Vibrated Conduit Patents (Class 73/861.355)
  • Patent number: 7677112
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter with a Coriolis tube and with an optical detection device, which optical detection device includes at least one optical sensor for generating a signal that is representative of the movement of the Coriolis tube, the optical sensor comprising a light source and a photosensitive sensor, wherein the optical detection device includes elements for applying a constant voltage across the photosensitive sensor during operation independently of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor in response to incident light, as well as elements for determining the value of the current generated by the photosensitive sensor and converting it into an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lötters
  • Patent number: 7665370
    Abstract: The measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating, at least at times, during operation and serving for conveying a medium, wherein the measuring tube communicates with a pipeline via an inlet tube piece at an inlet end and an outlet tube piece at an outlet end; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on the inlet end to form a first coupling zone and affixed to the measuring tube on the outlet end to form a second coupling zone; a sensor arrangement secured, at least in part, to the counteroscillator for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube; an exciter mechanism secured, at least in part, to the counteroscillator for driving at least the measuring tube; a transducer housing affixed to the inlet tube piece and the outlet tube piece; and connection lines, especially connection lines for the exciter mechanism and/or for the sensor arrangement, of which connection lines at least one is secured at least sectionally along the counteroscillator and secured at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 7665369
    Abstract: The measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating, at least at times, and serving for conveying medium to be measured; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on an inlet-side, to form a first coupling zone, and to the measuring tube on an outlet-side, to form a second coupling zone; at least one oscillation exciter for driving at least the measuring tube; as well as at least one oscillation sensor for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube. During operation, the measuring tube executes, at least at times and/or at least in part, bending oscillations about an imaginary bending oscillation axis, which imaginarily connects the two coupling zones with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Enio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schütze, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20100037707
    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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
  • Publication number: 20100037706
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device and a method for operating the device to determine at least one property of a fluid. The device includes a base on a substrate and a tube structure extending from the base and spaced apart from a surface of the substrate. The tube structure includes at least one tube portion and more preferably at least a pair of parallel tube portions substantially lying in a plane, at least one continuous internal passage defined at least in part within the parallel tube portions, and an inlet and outlet of the internal passage fluidically connected to the base. A drive element is operable to induce vibrational movement in the tube structure in a plane of the tube structure and induce resonant vibrational movements in the tube portions. A sensing element senses the deflections of the tube portions when the tube structure is vibrated with the drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Michael W. Putty, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
  • Patent number: 7658115
    Abstract: A measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating at least at times and serving for conveying medium to be measured; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on an inlet-side, to form a first coupling zone, and to the measuring tube on an outlet-side, to form a second coupling zone; an exciter mechanism for driving at least the measuring tube; as well as a sensor arrangement for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube. During operation, the measuring tube executes, at least at times and/or at least in part, bending oscillations about an imaginary bending oscillation axis, which imaginarily connects the two coupling zones with one another. Additionally, at least a first spring element and a second spring element are included, with each of the at least two spring elements being affixed to the measuring tube and the counteroscillator spaced both from each of the two coupling zones as well as also from the exciter mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Leonhard Probst
  • Publication number: 20090308177
    Abstract: A flowmeter including a system chip with a silicon substrate provided on a carrier, in an opening whereof at least one silicon flow tube is provided for transporting a medium whose flow rate is to be measured, the tube having two ends that issue via a wall of the opening into channels coated with silicon nitride in the silicon substrate, wherein the flow tube forms part of a Coriolis flow sensor and/or a thermal flow sensor, and wherein the channels are preferably in communication through the carrier with connection lines to the external world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Simon Josef LAMMERINK, Marcel DIJKSTRA, Jeroen HANEVELD, Remco John WIEGERINK
  • Patent number: 7631561
    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 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: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz, Holger Bernhard
  • Patent number: 7628083
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter comprising a pair of flow tubes (301, 302), a drive system (D) comprising a coil component (L) and a magnet component (M) that are sized and located such that the momentum of the coil component is equal and opposite to the momentum of the magnet component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Treat Lanham, Robert Barclay Garnett, Anthony William Pankratz, Roger Scott Loving
  • Patent number: 7628084
    Abstract: Method and apparatus (121) for providing temperature flow rate compensation for a Coriolis flow meter. The described compensation compensates both flow calibration factor and the nominal time delay, commonly called “zero” in the art. After a Coriolis flow meter is installed into a process, whether for calibration or for actual process use, it need only be zeroed once over its lifetime following its installation. This is a significant improvement over prior Coriolis flow meters that may need to be re-zeroed after minor changes in pressure, temperature, or installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Martin Andrew Schlosser, Joseph C. Dille, Jeffrey L. Whiteley
  • Patent number: 7627441
    Abstract: An process device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system is configured to couple to a process. A vibration sensor is configured to sense vibrations. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output based upon the sensed vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Longsdorf, Chad C. Blumeyer
  • Patent number: 7617740
    Abstract: Coriolis mass flowmeter comprising a flow tube, at least one tube position sensor provided with a light source and with a light detector for receiving light from the light source, and drive means for causing the tube to move about an axis, the above being arranged such that the tube or a projection fastened to the tube, for example a vane, moves through a light path between the light source and the light detector, wherein a first screen with a first light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light source and a second screen with a second light-transmitting opening is placed at the side of the light detector, wherein the first and the second opening are identical and are correspondingly oriented, and wherein the openings are mutually parallel and aligned so as to form a prismatic light beam on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Marinus Zwikker, Aditya Mehendale, Wybren Jouwsma
  • Publication number: 20090272200
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Roman Frahnow, Arno Steckenborn
  • Patent number: 7610795
    Abstract: A method serves to adjust a mechanical natural frequency of a hollow body which at least partly comprises a ductile material, in particular a pickup housing of a measurement pickup or a measurement pipe of a measurement pickup. A static external pressure of an atmosphere surrounding the hollow body and/or a static internal pressure prevailing in a lumen of the hollow body, the lumen being sealed off substantially in a pressuretight fashion, is varied in order to generate a pressure difference between the lumen and the atmosphere surrounding the hollow body. The pressure difference is adjusted to a value that causes the material of the hollow body to expand, and at least a proportion of the material of the hollow body is made to flow under the influence of the pressure difference for plastically deforming the material. The method can readily be integrated into already-established pressure tests for measurement pickups of the vibrational type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Holger Bernhard, Christian Schuetze
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090241689
    Abstract: A compound arrangement comprising a first component of metal being brazed to a second component of metal. The first component has an external cylindrical surface touching an cylindrical internal surface of the second component. The second component clasps the first component tightly, so that the second component exerts compressive stress on said external surface of the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Rainer Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20090235759
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz, Holger Bernhard
  • Patent number: 7571062
    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, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
  • Patent number: 7568399
    Abstract: A microfluidic device a micromachined freestanding member adapted to sense one or more properties of a fluid flowing through the freestanding member. The freestanding member is supported by a substrate and spaced apart and separated from the substrate to enable the freestanding member to move relative to the substrate under the influence of a vibration-inducing element. Movement of the freestanding member relative to the substrate is then sensed by a sensing element. The freestanding member has an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage that fluidically couples the inlet and outlet, and a wall that defines and separates first and second passage portions of the internal passage that are arranged in fluidic series so that a fluid flowing through the internal passage flows through the first and second passage portions in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Nader Najafi
  • Patent number: 7562585
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes a transducer housing, which exhibits a plurality of natural oscillation modes, as well as at least one first flow tube held oscillatably in the transducer housing, vibrating at least at times, and conveying at least a portion of the medium to be measured. Additionally, the measurement transducer includes an electromechanical, especially electrodynamic, exciter arrangement acting on the at least one flow tube for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the at least one flow tube, and a sensor arrangement reacting to movements of the flow tube, especially bending oscillations, for producing at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christian Schuetze, Martin Anklin-Imhof
  • Publication number: 20090173169
    Abstract: The measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating, at least at times, and serving for conveying medium to be measured; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on an inlet-side, to form a first coupling zone, and to the measuring tube on an outlet-side, to form a second coupling zone; at least one oscillation exciter for driving at least the measuring tube; as well as at least one oscillation sensor for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube. During operation, the measuring tube executes, at least at times and/or at least in part, bending oscillations about an imaginary bending oscillation axis, which imaginarily connects the two coupling zones with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Endrees + Hasuer Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Enio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schutze, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 7555962
    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 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: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz, Holger Bernhard
  • Patent number: 7558684
    Abstract: A flow meter filter system (200) according to an embodiment of the invention includes a noise pass filter (203) configured to receive a first version of a flow meter signal and filter out the flow meter data from the flow meter signal to leave a noise signal, a noise quantifier (204) configured to receive the noise signal from the noise pass filter (203) and measure noise characteristics of the noise signal, a damping adjuster (205) configured to receive the noise characteristics from the noise quantifier (204) and generate a damping value based on the noise characteristics, and a filter element (206) configured to receive a second version of the flow meter signal and receive the damping value from the damping adjuster (205), with the filter element (206) being further configured to damp the second version of the flow meter signal based on the damping value in order to produce a filtered flow meter signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Timothy Patten, Denis M. Henrot, Craig B. McAnally, Paul J. Hays, Wayne R. Brinkman
  • Publication number: 20090165567
    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: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael S. Tombs
  • Patent number: 7555397
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter and method for compensation of transmission errors of its input circuit, wherein a high accuracy of measurement is achievable by determining the transmission error of the input circuit of at least two input branches on the basis of at least one reference signal, which travels simultaneously through all input branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Matthias Roost, Robert Lalla
  • Patent number: 7546777
    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 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: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz, Holger Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20090145244
    Abstract: A measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating at least at times and serving for conveying medium to be measured; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on an inlet-side, to form a first coupling zone, and to the measuring tube on an outlet-side, to form a second coupling zone; an exciter mechanism for driving at least the measuring tube; as well as a sensor arrangement for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube. During operation, the measuring tube executes, at least at times and/or at least in part, bending oscillations about an imaginary bending oscillation axis, which imaginarily connects the two coupling zones with one another. Additionally, at least a first spring element and a second spring element are included, with each of the at least two spring elements being affixed to the measuring tube and the counteroscillator spaced both from each of the two coupling zones as well as also from the exciter mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Leonhard Probst
  • Patent number: 7540203
    Abstract: A device for measuring the mass rate of flow according to the Coriolis principle, with two measurement tubes at least in one section of which runs in a common plane, and a connector by which the two measurement tubes are connected to one another where they run in a common plane. The connector has a stiffening plate which is parallel to the common plane of the measurement tubes and which is attached to the two measurement tubes. At least one stiffening fin is provided on the stiffening plate so that the bending stiffness of the connector for bending in the common plane of the measurement tubes in which, generally, excitation vibrations of the measurement tubes also take place, is made greater than the torsional stiffness of the connector for torsional vibrations. As a result, the measurement accuracy of the Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Chris Rolph, Vincent Cook, Yousif Hussain
  • Publication number: 20090126509
    Abstract: There is described a mass flow meter which operates on the Coriolis principle. A measuring tube is mounted in a chamber, which is provided with at least two openings for directing the medium to and from the respective end of the measuring tube. The mounting of the measuring tube is arranged between the two tube ends at an axial distance from them. It is preferably at an oscillation node of the first bending mode. The mounting arranged at an axial distance from the tube ends has the advantage that thermal expansions have virtually no influence on the internal mechanical stress conditions of the measuring tube, and consequently scarcely influence the measurement result. The mass flow meter can be used with particular advantage for gaseous media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jens Simonsen
  • Patent number: 7533580
    Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter having an improved measurement accuracy, especially in measurement applications, where conventional Coriolis flowmeter may have a reduced accuracy due to erroneous flow spiking or outputs during no-flow situations is described, comprising: a measurement tube (4), a driver (16) for imparting a force proportional to an applied excitation signal to the measurement tube (4) for setting the measurement tube (4) into an oscillatory motion, motion sensors (17, 18) for measuring the motion of the measurement tube (4), an excitation signal generator, for generating the excitation signal to be supplied to the driver (16) based on the measurement signals derived by the motion sensors (17, 18), means (20, 27) for monitoring the excitation signal or a damping-coefficient of a damping of the measurement tube (4) and for determining whether an amplitude (A) of the excitation signal or the damping coefficient exceeds an application-specific range, and means for determining a corrected flow (Fc) of a flui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Paul Logue, Jerry E. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7506551
    Abstract: A flow tube composed of a bent tube having a shape symmetrical with respect to a first axis is supported at its both ends by support portions having an outlet and inlet respectively. A drive device for alternately driving the flow tube rotationally about a second axis connecting the positions where the flow tube is supported is disposed on the vertical axis of a Coriolis flowmeter. A Pair of second drive devices for alternately driving the flow tube rotationally is disposed at positions laterally symmetrical with respect to the drive device. The paired second drive devices are driven in phase; the drive device is driven with the opposite phase to those of the second drive devices. A pair of vibration detecting sensors is disposed between the drive device and one of the second drive device and between the drive device and the other respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kitami
  • Patent number: 7505854
    Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
  • Patent number: 7500404
    Abstract: Strain gauges A, B for a bending portion cross each other and are stuck to a strain gauge sticking portion 7 for a bending portion located in a portion applying centrifugal force or centripetal force of a fluid thereto in a bending portion 4 in a bending circular tube 1 formed by bending a tube circulating the fluid therein. Further, strain gauges C, D for compensating static pressure and temperature cross each other and are stuck to a strain gauge sticking portion 11 for a straight tube portion located in a straight tube portion 8 connected to the bending portion 4 in the bending circular tube 1. Detecting signals of strain gauges A, B for a bending portion and strain gauges C, D for compensation are guided to an opposite position of a bridge circuit 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Takashi Yamane, Ryo Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20090038411
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20090013799
    Abstract: A correction system provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement of a coriolis meter. The correction system includes a gas volume fraction (GVF) meter, which may include an array of strained-based or pressure sensors, to measure the speed of sound propagating through the fluid passing through the coriolis meter to calculate at least the GVF of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. The calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit for determining an improved mass flow rate and/or density for the coriolis meter. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: CIDRA Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7472606
    Abstract: A single input, multiple output flow meter (200) is provided. The flow meter (200) includes an intake conduit (202) and a flow divider (203). The flow meter (200) further includes a first flow sensor element (204) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a first output conduit (206), and is configured to generate a first flow signal. The flow meter (200) further includes at least a second flow sensor element (205) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a second output conduit (207), and is configured to generate a second flow signal. The input flow can be metered through the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204), can be metered through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205), or can be simultaneously metered through both the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204) and through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Seddon, Eugene M. Shanahan, Steven M. Jones, Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 7474971
    Abstract: An example method for determining at least one characteristic of a multiphase fluid includes applying alternating energy of predetermined amplitude to a portion of a multiphase fluid and measuring the electrical impedance spectrum across the portion of the multiphase fluid, whereby a characteristic of the multiphase fluid can be determined from the measured electrical impedance spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Shenggen Hu, Bruce Firth
  • Patent number: 7464610
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lötters, Jan Marinus Zwikker
  • Patent number: 7448283
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vibration-type measuring device for measuring at least one process variable, in particular a mass flow rate, a density, a viscosity, a pressure or the like, in particular in a process line through which a medium can flow, which device comprises at least one measurement sensor which provides a measurement signal that can be influenced by the process variable, the measured value determined for the process variable by the measuring device being able to be determined from a functional relationship in conjunction with measurement parameters from the measurement signal, and the measurement parameters having a temperature-dependent cross-sensitivity with respect to the temperature distribution in the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Joerg Gebhardt, Rene Friedrichs, Guenter Petri, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7441469
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that measures the flow through a conduit (702) by measuring the Coriolis coupling between two vibration modes in the conduit. The conduit is first excited at two different vibration modes at two different frequencies (704). The coupling between the two modes is determined by forcing the phases of the two modes at the off mode frequency to be zero (708). The flow through the conduit can then be determined using the magnitude of the forces required to drive the phases of the two modes at the off mode frequency to zero (710).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Shelley, Thomas Dean Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080257065
    Abstract: A single input, multiple output flow meter (200) is provided. The flow meter (200) includes an intake conduit (202) and a flow divider (203). The flow meter (200) further includes a first flow sensor element (204) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a first output conduit (206), and is configured to generate a first flow signal. The flow meter (200) further includes at least a second flow sensor element (205) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a second output conduit (207), and is configured to generate a second flow signal. The input flow can be metered through the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204), can be metered through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205), or can be simultaneously metered through both the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204) and through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Seddon, Eugene M. Shanahan, Steven M. Jones, Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 7437949
    Abstract: In order that a flow tube of a Coriolis flowmeter may be vibrated in a tertiary mode using one drive device, the drive device is arranged at an antinode in the center of tertiary mode vibration, and vibration detecting sensors are arranged at two antinodes other than the antinode in the center of tertiary mode vibration. Moreover, the displacement polarity of the drive device is opposite to that of the vibration detecting sensors so that the vibration phases of the flow tube are in a relation of mutually opposite phases. Furthermore, in a positive feedback loop of an excitation circuit portion for exciting tertiary mode vibration of the flow tube and the vibration detecting sensors , the excitation circuit portion is structured so that the relation between the displacement polarities where the vibration phases of the flow tube are opposite to one another is converted to the relation where the vibration phases of the flow tube are in phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakao, Seiji Kobayashi, Norio Sukemura
  • Patent number: 7437950
    Abstract: A start tube section (27) of a first bent tube (31) has a first parallel subsection (27a) substantially parallel to a start tube section (28) of a second bent tube (32) or to a continuous section (35) between a return tube section (29) of the first bent tube (31) and the start tube section (28) of the second bent tube (32), a first bent subsection (27b) continuous with the first parallel subsection (27a), and a first start tube section body subsection (27c) extending gradually away from the start tube section (28) of the second bent tube (32) due to presence of the first bent subsection (27b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 7412903
    Abstract: An inline measuring device comprises a vibratory-type transducer and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the vibratory-type transducer. The vibratory-type transducer includes at least one measuring tube being inserted into the course of a pipeline and serving for conducting a mixture to be measured. An exciter arrangement acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate and a sensor arrangement sensing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube and delivering at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. The measuring device electronics delivers an excitation current driving the exciter arrangement. Further, the inline measuring device electronics is adapted to produce a measured value representing the physical, measured quantity of the mixture to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 7409873
    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 are fixed so as to be in a non-parallel state such that the distance between the two increases as they depart from the fixing member, and the first outlet portion and the second outlet portion are similarly arranged in a non-parallel state. The first and second inlet portions and the first and second outlet portions are fixed so as to be arranged symmetrically. Further, the first outlet portion, the second inlet portion, and the connecting tube portion are arranged such that their tube axes are in a straight line. Further, the distance between driven portions is made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Yuichi Nakao, Norio Sukemura
  • Publication number: 20080184813
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill, Denis M. Henrot
  • Patent number: 7406878
    Abstract: For measuring a medium, the medium flows through at least one inline measuring device measuring tube joined into the course of a pipeline, especially a measuring tube which vibrates, at least at times. Using an inline measuring device sensor arrangement arranged on the measuring tube and/or in its vicinity and reacting, at least mediately, to changes of the at least one physical parameter of the medium, at least one measurement signal is produced, which is influenced by at least one physical parameter of the medium in the measuring tube. Additionally, pressures effective in the medium are registered, in order to determine repeatedly a pressure difference existing in the flowing medium at least in part along the at least one measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7404336
    Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable conduit, and a driver connected to the conduit that is operable to impart motion to the conduit. A sensor is connected to the conduit and is operable to sense the motion of the conduit and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to detect a single-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a first process during the single-phase flow condition to generate a validated mass-flow measurement. The controller is also operable to detect a two-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a second process during the two-phase flow condition to generate the validated mass-flow measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Maria Jesus De La Fuente
  • Patent number: 7392709
    Abstract: An inline measuring device serves for measuring a medium, especially a gaseous and/or liquid medium, in a pipeline. It includes, a vibration-type measurement pickup and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measurement pickup. The measurement pickup has at least one measuring tube vibrating during operation and communicating with the pipeline, an electromechanical, especially electrodynamic, exciter mechanism acting on the at least one measuring tube for producing and maintaining mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube, a sensor arrangement for producing at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube and having at least one oscillation sensor arranged on the measuring tube or in its vicinity, and a measurement pickup housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Eckert
  • Publication number: 20080148868
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type with a tube through which a medium flows during operation and with excitation elements for causing the entire tube or part thereof to perform a rotational vibration about a primary axis of rotation during operation. The excitation elements are electromagnetic and do not make contact with the tube during operation and have no components that are fastened to the tube. More The tube is made of an electrically conducting material, and the excitation elements include first members for causing an electric current to flow through the tube during operation and second elements for generating a magnetic field at the area of a portion of the tube. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current and in operation either the current or the magnetic field changes its sign periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Joost Conrad Lotters, Jan Marinus Zwikker