Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100154548 | Method and apparatus for detecting voids in a pipe - An apparatus for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes a first ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a second ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a multiplexer, transmitter, receiver, controller and processor in communication with the first transducer and the second transducer which in combination identify a void in the pipe from ultrasonic measurements of properties of the fluid in the pipe. A method for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes the steps of measuring properties of the fluid internal to the pipe with transmissions of ultrasonic energy from transducers externally disposed on the pipe. There is the step of identifying a void in the pipe from the properties of the fluid internal to the pipe using signals processed by processor. | 06-24-2010 |
20110005335 | Turbulence conditioner for transit time ultrasonic flow meters and method - An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through at least one pair of apertures, where each aperture of the one pair of apertures has an effective diameter. The apparatus includes a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings is a function of the effective diameter of the aperture. A turbulence conditioner for a pipe has openings and a pitch. The conditioner has walls between the openings whose thickness is a function of the pitch. The conditioner has a length which is a function of the pitch. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes the steps of flowing fluid through a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings, is made a function of an effective diameter of an aperture of an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through the aperture. There is the step of measuring the flow with the meter. A method for producing a turbulence conditioner. | 01-13-2011 |
20110005336 | Apparatus and method for operation in the laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes - An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe apparatus includes a fluid nozzle in contact with the pipe having a contour without negative pressure gradients along the nozzle's surface as fluid flows through the nozzle. The apparatus includes a transit time ultrasonic flow meter employing at least one acoustic path in communication with the fluid in the pipe and disposed downstream of the nozzle. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe. The apparatus includes a fluid nozzle in contact with the pipe having a contour defined by a compound cubic. The present invention includes a transit time ultrasonic flow meter employing at least one acoustic path in communication with the fluid in the pipe and disposed downstream of the nozzle. A fluid nozzle for a pipe. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. | 01-13-2011 |
20110023621 | SMOOTH BORE, CHORDAL TRANSIT-TIME ULTRASONIC METER AND METHOD - An apparatus for analyzing fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter having a plurality of transducers. The apparatus includes a flow element having a completely smooth bore through which the fluid flows, and a plurality of cavities, each of the cavities has one of the plurality of transducers disposed in it and which is in communication with the fluid flowing through the bore. An apparatus for analyzing fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter having a plurality of transducers. The apparatus includes a flow element having a bore with an internal diameter and a surface through which fluid flows, a plurality of cavities each of which has an opening in the surface. Each of the cavities has one of the plurality of transducers disposed in it. | 02-03-2011 |
20110132103 | Flowmeter and method - A flowmeter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe includes a tube having a channel disposed in the pipe through which fluid in the pipe flows. The flowmeter includes an upstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer propagates through the channel. The flowmeter includes a downstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer propagate through the channel and are received by the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal. The downstream transducer receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer and provides a downstream transducer signal. The flowmeter includes a controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers which calculate fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. | 06-09-2011 |
20110146414 | Utrasonic transducer, flow meter and method - An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe includes an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves. The transducer includes a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. | 06-23-2011 |
20110246099 | Method and apparatus for the measurement of the mass fraction of water in oil-water mixtures - An apparatus for measuring the mass fractions of water and oil in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes a sensor portion that measures sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time and at a second time. The apparatus includes a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid which changes the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount between the first time and the second time. A method for measuring water mass fraction in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes the steps of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time with a sensor portion. There is the step of changing the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount with a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid. There is the step of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a second time with the sensor portion. | 10-06-2011 |
20110297392 | SUB-SEA CHEMICAL INJECTION METERING VALVE - An apparatus that includes a chemical injection management system. The chemical injection management system may include an interface configured to couple the chemical injection management system to a mineral extraction system. In addition, the chemical injection management system may include an ultrasonic flow meter. | 12-08-2011 |
20120125121 | Chordal gas flowmeter with transducers installed outside the pressure boundary, housing and method - A flowmeter for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe. The flowmeter includes a container configured to be attached to the pipe having a channel through which the gas flows, and a plurality of recesses. Each recess has a window made of metal that is in acoustic communication with the channel. The flowmeter includes a plurality of transducers, with one transducer of the plurality of transducers disposed in each recess. The transducers transmit ultrasonic signals into and receive ultrasonic signals from the channel through the window in the housing recess in which a transducer is disposed. The flowmeter includes a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of transducers which determines the gas flow rate through the channel from signals received from the transducers. A housing for an ultrasonic transducer for a flowmeter which is inserted into a recess of a container. A method for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe. A transducer for an ultrasonic flowmeter. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125122 | Chordal gas flowmeter with transducers installed outside the pressure boundary, housing and method - A flowmeter for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe includes a container configured to be attached to the pipe having a channel through which the gas flows, and a plurality of recesses that extend through the container and a plurality of housings. Each recess has a housing which contains pressure in the channel. Each housing has a window that is in acoustic communication with the channel. The flowmeter includes a plurality of transducers, with one transducer of the plurality of transducers disposed in each recess. The transducers transmit ultrasonic signals into and receive ultrasonic signals from the channel through the window in the housing in which a transducer is disposed. The flowmeter includes a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of transducers which determines the gas flow rate through the channel by measuring transit times of signals transmitted by and received by the transducers. A housing for an ultrasonic transducer for a flowmeter which is inserted into a recess of a container that acoustically isolates the housing from the container. A method for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe. A transducer for an ultrasonic flowmeter. | 05-24-2012 |
20120216627 | Ultrasonic Transducer, Flow Meter and Method - An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe includes an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves. The transducer includes a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. | 08-30-2012 |
20120297620 | Flowmeter and Method - A flowmeter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe includes a tube having a channel disposed in the pipe through which fluid in the pipe flows. The flowmeter includes an upstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer propagates through the channel. The flowmeter includes a downstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer propagate through the channel and are received by the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal. The downstream transducer receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer and provides a downstream transducer signal. The flowmeter includes a controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers which calculate fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. | 11-29-2012 |
20130291650 | Ultrasonic Flowmeter with Internal Surface Coating and Method - An ultrasonic flowmeter includes a meter body including a flow passage having wetted surfaces through which fluid flow is to be measured. The flowmeter includes a non-stick coating adhered to the wetted surfaces of the meter body. The flowmeter includes a first transducer and at least a second transducer arranged around the flow passage to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The flowmeter includes an electronic unit designed to generate and receive electronic signals from the transducers and to process the signals in order to compute information related to the fluid flow rate through the passage. A method for measuring fluid flow with an ultrasonic flowmeter. A method of making an ultrasonic flowmeter. | 11-07-2013 |
20140013859 | Chordal Gas Flowmeter with Transducers Installed Outside the Pressure Boundary, Housing and Method - A flowmeter for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe includes a container configured to be attached to the pipe having a channel through which the gas flows, and a plurality of recesses that extend through the container and a plurality of housings. The flowmeter includes a plurality of transducers, with one transducer of the plurality of transducers disposed in each recess. The transducers transmit ultrasonic signals into and receive ultrasonic signals from the channel. The flowmeter includes a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of transducers which determines the gas flow rate through the channel by measuring transit times of signals transmitted by and received by the transducers. A housing for an ultrasonic transducer for a flowmeter which is inserted into a recess of a container that acoustically isolates the housing from the container. A method for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe. | 01-16-2014 |
20140165739 | Smooth Bore, Chordal Transit-Time Ultrasonic Meter and Method - A flow element for an ultrasonic flowmeter having a plurality of transducers for analyzing fluid flow in a pipe. The flow element includes a housing having a bore with an internal diameter and a surface through which fluid flows and a plurality of cavities each of which has an opening in the surface. Each of the cavities has one of the plurality of transducers disposed in it. The flow element includes a liner that covers the openings of the cavities which prevents fluid flowing through the bore from entering the cavities. | 06-19-2014 |
20140196547 | Deployable Ultrasonic Flow Meter That is Inserted Through a Gate Valve Slot, Method and Apparatus - A frame that is inserted into a gate valve slot which accesses a channel through which fluid flows so an ultrasonic flowmeter can measure the fluid flow through the channel. The frame includes a first arm axle that fits into the slot. The frame includes a first ultrasonic transducer in communication with the flowmeter that is attached to the first arm axle. The frame includes a second ultrasonic transducer in communication with the flowmeter. The second transducer is aligned with and upstream from the first transducer relative to the fluid flow and between which ultrasonic signals are emitted and received through the fluid flow and which the flowmeter uses to determine the fluid flow through the channel. The apparatus for measuring fluid flow in a channel is accessed through a gate slot. A method for measuring fluid flow in a channel that is accessed through a gate slot. | 07-17-2014 |
20140262987 | SUB-SEA CHEMICAL INJECTION METERING VALVE - An apparatus that includes a chemical injection management system. The chemical injection management system may include an interface configured to couple the chemical injection management system to a mineral extraction system. In addition, the chemical injection management system may include an ultrasonic flow meter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140345390 | Flowmeter and Method - A flowmeter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe includes a tube having a channel disposed in the pipe through which fluid in the pipe flows. The flowmeter includes an upstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer propagates through the channel. The flowmeter includes a downstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer propagate through the channel and are received by the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal. The downstream transducer receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer and provides a downstream transducer signal. The flowmeter includes a controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers which calculate fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal. | 11-27-2014 |
20150052983 | Method and Apparatus for the Measurement of the Mass Fraction of Water in Oil-Water Mixtures - An apparatus for measuring the mass fractions of water and oil in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes a sensor portion that measures sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time and at a second time. The apparatus includes a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid which changes the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount between the first time and the second time. A method for measuring water mass fraction in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes the steps of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time with a sensor portion. There is the step of changing the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount with a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid. There is the step of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a second time with the sensor portion. | 02-26-2015 |