US4751842A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Means and method for measuring a multi-phase distribution within a flowing petroleum stream
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1987-01-05
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Granted: 1988-06-21
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Expires: 2007-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A petroleum stream measurement system includes a cell made of non-conductive material for passing a flowing petroleum stream. First and second sensors, spatially arranged with the cell and spaced at a predetermined distance apart, sense the capacitance of the petroleum stream and provides representative signals. A third sensor senses the capacitance of the petroleum stream and provides a corresponding signal. A fourth sensor senses the capacitance of the petroleum stream and provides a signal corresponding thereto. Apparatus receiving the signals from all the sensors derives the distribution of the different fluids within the petroleum stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Steinar Ekrann
- 👤 Arild Boe
- 👤 Frank Schmidt
- 👤 Endre Jacobsen
- 👤 Rune W. Time
- 👤 Harald Vatne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2823; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/221; G01N27/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A petroleum stream measurement system comprising: cell means made of non-conductive material for passing a flowing petroleum stream, first and second sensing means spatially arranged wiith the cell means and spaced a predetermined distance apart for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing signals representative thereof, third sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal, fourth sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto, and means connected to all the sensing means for deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream in accordance with all the sensed capacitances.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A petroleum stream measurement system comprising: cell means made of non-conductive material for passing a flowing petroleum stream, first and second sensing means spatially arranged wiith the cell means and spaced a predetermined distance apart for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing signals representative thereof, third sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal, fourth sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto, and means connected to all the sensing means for deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream in accordance with all the sensed capacitances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A system as described in claim 1 in which each sensing means includes: a pair of electrode means for acting as a capacitor, means spatially arranged with each electrode means for shielding the electrode means, oscillator means connected to both electrode means for providing a signal whose frequency is related to the capacitance of the petroleum stream passing through the electrode means, and phase lock loop means connected to the oscillator means for providing pulse signals in accordance with the signal from the oscillator means whose pulse repetition rate is related to the sensed capacitance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as described in claim 2 in which the electrode means of the first and second sensing means are substantially the same size and configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as described in claim 3 in which the third sensing means has electrode means which are substantially the same size as the electrode means of the first and second sensing means but have a substantially 90° displacement from the configuration from the electrode means of the first and second sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as described in claim 4 in which the fourth sensing means has one electrode means substantially larger than the other electrode means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A petroleum stream measurement method comprising the steps of: flowing a petroleum stream through a cell made of non-conductive material, sensing the capacitances of thepetroleum stream and providing signals representative with first and second sensors spatially arranged with the cell and spaced a predetermined distance apart and providing signals representative of the sensed capacitances. sensing a capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal with a third sensor spatially arranged with the cell, sensing a capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto with a fourth sensor spatially arranged with the cell, and deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A petroleum stream measurement method comprising the steps of: flowing a petroleum stream through a cell made of non-conductive material, sensing the capacitances of thepetroleum stream and providing signals representative with first and second sensors spatially arranged with the cell and spaced a predetermined distance apart and providing signals representative of the sensed capacitances. sensing a capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal with a third sensor spatially arranged with the cell, sensing a capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto with a fourth sensor spatially arranged with the cell, and deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as described in claim 6 in which each sensing step includes: arranging a pair of electrodes so that the petroleum stream flows between the electrodes, shielding the electrodes, providing a signal whose frequency is related to the capacitance of the petroleum stream passing between the electrodes, and providing pulse signals whose pulse repetition rate is related to the sensed capacitance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as described in claim 7 in which the sensing step includes: using two electrodes of substantially the same size and configuration in the first and second sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as described in claim 8 in which the sensing step includes: using two electrodes having the same size in the third sensor but at a substantially 90° displacement from the configuration of the electrodes of the first and second sensors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 9 in which the sensing step includes: using two electrodes with the fourth sensor, with one electrode being substantially larger than the other electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A petroleum stream measurement system comprising: cell means made of non-conductive material for passing a flowing petroleum stream, first and second sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream and spaced a predetermined distance apart for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing signals representative thereof, third sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal, fourth sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto, and means connected to all the sensing means for deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream in accordance with all the sensed capacitances.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
A petroleum stream measurement system comprising: cell means made of non-conductive material for passing a flowing petroleum stream, first and second sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream and spaced a predetermined distance apart for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing signals representative thereof, third sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a corresponding signal, fourth sensing means spatially arranged with the cell means so as not to intrude into the flow of the petroleum stream for sensing the capacitance of the petroleum stream and providing a signal corresponding thereto, and means connected to all the sensing means for deriving the distribution of different fluids within the petroleum stream in accordance with all the sensed capacitances.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A system as described in claim 11 in which each sensing means includes: a pair of electrode means for acting as a capacitor, means spatially arranged with each electrode means for shielding the electrode means, oscillator means connected to both electrode means for providing a signal whose frequency is related to the capacitance of the petroleum stream passing through the electrode means, and phase lock loop means connected to the oscillator means for providing pulse signals in accordance with the signal from the oscillator means whose pulse repetition rate is related to the sensed capacitance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as described in claim 12 in which the electrode means of the first and second sensing means are substantially the same size and configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as described in claim 13 in which the third sensing means has electrode means which are substantially the same size as the electrode means of the first and second sensing means but have a substantially 90° displacement from the configuration from the electrode means of the first and second sensing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as described in claim 14 in which the fourth sensing means has one electrode means substantially larger than the other electrode means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-21 | 1991-12-21 | 1992-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-21 | 1995-12-21 | 1996-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-21 | 1999-12-21 | 2000-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |