Continuous Test Fluid Supply Patents (Class 73/434)
  • Patent number: 8560205
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a gas turbine control device which is capable of performing correction on the basis of a fuel composition of fuel gas to be supplied to a gas turbine, and is capable of changing an amount of correction in response to variation with time of the gas turbine. To attain this, a frequency analyzing unit 25 performs a frequency analysis of combustion oscillation of a combustor and splits a result of the analysis into respective frequency bands. Then, a state grasping unit 22 checks an operating state of the gas turbine on the basis of the result of the analysis of the combustion oscillation and process value of the gas turbine, and corrects the checked operating state on the basis of a fuel composition or a heat capacity of fuel gas measured by a fuel characteristic measuring unit 200. A countermeasure determining unit 23 conducts a countermeasure for controlling an operating action of the gas turbine on the basis of the operating state thus checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masumi Nomura, Kozo Toyama, Hiroyuki Iba
  • Patent number: 8402847
    Abstract: A hydrophobic property demonstrator (100) comprises an inclinable sample support (10) and an upper tank (20) for producing droplets (GA, GB) that fall onto a sample (A, B) placed on the support. The droplets are produced regularly with a constant size by selecting a profile and diameter of a hole (23, 24) at the bottom of the tank, and by maintaining a constant water level (N) in said tank. Such a demonstrator is particularly suited for demonstrating the efficiency of the hydrophobic behavior of spectacle lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Fabien Calandrini, Carole Nadolny
  • Patent number: 8042389
    Abstract: A hydrometer, hydrometer kit, and method of measuring the salinity/density or the salinity/specific gravity of a liquid are provided. The hydrometer may include a box structure comprising side walls and a bottom. At least a portion of one of the side walls may be substantially transparent. A buoyant indicator member may be pivotably disposed about an axis within the box structure. The indicator member may pivot about the axis when the box structure is filled with a liquid. A salinity/density scale or salinity/specific gravity scale may be disposed on a surface of the box structure or a dial member. At least one adhesive member may be removably adhered to the indicator member by a user so that the hydrometer can be calibrated based on a reference solution having a predetermined salinity. The at least one adhesive member may increase or decrease the buoyancy of the indicator member. The kit may include the hydrometer and a container of the reference solution having a predetermined salinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Julian Sprung
  • Patent number: 7762714
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives or supplements to feed rations. The amount of each particular micro-ingredient to be delivered to a feed ration may be determined by a bulk density measurement. Alternatively, bulk density measurement may be used in combination with existing weight measurement and volumetric metering methods for multiple micro-ingredients. Delivery by bulk density requires determination of a bulk density value along with use of a dispensing device that dispenses a calculated amount of the micro-ingredient ration. The dispensing calculation may be achieved by analysis of delivery time, pulse count, or some other quantitative measure such as magnitude. Use of bulk density as a measurement technique eliminates the requirement for use of scales in the micro-ingredient delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Lextron, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve R. Freeman, Charles H. Hoff
  • Patent number: 7389188
    Abstract: A fluid-structure coupled numerical simulation method is provided. The method uses a finite volume method employing an orthogonal mesh and a computer and memory setting a solid area based on a solid rate inside a mesh and at a tangent position to each mesh, including the steps of: setting initial and boundary conditions of a moving film structure; setting a velocity boundary in the tangent direction of the film structure by computing a position and shape thereof; and computing a curvature thereof. The method further includes the step of computing a pressure balance based on a balance between a pressure obtained from a fluid computation and a repulsive force obtained from the tension and curvature of the film structure to implement processing of a mutually-coupled phenomenon. A shift amount of the film surface for each time of said computing steps is simulated using the same program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Toda, Tatsushiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 7290447
    Abstract: A densimeter contains an inlet pipe section, a second pipe section joined to the downstream end of the inlet pipe section, and an outlet pipe section joined to the downstream end of the second pipe section. The inlet and outlet pipe sections are constrained by a support structure, while flexible couplings allow the second section of pipe to undergo a limited amount of radial motion relative to the adjacent pipe sections. The weight of the second pipe section is supported by a weight measuring unit, which continuously measures the weight of the second pipe section as fluid flows through the densimeter. One preferred embodiment of the invention uses the densimeter to measure the density of a proppant in a blender system for preparing fluid mixtures for fracturing and propping oil bearing geological formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Blake Burnette, Bradley T. Carlson, Don Wade
  • Publication number: 20040069065
    Abstract: A method for assessing the particle size of a bulk particulate material (1), such as powdered or granular material includes transmitting sound energy (as herein defined) through the particulate material (1) from a source (2) to a detector (3), and assessing the particle size from the time taken to pass through the material from the source (2) to detector (3) or signal velocity, through the material (1). Typically the signal is a frequency or frequencies in the range about 20 Hz to 20 kHz (but higher frequencies are envisaged), and the particulate material may be in a moving production stream of the particulate material (1). Apparatus is also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Tallon, Clive Eric Davies
  • Patent number: 5858791
    Abstract: Saturation variations are obtained by displacing a first fluid (for example water) that initially saturates a sample (1) coated with resin (2) by injecting therein, through a first end plate or cap (3) and by means of a pump (7), a second fluid (for example oil). The mixture flowing out through an opposite end plate (4) is collected in an initially filled two-phase separator (9) placed on an electronic balance (10). The first excess fluid flows towards a vessel (13), and the progressive accumulation of the second fluid in separator (9) leads to a variation in the total weight. A programmed processor (14) computes permanently the saturation values of the sample with respect to the first and to the second fluid, from the measured weight variations of separator (9). The method and device can be used for laboratory measurements of rock samples for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Christian Lemaire
  • Patent number: 5423455
    Abstract: An improved system and method for gravimetrically feeding material at a controlled rate. The material to be fed, which can be either a dry solid or a liquid, is maintained in a supply vessel. A probe disposed in the supply vessel detects the level of the material, sending a high level signal to a controller. A scale weighs the material in the supply vessel, sending a weight signal to the controller. The controller then calculates the density of the material in the supply vessel based on the weight and density of the material. The calculated density is used to affect the feed rate to achieve an operator-input set rate. During refill of the supply vessel, the probe detects material at a high level, sending a signal to the controller which, in turn, sends a signal to a refill valve, stopping refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Acrison, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ricciardi, John S. Laidlaw
  • Patent number: 5423216
    Abstract: An apparatus which permits continuous automatic determination of the bulk specific gravity of a powdery sample and highly precise measurement thereof. The apparatus comprises a robot 3 transporting a container 2 filled with a powdery sample; a funnel 4 provided with a damper, which receives the powdery sample discharged from the container 2; a damper-driving unit 5a for pulling out and pushing the damper 5; a sample sensor 7 for detecting the powdery sample dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a constant volume receiver 6 for receiving dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a scraping bar 8 for sliding the upper face of the constant volume receiver 6; a scraping bar-driving unit 8a for reciprocating the scraping bar 8; a constant volume receiver-conveying robot 21 transporting the constant volume receiver 6; an electronic balance 22 which determines the weight the powdery sample in the constant volume receiver 6; and a cleaner 23 for aspirating the weighed powdery sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kitamura, Masaru Takeuchi, Hideo Yoshikoshi, Mikio Kitai, Takashi Chino, Yuji Nogami, Hajime Yashiro, Keisuke Kato
  • Patent number: 5410914
    Abstract: The measuring device has bobs 10, 17 suspended from a weight 12 with wires 11, 16. The hook 13 of the weight 12 is hung from a suspensor thread 15 extending downwards from a balance 14. The weight 12 may be omitted by using the upper bob 10 for dead weight. The bobs 10, 17 and the wires 11, 16 may be coated with a coating layer unreactive to the melt 19 whose density is to be measured. The weights of the measuring device is measured by the balance 14 under the first condition that the lower bob 17 is immersed in the liquid 19 and the second condition that the bobs 10, 17 are both immersed in the liquid 19. The density of the liquid 19 is calculated from the two measured values without the influence of the surface tension of the liquid 19 applied to the wires 11, 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignees: Research Development Corporation of Japan, Hitoshi Sasaki, Kazutaka Terashima
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sasaki, Eiji Tokizaki, Kazutaka Terashima
  • Patent number: 5106269
    Abstract: A method and device for pumping a petroleum fluid passing through a pipe and having a quantity of gas and a quantity of liquid. The quantities of gas and liquid are measured to determine the weight of the fluid in a section of the pipe and, depending upon the relative quantities of the gas and liquid measured, an additional quantity of gas or liquid is added prior to the fluid containing the additional quantity being pumped. After the fluid has been pumped, the quantity of gas or liquid serving as the additional added quantity is sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Yvon Castel
  • Patent number: 5056034
    Abstract: A foam material dispensing system is provided with a control which measures the amount of high viscosity liquid material delivered to a mixer, determines the amount of pressurized gas required to be injected into the mixer in order to produce a foamable material with a desired gas concentration, measures the amount of gas actually delivered to the mixer, and generates a cumulative error signal representing the difference between the required amount of gas and the gas actually delivered. A control signal is generated to regulate the flow of gas to the mixer in relation to the magnitude of the error signal. A digital flow meter generates a pulse for each incremental amount of liquid material delivered to the mixer during an interval of time. During each successive interval, the pulses are counted and the count is multiplied by a preset gas-to-material ratio, from which the measured gas flow is subtracted and the difference added to the cumulative error term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Rucki, Jeanne M. Leidy
  • Patent number: 4879654
    Abstract: A drilling fluid to be circulated through a borehole as it is drilled is produced by mixing solid and liquid drilling fluid components in such proportions that the density of the fluid has a selected value which lies between upper and lower limits (c) calculated for all depths of the borehole to be drilled. The lower limits satisfy a shear failure criterion for the material forming the wall of the borehole and above which influx of pore fluid does not occur, and the upper limits satisfy either the same shear failure criterion or a tensile failure criterion, depending on which of the two criteria predicts the lower upper limit. Upper and lower shear failure values (b) are calculated as a function of depth and tensile failure values (a) are calculated as a function of depth. The calculations include determining the in-situ stress state at the site of the borehole, and calculating the stresses which will occur at the borehole wall as a function of depth and drilling fluid density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Sue Bruce
  • Patent number: 4856347
    Abstract: A flow meter for determining the flow rate of a liquid or slurry flowing in a pipeline or similar conduit. The flow meter is capable of metering the flow of a multiple-phase medium such as a gas-oil combination from a sub sea oil well. The meter includes a tube-like J-bend member which is connected to the pipeline by a non-restricting, ring-type universal joint. The J-bend member is usually arranged with the member arranged in a horizontal plane with the member supported or suspended by a pair of load cells which are arranged 90.degree. apart and measure the reaction forces in a vertical and horizontal plane passing through the center of gravity. In this way, the load cells measure the weight of the J-bend member as well as the reaction moment produced by the liquid flow. In another embodiment the J-bend member is supported by a pair of rollers positoned 90.degree. to each other and arranged to suspend the J-bend member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Hans K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4817428
    Abstract: On-line density/weight measurements are made in liquid handling plant by isolating part of the plant, e.g. a tank such as an accountancy tank in nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, from the remainder of the plant in terms of force transmission and supporting the isolated part through the agency of a null-deflection weighing mechanism which cna be tared off to indicate the weight of liquid (and any solids content) occupying the isolated part of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Lionel H. Ford, Samuel N. Oruh, Jaswant Singh, Geoffrey S. Coldwell
  • Patent number: 4745807
    Abstract: A density meter for continuous fluid flow including a plurality of hollow flexures, a relatively fixed support for one end for each of the flexures, and a closed container supported by, and interiorly communicating with, the opposite ends of the flexures. One or more of the flexures conduct a flowing fluid into the container, and the other of the flexures conduct a flowing fluid out of the container. Changes in fluid density produce flexure deflection, the container when filled with fluid being supported in every position by the deflecting flexures. A transducer is provided to convert such deflection into an electrical displacement signal, and a first processor is connected to the transducer to convert such electrical displacement signal to an electrical weight signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Inventor: Timothy P. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 4677851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the density of a liquid, such as a drilling mud, by continuously flowing a sample of the liquid through a container having a fixed predetermined volume. The container is supported by at least one bed of pressurized fluid. The pressure of the fluid is varied in response to fluctuations in the weight of the liquid sample in the container. A pressure transmitter monitors the pressure level in the bed and produces a signal indicative of the density of the liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: James A. McAuley
  • Patent number: 4570476
    Abstract: A trailer mounted densitometer proving system includes three product tanks, each of which stores a respective petroleum product having a differing specific gravity. The product from any one of the three tanks is circulated via an electric pump through a pycnometer, a densitometer being proved, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger controls the temperature of the circulating product and a pressure control system controls the pressure of the circulating product. By comparing the pycnometer weight with the densitometer reading, the densitometer can be proved for a wide range of pressures, temperatures and products in order to determine the accuracy of the densitometer under actual working conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Santa Fe Pipeline Company
    Inventor: Garland H. Davis
  • Patent number: 4562842
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously monitoring the loss of blood suffered by a patient in the course of a surgical operation. The apparatus provides a means for sucking the combination of blood and irrigating solution gathered about the incision, and for sequentially measuring the volumes and densities of small samplings of the solution-and-blood mixture being drawn through the conduit leading from the incision area to the suction device. The apparatus relies on the difference between the respective densities of the blood and of the irrigating solution in order to calculate the exact volume of blood contained in each sampling. The blood loss is continuously accumulated and displayed on a visual read-out, so that a corresponding amount of blood can be transfused to the patient in order to maintain his blood pressure throughout the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Diane E. Morfeld
    Inventors: Diane E. Morfeld, Henri J. A. Charmasson
  • Patent number: 4476722
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring density of drilling mud. An elongated cylindrical measuring chamber is pivoted on a base at one end and includes conduits for introducing the mud into the chamber. A force measuring thrust a gauge mounted on the base and supporting the chamber intermediate its ends provides a signal proportional to the weight of the receptacle and its contents. Since the volume of the chamber is constant the weight varies as a function of the density of mud. A rotating wire brush mounted within the chamber tends to scrape away accumulating solid material on the inner walls thereof. The chamber is provided with a ceramic liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Scientific Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Bentkowski
  • Patent number: 4285239
    Abstract: A densitometer apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for accurately measuring the density of a liquid and particularly of a slurry flowing in a pipeline. The apparatus includes a pipe section which is coupled to the rest of the pipeline by substantially friction and resistance free hydrostatic bearings in such a manner that the pipe section is able to move, at least to a limited extent, in a direction parallel with the earth's gravitational field. The weight of the pipe section is accurately measured together with the weight of the slurry or liquid contained therein by load cells, strain gauges or the like. A unique flow velocity meter is also disclosed. The flow velocity meter includes two densitometers positioned at a predetermined distance from one another on the pipeline, and measures the time it takes a density fluctuation pattern to travel from one densitometer to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventors: Otto R. Heine, Peter M. Riede
  • Patent number: 4195527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for producing a foam-forming reaction mixture of at least two liquid components which react together and which are fed continuously to a mixing zone where they are mixed together. The volumetric flow of at least one component is measured continuously both in the main pipe leading to the mixhead and also in a subsidiary pipe which branches off the main feed line between the storage for the components and its pump. This subsidiary stream serves as a source for intermittent weighing of the component so that the density of the reaction component can be periodically calculated and monitored. This helps ensure the proper mass of component entering the mixhead.An apparatus is disclosed which achieves precise dosing of the components so that a product free of defects and having the desired properties may be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Ebeling, Klaus Schulte, Dieter Kreuer
  • Patent number: 4187721
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mass flow measurement utilizing a substantially "U" shaped conduit mounted in a cantilever manner at the legs thereof, means for oscillating the conduit, and means for measuring the Coriolis force by measurement of the force moment or the angular motion of the conduit around an axis substantially symmetrical to the legs of the conduit. The force moment is measured by sensing incipient movement around the axis, and generating and measuring a nulling force. In preferred embodiments, the oscillating means are mounted on a spring arm having a natural frequency substantially equal to that of the "U" shaped conduit, and in a particularly preferred displacement the measuring means are sensors mounted on the "U" shaped conduit and adapted to measure, with proper direction sense, the time differential between the leading and trailing portions of the "U" shaped conduit passing through the plane of the "U" shaped conduit at substantially midpoint of the oscillation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: S & F Associates
    Inventor: James E. Smith
  • Patent number: RE31450
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mass flow measurement utilizing a substantially "U" shaped conduit mounted in a cantilever manner at the legs thereof, .[.means for oscillating the conduit, and means for measuring.]. .Iadd.so that, when the conduit is oscillated, sensors mounted on the conduit can measure .Iaddend.the Coriolis force by measurement of the force moment or the angular motion of the conduit around an axis substantially symmetrical to the legs of the conduit. The force moment is measured by sensing incipient movement around the axis, and generating and measuring a nulling force. In preferred embodiments, the oscillating means are mounted on a spring arm having a natural frequency substantially equal to that of the "U" shaped conduit, and in a particularly preferred .[.displacement.]. .Iadd.embodiment .Iaddend.the measuring .[.means are sensors.]. .Iadd.sensors are .Iaddend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Smith