WAYNE LOUIS PRATT
Pilots at 63 St, Scottsdale, AZ

5551307, Sep 3, 1996

Jun 25, 1990

7/543279

Martin Kane - Linwood NJ
Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ
Jozsef Alesz - Budapest, HU
Zoltan Biro - Budapest, HU
Zoltan Varga - Budapest, HU

ABB K-Flow Inc. - Millville NJ

G01F 100

73861356

Apparatus for measuring the mass flow of a fluid within a defined fluid stream including a conduit having two substantially parallel, flexible and continuous flow tubes fixedly mounted at their ends to a centrally positioned housing forming a flow splitter and a flow converger for directing the flow from the inlet and for directing the flow into the outlet between the apparatus and the fluid stream. The ends of each flow tube positioned proximal to one another and to the center of gravity formed by the shape of the flow tube. Each flow tube substantially forming a "B" shape having a first loop, a connecting portion and a second loop. The first and second loops being symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion and extending laterally from the center of gravity at a greater distance than the displacement of the connecting portion to the center of gravity. The flow tubes being oscillated in opposing modes at the connecting portion so as to produce a measurable Coriolis reaction force by the fluid on the flow tubes. The vibration means being capable of selectively oscillating the flow tube at least one discrete resonant frequency higher than the fundamental resonance of the flow tube so as to create waves along the tube length and form nodal points which are substantially stationary with respect to the vibrating flow tube.

5073208, Dec 17, 1991

Sep 14, 1989

7/407390

Richard B. Wong - Phoenix AZ
Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ

K-Flow Corporation - Millville NJ

C21D 810, G01F 184

148 115R

A method for increasing stability of a Coriolis mass flow meter by relieving residual and internal stress within the flow tube and related structures of the meter. The method including the steps of bending the flow tube in the desired form, fixing related flow tube structures onto the flow tube, clamping the flow tube so as to maintain the desired form during subsequent processes, annealing the flow tube, and cryogenically cooling the flow tube. An apparatus to be utilized along with the method of the present invention fixes the flow tube during the annealing and cryogenic cooling treatment processes to maintain the desired shape of the flow tube. The invention also contemplates the flow tube made in accordance with the method of the present invention.

4782711, Nov 8, 1988

Oct 14, 1986

6/918404

Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ

K-Flow Division of Kane Steel Co., Inc. - Millville NJ

G01F 184

7386138

A method and apparatus for determining mass flow of fluid flowing within a conduit. The conduit is oscillated periodically transverse to the flow therein, and sensors sense the movement of the conduit at discrete, spaced locations on the conduit. The sensors generate periodic signals representative of the movement of the conduit at said locations. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of determining the instantaneous amplitude difference between the signals at a plurality of discrete adjacent intervals (which may or may not be of equal width), determining the product of the absolute value of the instantaneous amplitude difference and the amplitude of the interval for each said interval, determining the sum of said products for each interval over a cycle of oscillation, and generating from the sum a signal representative of mass flow. An apparatus according to the invention comprises circuitry for determining the instantaneous amplitude difference between the signals from the sensors of the flow meter at a plurality of discrete, adjacent intervals, circuitry for determining the product of the absolute value of the instantaneous amplitude difference and the width of the interval for each said interval, circuitry for determining the sum of the products for each interval over a cycle of oscillation, and circuitry for generating from the sum a signal representative of the mass flow. The circuitry may comprise discrete circuitry or may be subsumed within a microprocessor.

5115683, May 26, 1992

Sep 8, 1989

7/404919

Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ

K-Flow Division of Kane Steel Co., Inc. - Millville NJ

G01F 184

7386138

A Coriolis mass flow meter of the type including a continuous flexible flow tube fixedly mounted at its ends and adapted for receiving fluid flow. A driver oscillates the flow tube at a fixed frequency. A drive brace is attached at one end to the flow tube mount and at the opposite end to the flow tube substantially at the position of the applied oscillation of the driver. The brace limits the displacement of the flow tube transverse to the direction of the applied oscillation without substantially restricting the motion of the flow tube due to the Coriolis reaction of the fluid to the driver oscillation. The mounting of the flow tube being made by the engagement of gripping portions having bushings therein. The mount limiting transfer of forces acting on the inlet and outlet ends of the flow tube. Resonant pins are provided at each end of the flow tube adjacent the fixed mounting to resiliently clamp the flow tube and fix the resonant frequency thereof throughout its useful life.

5423221, Jun 13, 1995

Sep 26, 1986

6/912893

Martin Kane - Atlantic City NJ
Andras Kiss - Kitaibel, HU
Sandor Kun - Budapest, HU
Zoltan Biro - Budapest, HU
Zaltan Varga - Budapest, HU
Peter Salamon - Budapest, HU
Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ
Lazslo Szabo - Budapest, HU
Jozsef Alesz - Budapest, HU

ABB K-Flow Inc. - Millville NJ

G01F 184

7386138

A conduit having two substantially parallel, flexible and continuous flow tubes fixedly mounted at their ends to a centrally positioned housing The ends of each flow tube positioned proximal to one another and to the center of gravity formed by the shape of the flow tube. Each flow tube substantially forming a "B" shape having a first loop, a connecting portion and a second loop. The first and second loops being symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion and extending laterally from the center of gravity at a greater distance than the displacement of the connecting portion to the center of gravity. The flow tubes being oscillated in opposing modes at the connecting portion so as to produce a measurable Coriolis reaction force by the fluid on the flow tubes. The vibration means being capable of selectively oscillating the flow tube at least one discrete resonant frequency higher than the fundamental resonance of the flow tube so as to create waves along the tube length and form nodal points which are substantially stantionary with respect to the vibrating flow tube. The nodes form free floating flexible joints within the continuous flow tube to separate the oscillation of a portion of the flow tube partially from the fixed mounting points which are typically subject to unwanted vibrational noise.

RE42401, May 31, 2011

Nov 25, 2003

10/722168

Wayne L. Pratt - Scottsdale AZ, US
William Michael Kolarik - Phoenix AZ, US

Entegris, Inc. - Billerica MA

F16K 31/44

137312, 251331

A throttling valve assembly actuated by a stepper motor having a double diaphragm seal and integral throttling surface. The throttling surface interfaces to a mating orifice and port arrangement to provide a smooth control regime for various process fluids. Because of the unique design of the flow paths, the fluids will remain in a laminar flow state throughout the throttling range, thus providing smooth and continuous response to the control input. The valve opening to the fluid is controlled by a stepper motor through a direct drive mechanism. The embodiment shown here employees employs all PTFE construction for the wetting parts, but any material could be used that would be compatible with the process fluid. Additional features are minimal capture of the process fluid, free draining, and no metallic parts in close communication with the process fluid.

6321776, Nov 27, 2001

Apr 24, 2000

9/556208

Wayne L. Pratt - Scottsdale AZ
William Michael Kolarik - Phoenix AZ

F16K 3144

137312

A throttling valve assembly actuated by a stepper motor having a double diaphragm seal and integral throttling surface. The throttling surface interfaces to a mating orifice and port arrangement to provide a smooth control regime for various process fluids. Because of the unique design of the flow paths the fluids will remain in a laminar flow state throughout the throttling range, thus providing smooth and continuous response to the control input. The valve opening to the fluid controlled by a stepper motor through a direct drive mechanism. The embodiment shown here employees all PTFE construction for the wetting parts, but any material could be used that would be compatible with the process fluid. Additional features are minimal capture of the process fluid, free draining, and no metallic parts in close communication with the process fluid.

4733569, Mar 29, 1988

Dec 16, 1985

6/809658

Newton D. Kelsey - Dallas TX
Martin Kane - Atlantic City NJ
Wayne Pratt - Scottsdale AZ

K-Flow Division of Kane Steel Co., Inc. - Millville NJ

G01F 184

7386138

A mass flow meter for placement in line within a pre-existing process line. The flow meter having a conduit forming a substantially free floating spiral or circular loop which is symmetrical about the axis line defined by the process line. A driving transducer extending radially from a bracket on a support beam which is positioned along the axis line and attached to the inlet and outlet end of the conduit. The driver imparting an alternating deflection to the loop which is substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow within the loop and parallel to the axis line. Sensing transducers are positioned along the periphery of the loop, displaced equidistant from the driving transducer along its circumference for determining the deflection signature of the loop. The deflection of the loop in response to the fluid reaction forces is measured without reference to a specific fixed axis or position of the loop. This acceleration signature is correlated to the mass flow rate of the fluid through the conduit.