Vibrated Conduit Patents (Class 73/861.355)
  • Publication number: 20120073384
    Abstract: A measuring system comprises a measuring transducer which includes: a transducer housing with an inlet-side flow divider having exactly four, mutually spaced flow openings and an outlet-side housing end having exactly four, mutually spaced flow openings; four measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel; an electromechanical, exciter mechanism for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the four measuring tubes; as well as a vibration sensor arrangement reacting to vibrations of the measuring tubes for producing oscillation measurement signals representing vibrations of the measuring tubes. Transmitter electronics includes a driver circuit for the exciter mechanism, and a measuring circuit. The measuring circuit of the measuring system of the invention corrects a change of at least one characteristic variable of the oscillation measurement signals delivered from the measuring transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20120073385
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibrating sensor assembly (310). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) includes a conduit (103A), a driver (104), and at least a first pick-off (105). The driver (104) includes a first driver component (104a) and a second driver component (104b). The first pick-off (105) includes a first pick-off component (105a) and a second pick-off component (105b). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) also includes a first reference member (250). The first pick-off component (105a) is coupled to the conduit (103A) while the second pick-off component (105b) is coupled to the first reference member (250). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) also includes a second reference member (350). The first driver component (104a) is coupled to the conduit (103A) while the second driver component (104b) is coupled to the second reference member (350).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Treat Lanham, Christopher A. Werbach
  • Patent number: 8109152
    Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine a first flow rate of a first phase within a two-phase flow through the flowtube and determine a second flow rate of a second phase within the two-phase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, Manus P. Henry, Mihaela D. Duta, Michael S. Tombs
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8099850
    Abstract: The measuring transducer includes at least one measuring tube communicating with a line connected during operation for conveying a medium to be measured, and a support element oscillatably holding the at least one measuring tube. Additionally, it is provided that the support element contains at least two passageways, via which the at least one measuring tube communicates with the line, and that the at least one measuring tube is affixed, especially releasably, at least one end to the support element by means of a screwed-fitting at one of the passageways. Alternatively or in supplementation thereof, it is further provided that the at least one measuring tube is, at least in part, made of cold-strengthened, for instance cold-stretched or autofrettaged, material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz, Holger Bernhard
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110277559
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter that measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a vibrating tube based on a Coriolis force acting on the vibrating tube, the Coriolis flow meter may include a driving unit that applies a driving force to vibrate the vibrating tube, a change ratio obtaining apparatus that obtains a change ratio of a vibration of the vibrating tube, which has been given the driving force, a calculating unit that calculates a spring constant and a damping coefficient of the vibrating tube as parameters independent of each other, based on the change ratio obtained by the change ratio obtaining apparatus and on the driving force, and a diagnosing unit that diagnoses a state of the vibrating tube based on the parameters, which has been calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuo MIYAJI, Akimichi KADOGUCHI, Akinori YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20110259122
    Abstract: A flow measurement system (20) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow measurement system (20) comprises a vibrating flow meter (400) including at least one flow tube (410) and a driver (420) adapted to apply a biasing force on the flow tube (410). The flow measurement system (20) also comprises a meter electronics (450) configured to generate a drive 420 signal to vibrate the flow tube (410) about a first deflected position (1002), wherein the first deflected position (1002) is offset from a flow tube rest position (1001).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Andrew Stephen Kravitz
  • Publication number: 20110259121
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter (1) having at least one sensor arrangement (2), at least one transducer (3) and at least one housing (4), wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has at least one measuring tube (5) that can be excited to oscillation, at least one oscillation generator (6) and at least one oscillation sensor (7), wherein the transducer (3) at least in part has evaluation and power electronics for controlling and measurement evaluation of the sensor arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement (2) and the transducer (3) are arranged adjacent to one another in a common volume defined by the housing (4). A Coriolis mass flowmeter of the described type, in which the physical interaction between the sensor arrangement and transducer is reduced, is realized by the provision of a thermal barrier (8) arranged at least in a space between the sensor arrangement (2) and the transducer (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Kourosh KOLAHI, Andreas POREMBA
  • Publication number: 20110214512
    Abstract: Fluidic systems and methods of determining properties of fluids flowing therein. The fluidic systems and methods make use of a micromachined device that determines at least one property of the fluid within the system. The micromachined device includes a base structure on a substrate and a tube structure extending from the base structure and spaced apart from a surface of the substrate. The tube structure has at least one pair of geometrically parallel tube portions substantially lying in a plane, and at least one continuous internal passage defined at least in part within the parallel tube portions. A drive element induces vibrational movement of the tube structure in the plane of the tube structure and induces resonant vibrational movements in the tube portions in the plane of the tube structure. A sensing element senses deflections of each tube portion in the plane of the tube structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Michael W. Putty, Nader Najafi, Richard Thayre Smith
  • Patent number: 8000906
    Abstract: A controller for a flowmeter includes an input module operable to receive a sensor signal from a sensor connected to a vibratable flowtube. The sensor signal is related to a fluid flow through the flowtube. The controller also includes a signal processing system operable to receive the sensor signal, determine sensor signal characteristics, and output drive signal characteristics for a drive signal applied to the flowtube. An output module is operable to output the drive signal to the flowtube and a control system is operable to modify the drive signal and thereby maintain oscillation of the flowtube during a transition of the flowtube from a substantially empty state to a substantially full state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
  • Publication number: 20110192234
    Abstract: Motion is induced in a conduit that contains a fluid. The motion is induced such that the conduit oscillates in a first mode of vibration and a second mode of vibration. The first mode of vibration has a corresponding first frequency of vibration and the second mode of vibration has a corresponding second frequency of vibration. At least one of the first frequency of vibration or the second frequency of vibration is determined. A phase difference between the motion of the conduit at a first point of the conduit and the motion of the conduit at a second point of the conduit is determined. A quantity based on the phase difference and the determined frequency is determined. The quantity includes a ratio between the first frequency during a zero-flow condition and the second frequency during the zero-flow condition. A property of the fluid is determined based on the quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Tombs
  • Patent number: 7992452
    Abstract: A measuring transducer of vibration type for registering, on the basis of the Coriolis principle, at least one measured variable of a medium flowing through a pipeline. The measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube, which is connectable with the pipeline via an inlet and an outlet, wherein the measuring tube includes a first measuring tube arc and a second measuring tube arc; an oscillation exciter for exciting oscillations of the measuring tube arcs; at least one oscillation sensor for registering resulting oscillations of the measuring tube arcs; and a transducer housing surrounding the measuring tube arcs. The measuring tube arcs are elastically coupled to the transducer housing. In this way, a robust and reliable measuring operation is guaranteed, which is little influenced by oscillatory in-couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
  • Patent number: 7983864
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one characteristic of a multiphase fluid including the steps of applying alternating energy of a predetermined amplitude to a portion of a multiphase fluid and measuring the electrical impedance spectrum across the portion of multiphase fluid whereby a characteristic of the multiphase fluid can be determined from the measured electrical impedance spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Shenggen Hu, Bruce Firth
  • Patent number: 7971494
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter has exactly two measuring tubes that can be excited to oscillation and a housing. An end connection plate from a pipe to both measuring tubes is provided on each end of the measuring tube, and these the end connection plates are attached to one another by means of a reinforcing bridge that is separate from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Yousif Hussain, Tao Wang, Chris Rolph, Neil Harrison
  • Publication number: 20110154914
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having at least one measuring tube assembly (1) and at least one mounting assembly (2), wherein the mounting assembly (2) includes at least one bracket (3) mounted on the measuring tube assembly (1) and at least a part of an actuator assembly (4) and/or a sensor assembly (5) supported by the bracket (3) for oscillation generation and/or oscillation compilation so that measuring tube assembly (1) can be excited into oscillation in a reference oscillation plane (X-plane). The Coriolis mass flowmeter oscillation behavior is improved for increasing the quality of measurements by the center of gravity of the mounting assembly (2) being set in the reference oscillation plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KROHNE AG
    Inventors: Yousif HUSSAIN, Tao WANG
  • Patent number: 7966894
    Abstract: An in line measuring device, includes a measuring transducer having: a least one measuring tube vibrating, during operation, and serving for conveying, a two- or multiphase, flowable medium; an exciter mechanism for producing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube; a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the measuring tube and for delivering an oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube, and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Kuttler, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu, Christof Huber
  • Publication number: 20110138930
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having a measuring tube that can be excited to oscillation and a magnet assembly (1) serving to generate oscillations and/or to receive oscillations. The magnet assembly (1) includes at least one permanent magnet (2) and a magnet holder (3) holding the permanent magnet (2). The Coriolis mass flowmeter that has a mounting for the permanent magnet, which can withstand long-term oscillation stress and can reliably protect the permanent magnet is implemented by the magnet holder (3) consisting of nonmagnetic metal such as stainless steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KROHNE AG
    Inventors: Yousif HUSSAIN, Chris ROLPH, Neil HARRISON
  • Patent number: 7938021
    Abstract: A compact vibratory flowmeter (200) for measuring flow characteristics of a cement flow material at a cement flow material pressure of greater than about 10 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) includes at least two pickoff sensors (308) and a driver (309). The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) further includes one or more flow conduits (301). The at least two pickoff sensors (308) are affixed to the one or more flow conduits (301) and the driver (309) is configured to vibrate the one or more flow conduits (301). The one or more flow conduits (301) include a drive frequency that is less than about 200 Hertz (Hz) and a frequency ratio of the drive frequency to a fluid resonant frequency of the cement flow material that is less than about 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Patent number: 7938022
    Abstract: The flowmeter is provided with an oscillation circuit receiving supply of electric power in a non-insulated manner from an external power source and supplying the electric power to the coil to drive the magnetic substance, an insulating unit for insulating the coil from the magnetic substance and/or the electrically conductive fluid pipe, and a shielding unit being short-circuited to have a stable electric potential relative to the external power source and shielding the coil against the magnetic substance and the fluid pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Katsurada
  • Publication number: 20110094312
    Abstract: A measuring transducer of vibration type, especially a Coriolis mass flow meter, having a housing and a mass flow tube, wherein the mass flow tube is formed into a helix having a first loop and a second loop; wherein the mass flow tube has a securement element which affixes a peripheral point of the first loop relative to a neighboring peripheral point of the second loop; and wherein the mass flow tube has an oscillation exciter on a side lying opposite the securement element along the mass flow tube. The mass flow tube has provided between the oscillation exciter and the securement element at least one add-on part acting as a canceling mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Wolfgang Drahm, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
  • Publication number: 20110088486
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, wherein the medium flows through at least one measuring tube essentially along an imaginary flow axis, wherein at least one exciter transducer element is provided, which, based on an exciter signal, excites the measuring tube to mechanical oscillations, and wherein at least one receiver transducer element is provided, which receives mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube as a received signal. The invention includes that at least one separating unit is provided, and that the separating unit is embodied and arranged in the measuring tube in such a manner, that at least two sub measuring tubes result in the measuring tube, wherein the medium flows through the at least two sub measuring tubes essentially along the imaginary flow axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Mamadi Keita, Mike Touzin
  • Patent number: 7930115
    Abstract: A method includes creating Coriolis-based deflection in at least one oscillating flow tube of a flow meter, which is caused by material flowing through the at least one flow tube. The method also includes determining a deflection amplitude and deflection period using interferometric measurements. The method further includes determining a characteristic of the material using the amplitude and period and transmitting the characteristic. A laser interferometer could include a photo-detector. The deflection period could be based on variations in a period of fringes in the photo-detector's output. The deflection amplitude could be based on a number of fringes during the deflection period. A resonant frequency of the at least one flow tube can be determined using the deflection period, and a density of the material can be determined using the resonant frequency. The characteristic of the material could include a mass flow rate or a volumetric flow rate of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Gonia, Chunbo Zhang
  • Patent number: 7921737
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device and method for operating the device to determine a property of a fluid. The device has a tube that extends from a base and is spaced apart from a substrate surface for vibrational movement in a plane normal to the surface. The tube defines a continuous internal passage having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet fluidically connected to the base. A cantilevered member attached to a distal portion of the tube opposite the base is configured for vibrational movement relative to the distal portion. A drive electrode operable to induce vibrational movements in the tube and cantilevered member is disposed on the substrate surface. Sensing electrodes are disposed on the substrate surface for sensing Coriolis-induced deflections of the tube when vibrated, generating outputs from which a property of a fluid flowing through the tube can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
  • Publication number: 20110079091
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring of at least one flow parameter of a medium, wherein the medium flows through a measuring unit, wherein at least one exciter transducer element is provided, which, based on an exciter signal, excites the measuring unit to mechanical oscillations, and wherein at least one receiver transducer element is provided, which receives mechanical oscillations of the measuring unit as a received signal. The measuring unit has at least one guiding unit and one carrying unit, the medium flows through the guiding unit, the guiding unit and the carrying unit are mechanically coupled with one another, the receiver transducer element and the exciter transducer element are mechanically coupled with the carrying unit, and the receiver transducer element and the exciter transducer element are mechanically coupled indirectly via the carrying unit with the guiding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Mamadi Keita, Mike Touzin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110016986
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Publication number: 20110016987
    Abstract: A partially bonded brace bar assembly is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. A vibrating element adapted to vibrate about a bending axis (W, W?) is provided. The vibrating element has a high stress region (412). A brace bar (201 204) is bonded to the vibrating element using a partial bond (420). The partial bond (420) is formed only in the high stress region (412).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Honegger
  • Patent number: 7874219
    Abstract: In a micromechanical sensor (11) for measuring a mass flow rate in accordance with the Coriolis principle, two line sections (13) are mounted in a suspension means (24) such that they can oscillate, as a result of which they can be caused to oscillate in phase opposition (essential for the measuring principle). A spacer layer (18) is provided between the layers (12a, 12b) forming the line sections (13), the spacer layer ensuring that there is a space between the line sections (13) in the quiescent state. Oscillation of the line sections in phase opposition only becomes possible at all as a result of this since this prevents collision of the line sections (13) as they approach one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roman Frahnow, Arno Steckenborn
  • Patent number: 7866219
    Abstract: A measuring instrument to capture a physical/chemical measured value, including a sensor unit, which is linked via a contactless interface to a transmitter unit, for passing on to a central analysis unit, wherein the sensor unit includes an at least partly internal sensor element which vibrates against a sensor housing because of operation, and which is linked, contactlessly and inside the sensor unit, for sensor signal transmission, via a first transmission/reception unit, to a complementary second transmission/reception unit, which is arranged at a fixed location relative to the sensor housing, and which is also linked, contactlessly and outside the sensor unit, to a third transmission/reception unit of the transmitter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Rolf Disselnkötter, Steffen Keller, Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Beat Kramer
  • Patent number: 7861603
    Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter includes an oscillator for oscillating a fluid pipe that forms a flow path for allowing a measurement fluid to flow; first and second detectors that are disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the flow path of the fluid pipe so as to detect a state of oscillation of the fluid pipe; and a calculator for calculating a mass flow rate of the measurement fluid that passes through the flow path of the fluid pipe on the basis of a relative amount of the states of oscillation that are detected by the first and second detectors. The fluid pipe includes an inner pipe made of a fluororesin whose inner circumferential surface is in contact with the flow path, and an outer pipe having fibers that are arranged in order to surround an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and a resin that is cured in a state of close adhesion between the fibers arranged in order, and having an elastic modulus larger than that of the inner pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20100326204
    Abstract: A method for installing and operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter operating having a measuring tube, wherein the measuring tube is excited to vibrate, a phase shift of the vibration of the measuring tube which is dependent on the mass flow of the measuring tube or a corresponding time difference is determined, the temperature of the measuring tube is determined and the corresponding mass flow is calculated using the determined time difference and the determined temperature by means of a computation rule. Highly accurate measurements are possible in that in the computation rule, at least one known theoretical or empirical material temperature dependence influencing the mass flow is taken into account by determining a device-specific temperature dependence of the mass flowmeter influencing the mass flow through a subsequent calibration process and the known theoretical or empirical material temperature dependence and the device-specific temperature dependence are used in determining the mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KROHNE AG
    Inventors: Tao WANG, Yousif HUSSAIN
  • Patent number: 7856891
    Abstract: A method including: at least one oscillation measurement signal serving as primary signal of first class representing vibrations of a measuring tube, through which medium to be measured is momentarily flowing; and at least one oscillation measurement signal serving as primary signal of second class representing vibrations of at least one measuring tube, especially of the same measuring transducer, and orbiting around the axis of rotation of a carousel-type filling machine orbiting, but not containing flowing medium. Furthermore, based on both the primary signal of first class as well as also the primary signal of second class, at least one measured value, representing a measured variable, especially a mass flow rate and/or an integrated mass flow and/or a density of medium to be measured, is generated. Additionally, an apparatus is provided suited for reducing the method to practice and/or embodied as a carousel-type filling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Michael Kirst, Jörg Herwig
  • Patent number: 7845242
    Abstract: A three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) is provided according to the invention. The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (210a) conducting a first flow stream, a second flow conduit (210b) that is independent of the first flow stream, and a common driver (216) configured to vibrate the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b). The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) further includes three pickoff sensors (218, 219a, 219b) configured to provide first and second time delay values (?t1) and (?t2) for the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Mark James Bell, Gregory Treat Lanham
  • 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: 20100299089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7831400
    Abstract: A system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes comprises a means for calibrating the flow meter for a number of desired modes. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes includes a means for determining a density of a material flowing through the flow meter associated with each mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes further includes a means for determining the flow rate effect on density for each desired mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes a means for calculating a flow rate based on the density and flow rate effect on density values for each desired mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Marc Allan Buttler, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Patent number: 7802484
    Abstract: A compact vibratory flowmeter (200) for measuring flow characteristics of a multi-phase flow material at a flow material pressure of greater than about 10 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) includes one or more flow conduits (301), at least two pickoff sensors (308), and a driver (309). The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) further includes a maximum water drive frequency in the one or more flow conduits (301) that is less than about 250 Hertz (Hz) and an aspect ratio (L/H) of the one or more flow conduits (301) that is greater than about 2.5. A height-to-bore ratio (H/B) of the one or more flow conduits (301) is less than about 10 and a bowed flow conduit geometry includes end bend angles ? of between about 120 degrees and about 170 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Patent number: 7783434
    Abstract: Mass flow meter having at least one measurement tube, through which mass flows, as an oscillation body which can be set in mechanical oscillation by means of an excitation unit, the oscillation behavior of which varying as a function of the mass flow can be recorded via at least one oscillation sensor in order to determine the mass flow, wherein in order to eliminate noise signals from the measurement voltage (sen) recorded via the oscillation sensor computational technology means are provided for forming a complex conjugate spectrum (|sa1j|) from the spectrum of the excitation voltage (seD) as well as a vector product between this (|sa1j|) and the measurement voltage (sen) for the purpose of filtering, in order, by further computational technology means for inverse Fourier transformation, to obtain the signal relationship associated with the vector product between the excitation voltage (seD) and the measurement voltage (sen) so that the processed measurement voltage (sa1) resulting therefrom then predominan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Dieter Keese, Thomas Blume
  • Publication number: 20100198531
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for measuring flow characteristics of a three phase flow is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (10) including pickoff sensors (105, 105?) and meter electronics (20) coupled to the pickoff sensors (105, 105?). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive a vibrational response from the pickoff sensors (105, 105), generate a first density measurement of the three phase flow using a first frequency component of the vibrational response, and generate at least a second density measurement of the three phase flow using at least a second frequency component of the vibrational response. The at least second frequency component is a different frequency than the first frequency component. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to determine one or more flow characteristics from the first density measurement and the at least second density measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. St. Pierre, JR., Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Patent number: 7739920
    Abstract: A first inlet portion, a second inlet portion, a first outlet portion, and a second outlet portion are fixed to a fixing member, and a connecting tube portion is provided between the first outlet portion and the second inlet portion. Further, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion 6 are arranged in a non-parallel state such that the distance between the two increases as they depart from the fixing member. The first outlet portion and the second outlet portion are similarly arranged in a non-parallel state, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion and the first outlet portion and the second outlet portion being arranged symmetrically. Further, the first outlet portion, the second inlet portion, and the connecting tube portion are arranged such that their three tube axes are in a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Yuichi Nakao, Norio Sukemura
  • Patent number: 7734431
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for fluid leak detection. The apparatus includes a fluid supply conduit for supplying fluid to an external structure and a substantially parallel fluid return conduit for carrying fluid away from the external structure. The apparatus further includes: an oscillator for causing a separation of the fluid supply conduit and fluid return conduit to vary over time; sensors disposed relative to the conduits to measure the separation at respective opposed portions of the conduits; and a processor coupled to the oscillator and the sensors. The oscillator is responsive to the processor and receives respective separation measurement signals from the sensors. The processor is configured to determine whether there is a difference between a supply fluid mass flowing in the fluid supply conduit and a return fluid mass flowing in the fluid return conduit based on the separation measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Simon John Nitschke, Christopher John Bleecker Crowe
  • Patent number: 7730792
    Abstract: A method for compensation for influences, which interfere with the measurement accuracy, in measurement devices of the vibration type, comprising a measurement tube through which a fluid medium can flow and which is caused to oscillate mechanically, acting as an oscillation body, by an excitation unit, whose oscillation behavior, which changes as a function of the flowrate and/or the viscosity and/or the density of the fluid medium, is detected by at least one oscillation sensor in order to determine the flowrate, wherein the material strain in the measurement tube is detected by means of at least one sensor, from which an indicator value for the influence causing the material strain is calculated in order to correct the measurement signal, by signal processing, from the indicator value obtained in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7726202
    Abstract: A tertiary mode vibration type Coriolis flowmeter includes a flow tube, a drive device driving the flow tube, and a pair of vibration detecting sensors detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Colioris force acting on the flow tube. The drive device drives the flow tube by bending vibration in a tertiary mode. The flow tube further comprises an approximately loop-shaped body part. A pair of parallel leg parts deflected in a direction approximately orthogonal to the vibrating direction of both end parts of the body part, namely, to the outside of the both end parts are formed continuously with the both end parts of the body part. Fixed end parts supporting the flow tube are formed at the leg parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 7716995
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter (5) includes one or more flow conduits (103), at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) affixed to the one or more flow conduits (103), a driver (104) configured to vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103), and meter electronics (20) coupled to the at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) and to the driver (104). The meter electronics (20) vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) of the flow meter (5) with a first vibration frequency and in a first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a first vibrational response, with the first vibrational response being generated in response to the first vibration frequency, vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) with at least a second vibration frequency and in the first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a second vibrational response, and determine at least a mass flow rate and a viscosity using the first and second vibrational responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill, Denis M. Henrot
  • Patent number: 7711501
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 7706987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically calculating the relative phase of the left eigenvector for a vibrating conduit is provided. During normal operation, two drivers are used in tandem to excite the main bending mode of the conduit (202). Periodically, first one (204), then the second (206), of the two drivers is disabled, allowing measurements that enable the determination of the relative phase of the left eigenvector (208) for the vibrating conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Sharp, David Frederick Normen, Stuart J. Shelley
  • Patent number: 7698956
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (11) with a vibrating direction restriction means includes flow tubes (13, 13), a drive means (14) for driving the flow tubes (13, 13), and phase difference detection means (15, 15) for detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Coriolis force. The Coriolis flow meter further includes plate springs (16, 16) functioning as vibrating direction restriction means, and a flow tube fixing member (17) also functioning as a vibrating direction restriction means and serving to fix the flow tubes (13, 13) in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20100083769
    Abstract: A compact vibratory flowmeter (200) for measuring flow characteristics of a multi-phase flow material at a flow material pressure of greater than about 10 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) includes one or more flow conduits (301), at least two pickoff sensors (308), and a driver (309). The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) further includes a maximum water drive frequency in the one or more flow conduits (301) that is less than about 250 Hertz (Hz) and an aspect ratio (L/H) of the one or more flow conduits (301) that is greater than about 2.5. A height-to-bore ratio (H/B) of the one or more flow conduits (301) is less than about 10 and a bowed flow conduit geometry includes end bend angles ? of between about 120 degrees and about 170 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • 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