Patents Examined by Jewel V. Artis
  • Patent number: 7007558
    Abstract: A pulse transmitter for fluid metering includes concentric gearing, with the exciter gear concentric with the main shaft in the center. Because of this concentricity, one can put practically any number of additional coils (typically four) to get four or more outputs. Also, each coil could be dual output to get eight outputs from four coils. Each coil preferably produces 1000 pulses per revolution of the main shaft. Because of its compactness and light weight, this pulse transmitter has a more practical application in the liquid metering industry than prior transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lake Charles Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6425287
    Abstract: A microflow sensor element for obtaining a response quickly with high response sensitivity regardless of the direction of an air flow. A pyroelectric detection unit is provided on a substrate, the pyroelectric detection unit having an upper and a lower electrode which are respectively provided on the surface and undersurface of a ferroelectric thin film. A heater portion whose temperature is modulated periodically as designated is provided on the upper electrode via a thin film of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Tominaga, Shuji Takada, Koichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6003383
    Abstract: A vortex fluid meter (1) includes a pipe portion (2) of constant inside diameter in which the fluid flows, at least two obstacles disposed in the middle of the flow of the fluid in said pipe portion (2) each having a generally elongate shape with longitudinal and transverse dimensions perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid, and adapted to generate oscillatory fluid vortices, an upstream obstacle (4) having a substantially uniform trapezoidal transverse section and a downstream obstacle (6) having a generally T-shape transverse section, and means (10, 12, 14) for detecting the signal corresponding to the oscillations of said vortices and for deducing therefrom the fluid volume or flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, S.A.
    Inventors: Barbara Zielinska, Souad Zikikout
  • Patent number: 5869758
    Abstract: The flow rate of a medium flowing through a channel is measured by using a number of measurement sites along which the medium flows continuously at different velocities. The heating of the medium at the measurement site and the measurements of the temperature changes at the measurement sites are used to measure the rate of flow. Calibration information for the flow measurement for each measurement site is utilized to establish a rule which would include information about the measurement accuracy over the measurement range for each measurement site. The flow rate to be measured is established upon the basis of the measurement result of a measurement site which gives the greatest measurement accuracy according to the predetermined rule. The measurement of the flow at a measurement site comprises heating the medium during a first interval and during a second interval subsequent to the firest interval the temperature reduction is monitored at the measurement site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: GAScontrol b.v.
    Inventor: Albertus Theodorus Huiberts
  • Patent number: 5861556
    Abstract: A plurality of flow velocity sensors are vertically installed in line at different positions in the same cross section in a gas flow passage in a pipe. Detection signals from the flow velocity sensors are inputted to a mean flow velocity computing unit which calculates a mean value of flow velocity measurements. The mean flow rate calculated at the mean flow velocity computing unit is converted into a flow rate by a flow rate computing unit to be displayed by a display. Regardless of flow velocity distribution in the pipe, which may change due to differences in the pipe shape, flow rates are accurately measured. As a result, flow rates are accurately measured over a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Nukui, Toshiharu Saito, Tokudai Neda
  • Patent number: 5842374
    Abstract: A method for measuring the water level of a reservoir, a larger river and an underground water and an apparatus thereof comprises a waveguide tube selected in a predetermined length, on the upper portion of which a sonic pulse generator is mounted, and a plurality of sonic receivers (first, second, third . . . nth), such as a microphone, arranged at an interval l from each another, in which the sonic pulse generator generates sonic impulses in a predetermined period, the receivers receive impulses divided into advancing waves and reflecting waves in turns, these impulses are amplified/wave-shaped to be applied to a microprocessor, and the microprocessor measures the time interval t.sub.1 between the advancing wave and the reflecting wave received by first sonic receiver and the time interval t.sub.n-1 between first sonic receiver and the n-1th sonic receiver located close to the water surface so as to calculate the water level L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Changmin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hak Soo Chang
  • Patent number: 5827978
    Abstract: A flow transducer includes a piston movable in a sleeve to vary the area of an orifice. The piston may move in either direction from a position in which flow is prevented. Movement in both directions is opposed by a spring. The piston assumes a unique position for each flow rate and the position of the transducer is sensed to provide a signal indicative of low rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Microhydraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: George Kadlicko
  • Patent number: 5798466
    Abstract: By a load detector, a magnitude of a dynamic load, depending on a downward-flow impact of a particulate material flowing through a flow passage, is measured, and also a magnitude of a static load, corresponding to a total amount of the particulate material flown through a predetermined position for a predetermined time period, is measured. A value of a dynamic load-type flow rate of the particulate material, corresponding to a measured value of the dynamic load, is calculated from the measured value of the dynamic load by a first calculation formula, and also a value of an actual flow rate of the particulate material is calculated from a measured value of the static load during the predetermined time period by a second calculation formula. A correction factor for bringing the dynamic load-type flow rate value, depending on the difference of the particulate materials, into agreement with the actual flow rate value is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Satake, Yoshimasa Tomoyasu
  • Patent number: 5767417
    Abstract: A swim meter to be worn by a swimmer and indicating swim speed, swim distance, elapsed time and other measurements includes a housing to be worn on the body of a swimmer with a mechanism mounted to the housing and responsive to the flow of water in generating an electrical signal indicative of swimmer movement in the water. A display is mounted to the housing or separately on the swimmer for viewing by the swimmer, and a computer mounted inside the housing generates display drive signals in response to the signals from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can comprise a rotating element, such as a paddle wheel, turbine, propeller, or pinwheel, or the drive mechanism can be a pitot tube and pressure sensor, a current generator responsive to salt ions in the water, or a voltage generator. The computer can be responsive to electrical or mechanical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Redwood Scientific Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Parris, John L. Lawless
  • Patent number: 5756893
    Abstract: A terminal in a thermal flow meter connected to a negative terminal of a power source voltage applied externally has a rectangular-shaped shielding plate extending from the terminal. The terminal is connected to ground as a reference potential of a control circuit constructed in a circuit portion via the shielding plate. The shielding plate covers substantially half of the bottom plate of a circuit case and ribbons are inserted keeping a predetermined space by the shielding plate and the bottom plate. Thus, the bottom plate and the shielding plate can pass external E/M noise or the like to the ground side with improved characteristics of E/M interference resistance and reduced manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kondo, Hideki Koyama
  • Patent number: 5753825
    Abstract: A fluid pressure sensing apparatus has at least one pressure sensing element that is adapted to extend transverse to the direction of flow of a fluid flow stream. The probe is divided into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber. A plurality of static pressure measuring holes define openings and are constructed and arranged within the probe so as to extend transversely to the fluid flow direction and further, the static pressure measuring holes are in fluid communication with the downstream chamber. A plurality of total pressure measuring holes define openings and are constructed and arranged within the probe so as to extend through the upstream wall in the direction of fluid flow and further, the total pressure measuring holes are in fluid communication with the upstream chamber, the total pressure measuring holes being located in front of the static pressure measuring holes when considered in the direction of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Robert O. Brandt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5750893
    Abstract: Both of voltage range and supplied power range of a heater can be enlarged, one-sided power source for a driving circuit can be realized easily, power source voltage can be lowered, and flowing velocity can be measured with high accuracy.First reference resistor is connected in series to fluid temperature measuring body, and second reference resistor is connected in series to heater temperature sensor. Temperature setting resistor for determining set temperature difference between the heater temperature sensor and the fluid temperature sensor is connected in series to the fluid temperature sensor. Bridge circuit is constructed in such way. The voltage of heater temperature sensor is inputted to non-inverted input terminal of differential amplifier, while the voltage of fluid temperature measuring body and temperature setting resistor is inputted to inverted input terminal of the same.The output terminal of the differential amplifier is connected to a buffer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Murata, Tatsuo Miyachi
  • Patent number: 5750892
    Abstract: A laminar flow element for use in flow metering devices has a laminar flow element plug with an upstream end and a downstream end and a linear extent between the upstream end and the downstream end, the laminar flow element plug configured to be positioned within a base cavity with the upstream end oriented toward the direction of flow, and sensor taps through walls of the base cavity positioned inboard of the laminar flow element plug so that entrance effect is eliminated, error due to flow cross-sectional area differential is eliminated, and orifice effect is minimized, to produce a laminar flow with linear pressure drop across the sensor taps as a function of flow rate. Coaxial laminar flow guides are fixed coaxially about at least a portion of the length of the laminar flow element plug to increase the number of flow passages to enable linear measurements of higher flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yufeng Huang, William J. Alvesteffer, Ronald A. Outlaw
  • Patent number: 5741968
    Abstract: Elastic members are retained in respective recesses of open boxes. Heating (cooling) temperature sensing elements are held on the elastic member. A pipe which has already been laid is sandwiched between the open boxes such that the heating (cooling) temperature sensing elements join to desired positions, respectively, of the existing pipe. The pipe is subjected to a temperature change by the heating (cooling) temperature sensing elements, and hence the fluid therein is subjected to a temperature change, causing a temperature gradient to occur between the upper and lower streams of the fluid flow. The temperature gradient is detected by the heating (cooling) temperature sensing elements, and a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the pipe is obtained on the basis of the outputs of the sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: MKS Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Mayumi Arai
  • Patent number: 5736653
    Abstract: A Coriolis-type mass flow meter is disclosed which can be installed, e.g., via flanges, in a conduit of a given diameter so as to be axially aligned with said conduit, which is traversed by a fluid to be measured. To further improve and optimize its insensitivity to vibrations originating from the conduit, this Coriolis-type mass flow meter comprises: at least one measuring tube fixed to the flanges; a support tube having its ends fixed to the respective flanges; means for exciting the measuring tube into resonance vibrations; velocity sensors positioned along the measuring tube for sensing the vibrations of the measuring tube; acceleration sensors positioned on the support tube along a line of intersection with that plane in which Coriolis forces act; and means which process signals from the velocity sensors and signals from the acceleration sensors into a mass flow signal which is substantially free from interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 5728947
    Abstract: An improved ultrasonic vortex fluid flowmeter (10) includes a housing (12) having a slip-on yoke (16) which removably mates with a bluff body conduit connector (18) permanently installed in a fluid conduit to be monitored. An ultrasonic transmitter (40) and receiver (42) are respectively positioned within the legs of the yoke so as pass an ultrasonic wave through vortices (43) shed by the fluid as it flows by the bluff body (28). The slip-on yoke eliminates both the need to shut down fluid flow during meter servicing, and the potential for external contaminants entering the fluid. The flowmeter further utilizes a simple phase detector formed from an Exclusive Or gate (44) in combination with an optimal phase range detecting means (108). The optimal phase range detecting means triggers a 90 degree phase shift whenever the phase difference between the transmitted wave and the received wave approaches 0 or 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi/America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Winsor Marsh, Lars Oscar Rosaen, Eric J. Rosaen
  • Patent number: 5726357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow sensor for sensing heat transfer with a high-speed response, which is manufactured by applying IC micro-machining technology, and which attains an improved heat transfer efficiency by controlling the flow's direction between a heating portion and a sensing portion or by utilizing the intrinsic characteristics of the gas flow.A flow sensor having a substrate whereon a heating portion and a sensing portion are formed each in the form of a bridge supported at both ends or at one end in said order in the direction of the flowing gas to be measured, and which is placed, its surface with the elements down, at the upper inside wall of a pipe for gas to be measured. Its output signal is taken out through lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Seiki Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Manaka
  • Patent number: 5717136
    Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting airflow quantity applicable to a vehicular internal combustion engine, a slit is formed so that an insulating substrate is partitioned into a main substrate portion and a sub substrate portion. A first temperature sensitive resistor, a heat generated main resistor 31, and a second temperature sensitive resistor are formed on the main substrate portion in film forms in the order with respect to the forward air stream direction (A). A difference in the resistance values of the first and second temperature sensitive resistors 32 and 33 detects the air stream direction and detects the flow quantity according to a temperature variation (namely, the variation in resistance value) in the heat generated temperature sensitive main resistor due to the cooling caused by the intake air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoi, Masao Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5714691
    Abstract: A method of and system for analyzing a two-phase flow in a conduit in which acoustic energy is transmitted through a conduit and into the flow therein; return echoes are detected, one or more flow indicator quantities are computed from the return echoes; and the mass flow rate and/or the flow quality is determined from the computed flow indicator quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Hill
  • Patent number: 5712425
    Abstract: A device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium by use of a temperature-dependent measuring resistor bathed by the flowing medium and accommodated in a measuring channel. The device has a flow obstacle, embodied in the form of a trip edge, upstream of the measuring element in the region of an inlet opening of the measuring channel, so as to create a chronologically and spatially stable separation zone in the region of the trip edge, thereby preventing chronologically and spatially unstable separation zones and makes it possible to attain a reduction in measuring signal noise. The invention is contemplated for measuring the mass of a flowing medium, especially for measuring the aspirated air mass in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hecht, Heinz Rilling, Stefan Lehenberger, Uwe Konzelmann