G01F1/34

Fire-extinguishing facility, fire-extinguishing system comprising same, and method for determining the extent of a fire
11583713 · 2023-02-21 · ·

The invention relates to a fire-extinguishing facility comprising an extinguishing fluid line for transporting an extinguishing fluid, a plurality of sprinklers connected to the extinguishing fluid line in a fluid-guiding manner which are closed in a standby state and open in an extinguishing state in order to supply the extinguishing fluid, and a flow-measuring device associated with the extinguishing fluid line. According to the invention, the flow-measuring device is designed to approximately detect a volume flow of the extinguishing fluid transported in the extinguishing fluid line, and an evaluation unit is provided and designed to assign a number of open sprinklers to the approximately detected volume flow.

Freeze prediction, detection, and mitigation
11499856 · 2022-11-15 · ·

Systems and methods for predicting, detecting, and/or mitigating a pipe freeze are provided. A system for analyzing water in a plumbing system includes a sensor that is configured to measure pressure within a pipe in the plumbing system as a function of time, and a processor that is configured to determine a state of water within the pipe by analyzing the pressure within the pipe as a function of time. The state of the water includes a prediction that the water within the pipe will freeze and/or a determination that the water within the pipe has frozen. The sensor is arranged at a first location within the plumbing system that is remote from a second location within the plumbing system that corresponds to the state of the water.

Mass Flow Meter
20220357191 · 2022-11-10 ·

A mass flow meter includes an arcuate tube section that is semi-circular, an inner pressure sensor disposed on an inner curvature portion of the arcuate tube section and configured to capture an inner pressure measurement of the flowing fluid, an outer pressure sensor disposed on an outer curvature portion of the arcuate tube section and configured to capture an outer pressure measurement of the flowing fluid, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive the inner pressure measurement and the outer pressure measurement, determine a pressure difference between the inner pressure measurement and the outer pressure measurement, and determine a mass flow rate of the flowing fluid passing through the arcuate tube section based on the pressure difference and a fluid density of the flowing fluid.

Sensing events affecting liquid flow in a liquid distribution system

By monitoring pressure transients in a liquid within a liquid distribution system using only a single sensor, events such as the opening and closing of valves at specific fixtures are readily detected. The sensor, which can readily be coupled to a faucet bib, transmits an output signal to a computing device. Each such event can be identified by the device based by comparing characteristic features of the pressure transient waveform with previously observed characteristic features for events in the system. These characteristic features, which can include the varying pressure, derivative, and real Cepstrum of the pressure transient waveform, can be used to select a specific fixture where a valve open or close event has occurred. Flow to each fixture and leaks in the system can also be determined from the pressure transient signal. A second sensor disposed at a point disparate from the first sensor provides further event information.

Sensing events affecting liquid flow in a liquid distribution system

By monitoring pressure transients in a liquid within a liquid distribution system using only a single sensor, events such as the opening and closing of valves at specific fixtures are readily detected. The sensor, which can readily be coupled to a faucet bib, transmits an output signal to a computing device. Each such event can be identified by the device based by comparing characteristic features of the pressure transient waveform with previously observed characteristic features for events in the system. These characteristic features, which can include the varying pressure, derivative, and real Cepstrum of the pressure transient waveform, can be used to select a specific fixture where a valve open or close event has occurred. Flow to each fixture and leaks in the system can also be determined from the pressure transient signal. A second sensor disposed at a point disparate from the first sensor provides further event information.

Separation type multiphase flowmeter with separate flow metering devices with different cross-sectional areas
11493375 · 2022-11-08 ·

A separation type multiphase flow meter apparatus (10) comprising a separation module (18) arranged to at least partially separate a multiphase stream comprising water, hydrocarbon liquid and hydrocarbon gas into a first sub-stream comprising a gas fraction and a second sub-stream comprising a liquid fraction. The apparatus comprises a first metering device (16) for measuring the flow rate of the first sub-stream, and a second metering device (17) for measuring the phase fraction and the flow rate of the second sub-stream, wherein the second metering device is arranged to measure the water-in-liquid ratio (WLR) of the second sub-stream, wherein the apparatus is arranged to use the WLR measured by the second metering device as a measure also for the WLR of the first sub-stream, and wherein the cross-sectional flow area of the first metering device is larger than the cross-sectional flow area of the second metering device.

Pressure control using an external trigger
11573583 · 2023-02-07 · ·

A gas delivery system and associated method includes a flow channel, a control valve, a downstream pressure sensor, and a controller. The control valve controls flow of gas in the flow channel. The downstream pressure sensor, located downstream of the control valve, measures gas pressure in the flow channel. The controller has an external trigger input to receive a trigger signal applied to a shutoff valve downstream from the control valve. The controller operates in separate modes based on a state of the trigger signal. In a non-triggered mode, the controller controls pressure at the pressure sensor via the control valve in accordance with a first gain schedule. In the triggered mode, the controller controls the pressure at the pressure sensor via the control valve in accordance with a second gain schedule that is distinct from the first gain schedule.

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW RATE OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE CORROSIVE LIQUID

An apparatus for measuring a pressure of a corrosive or high temperature process liquid includes a pressure sensor in communication with the process liquid via a vertical tube. A buffer gas injected into the vertical tube forms a liquid/gas interface at a desired height. The buffer gas supply is then either isolated or regulated so as to cause the buffer gas pressure within the vertical tube to remain equal with the process liquid pressure. The pressure sensor indirectly measures the process liquid pressure by measuring the buffer gas pressure within the vertical tube, while remaining chemically and thermally protected from the process liquid. In embodiments, pressure measurements from a pair of gas buffered pressure sensors located upstream and downstream of a valve are combined with measurements of the process liquid temperature to determine a flow rate of the process liquid through the valve.

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE PRESSURE AND FLOW RATE OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE CORROSIVE LIQUID

An apparatus for measuring a pressure of a corrosive or high temperature process liquid includes a pressure sensor in communication with the process liquid via a vertical tube. A buffer gas injected into the vertical tube forms a liquid/gas interface at a desired height. The buffer gas supply is then either isolated or regulated so as to cause the buffer gas pressure within the vertical tube to remain equal with the process liquid pressure. The pressure sensor indirectly measures the process liquid pressure by measuring the buffer gas pressure within the vertical tube, while remaining chemically and thermally protected from the process liquid. In embodiments, pressure measurements from a pair of gas buffered pressure sensors located upstream and downstream of a valve are combined with measurements of the process liquid temperature to determine a flow rate of the process liquid through the valve.

METHOD FOR MONITORING A FLOW OF A MEDIUM BY MEANS OF A CORIOLIS MASS FLOWMETER AND A DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE
20230032534 · 2023-02-02 ·

A method for monitoring flow of a medium by means of a pressure difference measuring device and a Coriolis mass flowmeter having two oscillators, which comprise, in each case, a bent measuring tube pair, which are arranged on top of one another and connected for parallel flow between the two pressure measuring points of the pressure difference measuring device, comprising steps as follows: Registering a pressure difference between the first pressure measuring point and the second pressure measuring point; registering a first density measured value based on at least a first oscillation frequency of the first oscillator; registering a second density measured value based on at least a second oscillation frequency of the second oscillator; ascertaining a flow measured value based on the pressure difference, when a difference between the first density measured value and the second density measured value is less than a density difference limit value.