Abstract: A method (600) of generating a drive signal for a vibratory sensor (5) is provided. The method (600) includes vibrating a vibratory element (104, 510) configured to provide a vibration signal, receiving the vibration signal from the vibratory element (104, 510) with a receiver circuit (134), generating a drive signal that vibrates the vibratory element (104, 510) with a driver circuit (138) coupled to the receiver circuit (134) and the vibratory element (104, 510), and comparing a phase of the generated drive signal with a phase of the vibration signal.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a flowmeter (5) transducer is provided comprising the steps of exciting a vibration mode of a flowmeter (5) flow tube (130, 130?) and ceasing to excite the vibration mode, wherein a free decay response of the flow tube (130, 130?) is measured. Amplitudes and phases of the free decay response at a drive frequency are extracted, and a strength of the transducer is calculated.

Abstract: A device and method to generate digital serial frequency outputs in a Coriolis flow meter is provided. The present invention provides the theoretically lowest jitter for a given input clock, the highest possible pulse count accuracy, the highest possible absolute accuracy, easily implementable other aspects (including Quadrature, pulse width, etc.) and requires no specialized external hardware, and is, therefore, implemented with commonly available serial output hardware found in most microcontrollers.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine system 200 comprising an engine 208 configured to consume a fuel, having at least a two flowmeters 214, 216, is provided. The method includes the step of operating an engine 208 disposed between a supply flowmeter 214 of the at least two flowmeters and a return flowmeter 216 of the at least two flowmeters. A first fuel density in the supply flowmeter 214 and a second fuel density in the return flowmeter 216 are measured. The fuel density measurements 317 between the supply flowmeter 214 and return flowmeter 216 are compared and a differential density measurement value, ?? 319, based on a difference in the second fuel density and the first fuel density is determined. The ?? 319 is compared to a range of theoretical differential fuel density values, ??t, and potential fuel contamination is indicated if the ?? lies outside a range of ??t values by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A flowmeter (5) is provided having a sensor assembly (10) connected to meter electronics (20), wherein the sensor assembly (10) comprises at least one driver (104), at least one pickoff (105), and a first D-shaped conduit (400A) configured to receive a process fluid therein, as well as a second D-shaped conduit (400B) configured to receive a process fluid therein.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor (100) is provided. The capacitive touch sensor (100) includes an electrode (110) disposed between a plate (120) and a spring (130) wherein the spring (130) presses the electrode (110) towards the plate (120) in a direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal length (L) of the spring (130) and the electrode (110) has a flat sensing surface (112) parallel with the plate (120).

Abstract: A flowmeter (5) is provided having a housing (28) configured to accept a flow of a process material. A diaphragm (18) is disposed in the housing (28), and is deformable by the flow of the process material. A sensor (48) is configured to detect a deformation in the diaphragm (18), and the flowmeter (5) is configured to measure the flow of the process material.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a mixed fuel flow period is provided. The method includes flowing a mixed fuel, the mixed fuel being comprised of at least a first fuel type and a second fuel type, the mixed fuel flow period being determined where the fuel is switched from the first fuel type to the second fuel type, determining a density of the first fuel type and a density of the second fuel type, and determining a total flow, the total flow being determined from the density of the first fuel type and the density of the second fuel type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a flowmeter (5) is provided. The method comprises the steps of placing a material in a flow tube (130, 130?) while exciting a vibration mode of the flow tube (130, 130?). Exciting the vibration mode of the flow tube (130, 130?) comprises the steps of periodically driving a first driver (180L) with a first signal and periodically driving a second driver (180R) with a second signal, wherein the second driver (180R) is driven essentially in phase with the first driver (180L), but wherein the first driver's (180L) drive amplitude modulated signal reaches a maximum amplitude when the second driver's (180R) drive modulated signal reaches a minimal amplitude, and the first driver's (180L) drive amplitude modulated signal reaches a minimum amplitude when the second driver's (180R) drive amplitude modulated signal reaches a maximum amplitude.

Abstract: A flowmeter having one or more conduits (103, 103?) and a driver (104) coupled to one or more conduits (103, 103?) being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the conduit at one or more drive frequencies. One or more pickoffs (105, 105?) are coupled to the one or more conduits (103, 103?) and are configured to detect a motion of the conduit. A housing (200) has a first compartment (400) and a second compartment (402). The first compartment (400) is fluid-tight and encloses at least a portion of the one or more conduits (103, 103?), the driver (104), and the one or more pickoffs (105, 105?). A sealable fill port (418) is configured to allow the addition of a ballast material to the second compartment (402).

Abstract: An optical isolator is provided. The optical isolator includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The printed circuit board has a recess extending only partially through the board. The first photoelement has an active surface and is mounted relative to the first surface of the printed circuit board. A second photoelement has an active surface and is mounted relative to the second surface. The second photoelement is configured to interact with the first photoelement. At least one of the first and second photoelements has its active surface disposed at least partially in the recess. A portion of the printed circuit board is interposed between the first and second photoelements.

Abstract: A sand separator is provided that includes a separation chamber and a drain. The sand separator comprises a meter in fluid communication with an interior of the separation chamber, wherein the meter is configured to detect a liquid/solid interface. Meter electronics in electrical communication with the meter are configured to receive a signal from the meter indicating the liquid/solid interface.

Abstract: A meter verification method for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided, comprising vibrating a sensor assembly (10) of the vibratory flowmeter (5) with a plurality of test tones in a vibration mode using a driver (180), wherein the plurality of test tones is applied substantially instantly, in the absence of a ramp function. A driver (180) current is determined, and response voltage of pickoff sensors (170L, 170R) are determined for the vibration mode. The instantaneous frequency of the pickoff sensor (170L, 170R) signals is measured, and a filter is applied to isolate the response at each of the plurality of test tones. The filter is also applied to the instantaneous frequency measurements. The same delay is applied to the frequency measurements and the response at each of the test tones. A meter stiffness value (216) is generated using the current (230) and the response voltage (231), and proper operation of the vibratory flowmeter (5) is verified using the meter stiffness value (216).

Abstract: A system and method of generating a synthetic time period output signal for a fork density sensor (601) which produces a consistent and low-noise output signal (705) which is identical in frequency to the frequency at which the fork density meter vibrates. Such a synthetic Analog signal generated by a meter signal prevents any real noise from the pickoffs from propagating to the output meter and removes process noise and interference from the produced output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a vibrating member (402). The vibrating member (402) is for a vibrating densitometer (400). The vibrating member (402) includes one or more apertures (420). The one or more apertures (420) are sized and located in the vibrating member (402) to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising the steps of exciting a vibration mode of a flow tube (130, 130?), wherein first and second drivers (180L, 180R) are amplitude modulated out of phase from each other, and wherein a drive command provided to the first and second drivers (180L, 180R) comprises a sum of N+1 independent signals. The first and second drivers (180L, 180R) are excited with a plurality of off-resonance frequencies and the effective phase between a modal response and the drivers (180L, 180R) at each of the off-resonance frequencies is inferred. A left eigenvector phase estimate is generated for each of the off-resonance frequencies. A phase of a left eigenvector at a resonant drive frequency is estimated based on off-resonance frequency phase estimates. The method also comprises measuring the phase between a first pickoff (170L) and a second pickoff (170R) and determining a phase of a right eigenvector for the flow tube (130, 130?).

Abstract: A case (330) for a vibrating meter (300) is provided. The case (330) includes a first panel (331a) defined by at least a first edge (333) and a second edge (334). The case (330) also includes one or more indentations (332) formed in the first panel (331a). The one or more indentations (332) include at least a portion extending from the first edge (333) to the second edge (334). The resonant frequencies of the case can be increased and separated from the intended drive frequencies of the fluid conduits (306A, 306B).

Abstract: A vibrating sensor assembly (200) is provided. The vibrating sensor assembly (200) includes a one-piece conduit mount (205). The one-piece conduit mount (205) includes an inlet port (206), an outlet port (208), and a conduit support base (210) extending from the inlet port (206) to the outlet port (208). The vibrating sensor assembly (200) further includes a single fluid conduit (203) with two or more loops (204A, 204B) separated by a crossover section (213), which is coupled to the one-piece conduit mount (205).

Abstract: An input protection circuit (110) for an optocoupler (20) is provided. The input protection circuit (110) includes a first voltage limiter (D1) with a first terminal that is electrically coupled to an input terminal of an amplifier circuit (120), wherein the input terminal of the amplifier circuit (120) is configured to receive a PWM signal and the amplifier circuit (120) is configured to provide a voltage to the optocoupler (20).

Abstract: A method of controlling a viscosity of fuel in a fuel control system with a vibratory meter is provided. The method includes providing the fuel to the vibratory meter, measuring a property of the fuel with the vibratory meter, and generating a signal based on the measured property of the fuel. The method also includes providing the signal to a temperature control unit configured to control the temperature of the fuel provided to the vibratory meter.