Flowmeter specification and ordering system

• US 7,516,023 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Mattar, Wade M., Ferreira, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; John H
• Application Number:
  US11/521,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20070010955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 702/45, 702/50, 702/100, 702/188, 700/27, 700/99, 700/301, 705/26, 705/27, 713/1, 732/42, 738/61, 356/28
• US Class Current: 702/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A modular system and method is provided for enabling remote configuring and ordering of flowmeters in a client-server environment. The system includes a meter selection module configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of flowmeter types. A process data module receives process data from a client and a fluid selection module coupled to the process module is configured to receive a process fluid selection and to calculate properties thereof. A sizing module generates parameters of at least one sized flowmeter, sized in accordance with the received process data. A material selection module provides a list of materials from which the sized flowmeter may be fabricated, and a fluid rating module rates compatibility of the various materials with the process fluid selection. A results module is configured to generate data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

Claims

1. A modular system for enabling remote ordering and configuring of flowmeters in a client-server environment, the system comprising:

a server including;

a meter selection module configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of flowmeter types;

a process data module configured to receive process data from a client;

a fluid selection module configured to receive a process fluid selection;

a sizing module configured to generate parameters of at least one sized flowmeter, sized in accordance with the received process data;

a material selection module configured to provide a list of materials from which the sized flowmeter may be fabricated;

a fluid rating module configured to rate compatibility of the materials with the process fluid; and

a results module configured to generate data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fluid selection module is configured to generate properties thereof.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said fluid selection module is configured to generate properties selected from the group consisting of density, viscosity, molecular weight, compressibility, ideal specific gravity, density slope, temperature, pressure, and base density.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising a flow units selection page configured to enable a user to select desired fluid flow units appropriate for a particular application.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising a documentation module configured to generate documentation for the sized flowmeter.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising a drop down menu page configured to generate drip down menus.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said results module is configured to generate a graphical plot of the expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising a store module configured to generate an order for the sized flowmeter for shipping to the user.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said choke module is configured to initiate a check for potential choking when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined conditions include the sized flowmeter being of the Coriolis type and the fluid selection being a gas.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said choke module is configured to adjust a density value used by said sizing module to calculate fluid velocity.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said choke module is configured to adjust the density value by the ratio of the pressure drop across the meter as previously calculated, and to calculate fluid velocity using the adjusted density value.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said choke module is configured to iterate the adjustment of the density value and the calculation of fluid velocity.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said choke module is configured to compare the velocity value to the speed of sound for the selected fluid and to indicate whether a choking condition is present.

15. A method for providing remote ordering and configuring of flowmeters in a client-server environment, the method comprising:

in a server;

(a) transmitting to a client computer over a network, user selectable menu means listing a plurality of flowmeter types, the client being located remotely from said server;

(b) receiving a user request from the client to configure a flowmeter of at least one of the flowmeter types;

(c) receiving process data from the client;

(d) receiving a process fluid selection from the client;

(e) sizing a flowmeter in accordance with the received process data;

(f) transmitting information on the sized flowmeter to the client;

(g) generating a list of materials from which portions of the sized flowmeter may be fabricated;

(h) generating compatibility ratings for the materials with respect to the selected fluid;

(i) generating performance data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter; and

(j) transmitting the performance data to the client for display to a user.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising determining properties of the process fluid.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said generating (i) comprises generating at least one graphical plot corresponding to the expected performance.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising sizing a plurality of sized flowmeters.

19. The method of claim 15, comprising generating an order for the sized flowmeter for shipping to the user.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

in said server,

(k) transmitting configuration options to said computer over said network for display to said user; and

(l) receiving at least one of said configuration options selected by said user.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said receiving at least one of said configuration options comprises receiving a process connection type for connection to a flowmeter.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of receiving process data comprises:

receiving a fluid flow rate.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving process data comprises:

receiving a fluid density.

24. The method of claim 15, comprising calculating a fluid density.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving process data comprises receiving a fluid viscosity.

26. The method of claim 15, comprising calculating a fluid viscosity.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving process data comprises receiving a fluid temperature.

28. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving process data comprises receiving an operating pressure.

29. The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting a request for said process data over the network to the client for display to a user.

30. The method of claim 15 further comprising adding the sized flowmeter to an electronic shopping cart.

31. The method of claim 15 wherein said sizing a flowmeter comprises calculating pressure drop.

32. The method of claim 15 wherein said sizing a flowmeter comprises calculating fluid velocity.

33. An article of manufacture for enabling remote ordering and configuring of flowmeters in a client-server environment, said article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein,

said computer usable medium having computer readable program code for;

transmitting to a client computer over a network, user selectable menu means listing a plurality of flowmeter types, the client being located remotely from said server;

receiving a user request from the client to configure a flowmeter of at least one of the flowmeter types;

receiving process data from the client;

receiving a process fluid selection from the client;

sizing a flowmeter in accordance with the received process data;

transmitting information on the sized flowmeter to the client;

generating a list of materials from which portions of the sized flowmeter may be fabricated;

generating compatibility ratings for the materials with respect to the selected fluid;

generating performance data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter; and

transmitting the performance data to the client for display to a user.