Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLC

Dresser, Inc.

Andrew Logan Perkins

Jeff Thomas Martin

Jason Lee Mamaloukas

A gas meter is outfit with near field communication (NFC) devices for in-situ exchange of data. The NFC devices reside in separate compartments. A first compartment houses electronics necessary to generate values for volumetric flow of material in a pipe. The gas meter includes a second compartment with an access point that allows data, including telemetry data, to transmit from the gas meter to a remote device. In operation, the NFC devices exchange data between the first compartment and the second compartment, often through a wall or barrier that prevents flow of fluid between the compartments.

Using wireless data transmission to maintain intrinsic safety of a gas meter

A flow metering apparatus comprising a temperature sensing system for use to measure temperature of fluid includes temperature measurement components and temperature sensing components in close proximity to one another and to the flow of fluid. The components can include a temperature measurement member close-coupled to a processor member, each disposed on a circuitized substrate. This configuration exposes a temperature sensor element to the same dynamic temperature conditions as the processor member, thus reducing measurement error that might manifest in response to different temperature gradients proximate the respective components. A storage memory may be used to permit the temperature sensing system to store and/or retain data that relates to calibration as a dynamic system over the entire operating range of the sensor element. The calibration data may then be accessed from the storage memory to improve accuracy and operation of the flow metering apparatus.

Temperature sensing system and flow metering apparatus comprised thereof

An apparatus that is configured to test operation of a gas meter. The apparatus can include a process control member with operative circuitry that provides all functionality necessary to execute the test and to analyze the resulting data. This functionality includes data processing functions and a web server to allow communication between the apparatus and a remote device via a network. In one embodiment, the operative circuitry includes a first circuitry to regulate operation of a fluid moving unit that provides fluid to a meter-under-test. The operative circuitry can also include a second circuitry to collect data from one or more sensors disposed on the meter-under-test. The operative circuitry can also have a third circuitry to perform various operations necessary to calculate, in one example, a value for an operative characteristic that relates to the accuracy of the meter-under-test.

Apparatus and methods for testing gas meters

Using wireless data transmission to maintain intrisnic safety of a gas meter

A safety device for an actuator that can modulate power to an electric motor in response to a fault condition (e.g., stall). In one embodiment, the actuator can include a motor with a shaft, a sensor disposed in proximity to the shaft, and a control processor coupled with the sensor and the motor. The control processor can be configured to receive a signal from the sensor that conveys operating data that relates to rotation of the shaft, use the operating data to identify a fault condition on the motor, and change the motor from an energized condition to a de-energized condition in response to the fault condition.

Regulating temperature on an actuator

A method comprising interposing an interface device in communication with both a terminal and a meter; and using the interface device for, exchanging data with the terminal and the meter using a first protocol and a second protocol, respectively, at least one of which utilizes an RF field; identifying an originating device using the data from each of the terminal and the meter; and generating an output for use over the first protocol or the second protocol in response to the originating device.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Andrew Logan Perkins