Patents by Inventor Craig Brainerd Van Cleve

Craig Brainerd Van Cleve 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: 10036694
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a vibrating member (402). The vibrating member (402) is for a vibrating densitometer (400). The vibrating member (402) includes one or more apertures (420). The one or more apertures (420) are sized and located in the vibrating member (402) to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, George Macdonald
  • Patent number: 9170142
    Abstract: A curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) includes a flow tube temperature sensor TT (190) and a plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) affixed to one or more case locations of a case (300) of the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5). The plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) generate a case temperature signal, wherein a plurality of case temperature sensor resistances at the one or more case locations form a combined case resistance related to thermal importances of the one or more case locations. Meter electronics (20) receives the flow tube temperature signal, receives the case temperature signal, and compensates the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) for thermal stress using the flow tube temperature signal and the case temperature signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 9170143
    Abstract: A vibrating flow meter (205) is provided. The vibrating flow meter (205) includes a single curved flow conduit (210), a conduit temperature sensor T1 (291) affixed to the single curved flow conduit (210), a balance structure (208) affixed to and opposing the single curved flow conduit (210), and a balance temperature sensor T2 (292) affixed to the balance structure (208). A conduit temperature sensor resistance of the conduit temperature sensor T1 (291) and a balance structure temperature sensor resistance of the balance temperature sensor T2 (meter2) are selected to form a predetermined resistance ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 8826745
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a viscosity of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (200) configured to generate a density (p) of a flow material, generate a first mass flow rate (m1) for a first flowtube (210a), and a second mass flow rate (m2) for a second flowtube (210b). The vibratory flow meter (5) further includes a restrictive orifice (252) located in the first flowtube (210a). The restrictive orifice (252) ensures that a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube (210a) is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube (210b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 8671779
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a vibrating flow meter and method of operating a vibrating flow meter are provided. The vibrating flow meter includes a conduit (210), at least one pick-off (230, 231), a driven member (250), at least one driver (220), and a base (260). The conduit (210) defines a fluid flow path. The at least one pick-off (230, 231) measures the motion of the conduit (210). The at least one driver (220) vibrates the conduit (210) and the driven member (250) in phase opposition. The base (260) is coupled to the conduit (210) and the driven member (250) and switches between remaining substantially stationary or moving substantially in phase with the conduit (210) or moving substantially in phase with the driven member (250) in order to balance the motion of the conduit (210) and the driven member (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20130305837
    Abstract: A vibrating flow meter (205) is provided. The vibrating flow meter (205) includes a single curved flow conduit (210), a conduit temperature sensor T1 (291) affixed to the single curved flow conduit (210), a balance structure (208) affixed to and opposing the single curved flow conduit (210), and a balance temperature sensor T2 (292) affixed to the balance structure (208). A conduit temperature sensor resistance of the conduit temperature sensor T1 (291) and a balance structure temperature sensor resistance of the balance temperature sensor T2 (meter2) are selected to form a predetermined resistance ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 8573068
    Abstract: A vibrating flow meter (205) is provided. The vibrating flow meter (205) comprises a flow conduit (210) including a first end portion (211) and a second end portion (212). The vibrating flow meter (205) further includes a case (300) surrounding at least a portion of the flow conduit (210). The vibrating flow meter (205) also includes a first case connect (290). The first case connect (290) comprises a first portion (295) coupled to the first end portion (211) of the flow conduit (210) and one or more deformable members (292, 293, 294) extending radially from the first portion (295) and coupled to the case (300) such that the first end portion (211) can rotate about a conduit axis (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20130139613
    Abstract: A curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) includes a flow tube temperature sensor TT (190) and a plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) affixed to one or more case locations of a case (300) of the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5). The plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) generate a case temperature signal, wherein a plurality of case temperature sensor resistances at the one or more case locations form a combined case resistance related to thermal importances of the one or more case locations. Meter electronics (20) receives the flow tube temperature signal, receives the case temperature signal, and compensates the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) for thermal stress using the flow tube temperature signal and the case temperature signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20130133418
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a vibrating member (402). The vibrating member (402) is for a vibrating densitometer (400). The vibrating member (402) includes one or more apertures (420). The one or more apertures (420) are sized and located in the vibrating member (402) to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MicroMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, George Macdonald
  • Patent number: 8448491
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20120067137
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a vibrating flow meter and method of operating a vibrating flow meter are provided. The vibrating flow meter includes a conduit (210), at least one pick-off (230, 231), a driven member (250), at least one driver (220), and a base (260). The conduit (210) defines a fluid flow path. The at least one pick-off (230, 231) measures the motion of the conduit (210). The at least one driver (220) vibrates the conduit (210) and the driven member (250) in phase opposition. The base (260) is coupled to the conduit (210) and the driven member (250) and switches between remaining substantially stationary or moving substantially in phase with the conduit (210) or moving substantially in phase with the driven member (250) in order to balance the motion of the conduit (210) and the driven member (250).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20120055261
    Abstract: A vibrating flow meter (205) is provided. The vibrating flow meter (205) comprises a flow conduit (210) including a first end portion (211) and a second end portion (212). The vibrating flow meter (205) further includes a case (300) surrounding at least a portion of the flow conduit (210). The vibrating flow meter (205) also includes a first case connect (290). The first case connect (290) comprises a first portion (295) coupled to the first end portion (211) of the flow conduit (210) and one or more deformable members (292, 293, 294) extending radially from the first portion (295) and coupled to the case (300) such that the first end portion (211) can rotate about a conduit axis (X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 7845241
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter is disclosed that uses the deflection of a torsion member (430) to balance the vibration of a single curved flow tube (308). The two ends of the torsion member are attached to, and vibrate with, a center section of the single flow tube (308). A balance member (432) is attached to a center section of the torsion member (430) and vibrates in the opposite phase of the single flow tube (308) causing the torsion member (430) to be deflected in torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20100170322
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Mrico Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20100089174
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a viscosity of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (200) configured to generate a density (p) of a flow material, generate a first mass flow rate (m1) for a first flowtube (210a), and a second mass flow rate (m2) for a second flowtube (210b). The vibratory flow meter (5) further includes a restrictive orifice (252) located in the first flowtube (210a). The restrictive orifice (252) ensures a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube (210a) is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube (210b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Publication number: 20090249891
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter is disclosed that uses the deflection of a torsion member (430) to balance the vibration of a single curved flow tube (308). The two ends of the torsion member are attached to, and vibrate with, a center section of the single flow tube (308). A balance member (432) is attached to a center section of the torsion member (430) and vibrates in the opposite phase of the single flow tube (308) causing the torsion member (430) to be deflected in torsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 7597007
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter includes at least one flow conduit (103), including a first conduit node (603a) and a second conduit node (603b) and a bending axis W that intersects the flow conduit (103) at the first conduit node (603a) and at the second conduit node (603b). The flow conduit (103) vibrates around the bending axis W. The meter further includes a drive system (104) and a balance system (600) coupled to the flow conduit (103). The balance system (600) includes two or more Y-balance weights (601a, 601b) and two or more attachment members (602a, 602b) that couple the two or more Y-balance weights (601a, 601b) to the flow conduit (103). At least a first Y-balance weight (601a) is coupled to the flow conduit (103) at a first location between the first conduit node (603a) and the drive system (104) and at least a second Y-balance weight (601b) is coupled to the flow conduit (103) at a second location between the drive system (104) and the second conduit node (603b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Mark James Bell
  • Patent number: 7287438
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter comprising at least one flow conduit, a drive system coupled to the at least one flow conduit, a balance system coupled to the at least one flow conduit wherein the balance system is sized and located such that the momentum of the balance system is equal and opposite to the momentum of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 6769163
    Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter having a single flow tube surrounded by connecting rings and a balance bar whose ends are connected by the connecting rings to the flow tube. The balance bar has a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than that of the connecting rings and the flow tube. The outer circumferential surface of each connecting ring is tapered toward the axial center of the flow tube. The inner circumferential surface of the balance bar has a taper matching that of the connecting ring. The connecting ring can only be partially inserted into the space between the flow tube and the balance bar when the assembly is at room temperature. Braze material is then applied to the visible ends of the surface common to the balance bar and the connecting rings as well as to the ends of the surface common to the connecting rings and the flow tube. The structure is heated to brazing temperature to braze these common surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 6718615
    Abstract: A method of forming a flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister