Using Turbine Patents (Class 73/861.79)
  • Patent number: 11933649
    Abstract: The disclosed portable self-powered flow measuring device has a non-metallic housing through which a fluid flows. An annular turbine spins within the housing, and has a set of inwardly-extending vanes set to reduce the pressure of the flowing fluid by more than 10%. A set of magnets that are spaced circumferentially about the turbine. Coils are mounted to the housing with axes that are radial to the axis of the central waterway. A set of circumferentially spaced reinforcing arms, one for each coil, are positioned outside the coils, the circumferential width of each reinforcing arm near the axial position of the turbine being no more than the radius of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TASK FORCE TIPS, LLC
    Inventors: Travis Bavar, Ryan Smaga, Robert W. Steingass, Kent Kekeis
  • Patent number: 11480453
    Abstract: A turbine wheel meter for measuring the flow rate of a liquid, in particular water, is disclosed, with a measuring device, with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid to be measured, with a flow channel provided between the inlet and outlet, and with a turbine that has a turbine wheel with curved blades positioned in the flow channel, and wherein the turbine wheel cooperates with the measuring device to measure the flow rate of the liquid. A lower pressure loss and a high measurement sensitivity are achieved by embodying the turbine as a radial turbine with single-curved blades on the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: BWT Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Mairhofer
  • Patent number: 11409022
    Abstract: A system is provided with a measurement system having a light source, a light sensor, and a controller coupled to the light source and the light sensor. The controller is configured to determine a clearance between a rotor and a casing at least partially based on an interruption of light transmitted from the light source to the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Andrew David Ellis
  • Patent number: 11293789
    Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Thomas Martin, Roman Leon Artiuch, Jeffrey Raynal, Richard Jin Yao
  • Patent number: 10954897
    Abstract: An automotive vapor pump for pumping a pump gas having a fuel vapor. The automotive vapor pump includes a pump inlet opening, a pump outlet opening, an outlet volute, a pump outlet duct which is substantially tangential and which fluidically connects the outlet volute with the pump outlet opening, a centrifugal pumping wheel which pumps the pump gas from the pump inlet opening into the outlet volute and subsequently into the pump outlet duct, an electric motor which drives a pumping wheel, the electric motor including a static motor coil, a magnetic rotor body, and a motor driving electronics which drives the static motor coil, an electric connector plug which electrically connects the motor driving electronics with an external control unit, and an integrated pressure sensor which detects a fluidic pressure in the outlet volute or in the pump outlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Alessandro Malvasi, Andreas Wulf
  • Patent number: 10955274
    Abstract: A flow metering apparatus comprising a temperature sensing system for use to measure temperature of fluid includes temperature measurement components and temperature sensing components in close proximity to one another and to the flow of fluid. The components can include a temperature measurement member close-coupled to a processor member, each disposed on a circuitized substrate. This configuration exposes a temperature sensor element to the same dynamic temperature conditions as the processor member, thus reducing measurement error that might manifest in response to different temperature gradients proximate the respective components. A storage memory may be used to permit the temperature sensing system to store and/or retain data that relates to calibration as a dynamic system over the entire operating range of the sensor element. The calibration data may then be accessed from the storage memory to improve accuracy and operation of the flow metering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Thomas Martin, Andrew Logan Perkins
  • Patent number: 10539440
    Abstract: A self-rotating flow meter includes a housing, a rotating mechanism and a sensor. The rotating mechanism is disposed in a chamber of the housing between an inlet port and an outlet port. The sensor is disposed in the housing and near the rotating mechanism. The rotation mechanism contains inflow and outflow passages in a rotating shaft and a rotating disk respectively. The inlet flow passage has a centerline that is coincident with or parallel to the centerline of the rotating shaft. The centerline of any outlet flow passage in the rotating disk and the centerline of the rotating shaft are in two different planes and have a distance between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhou Yang
  • Patent number: 9448094
    Abstract: There is provided a meter (200; 350) for measuring the mass flow rate of a gas. The meter comprises a conduit (206) through which the gas flows in use. The conduit has a flow restriction orifice (212) through which choked flow occurs in use. The flow restriction orifice divides the conduit into an upstream portion (214) upstream of said orifice and a downstream portion (216) downstream of said orifice. The meter further comprises a sensor assembly (204), the sensor assembly including a piezoelectric crystal oscillator (218) in said upstream portion such that said piezoelectric oscillator is in contact with said gas when the meter in use. The sensor assembly is arranged: to drive the piezoelectric crystal oscillator such that the piezoelectric crystal oscillator resonates at a resonant frequency; to measure said resonant frequency of said piezoelectric crystal oscillator; and to determine, from the resonant frequency, the mass flow rate through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventor: Neil Alexander Downie
  • Patent number: 9074916
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid turbine flow meter including a rotatable longitudinal body of a turbine equipped with longitudinal blades and regularly distributed support arms of the blades connecting the blades to the rotatable body of the turbine, where each blade has on the support arm a plurality of separate longitudinal thrust members the cross sections of which are adapted to receive the thrust of the fluid jet when the blade is active and to allow circulation of fluid between the thrust members when the blade is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAPPEL
    Inventor: Bruno Denner
  • Patent number: 9052217
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sense element for sensing a sensed parameter. The sense element may provide a sense element output signal that is related to the sensed parameter. A control block may include a first input port for receiving the sense element output signal, a second input port for receiving a scale input adjustable by a user, and an output port for providing a sensor assembly output signal. The control block may be configured to take in the sense element output signal via the first input port and produce the sensor assembly output signal at the output port, wherein the sensor assembly output signal at the output port is related to the sense element output signal and corresponds to a user selected range of the sensed parameter. The user selected range may be determined, at least in part, by the scale input received via the second input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Milley, Richard C. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 8960019
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Adam Oldham, Juergen Voss, Joseph Daniel Long
  • Publication number: 20150041122
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flow meter for measuring multi-phase flow and method of use. The flow meter comprises an impeller assembly having a one or more blades in an asymmetric blade configuration and one or more sensors to measure partial rotations of the blades. With this local velocity information, the operation of a system may be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Pietro Valsecchi
  • Patent number: 8844433
    Abstract: The present invention provides for measuring the air flow in an appliance. An air flow measuring device, such as a vane (aka turbine) anemometer, is placed directly into an air flow passageway and provides a signal indicative of the amount of air flow. This signal can be used e.g., to undertake a remedial response in the event the amount of air flow is not sufficient to provide proper cooling or ventilation of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Carter Bach
  • Patent number: 8844374
    Abstract: A device to measure speed of a fluid in a pipe. An adjustment and a surface finish are accomplished between a fluid bearing and a hollow tube coupled with a turbine, with friction minimized to a point that it is possible to measure speeds of less than one cm/s which have hitherto been unexplored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Luc-Francois Gros-Daillon, Geraud Francois Cubizolles
  • Publication number: 20140260674
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring volumetric flow through a meter. One step of the method involves providing a flow meter connected to a duct having fluid flowing therethrough. A memory having at least two Roshko/Strouhal curves stored therein s also provided. A viscosity of the fluid is measured. One of the Roshko/Strouhal is selected curves based on the method viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Gilbarco, Inc.
    Inventor: Giovanni Carapelli
  • Patent number: 8800384
    Abstract: Flowmeters and methods of measuring a fluid flow or manufacturing flowmeters are presented. A flowmeter has a tool body and one or more spinner arms configured to extend with a first end away from the tool body and a second end joined to the tool body, when deployed to measure a fluid flow. Each spinner arm includes a helical blade configured to rotate due to a fluid flowing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool body, around a rotation axis between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventor: Keith Robert Wootten
  • Patent number: 8789429
    Abstract: A flowmeter that includes a moulded housing delimiting a measuring chamber; a rotatable measuring body having a rotatable shaft extending across the measuring chamber; and point bearings for mounting and positioning opposite extremities of the rotatable shaft in the housing. Each point bearing is formed of a protruding part and a cooperating facing counter-part part, in particular a recessed part, associated, respectively, with the housing and an extremity of the rotatable shaft, or vice versa. This protruding part and its counter-part are integrally formed with their associated moulded housing and rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8714031
    Abstract: A flowmeter, in particular for a beverage preparation machine, includes a housing, such as a moulded housing, delimiting a measuring chamber, and a measuring body, such as a moulded body, rotatably mounted in the measuring chamber. The housing and the measuring body are made of at least one of polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde or polybutyleneterehpthalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8707780
    Abstract: The device for metering fluid mixtures, in particular liquids containing a gas such as carbon dioxide, includes a flow sensor, a metering valve, and a controller that drives the metering valve as a function of a set point and of the flow rate measured. The flow sensor has an impeller wheel having a horizontal axis, the fluid mixture being guided on an arcuate path on the periphery of the impeller wheel, the path being directed from bottom to top. Despite the presence of gas, a precise metering is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Bachmann, Kersten Grosse, Johann Gunnesch, Thomas Morchel, Daniel Rammer
  • Publication number: 20140102215
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid turbine flow meter including a rotatable longitudinal body of a turbine equipped with longitudinal blades and regularly distributed support arms of the blades connecting the blades to the rotatable body of the turbine, where each blade has on the support arm a plurality of separate longitudinal thrust members the cross sections of which are adapted to receive the thrust of the fluid jet when the blade is active and to allow circulation of fluid between the thrust members when the blade is inactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SAPPEL
    Inventor: Bruno DENNER
  • Publication number: 20140096619
    Abstract: A Fluid turbine flow meter, including a measurement chamber, a turbine body that is displaced axially, as a function of the fluid flow rates, between a high position and a low position in the measurement chamber and having a rotation axis, a centering bearing for the rotation axis in the measurement chamber that has a longitudinal body with a longitudinal passage supporting and passed through by the rotation axis, the rotation axis pivoting by being held axially in the measurement chamber, by a first axial end stop in the high position and by a second axial end stop in the low position, the centering bearing having, in the longitudinal passage, at least two cylindrical longitudinal support centering walls for the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAPPEL
    Inventor: Bruno DENNER
  • Patent number: 8690117
    Abstract: A meter includes an inlet for receiving a fluid and a housing defining a cylindrical chamber receiving the fluid from the inlet, wherein a chamber axis passes through a center of the cylindrical chamber. The meter also includes an outlet coupled to the housing, wherein the outlet is axially aligned with the inlet along a flow axis, and the flow axis does not intersect the chamber axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Capstone Metering LLC
    Inventors: David James Carlos Dunn, Kevin Peter Kowalchuk, Stephen Williams Smith, Jack Ryan Williamson, James Scott Williamson, Walter Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 8646327
    Abstract: A bi-directional fluid flow sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises a turbine configured to rotate along an axis as a result of fluid flowing past the turbine substantially in the direction of the axis; a magnet mounted to the turbine and configured to rotate with the turbine; and a magnetic flux angle sensor provided adjacent to the turbine and configured to detect the relative flux angle of the magnet as it rotates. The bi-directional fluid flow sensor is sensitive and robust and may be used in a downhole well for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventor: Keith Robert Wootten
  • Patent number: 8616070
    Abstract: Methods of/for testing fire fighting vehicle foam delivery systems using an environmentally benign fluid. Systems and methods test the foam delivery systems' piping, valves, pump, proportioner, educator, and nozzles while minimizing the release of Aqueous Film Forming Foam to the environment. The testing system complies with the National Fire Protection Association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Rance Tetsuo Kudo
  • Patent number: 8616071
    Abstract: Systems of/for testing fire fighting vehicle arm delivery systems using an environmentally benign fluid. Systems test the foam delivery systems' piping, values, pump, proportioner, educator, and nozzles while minimizing the release of Aqueous Film Forming Foam to the environment. The testing system complies with the National Fire Protection Association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Rance Tetsuo Kudo
  • Patent number: 8602384
    Abstract: A meter includes an inlet for receiving a fluid and a housing defining a cylindrical chamber receiving the fluid from the inlet, wherein a chamber axis passes through a center of the cylindrical chamber. The meter also includes an outlet coupled to the housing, wherein the outlet is axially aligned with the inlet along a flow axis, and the flow axis does not intersect the chamber axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Capstone Metering LLC
    Inventors: Walter Scott Williamson, James Scott Williamson, Jack Ryan Williamson, Kevin Peter Kowalchuk, David James Carlos Dunn, Stephen Williams Smith
  • Patent number: 8544346
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning thereof in a liquid flow path, comprising: a housing configured to be received in the flow path and having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet defining a flow direction therebetween; a current generator including a shaft supported by the housing and having a rotor mounted thereon and having a plurality of vanes, the shaft extending in the housing along the flow direction allowing rotation of the rotor with the vanes by liquid passing through the generator, and a stator associated with the rotor for producing electrical signals corresponding to the rotation of the rotor; and, electrical wiring for electrically connecting the current generator to a power receiver for transferring the electrical signals thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrospin Monitoring Solutions Ltd
    Inventor: Dani Peleg
  • Patent number: 8544341
    Abstract: A device for estimating a stream of urine entering a toilet or urinal includes a measuring unit configured to estimate an amount of the stream of urine, and an indicator to provide an indication to an individual of the amount of the stream of urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Ernest W. Grumbles, Timothy A. Bachman, John W. Ahern
  • Publication number: 20130174746
    Abstract: The present invention provides for measuring the air flow in an appliance. An air flow measuring device, such as a vane (aka turbine) anemometer, is placed directly into an air flow passageway and provides a signal indicative of the amount of air flow. This signal can be used e.g., to undertake a remedial response in the event the amount of air flow is not sufficient to provide proper cooling or ventilation of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: James Carter Bach
  • Patent number: 8418567
    Abstract: A fluid visual inspection device includes a fluid visual inspection portion and one set of fastening caps. The fluid visual inspection portion includes a vane holder which has a first flange and second flange, and is coupled with a transparent duct to allow users to see vane conditions and judge whether fluid is flowing. The vane holder further has a third flange and fourth flange that have respectively an external threaded portion formed thereon screwing with the fastening caps. One end of the vane holder holds a partition to form a passage opening. Each fastening cap has one end fastened to the third or fourth flange and another end screwed with a fluid pipe. The fastening caps and the duct are not integrally formed, hence fabrication is simpler and the cost is lower and production time is shorter, and coupling of the device and fluid pipe also is easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Yao-Sung Hou
  • Patent number: 8378830
    Abstract: A hydration system comprising a dispenser portion adapted to allow a drinking fluid to flow therethrough, a sensor unit positioned to take a measurement of a flow of the drinking fluid through said dispenser portion and to output said measurement, a logic unit in communication with the sensor portion to receive said measurement output, to set a target consumption over time based on a multidimensional profile of a user's physical body information, and to determine if the user's consumption meets the target consumption based upon the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Dan Moran
  • Patent number: 8336398
    Abstract: A pipe connection includes a main body, an inner sleeve, a water inlet connector, a water outlet connector, a circuit board, a control panel, at least one battery, a magnetically activated detector, an impeller, and a magnetic member. In operation, when the water flows through the impeller, the impeller is rotated, and the magnetic member is moved to pass by the detector intermittently so that the detector can transmit a detected signal to the circuit board which can calculate the rotation speed of the magnetic member so as to obtain the water flow rate. Thus, the pipe connection can calculate and indicate the water flow rate in the pipe so that when the flow rate of the output water from the pipe reaches a preset value, the user can shut the water flow to regulate and save the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Pao-Yun Shih
  • Publication number: 20120160034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow meter, comprising: means for defining a fluid flow path; a rotor, with at least one blade, positioned in said fluid flow path; and a ring positioned upstream from, and adjacent to, said rotor; wherein the ring is adapted to conditions the flow at the leading edge of the rotor blade over a range of operating conditions. By providing a ring the accuracy and flow measuring range may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: ELSTER METERING LIMITED
    Inventors: Ross James Bardon, Ronald Desmond Claridge, Alam Rashid, Ivor Thomas Rogers, William David Stockill, Douglas Richard Wright
  • Publication number: 20120096920
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a turbine flow meter via adjustment of electromagnetic sensor position are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a turbine flow meter includes a flow tube, a plurality of electromagnetic pickups, and a locator plate. The electromagnetic pickups are configured to detect rotation a flow indicator in the flow tube. The pickups are secured to the locator plate. The locator plate is configured to adjustably position the pickups relative to the flow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Moises MARTINEZ, Thomas H. LOGA, Sheldon TULLOS, Anthony JONES, Raul ALMAZAN
  • Publication number: 20120090406
    Abstract: A flowmeter, in particular for a beverage preparation machine, includes a housing, such as a moulded housing, delimiting a measuring chamber, and a measuring body, such as a moulded body, rotatably mounted in the measuring chamber. The housing and the measuring body are made of at least one of polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde or polybutyleneterehpthalate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120090405
    Abstract: A device to measure speed of a fluid in a pipe. An adjustment and a surface finish are accomplished between a fluid bearing and a hollow tube coupled with a turbine, with friction minimized to a point that it is possible to measure speeds of less than one cm/s which have hitherto been unexplored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Ene Alt
    Inventors: Luc-Francois Gros-Daillon, Geraud Francois Cubizolles
  • Patent number: 8096193
    Abstract: A turbine flow meter comprises a flow pipe which includes an axial through bore and a meter cartridge which is positioned in the through bore. The meter cartridge includes a tubular cartridge housing through which a fluid to be measured is directed and a rotor which is rotatably supported in the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing is slidably received in a first portion of the through bore and comprises an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of that portion of the through bore. The meter cartridge is retained in the through bore by a retainer, which in turn is retained in the through bore by a ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Fink, James R. Soltau, Donald L. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8056425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting an amount while receiving and/or discharging a fluid having a gas portion comprising a measurement line for conducting the fluid, a flow measuring unit for the fluid, which is in fluid connection with the measurement line, a degree of filling measuring unit for the fluid, which is in fluid connection with the measurement line and which comprises an electrode arrangement for determining electrical properties of the fluid present in the measurement line, and an evaluation unit for determining the fluid amount conveyed which is in a signal connection with the degree of filling measuring unit and the flow measuring unit. According to the invention it is provided that the electrode arrangement of the degree of filling measuring unit has a plurality of electrode plates which form a plate stack in the region of the measurement line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Bartec Benke GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Boehm, Hans-Peter Amann
  • Patent number: 7997150
    Abstract: A metering system for measuring a flow of petroleum and LPG. In embodiments of the invention, a magnetic drive is used to couple a measuring chamber, such as a known oscillating piston system, to a register or indicator, avoiding leakage and excessive wear due to passing a shaft through the wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: William Rodney Cooper
  • Patent number: 7942071
    Abstract: Turbine comprising a tubular body that receives an upstream stator, a rotor including a propeller and a downstream stator. The trailing edge of the blades of the upstream stator is inclined through a negative angle relative to a normal relative to the axis, and the leading edge of the blades of the propeller is inclined and rounded in an incline directed downstream. The rotational mounting of the propeller in the turbine involves a fixed shaft installed in the upstream and downstream stators, and which carries an upstream bearing bush and a downstream bearing bush, close to the end of the location of the propeller, and a stop formed by a crown of support pins in an upstream and downstream direction. The propeller comprises a tubular hub through which the fixed shaft extends and which has a bearing bush at each end in order to co-operate at the same time with the corresponding bearing bush of the fixed shaft and with the corresponding peripheral stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Laurent Claisse, David DuPuis
  • Patent number: 7861604
    Abstract: A turbine water meter includes plural spinner blades rotatably mounted in a chamber. The respective blades have cross-sections with semi-parabolic edges, with each blade having respective elements connected together by mechanical reinforcing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Actaris S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jérôme Chamosset, Arnaud Darras
  • 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: 20100300213
    Abstract: A turbine flow meter comprises a flow pipe which includes an axial through bore and a meter cartridge which is positioned in the through bore. The meter cartridge includes a tubular cartridge housing through which a fluid to be measured is directed and a rotor which is rotatably supported in the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing is slidably received in a first portion of the through bore and comprises an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of that portion of the through bore. The meter cartridge is retained in the through bore by a retainer, which in turn is retained in the through bore by a ring seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Fink, James R. Soltau, Donald L. Douglas
  • Patent number: 7819023
    Abstract: A valve incorporates a device causing turbulents in the water stream just before passing over the turbine fins of the flow sensor. The device actually increases the Reynolds number or turbulence of the water stream increasing the contact of the water on the turbine. This causes the turbine to rotate more efficiently for the given flow volume passing over the flow measuring device. The improved efficiency results in better accuracy and performance over the entire flow range. In one embodiment the turbulent device forces the flow stream to rotate counter clockwise and hit the turbine fins causing higher force which makes the turbine turn more efficiently. The turbine is designed such that the major portion of the fin surface area is perpendicular to the turbulent flow stream. This opposed direction causes more force to be placed on the turbine fin by the water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. Engler, Jerome C. Klopp, Mark A. Hentschel
  • Publication number: 20100230437
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring fluid flow comprising an inferential flow meter having a housing defining a fluid flow path. A pulser is operative to produce an output signal indicative of flow rate through the meter. The apparatus further includes a controller in electronic communication with the pulser so as to receive the output signal. Based on the output signal, the controller is operative to determine fluid flow in a plurality of dynamic time sub-windows corresponding to respective periods of substantially consistent instantaneous flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Giovanni Carapelli
  • Patent number: 7735381
    Abstract: A mechanical meter for measuring the quantity of liquid flowing through a pipe (2), comprising an impeller (1) rotatably supported by a saddle (3) positionable on the outer surface of the pipe (2), in which the inner surface of the saddle (3) is arranged to abut, at least by a part thereof, directly against the outer surface of the pipe (2) such as to ensure the same penetration of the impeller (1) into the pipe (2) for each installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto Lodolo
  • Patent number: 7725271
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser including a fuel delivery path configured to deliver fuel to a vehicle, a display configured to display the total dispensed fuel volume, and a fuel meter configured to measure a fuel delivery rate. A data set having a plurality of fuel volume compensation values corresponding to a plurality of fuel delivery rate values, and a microprocessor configured to calculate a volume of fuel dispensed and retrieve a fuel volume compensation value. The fuel meter measures the fuel delivery rate at the time of the event, the microprocessor determines which fuel delivery rate value corresponds to the fuel delivery rate, retrieves the corresponding fuel volume compensation value, and adds the retrieved fuel volume compensation value to the calculated volume of fuel dispensed to obtain the total dispensed fuel volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, John Steven McSpadden, Thomas J. Park, Vance A. Tate
  • Publication number: 20100122990
    Abstract: A turbine meter for measuring the flow of a fluid comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a fluid flow path along a central axis thereof. A flow conditioner is mounted in the flow path downstream of the inlet port and has a plurality of flow deflectors canted in a first direction relative to the central axis. A first turbine rotor is located downstream of the flow conditioner and is mounted for rotation about the central axis. The first turbine rotor has a plurality of first rotor vanes canted in a second direction relative to the central axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The meter further comprises a second turbine rotor located downstream of the first turbine rotor and mounted for rotation about the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Giovanni Carapelli
  • Publication number: 20100122584
    Abstract: Turbine comprising a tubular body that receives an upstream stator, a rotor including a propeller and a downstream stator. The trailing edge of the blades of the upstream stator is inclined through a negative angle relative to a normal relative to the axis, and the leading edge of the blades of the propeller is inclined and rounded in an incline directed downstream. The rotational mounting of the propeller in the turbine involves a fixed shaft installed in the upstream and downstream stators, and which carries an upstream bearing bush and a downstream bearing bush, close to the end of the location of the propeller, and a stop formed by a crown of support pins in an upstream and downstream direction. The propeller comprises a tubular hub through which the fixed shaft extends and which has a bearing bush at each end in order to co-operate at the same time with the corresponding bearing bush of the fixed shaft and with the corresponding peripheral stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: FAURE HERMAN
    Inventors: Laurent Claisse, David DuPuis
  • Patent number: 7712383
    Abstract: A liquid supply measuring apparatus is disclosed. The provided apparatus is comprised of a housing to be serially installed to a liquid passage in a way that the supplying liquid passes through the housing; a turbine, the turbine is installed inside the housing, wherein the turbine is spin by the passing liquid; a generator, the generator is pivotally or geared joined to the turbine and supplies electrical power according to the turbine's spin; and a controller, capable to calculate the supplied liquid in a way of integrating the supplied electrical power in a time sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AP2U.Net Ltd.
    Inventor: Dani Peleg