FLOW MANAGEMENT DEVICES, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140331738 | OPTICAL SWITCH SYSTEM FOR A PROVER - Apparatus for flow prover precisely measures the volume and the flow rate of a fluid through a cylinder. The prover includes a piston within a cylinder supporting a shaft extending longitudinally through the cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means draws the shaft and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the volume of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of emitter/detector modules provides piston position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing through the cylinder. A switch bar rigidly and permanently fixes the position of the emitter/detector modules with respect to the piston and with respect to one another. An immovable gate or aperture regulates the cross-section of the light beam striking the detector and ensures that the measured volume is repeatable and cannot be altered due to external factors such as in-field use, service, maintenance on components or the like. | 11-13-2014 |
20140318238 | LEAK SENSOR FOR A PROVER - A leak sensor for sensing fluid flow through the bearings and seals about a shaft extending from a prover. Any leakage of fluid through the bearings and seals will migrate into the annular cavity within a housing and surrounding the shaft. A conduit or passageway in fluid communication with the annular cavity conveys the leaking fluid into a collection chamber. A float within the collection chamber will trigger an electrical or mechanical signal when the float rises a preset distance. If electrical, the signal is transmitted to an alarm unit to trigger a warning indicative of the amount of fluid in the collection chamber. | 10-30-2014 |
20120216595 | FRAMEWORK ENVELOPING A PROVER - A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover. | 08-30-2012 |
20120216594 | FRAMEWORK WITH STANCHIONS FOR A PROVER - A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the prover draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover. | 08-30-2012 |
20100241387 | PROVER SELF TESTING AND VALIDATION APPARATUS - A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one element for drawing the rod and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of switches, linear encoder or laser detector provides position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing in the cylinder. These signals, representative of this volume and flow rate, are compared with preset parameters to determine the degree of equivalence. Thereby, self testing and validation occurs. | 09-23-2010 |
20100154506 | METHOD FOR MOUNTING A PROVER - A method for mounting a prover and its attached motive means either horizontally or vertically as a function of the footprint available on the surface on which the prover is to be mounted. The method includes attaching the prover and its motive means to a lower framework. Attaching a plurality of stanchions to the lower framework. Mounting an upper framework on the stanchions. Adding a plurality of I-beams to the upper framework and to the stanchions to render the mounting for the prover rigid, whether the prover is mounted horizontally or vertically. | 06-24-2010 |
20100116019 | FRAMEWORK FOR A PROVER - A prover mounted upon a supporting lower framework includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means supported on a frame mounted on the lower framework draws the rod toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Upon such movement of the rod, a poppet valve formed as part of the piston opens to permit fluid flow through the piston. A clutch serving as part of the motive means permits travel of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder and serve the flow rate measuring function of the prover. An upper framework is attached to the lower framework through a plurality of stanchions. Various I-beams formed as part of the upper framework enhance rigidity to the combination of lower framework and upper framework. The combination of lower framework and upper framework provides support for the prover in a horizontal or a vertical orientation without affecting the operation, repair or maintenance of the prover. | 05-13-2010 |