Drive And Sensor Element Located On Straight Conduit Portion Patents (Class 73/861.357)
  • Publication number: 20100281999
    Abstract: A method for determining tube wall thickness of at least one measuring tube of a Coriolis, flow measuring device, wherein the Coriolis, flow measuring device has an oscillatory system, which includes at least one measuring tube, and at least one exciter, by which the oscillatory system is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations. In the method, at least one excitation input variable of the at least one exciter and at least one response variable of oscillations of the oscillatory system caused thereby are registered. Additionally, a tube wall thickness of the at least one measuring tube is ascertained by inserting the excitation input variable and the response variable into a transfer equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec
    Inventors: Marcel Braum, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 7831400
    Abstract: A system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes comprises a means for calibrating the flow meter for a number of desired modes. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes includes a means for determining a density of a material flowing through the flow meter associated with each mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes further includes a means for determining the flow rate effect on density for each desired mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes a means for calculating a flow rate based on the density and flow rate effect on density values for each desired mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Marc Allan Buttler, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Publication number: 20100275703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to flow devices that measure a characteristic of a flowing substance and methods for operating flow devices. In one embodiment, a drive (40) is provided that receives a first signal (55) for vibrating at least one conduit (20) at a resonance frequency and a second signal (56) for vibrating the at least one conduit (20) at a frequency that is different than the resonance frequency. In another embodiment, a drive (140) is provided that alternates between receiving a drive signal (155) to vibrate at least one conduit (120) at a resonance frequency and providing a pick-off signal (145) for measuring motion of the at least one conduit (120). In another embodiment, one or more electronics (50, 150) are provided that determine a mode of vibration of at least one conduit (20, 120) and compare the determined mode of vibration to one or more reference modes of vibration to determine whether a substance is flowing within the at least one conduit (20, 120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis, Paul J. Hays
  • Publication number: 20100263456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibrating flow device that includes at least one conduit, at least one drive, at least one pick-off, and at least one housing. The at least one drive vibrates the at least one conduit at one or more drive frequencies and the at least one pick-off measures the motion of the at least one conduit. The at least one housing encompasses at least a portion of the at least one conduit. The at least one housing's modes of vibration occur at frequencies that exceed the one or more drive frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton R. Griffin, Michele Moore, Anthony William Pankratz
  • Publication number: 20100257943
    Abstract: A measuring system having a measuring transducer, which generates primary signals influenced by at least one measured variable characterizing the flowing medium; an evaluating circuit electrically coupled with the measuring transducer and processing primary signals delivered by the measuring transducer to measured values. The measuring transducer includes: at least one measuring tube, which serves for conveying medium to be measured; an exciter mechanism acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate; as well as a sensor arrangement serving for registering oscillations of the measuring tube. A first oscillation sensor, a first primary signal of the measuring transducer representing vibrations of the measuring tube, by means of a second oscillation sensor spaced from the first oscillation sensor. A third oscillation sensor arranged on the measuring tube and spaced both from the first oscillation sensor as well as also from the second oscillation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Christof Huber
  • Publication number: 20100251830
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Christof Huber, Michael Kirst
  • Publication number: 20100242624
    Abstract: The measuring transducer serves for registering at least one physical, measured variable of a flowable medium guided in a pipeline and/or for producing Coriolis forces serving for registering a mass flow rate of a flowable medium guided in a pipeline. For such purpose, the measuring transducer comprises: A transducer housing (71), of which an inlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an inlet-side, flow divider (201) having exactly four flow openings (201A, 201B, 201C, 201D) spaced, in each case, from one another and an outlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an outlet-side, flow divider (202) having exactly four flow openings (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D) spaced, in each case, from one another; as well as exactly four, straight, measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) connected to the flow dividers (201, 202) for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Martin Anklin, Christof Huber
  • Patent number: 7802484
    Abstract: A compact vibratory flowmeter (200) for measuring flow characteristics of a multi-phase flow material at a flow material pressure of greater than about 10 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) includes one or more flow conduits (301), at least two pickoff sensors (308), and a driver (309). The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) further includes a maximum water drive frequency in the one or more flow conduits (301) that is less than about 250 Hertz (Hz) and an aspect ratio (L/H) of the one or more flow conduits (301) that is greater than about 2.5. A height-to-bore ratio (H/B) of the one or more flow conduits (301) is less than about 10 and a bowed flow conduit geometry includes end bend angles ? of between about 120 degrees and about 170 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Publication number: 20100236338
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprising: a transducer housing, of which an inlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an inlet-side, flow divider having exactly four flow openings spaced, in each case, from one another and an outlet-side, housing end is formed by means of an outlet-side, flow divider having exactly four flow openings spaced, in each case, from one another; as well as exactly four, straight, measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel. The measuring transducer includes an electromechanical exciter mechanism for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the four measuring tubes. The measuring tubes are excitable pairwise to execute opposite phase bending oscillations in, in each case, a shared imaginary plane of oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Alfred Rieder, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Christof Huber
  • Publication number: 20100206090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Mirco Motion Inc
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Publication number: 20100175456
    Abstract: A multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216?) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202). The at least one additional flow stream is independent of the first flow stream. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes a common driver (220) configured to vibrate both the first flow conduit (201) and the at least one additional flow conduit (202) in order to generate a first vibrational response and at least one additional vibrational response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Gregory Treat Lanham, Mark James Bell
  • Publication number: 20100170322
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Mrico Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20100154564
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with a Coriolis tube that is fastened in a housing and that can be excited with a certain frequency, wherein a balancing mass (inertia) is arranged with rotational flexibility between the tube fastening and the housing. In particular, a spring steel plate is used for providing a connection rigidity between the balancing mass and the housing, which plate comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion cut out from the fixed portion, wherein the incisions are formed such that the fixed and movable portions are interconnected via resilient plate portions, which resilient plate portions are in particular elongate strips lying in one line and realizing a rotational flexibility (torsion), while abutments are provided which limit the amplitude of movements of the balancing mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Wouter van de GEEST, Marcel Ronald KATERBERG, Jan Marinus ZWIKKER, Hernes JACOBS
  • Publication number: 20100154563
    Abstract: A compact vibratory flowmeter (200) for measuring flow characteristics of a cement flow material at a cement flow material pressure of greater than about 10 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) includes at least two pickoff sensors (308) and a driver (309). The compact vibratory flowmeter (200) further includes one or more flow conduits (301). The at least two pickoff sensors (308) are affixed to the one or more flow conduits (301) and the driver (309) is configured to vibrate the one or more flow conduits (301). The one or more flow conduits (301) include a drive frequency that is less than about 200 Hertz (Hz) and a frequency ratio of the drive frequency to a fluid resonant frequency of the cement flow material that is less than about 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Mark James Bell, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Publication number: 20100139416
    Abstract: A method for operating a resonance measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flowmeter, an oscillation element is excited to oscillation and the oscillations of the oscillation element are detected by an oscillation sensor and are formed as at least one response signal of a respective eigenform. Orthogonal projection components of the response signal are created, at least a first value corresponding to an eigenfrequency of the resonance measuring system is determined with at least a part of the alternating components of the projection components, at least a second value corresponding to the eigenfrequency of the resonance measuring system is determined with at least a part of the constant components of the projection components and the first and the second value correspondents are used for exciting the resonance measuring system with at least one control in at least one control loop in the eigenform corresponding to the eigenfrequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Kourosh KOLAHI
  • Publication number: 20100139417
    Abstract: A method for operating a resonance-measuring system, in particular, a Coriolis mass flowmeter, having at least one oscillation element, at least one oscillation driver and at least one oscillation sensor, the oscillation element being excited to oscillation in at least one control using at least one control loop by at least one oscillation driver being excited by at least one excitation signal and the excited oscillations of the oscillation element being detected by the oscillation sensors as at least one response signal. At least one set variable of the closed loop is varied in a pre-determined manner and by evaluating at least one resulting excitation signal and/or at least one resulting response signal with the help of a mathematical model of the resonance-measuring system, at least one parameter of the excited eigenform is selectively identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Kourosh KOLAHI
  • Publication number: 20100132480
    Abstract: A magnet assembly includes: a magnetic field delivering, especially rod-shaped, permanent magnet; a retaining assembly fixedly connected with the permanent magnet and having a retaining head facing the permanent magnet and serving for holding the permanent magnet, and a retaining bolt affixed to the retaining head; and a magnet cup having a cup floor and a cup wall extending from the cup floor. The retaining head of the retaining assembly is at least partially accommodated in a passageway provided in the cup floor, so that an outer contact surface of the retaining head and an inner contact surface of the passageway contact one another to form a force-based interlocking between magnet cup and retaining assembly. The magnet assembly is, especially, provided for application as an oscillation transducer and/or for use in a measuring transducer of vibration type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
  • Publication number: 20100122585
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow sensor with at least one vibrating flow tube through which a medium flows, includes elements for exciting the tube, and optical detection element for determining the movements of one or several points of the tube based on the principle of reflection of a light beam against the photosensitive surface of a light sensor. The light beam is directed at the tube wall, at a layer provided on this wall, or at an element fastened against this wall, wherein elements for shaping the beam are arranged for making the convergence of the beam in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the Coriolis forces smaller than the convergence in the direction of movement of the tube associated with the excitation forces. The sensitivity in the detection of the small movements of the tube caused by the Coriolis forces is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Dannis Michel BROUWER, Aditya MEHENDALE, Lars KRISTIANSEN, Marvin Ernst Eckhard KLEIN, Marcel Ronald KATERBERG
  • Patent number: 7711501
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Publication number: 20100101333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, which medium flows through a measuring tube, wherein the measuring tube is contacted by at least two transducer elements, by means of which the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations and by means of which mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable. Each of the at least two transducer elements is applied, offset in time, alternately, for exciting the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and for receiving the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Michael Kirst
  • Patent number: 7706987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically calculating the relative phase of the left eigenvector for a vibrating conduit is provided. During normal operation, two drivers are used in tandem to excite the main bending mode of the conduit (202). Periodically, first one (204), then the second (206), of the two drivers is disabled, allowing measurements that enable the determination of the relative phase of the left eigenvector (208) for the vibrating conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Sharp, David Frederick Normen, Stuart J. Shelley
  • Patent number: 7698956
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (11) with a vibrating direction restriction means includes flow tubes (13, 13), a drive means (14) for driving the flow tubes (13, 13), and phase difference detection means (15, 15) for detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Coriolis force. The Coriolis flow meter further includes plate springs (16, 16) functioning as vibrating direction restriction means, and a flow tube fixing member (17) also functioning as a vibrating direction restriction means and serving to fix the flow tubes (13, 13) in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 7698957
    Abstract: A measurement transducer includes: At least one interconnected system formed by means of at least two components, especially components of metal. At least the first component of the interconnected system is, in such case, embodied as a composite, formed part composed of at least two materials, which differ from one another with respect to at least one physical and/or chemical property, especially a material density, melting temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and/or modulus of elasticity, etc. As a result of using at least one composite component, the at least two components of the interconnected system can be bonded together lastingly and reliably, especially by means of welding, such being true especially also for the case in which the interconnected system is a bi-, or poly-, metal, interconnected system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Wolfgang Drahm, Rainer Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20100094570
    Abstract: A method includes creating Coriolis-based deflection in at least one oscillating flow tube of a flow meter, which is caused by material flowing through the at least one flow tube. The method also includes determining a deflection amplitude and deflection period using interferometric measurements. The method further includes determining a characteristic of the material using the amplitude and period and transmitting the characteristic. A laser interferometer could include a photo-detector. The deflection period could be based on variations in a period of fringes in the photo-detector's output. The deflection amplitude could be based on a number of fringes during the deflection period. A resonant frequency of the at least one flow tube can be determined using the deflection period, and a density of the material can be determined using the resonant frequency. The characteristic of the material could include a mass flow rate or a volumetric flow rate of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Gonia, Chunbo Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100089174
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a viscosity of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (200) configured to generate a density (p) of a flow material, generate a first mass flow rate (m1) for a first flowtube (210a), and a second mass flow rate (m2) for a second flowtube (210b). The vibratory flow meter (5) further includes a restrictive orifice (252) located in the first flowtube (210a). The restrictive orifice (252) ensures a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube (210a) is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube (210b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 7694585
    Abstract: A straight tube type Coriolis flowmeter is equipped with a straight-tube-type flow tube, a drive device for driving by a tertiary mode vibration, a pair of detection unit for detecting a phase difference proportional to a Coriolis force, a pedestal having rigidity, and elastic connection members having elasticity. Assuming that an axial direction of the flow tube is a Z-axis, that a driving direction of the drive device is an X-axis, and that a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis and the X-axis is a Y-axis, the elastic connection members are of a structure exhibiting lower rigidity in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and exhibiting lower rigidity in a direction of rotation around the Y-axis than in a direction of rotation around the Z-axis and a direction of rotation around the X-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20100083770
    Abstract: A process for continuous measurement of a dynamic fluid consumption, particularly fuel consumption, uses a continuously working flow rate sensor (7) with variable pressure drop, preferably a mass flow sensor, whereby the pressure downstream of the flow rate sensor (7) is determined for controlling the transport of fluid. In order to make a continuous, precise, and also chronologically highly resolved measurement of consumption and the highly dynamic determination of the flow rate value possible with a design that is as simple as possible, at least at one point in time, the pressure directly upstream of the flow rate sensor (7), the difference of the two pressure values is also determined, and based on this difference, a value for the flow rate of the fluid is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Karl Köck, Michael Cernusca
  • Patent number: 7690269
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jens Simonsen
  • Publication number: 20100050783
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter is provided which operates on the Coriolis principle, having (1) at least four measurement tubes which can oscillate and through which a medium can flow, (2) at least one oscillation generator for excitation of the oscillations of the measurement tube, and (3) at least one oscillation sensor for detection of the excited oscillations of the measurement tubes. The measurement tubes are preferably arranged closely in parallel such that the flow cross section covered by the measurement tubes covers as small an area as possible. The use of four or more compactly arranged measurement tubes advantageously allows for the measurement of a high mass flow rate with measurement tubes having a relatively small cross section and length, resulting in a mass flowmeter having compact length and width dimensions, and which requires only a relatively low energy oscillation generator for excitation of the oscillations of the measurement tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KROHNE AG
    Inventors: Yousif HUSSAIN, Christopher ROLPH, Tao WANG
  • Publication number: 20100043569
    Abstract: Measuring transducer of the vibration type for measuring a mass flow of a flowing medium. The measuring transducer includes two straight measuring tubes for conveying the medium, wherein the measuring tubes are arranged in parallel to one another and the measuring transducer is embodied with micromechanical construction. The measuring transducer of the vibration type of the invention permits reliable measurement of the smallest mass flows of a flowing medium in the form of, for example, a liquid or a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Mamadi Keita, Christian Schütze, Jenish Gheewala
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100037708
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device and method for operating the device to determine a property of a fluid. The device has a tube that extends from a base and is spaced apart from a substrate surface for vibrational movement in a plane normal to the surface. The tube defines a continuous internal passage having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet fluidically connected to the base. A cantilevered member attached to a distal portion of the tube opposite the base is configured for vibrational movement relative to the distal portion. A drive electrode operable to induce vibrational movements in the tube and cantilevered member is disposed on the substrate surface. Sensing electrodes are disposed on the substrate surface for sensing Coriolis-induced deflections of the tube when vibrated, generating outputs from which a property of a fluid flowing through the tube can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
  • Publication number: 20100031755
    Abstract: A measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube vibrating at least at times during operation, having a wall thickness (s) and at least one oscillation sensor, especially an electrodynamic oscillation sensor, for producing at least one primary signal of the measuring transducer representing vibrations of the measuring tube. In the measuring transducer at least one securement element, especially a metal securement element, fixedly encircling the measuring tube essentially along a circumferential line thereof and having a total width (B), for holding a component of the oscillation sensor, especially a magnet coil or a permanent magnet, on the measuring tube is provided. The securement element has an essentially rectangular outer perimeter with a projection protruding out therefrom by a height (h) and serving for holding the component of the oscillation sensor. The projection has a width (e), which is smaller than the total width (B) of the securement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Christian SCHÜTZA, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Vivek Kumar
  • Patent number: 7658116
    Abstract: A 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; and a transducer housing affixed to the inlet tube piece and the outlet tube piece. An exciter mechanism, for driving at least the measuring tube, and a sensor arrangement, for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube, are, in each case, secured, at least in part, to the counteroscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 7654153
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation is vibrated by an excitation assembly and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. The transducer further comprises a torsional vibration absorber which is fixed to the flow tube and which in operation covibrates with the torsionally vibrating flow tube, thus producing reactive torques which at least partially balance torques developed in the vibrating flow tube. One of the advantages of the transducer disclosed is that it is dynamically balanced to a large extent even in the face of variations in fluid density or viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7654152
    Abstract: A 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 on an inlet side and an outlet tube piece on an outlet side; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on the inlet and outlet sides to form coupling zones; an cantilever coupled with the measuring tube on the inlet side; an cantilever coupled with the measuring tube on the outlet side; 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 to the outlet tube piece; as well as connection lines, of which at least one is secured at least pointwise to the transducer housing and at least pointwise to an inner part of the measuring transducer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20100011882
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vibratory measurement instrument comprises flowing a fluid through at least one measurement tube; causing the measuring tube to oscillate mechanically using an oscillation production unit; detecting an oscillation behavior of the tube using at least one oscillation sensor; determining at least one of a mass flow, a viscosity, and a density in a narrowband frequency range based on the oscillation behavior; evaluating at least one of the mass flow, the viscosity, and the density using signal processing of an electronics unit; and evaluating the oscillation behavior at least at times in a broadband frequency range using the electronics unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Gebhardt, Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller, Rene Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20100005906
    Abstract: A flow meter of Coriolis type includes a supporting base that supports a pair of fluid pipes in a manner capable of being vibrated, and a frame fixed to the supporting base. The frame is integrally formed with a mounting portion disposed between the fluid pipes and having a thickness that does not interfere with the fluid pipes, a reinforcing portion disposed at the outer circumference of the mounting portion and enhancing the rigidity of the mounting portion, and a fixing portion for being fixed to the supporting base. The reinforcing portion has an outer wall portion that protrudes at least to one side of the thickness direction of the mounting portion, and substantially continuously surrounds the outer circumference of the fluid pipes. Penetrating portions for disposing the coils corresponding to respective magnetic substances mounted on the fluid pipe are formed in the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimizu, Kazuhiro Makino
  • Publication number: 20100000334
    Abstract: The flowmeter is provided with an oscillation circuit receiving supply of electric power in a non-insulated manner from an external power source and supplying the electric power to the coil to drive the magnetic substance, an insulating unit for insulating the coil from the magnetic substance and/or the electrically conductive fluid pipe, and a shielding unit being short-circuited to have a stable electric potential relative to the external power source and shielding the coil against the magnetic substance and the fluid pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Katsurada
  • 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: 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: 20090272173
    Abstract: A three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) is provided according to the invention. The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (210a) conducting a first flow stream, a second flow conduit (210b) that is independent of the first flow stream, and a common driver (216) configured to vibrate the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b). The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) further includes three pickoff sensors (218, 219a, 219b) configured to provide first and second time delay values (?t1) and (?t2) for the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Mark James Bell, Gregory Treat Lanham
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090266177
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter has a measuring tube that can be excited to oscillation, an oscillation driver and/or an oscillation sensor, wherein the oscillation driver and/or the oscillation sensor has a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is arranged in a magnet holder so that a sure and simple fixation of the permanent magnet is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Yousif Hussain, Tao wang, Chris Rolph, Neil Harrison
  • Publication number: 20090249891
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter is disclosed that uses the deflection of a torsion member (430) to balance the vibration of a single curved flow tube (308). The two ends of the torsion member are attached to, and vibrate with, a center section of the single flow tube (308). A balance member (432) is attached to a center section of the torsion member (430) and vibrates in the opposite phase of the single flow tube (308) causing the torsion member (430) to be deflected in torsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 7562586
    Abstract: An inline measuring device comprising a measurement pickup of vibration-type and measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measurement pickup. The measurement pickup includes at least one, essentially straight measuring tube, an exciter mechanism acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate, during operation, with torsional oscillations about a torsional oscillation axis, and a sensor arrangement for registering 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, at least at times, an exciter signal driving the exciter mechanism and generates, by means of at least one of: the at least one oscillation measurement signal and the exciter signal, at least one measured value, which represents at least one physical, measured variable of the medium to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7549319
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high pressure vibrating tube densitometer comprising enclosing twin flow tubes within an outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises portals for the installation or replacement of internal components. A vibrating tube densitometer system for determining the density of a high pressure fluid in a pipeline, the system comprising a densitometer in communication with a controller, the densitometer comprising twin straight flow tubes spaced parallel apart within an outer shell comprising one or more portals for the placement of internal components, wherein the controller is in signal communication with a signal pickup, a tube driver, and the at least one temperature or pressure sensor and calculating the density of a fluid having a pressure of greater than 1500 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Dick C. Headrick
  • Patent number: 7543509
    Abstract: A device for measuring the mass rate of flow which operates according to the Coriolis principle, with a measurement tube (1) and a magnet coil (7) of a bobbin (9) and a winding (10) attached to it for exciting and/or detecting vibrations of the measurement tube (1). The bobbin (9) of the magnet coil (7) has a specific thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/(K m). This enables the heat which forms in the magnet coil (7) to be efficiently dissipated to the surrounding vicinity without cooling elements, such as cooling fins, being necessary. In this way, the efficiency of the device for measuring the mass rate of flow using the Coriolis principle is altogether improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventor: Lawrence Davies
  • Publication number: 20090139349
    Abstract: A measurement transducer includes: At least one interconnected system formed by means of at least two components, especially components of metal. At least the first component of the interconnected system is, in such case, embodied as a composite, formed part composed of at least two materials, which differ from one another with respect to at least one physical and/or chemical property, especially a material density, melting temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and/or modulus of elasticity, etc. As a result of using at least one composite component, the at least two components of the interconnected system can be bonded together lastingly and reliably, especially by means of welding, such being true especially also for the case in which the interconnected system is a bi-, or poly-, metal, interconnected system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7520162
    Abstract: A vibration meter and a method of measuring a viscosity of a fluid flowing through a pipe are disclosed. The vibration meter comprises meter electronics and a transducer assembly with an electromechanical excitation arrangement and with a flow tube which oscillates in operation. A sensor arrangement produces sensor signals representative of inlet-side and outlet-side deflections of the flow tube. An evaluation circuit derives from said sensor signals and from an excitation current generated by an excitation circuit for the excitation arrangement a viscosity value representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm