By Measuring Fluid Flow Characteristic (e.g., By Volume Or Rate Of Flow Or By Change In Fluid Level) Patents (Class 73/53.04)
  • Patent number: 11774438
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a measurement set-up for a return cement suspension, a construction site arrangement with a measurement set-up, and a method which can be carried out inexpensively, reliably, and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KELLER HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Hinzmann, Christian Thienert, Christoph Klaproth, Frank Ludwig, Reiner Otterbein
  • Patent number: 9121111
    Abstract: A method for the spinning of a fiber comprising cellulose nano-fibrils being aligned along the main axis of the fiber from a lyotropic suspension of cellulose nano-fibrils, said nano-fibril alignment being achieved through extension of the extruded fiber from a die, spinneret or needle, wherein said fiber is dried under extension and the aligned nano-fibrils aggregate to form a continuous structure. The fibrils used in this method can be extracted from a cellulose-rich material such as wood. The invention also related to a cellulose-based fiber obtained according to this method and to a cellulose fiber which contains at least 90% wt of crystallized cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SAPPI Netherlands Services B.V.
    Inventors: Philip Turner, Zurine Hernandez, Callum Hill
  • Patent number: 8941504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining if a fluid level in a transmission is satisfactory. The transmission includes a controller and is coupled to a powered vehicle. The method includes measuring a grade of the surface upon which the vehicle is positioned with an inclinometer and measuring the fluid level in the transmission with a fluid sensor. The method also includes communicating the measured grade and measured fluid level to the controller and determining a fluid level threshold based on the measured grade. The measured fluid level and fluid level threshold are compared and a determination is made if the measured fluid level is satisfactory based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Avery T. Sheets
  • Patent number: 8798943
    Abstract: A measurement device measures a liquid flow discharged from a funnel in a lower branch and/or a side branch. A modelling function is established between liquid flows received with the funnel and/or liquid flows discharged through the lower branch and/or the side branch. In drainability measurement, a sensor measures the flow through a wire out of a measurement chamber at least at two points in time. A processor establishes a parameter descriptive of the drainability from flows measured at the different points in time based on a modelling function stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventor: Matti-Paavo Sarén
  • Patent number: 8772744
    Abstract: UV-C light assembly is designed to kill germs (bacteria, molds, protozoa, virus, and yeast) in the forced airstreams of HVAC systems, thus preventing the spreading of germs into other rooms or spaces. An air-flow activated switch is invented for turning on the UV-C lights when airstreams pass through and turning off when airstreams stop in the HVAC systems. The UV-C light assembly is installed inside duct through air filter's opening. The UV-C germicidal assembly is an easy add-on to an existing HVAC system for indoor air purification. The UV-C light sources are either LEDs or fluorescent tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Dengfa Liu
  • Patent number: 8330603
    Abstract: A dewatering system includes a selective calibrating sensor circuit configured to receive sensor readings from an electronic sensor, to determine if the electronic sensor is immersed in water, to allow a user to adjust a pump down time in the field, and to generate a control output signal accordingly. The selective calibrating sensor circuit periodically performs a self-calibration when the electronic sensor is not immersed in water to cancel the effect of potential contaminants deposited on the electronic sensor over its operating life. The selective calibrating sensor circuit inhibits calibration when the electronic sensor is immersed in water. In some applications with multiple electronic sensors, the selective calibrating sensor circuit disconnects from one of the electronic sensors before performing the self-calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: SEEwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Gibb
  • Patent number: 8170812
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting deposit buildup within an ultrasonic flow meter are disclosed. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic flow meters comprising a spool piece configured to couple within a flow of fluid, a first transducer pair mechanically mounted to the spool piece and configured to fluidly couple to the flow of fluids (wherein the first transducer pair comprises an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer in operational relationship to the upstream transducer and defines a first chord there between), and electronics electrically coupled to the first transducer pair. The electronics is configured to detect deposit buildup over an inner surface of the ultrasonic flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Charles Straub, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8033169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring chamber (6) for an ultrasonic bath (1) or for a container which is equipped with a low-frequency ultrasonic source (2) for cavitation generation, this measuring chamber being suitable for determining the cavitation energy via the increase in volume in a measuring liquid (10) contained in the measuring chamber, and the measuring chamber having in addition a container (7) with a sound-permeable window region (8) and a sensor (9) for measuring the increase in volume of the measuring liquid (10). In addition, a method for operating this measuring chamber is presented. With the measuring chamber according to the invention or the corresponding method (independent of a prescribed ultrasonic bath), reliable determination of the introduced ultrasonic power or a conclusion about the cleaning power is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: BANDELIN Electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Jung
  • Patent number: 8032234
    Abstract: A condition of an industrial process is diagnosed based upon process variable information related to a value of a measured process variable. Histogram information is calculated based upon the determined process variable information and time information related to a duration of time the measured process variable has the value. Condition of the industrial process is diagnosed based upon the calculated histogram information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot R. Foss, Terry A. Cureton
  • Patent number: 7990258
    Abstract: An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus for vehicles capable of informing a user of an exchange timing of oil on the basis of the degree of degradation of oil as quickly as possible. An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus includes an odometer for integrating vehicle travel distances, an operation time integrator for integrating operation times of an engine mounted on the vehicle, an oil exchange informing device for informing a user of an exchange timing of oil, and a controlling device for starting, when either an integrated value of the travel distances or an integrated value of the operation times, based on signals from the odometer and the operation time integrator exceeds a preset value, the oil exchange informing device to inform the user of the exchange timing of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kasbushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihiko Fukui
  • Publication number: 20110153230
    Abstract: A measurement device measures a liquid flow discharged from a funnel in a lower branch and/or a side branch. A modelling function is established between liquid flows received with the funnel and/or liquid flows discharged through the lower branch and/or the side branch. In drainability measurement, a sensor measures the flow through a wire out of a measurement chamber at least at two points in time. A processor establishes a parameter descriptive of the drainability from flows measured at the different points in time based on a modelling function stored in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: METSO AUTOMATION OY
    Inventor: Matti-Paavo Saren
  • Patent number: 7962576
    Abstract: The application is directed to methods, systems, procedures, networks and storage apparatus used to conduct conversions of data using remote conversion servers. In one embodiment of the present invention, recent query results may be stored and then used to solve subsequent conversions rather than querying a remote conversion server when the same conversion was previously completed. A counter may be referenced to determine if too much time has passed since the original query was stored in the buffer and, if too much time has passed, the buffer may be cleared and the remote conversion server may be queried to convert the pending data. The resulting conversion may be stored for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Guenter Spens, Ralf Mueller, Markus Seng
  • Patent number: 7937989
    Abstract: Described herein is a device for detecting a physical variable for a process fluid via differential measurement, comprising a pressure transmitter having a main body, provided with a pressure sensor and a first pressure-sensitive element and a second pressure-sensitive element operatively connected to the pressure sensor. The device moreover comprises a first remote separator, designed to be positioned in a first detection position, and a second remote separator, designed to be positioned in a second detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventor: Rossano Marchesi
  • Patent number: 7772855
    Abstract: There are disclosed an instrument for measuring the concentration of particulates in a fluid, which is capable of determining the concentration of the particulates in the fluid with high accuracy. The instrument for measuring the concentration of the particulates in the fluid includes particulate collecting means, temperature measuring means, flow rate measuring means, impedance measuring means, time measuring means, constant determining means for determining an impedance change per unit time-particulate concentration constant from temperature and flow rate, impedance change per unit time computing means for computing the change of an impedance per unit time, and particulate concentration determining means for determining the concentration of the particulates from the change of the impedance per unit time computed by the impedance change per unit time computing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Kyosuke Katsuyama, Kenshin Kitoh
  • Patent number: 7611478
    Abstract: Continuous volume detection for a reservoir in a fluid circuit of a medical system is described. Volume detection is based on a pressure measurement that is manipulated via application of fluid mechanics. Next-generation medical system controllers may use this data to control the volume contained in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Minnetronix Inc.
    Inventors: Lori E. Lucke, Matthew J. Cunningham, Richard A. Nazarian
  • Patent number: 7566382
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for controlling short circulation in a paper machine, in which the control of at least one property of the diluted fiber-containing pulp conducted to the headbox is based on consistency measurement or determination in high-consistency fiber-containing pulp, diluted pulp and/or white water. The amount of fiber-based fines in high-consistency fiber-based pulp, diluted fiber-based pulp and/or white water is determined, and the result obtained is used for controlling at least one property of the fiber-containing pulp to be conveyed to the headbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Automation OY
    Inventor: Matti Hietaniemi
  • Patent number: 7504835
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for an electrochemical impedance measurement, and in particular circuitry and components employed for such measurements. The system employs an injected broadband AC signal to produce an associated response signal. The subsequent analysis of injected and response signals, considering both magnitude and phase, gives broadband impedance and therefore fluid characteristic information. An embodiment described is relative to a smart oil sensor system suitable for sensing, analyzing and reporting the condition of oil or other liquids used in equipment and machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Impact Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carl S. Byington, Matthew J. Watson, Ryan C. Brewer
  • Patent number: 7466236
    Abstract: [Theme] To provide a device or a judging method for judging the type of liquid inside a container that can be applied to containers of various shapes and can be applied to cases where the remaining amounts of liquids in containers differ. [Solution Means] This invention's device for judging the type of liquid inside a container is equipped with: a plate capacitor 1, wherein two plate electrodes 1a and 1b are positioned in opposing manner; a container supporting member 3, holding, in a region besides the region sandwiched between plate electrodes 1a and 1b, a non-conductive container 2 that can contain a liquid in its interior; an oscillation circuit 4, containing capacitor 1; and a control part 5, detecting the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit; and container supporting member 3 is arranged to adjust the distance from plate electrode 1a to container 2 in accordance with the size of container 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Yasuhiko Shinozawa, Tomohide Machida, Kouichiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7430500
    Abstract: A method including: a dividing step (A) of dividing external data into a plurality of cells (13) having boundaries orthogonal to each other, the external data including boundary data of an object which contacts incompressible viscous fluid; a cell classifying step (B) of classifying the divided cells into an internal cell (13a) positioned inside or outside the object and a boundary cell (13b) including the boundary data; a cut point determining step (C) of determining cut points in ridges of the boundary cell on the basis of the boundary data; a boundary face determining step (D) of determining a polygon connecting the cut points to be cell internal data for the boundary face; and a analyzing step (E) of applying a cut cell finite volume method combined with a VOF method to a boundary of a flow field to analyze the flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Kangbin Lei, Masako Iwata, Ryutaro Himeno, Kiwamu Kase
  • 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: 7364563
    Abstract: A continuous volume detection system for a flexible venous reservoir in a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit is described. The volume detection system is based on a pressure measurement that is manipulated via application of fluid mechanics. Next-generation cardiopulmonary bypass system controllers may use this data to control the volume contained in the flexible venous reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lori E. Lucke, Matthew J. Cunningham, Richard A. Nazarian
  • Patent number: 7350403
    Abstract: A method for analysis of a multi-component fluid is provided based on the features of the dynamics of the self-organization processes in drying drops. An electro-acoustic resonator is utilized, with a drop of multi-component fluid placed on one end of the resonator. A shear oscillation is imparting to the resonator along its longitudinal axis. And oscillating electric voltage is placed across the resonator generally perpendicular to the direction of mechanical oscillation. Changes in the electrical conductance corresponding to changes in the acoustical-mechanical impedance can thereby be measured as the drop of multi-component liquid dries. The particular geometry of an amplitude curve includes identifying the spatio-temporal development and phase transitions is used for integral estimation of food authenticity and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aria Analyties, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatjana Anatoljevna Yakhno, Anatoly Gennadievich Sanin, Vladimir Grigorievich Yakhno, Artem S. Pelushenko, Olga S. Shapovnikova, Michael B. Dowell, Christina V. Vacca, Valentina B. Goutorova
  • Patent number: 7350402
    Abstract: A method for measuring changes in the composition of fluids, for medical diagnostics or quality control of fluids, comprising: One) placing a drop of fluid upon a quartz crystal; Two) generating ultrasonic vibrations of a predetermined frequency in the crystal; with the vibrating wave directed into the drop of fluid in a vertical direction relative to the area of the crystal upon which the drop is placed; Three) measuring voltage changes over a bridge circuit connected to the crystal, over a time period during which total or partial evaporation of the liquid occurs; Four) comparing the measurement result to previously obtained results or to predetermined data; Five) detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from the results. detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from said results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aria Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatjana Anatoljevna Yakhno, Anatoly Gennadievich Sanin, Vladimir Grigorievich Yakhno, Artem S. Pelushenko, Michael B. Dowell, Christina V. Vacca, Valentina B. Goutorova
  • Patent number: 7251996
    Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 7225670
    Abstract: The mounting structure for mounting the piezo-electric device (106) used to detect the consumption condition of the liquid in the liquid container (1) to the liquid container (1), having the receiving portion (363) to which the piezo-electric device (106) is to be mounted and the mount portion (363) to be mounted to the liquid container (1). The mounting structure can appropriately mount a piezo-electric device (106) for detecting the consumption condition of a liquid in a liquid container (1) to the liquid container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 7143637
    Abstract: The dielectric slit die is an instrument that is designed to measure electrical, rheological, ultrasonics, optical and other properties of a flowing liquid. In one application, it is connected to the exit of an extruder, pump or mixing machine that passes liquefied material such as molten plastic, solvents, slurries, colloidal suspensions, and foodstuffs into the sensing region of the slit shaped die. Dielectric sensing is the primary element of the slit die, but in addition to the dielectric sensor, the die contains other sensing devices such as pressure, optical fiber, and ultrasonic sensors that simultaneously yield an array of materials property data. The slit die has a flexible design that permits interchangeability among sensors and sensor positions. The design also allows for the placement of additional sensors and instrumentation ports that expand the potential data package obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Michael McBrearty, Anthony J. Bur
  • Patent number: 7043967
    Abstract: The present invention is a compact apparatus and method that provides an efficient manner for monitoring the condition and level of a functional fluid directly in operating equipment. A sensor device is provided that includes a plurality of liquid sensors and a plurality of vapor sensors that when used in conjunction with one another at different temperatures, can provide a thorough evaluation of the oxidative degradation, liquid contamination and solid contamination of the fluid to detect the end of the useful life of the fluid. By providing liquid sensors and vapor sensors on the same device, the present invention allows for a compact, efficient, and economically feasible manner to monitor the condition of fluid as well as detecting abnormal operating conditions prior to further component damage and eventual equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: University of Dayton
    Inventors: Robert E. Kauffman, James D. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7000781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device for taking a filtrate sample from liquid matter containing solid particles. The filtering device comprises two filter parts and at least one filtering slot between the filter parts. The filter parts are adapted to move in relation to each other in such a manner that the width of the filtering slot changes when the filter parts move in relation to each other. When taking a sample from a process, the filtering slot between the filter parts is at its smallest, and it is adapted to filter the sample while the liquid matter being measured flows from the process to the measurement. When rinsing the filtering device against the sampling direction, the filter parts are adapted to move away from each other, whereby the filtering slot widens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Automation OY
    Inventor: Veikko Kyllönen
  • Patent number: 6884320
    Abstract: A method for producing and testing a fiber bed, includes a housing, a main inlet passage and a main outlet passage, a cavity in the housing in fluid connection with the inlet and outlet passages, a body rotatably arranged in the cavity, the body being arranged with a through-going passage having first and a second opening, a screen arranged in the through-going passage, and elements for measuring properties of the fiber bed. The method includes positioning the body so that the first opening is connected to the main inlet and the second opening is connected to the main outlet, creating a first passage, leading a fiber suspension through the first passage in order to produce a fiber bed on the screen, measuring the properties of the bed, rotating the body such that the second opening is connected to the main inlet and the first opening is connected to the main outlet and creating a flow through the first passage for removing the fiber bed from the screen through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Fibertracker AB
    Inventors: Hakan Karlsson, Per-Ivar Fransson
  • Patent number: 6874357
    Abstract: The present invention relates to physical chemistry and can be used for a quality test of liquids, in particular, multi-component liquid products, to ascertain the conformity of various process liquids, pharmaceutical preparations, foodstuffs, biological liquids to standard in pharmacology, food processing and chemical industries, and in medical diagnostics. The method of invention enables determining of the mechanical impedance within a drop (1) of test liquid having a specified volume, in the preferred embodiment, 5 mcl, placed on the surface of a piezoelectric resonator (3) of ultrasound frequencies, which provides for excitation of shear modes within drop (1) while it is drying up. The obtained time dependence of the mechanical impedance of drop (1) is used as the information parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Tatjana Anatoljevna Yakhno, Vladimir Grigorievich Yakhno, Ivan Ivanovich Shmeljov, Anatoly Gennadievich Sanin, Evgeny Valerievich Krotov, Yuri Yakovievich Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6843963
    Abstract: The adsorption rate of proteins from solutions on surfaces in the region of interface layers is often so large that a depletion of the protein in the interface layer results. Due to this, the total reaction becomes transport-dependent, sensitively disrupting the determination of the rate constants. In known TIRF-analysis chambers or bio-sensor systems with a liquid interface layer of ˜10 ?m thickness and mass transport coefficients of 10?6-10?5 m/s it has up limitation. With the help of a TIRF-flow-through shear analyzer in which a certain volume unit of an immiscible fluid, for example an air bubble, is fed into the buffer flow, an ultra-thin liquid layer arises on the surface with a thickness of 100-200 nm, wherein interface surfaces below 10 nm thickness are technically possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Herbert Peter Jennissen, Thomas Zumbrink
  • Patent number: 6778076
    Abstract: An oil pressure switch failure detection system for an outboard motor, having a first oil pressure switch which generates an ON signal indicating that the oil pressure is less than or equal to a first predetermined oil pressure and a second oil pressure switch which generates an ON signal indicating that the oil pressure is less than or equal to a second predetermined oil pressure which is set higher than the first predetermined oil pressure. In the system, by discriminating whether the generated signals of the first and second oil pressure switches are equal to be expected signals expected under operating conditions of the engine, it is determined whether at least one of the first and second oil pressure switches fails. With this, it become possible to detect failure of the first and second oil pressure switches, accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Sadafumi Shidara, Nobuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6745626
    Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6523395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and measuring apparatus for measuring freeness. Freeness is measured with the help of an automatic data processing apparatus (30) so that the flow rate of a liquid draining from a measuring chamber (10) is measured using the measuring apparatus (12) until the flow rate is equal to or lower than a predefined flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventor: Martti Kähkönen
  • Patent number: 6510739
    Abstract: An apparatus 100 for providing information concerning a condition of a vessel such as a steam drum 12 which segregates steam and liquid from one another includes a liquid contact assembly 102, a signal generator element 130, and a housing 112 and a conduit 114 for enclosing the signal generator element 130 in a substantially leak proof manner within the vessel space. The liquid contact assembly 102 is disposable at a first vessel location in the steam drum 12 and has a vibration component 108 operable to vibrate at natural frequencies which vary as a function of a predetermined characteristic of the liquid at the first vessel location and a support component 110 for supporting the water contact assembly 102 in contact with the liquid at the first vessel location. The signal generator element 130 generates a signal indicative of a natural frequency of the vibration component 108.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Xavier R. Ollat, Joseph W. Quinn, Terry M. Grayson
  • Patent number: 6470744
    Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6430514
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring the use of water supplied by a pipe to a device that discharges water during use. A meter generates information indicating the volume of water is flowing through the pipe and the temperature times the volume thereof which is transmitted to a host computer. The host computer determines the average temperature of the water by dividing the temperature times volume data by the volume data and corrects the volume data for any temperature difference above a reference cold water temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Saar, Wade W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6305216
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and improved method for determining the characteristics of a multi-phase fluid along a well hole having a predefined geometric profile are presented. Various state properties of the fluid, including the temperature, pressure and specific gravity are taken at the wellhead and used as starting values for calculating estimated state properties at various segments along the well hole. Once the state properties are calculated, an estimated mass flow and velocity rate for the fluid and its constituents can be calculated at specific points along the well hole by implementing computer-based programs and algorithms to extrapolate and/or iterate the known parameters and measurements in a progressively incremented manner from the locations of such given starting points at an initial segment up to other further points corresponding to a set of further sequential segments used in the geometric profile mathematical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Production Testing Services
    Inventor: Brian H. Samaroo
  • Patent number: 6250132
    Abstract: A modular apparatus for analyzing a fluid includes a disposable fluidic sensor module, a replaceable transducer module, and an expendable electronics package. The disposable fluidic sensor includes a fluidic flowmeter and a capillary structure formed in a plate-like member which receives a sample fluid flow. The fluidic flowmeter is responsive to the fluid flow to generate an output indicative of the flow rate of the fluid, and the capillary structure restricts the fluid flow such that a pressure drop across the capillary structure is related to the viscosity of the fluid. The fluidic flowmeter can be a fluidic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is related to the fluid flow rate. The oscillator flowmeter also serves as an orifice, with the pressure drop across the oscillator being related to the density of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: metaSENSORS, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadeusz M. Drzewiecki
  • Patent number: 6227039
    Abstract: A measuring system for measuring rheological properties of a concrete mix tested when contained, the system comprising, a surface in contact with part of a mass of said concrete mix; a shearing unit for effecting shear deformation in said mass, along the direction of a shearing plane crossing through said concrete mass; and at least one sensor which senses a measure of the force which is transferred to said surface by said concrete mass as a result of said shear deformation under at least two measurement environments defining at least two different stress states, where said two measurement environments are created by said shearing unit effecting a shear deformation and where said two different measurement environments are characterized by having substantially different forces perpendicular to the shear plane of said shear deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Moshe Te'eni
  • Patent number: 6176119
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the analysis of sample liquids, comprising: a) test elements comprising an edge profile; b) a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for at least two test elements comprising a guide element, a spacer between the guide element and the first test element to be withdrawn, and a transport device for test elements; and c) a measuring instrument that is independent of a power supply network and can be held with one hand, the instrument comprising a guide groove for test elements, an opposing guide groove for the guide element of the storage container, and a holding device for test elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Kintzig