Jeff D Martin

US Patent:

20070071611, Mar 29, 2007

Filed:

Sep 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/236286

Inventors:

Jeff Martin - Rogers AR, US

International Classification:

F04B 37/02

US Classification:

417048000

Abstract:

An apparatus for subjecting fluid moving through a fluid delivery line to a magnetic field is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of magnets, magnet holders, and encapsulating structures, which together increase the magnetic force capable of being applied to the fluid delivery line due to the properties of the encapsulating structures and, preferably, the magnet holders. The apparatus also contains a novel tabbed magnet holder such that individual magnets may be easily removed and replaced to provide magnetic fields with differing properties, such as a much stronger or weaker field or a field capable of imparting spin upon the fluid.

US Patent:

20210278269, Sep 9, 2021

Filed:

Mar 5, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/810047

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Spring TX, US
Paul Stephen Hooks - Halstead, GB

International Classification:

G01F 25/00
G01F 5/00
G01F 15/02

Abstract:

A gas meter is configured for diagnostics using differential pressure (DP) measurements. The configurations include executable instructions to actively manage the DP sensor. These instructions active the DP sensor only during stable flow and, where applicable, for a defined test time period. This feature manages power consumption to maintain battery life with acceptable standards or regulations.

US Patent:

20190101426, Apr 4, 2019

Filed:

Sep 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/147785

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Francisco Manuel Gutierrez - League City TX, US
Francisco Enrique Jimenez - Spring TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Spring TX, US

International Classification:

G01F 15/06
G01F 1/075

Abstract:

An encoder device that is configured for use on a gas utility meter. These configurations may generate power and data concomitantly with movement of mechanics in response to flow of material through the meter. In one implementation, the meter may include a meter body with flanged ends, the meter body forming an interior cavity. Impellers may reside in the interior cavity to meter precise volume of fuel gas through the device. The encoder device may couple with the impellers, for example, using non-contact modalities, like magnetics. The encoder device may include a processor and memory, a sensor unit, and a power unit, where the sensor unit and the power unit are responsive to rotation of the impellers to generate a data signal and a power signal, respectively, without contact with the impellers.

US Patent:

20180316987, Nov 1, 2018

Filed:

Apr 12, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/951910

Inventors:

- Addison TX, US
Francisco Manuel Gutierrez - League City TX, US
Francisco Enrique Jimenez - Spring TX, US
Jason Lee Mamaloukas - Cypress TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Spring TX, US
Andrew Logan Perkins - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H04Q 9/00
H04L 29/06

Abstract:

A functional board that is configured to accommodate different data protocols for “off-board” communication. These configurations may find use in metrology hardware, for example, utility meters that measures volumetric flow of fluids like gas or water. In one implementation, the functional board may include a circuit board and a pair of circuit cards coupled to the circuit board to communicate with one another using a first communication protocol. The pair of circuit cards may include at least one that is removable from the circuit board and comprises an interface unit that transmits and receives incoming signals in a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.

US Patent:

20180259378, Sep 13, 2018

Filed:

Mar 8, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/452795

Inventors:

- Addison TX, US
Robert Erling Fowler - Houston TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Houston TX, US
Ronald Lewis Strong - Sealy TX, US

International Classification:

G01F 1/115
G01F 15/14

Abstract:

A gas meter () and like metering systems that are configured for use underwater. The gas meter may embody a positive displacement rotary gas meter having a meter body with impellers that counter-rotate in response to material flow. The gas meter can also comprise an index unit having an electronics assembly to generate a value that equates rotation of impellers with a parameter of the material flow. The gas meter can further comprise a connective interface having a first part and a second part, one each disposed on the meter unit and the index unit, respectively, the first part and the second part coupling with one another to provide data to the electronics assembly, the data corresponding with operating conditions on the meter unit and rotation of the impellers. In one example, the first part and the second part are configured so that the meter unit and the index unit are operable underwater to generate the value.

US Patent:

20180224319, Aug 9, 2018

Filed:

Feb 3, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/423650

Inventors:

- Addison TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Spring TX, US

International Classification:

G01F 25/00

Abstract:

A test apparatus to test operation of a gas meter. The test apparatus may include metrology devices, namely, a master meter and a measuring device, typically with a sensor to measure ambient conditions that prevail at the master meter and the gas meter. Each of the metrology devices can be configured as a self-contained, independent unit that can process analog signals to generate a digital signal. A controller may process these digital signals to convey information that defines flow volume for gas that flows through the gas meter. The controller may also be configured to verify a regulatory status for the metrology devices. These configurations can use validation data stored on the metrology devices separate and independent of the controller. In this way, the test apparatus assumes a modular structure that allows the metrology devices to swap into and out of the test apparatus.

US Patent:

20170303069, Oct 19, 2017

Filed:

Apr 14, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/098584

Inventors:

- Addison TX, US
Jeff Thomas Martin - Spring TX, US
Andrew Logan Perkins - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H04W 4/00
H04L 29/08

Abstract:

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.