Patents Assigned to Micro Motion, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11209299
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) having a notch filter (26) configured to filter a sensor signal from a sensor assembly (10) in a vibratory meter (5) is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes the notch filter (26) communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly (10), the sensor signal being comprised of a first component at a resonant frequency of the sensor assembly (10) and a second component at a non-resonant frequency and pass the first component and substantially attenuate the second component with the notch filter, wherein the first component is passed with substantially zero phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Rensing, Timothy J. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20210396566
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) configured to clean a conduit in a vibratory meter (5) is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to provide a drive signal to a meter assembly (10) communicatively coupled to the meter electronics (20) and receive one or more sensor signals from the meter assembly (10), and a processing system (202) communicatively coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (202) is configured to determine a parameter from the one or more received sensor signals. The processing system (202) is further configured to, based on the parameter, at least one of detect an unclean condition of the meter assembly (10) and enter into a cleaning mode, and detect a clean condition of the meter assembly (10) and enter into a non-cleaning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy M. DROST
  • Patent number: 11204267
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring a fluid flow includes flow tube assembly receiving the flow having a coil with first and second coil wires for receiving a coil current to produce a magnetic field in the fluid. This generates an EMF in the fluid representative of the flow. An EMF sensor is arranged to sense the EMF and generate an output related to the flow rate. Current supply circuitry provides the coil current to the first and second wires of the coil in response to a command signal. A digital control circuit provides the command signal to the current supply circuitry as a function of a control algorithm. In one aspect, the control algorithm is adapted to changes in electrical parameters of the coil. A method of implementing the magnetic flowmeter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Masoud Ameri
  • Patent number: 11204268
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly and a programmable bi-directional current generator. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow and includes a coil and an electromotive force (EMF) sensor. The coil is configured to produce a magnetic field across the fluid flow in response to a coil current. The EMF sensor is arranged to sense an EMF across the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate, and generate an output indicating the induced EMF. The current generator includes a profile generator that issues profile commands, a power amplifier and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power amplifier to generate coil current pulses forming the coil current that travel through the coil in alternating directions. Each coil current pulse has a current profile that is based on a corresponding profile command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Masoud Ameri
  • Patent number: 11199431
    Abstract: A method of automatically verifying accurate operation of a flowmeter during field operation is provided that comprises providing a flowmeter having meter electronics with a storage system, and flowing a non-calibration process fluid through the flowmeter. Meter electronics are configured to perform the steps of: detecting a model of the flowmeter as well as retrieving an initial factory calibration factory zero value and a stored zero drift specification from the storage system. A zero value is measured during field operation of the flowmeter and compared with the factory zero value. An error zero value is calculated. Whether the error between the field operation zero value and the factory zero value is within the zero drift specification is determined, and the flowmeter is calibrated if the error is outside the zero drift specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Publication number: 20210381873
    Abstract: An EMI resistant electronics enclosure (200) is provided having a first compartment (206) and a second compartment (207), each defined by a body (205), being separated by a septum (208). A first aperture (209) in the septum (208) connects the first compartment (206) and the second compartment (207). A feed-through element (210) is provided having a first interface region (211) and a second interface region (212), wherein one or more primary conductors (217) extend between the first interface region (211) and the second interface region (212), and wherein the first interface region (211) resides in the first compartment (206), and the second interface region (212) resides in the second compartment (207). A conductive bar (232) circumscribes at least a portion of the feed-through element (210), and a conductive gasket (220) extends from the body (205) to the conductive bar (232), wherein a ground path is formed between the body (205) and the conductive bar (232) with the conductive gasket (220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Brian T. SMITH, Clayton T. JAMES
  • Patent number: 11196359
    Abstract: A field device includes process communication circuitry configured to communicate in accordance with a process communication protocol. A controller is coupled to the process communication circuitry. The controller includes timing circuitry and is configured to generate periodic time signals during an operational period of the field device and store an indication of operational time based on the periodic time signals in non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to employ the process communication circuitry to provide an indication of operational time to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion Inc.
    Inventors: Randy K. Paschke, Shari N. Durdin, Walter C. Baker, Cheng C. Vue, Brian S. Junk
  • Patent number: 11187564
    Abstract: Vibratory meters (5), and methods for their use measuring a fluid are provided. Each vibratory meter includes a multichannel flow tube (300) comprising two or more fluid channels (302), a pickoff (170), a driver (180), and meter electronics (20) configured to apply a drive signal to the driver at a drive frequency ?, and measure a deflection of the multichannel flow tube with the pickoff. At least one fluid channel has an effective diameter that is related to the length of the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Joel Weinstein, Mitalee Nayan Desai, Clinton R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11181404
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly, an electromotive force (EMF) sensor, a power amplifier, a current sampling circuit, and a controller. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow, and includes a coil configured to receive a coil current and induce an EMF in the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate. The EMF sensor generates an output indicating the induced EMF. The power amplifier is configured to generate unfiltered current pulses at a first frequency. The power amplifier includes a low pass filter that attenuates the unfiltered current pulses to form coil current pulses at a second frequency that form the coil current. The current sampling circuit samples the coil current pulses at a sampling frequency. The controller is configured to change a relationship between the sampling frequency and the first frequency, and adjust the coil current based on the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Masoud Ameri, Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Publication number: 20210352816
    Abstract: An explosion proof electronics enclosure (200), is provided having a first compartment (206) and a second compartment (207) defined by a body (205). A septum (208) is between the first compartment (206) and the second compartment (207). A first aperture (209) in the septum (208) connects the first compartment (206) and the second compartment (207). A cavity (225) communicates with the first aperture (209), wherein the cavity (225) comprises an undercut taper (226). A potting (230) in the cavity (225) conforms to the cavity (225) shape, and forms a substantially explosion-proof interface between the first compartment (206) and the second compartment (207).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Atul Vasant DESHPANDE, Clayton T. JAMES, Shaun E. SHANAHAN, Howard Irving SOHM Jr.
  • Patent number: 11169013
    Abstract: A system (800) for determining frequency spacings to prevent intermodulation distortion signal interference is provided. The system (800) includes a sensor assembly (810) and a meter verification module (820) communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly (810). The meter verification module (820) is configured to determine a frequency of a first signal to be applied to a sensor assembly (810) of a vibratory meter and set a demodulation window about the frequency of the first signal. The meter verification module (800) is also configured to determine a frequency of the second signal to be applied to the sensor assembly such that a frequency of an intermodulation distortion signal generated by the first signal and the second signal is outside the demodulation window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Rensing, Timothy J. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11169016
    Abstract: A system (600) and method (500) for a standards traceable verification of a vibratory meter (5) is provided. The system (600) includes a storage (610) having a baseline meter verification value of the vibratory meter and a processing system (620) in communication with the storage (610). The processing system (620) being configured to obtain the baseline meter verification value from the storage (610) and determine a relationship between the baseline meter verification value and a calibration value of the vibratory meter, said calibration value being traceable to a measurement standard. The method (500) provides a traceable verification of a vibratory meter by comparing (540) a physical property of the vibratory meter, which is determined from a first calibration value, to a reference value determined from a second calibration value, said calibration values being traceable to a measurement standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, Andrew Timothy Patten, Dean M. Standiford
  • Patent number: 11162832
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a flowmeter (5) is provided. A relationship between a flow calibration factor and a pressure coefficient for a class of flowmeter is determined. A unique flow calibration factor is then determined for a flowmeter (5). A unique pressure coefficient for the flowmeter (5) is determined, and the unique pressure coefficient is applied to the flowmeter (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Kolbeck, Aart R. Pruysen, Dean M. Standiford, Jacob Andreas Sinte Maartensdijk
  • Patent number: 11156486
    Abstract: The magnetic flowmeter includes at least one coil and a pair of electrodes is configured to detect an electromotive force within the process fluid flow in response to the magnetic field. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the electrodes and is configured to provide an indication of the detected electromotive force. A processor is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to receive the indication of the detected electromotive force. The processor is configured to obtain a sequence of indications of detected electromotive force over a time interval and to generate a plurality of sets of emf samples by selecting non-continuous indications of the detected electromotive force. Each of the sets of emf samples is processed by a signal processing engine to provide an emf sample output. The processor is configured to combine emf sample outputs from each set of emf samples to generate a process fluid flow output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Scot R. Foss
  • Patent number: 11159203
    Abstract: A bridge connected between a first process control loop and a second process control loop wherein the bridge allows alternating current digital signals to pass between the first process control loop and the second process control loop while preventing direct current analog signals from passing between the first process control loop and the second process control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Walter Charles Baker, Marcos A V Peluso, Cheng Chua Vue, Randy Kenneth Paschke
  • Publication number: 20210318153
    Abstract: A method (300) for determining when to verify a stiffness coefficient K (202, 204) in a flowmeter (5) comprising receiving a first stiffness coefficient K (202), a plurality of temperatures T (206), a plurality of response frequencies ? (208), and a plurality of driver currents I (210), determining an average temperature T (212), a standard deviation temperature T (214), an average response frequency ? (216), a standard deviation response frequency ? (218), an average driver current I (224), and a standard deviation driver current I (226). A first subsequent value (236) comprising a subsequent temperature T (228), a subsequent response frequency ? (230), or a subsequent driver current I (232) is received. Upon determining that the first subsequent value (236) is outside a first respective range (237), a determination of a second stiffness coefficient K (204) is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Craig B. MCANALLY, Bert J. DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20210302213
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for determining a damping of a meter assembly (10) of a flow meter (5) is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from a meter assembly (10), the vibrational response comprising a response to an excitation of the meter assembly (10) at a substantially resonant frequency, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201) and measure a plurality of response voltages (V) of the vibrational response, the plurality of response voltages (V) including at least one of one or more decay sections (430a, 530a-530f) and one or more rising sections (430b, 630a-630f). The processing system (203) is also configured to determine an aggregate damping-related value of the meter assembly (10) based on at least one of the one or more decay sections (430a, 530a-530f) and the one or more rising sections (430b, 630a-630f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Craig B. MCANALLY, Bert J. DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20210302212
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for determining a decay characteristic of a meter assembly (10) of a flow meter (5) is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from a meter assembly (10), the vibrational response comprising a response to an excitation of the meter assembly (10) at a substantially resonant frequency, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), determine a response voltage (V) of the vibrational response, determine a decay characteristic (?) of the meter assembly (10) based on the response voltage (V), and compensate the decay characteristic (?) by using a previously determined decay characteristic-to-response voltage relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Craig B. MCANALLY, Bert J. DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20210285809
    Abstract: Methods for operating a flowmeter diagnostic tool are provided that comprise interfacing the diagnostic tool with a flowmeter (5) sensor assembly (10). A base prover volume (BPV), a desired number of passes per run, and/or a maximum number of allowed runs may be input into the diagnostic tool. Flowmeter data is received. An estimated total prove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatability requirement, an estimated minimum number of runs needed to achieve the calculated TPT, and/or an estimated minimum BPV may be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Allan BUTTLER, Andrew Timothy PATTEN
  • Publication number: 20210285810
    Abstract: A method for verifying accurate operation for a flow meter (5) is provided. The method entails receiving a vibrational response from the flow meter (5), wherein the vibrational response comprises a response to a vibration of the flow meter (5) at a substantially resonant frequency. At least one gain decay variable is measured. It is then determined whether the gain decay variable is outside a predetermined range. A filter used in a stiffness calculation is adjusted if the gain decay variable is outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Bert J. DOWNING