Patents Assigned to Berkin B.V.
  • Patent number: 8151652
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with a Coriolis tube that is fastened in a housing and that can be excited with a certain frequency, wherein a balancing mass (inertia) is arranged with rotational flexibility between the tube fastening and the housing. In particular, a spring steel plate is used for providing a connection rigidity between the balancing mass and the housing, which plate comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion cut out from the fixed portion, wherein the incisions are formed such that the fixed and movable portions are interconnected via resilient plate portions, which resilient plate portions are in particular elongate strips lying in one line and realizing a rotational flexibility (torsion), while abutments are provided which limit the amplitude of movements of the balancing mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Wouter van de Geest, Marcel Ronald Katerberg, Jan Marinus Zwikker, Hernes Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8102540
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with at least one vibrating flow tube through which a medium flows, includes elements for exciting the tube, and optical detection element for determining the movements of one or several points of the tube based on the principle of reflection of a light beam against the photosensitive surface of a light sensor. The light beam is directed at the tube wall, at a layer provided on this wall, or at an element fastened against this wall, wherein elements for shaping the beam are arranged for making the convergence of the beam in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the Coriolis forces smaller than the convergence in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the excitation forces. The sensitivity in the detection of the small movements of the tube caused by the Coriolis forces is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Dannis Michel Brouwer, Aditya Mehendale, Lars Kristiansen, Marvin Ernst Eckhard Klein, Marcel Ronald Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20110308329
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor including a loop-shaped Coriolis tube mounted in a housing with two ends lying next to one another, the ends being fixed in a fixation element, while the portion of the tube located between the ends lies free from the housing, which flow sensor includes an excitation element for causing the tube to oscillate about an excitation axis as well as a detection element for detecting displacements of portions of the tube during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter HAGEDOORN, Christian Johan NIEUWENHUIS, André Johannes Maria HILDERINK, Marcel Ronald KATERBERG, Jan Wouter van de GEEST
  • Patent number: 7895905
    Abstract: A flowmeter including a system chip with a silicon substrate provided on a carrier, in an opening whereof at least one silicon flow tube is provided for transporting a medium whose flow rate is to be measured, the tube having two ends that issue via a wall of the opening into channels coated with silicon nitride in the silicon substrate, wherein the flow tube forms part of a Coriolis flow sensor and/or a thermal flow sensor, and wherein the channels are preferably in communication through the carrier with connection lines to the external world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Simon Josef Lammerink, Marcel Dijkstra, Jeroen Haneveld, Remco John Wiegerink
  • Patent number: 7843306
    Abstract: A transformer core includes a stack of a plurality of planar core plates of a magnetically permeable material, which plates each consist of a first and a second sub-part that together enclose at least one opening. The sub-parts can be fitted together via contact faces that are located on either side of the opening and that extend obliquely with respect to the centerline of the core plate. The invention also relates to the use of the described transformer core in a Coriolis flowmeter with the Coriolis tube extending through the opening so as to induce a current in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Wouter Hagedoorn, Joost Lotters
  • Publication number: 20100154564
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with a Coriolis tube that is fastened in a housing and that can be excited with a certain frequency, wherein a balancing mass (inertia) is arranged with rotational flexibility between the tube fastening and the housing. In particular, a spring steel plate is used for providing a connection rigidity between the balancing mass and the housing, which plate comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion cut out from the fixed portion, wherein the incisions are formed such that the fixed and movable portions are interconnected via resilient plate portions, which resilient plate portions are in particular elongate strips lying in one line and realizing a rotational flexibility (torsion), while abutments are provided which limit the amplitude of movements of the balancing mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Wouter van de GEEST, Marcel Ronald KATERBERG, Jan Marinus ZWIKKER, Hernes JACOBS
  • Patent number: 7729885
    Abstract: Coriolis type flow measuring system for measuring the mass flow rate of a flowing medium, includes a flow tube and sensors associated with the flow tube for generating analog signals corresponding to the movement of the tube, analog to digital conversion elements for converting the analog sensor signals into digitized signals with a sampling frequency, and elements for calculating the mass flow rate from the digitized signals, which system is provided with members for causing the sampling of the sensor signals to take place with a number of different frequencies, elements for continuously measuring the rate at which the flow changes, and elements for selecting a predefined sampling frequency in dependence on the rate of change thus measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Ronald Wilhelmus Johannes Hoitink
  • Publication number: 20100122585
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with at least one vibrating flow tube through which a medium flows, includes elements for exciting the tube, and optical detection element for determining the movements of one or several points of the tube based on the principle of reflection of a light beam against the photosensitive surface of a light sensor. The light beam is directed at the tube wall, at a layer provided on this wall, or at an element fastened against this wall, wherein elements for shaping the beam are arranged for making the convergence of the beam in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the Coriolis forces smaller than the convergence in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the excitation forces. The sensitivity in the detection of the small movements of the tube caused by the Coriolis forces is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Dannis Michel BROUWER, Aditya MEHENDALE, Lars KRISTIANSEN, Marvin Ernst Eckhard KLEIN, Marcel Ronald KATERBERG
  • Patent number: 7685888
    Abstract: A flow measuring system of the Coriolis type for measuring a mass flow, with a flow tube and with excitation elements for causing the flow tube to rotate about an axis of rotation, with at least three sensors arranged free of the flow tube for generating analog signals that correspond to the movement of the tube, and with elements for digitizing the analog signals and for computing the mass flow from the digitized sensor signals. The computation elements are arranged for using exclusively the time information from the sensor signals. The accurate time information of the sensors is used by algorithms in digital electronic circuits for accurately determining the ratio between amplitudes due to excitation and those due to Coriolis forces. The mass flow is derived from this ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Wybren Jouwsma, Aditya Mehendale
  • Patent number: 7677112
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter with a Coriolis tube and with an optical detection device, which optical detection device includes at least one optical sensor for generating a signal that is representative of the movement of the Coriolis tube, the optical sensor comprising a light source and a photosensitive sensor, wherein the optical detection device includes elements for applying a constant voltage across the photosensitive sensor during operation independently of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor in response to incident light, as well as elements for determining the value of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor and converting it into an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lötters
  • Publication number: 20090308177
    Abstract: A flowmeter including a system chip with a silicon substrate provided on a carrier, in an opening whereof at least one silicon flow tube is provided for transporting a medium whose flow rate is to be measured, the tube having two ends that issue via a wall of the opening into channels coated with silicon nitride in the silicon substrate, wherein the flow tube forms part of a Coriolis flow sensor and/or a thermal flow sensor, and wherein the channels are preferably in communication through the carrier with connection lines to the external world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Simon Josef LAMMERINK, Marcel DIJKSTRA, Jeroen HANEVELD, Remco John WIEGERINK
  • Patent number: 7617740
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter comprising a flow tube, at least one tube position sensor provided with a light source and with a light detector for receiving light from the light source, and drive means for causing the tube to move about an axis, the above being arranged such that the tube or a projection fastened to the tube, for example a vane, moves through a light path between the light source and the light detector, wherein a first screen with a first light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light source and a second screen with a second light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light detector, wherein the first and the second opening are identical and are correspondingly oriented, and wherein the openings are mutually parallel and aligned so as to form a prismatic light beam on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Marinus Zwikker, Aditya Mehendale, Wybren Jouwsma
  • Publication number: 20090064797
    Abstract: A flow measuring system of the Coriolis type for measuring a mass flow, with a flow tube and with excitation means for causing the flow tube to rotate about an axis of rotation, with at least three sensors arranged free of the flow tube for generating analog signals that correspond to the movement of the tube, and with means for digitizing the analog signals and for computing the mass flow from the digitized sensor signals. The computation means are arranged for using exclusively the time information from the sensor signals. The accurate time information of the sensors is used by algorithms in digital electronic circuits for accurately determining the ratio between amplitudes due to excitation and those due to Coriolis forces. The mass flow is derived from this ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: WYBREN JOUWSMA, Aditya Mehendale
  • Publication number: 20090064796
    Abstract: Coriolis type flow measuring system for measuring the mass flow rate of a flowing medium, includes a flow tube and sensors associated with the flow tube for generating analog signals corresponding to the movement of the tube, analog to digital conversion elements for converting the analog sensor signals into digitized signals with a sampling frequency, and elements for calculating the mass flow rate from the digitized signals, which system is provided with members for causing the sampling of the sensor signals to take place with a number of different frequencies, elements for continuously measuring the rate at which the flow changes, and elements for selecting a predefined sampling frequency in dependence on the rate of change thus measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Ronald Wilhelmus Hoitink
  • Publication number: 20090013800
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter with a Coriolis tube and with an optical detection device, which optical detection device comprises at least one optical sensor for generating a signal that is representative of the movement of the Coriolis tube, said optical sensor comprising a light source and a photosensitive sensor, wherein the optical detection device comprises means for applying a constant voltage across the photosensitive sensor during operation independently of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor in response to incident light, as well as means for determining the value of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor and converting it into an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lotters
  • Patent number: 7464610
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lötters, Jan Marinus Zwikker
  • Publication number: 20080290982
    Abstract: A transformer core includes a stack of a plurality of planar core plates of a magnetically permeable material, which plates each consist of a first and a second sub-part that together enclose at least one opening. The sub-parts can be fitted together via contact faces that are located on either side of the opening and that extend obliquely with respect to the centerline of the core plate. The invention also relates to the use of the described transformer core in a Coriolis flowmeter with the Coriolis tube extending through the opening so as to induce a current in the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Wouter Hagedoorn, Joost Lotters
  • Patent number: 7437928
    Abstract: A flow sensor of the thermal type having a U-shaped sensor tube with two legs and a connecting limb with two adjoining electrical resistance elements, and with a housing. The sensor tube has an inlet side and an outlet side. The housing has a first and a second housing part of a thermally well-conducting material, each with an inner surface provided with cavities and with an outer surface. The housing parts are placed with their inner surfaces against each other, while the U-shaped sensor tube has a main surface that extends parallel to the inner surfaces. The housing parts surround the connecting limb and the legs of the U-shaped sensor tube such that the sensor tube is thermally clamped in between the housing parts in two locations: a first location situated between its inlet side and the upstream resistance element, and a second location situated between its outlet side and the downstream resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Wouter Bos, Ronald Wilhelmus Johannes Hoitink, Johannes Henricus Besseling, Joost Conrad Lötters
  • Publication number: 20080148868
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. More The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lotters, Jan Marinus Zwikker
  • Publication number: 20080115588
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter including a flow tube, at least one tube position sensor provided with a light source and with a light detector for receiving light from the light source, and drive elements for causing the tube to move about an axis, the above being arranged such that the tube or a projection fastened to the tube, for example a vane, moves through a light path between the light source and the light detector, wherein a first screen with a first light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light source and a second screen with a second light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light detector, wherein the first and the second opening are identical and are correspondingly oriented, and wherein the openings are mutually parallel and aligned so as to form a prismatic light beam on the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Marinus Zwikker, Aditya Mehendale, Wybren Jouwsma