Patents Assigned to Flowtec AG
  • Patent number: 7469599
    Abstract: Flowmeter comprising at least two ultrasonic transducers that are mounted on a container which is penetrated by a medium in a certain direction of flow. The ultrasonic transducers alternately transmit and receive ultrasonic test signals in the direction of flow and counter to the direction of flow. The flowmeter further comprises a control/evaluation unit which determines and/or monitors the volume flow of the medium inside the container based on the difference in the travel time of the ultrasonic test signals propagating in the direction of flow and counter to the direction of flow. The ultrasonic transducers are configured such that they transmit and receive ultrasonic test signals or sound fields having a large aperture angle or a great beam expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Froehlich, Achim Wiest, Torsten Strunz
  • Publication number: 20080307879
    Abstract: A method for control of a thermal, or calorimetric, flow measuring device, which ascertains and/or monitors, by means of two temperature sensors, the flow of a measured medium through a pipeline or measuring tube in a process, wherein the current temperature (Ti) of the measured medium is ascertained at a point in time (ti) via a first temperature sensor, wherein, to a second temperature sensor, a defined heating power is supplied, which is so sized that a predetermined temperature difference (?target) occurs between the two temperature sensors, and wherein, in the case of a deviation (?target??i) of the current temperature difference ?i measured in the actual-state from the temperature difference (?target) predetermined for the target-state, at a following point in time (ti+1) , the heating power (Qi+1) supplied to the heatable temperature sensor is ascertained The heating power (Qi+1) is determined taking into consideration physical conditions in the process, as such are reflected in a time constant (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: ENDRESS & HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Walter Borst, Oliver Popp
  • Publication number: 20080295608
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring the flow of a medium to be measured, which is flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube. The apparatus includes: A magnet arrangement which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube and running essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; two measuring electrodes which are galvanically or capacitively coupled with the medium to be measured and which are arranged in such a manner that a measurement voltage is induced in them, evoked by the medium to be measured; an evaluation control unit, which, on the basis of the measurement voltage induced in the measurement electrodes, provides information concerning the volume flow of the medium to be measured in the measuring tube; wherein connecting lines, or signal lines, as the case may be, are provided, by way of which the measurement signals are led between the measurement electrodes and the control/evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Fred Kappertz, Thomas Kung, Gunther Bahr
  • Patent number: 7458399
    Abstract: In a method for filling a defined quantity of medium into a container, a shut-off signal for a feed pump and closing signal for a metering valve are set such that, in the closing of the metering valve, the pressure in the section of the pipeline before the metering valve remains essentially constant. In this way, the accuracy of the filling unit can be significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Hartmut Breithaupt
  • Publication number: 20080288933
    Abstract: An installed hardware of a measuring field device includes at least one transducer reacting during operation to a chemical and/or physical, measured variable of a pourable and/or flowable medium, especially a pourable or flowable bulk good, liquid, gas or the like, as well as a microcomputer communicating during operation with the transducer. The field device is first installed by means of the transducer on, and/or in a process vessel serving for conveying and/or holding pourable and/or flowable media for forming a process measuring point. Thereafter, the microcomputer is booted and a basic software held in a memory provided within the field device for providing, at least in part, basic functionalities of the field device is activated in such a manner that the basic software is executable by means of the microcomputer so that, in the interaction of basic software and hardware installed in the field device, the basic functionalities of the field device are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Budmiger, Michael Kirst, Wolfgang Drahm, Simon Stingelin
  • Patent number: 7451662
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes: At least one interconnected system (1, 2) formed by means of at least two components (1, 2), especially components (1, 2) of metal. At least the first component (1) 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 (1), the at least two components of the interconnected system (1, 2) 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 (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7448282
    Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring volume and/or mass flow rate of a medium that flows in a direction of flow through a pipeline/measuring tube of inner diameter. The device comprises at least two ultrasonic transducers that emit and/or receive ultrasonic measuring signals along defined sonic paths and a control/evaluation device which determines the volume flow rate and/or the mass flow rate of the medium to be measured inside said pipeline/measuring tube based on the ultrasonic measuring signals according to the travel-time difference principle. In order to provide a multichannel ultrasonic flowmeter, at least one reflector element is placed in the interior of the pipeline/measuring tube. The reflector element has a defined distance from the inner surface of the pipeline/measuring tube and is placed within the sonic path of the ultrasound measuring signals running through the pipeline/measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Achim Wiest, Andreas Berger
  • Patent number: 7441437
    Abstract: A calibration rig for calibration and/or re-calibration of flow meters (5) and/or flow meter calibration carts (7) is described comprising: a source (1) of pure sterilized water or a source (40) of a sterile conductive solution, a piping manifold (3) connected to the source (1), at least one flow meter (5) connected to the source (1) via the piping manifold (3) and/or at least one flow meter calibration cart (7) connected to the source (1) via the piping manifold (3) and a drain pipe (23) connected to each flow meter (5) and to each flow meter calibration cart (7) to guide liquid from the flow meter (5) and/or the flow meter calibration cart (7) to a drain (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Klees, David Coppa, Ola Wesstrom
  • Publication number: 20080262796
    Abstract: A method for predictive maintenance for a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device and/or to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device, wherein the magneto-inductive flow-measuring device includes a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to a measuring tube axis; at least two measuring electrodes coupled with the medium, having a defined rest potential and being arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicularly to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Heinz Rufer, Wolfgang Drahm, Frank Schmalzried
  • Publication number: 20080250867
    Abstract: A medium to be measured is allowed to flow through a measuring tube of a flow meter and a magnetic field passing at least sectionally with a time-varying intensity through the medium in the measuring tube is produced in such a manner that a measurement voltage is induced at least at times, especially in a clocked manner, in the medium. The measurement voltage induced in the medium is tapped, at least at times, by means of an electrode pair formed by first and second measuring electrodes for producing an analog measurement signal corresponding with the measurement voltage, and a flow-type of the medium located in the measuring tube, as determined by an instantaneous flow profile and/or an instantaneous composition of the flowing medium, is ascertained with application of a digital signal representing the at least one measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Frank Schmalzried, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20080250871
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20080250866
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a function of a magnetically inductive flow measuring sensor having a measuring tube and a magnetic field generator provided with at least two coils. The coils are used in the measuring mode for generating a magnetic field which penetrates the measuring tube. The method makes it possible to specifically monitor generation of the magnetic field, the coils being additionally used for function monitoring purposes. During function monitoring, at least one of the coils is used as a producer which produces a magnetic field that changes over time and penetrates at least one other coil, at least one of the other coils is used as a receiver via which a received signal induced by the magnetic field that changes over time can be derived, and functioning of the flow measuring sensor is monitored based on the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Peter Tschabold, Thomas Budmiger
  • Publication number: 20080229846
    Abstract: The measuring device includes a flow measuring transducer, through which a medium to be measured flows during operation. For monitoring an installed position of the flow transducer, the method of the invention provides, on the basis of application of a suitable tilt sensor, for ascertaining an instantaneous inclination of the measuring transducer corresponding to a tilt of at least one principal axis of inertia of the measuring transducer relative to at least one reference axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Stefan Grotzer
  • Publication number: 20080223149
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20080223150
    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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Leonhard Probst, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 7426443
    Abstract: A ultrasonic flow measuring device, which is distinguished by a low energy consumption. A control/evaluation unit ascertains a plurality of sampled values (ai with i=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of a received measuring signal at defined points in time (t) of a predetermined time range and interpolates the sampled values by a continuous function (f(t)), wherein the continuous function (f(t)) is formed by a sum of a predetermined number (n ? N) of wavelets (W) and wherein each wavelet (W) corresponds to the product of a sampled value with a sine function ( sin ? ( x ) x ) and with a Gaussian bell curve (e??x2, ? ? R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Antoine Simon
  • Publication number: 20080198689
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a first fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing first fluid and a second fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing second fluid, the two fluid lines being connected at a junction to a third fluid line, which forwards the two, particularly mixed, fluids. Further, the apparatus comprises a first flow adjuster, inserted in the first fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the first fluid, and a second flow adjuster, inserted in the second fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the second fluid, as well as apparatus for generating a first control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the first flow adjuster, and a second control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the second flow adjuster. To produce the fluid mixture, the first fluid and the second fluid are made to flow into the third fluid line alternately. The invention is particularly suited for mixing fluids having different viscosities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Hartmut Breithhaupt
  • Patent number: 7412903
    Abstract: An inline measuring device comprises a vibratory-type transducer and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the vibratory-type transducer. The vibratory-type transducer includes at least one measuring tube being inserted into the course of a pipeline and serving for conducting a mixture to be measured. An exciter arrangement acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate and a sensor arrangement sensing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube and delivering at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. The measuring device electronics delivers an excitation current driving the exciter arrangement. Further, the inline measuring device electronics is adapted to produce a measured value representing the physical, measured quantity of the mixture to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20080184817
    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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20080184816
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes a transducer housing, which exhibits a plurality of natural oscillation modes, as well as at least one first flow tube held oscillatably in the transducer housing, vibrating at least at times, and conveying at least a portion of the medium to be measured. Additionally, the measurement transducer includes an electromechanical, especially electrodynamic, exciter arrangement acting on the at least one flow tube for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the at least one flow tube, and a sensor arrangement reacting to movements of the flow tube, especially bending oscillations, for producing at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the flow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Martin Anklin-Imhof, Christian Schuetze