Including Electrically Interconnected Or Synchronized Input And Output Circuit Patents (Class 73/861.16)
  • Patent number: 11415441
    Abstract: A composite flow tube liner includes a cylindrical substrate and an interior layer. The cylindrical substrate includes a plurality of perforations and is configured for installation within a flow tube assembly of a magnetic flowmeter. The interior layer includes a fluoroelastomer and covers an interior surface of the substrate. The interior layer extends into the perforations of the cylindrical substrate, which secures the fluoroelastomer to the cylindrical substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Keltgen, Michael John Mayer
  • Patent number: 11371868
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter assembly is provided. The assembly includes a magnetic flowmeter configured to couple to a process pipe at a coupling point and measure a flowrate of a flow of process fluid. The assembly includes a conductive polymer reference connection configured to contact the process fluid and provide an electrical connection to magnetic flowmeter electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur S. Gosling, Chad T. Weigelt, Samuel E. Messenger, Erik D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11204268
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly and a programmable bi-directional current generator. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow and includes a coil and an electromotive force (EMF) sensor. The coil is configured to produce a magnetic field across the fluid flow in response to a coil current. The EMF sensor is arranged to sense an EMF across the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate, and generate an output indicating the induced EMF. The current generator includes a profile generator that issues profile commands, a power amplifier and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power amplifier to generate coil current pulses forming the coil current that travel through the coil in alternating directions. Each coil current pulse has a current profile that is based on a corresponding profile command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Masoud Ameri
  • Patent number: 11131571
    Abstract: A system and related method is provided for correcting measurement glitches detected by a magnetic flowmeter assembly in determining a fluid flow velocity. The magnetic flowmeter assembly includes a pair of electrodes that receive an instantaneous first and second electrode potential (voltage potential), Ue1 and Ue2, so as to determine an instantaneous induced voltage Ue across the fluid. A signal processor sends a digital signal of the induced voltage (voltage signal Ue) to a micro-processor, which processes the signal data and computes the corresponding instantaneous fluid velocity, v. Moreover, an instantaneous glitch detection variable Um is computed based on the electrode potentials (Ue1 and Ue2), so as to detect the presence of measurement glitches in said electrode potentials, wherein the signal processor will provide a digital signal of Um to the micro-processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Signett LLC
    Inventors: Calin Ciobanu, Jeffrey Lomibao
  • Patent number: 11082936
    Abstract: Device time synchronization control method in wireless mesh network, comprising: pulse converter converts input AC into periodic pulse signal; controller sends time setting instruction to adjacent node device at preset time; adjacent node device updates device time according to preset algorithm when periodic signal is on rising edge or falling edge, take updated device time as setting time and forward to other adjacent node devices before arrival of next rising edge or falling edge; other adjacent devices update own device time when periodic signal is on rising edge or falling edge; after all node devices finish updating device time, controller sends control commands, and all node devices execute synchronously upon arrival of execution time. Node devices update own time according to pulse signal changes, realizing clock synchronization and synchronization control over node devices by uniform execution time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Shenzhen Sendis Semiconductor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wenpan Wang, Yanquan Mai, Xunsheng Deng, Bo Chen
  • Patent number: 10732017
    Abstract: A flow monitoring system is described for monitoring flow of a mixed-phase sample comprising at least a first phase and a second phase having different electrical conductivities, the second phase being a liquid or a gas and substantially electrically non-conductive and the first phase being a liquid and having a conductivity higher than the second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
    Inventors: Mi Wang, Jiabin Jia, Yousef Faraj, Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 10663331
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes circuitry for sensing coil current, coil voltage, or coil resistance. Based on the sensed coil current, voltage, or resistance, a digital processor determines whether a power limit or a coil current limit is exceeded and either halts operation until it receives a new configuration with a new coil current setpoint, or determines a new coil current setpoint itself and adjusts the magnetic flowmeter to that new coil current setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier, Samuel Ethan Messenger, Kirk Allan Hunter
  • Patent number: 10527471
    Abstract: A first connection line includes a first tube-side wiring pattern formed on an outer periphery of a measuring tube and connected at one end thereof to a first surface electrode, a first substrate-side wiring pattern formed on a preamplifier substrate and connected at one end thereof to a preamplifier, and a first jumper wire connecting the other end of the first tube-side wiring pattern to the other end of the first substrate-side wiring pattern; and a second connection line includes a second tube-side wiring pattern formed on the outer periphery of the measuring tube and connected at one end thereof to a second surface electrode, a second substrate-side wiring pattern formed on the preamplifier substrate and connected at one end thereof to the preamplifier, and a second jumper wire connecting the other end of the second tube-side wiring pattern to the other end of the second substrate-side wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Momose, Hiroyuki Inagaki, Kouichi Mamada, Yoshio Yamazaki, Takumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10514285
    Abstract: A drive circuit includes a primary power supplier which supplies a primary electric power in accordance with a state of the drive circuit, a secondary power supplier which supplies an operation electric power and an excitation electric power, an excitation current supplier which supplies an excitation current to an excitation coil, a power supply monitor which compares the voltage value of the operation electric power with a voltage threshold and outputs monitoring information, and a controller which determines whether a short circuit has occurred in the excitation coil based on the monitoring information, and stops supplying the excitation current if the short circuit has occurred. The voltage threshold is higher than a lowest voltage value with which the controller operates, and the voltage threshold is a voltage value representing that the short circuit has occurred in the excitation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Shimura, Gouki Nakayama, Junichi Iwashita
  • Patent number: 10400739
    Abstract: An electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The system includes a coil having a primary winding with a first terminal and a second terminal and a secondary winding connected to a spark plug. A high voltage switch is serially connected to the primary winding. A control terminal carries a control signal to control the opening or closing of the high voltage switch. A first switch is interposed between a battery voltage and the first terminal of the primary winding, a second switch is interposed between the first terminal of the primary winding and a reference voltage, a third switch is interposed between the second terminal of the primary winding and said reference voltage. A driving unit is configured to generate signals to control the switches during a charging phase, during a transfer of energy phase, and during a measure phase of ionization current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Eldor Corporation S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pasquale Forte, Stefano Silva, Eugenio Carugati, Davide Failla
  • Patent number: 9500728
    Abstract: A signal analyzer for nuclear magnetic flowmeters is provided. The signal analyzer can be placed in a power signal path between a signal generator that generates an electric excitation signal and an electrical load. The signal analyzer includes a power signal line in the power signal path for the transmission of electrical signals. The signal analyzer also includes a decoupling circuit for decoupling a first signal characterizing the excitation signal occurring in the load and for decoupling of a second signal characterizing the part of the excitation signal reflected at the load. The signal analyzer further includes a first attenuator and a second attenuator. Additionally, the signal analyzer includes a detector for determining the ratio of the magnitude of the first signal to the magnitude of the second signal and for determining the phase difference between the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Bart Duncker, Jan Johannes Jacobus Hofstede, Stephan Inge Luik
  • Patent number: 9297829
    Abstract: A multifunctional measuring device, such as for measuring a current in a primary current conductor in a medium voltage switchgear is disclosed which includes a housing with an aperture for accommodation of the primary current conductor; an inner winding accommodated around the aperture inside of the housing for a measurement of current in a primary current conductor; and an external winding wound on the housing around the aperture for another current measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Radek Javora, Jaromir Podzemny, Marek Pavlas
  • Publication number: 20150082909
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. A coil is positioned proximate the flowtube and arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid in response to a drive current alternating direction. First and second electrodes are arranged to sense a voltage potential in the process fluid in response to the applied magnetic field. The voltage potential is indicative of flow rate of process fluid through the flowtube. A sensor is coupled to the first and second current paths which has a sensor output related to the drive current. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of a transient change in the sensor output when current flowing through the coil alternates direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 8582709
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a bandwidth synchronization circuit and a bandwidth synchronization method. The bandwidth synchronization circuit includes an upsizer and a syncdown unit. The upsizer includes a sync packer and a sync unpacker operating according to a first clock. The syncdown unit is connected to the upsizer and performs a syncdown operation on data of the upsizer in response to a second clock of a frequency lower than a frequency of the first clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaegeun Yun, Hyunuk Jung, Junhyung Um, Sunghoon Shim, Sung-Min Hong, Bub-chul Jeong
  • Patent number: 8571816
    Abstract: Gain switching is performed by a DC amplifying circuit. The DC amplifying circuit is provided with individual gain generating circuits and a gain selecting circuit, and saturation preventing circuits are provided in earlier stages than the individual gain generating circuits. The individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G1, the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G2 (where G2>G1), and the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G3 (where G3>G2). The gain selecting circuit selects, as a used gain generating circuit, one of the individual gain generating circuits, and sends the output thereof to an A/D converting circuit in a later stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Taka Inoue, Ichirou Mitsutake
  • Patent number: 8068998
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter that prevents fluctuations in the frequency of synchronized pulse signals due to momentary fluctuations of the power source voltage. The comparator of an AC synchronizing circuit that generates pulse signals synchronized to the frequency of a commercial power source is given a hysteresis function in which a first threshold value Vth1 and a second threshold value Vth2 are set up in the comparator. The comparator compares the level of divided AC signals from a dividing circuit with the first threshold value Vth1, and if the level of the divided AC signals exceeds the first threshold value Vth1, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level; and if the level of the divided AC signals falls below the second threshold value Vth2, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “H” level to the “L” level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Mitsutake
  • Patent number: 8046194
    Abstract: A method for predictive maintenance for a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device and/or to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device, wherein the magneto-inductive flow-measuring device includes a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to a measuring tube axis; at least two measuring electrodes coupled with the medium, having a defined rest potential and being arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicularly to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Heinz Rufer, Wolfgang Drahm, Frank Schmalzried
  • Publication number: 20090120204
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter that prevents fluctuations in the frequency of synchronized pulse signals due to momentary fluctuations of the power source voltage. The comparator of an AC synchronizing circuit that generates pulse signals synchronized to the frequency of a commercial power source is given a hysteresis function in which a first threshold value Vth1 and a second threshold value Vth2 are set up in the comparator. The comparator compares the level of divided AC signals from a dividing circuit with the first threshold value Vth1, and if the level of the divided AC signals exceeds the first threshold value Vth1, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level; and if the level of the divided AC signals falls below the second threshold value Vth2, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “H” level to the “L” level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Mitsutake
  • Publication number: 20080295608
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring the flow of a medium to be measured, which is flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube. The apparatus includes: A magnet arrangement which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube and running essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; two measuring electrodes which are galvanically or capacitively coupled with the medium to be measured and which are arranged in such a manner that a measurement voltage is induced in them, evoked by the medium to be measured; an evaluation control unit, which, on the basis of the measurement voltage induced in the measurement electrodes, provides information concerning the volume flow of the medium to be measured in the measuring tube; wherein connecting lines, or signal lines, as the case may be, are provided, by way of which the measurement signals are led between the measurement electrodes and the control/evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Fred Kappertz, Thomas Kung, Gunther Bahr
  • Patent number: 7403862
    Abstract: The process measuring device comprises a flow sensor having a measuring tube, a sensor arrangement for producing a measurement signal, and an evaluation and operating circuit. The method serves to compensate for the effects of interfering potentials which are caused especially by foreign particles or air bubbles in the liquid to be measured. For this purpose, an anomaly in the waveform of the measurement signal caused at least in part by an electrical, especially pulse-shaped, interfering potential is detected by determining within a stored first data set a data group which digitally represents the anomaly. To generate an interference-free data set, the data belonging to the data group are removed from the stored first data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Budmiger, Saso Jezernik
  • Publication number: 20080078252
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter is provided including a magnetic flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. The magnetic flowtube includes a drive coil and at least one sense electrode. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the flowtube and is configured to provide a drive signal to the drive coil and measure flow of process fluid through the flow tube based upon an output from the sense electrode. A memory contains a stored value related to a nominal parameter of the flowtube. Verification circuitry is arranged to measure a parameter of the magnetic flowtube and responsively provide a verification output related to operation of the magnetic flowmeter based upon a comparison of the measured parameter and the stored value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: William F. Graber, Scot R. Foss, Robert K. Schulz
  • Patent number: 7162921
    Abstract: A device for measuring the volume flow or other substance properties of a gas, whose direction of flow can reverse. The arrangement contains a specially designed Y-piece, which is used for branching into direction-dependent flow paths and can be used at the same time for the measurement. Such devices can be preferably used in the area of mechanical respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Henning Gerder, Artur Kuo
  • Patent number: 7079958
    Abstract: The process measuring device includes a flow sensor having a measuring tube, a sensor arrangement for producing a measurement signal, and an evaluation and operating circuit. The method serves to compensate for the effects of interfering potentials which are caused especially by foreign particles or air bubbles in the liquid to be measured. For this purpose, an anomaly in the waveform of the measurement signal caused at least in part by an electrical, especially pulse-shaped, interfering potential is detected by determining within a stored first data set a data group which digitally represents the anomaly. To generate an interference-free data set, the data belonging to the data group are removed from the stored first data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Endress & Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Budmiger, Saso Jezernik
  • Patent number: 7000466
    Abstract: An electrical current is passed through a thermistor to raise its temperature above the temperature of oil flowing in pulses past the thermistor. A change is measured in the temperature of the thermistor occurring with respect to one or more of the pulses. A level of oil flow is determined corresponding to the measured change in temperature. A signal is issued based on the determined flow level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventors: Eric K. Larson, Robert F. Kellicker
  • Patent number: 6789420
    Abstract: An electrical current is passed through a thermistor to raise its temperature above the temperature of oil flowing in pulses past the thermistor. A change is measured in the temperature of the thermistor occurring with respect to one or more of the pulses. A level of oil flow is determined corresponding to the measured change in temperature. A signal is issued based on the determined flow level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventors: Eric K. Larson, Robert F. Kellicker
  • Patent number: 6269701
    Abstract: An improvement over conventional electromagnetic flowmeters which signal a measure of flow rate by controlling the current in a current signalling loop (also known as a sensing loop) and in which power for the flowmeter is derived from the current in the signalling/sensing loop. Conventional electromagnetic flowmeters use a standard current range (typically 4-20 mA), in which zero flow is indicated by controlling the current in the loop to a minimum predeterimened value and maximum flow is indicated by controlling the current to a maximum predetermined value. In the improved flowmeter of the invention, minimum flow is signalled by maximum current in the signalling/sensing loop and maximum flow is signalled by minimum current. This has been found to enable improved accuracy to be obtained at low flow rates without requiring complex flowmeter circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Instrumentation Limited
    Inventor: Ray Keech
  • Patent number: 6256590
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic flowmeter, the conventional derivation of flow velocity is corrected or replaced by an alternative calculation to take into account estimated non-linear dependence of field strength produced by the coil with applied coil current. This can be used to enable more accurate measurement, over a wider range of coil current. The improved accuracy allows the coil current to be adjusted to optimise power consumption; the adjustment of coil current in this manner is another aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Instrumentation Limited
    Inventor: Ray Keech