Using Differential Pressure Patents (Class 73/861.42)
  • Publication number: 20110146682
    Abstract: A probe assembly of a sensor is arranged in an airflow channel. A first probe of the assembly has an inlet. The inlet is at a first point in the airflow channel. A second probe of the assembly has an inlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the airflow channel. The second probe inlet is closer to a surface defining a perimeter of the channel than is the first probe inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Swapnil Gopal Patil, Praveen Kumar Palacharla, Madan Mohan Reddy Dumpala
  • Publication number: 20110138883
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of fuel flow from a high pressure gas tank to the anode side of a fuel cell stack through pulsed injector. The anode sub-system pressure is measured just before the injector pulse and just after injector pulse and a difference between the pressures is determined. The difference between the pressures, the volume of the anode sub-system, the ideal gas constant, the anode sub-system temperature, the fuel consumed from the reaction in the fuel cell stack during the injection event and the fuel cross-over through membranes in the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack are used to determine the amount of hydrogen gas injected by the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. FALTA, Steven G. GOEBEL, Daniel C. DI FIORE, Ralf SENNER
  • Publication number: 20110138929
    Abstract: A fluid flow rate and density measuring apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a section of cylindrical conduit, a flow sensor housing for allowing fluid to pass through the open ends of the sensor housing as fluid flows through the conduit, and an elongated cylindrically symmetric structure located within the housing with its longitudinal axis aligned along that of the housing thereby forcing fluid through the annular gap between the exterior of the elongated cylindrically symmetric structure and the interior wall of the sensor housing. The apparatus includes a one-piece construction that includes the housing and the cylindrically symmetric structure. The cylindrically symmetric structure has a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 3:1 and reduces a cross-section area of the conduit to between 20% and 50% of an open inlet area of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: MALEMA ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan M. Young
  • Publication number: 20110137580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for measuring volumetric flow rates of preferably liquid, but also gaseous fluids. A movably mounted membrane, one side of which can fluidically communicate with the pressure of the conveyed medium, is the core of the measuring instrument. Changes in pressure, which occur particularly in pulsating conveying mechanisms (e.g. diaphragm pumps), result in cyclic pressure variations in the measuring chamber and on the measuring membrane. If there is no pulsation because a non-pulsating conveying mechanism is used, the pulsation can be generated by means of an additional pulsating mechanism. The cyclically changing deflection of the measuring membrane can be detected by means of a suitable sensor, particularly a piezo active material that generates a tension when being bent, and can be fed to an electronic evaluation unit, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Frank Bartels, Markus Rawert
  • Publication number: 20110132071
    Abstract: A testing system includes a single air collection box and a laminar flow system for obtain an airflow measurement. The single airflow box has air inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends. The laminar flow element has a laminar flow element inlet in fluid communication with the air collection box and a laminar flow element outlet sealed with the air outlet port of the air collection box. A blower in fluid communication with the laminar flow element outlet draws airflow into the air collection box through a unit under test and out of the air collection box through the laminar flow element. A pressure transducer senses the differential air pressure across the laminar flow element and enables a determination of the airflow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael S. Purdy, Mark E. Steinke, Leo H. Webster, JR.
  • Patent number: 7942069
    Abstract: A fluid handling device includes a body portion defining a flow passage and an impulse chamber extending from the flow passage. The impulse chamber is fluidly coupled with the flow passage and has a pair of opposing ends defining a length dimension therebetween. The impulse chamber further presents a diameter dimension transverse to the length dimension, wherein the length dimension is at least 3 times and not greater than 10 times the diameter dimension. The device further includes at least one sensor operably coupled with the body portion. The sensor is disposed proximate the end of the impulse chamber opposite the flow passage and presents a sensing face facing into the impulse chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Peterson
  • Patent number: 7945414
    Abstract: A method for detecting abnormality in a fluid supply line is provided that uses a fluid control apparatus with a pressure sensor so that abnormality of malfunction and sheet leaks of a plurality of valves incorporated into the fluid supply line can be checked easily, promptly and accurately by operating the flow rate control apparatus possessing the pressure sensor. Specifically, using a fluid supply line provided with the flow rate control apparatus possessing the pressure sensor equipped with a flow rate setting mechanism, a flow rate/pressure display mechanism, and/or a flow rate self-diagnosis mechanism, abnormality of the control valves, installed with the flow rate control apparatus and on the upstream side and downstream side thereof, is detected by using the pressure value displayed and/or the value diagnosed with a self-diagnosis mechanism of the flow rate control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Ryousuke Dohi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Kaoru Hirata, Katsuyuki Sugita, Atsushi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110107848
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing the self-healing properties of a set cement based material in contact with hydrocarbons in an oil- and/or gas-well are described. The methods comprise: providing a test cell (10); providing said test cell (10) with a sample (31, 40) of the set cement based material; damaging the sample to simulate a loss of zonal isolation resulting from damages made to the set cement based material in the oil- or gas-well; injecting a hydrocarbon fluid in the test cell; allowing the cement based material to heal by itself; measuring the differential pressure (?P) across the sample (31, 40); and characterizing the self-healing properties of the cement based material from the measure of said differential pressure (?P).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvaine Le Roy-Delage, Hélène Bulté-Loyer, Bernard Dargaud, Hélène Heurdier
  • Publication number: 20110094310
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the pressure within a filter housing. A pressure sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the pressure within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the pressure sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of pressure values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read pressure values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. In addition, integrity testing for individual filters within multi-filter configurations is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: MILLIPORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony DiLeo, John Dana Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20110088484
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for calculating well flow rates produced with electrical submersible pumps using measured voltage, current, frequency and pressure data. An efficiency to flow rate ratio is calculated from the voltage, current, and pressure data. The efficiency to flow rate ratio is used to obtain a non-dimensional flow rate. The flow rate through the electrical submersible pump is calculated from the non-dimensional flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lawrence Camilleri
  • Publication number: 20110072911
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating an instantaneous EGR mass flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit fluidly coupled between an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine with an EGR cooler positioned in-line with the EGR conduit. An operating position of the engine is monitored, and the instantaneous EGR mass flow rate is estimated at each of a plurality of fixed increments of the engine position based on EGR cooler outlet temperature, intake manifold pressure and a pressure differential across a flow restriction disposed in-line with the exhaust gas conduit between the EGR cooler and the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Martin T. Books, Richard E. Reisinger, Albert E. Sisson
  • Publication number: 20110071465
    Abstract: A volume of fluid moved by a pump, such as a pump in an APD system, may be determined without direct measurement of the fluid, such as by flow meter, weight, etc. For example, a volume of a pump chamber (181) (having a movable element that varies the volume of the pump chamber) may be determined by measuring pressure in the pump chamber and a reference chamber, both while the two chambers are isolated from each other, and after the two chambers are fluidly connected so that pressures in the chambers may equalize. Equalization of the pressures may be assumed to occur in an adiabatic way, e.g., a mathematical model of the system that is based on an adiabatic pressure equalization process may be used to determine the pump chamber volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Tien-Shoe Wang, David W. McGill, Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20110061440
    Abstract: A material transport and event control in systems with piezoelectrically activated droplet emission including a device for metering a material into a carrier matrix, having a carrier matrix source (0) supplying a carrier matrix, a supply vessel (1) filled with the material in preferably liquid form, a metering unit (3, 4) including a metering chamber (4), disposed downstream of the carrier matrix source and a metering head (3 disposed downstream of the supply vessel and configured preferably for piezoelectrically activated droplet emission, the carrier matrix being supplied to the metering chamber from the carrier matrix source, and the material being supplied to the metering head from the supply vessel, being emitted via the metering head into the metering chamber and consequently being metered into the carrier matrix, including a pressure control device configured to control the pressure in the supply vessel (1) and/or the pressure in the metering unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus Breuer, Stefan Mair
  • Patent number: 7905142
    Abstract: A volumetric flowmeter (1) is equipped with a detachable pump unit (2), a main body casing (3) accommodating the pump unit (2), and a cover member (4). The main body casing (3) is equipped with a front side main body casing (8) accommodating the pump unit (2) and integrated with a differential pressure detector (6), and a rear side main body casing (10) connected to the front side main body casing (8) and allowing mounting therewithin of a servomotor (9) constituting a main body of a shaft driving unit (5). The pump unit (2) is inserted into a unit accommodating recess (11) of the front side main body casing (8) and is then covered with the cover member (4) to be thereby completely accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 7905141
    Abstract: One pressure difference detection connecting path (71) and another pressure difference detection connecting path (72) are formed so as to be arranged at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction. Further, the one pressure difference detection connecting path (71) is formed so as to be connected in front of a continuation center position (70) of a second inflow path (67) and a first inflow path (43). Further, the other pressure difference detection connecting path (72) is formed so as to be connected behind a continuation center position (69) of a second outflow path (66) and a first outflow path (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Wakamatsu
  • Publication number: 20110005337
    Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a differential pressure flowmeter. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, Robbie Lansangan, Michael Reese
  • Publication number: 20100319463
    Abstract: A substance detection device including a chemical substance analyzer, including, a conduit, and a membrane, wherein the membrane extends across a cross-section of the conduit, wherein the membrane is positioned to have one side and an analysis side opposite the one side, wherein the substance detection device is adapted to direct a portion of a chemical substance to the one side through the conduit, the substance detection device further including a particle separation apparatus, including a particle collection device having a collection chamber containing a first fluid and including an outlet, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the conduit such that particles directed through the outlet travel through the conduit and chemical substances which may be on those particles directed through the outlet are transferred to the membrane by interacting with the one side of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100281997
    Abstract: A flow control device for automatically controlling the flow of a fluid at a predetermined rate that is capable of taking measurements of the pressure of the fluid within the device while the device is functioning and that is capable of real-time adjustment of the flow rate is provided. Said device includes a casing having a casing outlet, a piston having a piston inlet and an edge, wherein said piston interfaces with the casing in a manner such that the edge is cooperable with the casing outlet to control the flow of fluid through the device. A biasing member, such as a spring, for biasing the casing with the piston is further included, as is a sensor, such as a pressure transducer, for measuring the pressure within the interior of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Tommy Jefferson Jones, III
  • Publication number: 20100269596
    Abstract: A gas meter device is provided which is configured in a manner that even if a user takes an unauthorized action such as the removal of a gas meter device in order to use gas without authorization, since the generation of a particular flow-rate change profile different from a normal flow-rate change profile of a gas appliance is detected, the sign of the tamper of the gas can be detected, whereby the tamper of the gas can be prevented. The gas meter device includes an appliance determining unit 6 for determining a gas appliance being used and a tamper determining unit 7 which determines that the gas is used without authorization in the case where the particular flow-rate change profile different from an appliance determining value registered in a registration storage unit 5 is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Hajime Miyata, Youichi Itou, Kenichi Kamon
  • Patent number: 7810400
    Abstract: A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7798017
    Abstract: Ram pressure probe having two ducts which are separated from one another and lead with one of their ends to a pressure measuring sensor, with a fluidic differential pressure increasing element and an opening at the respective other end of each duct, the openings being arranged at various locations between which there is a higher value for the differential pressure, generated by the effect of the differential pressure increasing element, than the value of the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid, and all the openings (9a, 9b) are arranged in such a way that the vertical axis passes through the opening surface at an angle to the direction (S) of flow which prevails during the measuring process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Systec Controls Mess-und Regelungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Betz
  • Publication number: 20100224009
    Abstract: A new flowmeter which comprises a DP flowmeter and a volume meter in series or in hybrid integrated form. The combination of the readings from the two gives increased metering capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Steven
  • Publication number: 20100218586
    Abstract: A novel enhanced flow metering device is adapted for disposing into a flow material reservoir a known volume of flow material whereby software used in conjunction with a pressure sensor may be calibrated. Additionally, by measuring the known amount of flow material returning to the flow material reservoir, checks are quickly made to ensure the pressure sensor is behaving as expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Rosinko, Paul M. DiPerna
  • Publication number: 20100199780
    Abstract: Multi-phase flow is estimated in a flow meter having a first and a second stage by empirically deriving an algorithm for the water and gas fractions, measuring pressures within the flow meter, and estimating a total mass flow rate based on the measured pressures. A corrected total mass flow rate is calculated using a liquid/gas slip correction technique. The oil fraction can be determined from the corrected total mass flow rate and gas and water fractions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Joo Tim Ong
  • Patent number: 7770469
    Abstract: A differential pressure (dP) measurement device for use in flow measurement including a first microwave resonator (1) having a flexible or yieldable part or member (4) deformable or yieldable when subject to a differential pressure in such a way as to alter a resonant frequency of said resonator, and an electronic unit (12, 14) which is coupled to the resonator (1), and where the electronic unit is adapted to produce an output depending on a resonant frequency of the resonator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Roxar Flow Measurement AS
    Inventors: Ebbe Gustaf Nyfors, Per Hassel Sørensen
  • Publication number: 20100198547
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein related to measuring hydraulic parameters across a surface water-aquifer interface. In particular, the systems include a pressure differential sensor within a watertight housing. The pressure differential sensor has two inlets, one of which is connected to a piezometer located in an aquifer, and the other of which is connected to a surface water body. A solenoid valve allows the systems to switch between a first, measurement configuration and a second, calibration configuration. A pump and a conductivity-temperature sensor enable a third and fourth configuration for measuring the electrical conductivity and temperature of surface water and groundwater. The collected data is then locally stored or transmitted wirelessly. The low-power components and calibration capabilities of the systems allow for long-term deployment, on the order of six months or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Ann E. Mulligan, Alan T. Gardner, Terence Hammar, Charles Harvey, Harold F. Hemond
  • Publication number: 20100193051
    Abstract: A differential-pressure flowmeter that can reduce (eliminate) a difference between the ambient temperature of one pressure sensor and the ambient temperature of another pressure sensor so as to allow for accurate and stable pressure measurement is provided, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a differential-pressure flowmeter is provided. Provided are a body having a main fluid channel through which a fluid, whose pressure is to be measured, flows, and two pressure sensors held by the body and arranged in series relative to the main fluid channel, and a temperature balancer composed of a material with high thermal conductivity is accommodated in a recess that is formed in the body located below the two pressure sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroki IGARASHI
  • Publication number: 20100193056
    Abstract: A flowmeter in which a flow rate can be measured over a wide flow-rate range while an increase in the cost of manufacture thereof is minimized, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a flowmeter are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SURPASS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7765879
    Abstract: A flow control valve has upstream fluid pressure outlets provided between inner and outer circumferential surfaces of an upstream retainer, which is attached to an upstream inner surface of a valve body. A second conduit is provided between inner and outer surfaces of the valve body on the upstream side of the valve body. First conduits are formed between the valve body and the upstream retainer. Downstream side fluid pressure outlets are provided between inner and outer surfaces of a downstream retainer, which is mounted to the inner surface of the valve body. A fourth conduit is provided between the inner and outer surfaces of the valve body on the downstream side of the valve body. Third conduits are formed between the valve body and the downstream retainer. A differential pressure sensor is attached to the outer surface of the valve body and to the second and fourth conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Ohtani, Motohiro Furuya
  • Publication number: 20100180694
    Abstract: The invention is the use of a number of barometric pressure sensors roughly surrounding one or more target location or locations for which wind is being predicted. Based on a historical relationship between the observed pressures at the sensors and the observed wind at the target locations, the prediction of winds a few seconds into the future is possible. It is anticipated that these pressure observations used to train the prediction engine may be supplemented with some other local data such as area wind direction, temperature, and time of day. Further, in some applications the training of the prediction engine may be only prior to its use, while in other applications, the training may be updating the prediction engine while the instrument is operating. In the specification, a theoretical foundation for the pressure/wind relationship is explored for signal magnitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Richard D. Ely, III
  • Publication number: 20100141901
    Abstract: An airflow rate sensor is provided with a through hole, and a detection unit is disposed inside the through hole. The airflow rate is calculated based on the output voltage resulting from the temperature difference and the like caused in the detection unit by the air flowing through the through hole. A duct is provided with a concave portion so as to protrude from outside the duct toward the inside thereof. The airflow rate sensor is disposed in the duct so as to cover the concave portion, in which the through hole is in communication with the space in the concave portion. The concave portion has a bottom provided with an opening. Accordingly, an installation structure of a sensor for reliably sensing a flow rate and a projector apparatus having the same are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Kanbara, Taichi Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20100132339
    Abstract: The invention concerns an exhaust gas system (1) for an internal combustion engine (11), said system (1) comprising an exhaust gas conduit (13), a particulate filter (15) and a controllable exhaust valve (17) arranged in the exhaust gas conduit (13, said exhaust valve (17) being intended for increasing the exhaust gas temperature (TeXh) by increasing an exhaust gas back pressure in situations where the exhaust gas temperature (TeXh) is too low for performing a regeneration process of the particulate filter (15), a temperature measurement means (12) for determining an exhaust gas temperature (TeXh), a first pressure measurement means (14, 14a) for determining an exhaust gas pressure upstream of the valve (17), a control unit (24) for receiving signals from the measurement means (12, 14) and for controlling the valve (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Ralf Barkhage
  • Publication number: 20100089173
    Abstract: A device for collecting and separating particles and microorganisms present in ambient air, the device comprising suction means for sucking air into a removable centrifuging chamber (10) having an air inlet and outlet and forming a receptacle for transporting a liquid sample containing the collected particles and microorganisms, said enclosure (10) being selected from a set of enclosures having different diameters and suitable for enabling the same suction means to take samples at suction rates lying in the range about 100 liters per minute to about 2000 liters per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Amandine Verdier, Emmanuelle Sorel, Bruno Vallayer, Dennis Rebuffat
  • Publication number: 20100089170
    Abstract: A coolant flow measurement device includes a coolant flow circuit, a cooling system, a purge system, a variable speed fluid pump, a differential pressure gage and a primary flow meter. The coolant flow circuit may be attached to a an HVAC system of the vehicle such that coolant may be circulated through the HVAC system of the vehicle. The cooling system may cool the coolant in the coolant flow circuit. The purge system may be used to purge air from the coolant flow circuit. The variable speed fluid pump may be operable to balance the fluid pressure between the device inlet and the device outlet. The primary flow meter may be operable to measure the coolant flow in the coolant flow circuit. The differential pressure gage measures a pressure differential between the device inlet and the device outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto N. Reginaldo, Matthew Noppenberger, Linda Celina Ward, Richard Gene Lowhorn
  • Publication number: 20100083770
    Abstract: A process for continuous measurement of a dynamic fluid consumption, particularly fuel consumption, uses a continuously working flow rate sensor (7) with variable pressure drop, preferably a mass flow sensor, whereby the pressure downstream of the flow rate sensor (7) is determined for controlling the transport of fluid. In order to make a continuous, precise, and also chronologically highly resolved measurement of consumption and the highly dynamic determination of the flow rate value possible with a design that is as simple as possible, at least at one point in time, the pressure directly upstream of the flow rate sensor (7), the difference of the two pressure values is also determined, and based on this difference, a value for the flow rate of the fluid is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Karl Köck, Michael Cernusca
  • Patent number: 7672794
    Abstract: A system for monitoring, diagnosing, and/or controlling a flow process uses one or more flow meters based on an array of pressure sensors. A signal processor outputs at least one of a flow signal, a diagnostic signal, and a control signal in response to the pressure signals from the pressure sensors. The flow signal indicates the at least one parameter of the fluid, the diagnostic signal indicates a diagnostic condition of a device in the flow process, and the control signal is effective in adjusting an operating parameter of at least one device in the flow process. The system may be arranged as a distributed control system (DCS) architecture for monitoring a plurality of flow meters based on array-processing installed at various locations throughout a flow process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey, Patrick Curry
  • Publication number: 20100010755
    Abstract: A method for the detection of diagnosis of a blockage of an impulse line in a pressure measurement transducer and a corresponding pressure measurement transducer are disclosed, in which at least one characteristic value is compared with at least one reference value for the analysis of at least one measurement signal and, depending on the result of the comparison, an action is triggered, wherein the, or every, characteristic value is produced, with the aid of at least single parameters of a model describing the transmission behavior of impulse lines with which the pressure measurement transducer is coupled to a line traversed by a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Christoph Paulitsch
  • Publication number: 20090306911
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the water cut value of a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The device includes a sequestering structure disposed within the pipe, a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a processing device. The sequestering structure at least partially defines a sensing passage within the pipe, which passage has a gap extending substantially normal to a direction of fluid flow within the pipe. The sensing passage is oriented to sequester an amount of a liquid component of the multi-phase fluid sufficient to form a continuous liquid body extending across the gap of the sensing passage. The transmitting device is operable to transmit a signal through the liquid across the gap of the sensing passage. The receiving device is operable to receive the signal after it has traversed the liquid within the sensing passage, and create sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20090301173
    Abstract: A device for detecting water leaks, which comprises an inlet and an outlet and can be installed along a main duct; the main duct can be crossed by a flow of liquid. The detection device comprises at least one bypass flowmeter, in order to measure the flow rate along at least one bypass duct arranged in parallel to the main duct. Along the main duct there are flow control elements, for diverting the flow toward the bypass duct; the flow control elements can be deactivated automatically when a predefined value of difference in pressure between the inlet and the outlet is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Alberto LAMBERTI, Massimo GUERRERO
  • Patent number: 7603916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring wetness of a gas flow within a conduit is provided that includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a sonar based flowmeter, and a processing device. The first pressure sensor is operable to sense the pressure of the gas flow within the conduit at a first position. The second pressure sensor is operable to sense the pressure of the gas flow within the conduit at a second position. The second position is located downstream of the first position an amount sufficient that the gas flow experiences a pressure drop. The sonar based flowmeter is configured to determine a volumetric flow rate of the gas flow. The processing device is in communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the sonar based flowmeter. The processing device is adapted to determine a difference in the pressure sensed by the first and second pressure sensors, and to determine the wetness of the gas flow using the difference in pressure and the volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20090250116
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow rate of fluid passing through a duct (10) includes a wedge (12) to produce a resistance against a flow of the fluid; pressure sensors (20-1, 20-2), to detect an inflow pressure and an outflow pressure at the upstream and the downstream of the duct (10), respectively, a flow rate controller (22) for measuring a flow rate corresponding to a differential pressure between the inflow and the outflow pressures, comparing the measured flow rate with a predetermined flow rate to regulate an opening angle at an outflow side of the duct (10) using a calculated opening angle, wherein the calculated opening angle being corresponded to a deviation of flow rate between the measured flow rate and the predetermined flow rate; and an error detector (28) for detecting an improper increase of the differential pressure to correctly adjust the opening angle regulated by the flow rate controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Sa-Mun Hong, Bo-Hyeok Chung, Chan-Kyoung Park, Choul-Su An, Beom-Oui Lee, Yun-Seok Oh, Sang-Yeoul Hwang, Hyun-Chan Cho
  • Patent number: 7587948
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in an industrial process for measuring a velocity of a fluid moving in a pipe includes a probe disposed in said fluid flow. The probe includes a tube and an array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial locations along the tube. Each sensor measures inhomogeneous pressure disturbances at respective axial locations. Each sensor further provides a pressure signal. The apparatus also includes a signal processor, responsive to the pressure signals, to provide a signal indicative of the velocity of the fluid. In one embodiment, the sensors filter out wavelengths above a predetermined wavelength. At least one of the sensors comprises a strain gage disposed on a surface of the pipe. In one embodiment, the strain gage comprises a fiber optic strain gage. The apparatus may be configured to detect the velocity of any desired inhomogeneous pressure field in the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Rebecca M. Bryant, Charles R. Winston
  • Publication number: 20090217752
    Abstract: The static pressure, the differential pressure, and the temperature must be known in order to be able to determine the mass flow rate, the volumetric flow under standard conditions, or the enthalpy flow of a fluid. According to the invention, said variables are detected by individual sensors located in an integrated unit, and the values detected by the individual sensors are then processed in an arithmetic unit that is also integrated. Said sensor unit outputs a value which also takes other parameters and/or physical constants into account to a control unit that is connected downstream, whereby some of the computing is advantageously done in the sensor unit while some load is relieved from the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: SYSTEC CONTROLS MESS- UND REGELUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Oliver Betz
  • Publication number: 20090211369
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable measuring flow of a fluid within a conduit. For example, flowmeters may measure the velocity of production fluid flowing through production pipe of an oil/gas well. The flowmeters rely on detection of pressure variations generated as a result of a backward-facing step as a basis for flow measurement calculations. Pressure sensing occurs away from the step in a direction of the flow of the fluid in an enhanced turbulence region of the flowmeter where the inner diameter remains enlarged as a result of the step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Omer Haldun Unalmis, Espen S. Johansen, Leslie Wayne Perry, Alejandro Vera, Daniel Rodriguez, Vijay Ramakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20090193908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic flow controller which transforms a slow reduction in pressure of fluid flow over time to a measurable fluid flow. Once a threshold pressure differential is reached, a flow passage through the flow controller opens rapidly to a relatively large opening, thereby generating a volume of fluid at high flux flowing through the passage, particularly to permit the measurement of the volume of fluid in a conventional flow meter. The device of the present invention integrates this low flux and transforms it to a measurable fluid flux, so that the fluid can be measured by the fluid meter within its optimum error range. This is accomplished while maintaining a pressure drop in the flow meter which is within the permitted standards. Thus, the invention provides relatively sharp shifts between substantially high flux flow and no flow, in a pulse-like manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Yossi Dana
  • Publication number: 20090165565
    Abstract: A method is used to determine the viscosity of a fluid. The method includes arranging a body (11) in a fluid-leading channel, with which vortices form in the flow direction (10) therebehind, which are detected with regard to measurement technology. Also, the flow speed in the channel, at which vortices arise for the first time or barely just continue to exist, is determined, and this speed is used as a measure for the viscosity of the through-flowing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventor: Michael VERDIRK
  • Patent number: 7549347
    Abstract: This invention discloses a multiple differential volume tube measurement quantity conveying device and its conveying method thereof. The device includes volume tubes, inlet pipes and outlet pipes, in which there are at least two set of volume tubes divided into two groups. The inlet pipe of the volume tube is connected with a main inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the volume tube is connected with a main outlet pipe. Drive mechanisms to be arranged to drive the volume tubes respectively. The drive mechanism is connected with a controller in complementary manner at the same time. The first step of conveying method is to confirm the conveying state of any referenced volume tube group. The second step is to decide the compensatory conveying volume and the conveying volume of the referenced volume tube groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Cong Xiao
  • Publication number: 20090126462
    Abstract: The invention is a method and device for evaluating simultaneously, and with the same equipment, the electric resistivity and flow parameters of a porous medium, from experimental measurements obtained from at least one multi-flow type displacement experiment which has application in oil reservoir development. The method continuously measures as a function of time the differential pressure between two ends of a sample, the electric resistivity of the sample and, for each stabilization step, at least two values of a displaced fluid production volume are also measured. A continuous curve of the displaced fluid production volume, from which flow parameters are estimated by means of a numerical flow simulator, is then deduced therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Marc Fleury, Philippe Poulain, Patrick Egermann
  • Publication number: 20090126507
    Abstract: A flow sensor for use in a main duct is disclosed. The flow sensor includes a main body having a bypass duct having an inlet and an outlet, a pressure loss element fixedly attached to the main body, and a sensor element disposed in the bypass duct. When the flow sensor is operatively mounted in the main duct, the inlet and the outlet are oriented perpendicularly with respect to a main flow direction of a fluid mass flow in the main duct, the pressure loss element is disposed in the main duct, downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, and the sensor element is operable to generate a measurement signal which is a representative of the fluid mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Roland Achhammer
  • Publication number: 20090120207
    Abstract: A flow control valve has upstream fluid pressure outlets provided between inner and outer circumferential surfaces of an upstream retainer, which is attached to an upstream inner surface of a valve body. A second conduit is provided between inner and outer surfaces of the valve body on the upstream side of the valve body. First conduits are formed between the valve body and the upstream retainer. Downstream side fluid pressure outlets are provided between inner and outer surfaces of a downstream retainer, which is mounted to the inner surface of the valve body. A fourth conduit is provided between the inner and outer surfaces of the valve body on the downstream side of the valve body. Third conduits are formed between the valve body and the downstream retainer. A differential pressure sensor is attached to the outer surface of the valve body and to the second and fourth conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Ohtani, Motohiro Furuya