Abstract: During a water draw test, horizontal type bidirectional sphere provers with a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detector switches sometimes suffer from sphere launch failure which typically results in a failed water draw test. These types of provers, especially in larger pipe diameters will benefit from an elongate concentric fabricated reducer attached to the outlet of each launch tube. These elongate concentric fabricated reducers result in a successful sphere launch on the first attempt. Assuming all the other components of the prover are properly designed and assembled, a successful sphere launch will result in a successful water draw test on the first attempt saving time, money and reputation.

Abstract: A time correlated dual chronometric interpolated prover apparatus with temporal reconciliation assembly is operable for producing signals for selecting a corrected time interval B of the flowmeter output signal for comparison with the time interval A. The temporal reconciliation assembly being configured for detecting a plurality of frequencies of pulses of the flowmeter output signal, and being further configured for selecting the time interval B utilizing the plurality of frequencies. A possible non-limiting embodiment includes the temporal reconciliation assembly being operable for utilizing an anticipated frequency for locating a first pulse.

Abstract: A gas appliance monitoring apparatus for automatically detecting and alerting to a “gas-out” condition of a gas appliance during operation, and/or for alerting to the presence of prolonged “gas-on” conditions of an appliance. The apparatus utilizes a highly sensitive low loss and low flow gas flow indicator with multiple flow sensors to monitor the gas flow characteristics of the appliance during use. A gas flow analyzer and alarm timing mechanism analyzes the gas flow characteristics and sounds an alarm at the appliance or wirelessly at a remote location upon detection of either of the above conditions. A biasing attraction magnet is incorporated in the fluid flow indicator to offset either the force of gravity or a return spring in low flow/low pressure applications. The piston is sealed for use in high pressure/low flow applications, and provided with a vent hole for residual gas bleed-off upon a stoppage of gas flow.

Abstract: A master verification assembly includes a plurality of plunger devices. Each of the plunger devices includes a piston that is axially moveable between a raised position and a depressed position. When placed in a washing assembly, each of the plunger devices is aligned with a nozzle. The nozzles dispense a cleaning fluid under pressure. An axial force applied by the dispensed cleaning fluid depresses the pistons into the depressed position, whereupon the pistons disposed in the depressed position are axially secured in an indicator position. Upon removal of the master verification assembly from the washing assembly, depressed pistons in the indicator position indicate proper function of the nozzles, whereas pistons disposed in the raised position indicate improperly functioning nozzles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for proving a flowmeter. In one embodiment, a flowmeter prover includes a flow tube, a displacer, and a signal analyzer. The displacer is moveable in a flow passage of the flow tube. A magnetic target is disposed on the displacer. One or more inductive transducers are disposed on the flow tube and configured to detect the magnetic target as the displacer moves in the flow tube. The signal analyzer is configured to detect a maximum slope of rising and falling edges of a signal generated by the transducer responsive to the magnetic target traversing the transducer. The signal analyzer is further configured to determine displacer velocity based on the detected maximum slope.

Abstract: A fluid flow detection device includes a housing of non-magnetic metal, a flow passage through the housing and a valve seat in the flow passage. A magnetic valve element emits a magnetic field. The valve element is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage. The magnetic valve element is biased toward the closed position. A magnetic field enhancer is movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field. A magnetic field sensor on the housing is operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: A bidirectional sphere prover is used to check the accuracy of a custody transfer meter when fluids, such as crude oil or gasoline are bought and sold. The bidirectional sphere prover of the present invention uses a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detection switches, the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of welds, flanges and elbows.

Abstract: A highly sensitive low loss and low flow fluid flow switch is coupled with an automatic timer and/or optional transmitter to indicate the flow of gas to an appliance and to automatically start a reminder timer to turn the appliance off. After a preset time limit has expired, the timer either sounds an alarm or wirelessly triggers an alarm in a remote location. The receiver portion of the wireless timer may be mounted directly to the appliance (grill handle), so that the timer automatically resets when activity (cover opening or closing) is detected, indicating the appliance is still in use. An alarm can also be configured to sound when the grill is attempted to be ignited with the cover closed, thereby avoiding a potential explosion. A biasing attraction magnet is incorporated in the fluid flow switch to offset either the force of gravity or a return spring in order to extend performance to low pressure and low flow applications.

Abstract: A bus module for connecting electrically triggerable fluidic valves to a data bus. The bus module has an electrical circuit configuration, which evaluates address data and user data from data telegrams transmitted on the data bus and which triggers a fluidic valve determined by the address data in accordance with the user data of the data telegram. In order to keep the current load on the bus module low particularly when triggering hydraulic valves, the electronic circuit configuration, following the reception of user data in the form of a switch-on command for one of the fluidic valves connected to the bus module, first constantly supplies a supply voltage to the fluidic valve determined by the address data during a gate-controlled rise time of specifiable duration. Following the expiration of the gate-controlled rise time, the electronic circuit configuration supplies the fluidic valve with the supply voltage in a pulse width modulated form having a specifiable pulse control factor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that determines the time delay (202) between the actual flow and the measured flow in a flow meter. The time delay is used to shift the flow measured by the flow meter to correspond to the actual flow measured by a prover or calibration system. In this way an accurate comparison is made between the flow measured by the flow meter and the flow provided by the prover.

Abstract: A system for calibrating pulmonary function test equipment having syringe means, including a syringe having a cylindrically shaped sidewall, a proximal end with an centrally located orifice, a distal end with an output port, an interior cavity, and a plunger with a shaft slidably mounted through the orifice, a piston-type head mounted on one end of the shaft, and a handle mounted on an opposing end of the shaft; an FRC port; a rigid FRC bag connected in flow communication with the FRC port; control means having a plurality of stop mechanisms, including a first stop mechanism, a second stop mechanism structured to enable selective connection of the interior cavity in flow communication with the FRC port, and a third stop mechanism, and connection means structured to connect the syringe means to existing pulmonary function test equipment. A method of utilizing the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for calculating respiratory oxygen consumption comprising a housing having a fluid inlet, a flow sensor, mounted within the housing, an oxygen sensor and means for calculating the respiratory oxygen consumption using data obtained from the oxygen sensor and the flow sensor. The invention also relates to a method of calculating respiratory oxygen consumption.