Patents Examined by Jewel V. Thompson
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Patent number: 8960017Abstract: A method of retrofitting an orifice meter includes providing an orifice fitting body having a bore, an orifice plate, a plurality of tap holes, and a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the plurality of tap holes. The method further includes removing the orifice plate and the plurality of pressure sensors from the orifice fitting body and installing a plurality of transducers into the plurality of tap holes. At least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to generate a signal and at least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to receive the signal. Additionally, the method includes measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the bore based on an output of each of the plurality of transducers.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventor: Darren Scott Schwarz
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Patent number: 8955390Abstract: A vortex flow meter (1) with a measurement tube (2) through which a medium can flow, a baffle body (3) for generating vortices in the medium and a deflection body (4) which can be deflected by the pressure fluctuations which accompany the vortices in the medium. The vortex flow meter seeks to avoid the disadvantages of the implementations of the measurement principle of the prior art there being an electronic unit (6) which exposes the deflection body (4) to electromagnetic radiation and receives electromagnetic radiation from the deflection body (4).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbHInventors: Attila Bilgic, Michael Deilmann, Michael Gerding, Thomas Musch
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Patent number: 8955392Abstract: A flowmeter has a one-piece conduit with an outer surface and an inner surface that define a wall thickness therebetween, and first and second transducers, where each transducer is disposed external of or integral with the one-piece conduit, in signal communication with an interior volume of the one-piece conduit, and relative to each other such that each transducer can send and receive an acoustic signal to the other transducer. The one-piece conduit includes a plurality of acoustic noise attenuating features integrally formed with at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface and disposed between the first and second transducers, each of the features being configured and oriented to disturb a propagation direction of a parasitic acoustic wave that will propagate in the wall of the one-piece conduit in response to activation of at least one of the transducers.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Strain Measurement Devices, Inc.Inventors: Lingli Liu, Samuel A. Matus, Frederick E. Jackson
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Patent number: 8955389Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring and/or optimizing flow processes, in particular injection molding processes. Vibrations caused by a flow of a material are detected and analyzed, wherein a vibration spectrum is detected at different times or in a (virtually) continuous manner and subjected to a multidimensional analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Inventor: Ulrich Seuthe
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Patent number: 8950271Abstract: A dispensing system and method for delivering material to a washing device using a capacitance sensor configuration is disclosed. The capacitance sensor configuration allows a controller to monitor and determine a flow rate of fluid exiting a reservoir. The dispensing system uses the flow rate information, along with downstream conductivity information, to control the dispensing of material. Additionally, one or more error conditions are identified during the material delivery cycle based at least partially on the monitored conductivity and capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: William J. Fienup, Keith Grider, Sean Corrigan
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Patent number: 8950256Abstract: An optimal bicycle frame size based on operational characteristics provided by a rider when riding a dynamic fit unit is determined. A best-fit bicycle frame size that is a closest match to the optimal frame size is determined. At least one of the optimal X,Y location of the bicycle's handlebar relative to the bottom bracket, and the optimal X,Y location of the bicycle's seat relative to the bottom bracket, is determined. A stem and spacer from a list of available stems and spacers that will best fit between the head tube of the best-fit frame and the optimal X,Y location of the handlebar is determined. A seat post from a list of available seat posts that will best fit between the seat tube of the best-fit frame and the optimal X,Y location of the seat is determined. A list of the best-fit frame, the best fit stem and spacer, and the best fit seat post, is produced.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Dorel Hungary KFT Luxembourg BranchInventors: Christopher Kautz, Scott Alan Rice, Jean-Paul Racine, Jason Andrew Clark, Antonio Giannascoli
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Patent number: 8950253Abstract: A silicon mass flow sensor manufacture process that enables the backside contacts and eliminates the conventional front side wire binding process, and the assembly of such a mass flow sensor is disclosed in the present invention. The achieved assembly enhances the reliability by eliminating the binding wire exposure to the flow medium that may lead to detrimental failure due to the wire shortage or breakage while the miniature footprint could be maintained. The assembly further reduces flow instability from the flow sensor package including the bump of wire sealing. The invented mass flow sensor assembly can be a flow sensor module if the supporting sensor carrier is pre-designed with the control electronics. Without the control electronics, the said mass flow sensor assembly is easy to install into desired flow channels and connect to the external control electronics.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: M-Tech Instrument Corporation (Holding) LimitedInventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
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Patent number: 8950272Abstract: An air mass flowmeter having a sensor module fitted in a tube for measuring a gas quantity flowing in the tube at a flow speed. The sensor module extends in the tube. A start of the sensor module defines a first plane and an end of the sensor module defines a second plane both normal to the direction of flow. Extended flow directing elements are arranged in the tube parallel to the direction of flow so that the gas flows onto end faces and wall regions of the flow elements. The wall regions extend between the first and second planes and increase the flow speed of the gas given a low flow speed, relative to the flow speed in the tube, and increase the flow speed of the gas to a lesser extent, given a high flow speed of the gas relative to the flow speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Stephen Setescak
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Patent number: 8943901Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
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Patent number: 8943888Abstract: This invention is related to a microfabricated microelectromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) silicon thermal mass flow sensor integrated with a micromachined thermopile temperature sensor as a flow inception detection sensor. The micromachined thermopile sensor is used to detect the inception of mass flow and therefore to trigger the operation of mass flow sensor from its hibernating mode. By this method, the battery-operated flow speed measuring apparatus can save great deal of electricity and significantly extend the life span of battery. A new design of micromachined thermopile sensor with serpentine shape is used to reduce the complexity of microfabrication process and to increase the flexibility and options for material selection. In order to enhance the sensitivity of the thermopile temperature sensor, a method to maximize the quantity of the junctions is provided as well.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: M-Tech Instrument Corporation (Holding) LimitedInventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
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Patent number: 8943887Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a flow sensing apparatus including: a fluid channel that allows a fluid to flow in a first direction; a first thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a first position along the fluid channel such that it senses a temperature of the fluid; a second thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a second position along the fluid channel and separated from the first sensing element by a predetermined distance along the fluid channel; and a heating element arranged between the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements, the heating element being equally spaced from the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventor: Geoff C. Gerhardt
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Patent number: 8939036Abstract: A system and method for measuring the airflow in an air handling unit, includes placing two sensor tubes having apertures along the thereof at specific locations within the air handling unit that, when attached to a manometer, measuring the differential pressure loss across the two locations and, by means of a special readout scale, providing the airflow through the air handling unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Inventor: Roy Kelley
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Patent number: 8939034Abstract: Flow measuring device for ascertaining flow of a measured medium flowing through a measuring tube, which flow measuring device has a first housing for protruding into the measured medium, wherein the first housing has a first surface intended to face the measured medium, wherein the flow measuring device includes a second surface for bounding the measured medium, and wherein each separation between the first surface for bounding the first housing from measured medium, the second surface for bounding the measured medium and the first surface of the first housing amounts to at least 1 mm.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Andreas Berger, Pierre Ueberschlag
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Patent number: 8939035Abstract: A multi-phase fluid is passed through a Coriolis flowmeter and a watercut meter. The multi-phase fluid includes two phases during a first time period and three phases during a second time period. It is determined that the multi-phase fluid includes two phases during the first time period, and a first value of a parameter of the multi-phase fluid is determined using a value measured by the Coriolis flowmeter during the first time period. A second value of a parameter of the multi-phase fluid is determined using a value measured by the watercut meter during the first time period. The first value is compared to the second value, and it is determined, based on the comparison, that the first value and the second value are inconsistent with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Manus P. Henry
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Patent number: 8935959Abstract: To reduce a signal variation of a bridge circuit connected with a temperature sensing resistor that is caused by a strain even when the strain is generated at a diaphragm portion of a substrate installed with a heater resistor and the temperature sensing resistor. In a thermal type flow rate resistor including a substrate, a diaphragm 13 formed at the substrate, and a heat generating resistor 2 and temperature detecting resistors 7 through 10 formed on the diaphragm for detecting a flow rate of a measured fluid by heating the heat generating resistor, strain detecting resistors 11 and 12 are formed on an upstream side and on a downstream side of a flow of the measured fluid relative to the heat generating resistor on the diaphragm, an amount of a strain generated on the diaphragm is detected by the strain detecting resistors, and a flow rate signal detected by the heat generating resistor and the temperature detecting resistors is compensated for the strain based on the detected amount of the strain.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Ryo Sato, Keiji Hanzawa
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Patent number: 8931338Abstract: A flow sensor includes a main flow body, a laminar flow element, a first bypass tap, and a second flow element sensor tap. The main flow body has a first main flow port, a second main flow port, a main flow channel, a first bypass tap, a second bypass tap, and a bypass flow channel. The laminar flow element is disposed within the main flow channel. The bypass flow channel has a cross sectional area, and the first bypass tap and the second bypass tap each have a cross sectional area that is greater than the maximum cross sectional area of the bypass flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Jamie Speldrich
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Patent number: 8931353Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter and components thereof. One such component being a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and a curved shape extending therebetween, and defining therein a flow path lying in an imaginary plane. The inlet and outlet each have an internal cross-sectional area having a first dimension in a direction along the plane and a second dimension in a direction perpendicular thereto. The first and second dimensions are the largest dimensions of each internal cross sectional area in the respective directions. The first dimension having a different magnitude of length than the second dimension.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Precim Ltd.Inventors: Tal Mokady, Ran Gabai
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Patent number: 8928137Abstract: An ultrasound flow meter unit arranged to measure a fluid flow rate is provided, where the unit comprises a circuit board 502 which comprises an electronic circuit, a first ultrasound transducer 506 and a first conducting path 564 electrically connected to first ultrasound transducer and the electronic circuit, wherein the circuit board is a multi-layer circuit board and the first conducting path 564 is arranged at least partially between a first layer 581 and a second layer 582. In a further embodiment, there is provided an upper electrically conducting layer 586 and/or a lower electrically conducting layer 588 which substantially covers, respectively, the upper surface of the first layer 581 and the lower surface of the second layer 582.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Kamstrup A/SInventors: Anders Skallebæk, Peter Schmidt Laursen, Søren Tønnes Nielsen
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Patent number: 8925390Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus and an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus that can prevent the disturbance from occurring in the ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid. An ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure includes an ultrasonic measuring section adjacent to a channel member. The channel member includes a first ultrasonic wave input/output section and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section provided in a first side wall part, and a reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the second side wall part. Further, it is configured so that the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are adjacent to each other, and an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane through which the ultrasonic waves pass covers together both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yuuji Fujii, Hajime Miyata, Yukinori Ozaki, Aoi Watanabe
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Patent number: 8925391Abstract: A flow speed sensor arrangement is provided for measuring a flow speed of a fluid stream relative to an object. The arrangement comprises a first obstructive body having a first forward facing surface and two lateral edges and a second obstructive body having a second forward facing surface. The second obstructive body is positioned in tandem relative to the first obstructive body so that the first and second forward facing surfaces face the same direction and so that when the first forward facing surface is presented to an incoming fluid stream, the first obstructive body is between the incoming fluid flow and the second obstructive body. A sensor array is disposed on the second forward facing surface. The first and second obstructive bodies are attachable to the object so that the first forward face is presented to an incoming fluid stream when the object is immersed in the fluid stream.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Tao of Systems Integration, Inc.Inventors: Siva M. Mangalam, Arun Mangalam