Patents by Inventor Alfred Rieder

Alfred Rieder has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9593973
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube having an inlet-side tube end and an outlet-side tube end, a tube wall having a predetermined wall thickness and a lumen surrounded by the tube wall and extending between the first and second tube end, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end, as well as, laterally spaced from the measuring tube, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end. The measuring tube of the measuring transducer is adapted to guide a flowing medium in its lumen and during that to be caused to oscillate about a static resting position for producing Coriolis forces. The measuring transducer comprises an oscillation exciter as well as at least one oscillation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze, Ennio Bitto, Martin Josef Anklin
  • Patent number: 9546890
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube having an inlet-side tube end and an outlet-side tube end, a tube wall having a predetermined wall thickness and a lumen surrounded by the tube wall and extending between the first and second tube end, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end, as well as, laterally spaced from the measuring tube, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically coupled with the support end and with a support end is mechanically coupled with the support end. The measuring tube is adapted to guide a flowing medium in its lumen and caused to oscillate about a static resting position for producing Coriolis forces. An oscillation exciter as well as at least one oscillation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze, Ennio Bitto, Martin Josef Anklin
  • Patent number: 9410835
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises: a transducer housing (71), of which an inlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an inlet-side, flow divider (201) having four flow openings (201A, 201B, 201C, 201D) and an outlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an outlet-side, flow divider (202) having four flow openings (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D); as well as a tube arrangement having four, curved, or bent, measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) connected to the flow dividers (201, 202) for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel, wherein each of the four measuring tubes opens with an inlet-side, measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the flow divider (201) and with an outlet-side, measuring tube end into one the flow openings of the flow divider (202). The transducer further comprises an exciter mechanism for exciting oscillations of said measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Ennio Bitto, Marcel Braun, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze
  • Publication number: 20160216189
    Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Wolfgang DRAHM, Alfred RIEDER
  • Patent number: 9372107
    Abstract: The measuring system comprises: a vibration element for guiding flowing medium and having a lumen; and a vibration element, which is adapted to be contacted, at least at times, by a part of the medium. Additionally, the measuring system includes at least two oscillation exciters for exciting resonant oscillations of the respective vibration elements, two mutually spaced oscillation sensors for registering vibrations of the vibration element, each of which generates an oscillatory signal dependent on vibrations of the vibration element, as well as at least one oscillation sensor for registering vibrations of the vibration element and generating, dependent on vibrations of the vibration element, an oscillatory signal, which has a signal frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency, of the vibration element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Michael Kirst, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20160138997
    Abstract: The method serves for monitoring and/or checking a pressure device having a lumen surrounded by a wall for conveying and/or storing a fluid. To this end, the method comprises a step of registering both a strain of a first wall segment as well as also a strain of at least a second wall segment spaced from the first wall segment, for ascertaining a strain deviation value representing a difference between the strain of the first wall segment and the strain of the second wall segment, as well as a step of using the strain deviation value for ascertaining damage to the wall, as a result of plastic deformation of the wall and/or as a result of wear of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Holger Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20160123836
    Abstract: Method for monitoring and/or checking a pressure device having a lumen surrounded by a wall for conveying and/or storing a fluid. For such purpose, the method comprises a step of registering a strain, of the wall, by means of a strain gage, respectively a strain sensor formed therewith, affixed outwardly on the wall, for ascertaining a strain value representing the strain of the wall, as well as a step of using the strain value for ascertaining damage to the wall, as a result of plastic deformation of the wall and/or as a result of wear of the wall. A measuring system of the invention comprises supplementally to the pressure device at least one strain sensor affixed on a wall segment of the wall for producing a strain signal dependent on a time variable strain, of the wall segment as well as a transmitter electronics electrically coupled with the strain sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Holger Bernhard
  • Patent number: 9322691
    Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20160041018
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube having an inlet-side tube end and an outlet-side tube end, a tube wall having a predetermined wall thickness and a lumen surrounded by the tube wall and extending between the first and second tube end, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end, as well as, laterally spaced from the measuring tube, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the support end. The measuring tube of the measuring transducer is adapted to guide a flowing medium in its lumen and during that to be caused to oscillate about a static resting position for producing Coriolis forces. The measuring transducer comprises an oscillation exciter as well as at least one oscillation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christof HUBER, Alfred RIEDER, Christian SCHUTZE, Ennio BITTO, Martin Josef ANKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160033314
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube having an inlet-side tube end and an outlet-side tube end, a tube wall having a predetermined wall thickness and a lumen surrounded by the tube wall and extending between the first and second tube end, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end and with a support end is mechanically connected with the tube end, as well as, laterally spaced from the measuring tube, a support element, which with a support end is mechanically coupled with the support end and with a support end is mechanically coupled with the support end. The measuring tube is adapted to guide a flowing medium in its lumen and caused to oscillate about a static resting position for producing Coriolis forces. An oscillation exciter as well as at least one oscillation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze, Ennio Bitto, Martin Josef Anklin
  • Publication number: 20150268082
    Abstract: The measuring system comprises: a vibration element for guiding flowing medium and having a lumen; and a vibration element, which is adapted to be contacted, at least at times, by a part of the medium. Additionally, the measuring system includes at least two oscillation exciters for exciting resonant oscillations of the respective vibration elements, two mutually spaced oscillation sensors for registering vibrations of the vibration element, each of which generates an oscillatory signal dependent on vibrations of the vibration element, as well as at least one oscillation sensor for registering vibrations of the vibration element and generating, dependent on vibrations of the vibration element, an oscillatory signal, which has a signal frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency, of the vibration element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Michael Kirst, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 9134165
    Abstract: A method for detecting accretion or abrasion on a first measuring tube of a flow measuring device. A first temperature as a function of time is registered via a first temperature sensor, which is arranged on the first measuring tube in such a manner that, between the first temperature sensor and the medium, at least one measuring tube wall of the first measuring tube is embodied. Parallel in time, a second reference temperature as a function of time is registered by a second temperature sensor, which is spaced from the first temperature sensor and thermally coupled to the medium. Therefrom, at least one variable characteristic is determined, and accretion or abrasion on the first measuring tube is detected, if the at least one determined characteristic variable or a variable derived therefrom deviates by more than a limit value from a predetermined reference variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Michael Kirst, Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Christof Huber, Vivek Kumar
  • Patent number: 9097570
    Abstract: A measuring transducer serves for producing vibration signals corresponding to parameters of a flowing medium comprises a measuring transducer housing having housing ends and, extending within the measuring transducer housing between its housing ends, a tube arrangement formed by means of at least two tubes. Of the two tubes, at least one tube serves as a measuring tube conveying flowing medium and the other tube is mechanically connected with the tube by means of a first coupling element to form an inlet-side coupling zone and by means of a second coupling element to form an outlet-side coupling zone. At least the first coupling element has in a region extending between the tubes a slit having at least one closed end. Slit has a maximal slit width and a maximal slit length, which is greater than the maximal slit width. Placed partially within the slit is a connecting element, which contacts a slit edge enclosing said slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu, Ennio Bitto, Gerhard Eckert
  • Patent number: 9052225
    Abstract: A method for determining the viscosity of a medium with a Coriolis mass flowmeter having at last two measuring tubes through which a medium can flow, comprising: exciting the measuring tubes; and determining at least the viscosity of the medium by evaluation of measured values obtained from the measuring device. The measuring values comprise the amplitude of torsional oscillation reached, wherein the amplitude of torsional oscillation reached is evaluated for determining the viscosity of the medium at a set excitation intensity of the measuring device and using the damping coefficient of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Anklin-Imhof, Ennio Bitto, Christof Huber, Alfred Rieder, Michael Kirst
  • Patent number: 9052221
    Abstract: A method and flow measuring device for ascertaining flow of a medium through a measuring tube based on at least a first measurement signal, which depends at least on the flow velocity of the medium in the measuring tube, wherein the first measurement signal is registered, wherein an additional, second measurement signal is registered, which depends on the flow cross sectional area of the medium in the measuring tube and is independent of the flow velocity of the medium in the measuring tube, and wherein flow is ascertained as a function of the first and second measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder, Stefan Heidenblut, Frank Schmalzried, Thomas Sulzer
  • Patent number: 9052224
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises: a housing, with an inlet-side flow divider having four flow openings, and an outlet-side end having four flow openings; a tube arrangement having four tubes connected to the flow dividers; and a first coupling element. An exciter mechanism for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the four measuring tubes. The first coupling element includes a deformation body and four connecting struts, of which connected with a first strut end and with the first measuring tube, a second connecting strut is connected with a first strut end and with a second strut end with the second measuring tube, a third connecting strut and with a second strut end with the first measuring tube, and a fourth connecting strut is connected with a first strut end and with a second strut end with the fourth measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Christof Huber, Ennio Bitto, Christian Schutze, Marcel Braun
  • Publication number: 20150040647
    Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang DRAHM, Alfred RIEDER
  • Patent number: 8931346
    Abstract: A measuring transducer having exactly four flow openings, and an outlet-side housing end formed by means of an outlet-side flow divider having exactly four flow openings. A tube arrangement has exactly four curved or bent measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel. Each of the four measuring tubes opens with an inlet-side measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the inlet-side flow divider, and with an outlet-side measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the outlet-side flow divider. A first coupling element for adjusting eigenfrequencies of natural oscillation modes of the tube arrangement. An electro-mechanical exciter mechanism of the measuring transducer serves for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the four measuring tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Christof Huber, Ennio Bitto, Christian Schutze, Marcel Braun
  • Publication number: 20140352454
    Abstract: The measuring transducer comprises: a transducer housing (71), of which an inlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an inlet-side, flow divider (201) having four flow openings (201A, 201B, 201C, 201D) and an outlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an outlet-side, flow divider (202) having four flow openings (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D); as well as a tube arrangement having four, curved, or bent, measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) connected to the flow dividers (201, 202) for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel, wherein each of the four measuring tubes opens with an inlet-side, measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the flow divider (201) and with an outlet-side, measuring tube end into one the flow openings of the flow divider (202). The transducer further comprises an exciter mechanism for exciting oscillations of said measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Ennio Bitto, Marcel Braun, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze
  • Patent number: 8887555
    Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm