Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson, P.C.
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Patent number: 6564650Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section and are adapted to be vibrated in phase opposition by a driver. The phase difference between the ends of the vibrating loops is measured. The measured phase difference is used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
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Patent number: 6360579Abstract: A flow meter calibration system uses a plurality of Coriolis effect mass flow meters formed in two arrays to calibrate a meter under test. The system adjusts flow rates to optimum levels for certainty of measurement and performs a statistical analysis permitting the system to be used even in the calibration of other Coriolis flowmeters.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. De Boom, Marc Allan Buttler, Julie Gniffke, Joe J. Longo
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Patent number: 6360175Abstract: A drive system is taught for controlling the modal content of any number of drive signals used to excite any number of drives on a vibrating conduit such as is found in a Coriolis mass flowmeter or a vibrating tube densimeter. One or more motion signals are obtained from one or more spatially distinct feedback sensors. The motion signals are preferably filtered using a multi-channel modal filter to decompose the motion signals, each of which contain modal content at a plurality of vibration modes, into n single degree of freedom modal response signals. Each modal response signal corresponds to one of the vibration modes at which the vibrating conduit is excited. The n modal response signals are input to a drive channel having a separate processing channel for each of the n modal response signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, Stuart J. Shelley
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Patent number: 6357108Abstract: A depaneling system having multiple router stations. A feeder station in the dual routing station receives a panel from a feeder station. The feeder station then selectively delivers the panel to one of the router stations. The router station then severs all of the connections between the panel and the PC boards. The multiple router stations can also share a common router that is used by each station to sever the connections. In order to use a common router the router station have a movable receiving base which moves along a first axis. The router then moves along the second axis. The router and receiving base are then moved along the first and second axises independently to sever the connections.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: PMJ Cencorp, LLCInventor: Douglas Patrick Carr
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Patent number: 6354154Abstract: A balance bar for a straight tube Coriolis flowmeter. The balance bar is preferably manufactured by process that provides an increased number of flowmeter elements integral to the balance bar. These integral elements comprise: brace bars at each end of the balance bar, rib elements on each side of the balance bar to raise the horizontal vibration frequency, a surface to facilitate the mounting of a driver to the balance bar and to a flow tube surrounded by the balance bar, surfaces to facilitate the mounting of sensors to the balance bar and flow tube, voids that lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar in a drive plane, and a cavity that makes the vibration amplitude of the balance bar less than that of the flow tube. These elements lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar to make the flowmeter calibration factor independent of density. The balance bar is ideally made by a casting process. The balance bar may be also fabricated by other processes including machining.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Robert Barclay Garnett, Curtis John Ollila, Rachael Esther Cohen
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Patent number: 6351691Abstract: An I/O signaling circuit having a single path through the circuit which can be configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes. A first circuit in the I/O signaling circuit adjusts the current flowing from a power supply to ground. A second circuit adjusts the voltage between a high potential terminal and low potential potential terminal through a remote secondary processing device. A processor determines the proper mode in which the circuit is to operate and then generates signals to adjust the first and second circuits to configure the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: William M. Mansfield
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Patent number: 6347293Abstract: A self-characterizing vibrating conduit sensor for measuring a process parameter in a material processing system includes a conduit configured to contain material from the material processing system and a plurality of motion transducers operative to produce a plurality of motion signals representing motion at a plurality of locations on the conduit. A modal parameter estimator is configured to receive the plurality of motion signals and operative to estimate a modal parameter from the received plurality of motion signals. The modal parameter, e.g., a modal filter parameter or a force projection parameter, relates behavior of the conduit to behavior of a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system. A process parameter estimator is configured to receive the plurality of motion signals, responsive to the modal parameter estimator and operative to estimate a process parameter associated with a material in the conduit from the received plurality of motion signals according to the estimated modal parameter.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, Stuart J. Shelley
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Patent number: 6343517Abstract: A flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube ends are coupled to end flanges by means of a raised element having a center opening for sealably receiving the flow tube terminus. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges to minimize the surface area of the flow tube that is affected by the weld between the case end and raised element of the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister
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Patent number: 6336650Abstract: An on-the-hill 360° adjustable attack angle boot and binding system has a central mounting post fixed to a board. Surrounding the post is a friction pad to grip the boot sole. The boot sole has a convex spring reaching from heel to toe to transfer the boarder's weight from heel to toe, thereby forcibly engaging the friction pad.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Inventor: Clayton Neil Alspaugh
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Patent number: 6330832Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing a flow tube of a device for measuring properties of a material flowing through the flow tube having a casing and a veneer. The casing substantially encloses flow tube from inlet end to outlet end and withstands the structural load of the flow tube. The veneer encloses the casing and provides a sanitary surface for said casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: David F. Normen, Michael Leon Overfeldt
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Patent number: 6331674Abstract: A terminal block for connecting intrinsically safe rated circuits and increased safety rated circuits. The terminal block includes a housing that forms an enclosed area. A first surface at a first end of the housing has openings through the surface. A first set of conductors for connecting intrinsically safe rated circuits has terminals in the enclosed area and extend through the openings. A second set of conductors for connecting increased safety rated circuits has terminals in the enclosed area and extend through the openings. A wall on the first surface separates said terminals of the first set of conductors from the terminals of the second set of conductors. Finally, a cover over the second set of conductors extends from a top side of the wall substantially to a side of the housing to enclose the second set of conductors inside the enclosed area to allow the housing to be opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Zolock, Allan L. Samson
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Patent number: 6327914Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter is operable as a vibrating tube densitometer where a flowtube is driven to vibrate at a fundamental frequency from which density of the material flowing through the flowtube may be calculated. The drive gain is monitored as an indicator of multiphase flow including gas and liquid components where a substantial increase in drive gain indicates gas damping of the flowtube vibrations due to a transient bubble entering the flowtube. The gas damping effects of the transient bubble and the correspondingly reduced density readings are remediated by the use of historical density measurements corresponding to periods of flow when no transient bubble has entered the flowtube.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Dutton
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Patent number: 6327915Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing compensation of mass flow rate and density for the flow tube of a single straight flow tube Coriolis flowmeter. Thermal stress compensation is provided by the use of a plurality of sensors on various portions of the flowmeter. A first sensor is coupled to the flow tube and provides information regarding the flow tube temperature. A plurality of additional sensors are connected to form a network having a two wire output. The additional sensors apply a composite signal over the two wire output of the network to meter electronics. The network signal represents the composite temperature of the flowmeter elements that can cause thermal stress on the flow tube when a temperature differential exists between the flow tube and the temperature of these plurality of elements. The additional elements include the balance bar and the flowmeter case. Sensitivity compensation is provided by the use of a novel algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Charles Paul Stack, Gregory Treat Lanham
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Patent number: 6318156Abstract: An automatic well test system (100) utilizes a two phase vortex separator 104 connected to a pair of Coriolis flowmeters (154, 166) to measure volumetric flow rates in three phase flow. Measurements are performed according to a process (P200) including an iterative convergence technique. Measurements are enhanced by the use of real time density and water-cut measurements from a water-cut meter (172) and a water density meter.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Dutton, Chad Steele
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Patent number: 6318186Abstract: A system for initializing parameters of a transmitter connected to a Coriolis flowmeter. This invention applies initial drive signals to a drive circuit which causes a flow tube to vibrate. The type of the flow tube is then determined from signals received from pick-off sensors associated with the flow tube. Parameters for generation of said drive signals are then set based upon the type of said flow tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Smith, Brian T. Smith
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Patent number: 6314820Abstract: Signal processing of Coriolis flowmeter output signals is improved by increasing the frequency separation between the flow tube drive frequency and unwanted lateral mode vibration frequencies. A cylindrical lateral mode stabilizer surrounds the flow tube near each flow tube end and is positioned between the flow tube and a surrounding balance bar. Axially lateral extensions on opposing circumferential sides of each lateral mode stabilizer element stiffen the flow tube ends for only lateral vibrations. This raises the lateral mode vibration frequency of the flow tube while leaving the drive mode frequency relatively unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Curtis John Ollila
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Patent number: 6308580Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter sensor having a reduced flag dimension. In order to have a reduced flag dimension, the entire length of the flow tubes must vibrate to make the flowmeter sensor more sensitive to Coriolis effects. When the entire length of the flow tubes vibrate, a first set of brace bars connected to the flow tube separates the frequencies of vibration in the flow tubes. A second set of brace bars connected to the flow tubes enhances the zero stability of the flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Matthew T. Crisfield, Steven James Johnston, John Richard McCarthy
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Patent number: 6293158Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
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Patent number: 6289252Abstract: Methods and apparatus for batch process control in which a Phase Logic Module operable in accordance with the state machine model of the batch server program is embedded within a programmable controller. More specifically, a phase executed by the batch server program in a data processing device is operable in accordance with a pre-defined state machine model (typically compliant with the ISA S88.01 standard). A Phase Logic Module (PLM) is implemented within a programmable controller in accordance with the same state machine model so as to mirror the state machine operation of the batch server process within the programmable controller. The PLM is pre-implemented and standardized. Specific state logic for performing desired control in accordance with the desired batch processing is defined by a control engineer using well known languages and tools and integrated with the standard PLM state machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Grant Wilson, David L. Deitz, William G. Irwin, Godfrey R. Sherriff
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Patent number: 6286373Abstract: A system enclosing a Coriolis flowmeter in a explosion proof housing. The explosion proof housing is structured in a way that the housing can withstand an explosion of volatile material inside the housing. The explosion proof housing prevents sparks and heat inside the housing from igniting volatile material outside the housing. Any gaps or openings in the explosion proof housing provide a flame path of sufficient length to cool a flame or hot material escaping from the housing. The use of the secondary housing as an explosion proof compartment allows the use of a driver having greater power as well as conventional leads inside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Ernest Dale Lister, John Richard McCarthy, Curtis John Ollila, Anthony Pankratz