Signal Processing Or Analysis Details Patents (Class 73/861.356)
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Patent number: 8467986Abstract: Drive techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The drive techniques account for delays caused during digital signal processing of sensor signals that correspond to a motion of a flowtube, as well as drive signals that impart motion to the flowtube. Such delays may be caused by a variety of factors, including delays associated with analog/digital conversion of the signals and/or filtering of the signals. The techniques include open-loop techniques and closed-loop techniques, which can be used separately or together during the start-up and operation of the digital flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Publication number: 20130145863Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Maria Jesus De La Fuente
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Patent number: 8448491Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
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Patent number: 8447534Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 8408073Abstract: A microfluidic device and sensing method that utilize a resonating tube configured to have sufficient sensitivity to be capable of sensing the volume of a gas present as bubbles in a liquid or the flow rate and/or density of a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The tube has a freestanding tube portion supported above a surface of a substrate so as to be capable of vibrating in a plane normal to the surface of the substrate. As a gas-containing fluid flows through an internal passage of the tube, a drive signal vibrates the freestanding tube portion at a resonant frequency thereof. Coriolis-induced deflections of the freestanding tube portion are sensed relative to the substrate to produce an output corresponding to the sensed deflections, and the drive signal and/or the output are assessed to determine the volume, density and/or flow rate of the gas of the gas-containing fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems Inc.Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
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Patent number: 8396674Abstract: A vibration-type measuring device includes an exciter arrangement which exerts a time-dependent force with at least one sinusoidal component at an adjustable excitation frequency on a measuring tube, through which a medium can flow, and causes the measuring tube to oscillate. The measuring device includes first and second sensors which are fitted to the measuring tube at different locations. The first and second sensors output first and second measurement signals, respectively. The measuring device includes an evaluation unit which determines a first phase shift between the first and second measurement signals and uses the determined phase shift to determine a measurement variable of the medium. The measuring device includes a phase comparator, which determines a second phase shift between the force and the average value of the first and second measurement signals, and a frequency generator which sets the excitation frequency on the basis of the second phase shift.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Beat Kramer, Frank Kassubek, Steffen Keller
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Patent number: 8374805Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter includes a vibrator configured to vibrate a measurement conduct line, an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor, which are placed at a certain distance in the measurement conduct line and are configured to detect the vibration of the measurement conduct line, a first effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the first signal, a second effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the second signal, a ratio computation section configured to receive the effective value of the first signal and the effective value of the second signal and to compute the ratio of both values, and an anomaly diagnosis section configured to make a comparison between the computed ratio and a certain value and to generate an alarm.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Akinori Yoshino, Nobuo Miyaji, Akimichi Kadoguchi
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Patent number: 8347735Abstract: A method for operating a flow meter is provided. The flow meter includes a driver and pickoff sensors coupled to a flow tube. The driver is adapted to vibrate the flow tube in response to a drive signal. The method comprises setting a target pickoff voltage and measuring a flow meter temperature. The method further comprises generating a temperature compensated target pickoff voltage and controlling the drive signal to maintain a temperature compensated flow tube amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Roger Scott Loving
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Publication number: 20130000418Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. 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. In a digital synthesis mode of operation, the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal. The digital flowmeter may revert to a previous mode to regain stable and desired oscillation of the flowtube, such as might be required during a recovery operation associated with a disturbance to an operation of the digital flowmeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Patent number: 8342199Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a coriolis flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan E. Deline, Ryan C. Garrett, Michael C. Liebal, Edward Payne, Brent K. Price, Rodger K. Williams, Zhou Yang
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Patent number: 8327718Abstract: A very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) is provided. The very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103A, 103B). The flow meter assembly (10) is configured to generate a very low frequency vibrational response that is below a predetermined minimum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid independent of a foreign material size or a foreign material composition. The very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) further includes meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and configured to receive the very low frequency vibrational response and generate one or more flow measurements therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Joel Weinstein
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Patent number: 8327717Abstract: A very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) is provided. The very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103A, 103B). The flow meter assembly (10) is configured to generate a very high frequency response that is above a predetermined maximum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid independent of a foreign material size or a foreign material composition. The very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) further includes meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and configured to receive the very high frequency vibrational response and generate one or more flow measurements therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Joel Weinstein
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Patent number: 8302491Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
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Patent number: 8224593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Publication number: 20120160036Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 8201459Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Maria Jesus De La Fuente
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Publication number: 20120096950Abstract: First and second ?? modulators convert output signals of two sensors into pulse density signals. First and second LPFs convert the pulse density signals into multi-bit signals. A signal computing module calculates a mass flow rate based on the multi-bit signals. A resonance circuit generates an excitation signal based on the output signals of the sensors. A drive output module amplifies the excitation signal. An exciter excites the measurement tube using an amplified excitation signal. A multiplier amplifies one of the pulse density signals to generate a multi-bit signal. An amplification factor controller controls an amplification factor of the multiplier based on the multi-bit signal. A third ?? modulator converts an amplified signal into a pulse density signal. A DAC generates the excitation signal based on the pulse density signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Masami WADA
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Patent number: 8151653Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter 10 vibrates a measurement tube through which a fluid subject to measurement flows, detects vibrations including Coriolis force developed in the fluid from the vibrations, and measures a mass flow rate of the fluid from a detection signal. The Coriolis flowmeter is characterized by including fluctuation calculation section 50 that calculates fluctuations from a detection signal SA; status value calculation section 60 that calculates a status value showing a state of air bubbles in the fluid from the fluctuations calculated by the fluctuation calculation section 50, and determination section 70 that determines a state of air bubbles from the status value calculated by the status value calculation section 60.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Nobuo Miyaji, Toshio Iino, Akinori Yoshino
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Patent number: 8141432Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a differential pressure flowmeter. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, Robbie Lansangan, Michael Reese
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Patent number: 8117921Abstract: 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 an individual flow rate of each phase within a multi-phase flow through the flowtube.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventors: Michael S. Tombs, Manus P. Henry, Mihaela D. Duta, Robbie Lansangan, Robert E. Dutton, Wade M. Mattar
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Patent number: 8117040Abstract: A system and method for identifying, reporting, and evaluating a presence of a solid, liquid, gas, or other substance of interest, particularly a dangerous, hazardous, or otherwise threatening chemical, biological, or radioactive substance. The system comprises one or more substantially automated, location self-aware remote sensing units; a control unit; and one or more data processing and storage servers. Data is collected by the remote sensing units and transmitted to the control unit; the control unit generates and uploads a report incorporating the data to the servers; and thereafter the report is available for review by a hierarchy of responsive and evaluative authorities via a wide area network. The evaluative authorities include a group of relevant experts who may be widely or even globally distributed.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLCInventors: Maurice Smith, Michael Lusby, Arthur Van Hook, Charles J. Cook, Edward G. Wenski, David Solyom
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Publication number: 20110259122Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Andrew Stephen Kravitz
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Publication number: 20110203389Abstract: A signal processing method, a signal processing apparatus, and a Coriolis flowmeter are capable of always performing measurement with constant precision and performing phase measurement with high filtering performance and a small amount of computation even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, air bubbles are mixed into the fluid to be measured, or the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from a gas to a liquid. The Coriolis flowmeter detects at least one of a phase difference and a vibration frequency proportional to a Coriolis force acting on at least one flow tube or a pair of flow tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Hirokazu KITAMI, Hideki Shimada
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Publication number: 20110203388Abstract: [Object] To provide a signal processing apparatus with which, even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, even when air bubbles are mixed into the fluid, to be measured, or even when the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from gas to liquid, measurement may be always performed with constant precision and phase and density measurements may be performed with a small computing amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Hirokazu KITAMI, Hideki Shimada
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Patent number: 8000906Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, David W. Clarke, James H. Vignos
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Patent number: 7996160Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a void fraction of gas in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the frequency response from the interface (201), break out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component, and determine the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Mark James Bell
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Publication number: 20110185822Abstract: A method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes testing one or more first pickoff wires and one or more second pickoff wires of the cabling for pickoff open wire faults. The method further includes testing the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires for pickoff connection orientation faults if no pickoff open wire faults are determined in the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires. The method further includes testing one or more driver wires of the cabling for driver open wire faults. The method further includes testing the driver wires for a driver connection orientation fault if no driver open wire faults are determined in the driver wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. HAYS, Craig B. McAnally
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Publication number: 20110154915Abstract: There is provided a Coriolis mass flowmeter. The flowmeter is configured to vibrate a pipe line through which a fluid flows and measure a mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the pipe line, based on a phase difference between an upstream vibration signal and a downstream vibration signal, wherein the upstream vibration signal is detected in an upstream side of the pipe line, and the downstream vibration signal is detected in a downstream side of the pipe line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshihiro CHIKEN
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Patent number: 7966895Abstract: An in line measuring device, includes a measuring transducer of the vibration-type having: at least one measuring tube vibrating, at least at times, during operation, and serving for conveying, at least at times, a two- or multiphase, flowable medium; an exciter mechanism acting on the measuring tube for producing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube; and a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the at least one measuring tube and for delivering at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. The in line measuring device further includes measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer. The measuring device electronics delivers, at least at times, at least one exciter signal driving the exciter mechanism, and, at least at times, ascertains a damping value of first type, which represents a change of damping opposing the vibrations of the measuring tube within a predeterminable time interval.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Daniel Kuttler, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu, Christof Huber
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Patent number: 7954388Abstract: An inline measuring device, includes a measuring transducer having: at least one measuring tube vibrating, during operation, and serving for conveying, at least at times, a two- or multiphase, flowable medium; an exciter mechanism for producing vibrations of the measuring tube; and a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the measuring tube and for delivering oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. Measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Daniel Kuttler, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu, Christof Huber
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Publication number: 20110107849Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter includes a vibrator configured to vibrate a measurement conduct line, an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor, which are placed at a certain distance in the measurement conduct line and are configured to detect the vibration of the measurement conduct line, a first effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the first signal, a second effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the second signal, a ratio computation section configured to receive the effective value of the first signal and the effective value of the second signal and to compute the ratio of both values, and an anomaly diagnosis section configured to make a comparison between the computed ratio and a certain value and to generate an alarm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Akinori YOSHINO, Nobuo MIYAJI, Akimichi KADOGUCHI
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Patent number: 7941284Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, a system for calculating an average phase difference in a Coriolis flow meter includes a conduit for transferring a fluid. The conduit is caused to vibrate when the fluid flows through the conduit. The system also includes a first and a second detector operable to detect vibrations at first and second portions of the conduit, respectively. The first and second detectors measure the phase of the first and second vibrations, respectively. The system may also include a timer operable to measure a phase difference between the phases of the first and second vibrations, and a memory operable to store one or more values associated with a plurality of phase differences. The plurality of phase differences may include the phase difference measured by the timer. The system may also include a processor operable to calculate an average phase difference using the one or more values.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLCInventor: Stephen P. Glaudel
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Publication number: 20110072912Abstract: A method for operating a flow meter is provided. The flow meter includes a driver and pickoff sensors coupled to a flow tube. The driver is adapted to vibrate the flow tube in response to a drive signal. The method comprises setting a target pickoff voltage and measuring a flow meter temperature. The method further comprises generating a temperature compensated target pickoff voltage and controlling the drive signal to maintain a temperature compensated flow tube amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2008Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion Inc.Inventor: Roger Scott Loving
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Patent number: 7908097Abstract: Meter electronics (20) and methods for detecting a flow anomaly in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) are provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response of the flow material, with the vibrational response including at least a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal and generate at least one flow characteristic using at least the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift, compare the at least one flow characteristic to at least one anomaly profile, detect a shift in the vibrational response if the at least one flow characteristic falls within the anomaly profile, and indicate an anomaly condition as a result of the detecting.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis
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Patent number: 7904256Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
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Publication number: 20110016989Abstract: [Summary] [Object] To provide a signal processing method, a signal processing apparatus, and a Coriolis flowmeter, which may always perform measurement with constant precision and performs phase measurement with high filtering performance and a small amount of computation even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, air bubbles are mixed into the fluid to be measured, or the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from a gas to a liquid. [Solving Means] In a Coriolis flowmeter, a phase difference and/or a vibration frequency proportional to a Coriolis force acting on at least one flow tube or a pair of flow tubes are/is detected, to thereby obtain a mass flow rate and/or density of the fluid to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
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Publication number: 20110016988Abstract: 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 an individual flow rate of each phase within a multi-phase flow through the flowtube.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael S. Tombs, Manus P. Henry, Mihaela D. Duta, Robbie Lansangan, Robert E. Dutton, Wade M. Mattar
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Publication number: 20110011186Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter 10 vibrates a measurement tube through which a fluid subject to measurement flows, detects vibrations including Coriolis force developed in the fluid from the vibrations, and measures a mass flow rate of the fluid from a detection signal. The Coriolis flowmeter is characterized by including fluctuation calculation section 50 that calculates fluctuations from a detection signal SA; status value calculation section 60 that calculates a status value showing a state of air bubbles in the fluid from the fluctuations calculated by the fluctuation calculation section 50, and determination section 70 that determines a state of air bubbles from the status value calculated by the status value calculation section 60.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuo Miyaji, Toshio Iino, Akinori Yoshino
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Publication number: 20110011187Abstract: [Object] To provide a signal processing apparatus which may always perform measurement with constant precision and performs phase measurement with high filtering performance and a small amount of computation even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, air bubbles are mixed into the fluid to be measured, or the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from a gas to a liquid. [Solving Means] In a Coriolis flowmeter, a vibrator is operated to vibrate at least one flow tube or a pair of flow tubes (2 and 3). A phase difference and/or a vibration frequency proportional to a Coriolis force acting on the flow tubes (2 and 3) are/is detected by vibration detection sensors to obtain a mass flow rate and/or density of the fluid to be measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Hirokazu Kitami, Hideki Shimada
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Patent number: 7871826Abstract: A method for determining a carbon content value of a hydrocarbon-containing mixture. At least one composition-dependent bulk property of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is measured and optionally at least one non-hydrocarbon component concentration is measured with the resulting measurements used in a carbon content correlation for calculating the carbon content of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture. The carbon content may be used in a hydrogen and/or synthesis gas production process for calculating a target flow rate of steam to be combined with the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to form a mixed feed having a target steam-to-carbon ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
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Patent number: 7854176Abstract: To ascertain the mass-flow of a Coriolis mass-flow meter, an oscillation of a measuring tube is produced with the frequency f and the resulting oscillatory movement is registered at two different measuring points with two oscillation sensors. The analog sensor signals X17, X18 of the two oscillation sensors are converted into digital sensor signals S1 and S2 and further processed in a digital signal processor DSP. In the signal processor DSP, the sum signal ? and the difference signal ? are formed from the two sensor signals S1 and S2. Then the sum signal is rotated by 90°. In a further method step, the shifted sum signal is multiplied with the difference signal ?. After ascertaining the amplitude of the sum signal ?, the mass-flow is ascertained using the formula {dot over (m)}˜|Im(?)|/(|?|f). It is not necessary for the method, that the two sensor signals S1, S2 have equal amplitudes. Thus, a controlling of the analog signals X17, X18 to equal amplitudes can be omitted.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Christian Matt
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Publication number: 20100242623Abstract: The measuring system of the invention comprises: A measuring transducer of vibration-type, through which medium flows during operation and which serves for producing oscillatory signals dependent on a viscosity of the flowing medium and/or a Reynolds number of the flowing medium; as well as a transmitter electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer for driven the measuring transducer and for evaluating oscillatory signals delivered by the measuring transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Ennio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Martin Anklin, Christof Huber, Michael Kirst
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Patent number: 7802484Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
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Patent number: 7805261Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a mass fraction of flow components in a flow material flowing is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) include an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the frequency response from the interface (201) and breaks out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines an overall density from the frequency response and determines a gas density from the gas frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the mass fraction from the void fraction of gas multiplied by a ratio of the gas density divided by the overall density.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally
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Patent number: 7784360Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Maria Jesus De La Fuente
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Patent number: 7783434Abstract: 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 predominanType: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: ABB AGInventors: Dieter Keese, Thomas Blume
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Patent number: 7729885Abstract: Coriolis type flow measuring system for measuring the mass flow rate of a flowing medium, includes a flow tube and sensors associated with the flow tube for generating analog signals corresponding to the movement of the tube, analog to digital conversion elements for converting the analog sensor signals into digitized signals with a sampling frequency, and elements for calculating the mass flow rate from the digitized signals, which system is provided with members for causing the sampling of the sensor signals to take place with a number of different frequencies, elements for continuously measuring the rate at which the flow changes, and elements for selecting a predefined sampling frequency in dependence on the rate of change thus measured.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Berkin B.V.Inventors: Aditya Mehendale, Ronald Wilhelmus Johannes Hoitink
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Patent number: 7726203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, Manus P. Henry, Mihaela D. Duta, Michael S. Tombs
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Patent number: 7716994Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a differential pressure flowmeter. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Mattar, Robbie Lansangan, Michael Reese
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Patent number: 7720625Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a measuring device, especially a flowmeter. The aim of the invention is to simplify inspection if the sensors have been correctly installed. For this purpose, the installation state is detected by the sensors themselves, i.e. by sensing a corresponding sensor value and comparing it with characteristic data. The result of comparison is electronically evaluated and automatically estimated whether the characteristic data obtained match the comparative data within at least a defined tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Dieter Keese, Harry Plotzki, Frank Buhl, Karl-Heinz Rackebrandt, Andreas Thöne, Jörg Herwig, Rolf Merte, Peter Riegler