G01F1/363

Continuous microfluidic dilatometry for physical activity monitoring with ultrahigh sensitivity

Continuous microfluidic dilatometry devices and methods are provided for activity monitoring with ultra-high sensitivity. Corner flow in capillary channels is used to detect the resistance change in microfluidic circuits filled with ionic liquids. The conversion of mechanical input (e.g. strain) to an intermediary domain, namely liquid displacement, allows a large enhancement in sensor performance. Embodiments are suitable for tracking skin deformations that occur as a result of human movements.

Flow rate estimation for mass flow controller

A mass flow controller, including a block body having a flow path and a valve provided at least in part within the flow path. The mass flow controller may further include a valve position sensor, a first temperature sensor, a first pressure sensor located on an upstream side of the flow path from the valve, and a second pressure sensor located on a downstream side of the flow path from the valve. The mass flow controller may further include a processor configured to receive valve position data, first temperature data, first pressure data, and second pressure data. The processor may be further configured to estimate a flow rate of fluid in the flow path at least in part by applying a trained machine learning model to the valve position data, the first temperature data, the first pressure data, and the second pressure data.

HVAC SELF-BALANCING COMPONENTS AND CONTROLS
20230236612 · 2023-07-27 ·

An all-inclusive fluid flow device that can variably magnify differential pressure, measure, and control a flow of a fluid is described. Various procedures, including measuring, controlling, balancing, or calibration procedures can leverage a variably magnified differential pressure measurement. Differential pressure measurements can be measured across the fluid flow device such that a first pressure measurement is taken upstream of the fluid flow device while a second pressure measurement is taken downstream of the fluid flow device. Moreover, one or more of the various pressure measurements, and in particular the downstream pressure measurement, can be performed at stagnation zone where the flow has stagnated. Such can provide significant magnification and/or turndown capabilities and the magnification can vary based on a damper position and/or apertures dimensions.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATING AND TUNING A MASS FLOW CONTROLLER
20230004176 · 2023-01-05 · ·

A mass flow control apparatus and methods for calibrating and tuning the mass flow apparatus are provided. The mass flow apparatus can be calibrated by receiving a calibration input signal that provides one or more properties of a gas that is flowing through a main fluid flow path and performing one or more measurements, using one or more sensors, on the gas. The calibration includes determining a calibration parameter based on the results of the one or more measurements and the calibration input signal and adjusting a proportional valve, based on the calibration parameter, to adjust a flow rate, of the gas through the apparatus, to match a setpoint flow rate.

ROBOTIC SPRAYING VEHICLE

A robotic vehicle (10) may include a chassis supporting a storage tank in which an aqueous solution is contained, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the chassis to provide mobility for the robotic vehicle about a service area (20), a positioning module (60) configured to provide guidance for the robotic vehicle (10) during transit of the robotic vehicle (10) over the service area (20), a spray assembly (90) and control circuitry (12).

PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE

A pressure control device 20 includes a pressure control valve 25, a flow resistance 23 provided downstream of the pressure control valve, for restricting a gas flow, a first pressure sensor 21 for measuring a gas pressure between the pressure control valve and the flow resistance, a second pressure sensor 22 for measuring a gas pressure downstream of the flow resistance, and an arithmetic control circuit 26 connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. The pressure control device is configured to control the gas pressure downstream of the flow resistance by adjusting an opening degree of the pressure control valve based on an output of the second pressure sensor regardless of an output of the first pressure sensor control, and calculate the flow rate of the gas downstream of the flow resistance based on the output of the first pressure sensor and the output of the second pressure sensor.

Real-time measurement of two-phase mass flow rate and enthalpy using pressure differential devices

Geothermal two-phase flow metering device and measurement method in geothermal well and large diameter pipelines are disclosed herein. The method thereof is measuring the enthalpy and mass flow rate of the two-phase fluid in real-time. The device mainly includes a primary, a secondary and a multi-tapping pressure components. The primary component can be an Orifice plate or Nozzle or Venturi tube. The secondary component is a transmitters-transducers. The multi tapping pressure used are radius, flanges, and corners. The example system includes data signal of upstream pressure, downstream and the pressure difference of the multi tapping is recorded and calculated in the flow computer machine. A flow meter has good accuracy with less noise for a wide range of wells output and pipeline size range, which is very useful for the geothermal industry.

MEASURING PRESSURE IN A STAGNATION ZONE
20230213952 · 2023-07-06 ·

A fluid flow device that can measure and control a flow of a fluid is described. Various procedures, including measuring, controlling, balancing, or calibration procedures can leverage differential pressure measurement. These differential pressure measurements can be measured across the fluid flow device such that a first pressure measurement is taken upstream of the fluid flow device while a second pressure measurement is taken downstream of the fluid flow device. Moreover, one or more of the various pressure measurements, and in particular the downstream pressure measurement, can be performed at stagnation zone where the flow has stagnated. Such can provide significant amplification and/or turndown capabilities.

ANNULUS PRESSURE RELEASE SYSTEM
20230213951 · 2023-07-06 ·

An annulus pressure release system includes a gas metering valve assembly having a fluid pathway. The gas metering valve assembly includes a pressure sensor configured to be fluidly coupled to an annulus and to output a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the annulus. The gas metering valve assembly also includes an electronically actuated adjustable control valve disposed along the fluid pathway and a electronically actuated two-position valve disposed along the fluid pathway. Furthermore, the gas metering valve assembly includes a flow controller. The flow controller, in response to determining the fluid pressure exceeds a threshold pressure, is configured to output a first control signal to the electronically actuated two-position valve indicative of instructions to open the electronically actuated two-position valve, and to output a second control signal to the electronically actuated adjustable control valve indicative of instructions to adjust a flow of fluid through the fluid pathway.

FLUID RESISTANCE ELEMENT AND FLUID CONTROL DEVICE
20220413522 · 2022-12-29 ·

To make it possible to incorporate a fluid resistance element into a flow path through which a fluid flows without difficulty while enjoying advantages from forming a resistance flow path using ceramic, provided is a fluid resistance element including: a ceramic flow path forming member having one or a plurality of resistance flow paths; and a metal covering member covering an outer peripheral face of the flow path forming member.