Abstract:
Disclosed is an intelligent air compressor system which digitizes and meters an air compressor system to monitor losses in a pipeline and unnecessary operation of an air compressor on a real-time basis, thereby achieving maximized energy reduction. The air compressor system of the present invention is advantageous in that it is metered and digitized on a real-time basis and data may be transmitted to a remote server so as to enable the server to monitor each compressor in operation on a real-time basis, thereby achieving maximized energy reduction. Further, whether or not the system contains irregularities may be timely detected and checked so as to minimize the loss of operating time, and the compressor may efficiently operate based on the required amount of air, thereby reducing power consumption. The operating condition of the air compressor system of the present invention may be changed on a real-time basis in accordance with the amount of air such that only the required amount of air is produced, thereby operating the air compressor system at the optimum operating condition thereof and maximizing production efficiency, which leads to an extended mechanical life of the compressor.
Abstract:
A monitoring seal system (200) comprises a seal housing (202), a seal assembly (210), a temperature sensor (212) and a controller. The seal assembly sealingly engages a rotary shaft (208) to prevent fluid leakage between the shaft and the housing. The seal assembly has at least one seal. The seal has a primary ring (228) and a mating ring (226). The temperature sensor senses the temperature in the vicinity of the seal. The controller determines whether an upset condition has occured based on at least the temperature in the vicinity of the seal.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a positive displacement pump using readings obtained from a plurality of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be mounted at the suction, discharge and interstage regions of the pump. Signals from the pressure sensors are compared to obtain a ratio that is used to predict whether a cavitation condition exists within the pump. The ratio can be compared to user provided limits to change an operating characteristic of the pump to reduce predicted cavitation. The pump may be stopped, or pump speed changed, when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, historical information regarding the ratio may be used to obtain standard deviation information which may then be used to predict whether gas bubbles are passing through the pump. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
A miniaturized fluid dispensing system (20) for dispensing customized fluids. The dispenser (20) may include first and second reservoirs (32a, b) containing constituent fluids; a drive motor; at least two pump assemblies commonly driven by the drive motor and in communication with the first and second reservoirs; first and second valve assembly in communication with the first and second pump assemblies; and a control system for selectively controlling the valve assemblies to blend and discharge a composition from the constituent fluids. The system (20) may include a dispensing header (114) to house the valves and to define 'discharge' and 'recirculation' flow paths for each constituent fluid. The present invention also provides a method for dispensing a fluid regimen (e.g. a plurality of compositions) by periodically blending and discharging varying compositions over time.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a system with a minute measure of pulsatility in a flow of a fluid is described that comprises a first pump configured to flow the fluid to a junction at a first flow rate that comprises a measure of pulsatility; and a second pump configured to flow a portion of the fluid from the junction at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate to produce a flow of the fluid at a third flow rate from the junction with a minute measure of pulsatility.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a positive displacement pump using readings obtained from a plurality of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be mounted at the suction, discharge and interstage regions of the pump. Signals from the pressure sensors are compared to obtain a ratio that is used to predict whether a cavitation condition exists within the pump. The ratio can be compared to user provided limits to change an operating characteristic of the pump to reduce predicted cavitation. The pump may be stopped, or pump speed changed, when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, historical information regarding the ratio may be used to obtain standard deviation information which may then be used to predict whether gas bubbles are passing through the pump. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
A control system (10) is disclosed which varies the operation of consumer's devices (506, 508, 510, 512) to minimize influx currents across a power grid. Power consuming devices (506, 508, 510, 512) are scheduled (507, 509, 511, 513) in accordance with varying pricing tiers (501, 502, 503, 504). As customers schedule (507, 509, 511, 513) the operation of various devices (506, 508, 510, 512) and appliances in accordance with pricing tiers (501, 502, 503, 504), when the tiers (501, 502, 503, 504) change, the current drain on the power grid increases significantly (519). The increased strain on the power grid is the result of, for example, the startup current for electric motors which may be up to six times their normal operating current of the electric motor where this strain may produce disruptions of power to the very consumers which are requiring more power. The present invention randomizes the startup times (507', 507'', 509', 509'', 511', 511'') of the controlled devices (506, 508, 510, 512) so as to minimize the strain of the power grid as each device (506, 508, 510, 512) comes on line, i.e. is turned on.
Abstract:
A beverage syrup pump system is disclosed including a pump housing having an internal pumping chamber, a pump motor, and a pumping mechanism driven by the motor within the pumping chamber. The pumping mechanism receives a syrup fluid at a first pressure and discharges the fluid at a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure, A pressure transducer adjacent a sensor port and in contact with a quantity of the fluid at the second pressure generates an electrical signal based upon the second pressure. A programmable micro controller receives the electrical signal from the pressure transducer and is capable of starting and stopping the pump motor. The micro controller will immediately stop the pump motor if the second pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure level. The micro controller will also stop the pump motor if the second pressure falls and remains below a predetermined minimum pressure level for a predetermined first time interval.
Abstract:
A process equipment tracking system utilizing an attached RF ID tag attached to the process equipment during manufacture or thereafter. The RF ID tag is coded with an identification specific to the particular process equipment. An RF ID tag reader is provided, which is usable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the process equipment, preferably after the equipment is installed at the user facility. The RF ID tag reader includes a user input for at least one trackable event and can write data based on the at least one trackable event back onto the RF ID tag. The RF ID tag reader is at least one of connectable to a PC or the internet, or is compatible for uploading the identification and any user input to an internet accessible device. A process equipment database is provided, having process equipment-related information. The process equipment database provides access to a user to obtain the process equipment-related information based on the identification from the RF ID tag and receives and stores data related to the at least one trackable event.