid had passed through the fluidic oscillator, an oscillation frequency of the fluidic oscillator, a preset flow rate of the electronic valve, and a preset fluid accumulation amount of the reference tank. The computer stores the calculated characteristic linear compensation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Shindonga Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Moon Young Kim, Young Geun Hong, Hyoung Kee Yang, In Sung Cha
  • Patent number: 8449054
    Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a printing fluid cartridge receiving portion arranged to receive a printing fluid cartridge (2) and to allow passage of printing fluid from a received printing fluid cartridge to printing fluid conduits of the ink jet printer; a data reader arranged to read data indicating a quantity of fluid within a received cartridge from an electronic data storage device associated with the received printing fluid cartridge; and a controller arranged to generate update data usable to modify data stored on said electronic data storage device and to modify data stored on said electronic storage device based upon said update data such that data stored on said electronic data storage device indicates an updated quantity of fluid in said printing fluid cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Richard Harris, Peter Kassner, Philip John Blowfield
  • Patent number: 8452547
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the size of particles within a fluidized bed reactor. The pressure of gas adjacent a gas inlet and adjacent a gas outlet of the reactor are measured with pressure sensors. An algorithm is applied to at least one of the pressure measurements to determine the size of particles within the reactor. The determined size of the particles can be used to control the operation of the reactor. A dosing system and method is provided for measuring defined volumes of particles for transport to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish Bhusarapu, Arif Nawaz, Puneet Gupta, Karthik Balakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20130132005
    Abstract: A robust process and a device are for detecting multiple echoes and bottom echoes, in which statistical properties of a shared characteristic of two echoes identified in an echo curve are evaluated. This shared characteristic corresponds to a ratio of the positions or the speed values of the two identified echoes. In this way, it may be possible to classify the echoes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Roland WELLE
  • Publication number: 20130132006
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130132004
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a transducer coupled to an outer surface of a tank wall. The transducer is oriented to transmit a first signal through the tank wall. An intermediate reflective surface is positioned within the fuel storage tank. The intermediate reflective surface is oriented to produce a first reflected signal associated with the first signal. A controller is programmed to calculate a fuel level based on at least the first signal and the first reflected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Daniel James Kovach, William Joseph Tapia, Andrew M. Robb
  • Patent number: 8447533
    Abstract: A method of reducing rainwater and/or groundwater inflow and infiltration into a wastewater treatment collection grid. The method preferably involves the steps of (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of major subsystems, (b) determining flow depth levels in each major subsystem under dry and wet conditions, (c) using these wet weather and dry weather flow depth measurements to determine a volume flow ratio for wet versus dry conditions, (d) using these flow ratios to identify the particular major subsystem(s) in which the greatest amount of inflow or infiltration is occurring, and then (e) further dividing the highest ranking major subsystem(s) into smaller subsystems in which the same dry and wet weather level measurement and ranking analysis is preferably conducted to further isolate problem locations for surveillance, maintenance, and/or repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eastech Flow Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin Sinclair, David D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8447538
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a volumetric measurement device and various methods for operation of the device. The device comprises at least one accelerometer for detecting the angle of tilt/tip of a container. The device also comprises at least one fluid property processor capable of providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid, a flow-rate processor capable of continuously calculating the present flow rate of the fluid when poured from the container, and a volume processor capable of continuously calculating the present volume of the fluid within the container. The flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based on the angle of tilt/tip of the apparatus, the at least one fluid property value, and the present volume of fluid within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: James Cebulski
  • Patent number: 8442782
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium, wherein a mechanically oscillatable unit is supplied with an exciter signal wherein a received signal coming from the mechanically oscillatable unit is received, and wherein the exciter signal is produced in such a manner, that a phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal equals a predeterminable phase value. A criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal, or a signal dependent on the exciter signal or on the received signal, is established; in the case, in which the criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference is fulfilled, tuning of the phase difference is closed-loop controlled; and, in the alternative case, tuning of the phase difference is open-loop controlled. An apparatus associated with the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Meier, Alexander Müller, Sascha D'Angelico, Franco Ferraro, Walter Rombach
  • Patent number: 8442783
    Abstract: A fuel measuring device, for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, has a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank. A processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank and a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank, are provided. A connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle. A signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank may be used. A related method enables fuel usage to be tracked by, for example, the renter of a vehicle, and a further related method provides improved fuel gauges for use in fleets of rental cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Piszko
  • Patent number: 8434211
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a measuring apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of at least the fill level of a medium. The measuring apparatus has a probe unit and an electronics unit. During a measurement, the electronics unit supplies the probe unit with an exciter signal and receives from the probe unit a received signal, from which the electronics unit ascertains a capacitance value. The probe unit is coated with an insulation layer, the coated probe unit is connected with the electronics unit and inserted into a container containing a calibration medium, the coated probe unit is covered completely by the calibration medium and an associated received signal is gained, and, with the associated received signal, at least one adjustable component of the electronics unit is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Dreyer, Armin Wernet
  • Publication number: 20130110420
    Abstract: A fill-level measuring device includes a self-learn device that can calculate the length of the dome shaft, the container height, the permeability value of a feed material or the permittivity value of a feed material. This takes place with the use of one or several determined speed values of echoes of a measured echo curve. In this manner the accuracy of fill level determination can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Karl Griessbaum, Roland Welle
  • Publication number: 20130096851
    Abstract: The parameters are calculated of a target function which describes the relationship of the positions of two different tracks. Using this target function, the position of another track can then be derived from the position of one track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: VEGA Grieshaber KG
    Inventor: VEGA Grieshaber KG
  • Patent number: 8412472
    Abstract: A method for detection of a fluid leak related to at least one piston machine (1), where the method includes: —attaching a pressure sensor (18, 24) to at least a pressure side of the at least one piston machine (1); —measuring the pressure on the pressure side of the at least one piston machine (1); —attaching a transmitter (28) to the at least one piston machine (1), said transmitter (28) rendering a signal for calculating the rotational speed of the at least one piston machine (1); —calculating the speed of the at least one piston machine (1); —calculating the sum of nominal flow rates from all piston machines (1); —calculating a flow rate compensation factor; —calculating a normalized pressure (42) to be equal to the discharge pressure multiplied by the said compensation factor for the flow rate; and —monitoring the normalized pressure (42) to detect a leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Norway AS
    Inventor: Age Kyllingstad
  • Patent number: 8412473
    Abstract: According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schmitt Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn
  • Patent number: 8407015
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the amount of warm water in a water tank of domestic water heating system, which includes: (a) Pre-determining various situation graphs, each graph describes the variation of the water temperature in said water tank as a function of time, in one specific operational situation of the system; (b) Dividing each of said graphs to plurality of sections, each graph section describes the variation of the water temperature in the water tank as a function of time, during a sectional period of time; (c) Determining for each graph section the percentage of warm water in the tank at the end of said section; (d) Storing in a memory storage said plurality of graph sections, and the corresponding percentage of warm water in the tank at the end of said section, as determined; (e) During the operation of the heating system, sampling periodically the temperature in the tank; (f) For each present sequence of samples, finding in said memory storage the most similar graph section,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Isaac Yatir, Niv Tal