Patents by Inventor Andrew T. Patten

Andrew T. Patten has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8239157
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Andrew T Patten, Charles P Stack, Jeffrey S Walker, Neal B Gronlie
  • Publication number: 20110144938
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B. MCANALLY, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
  • Patent number: 7925456
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
  • Patent number: 7716995
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter (5) includes one or more flow conduits (103), at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) affixed to the one or more flow conduits (103), a driver (104) configured to vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103), and meter electronics (20) coupled to the at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) and to the driver (104). The meter electronics (20) vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) of the flow meter (5) with a first vibration frequency and in a first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a first vibrational response, with the first vibrational response being generated in response to the first vibration frequency, vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) with at least a second vibration frequency and in the first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a second vibrational response, and determine at least a mass flow rate and a viscosity using the first and second vibrational responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill, Denis M. Henrot
  • Patent number: 7597008
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that determines the density (602) of a material flowing through a Coriolis flow meter. The density is used to infer the pressure (608) of the flowing material. The inferred pressure may be used to correct for the secondary pressure effect in the Coriolis flow meter or may be reported to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Karl Benedict Stappert
  • Publication number: 20080184813
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter (5) includes one or more flow conduits (103), at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) affixed to the one or more flow conduits (103), a driver (104) configured to vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103), and meter electronics (20) coupled to the at least two pickoff sensors (105, 105?) and to the driver (104). The meter electronics (20) vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) of the flow meter (5) with a first vibration frequency and in a first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a first vibrational response, with the first vibrational response being generated in response to the first vibration frequency, vibrate the one or more flow conduits (103) with at least a second vibration frequency and in the first out-of-phase bending mode, measure a second vibrational response, and determine at least a mass flow rate and a viscosity using the first and second vibrational responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill, Denis M. Henrot
  • Publication number: 20080189054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Micro Motion Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
  • Patent number: 6745135
    Abstract: A system, method, and software are disclosed that determine a proportion of a majority component of a fluid that is flowing through a Coriolis flowmeter. Circuitry receives pickoff signals and a temperature signal from the Coriolis flowmeter responsive to the fluid being flowed through the Coriolis flowmeter. The circuitry processes the pickoff signals and the temperature signal to determine a proportion of the majority component relative to the fluid. To determine the proportion of the majority component in one example, the circuitry determines a first volumetric flow rate based on a measured mass flow rate of the fluid and a reference density of the majority component. The circuitry then determines a second volumetric flow rate based on a measured volumetric flow rate, a temperature-varying density, and the reference density. The circuitry determines the proportion of the majority component based on the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keilty, Andrew T. Patten
  • Publication number: 20030208325
    Abstract: A system, method, and software are disclosed that determine a proportion of a majority component of a fluid that is flowing through a Coriolis flowmeter. Circuitry receives pickoff signals and a temperature signal from the Coriolis flowmeter responsive to the fluid being flowed through the Coriolis flowmeter. The circuitry processes the pickoff signals and the temperature signal to determine a proportion of the majority component relative to the fluid. To determine the proportion of the majority component in one example, the circuitry determines a first volumetric flow rate based on a measured mass flow rate of the fluid and a reference density of the majority component. The circuitry then determines a second volumetric flow rate based on a measured volumetric flow rate, a temperature-varying density, and the reference density. The circuitry determines the proportion of the majority component based on the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keilty, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6636815
    Abstract: A system, method, and software are disclosed that determine a proportion of a majority component of a fluid that is flowing through a Coriolis flowmeter. Circuitry receives pickoff signals and a temperature signal from the Coriolis flowmeter responsive to the fluid being flowed through the Coriolis flowmeter. The circuitry processes the pickoff signals and the temperature signal to determine a proportion of the majority component relative to the fluid. To determine the proportion of the majority component in one example, the circuitry determines a first volumetric flow rate based on a measured mass flow rate of the fluid and a reference density of the majority component. The circuitry then determines a second volumetric flow rate based on a measured volumetric flow rate, a temperature-varying density, and the reference density. The circuitry determines the proportion of the majority component based on the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keilty, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6612186
    Abstract: An energy metering device includes a volumetric flow meter or mass flow meter in combination with a gas analyzer that provides telemetry regarding the constituents of a natural gas flow stream. An interpreter analyzes this information and provides a real time output corresponding to the enthalpy of combustion for the gas stream. This output is used to adjust or throttle the gas flow stream for purposes of delivering the flow stream according to a preselected parameter, which is related to desired operating conditions for a combustion device including a boiler or an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Thomas A. O'Banion, Julie Ann Valentine
  • Patent number: 6556931
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a density compensated flow rate of a material flowing through a vibrating conduit. Signals are received from sensors affixed to the vibrating conduit. An uncompensated flow rate of said material is then calculated from the signals. A density compensation factor is then determined from the uncompensated flow rate and non-linear information relating density to errors in flow rate. The density compensated flow rate is then determined by applying the density compensation factor to the uncompensated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Andrew T. Patten
  • Publication number: 20030055581
    Abstract: A system, method, and software are disclosed that determine a proportion of a majority component of a fluid that is flowing through a Coriolis flowmeter. Circuitry receives pickoff signals and a temperature signal from the Coriolis flowmeter responsive to the fluid being flowed through the Coriolis flowmeter. The circuitry processes the pickoff signals and the temperature signal to determine a proportion of the majority component relative to the fluid. To determine the proportion of the majority component in one example, the circuitry determines a first volumetric flow rate based on a measured mass flow rate of the fluid and a reference density of the majority component. The circuitry then determines a second volumetric flow rate based on a measured volumetric flow rate, a temperature-varying density, and the reference density. The circuitry determines the proportion of the majority component based on the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Keilty, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6449574
    Abstract: A device in a process control system includes an electrical element which has a resistance. Self heating circuitry coupled to the element provides a self heating signal related to the resistance of the element. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of the self heating signal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignees: Micro Motion, Inc., Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Jogesh Warrior, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6092409
    Abstract: A System for validating a flow calibration factor for a Coriolis flow meter. In accordance with the present invention, the period of oscillation of a flow tube is measured as a material of a known density flow through the flow tube. The period of oscillation is used in an equation derived from an equation used to calculate the density of material flowing through the flow tube to find a result. The result is then compared to a result derived from the known density of the material to detect a possible error condition in the flow tube. If an error condition exists an error signal is generated that indicates the Coriolis flow meter should be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 5497666
    Abstract: An increased sensitivity Coriolis flowmeter having one or more drivers oscillates a flow tube, or tubes, at pre-determined frequencies thereby producing active and/or static nodes at points along the flowtube(s). The increased sensitivity of the present flowmeter is provided by controllably locating sensors in close proximity to the static nodes and/or active nodes. In a first embodiment, the flowtubes are oscillated in a manner generating a single active node with sensors positioned in close proximity to, and on opposing sides of, the active node. In a second embodiment, the flowtubes are oscillated in a manner generating multiple active nodes where the sensors are located on opposing sides of each active node, or on opposing flowtubes where one sensor is above an active node on one leg and a second sensor below the active node on the opposing leg. In another embodiment, sensors are positioned in close proximity to static nodes in addition to the sensor positions for active nodes as previously stated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Andrew K. Levien