The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 23, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 06, 1994
Charles L Boyd, Duncan, OK (US);
Joseph A Stewart, Duncan, OK (US);
Halliburton Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling and metering gas flowing through a pipeline is provided. The apparatus includes an orifice flow meter for accurately measuring the flow rate of gas through the pipeline within a certain range. The apparatus further includes a turbine flow meter which provides a measurement of the flow rate of the gas flowing through the pipeline over a broad range. A control circuit coupled to the turbine flow meter is provided for evaluating the flow rate to determine whether the flow rate is higher than a predetermined maximum value which can be recorded by the orifice flow meter or lower than a predetermined minimum value which can be recorded by the orifice flow meter. If the flow rate is higher than the predetermined maximum value, the control circuit generates a first voltage signal, if the flow rate is lower than the predetermined minimum value, the control circuit generates a second voltage signal. A frequency converter electrically coupled to the control circuit converts the voltage signals generated by the control circuit into an analog output current. A transducer electrically coupled to the frequency converter then converts the analog output current into a pneumatic signal which is communicated to a throttle valve pneumatically coupled to the transducer which partially closes in response to a pneumatic signal corresponding to the first voltage signal and which fully opens in response to a pneumatic signal corresponding to the second voltage signal.