By Vibration Patents (Class 73/19.03)
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Patent number: 8489341Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventor: Houston Brown
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Patent number: 8475715Abstract: A system having reduced gas interference that includes a fluid chamber and a resonant sensor device in fluid communication with a fluid in the fluid chamber. The system includes a fluid control device adapted to change at least one of the fluid flow or pressure within the fluid chamber to achieve substantial wetting of surfaces in proximity to the resonant sensor device. Fluid surfaces of the system can include a material to increase the wettability (e.g., hydrophilicity) of the fluid surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: BioScale, Inc.Inventors: Brett P. Masters, Michael F. Miller
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Publication number: 20120312073Abstract: Air bubbles may be characterized by an air bubble detector by choosing an optimum set of frequencies and then comparing a return signal from a sensor receiving those frequencies against an internal reference. The number of pulses that exceed the internal reference represents a width and may be counted. The width, as counted, may be correlated to bubble characteristics including volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: ZEVEX, INC.Inventors: Mark Stringham, Roger Millis, John Foley, David Blaine
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Publication number: 20120312072Abstract: Air bubbles may be characterized by an air bubble detector by choosing an optimum set of frequencies and then comparing a return signal from a sensor receiving those frequencies against an internal reference. The number of pulses that exceed the internal reference represents a width and may be counted. The width, as counted, may be correlated to bubble characteristics including volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: ZEVEX, INC.Inventors: Mark Stringham, Roger Millis, John Foley, David Blaine
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Publication number: 20120260718Abstract: A microfluidic device and sensing method that utilize a resonating tube configured to have sufficient sensitivity to be capable of sensing the volume of a gas present as bubbles in a liquid or the flow rate and/or density of a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The tube has a freestanding tube portion supported above a surface of a substrate so as to be capable of vibrating in a plane normal to the surface of the substrate. As a gas-containing fluid flows through an internal passage of the tube, a drive signal vibrates the freestanding tube portion at a resonant frequency thereof. Coriolis-induced deflections of the freestanding tube portion are sensed relative to the substrate to produce an output corresponding to the sensed deflections, and the drive signal and/or the output are assessed to determine the volume, density and/or flow rate of the gas of the gas-containing fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
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Patent number: 8250902Abstract: A system and method for measuring aeration of a liquid in a liquid channel operates by sending an ultrasonic wave into a liquid channel, receiving a signal corresponding to the echo from the liquid channel and calculating a level of aeration of the liquid in the liquid channel based on the reflected signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mohamed I. Daoud, Dong Fei
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Patent number: 8225639Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Zevex, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Publication number: 20120096923Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a mass flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a mass-density product to an accumulated mass-density product and add the mass flow to an accumulated mass flow, and determine a non-aerated mass-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated mass-density product by the accumulated mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Steven M. Jones
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Patent number: 8109127Abstract: A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Patent number: 8091407Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring a flow of liquid for the presence of air bubbles, in particular the blood flowing in an extracorporeal blood circuit of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The air bubbles are detected by an ultrasound measurement and the ultrasound signals received in a continuous sequence of time intervals are each compared to a predetermined reference level. When the amplitude of the ultrasound signal, or a parameter correlating to the amplitude of the ultrasound signal, is less than the predetermined reference level, the presence of a defined volume of air is determined. When the number of times the ultrasound signal is less that the predetermined reference value if is greater than the set limit value, it is determined that a critical volume of air is present in the patient's blood and the dialysis is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventors: Jochen Schneider, Ralf Wamsiedler
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Patent number: 8091442Abstract: A measuring head has a base and extending spaced apart vertical sidewalls that form a slot into which a tube through which a fluid flows is placed and at least one sensor element mounted in at least one of the sidewalls to detect a characteristic of the flowing fluid. At least one through passage is formed in each of the sidewalls that are aligned opposing each other to form a pair of passages through which a strap is passed above the tube in the head slot and a fastener holds the strap bound to the sidewalls to retain the tube in the slot. One embodiment has a pair of the sidewall slots on each side of a sensor element mounted in a sidewall. A passage also can be provided in the head base through which a strap can pass and then be passed through a pair of the sidewall passages.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Cosense, Inc.Inventor: Naim Dam
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Publication number: 20110239733Abstract: An air bubble sensor has a holder at which at least one ultrasonic sensor is arranged to detect air bubbles and/or gas bubbles in a flowing liquid, wherein a flow passage which has connection pieces is integrated into the holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Lifebridge Medizintechnik AGInventor: Florian Sagebiel
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Publication number: 20110197652Abstract: System for detecting and removing gas bubbles from a vascular infusion line, including a cassette adapted for disposition intermediate the fluid line, the cassette including a flexible tube having an inlet port for connection to a supply side of the fluid line, an outlet port configured for connection to a patient side of the fluid line, and a purge port intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and a base unit adapted to receive the cassette and monitor fluid flow through the tube, the base unit including a sensor to detect the presence of a gas bubble in the fluid flow, a pinch valve adapted to stop the flow of fluid, and a control unit adapted to operate the base unit so that (i) fluid is permitted to flow past the pinch valve when no gas bubble is detected; and (ii) fluid flow is arrested when a gas bubble is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Ihsan A. Haddad, David T. Healey
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Patent number: 7921691Abstract: A method of determining properties of a formation fluid based on measurements of fluid sound speed, a measurement of fluid density, or both. The properties include compressibility, thermal conductivity, and gas oil ratio. The compressibility of a fluid is equal to the reciprocal of the product of the sound speed squared and fluid density. The density and the sound speed can be measured acoustically. The method further includes a manner of processing data including applying the Savitzky-Golay method and utilizing a variable thresholding technique.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Weimin Yao
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Patent number: 7905099Abstract: A predictive maintenance method and apparatus for HVACR systems including a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a gaseous phase in the refrigerant fluid at a location wherein solely liquid phase should be present if the system is functioning properly.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Inventor: John F. Justak
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Publication number: 20110036143Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Patent number: 7818992Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Zevex, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Patent number: 7816837Abstract: A surface acoustic wave sensor for detecting a target substance by measuring the change in frequency due to the mass applied to a reaction membrane placed on a surface acoustic wave element having high sensitivity due to the improvement of the surface acoustic wave element structure. The surface acoustic wave sensor includes an SH-type surface acoustic wave and a rotated Y-cut LiTaO3 substrate having Euler angles (0°, 120° to 140°, 0°±5°); electrodes principally containing Au, for exciting a surface acoustic wave, the electrodes being arranged on the LiTaO3 substrate; and a reaction membrane bound to a target substance or a binding substance bound to the target substance covering the electrodes arranged on the LiTaO3 substrate. The interdigital transducers have a normalized thickness of about 3.0% to about 5.0%, the normalized thickness being determined by normalizing the thickness of the interdigital transducers by the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Fujimoto, Michio Kadota, Yoshiharu Yoshii
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Patent number: 7805978Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Zevex, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Patent number: 7788979Abstract: A Monolithic Antenna Excited Acoustic Transduction (MAEAT) device is fabricated by photolithographically depositing a metallic antenna on one side of a piezoelectric crystal substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: John F. Vetelino, Donald F. McCann
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Patent number: 7726174Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Zevex, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Publication number: 20100107727Abstract: A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. GYSLING, Douglas H. LOOSE
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Publication number: 20100094568Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter is configured to determine a first property of a multi-phase fluid. A flow model is configured to determine a second property of the multi-phase fluid. A determination system is configured to determine a third property of the multi-phase fluid based, at least in part, on the first property and the second property.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Santanu Barua, Robbie Lansangan
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Patent number: 7661293Abstract: A system using ultrasonic energy for detecting and quantifying air bubbles and/or particles in a liquid flowing in a tube by a non-invasive and non-destructive technique has an ultrasonic sensor having piezoelectric transmitter and receiver elements placed opposing on the outside of the tube wall and energy in the ultrasonic frequency range is transmitted from the transmitter element to the receiver element. The received ultrasonic energy is amplified and detected and preferably split into a steady state (DC) component and a varying or transient (AC) component respectively indicative of the absence and the presence of an air bubble or a particle in the liquid. The two components of the signal are applied to an A/D converter whose output is supplied to a microprocessor which uses the digital data that corresponds to the presence of the varying transient component to indicate the presence of an air bubble and/or a particle and to measure its characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignees: Cosense, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Naim Dam
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Patent number: 7661294Abstract: An integrated multi-function sensor system has a head having a slot to accept a tube of a deformable material and a plurality of sensor elements mounted in the walls of the head slot to confront a tube in the slot, each sensor element being for affecting sensing of a condition relating to a liquid in the tube. An integrated electronic circuit including a microprocessor operates to determine the various conditions of a liquid flowing in the tube sensed by the sensor elements, which conditions include detection of air bubbles and/or particles by ultrasonic sensing elements, detection of an occlusion in the liquid flow by sensing the deformation of the tube wall by a force sensing element, determining the temperature of the liquid by an infrared temperature sensing element, and determining the color of the liquid by optical elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignees: Cosense, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Naim Dam
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Publication number: 20090293588Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Patent number: 7617716Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring total gas content of a fluid flowing through a process line. The apparatus comprises a bleed line in fluid communication with the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process line pressure. A speed of sound propagating through the fluid in the bleed line is determined and is, in turn, used to determine a gas volume fraction of the fluid in the bleed line. In one aspect, the total gas content of the fluid flowing through the process line is calculated as a function of the gas volume fraction of the fluid in the bleed line and a velocity of the fluid in the bleed line. In another aspect, the velocity of the fluid in the bleed line is adjusted to be approximately equal to a predetermined velocity. In yet another aspect, dissolved gas in the process fluid 13 is released before the gas content measurement point by applying a high intensity ultrasonic field to the fluid 13.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Publication number: 20090229341Abstract: A method of determining properties of a formation fluid based on measurements of fluid sound speed, a measurement of fluid density, or both. The properties include compressibility, thermal conductivity, and gas oil ratio. The compressibility of a fluid is equal to the reciprocal of the product of the sound speed squared and fluid density. The density and the sound speed can be measured acoustically. The method further includes a manner of processing data including applying the Savitzky-Golay method and utilizing a variable thresholding technique.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Weimin Yao
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Patent number: 7571633Abstract: A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Patent number: 7555938Abstract: Systems and methods for thermally actuating piezoresistive cantilevers are described. One embodiment includes a nanoelectromechanical resonator connected in at least one location to a substrate, an electrically conductive path formed on the resonator and a signal source connected to the electrically conductive path and configured to provide an oscillating actuation signal capable of exciting a resonant mode in the resonator.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Igor Bargatin, Jessica L. Arlett, Michael L. Roukes, Inna Kozinsky, John Sequoyah Aldridge, Edward B. Myers
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Patent number: 7543476Abstract: An apparatus for separating an analyte from a mixture or for detecting an analyte or for determining the affinity, or a property related to affinity, between binding partners includes: a) a surface having the analyte or one of the binding partners immobilized thereon, in use; b) a transducer for oscillating the surface; c) a controller connected to the transducer for varying the amplitude and/or frequency of the oscillation to cause a dissociation event; and, d) an analyzer connected to the transducer for detecting an oscillation of the transducer due to the dissociation event. The controller includes an oscillator connected in a resonant circuit with the transducer such that the transducer oscillates at two frequencies simultaneously, one of these causing the transducer to oscillate the surface and the other being supplied as an output to the analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Akubio LimitedInventor: Victor Petrovich Ostanin
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Patent number: 7540182Abstract: A reservoir for use in testing a liquid as part of a microfluidic testing system, includes a testing chamber configured to receive the liquid to be tested. A liquid inlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow ingress of the liquid into the testing chamber. A gas outlet is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber to allow egress of gas out of the testing chamber. The gas outlet has an elevation that is higher than an elevation of the liquid inlet such that, as the testing chamber is rotated, the gas is expelled out of the testing chamber through the gas outlet, thereby reducing or preventing a presence of gas bubbles in the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Philip Harding, Christopher C Beatty
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Patent number: 7539081Abstract: A seabed resource exploration system includes: a vibrator 1 for transmitting a sound wave into the sea and receiving a scattered wave in which the sound wave is reflected on a boundary surface between seawater and a mixture of methane gas and methane hydrate, which exists in the seawater; and an analyzer 17 for determining that the methane hydrate exists in a seabed immediately under the mixture when backscattering strength, calculated by the transmitted sound wave and the received scattered wave, is in a predetermined relationship. The predetermined relationship satisfies a relationship that a maximum value of the backscattering strength is ?60 to ?30 dB and an average value of the backscattering strength is ?70 to ?50 dB. The backscattering strength is on a grid obtained by cutting the mixture into round slices in the depth direction by a predetermined width, in a range from the seabed to a predetermined height.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Inventor: Chiharu Aoyama
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Patent number: 7530268Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical or chemical, process variable of a medium and includes at least one mechanically oscillatable unit and at least one driving/receiving unit. The mechanically oscillatable unit includes a tube and an internal oscillator. The tube is connected to a securement unit with an end turned away from the process and the end of the tube turned toward the process is embodied as a free end. The tube surrounds the internal oscillator and the internal oscillator is secured to the end of the tube turned toward the process with an end turned toward the process. The driving/receiving unit excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to oscillate, respectively it receives the oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit. The internal oscillator has at least one groove/neck, which determines at least the oscillation frequency of the mechanically oscillatable unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Sergej Lopatin, Helmut Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 7523640Abstract: A method of determining properties of a formation fluid based on measurements of fluid sound speed, a measurement of fluid density, or both. The properties include compressibility, thermal conductivity, and gas oil ratio. The compressibility of a fluid is equal to the reciprocal of the product of the sound speed squared and fluid density. The density and the sound speed can be measured acoustically. The method further includes a manner of processing data including applying the Savitzky-Golay method and utilizing a variable thresholding technique.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Weimin Yao
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Patent number: 7524460Abstract: A System and Method of Molecule Counting Using Fluctuation Enhanced Sensors includes processes for improved chemical analyte detection and quantification through the measurement and generation of an amplitude density histogram of the measured time series of frequency fluctuations in the instantaneous frequency of a chemical sensor arranged to produce an oscillatory output signal when exposed to chemical substances. The system and method may use a chemical sensor, such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. Statistical analysis produces the amplitude density of the frequency fluctuations, which are represented as a pattern that includes information about the quantity of the analyte on the surface of the sensor. Patterns in the measured amplitude density are then correlated to theoretical amplitude density functions in order to determine the number of analyte molecules on the surface of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Gabor Schmera, Laszlo B. Kish
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Publication number: 20090075129Abstract: A microfluidic device and sensing method that utilize a resonating tube configured to have sufficient sensitivity to be capable of sensing the volume of a gas present as bubbles in a liquid or the flow rate and/or density of a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The tube has a freestanding tube portion supported above a surface of a substrate so as to be capable of vibrating in a plane normal to the surface of the substrate. As a gas-containing fluid flows through an internal passage of the tube, a drive signal vibrates the freestanding tube portion at a resonant frequency thereof. Coriolis-induced deflections of the freestanding tube portion are sensed relative to the substrate to produce an output corresponding to the sensed deflections, and the drive signal and/or the output are assessed to determine the volume, density and/or flow rate of the gas of the gas-containing fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
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Publication number: 20090007632Abstract: A measuring apparatus (1) for detecting gases, in particular air, in a liquid-carrying transport line. The apparatus has at least one ultrasound transmitter (3) and at least one ultrasound receiver (4) as ultrasound sensors (3, 4), which are arranged essentially opposite one another with respect to a measuring pipe (2) in the region of the longitudinal sides of the measuring pipe (2), a control device (5) and a signal processing device (6). In order for the measuring apparatus (1) to operate with little disruption and to have a simple, cost-effective design, it is provided that the ultrasound transmitter (3) emits a continuous ultrasound signal, the signal processing device (6) amplifies the electrical signal processed by the ultrasound receiver (4), rectifies it, passes it to a memory device (6c) and uses a threshold value switch (9) to decide whether or not an electrical signal is then supplied to a control output and/or to a display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: MIB GMBH MESSTECHNIK UND INDUSTRIEBERATUNGInventors: Thomas Will, Martin Deutscher
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Publication number: 20080280371Abstract: A urea quality sensor includes an acoustic resonator in order to measure the accurate concentration of urea by measuring change in molecular weight. A change in molecular weight of urea proportionately affects the speed of sound. The change in the composition of the urea solution manifests itself as a change in frequency. The concentration of the urea solution can be determined based on the frequency data obtained as a result of the frequency measurement utilizing the acoustic wave sensor. The urea quality sensor can be used with an NH3 sensor in order to identify that the solution is urea.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Ramsesh Anilkumar, Tushar Banerjee
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Publication number: 20080141756Abstract: A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Publication number: 20080134750Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Timothy A. Riley, Mark D. Stringham, David H. Blaine, Frank A. Crandall, Philip N. Eggers
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Publication number: 20080105029Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (16) for detecting volatile analytes in air samples, where a mass sensitive sensor (20) with at least one sensor area (21) which is equipped with a surface layer with selective sensitivity for the analyte(s) to be detected is brought into contact with the air sample to be analyzed, the mass change of the surface layer is detected in the form of electrical signals and the electrical signals are evaluated. It is provided in accordance with the invention that the sensor signal is already evaluated at a point in time at which the maximum sensor signal for the analyte concentration in question is not yet obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: KANESHO SOIL TREATMENT BVBAInventors: Reiner Kober, Thomas Christen, Erich Probeck, Joachim Bargon, Fritz Vogtle, Gerhard Horner
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Patent number: 7334780Abstract: Hot water (12) in a bath (11) is pumped up by a suction pump (9) and introduced into a carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through solution flow rate adjusting means (14) and then, poured into the bath (11). Carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder (1) is introduced into the carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through gas flow rate adjusting means (5). At this time, the quantity of bubbles existing in artificial carbonated spring in a take-out pipe (15) is measured with a measuring device (13), and the solution flow rate adjusting means (14), gas flow rate adjusting means (5) and the like are controlled by means of a control device (16) using a relational expression between a preliminarily set quantity of bubbles and carbon dioxide concentration to obtain a desired concentration of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated spring.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Company, LimitedInventors: Hiroki Sakakibara, Ken Ooyachi, Hiroshi Tasaka
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Patent number: 7257988Abstract: Techniques for measuring a density of a liquid within a fluid that includes both a liquid and a gas are described. A pressure of the fluid oscillates according to a time-varying function, which causes a density of the fluid also to oscillate according to the same time-varying function. A resulting pressure signal and density signal are analyzed to extract at least a first and second pressure value and at least a first and second density value, where the first pressure and density values occur at a first time, and the second pressure and density values occur at a second time. Then, the liquid density is calculated from the first and second pressure and density values. As a result, the liquid density may be calculated quickly and easily, with a minimum of effort on the part of an operator, and without requiring disruption of other measurement processes associated with the flowtube.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 7237767Abstract: Hot water (12) in a bath (11) is pumped up by a suction pump (9) and introduced into a carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through solution flow rate adjusting means (14) and then, poured into the bath (11). Carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder (1) is introduced into the carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) through gas flow rate adjusting means (5). At this time, the quantity of bubbles existing in artificial carbonated spring in a take-out pipe (15) is measured with a measuring device (13), and the solution flow rate adjusting means (14), gas flow rate adjusting means (5) and the like are controlled by means of a control device (16) using a relational expression between a preliminarily set quantity of bubbles and carbon dioxide concentration to obtain a desired concentration of carbon dioxide gas in carbonated spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Sakakibara, Ken Ooyachi, Hiroshi Tasaka
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Patent number: 7117717Abstract: Techniques for measuring a density of a liquid within a fluid that includes both a liquid and a gas are described. A pressure of the fluid oscillates according to a time-varying function, which causes a density of the fluid also to oscillate according to the same time-varying function. A resulting pressure signal and density signal are analyzed to extract at least a first and second pressure value and at least a first and second density value, where the first pressure and density values occur at a first time, and the second pressure and density values occur at a second time. Then, the liquid density is calculated from the first and second pressure and density values. As a result, the liquid density may be calculated quickly and easily, with a minimum of effort on the part of an operator, and without requiring disruption of other measurement processes associated with the flowtube.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 7096719Abstract: An apparatus 10 is provided that measures the speed of sound propagating in a multiphase mixture to determine parameters, such as mixture quality, particle size, vapor/mass ratio, liquid/vapor ratio, mass flow rate, enthalpy and volumetric flow rate of the flow in a pipe or unconfined space, for example, using acoustic and/or dynamic pressures. The apparatus includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed axially along the pipe for measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic signal to propagate from one ultrasonic transducer to the other ultrasonic transducer. A signal process, responsive to said transit time signal, provides a signal representative of the speed of sound of the mixture. An SOS processing unit then provides an output signal indicative of at least one parameter of the mixture flowing through the pipe. The frequency of the ultrasonic signal is sufficiently low to minimize scatter from particle/liquid within the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Patent number: 7086278Abstract: A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
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Patent number: 6874351Abstract: A method for determining the content quantities, solubilities and/or saturation pressures of gases dissolved in a liquid, which is characterized in that in order selectively to determine the individual content quantities of at least two gases dissolved in a liquid sample, more particularly carbon dioxide, nitrogen and/or oxygen, and/or the solubilities or saturation pressures thereof, the volume of at least one measuring chamber filled with the liquid for testing is increased the volume of at least two steps by volume increase factors differing one from another, each having numerical values greater than 1, in that, after each of the volume increase steps, the equilibrium pressure established in the measuring chamber is ascertained, and in that, on the basis of the at least two measured pressure values obtained in this way, the content quantities of the individual gases dissolved in the liquid, and/or the solubility or saturation pressure thereof, are calculated individually.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Anton Paar GmbHInventors: Josef Bloder, Josef Gautsch, Klauss Germann, Gerhard Murer
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Patent number: 6813928Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a first transducer system and a second transducer system spaced from the first transducer system so as to define a sample area between the first transducer system and the second transducer system where the first transducer system and second transducer system are collectively configured to transmit surface acoustic waves in multiple directions through the sample area and receive such surface acoustic waves.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development, L.P.Inventor: Daniel Robert Blakley