Patents Examined by Jewel V. Thompson
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Patent number: 9534942Abstract: A variable orifice fluid flow sensor is provided that includes a biasing member and a bending member positioned proximate the biasing member. The biasing member includes at least one biasing element extending from the biasing member into contact with a non-flapper portion of the bending member to exert a contact force on the bending member.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James Nyal Mashak
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Patent number: 9534943Abstract: A measuring tube for magneto-inductive flowmeter systems, having a measuring tube for the flow of an electrically conductive medium and a magnetic field generating device for generating a magnetic field, at least two measuring electrodes which tap the measurement voltage induced in the electrically conductive medium and preferably an evaluation unit. The measuring electrodes have externally accessible measuring contacts, wherein the measuring tube forms a first functional unit with the measuring electrodes, and mating contacts corresponding to the measuring contacts of the measuring electrodes, the magnetic field generating device and an evaluation unit, if present, form a second functional unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Krohne AGInventors: Christine Perfetti, Josef Neven
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Patent number: 9528864Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a buildup of silt in a pipe or open channel of a fluid flow network. The pipe or open channel has a system with at least one set of velocity sensors to measure flow velocities at predetermined horizontal levels. The method includes the steps of computing flow using measured flow velocities and cross-sectional areas for each flow layer, summing the flows to provide a total flow, monitoring the measured flow velocities and storing the measured flow velocities to detect any ongoing reduction in flow velocity of at least a lowermost velocity sensor to provide an indication of a buildup of silt in the pipe or open channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: RUBICON RESEARCH PTY LTDInventors: Damien Vernon Pearson, Reece Joseph Tyrrell, Gordon John Bish
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Patent number: 9523594Abstract: A control circuit for a probe includes: at least one low thermal coefficient resistance (TCR) component placed in a first section of a probe, wherein the at least one low TCR component has low positive temperature resistance coefficient (PTC); at least one high TCR component placed in a second section of the probe and connected in series with the at least one low TCR component, wherein the at least one high TCR component has high PTC, and wherein the at least one high TCR component responds to temperature differently than the at least one low TCR component; and at least one shunt component connected in parallel with the at least one high TCR component, wherein when temperature of the at least one high TCR component exceeds a set temperature point, the at least one shunt component is activated to reduce current flowing through the at least one high TCR component.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Grant A. Gordon, Danny Thomas Kimmel
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Patent number: 9518854Abstract: A resonance circuit is configured to receive a pulse density signal obtained by ??-modulating an analog displacement signal by a ?? modulator and a multi-bit signal obtained from the pulse density signal and to generate an excitation signal based on the pulse density signal and the multi-bit signal. The resonance circuit includes an amplification factor controller configured to set an amplification factor depending on a vibration signal obtained from the multi-bit signal, a multiplier configured to amplify a level of the pulse density signal by the amplification factor, and a circuit group configured to generate the excitation signal based on a pulse density signal obtained by further ??-modulating an output of the multiplier. The amplification factor controller is configured to set the amplification factor using a proportional control and an integral control based a difference between an amplitude signal obtained from the vibration signal and a target amplitude value.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Ikadai, Masami Wada
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Patent number: 9513149Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter has a driver that oscillates a conduit, a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of movement of the conduit at a first location, and a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of movement of the conduit at a second location. The first and second locations are arranged so a phase difference between the first and second signals when the conduit is oscillated by the driver is related to a mass flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter. A digital signal processor includes a plurality of detectors tuned to a set of different frequencies. The detectors are configured to analyze the first sensor signal in parallel and generate an output indicative of how closely an actual frequency of the first sensor signal matches the frequency to which the respective detector is tuned.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Manus P. Henry
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Patent number: 9513150Abstract: A method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter that has at least one measuring tube, at least one oscillation generator, at least two oscillation sensors and at least one evaluation unit, wherein the oscillation sensors and/or oscillation generator has at least one coil, wherein the oscillation generator excites the measuring tube to oscillation, wherein the oscillation sensors detect the oscillations of the measuring tube, wherein the temperature of the measuring tube is determined and wherein the evaluation unit processes the detected oscillation signals and determines state variables of the Coriolis mass flowmeter. The electric impedance of the coil of the oscillation generator and/or the electric impedance of at least one coil of the oscillation sensors is determined and the evaluation unit calculates at least one temperature-dependent state variable which is based on the temperature of the measuring tube and which is corrected based upon the determined impedance of the coil.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Krohne AGInventor: Tao Wang
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Patent number: 9513147Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowmeter comprising a piezoelectric sensor. The flowmeter is configured so that fluid flow through a channel, typically either a fluid conduit or a housing in which the sensor is oriented, produces oscillating stresses in a piezoelectric material. The oscillating stresses produce an electric signal. Characteristics of the electric signal, such as the magnitude of the signal at particular frequencies, can be measured and used to determine the rate of fluid flow through the channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Inventors: Jonathan Mack Frey, Charles Lee Frey
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Patent number: 9506789Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outer housing, an inner housing disposed within the outer housing, and an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the inner housing. The outer housing has an aperture that enables pressurized fluid to enter the outer housing while allowing the outer housing to acoustically isolate the inner housing and the ultrasonic transducer from an additional component when the outer housing is connected to the additional component. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Emanuel J. Gottlieb, Kevin P. Minnock, Donald R. Augenstein, Richard A. Zuckerman
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Patent number: 9506792Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having at least one curved measuring tube having an inlet end, outlet end and a central curved section between the inlet end and outlet end, a carrier bridge extending between the inlet end and outlet end of the measuring tube and fixing the measuring tube ends, at least one oscillation generator attached to the measuring tube, at least one oscillation sensor for detecting measuring tube oscillations, an evaluation unit for evaluating detected measuring tube oscillations, and wherein the measuring tube extends through at least one opening from an inner area of the carrier bridge out of the carrier bridge into the outer area of the carrier bridge, the central curved section running outside of the carrier bridge. A conductor guiding structure is arranged on the carrier bridge extending toward the oscillation sensor and the conductor arrangement fixed on the conductor guiding structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Krohne AGInventors: Tao Wang, Christopher Rolph, Gary Jones
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Patent number: 9506790Abstract: A monolithic matching structure for use in an ultrasonic transducer. The matching structure includes a mini-horn array. The mini-horn array includes a back plate, a plurality of horns, and a front plate. The plurality of horns extend from the back plate. Each of the horns includes a base and a neck. The base is adjacent the back plate. The neck extends from the base. Transverse area of the base is larger than transverse area of the neck. The front plate is adjacent the neck of each of the horns.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.Inventor: Alex Mezheritsky
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Patent number: 9506794Abstract: A flow rate measuring device includes: a bypass passage; a flow rate detecting element; and a flow rate measuring circuit. The bypass passage includes: an inflow port; an outflow port; and a plurality of bent portions. The plurality of bent portions include first to third bent portions for forming U-shapes, and a fourth bent portion for bending the bypass passage bent at the third bent portion so as to be parallel to a mainstream flowing direction. The flow rate detecting element is arranged inside the bypass passage in a part after bending at the fourth bent portion. A route connecting the inflow port and the flow rate detecting element as a straight line is blocked by an inner wall surface of the bypass passage on an outer peripheral side, which is formed between the first bent portion and the second bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazuto Akagi, Naoyuki Kishikawa, Hiroyuki Uramachi, Hiroshi Sakanoue, Masahiro Kawai, Yuji Ariyoshi
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Patent number: 9500504Abstract: A measuring tube for a flow measuring device, wherein the measuring tube has a lining, wherein the lining has at least one sealing lip, which sealing lip serves to provide a sealing action between the measuring tube and a pipeline section adjoining the measuring tube in the installed state.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowetec AGInventors: Roger Kerrom, Beat Tschudin, Raphael Hess
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Patent number: 9500508Abstract: A gas meter device of the present invention comprises plural measurement fluid passages provided in parallel between an inlet into which a fluid flows, and an outlet from which the fluid flows out; flow value measuring sections provided in the measurement fluid passages, respectively, and configured to obtain flow values of fluids flowing through the measurement fluid passages, respectively; memories configured to store coefficient data which are values corresponding to the measurement fluid passages, respectively and indicating a relation between the flow values of the fluids flowing through the measurement fluid passages, respectively, and a total flow value of the fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet; and total flow value estimation sections configured to estimate total flow values of the fluids based on the flow values obtained by the flow value measuring sections, respectively, and the coefficient data stored in the memories.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hirokazu Gotou, Akihisa Adachi, Yuji Fujii, Yuji Nakabayashi, Yukio Sakaguchi, Yasuharu Kawano, Aoi Watanabe
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Patent number: 9500505Abstract: A gas distribution system may include a gas mass flow sensor with a resistive element configured to be heated, a thermally conductive shell surrounding the resistive element and heat-transfer control elements. The shell may include a leading surface oriented substantially orthogonal to a direction of gas flow. The heat-transfer control elements may be positioned to focus heat transfer from the resistive element through the leading surface of the shell so that a rate of heat transfer is independent from the variations in flow configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Yogendra Y. Sheoran, William Facinelli, Alan Kang, Andrew Earl, Jun Isobe
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Patent number: 9492116Abstract: An orthopedic implant having an energy-harvesting device is disclosed. In one embodiment the orthopedic implant is a prosthetic component of a joint of the muscular-skeletal system. The orthopedic implant can include electronic circuitry, a power source, and one or more sensors for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system or a parameter of in proximity to the implant. The energy-harvesting device generates charge for powering the electronic circuitry using movement of the muscular-skeletal system. The energy-harvesting device comprises a piezo-electric element that converts changes in force into charge that is stored onto a storage device. The energy-harvesting device is coupled to the patella of a knee joint. Movement of the knee joint changes a force applied to the energy-harvesting device thereby generating charge that is coupled to circuitry in a prosthetic component of the knee joint.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: ORTHOSENSOR INC.Inventor: Marc Stein
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Patent number: 9494452Abstract: An ultrasonic consumption meter includes two ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a flow channel, an electronic circuit for operating the meter, and a housing for the ultrasonic transducers and the electronic circuit. The housing is locked in position relative to the flow channel by a locking mechanism, and the flow channel has two holes for allowing the housing to get into contact with a media flowing in the flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APSInventor: Jens Drachmann
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Patent number: 9488510Abstract: A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, Jr., John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
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Patent number: 9488512Abstract: A method of determining a mass flow rate of product being applied with an agricultural implement includes the steps of: calibrating a pressure drop across a known distance in an air line at a number of air flow rates; metering a product at a desired application rate into the air line at a selected air flow rate; establishing a pressure drop across the known distance at the selected air flow rate, while the product is being metered; calculating a specific pressure drop by dividing the established pressure drop by the determined pressure drop; ascertaining the values of parameters A and B using the mathematical expression: ?=1+A?+B?{square root over (?)} ?where: ?=specific pressure drop; ?=mass loading ratio; and A and B=parameters based on measured data for the specific product being applied; and estimating a mass flow rate of the product being applied.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Mohammad Shabbir Hossain, Scott D. Noble, David Sumner
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Patent number: 9476744Abstract: An orifice plate assembly for use with a process variable transmitter for measuring flow of a process fluid includes a single piece body having a circumferential support ring. A first face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a first flange of a first process pipe. A second face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a second flange of a second process pipe. A flow plate region is positioned between the first and second pipes and has first and second sides. The flow plate region is concentric with the circumferential support ring. At least one flow orifice in the flow plate region provides a restricted fluid path between the first and second process pipes. A first pressure tap is configured to fluidically couple to the process variable transmitter to the process fluid proximate the first side of the flow plate region.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Dieterich Standard, Inc.Inventor: Michael Hering