Calibron Systems, Inc.

Flow Technology, Inc.

Eg&g Flow Technology, Inc.

Gary D Cohrs

Edward E Francisco, Jr

Samuel H Smith

Ronald J Jackson

A densimeter is provided that is mounted on the side of a conduit carrying a fluid flow. The densimeter consists of an inlet and an outlet scoop which are immersed into the fluid flow through the conduit. A portion of the fluid flow enters into the first scoop and is directed into the densimeter where the fluid's density is measured and then exits through the exit scoop back into the fluid flow in the conduit.

Single flange installation densimeter

A double cycle prover is used to calibrate meters which require long proving runs. A small volume or piston prover and a master flowmeter, are coupled in series with the meter under test, then the master flowmeter is calibrated against the small volume prover, and the meter under test is calibrated against the master flowmeter. A signal processor combines the proving cycles, to relate the small volume prover to the meter under test. A density meter is connected to the flow channel, if the meter under test is a mass flowmeter, and the signal processor uses the density measurement to relate the mass flow measurement of the meter under test with the volume flow measurement of the master flowmeter.

Method and apparatus for calibrating a flowmeter using a master meter

A fluid flowmeter prover uses a measuring cylinder in series with a flowmeter to calibrate the flow meter. The cylinder has a piston which travels in synchronism with the fluid, the flow rate of which is to be measured. At the downstream end of the cylinder, a poppet valve connected to and within the piston opens to allow the fluid to pass through the piston. The poppet valve has a valve rod connected to a first coupling. A second coupling engages the first coupling and through a motor draws the valve and piston to the upstream end of the cylinder where they disengage, releasing the valve and allowing it to close for another run. The cycle repeats when the second coupling is driven down to reengage the first coupling.

Apparatus for determining the characteristic of a flowmeter

A dynamic leak detector is connected to a fluid flowmeter prover. The prover has a measurement chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a barrier which moves axially through the chamber between the fluid inlet andc the fluid outlet. First and second spaced apart seals between the barrier and the chamber interior prevent fluid from passing through the barrier. The leak detector is connected to the space between the first and second seals and urges fluid to flow out through the seals into the chamber, while the prover is operating. If more than a threshold amount of fluid passes through the seals during a test run, the operator is alerted and the test run is rejected.

Dynamic leak detector

A moveable fluid barrier (16) is driven from an upstream position to a downstream position through a measuring cylinder (18) connected fluidically in series with the flowmeter (22) under test to induce fluid flow therethrough at a flow rate related to the movement of the barrier. The response of the flowmeter is sensed during a plurality of time intervals as the barrier is driven through the conduit from the upstream position toward the downstream position in the course of a test run. The movement of the fluid barrier is also sensed (28) during these intervals. From the flowmeter response and the fluid barrier movement, a K-factor sample is determined for each interval. The K-factor samples are compared (12) with each other to selected a valid K-factor data point for the particular test run. Specifically, the criterion for determining a valid K-factor data point is the variation between K-factor samples under comparison.

System for selecting valid K-factor data points based upon selected

A fluid displacement measuring cylinder has near its ends, respectively, an inlet and an outlet. A fluid displacement measuring piston is adapted to travel through the measuring cylinder as a fluid barrier. A control piston having first and second sides is adapted to travel through the control cylinder as a fluid barrier. A rod connects the control piston only to the side of the measuring piston facing toward one end of the measuring cylinder. A gas pressurized plenum chamber is connected to the control cylinder so the force of the gas pressure urges the measuring piston toward the other end of the measuring cylinder. The movement of the measuring piston through the measuring cylinder is sensed and the movement of the control piston through the control cylinder is fluidically controlled. The pressure in the plenum chamber, which has a substantially larger volume than the control cylinder, is selected so as to cancel the force imbalance caused by the rod.

A mechanical displacement flowmeter calibrator has a first fluid line external of the measuring cylinder of the calibrator connected between the inlet and outlet thereof. A flowmeter that produces flow-representative pulses is connected in the fluid line. A rod is connected to a measuring piston adapted to travel through the measuring cylinder as a fluid barrier. The rod drives the measuring piston through the measuring cylinder at a predetermined, constant speed and thereby determines the flow rate of the calibration. The displacement of the measuring piston is sensed as it travels through the measuring cylinder during a test run, while the pulses produced by the flowmeter are counted during the time interval in which the piston displaces a given volume. The flowmeter is preferably connected in the fluid line at the pressure null point. First and second annular edge seals around the periphery of the measuring piston form an annular cavity into which pressurized fluid, preferably a lubricant, is injected. Before a test run, fluid flow in a second fluid line, external of the measuring cylinder, is induced, thereby establishing a closed loop around the first and second fluid lines and the measuring cylinder. To initiate a test run, fluid flow through the second fluid line is blocked to operate the measuring piston. Simultaneously therewith, the measuring piston is driven through the measuring cylinder from end-to-end to execute a test run.

Apparatus and method for determining the flow characteristic of a

A mechanical displacement flowmeter calibrator has a first fluid line external of the measuring cylinder of the calibrator connected between the inlet and outlet thereof. A flow meter that produces flow-representative pulses is connected in the fluid line. A rod is connected to a measuring piston adapted to travel through the measuring cylinder as a fluid barrier. The rod drives the measuring piston through the measuring cylinder at a predetermined, constant speed and thereby determines the flow rate of the calibration. The displacement of the measuring piston is sensed as it travels through the measuring cylinder during a test run, while the pulses produced by the flowmeter are counted during the time interval in which the piston displaces a given volume. The flowmeter is preferably connected in the fluid line at the pressure null point. First and second annular edge seals around the periphery of the measuring piston form an annular cavity into which pressurized fluid, preferably a lubricant, is injected. Before a test run, fluid flow in a second fluid line, external of the measuring cylinder, is induced, thereby establishing a closed loop around the first and second fluid lines and the measuring cylinder. To initiate a test run, fluid flow through the second fluid line is blocked to operate the measuring piston. Simultaneously therewith, the measuring piston is driven through the measuring cylinder from end-to-end to execute a test run.

Apparatus for determining the flow characteristic of a volumetric

Apparatus and method for determining the flow characterstic of a

A turbine wheel is mounted for rotation in a cylindrical housing at the end of rod, the housing and rod pass through a sleeve to insert the turbine wheel in a line to intercept fluid flowing therethrough. The rotational position of the rod is controlled as it passes through the sleeve to align the turbine wheel with the direction of flow through the line. A pickoff coil senses the rotation of the turbine wheel. Responsive to the pickoff coil, the sleeve and the rod are rotated as a unit to reduce the fluid intercepted by the turbine wheel.

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Gary D Cohrs