| 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 |
| 20100242621 | 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. | 09-30-2010 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
