Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208483 | Sonar-Based Flow Meter Operable To Provide Product Identification - An apparatus and method for identifying one or more fluid products flowing within a pipe are provided having a flow meter mounted on the pipe and a processing unit. The flow meter has a plurality of sensors operable to detect vortical disturbances flowing with the fluid products and acoustic waves propagating through the fluid. The sensors produce signals indicative of the vortical disturbances and acoustic waves. The processing unit is operable to determine the speed of sound and volumetric flow rate of the one or more fluid products using the signals from the flow meter. The processing unit includes a database having speed of sound data for a predetermined group of products. The processing unit is operable to identify the type of each product flowing within the pipe given a temperature and pressure value of the products within the pipe. | 08-28-2008 |
20080223129 | Apparatus and method for providing a density measurement augmented for entrained gas - A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound α | 09-18-2008 |
20080236298 | Wet Gas Metering Using A Differential Pressure And A Sonar Based Flow Meter - 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. | 10-02-2008 |
20080276723 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A STRATIFICATION METRIC OF A MULTIPHASE FLUID FLOWING WITHIN A PIPE - A method and apparatus for determining a level of stratification of a multiphase fluid flow passing through a pipe is provided. The method includes, and the apparatus is operable to perform, the steps of: 1) determining a flow velocity of the multiphase fluid flow passing through a first radial region of the pipe; 2) determining a flow velocity of a portion of the multiphase fluid flow passing within a second radial region of the pipe, wherein the second radial region is above the first radial region; and 3) comparing the flow velocity from the first radial region and flow velocity from the second radial region to determine information indicative of the stratification of the multiphase fluid flow. | 11-13-2008 |
20090013799 | Apparatus And Method For Augmenting A Coriolis Meter - A correction system provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement of a coriolis meter. The correction system includes a gas volume fraction (GVF) meter, which may include an array of strained-based or pressure sensors, to measure the speed of sound propagating through the fluid passing through the coriolis meter to calculate at least the GVF of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. The calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit for determining an improved mass flow rate and/or density for the coriolis meter. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof. | 01-15-2009 |
20090025487 | Apparatus and method for attenuating acoustic waves in propagating within a pipe wall - A method and apparatus for damping an ultrasonic signal propagating in the wall of a pipe, the apparatus including at least one damping structure for securing at least one sensor to the wall of the pipe, wherein the at least one sensor includes a transmitter component and a receiver component for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, wherein the at least one damping structure is associated with the outer wall of the pipe for damping the ultrasonic signal propagating within the wall of the pipe and a processor that defines a convective ridge in the k-ω plane in response to the ultrasonic signals, and determines the slope of at least a portion of the convective ridge to determine the flow velocity of the fluid. | 01-29-2009 |
20090044638 | VELOCITY BASED METHOD FOR DETERMINING AIR-FUEL RATIO OF A FLUID FLOW - 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. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055104 | VELOCITY AND IMPINGEMENT METHOD FOR DETERMINING PARAMETERS OF A PARTICLE/FLUID FLOW - A method and apparatus for determining at least one flow parameter of a fluid flowing within a pipe, which fluid contains particles entrained within the fluid flow is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) determining a velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe; 2) sensing the impingement of particles on a surface wetted with the fluid flow, and producing a signal relating to the impingement; and 3) determining the at least one flow parameter of the fluid flow utilizing the determined fluid flow velocity and the sensor signal relating to impingement of the particles on the surface wetted with the fluid flow. | 02-26-2009 |
20090158858 | METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING VARYING PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS OF NORMAL INCIDENT ULTRASONIC SIGNALS AS USED IN CORRELATION BASED FLOW MEASUREMENT - According to the present invention, a method is provided for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe having a lengthwise axis to determine a parameter of the fluid flow. The method includes the following steps: a) providing an array of more than two ultrasonic sensors, each sensor having a transmitter and a receiver; b) disposing the transmitter and receiver of each sensor orthogonally relative to the lengthwise axis of the pipe; c) receiving ultrasonic signals using the receivers, which received signals result from initial signals transmitted from the transmitters of the ultrasonic sensors; d) processing the received signals from each sensor by projecting the received signals against a sine function and a cosine function, high pass filtering the projected signals, and using the high pass filtered projections to create an arrival vector within a complex plane, wherein the high pass filtered arrival vector is a rectified frequency doubled signal; and e) determining the parameter of the fluid flow using the arrival vector. | 06-25-2009 |
20090241672 | System and Method for Providing a Compositional Measurement of a Mixture Having Entrained Gas - A method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid flow may include one or more liquid component bodies and one or more gas component bodies, which bodies occupy a substantial cross-sectional area of the pipe when passing a location in the pipe. The method includes, and the apparatus includes elements operable to perform, the steps of: 1) transmitting a signal into the fluid flow at the location within the pipe, and receiving the signal after it has traversed at least a portion of the fluid flow; 2) determining a time of flight of the signal traversing the fluid flow; 3) determining the presence of a liquid component body at the location in the pipe, using the determined time of flight; and 4) determining at least one characteristic of the fluid using fluid data generated if the liquid component body is present at the location. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249887 | Process Fluid Sound Speed Determined by Characterization of Acoustic Cross Modes - An apparatus measures a speed of sound (SOS) in a process flow by characterizing low order acoustic cross modes in the process flow in a conduit. The apparatus includes transducers on the conduit, spaced from each other around the circumference of the conduit. The transducers generate acoustic input signals in the process flow over a range of frequencies. The apparatus includes strain sensors disposed on the conduit, spaced from each other around the cross-sectional circumference of the conduit. An SOS processor is responsive to the transducers and sensors, and is configured to identify cross-mode frequencies of the conduit and to derive therefrom the SOS in the process flow. An entrained air processor is coupled to the SOS processor to indicate a level of entrained air in the process flow. | 10-08-2009 |
20090255345 | CLAMP-ON APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A FLUID FLOW THAT INCLUDES A PROTECTIVE SENSOR HOUSING - An apparatus for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, sealant, and an array of at least two ultrasonic sensors. The housing is operable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The housing has at least one pocket extending between a pipe-side surface and an outer surface. The pipe-side surface mates with the exterior surface of the pipe. The sealant is disposed between the pipe exterior surface and the housing pipe-side surface. The sealant forms a seal around the pocket when the housing is mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The array of ultrasonic sensor units are disposed within the at least one pocket. Each sensor unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the fluid flow within the pipe. The receivers are operable to receive signals from the transmitters. | 10-15-2009 |
20090306911 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A WATER CUT DETERMINATION USING A SEQUESTERED LIQUID-CONTINUOUS STREAM - 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. The processing device is in communication with at least the receiving device to receive and process the sensor data to determine the water cut value of the liquid. | 12-10-2009 |
20100000331 | APPARATUS FOR ATTENUATING ULTRASONIC WAVES PROPAGATING WITHIN A PIPE WALL - A damping device for a fluid flow meter is provided. The fluid flow meter is mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a wall in a direction substantially normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe. The transmitted signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at one or more frequencies. The damping device includes a tuned body attachable to the pipe wall at one or more contact points. The body has one or more resonant structural modes, each with a natural frequency, which natural frequencies are closely matched to the one or more frequencies of the secondary signals. The body is operable to dissipate energy upon excitation by the secondary signals. | 01-07-2010 |
20100094569 | VISCOUS FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT USING A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT AND A SONAR MEASURED VELOCITY - A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of fluid flow within a piping system is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) determining a measured velocity of the fluid flow within the piping system using a fluid flow meter; b) determining a measured difference in pressure value within the fluid flow using a differential pressure meter; c) selecting an estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; d) determining a calculated difference in pressure value using a model which relates the calculated difference in pressure value to the measured velocity and the estimated Reynolds number of the fluid flow; e) determining a degree of inaccuracy of the estimated Reynolds number using the measured difference in pressure and the calculated difference in pressure; and f) iteratively adjusting the estimated Reynolds number, determining the calculated difference in pressure, and determining the degree of inaccuracy using the adjusted Reynolds number, until the degree of inaccuracy is within an acceptable range. | 04-15-2010 |
20100107727 | MEASUREMENT OF ENTRAINED AND DISSOLVED GASES IN PROCESS FLOW LINES - A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line. The third module responds to the first signal and the second signal, for providing a third signal containing information about a dissolved air/gas flowing in the process line based on a difference between the sensed entrained air/gas and the sensed bleed line entrained air/gas. | 05-06-2010 |
20100257941 | APPARATUS FOR ATTENUATING ULTRASONIC WAVES PROPAGATING WITHIN A PIPE WALL - A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall. | 10-14-2010 |
20100305882 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MULTIPHASE FLUID FLOW - A method and apparatus for monitoring multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the multiphase fluid flow within the pipe; b) providing a fluid flowmeter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe, the flowmeter including a spatial array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial positions along the pipe, which flowmeter is adapted to produce flow velocity signals indicative of a velocity of the fluid flow traveling within the pipe; c) providing a processor adapted to include an equation of state model for the pressure, volume, and temperature properties for the multiphase fluid flow, and further adapted to receive composition data values for the multiphase fluid flow, the flow pressure value, and the flow temperature value, and the flow velocity signals from the flowmeter; and d) determining a volumetric flow rate of one or both the gas phase and liquid phase of the fluid flow. | 12-02-2010 |
20100307263 | ULTRASONIC FLUID FLOW METER HOUSING WITH ACOUSTICALLY MATCHED BASE - A device for sensing fluid flow within a pipe, which pipe has a pipe wall, is provided. The device includes a sensor housing and a fluid flow meter. The sensor housing includes at least one pressure vessel enclosure and hardware for mounting the enclosure on an exterior surface of the pipe wall. The enclosure includes a base, side walls, and a cap. The enclosure base has a pipe-side surface that mates with the exterior surface of the pipe wall. The enclosure base and the pipe wall have substantially similar resonant frequencies and acoustic impedance. The sensor housing is adapted to be attached to the pipe wall such that the pipe-side surface of the base is mated with the exterior surface of the pipe wall. The fluid flow meter includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed within the at least one pressure vessel enclosure. Each sensor has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are adapted to transmit signals at one or more frequencies, including frequencies that are substantially equal to the resonant frequencies of the base and pipe wall. | 12-09-2010 |
20100332154 | Velocity Based Method for Determining Air-Fuel Ratio of a Fluid Flow - 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. | 12-30-2010 |
20110226063 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SENSING FLUID FLOW IN A PIPE WITH VARIABLE WALL THICKNESS - A method and apparatus for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an ultrasonic sensor having a transmitter operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the first pipe wall, the fluid flow disposed within the pipe, and the second pipe wall, and a receiver operable to receive the transmitted signal after the signal has passed through the pipe walls and fluid flow; b) disposing the transmitter adjacent the first wall and the receiver adjacent the second wall; c) disposing at least one acoustic member between at least one of the transmitter and the first wall, and the receiver and the second wall, which acoustic member has acoustic properties such that the combined respective member and pipe wall have half wave resonant frequencies that substantially match the half wave resonant frequencies of the opposite wall, or opposite wall and respective member; and d) sensing the fluid flow through the pipe walls and structure using the ultrasonic sensor. | 09-22-2011 |
20110303019 | MINIMALLY INTRUSIVE MONITORING OF A MULTIPHASE PROCESS FLOW USING A TRACER - An apparatus for and a method of monitoring multiphase fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the multiphase fluid flow within the pipe; b) sensing the fluid flow with a fluid flow meter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe, the flowmeter including a spatial array of at least two sensors disposed at different axial positions along the pipe, and producing flow velocity signals indicative of a velocity of the fluid flow traveling within the pipe; c) selectively injecting at least one tracer into the fluid flow passing within the pipe, at a known injection flow rate and concentration; d) sensing a sample of the fluid flow for the tracer, and producing tracer concentration signals indicative of the concentration of the tracer in the fluid flow; and e) determining one or more of a gas component flow rate, an oil component flow rate, and a water component flow rate, using one or more of the flow pressure value, the flow temperature value, the flow velocity signals, and the tracer concentration signals. | 12-15-2011 |
20120017699 | APPLICATIONS FOR REAL-TIME MASS RATIO, MASS FLOW AND PARTICLE SIZE MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLE LADEN FLOWS - Techniques are provided for monitoring particle laden flows in a pipe, that include receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe; and determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter. | 01-26-2012 |
20120166125 | METHOD FOR IN-SITU CALIBRATING A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE PLUS SONAR FLOW METER SYSTEM USING DRY GAS CONDITIONS - A method and system for in situ calibrating a flow metering system to monitor fluid flow in a pipe from a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) measuring a first characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a DP flow meter during a dry gas period, and producing an first output data representative of the first characteristic; b) measuring a second characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a SONAR flow meter time during the dry gas period, and producing a second output data representative of the second characteristic; c) determining a dry gas offset between the DP flow meter and the SONAR flow meter based on the first output data and the second output data; and d) calibrating the flow metering system using the dry gas offset. | 06-28-2012 |
20120209542 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MULTIPHASE FLUID FLOW - A method of and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the fluid flow within the pipe; b) providing a fluid flowmeter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe; c) providing a processor adapted to include an equation of state model for the pressure, volume, and temperature properties for the fluid flow, and further adapted to receive composition data values for the fluid flow, the flow pressure value, and the flow temperature value, and the flow velocity signals from the flowmeter; and d) determining a volumetric flow rate of one or more phases of the fluid flow. | 08-16-2012 |