Christopher B Laird

US Patent:

6973833, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Mar 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/107852

Inventors:

Donald Ginesi - Lakeland FL, US
Donald R. Augenstein - Pittsburgh PA, US
Keith Bergstrom - Herminie PA, US
Calvin R. Hastings - Pittsburgh PA, US
Christopher B. Laird - Pittsburgh PA, US
Benjamin Lane - Phoenix MD, US
Brian Lipford - Bel Air MD, US

Assignee:

Caldon, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01H001/00
G01H011/00
G01M001/22
G01F001/32
G01F001/42

US Classification:

73660, 7386161, 7386123

Abstract:

A wafer for placement in a pipe. The wafer includes a housing having an outer surface and an orifice adapted to allow fluid flowing in the pipe to pass through the housing. The housing has at least a first port extending into the housing from the outer surface for holding a first acoustic transducer. The wafer includes means for attaching the housing to the pipe. A method for obtaining information about fluid in a pipe.

US Patent:

8347733, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Oct 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/925558

Inventors:

Christopher B. Laird - Pittsburgh PA, US
Gregor Brown - Scotland, GB

Assignee:

Cameron International Corporation - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01F 1/66

US Classification:

7386128

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to a flow conditioner for displacing and mixing fluid flow to minimize the effects of thermal gradients on the accuracy of a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter and defines an envelope in a cross sectional direction in a pipe having a first ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in a downstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. The conditioner has a second ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and in juxtaposition with the first ramp, the second ramp extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in an upstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe having ultrasonic transducer sites. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe.

US Patent:

42413540, Dec 23, 1980

Filed:

Mar 2, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/016796

Inventors:

Christopher B. Laird - Erie PA

Assignee:

Geosource Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01D 502

US Classification:

346 43

Abstract:

Apparatus for indicating unauthorized delivery of liquid product for use in connection with a Veeder-Root Counter-Printer is characterized by a timer arrangement adapted to measure the time duration of an interruption in liquid product flow and to prime the printer's sale sequence number for incrementation if the duration of the interruption exceeds a predetermined time interval. If flow is resumed before the same ticket is removed from the printer, a nonsequential sale sequence number is imprinted on the ticket when it is removed, thereby providing an indicia that flow has been interrupted for at least the predetermined interval.

US Patent:

62442899, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

Jan 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/232302

Inventors:

Helmut W. Hopfe - Erie PA
Christopher B. Laird - Erie PA
William H. Noble - Waterford PA

International Classification:

F16K 2404

US Classification:

137197

Abstract:

A vent assembly for a double case, rotary positive displacement meter permits venting of the outer housing chamber and inner mechanism chamber simultaneously through a single port in the outer housing to prevent damage to the rotor of the inner mechanism. A float/reed switch assembly can be provided to provide an indication of the need for venting if the vent is manually operated, or to automatically vent if an electrically operated valve is used.

US Patent:

20160281751, Sep 29, 2016

Filed:

Jun 10, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/179468

Inventors:

Christopher B. Laird - Erie PA, US
Gregor Brown - Prestwick, GB

Assignee:

Cameron International Corporation - Houston TX

International Classification:

F15D 1/02
F15D 1/00
F15D 1/06
G01F 1/66

Abstract:

A flow conditioner for displacing and mixing fluid flow to minimize the effects of thermal gradients on the accuracy of a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter having a first portion adapted to be disposed in the pipe and extending inward toward the center of the pipe in a downstream direction with respect to the fluid flow relative to the pipe's inner surface. The conditioner has a second portion adapted to be disposed in the pipe and in juxtaposition with the first portion. The second portion extending inward toward the center of the pipe in an upstream direction with respect to the fluid flow relative to the pipe's inner surface. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe having ultrasonic transducer sites. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. A method for affecting fluid flow in a pipe.

US Patent:

20150211553, Jul 30, 2015

Filed:

Apr 10, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/683958

Inventors:

Christopher B. Laird - Pittsburgh PA, US
Gregor Brown - Prestwick, GB

Assignee:

CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION - Houston TX

International Classification:

F15D 1/02
F15D 1/06
G01F 1/66

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to a flow conditioner for displacing and mixing fluid flow to minimize the effects of thermal gradients on the accuracy of a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter and defines an envelope in a cross sectional direction in a pipe having a first ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in a downstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. The conditioner has a second ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and in juxtaposition with the first ramp, the second ramp extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in an upstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe having ultrasonic transducer sites. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. A method for affecting fluid flow in a pipe.

US Patent:

20140190272, Jul 10, 2014

Filed:

Jan 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/734705

Inventors:

Christopher B. Laird - Pittsburgh PA, US
Gregor Brown - Scotland, GB

International Classification:

G01F 1/66

US Classification:

7386128, 366337

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to a flow conditioner for displacing and mixing fluid flow to minimize the effects of thermal gradients on the accuracy of a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter and defines an envelope in a cross sectional direction in a pipe having a first ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in a downstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. The conditioner has a second ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and in juxtaposition with the first ramp, the second ramp extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in an upstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0 and 90 relative to the pipe's inner surface. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe having ultrasonic transducer sites. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. A method for affecting fluid flow in a pipe.