Patents by Inventor Charles Paul Stack

Charles Paul Stack 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: 10782171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9719838
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215?) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216?) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Gregory Treat Lanham, Mark James Bell
  • Publication number: 20150068271
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215?) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216?) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Gregory Treat Lanham, Mark James Bell
  • Patent number: 8919181
    Abstract: A multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215?) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216?) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202). The at least one additional flow stream is independent of the first flow stream. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes a common driver (220) configured to vibrate both the first flow conduit (201) and the at least one additional flow conduit (202) in order to generate a first vibrational response and at least one additional vibrational response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Gregory Treat Lanham, Mark James Bell
  • Publication number: 20140039814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8589091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8302491
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Publication number: 20100299089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7831400
    Abstract: A system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes comprises a means for calibrating the flow meter for a number of desired modes. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes includes a means for determining a density of a material flowing through the flow meter associated with each mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes further includes a means for determining the flow rate effect on density for each desired mode. The system for calculating a flow rate of a flow meter using multiple modes a means for calculating a flow rate based on the density and flow rate effect on density values for each desired mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Marc Allan Buttler, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Publication number: 20100206090
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Mirco Motion Inc
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 7774150
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the vibrational response, vibrates at least one flowtube (130) of the vibratory flow meter (5) and generates a first tube period ?m1 for a first flow material m1, vibrates the at least one flowtube (130) and generates a second tube period ?m2 for a second flow material m2, and determines one or more of a stiffness coefficient C1 or a mass coefficient C2 from the first tube period ?m1, a first density ?m1, the second tube period ?m2, and a second density ?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Publication number: 20100175456
    Abstract: A multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (201) conducting a first flow stream and a pair of first pickoff sensors (215, 215) affixed to the first flow conduit (201). The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes at least one additional flow conduit (202) conducting at least one additional flow stream and at least one pair of additional pickoff sensors (216, 216?) affixed to the at least one additional flow conduit (202). The at least one additional flow stream is independent of the first flow stream. The multiple flow conduit flow meter (200) further includes a common driver (220) configured to vibrate both the first flow conduit (201) and the at least one additional flow conduit (202) in order to generate a first vibrational response and at least one additional vibrational response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Andrew Timothy Patten, Gregory Treat Lanham, Mark James Bell
  • Patent number: 7472606
    Abstract: A single input, multiple output flow meter (200) is provided. The flow meter (200) includes an intake conduit (202) and a flow divider (203). The flow meter (200) further includes a first flow sensor element (204) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a first output conduit (206), and is configured to generate a first flow signal. The flow meter (200) further includes at least a second flow sensor element (205) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a second output conduit (207), and is configured to generate a second flow signal. The input flow can be metered through the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204), can be metered through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205), or can be simultaneously metered through both the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204) and through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Seddon, Eugene M. Shanahan, Steven M. Jones, Charles Paul Stack
  • Publication number: 20080257065
    Abstract: A single input, multiple output flow meter (200) is provided. The flow meter (200) includes an intake conduit (202) and a flow divider (203). The flow meter (200) further includes a first flow sensor element (204) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a first output conduit (206), and is configured to generate a first flow signal. The flow meter (200) further includes at least a second flow sensor element (205) coupled to the flow divider (203), including a second output conduit (207), and is configured to generate a second flow signal. The input flow can be metered through the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204), can be metered through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205), or can be simultaneously metered through both the first output conduit (206) by the first flow sensor element (204) and through the second output conduit (207) by the second flow sensor element (205).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Seddon, Eugene M. Shanahan, Steven M. Jones, Charles Paul Stack
  • Publication number: 20080234949
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the vibrational response, vibrates at least one flowtube (130) of the vibratory flow meter (5) and generates a first tube period ??m1#191 for a first flow material m1, vibrates the at least one flowtube (130) and generates a second tube period ??m2#191 for a second flow material m2, and determines one or more of a stiffness coefficient C1 or a mass coefficient C2 from the first tube period ??m1#191, a first density ??m1#191, the second tube period ??m2#191, and a second density ??m2#191.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Micro Motion Inc
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 7194368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of correcting flow information generated by flow measurement apparatus, such as a Coriolis flowmeter. The disclosed method and apparatus corrects flow information generated during low flow and zero flow rates by blocking the application of spurious flow signals from the output of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Craig B. McAnally, Gregory Treat Lanham
  • Patent number: 6327915
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing compensation of mass flow rate and density for the flow tube of a single straight flow tube Coriolis flowmeter. Thermal stress compensation is provided by the use of a plurality of sensors on various portions of the flowmeter. A first sensor is coupled to the flow tube and provides information regarding the flow tube temperature. A plurality of additional sensors are connected to form a network having a two wire output. The additional sensors apply a composite signal over the two wire output of the network to meter electronics. The network signal represents the composite temperature of the flowmeter elements that can cause thermal stress on the flow tube when a temperature differential exists between the flow tube and the temperature of these plurality of elements. The additional elements include the balance bar and the flowmeter case. Sensitivity compensation is provided by the use of a novel algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Charles Paul Stack, Gregory Treat Lanham
  • 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: 5987999
    Abstract: A single tube Coriolis flowmeter having a balance bar that enhances the flowmeter sensitivity to material flow. The balance bar's design lowers its second bending mode response to have a frequency that may be lower than the flow tube resonant drive frequency. The lowering of the second bending mode frequency of the balance bar enables the Coriolis response of the vibrating flow tube with material flow to extend force from the flow tube through a brace bar to the balance bar. These Coriolis forces induce Coriolis-like response vibrations in the balance bar because of the lowered second bending mode frequency of the balance bar. The Coriolis response of the flowmeter is enhanced since the Coriolis-like response of the balance bar is out of phase with and is additive to the Coriolis deflection of the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd VanCleve, Charles Paul Stack, Gregory Treat Lanham
  • Patent number: 5969265
    Abstract: A single tube Coriolis flowmeter of enhanced flow sensitivity in which material flow induces Coriolis deflections in a flow tube and Coriolis-like deflections in a balance bar vibrationally coupled to the flow tube. Both the Coriolis deflections and the Coriolis-like deflections have a phase shift determined by material flow and are used co-adjuvantly to derive material flow information. The flowmeter achieves a constant flow sensitivity over a range of changes in material density by 1) varying the flow sensitivity in a first direction under control of the ratio between the drive mode vibration amplitude of the flow tube and the balance bar and 2) varying the flow sensitivity in an opposite direction under control of the ratio between the Coriolis deflection amplitude of the flow tube and the Coriolis-like deflection of the balance bar. The drive mode vibration amplitude ratio varies with changes in drive mode frequency caused by changes in material density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd VanCleve, Charles Paul Stack, Gregory Treat Lanham