| DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120096920 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TURBINE FLOW METER SENSOR ADJUSTMENT - 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. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120067135 | ULTRASONIC FLOW METER WITH A LIQUID DRAINAGE SYSTEM - An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port. The transducer port extends along a central axis from an open end at the throughbore to a closed end distal the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises an acoustic transducer disposed in the transducer port. The transducer includes a piezoelectric element. Further, the flow meter comprises a drain port in fluid communication with the transducer port. The drain port is axially positioned between the open end and the closed end of the transducer port. Still further, the flow meter comprises a drain conduit having an inlet end coupled to the drain port and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The drain port is configured to drain a liquid from the transducer port into the inlet end of the drain conduit. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110196624 | FLOW METER VALIDATION - Flow meter validation techniques are herein disclosed. An illustrative system includes a flow meter and display logic coupled to the flow meter. The flow meter is configured to provide information indicative of a parameter of fluid flow through the meter. The display logic is configured to provide a display of the information. The display includes an indication of a possible range of values of the parameter. An indication of a baseline portion of the range is also provided. The baseline portion of the range designates preferred values of the parameter. The display further includes an indicator designating the value of the parameter. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110162463 | Ultrasonic Flow Meter Having A Port Cover Assembly - An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic flow meter includes a spool piece, a transducer assembly, and a port cover assembly. The spool piece has a throughbore and a transducer port extending between the throughbore and an outer surface of the spool piece. The transducer assembly is disposed within the transducer port and includes a transformer, a piezoelectric element, and an electrical coupling therebetween. The port cover assembly is coupled to the transducer assembly. The port cover assembly receives a cable coupled to the transducer assembly and is spring-loaded to bias the port cover assembly toward the transducer assembly to resist the cable from being electrically uncoupled from the transducer assembly. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110162462 | Ultrasonic Flow Meter With Transducer Assembly Having a Rotatable Receptacle and Elbow Connector - An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline. In an embodiment, the flow meter comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending to the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port. The transducer assembly comprises a piezoelectric capsule including a piezoelectric element. Further, the transducer assembly comprises a transformer capsule including a transformer. The transformer capsule is coupled to the piezoelectric capsule. Still further, the transducer assembly comprises a receptacle capsule coupled to the transformer capsule. The receptacle capsule includes a receptacle housing and a receptacle coaxially disposed within the receptacle housing. The receptacle is electrically coupled to the transformer. Moreover, the receptacle is rotatable relative to the receptacle housing between a first position and a second position. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110162461 | Ultrasonic Flow Meter With Transducer Assembly, And Methods of Manufacturing The Same - A transducer assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a piezoelectric capsule. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric capsule includes a housing having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first inner chamber extending axially from the first end. In addition, the piezoelectric capsule includes a piezoelectric element disposed in the first inner chamber. Further, the piezoelectric element includes a plurality of spacers disposed in the first inner chamber between the piezoelectric element and the housing. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110162460 | Ultrasonic Flow Meter And Transducer Assembly With Isolated Transformer Capsule - In an embodiment, an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending from the outer surface of the spool piece to the throughbore. In addition, the ultrasonic flow meter comprises a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port. The transducer assembly has a central axis and comprises a transducer holder having a first end proximal the throughbore of the spool piece, and a second end distal the throughbore of the spool piece. Further, the transducer assembly comprises a piezoelectric capsule including a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric capsule is coupled to the transducer holder and extends generally axially from the first end of the transducer holder. Still further, the transducer assembly comprises a transformer capsule including a transformer. The transformer capsule is coupled to the transducer holder and is axially spaced apart from the piezoelectric capsule. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110130997 | FLOW METER PROVING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A flow meter prover ( | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110037598 | SONIC DETECTION OF FLOW STATE CHANGE FOR MEASUREMENT STATIONS - A method for audibly detecting a fluid flow state change in a flow meter pipeline. The flow state change may be identified as an upset in the normal flow state. The upset may be corrected to improve the accuracy of the flow meter. A system includes acoustic sensors mounted in the flow meter pipeline, and a computer to collect audible data from the acoustic sensors and compare the audible data to a baseline to detect an upset in the normal fluid flow state. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20100313676 | ADJUSTING TRANSDUCER FREQUENCY WITHOUT CEASING FLUID FLOW THROUGH A METER - A method comprises, without ceasing flow of fluid through a flow meter, transmitting an ultrasonic signal of a first frequency through the fluid, adjusting the first frequency to a second frequency, and transmitting another ultrasonic signal of the second frequency through the fluid. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100257942 | Transducer Having a Robust Electrical Connection to a Piezoelectric Crystal - An embodiment of a piezoelectric assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a piezoelectric element including a first face and a second face. In addition, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first electrode engaging the first face. Further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a second electrode engaging the second face. Still further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises an electrically conductive shim connector attached to the first electrode. Moreover, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first wire electrically coupled to the shim connector. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100242590 | Flow Meter and Temperature Stabilizing Cover Therefor - A flow meter and a temperature stabilizing cover for tie flow meter are disclosed. In some embodiments, the flow meter includes a spool member having a throughbore for fluids to pass therethrough, one or more transducers extending into the throughbore, and a cover disposed about the spool member and the one or more transducers. The cover includes a plurality of cover pieces fastened together. The cover pieces are formed of layers including an insulation layer, a radiant barrier, and an outer shell. The outer shell includes a material having a rigidity exceeding that of the insulation layer and that of the radiant barrier. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100229988 | Dual Chamber Orifice Fitting Plate Support - Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100217531 | HYDROCARBON MEASUREMENT STATION PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE INTERVAL DETERMINATION - Hydrocarbon measurement station preventative maintenance interval determination. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are measurement stations configured to measure volumetric flow of hydrocarbons, where the measurement stations include a flow meter fluidly coupled to a piping system configured to carry at least one type of hydrocarbon flow, and a computer system comprising an interface device (the computer system electrically coupled to the flow meter and the computer system configured to maintain a plurality of parameters related to the volume of hydrocarbon flow in the piping). The computer system is configured to provide maintenance information for the measurement station, and the computer system provides the maintenance information at intervals determined based on constituents of hydrocarbons and based on parameters related to the volume of hydrocarbon flow in the piping. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100100654 | Coupling a Specialty System, Such as a Metering System, to Multiple Control Systems - A metering system configured to couple to multiple specialty systems, such as a control system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are processing units comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a communication port configured to coupled to a backbone communication network of a control system. The memory stores a program that causes the processor to selectively participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a first manufacturer (the control system implements a first proprietary communication protocol between processing units), and to participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a second manufacturer different than the first manufacturer (the control system of the second manufacturer implements a second proprietary communication protocol between the processing units). | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095232 | CALCULATING AND PLOTTING STATISTICAL DATA - Calculating and plotting statistical data in a control system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a systems comprising a flow computer configured to monitor a physical process external to the processing unit, a historian unit coupled to the flow computer by way of a computer network (the historian unit configured to receive data regarding the physical process, and configured to store the data in a nonvolatile storage device), and a human/machine interface (HMI) coupled to the historian unit by way of the computer network. The HMI is configured to retrieve historical data values regarding the physical process from the historian unit, calculate statistical data not held in the historian unit, the calculation based on the historical data values, and plot the statistical data on a display device. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100043521 | METER PROVING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A meter proving method and system. At lease some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising establishing a prover time by a prover device, measuring a flow rate of a fluid with a flow meter that uses multiple measurements taken over a period of time to produce each individual flow rate value (the flow meter electrically coupled to the prover device), and generating a meter volume over the prover time based on the flow rate. The generating the meter volume based on the flow rate does not involve: generating a pulse train output signal by the flow meter; and generating the meter volume based on an attribute of the pulse train. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100024884 | PRESSURE EQUALIZATION SYSTEM FOR A BI-DIRECTIONAL ORIFICE FITTING - A pipeline flow meter orifice fitting includes a first body, a flow bore through the first body, a chamber in the first body adjacent to the flow bore, an orifice plate supported in alignment with the flow bore by an orifice plate carrier, wherein the orifice plate carrier is exposed to the chamber and divides the flow bore into a first region to one side of the orifice plate and a second region to the other side of the orifice plate, a second body coupled to said first body, a first flow path fluidicly coupling the first region and the chamber through the second body, and a second flow path fluidicly coupling the second region and the chamber through the second body. In some embodiments, a three way valve is mounted on the first body, the three way valve selectably actuatable to open a first flow path between the first region and the chamber or a second flow path between the second region and the chamber. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100010756 | Method and System of Detecting Liquid in an Acoustic Flow Meter - Detecting liquid in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising flowing a gaseous substance through a central passage of a meter body, sending acoustic signals along respective chordal pathways across the central passage (none of the chordal pathways intersect a lower portion of the central passage where liquid, if present during flow of the gaseous substance, accumulates), calculating a flow velocity of the gaseous substance proximate to each chordal pathway based on transit times of the acoustic signals along the respective chordal pathways, and determining the presence of a liquid accumulated in the lower portion based on the flow velocity proximate to each chordal pathway. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100005901 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF COORDINATION OF MEASUREMENT SUBSYSTEMS OF A FLOW METER - Coordination of measurement subsystems of a flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first control electronics electrically coupled to the first plurality of transducer pairs (the first control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the first plurality of transducer pairs), a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second control electronics different than the first control electronics (the second control electronics electrically coupled to the second plurality of transducer pairs, the second control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the second plurality of transducer pairs). The first and second control electronics communicatively coupled and configured to coordinate activation of their respective transducer pairs. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100005900 | System and Method of an Acoustic Flow Meter With Dual Flow Measurements - Acoustic flow meter with dual flow measurements. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, and meter electronics electrically coupled to the first and second plurality of transducer pairs (the meter electronics configured to determine a first value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the first value determined using only signals of the first plurality of transducer pairs). The meter electronics further configured to determine a second value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the second value determined using only signals of the second plurality of transducer pairs. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100000332 | Orifice Fitting With a Drainage System - An orifice fitting having a drainage system. In some embodiments, the orifice fitting includes a housing having a chamber therein, a flow path extending through the chamber, an orifice plate moveable between a first position in the flow path and a second position outside of the flow path, and a rotatable shaft extending through the housing into the chamber. The shaft has a flowbore extending between a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet formed adjacent the end of the shaft. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090240453 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF DETERMINING FORTHCOMING FAILURE OF TRANSDUCERS - A method and system of determining forthcoming failure of transducers. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising creating a first electrical signal representative of acoustic energy propagating between a first pair of transducers of a fluid meter, creating a second electrical signal representative of acoustic energy propagating between a second pair of transducers of the fluid meter (the creating the second electrical signal substantially concurrently with create the first electrical signal), calculating a value indicative of a relationship between a parameter of the first electrical signal a parameter of the second electrical signal, and determining whether performance of the first pair of transducers indicates upcoming failure of at least one transducer of the first pair of transducers, the determining using the value. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090235501 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF A TRANSDUCER HAVING A PLASTIC MATCHING LAYER - Systems and methods of a transducer having a plastic matching layer. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including providing a transducer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and bonding a plastic to the distal end of the transducer housing (the plastic fluidly sealing and occluding the distal end). The bonding further includes inserting a cylinder comprising a mold-release chemical into the transducer housing, bonding plastic onto the distal end of the transducer housing, and removing the cylinder when the plastic has hardened. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090216475 | Method and System of Determining A Pattern of Arrival Time Cycle Skip In An Acoustic Flow Meter - Determining a pattern of arrival time cycle skip in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transceiving acoustic signals through a fluid flowing in a meter (the transceiving between respective pairs of a plurality of transducer pairs), measuring transit time of acoustic signals between the respective pairs of the plurality of transducers pairs, calculating a plurality of error values (each error value indicative of a cycle skip mode in measuring of the transit time of the acoustic signals), and determining the cycle skip mode using, at least in part, the plurality of error values. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090205732 | ORIFICE PLATE CARRIER - An orifice plate carrier for positioning an orifice plate within an orifice fitting to measure fluid flow rate through a conduit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the plate carrier has an opening therethrough and an inner surface surrounding the opening. A lip extends radially from the inner surface to support an orifice plate assembly with an orifice plate disposed therein. At least one flow port extends through the body. Each flow port is configured to allow fluid therethrough and to reduce a pressure differential between fluid up and downstream of the orifice plate during installation and extraction. At least two notches, each notch extending radially from the inner surface, engage the orifice plate and maintain the concentric position of the orifice plate within the fitting. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090194182 | DUAL CHAMBER ORIFICE FITTING BODY - A dual chamber orifice fitting, including a body with a lower chamber in fluid communication with a pipeline and a top with an upper chamber in fluid communication with the lower chamber. A valve assembly closes to hydraulically isolate the upper chamber from the lower chamber and opens to allow an orifice plate carrier to move between the chambers. When the orifice plate carrier is in the lower chamber is can be aligned with the flowbore of the pipeline. The orifice plate carrier can be removed from the fitting through the upper chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of either the upper or lower chambers has a curved cross-section including inner and outer radii, a Cassini oval or a dog-bone shape. The body and top may also have a double curved outer surface to accommodate the curved cross-section of the interior chambers. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090174514 | Transformer Board - A transformer board is disclosed. In some embodiments, the transformer board includes a base, a circuit board, a transformer having a first and second winding, a first and a second connector, a ribbon cable and a nonconductive fill material. The base has a recess within which the circuit board is positioned. The transformer is mechanically coupled to the circuit board. The first connector is configured to electrically couple to transducers within a pressure boundary of an ultrasonic flow meter and is electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer. The ribbon cable is electrically coupled between the first winding of the transformer and the second connector. The nonconductive fill material is contained by the recess and encases the circuit board, the transformer, the coupling of the first connector to the second winding of the transformer, and the coupling of the ribbon cable to the first winding of the transformer. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090097354 | Method and System for Detecting Deposit Buildup Within an Ultrasonic Flow Meter - Methods and systems for detecting deposit buildup within an ultrasonic flow meter are disclosed. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic flow meters comprising a spool piece configured to couple within a flow of fluid, a first transducer pair mechanically mounted to the spool piece and configured to fluidly couple to the flow of fluids (wherein the first transducer pair comprises an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer in operational relationship to the upstream transducer and defines a first chord there between), and electronics electrically coupled to the first transducer pair. The electronics is configured to detect deposit buildup over an inner surface of the ultrasonic flow meter. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090044635 | Extractor Tool for an Ultrasonic Flow Meter - An extractor tool for an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. Some system embodiments comprise a bracket configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic flow meter and a tube inserted through and coupled to the bracket. The tube is configured to seal to the spoolpiece and permit a transducer to be selectively installed and removed therethrough. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20080307911 | Cable Cover for an Ultrasonic Flow Meter - A cable cover for an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cable cover includes multiple interlockable pieces configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic flow meter. Each interlockable piece includes a body having a dowel and a slot. The interlockable pieces are assembled in a series with the dowel of each interlockable piece inserted into the slot of another interlockable piece. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080276724 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF A TRANSDUCER HAVING A PLASTIC MATCHING LAYER - Systems and methods of a transducer having a plastic matching layer. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are transducers comprising a housing (having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal volume, the housing configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic meter), a plastic matching layer that has an external surface and an internal surface (the plastic matching layer seals to and occludes the distal end of the housing), and a transducer element abutting the internal surface of the plastic matching layer. | 11-13-2008 |
