Patents by Inventor Craig B. McAnally
Craig B. McAnally 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).
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Patent number: 8364426Abstract: A flow device is provided. The flow device includes at least one conduit (20) and a pick-off (30) providing a pick-off signal (35) for measuring motion of the at least one conduit (20). The flow device also includes a drive (40) that receives a first signal (55) for vibrating the at least one conduit (20) at a resonance frequency and that receives a second signal (56) for vibrating the at least one conduit at a frequency that is different than the resonance frequency. One or more electronics (50) is provided. The one or more electronics (50) generates the first and second signals (55, 56), receives the pick-off signal (35) from the pick-off (30), and measures changes in a time shift between the second signal (56) frequency applied by the drive (40) and the second signal (56) frequency detected by the pick-off (30).Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis, Paul J. Hays
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Patent number: 8302489Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for measuring flow characteristics of a three phase flow is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (10) including pickoff sensors (105, 105?) and meter electronics (20) coupled to the pickoff sensors (105, 105?). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive a vibrational response from the pickoff sensors (105, 105), generate a first density measurement of the three phase flow using a first frequency component of the vibrational response, and generate at least a second density measurement of the three phase flow using at least a second frequency component of the vibrational response. The at least second frequency component is a different frequency than the first frequency component. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to determine one or more flow characteristics from the first density measurement and the at least second density measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Mark James Bell, Craig B McAnally, Richard L St. Pierre, Jr., Andrew Timothy Patten
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Patent number: 8260562Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J Cunningham, William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally
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Patent number: 8239157Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Andrew T Patten, Charles P Stack, Jeffrey S Walker, Neal B Gronlie
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Patent number: 8165830Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for processing sensor signals in a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201) and configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal, and compute a frequency from the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift. The processing system (203) is further configured to generate sine and cosine signals using the frequency, and quadrature demodulate the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal using the sine and cosine signals in order to determine the phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Denis M Henrot
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Patent number: 8135552Abstract: A method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes testing one or more first pickoff wires and one or more second pickoff wires of the cabling for pickoff open wire faults. The method further includes testing the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires for pickoff connection orientation faults if no pickoff open wire faults are determined in the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires. The method further includes testing one or more driver wires of the cabling for driver open wire faults. The method further includes testing the driver wires for a driver connection orientation fault if no driver open wire faults are determined in the driver wires.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Hays, Craig B McAnally
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Patent number: 7996160Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a void fraction of gas in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the frequency response from the interface (201), break out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component, and determine the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Mark James Bell
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Publication number: 20110185822Abstract: A method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes testing one or more first pickoff wires and one or more second pickoff wires of the cabling for pickoff open wire faults. The method further includes testing the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires for pickoff connection orientation faults if no pickoff open wire faults are determined in the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires. The method further includes testing one or more driver wires of the cabling for driver open wire faults. The method further includes testing the driver wires for a driver connection orientation fault if no driver open wire faults are determined in the driver wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. HAYS, Craig B. McAnally
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Patent number: 7983855Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally
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Publication number: 20110166801Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. CUNNINGHAM, William M. Mansfield, Craig B. McAnally
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Publication number: 20110144938Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. MCANALLY, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
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Publication number: 20110138205Abstract: A method for optimizing processor operation in a processing system including one or more digital filters is provided according to the invention. The method includes generating initial filter coefficients for the one or more digital filters of the processing system, determining one or more initial filter coefficients for at least one digital filter of the one or more digital filters that can be dropped and dropping the one or more initial filter coefficients. Dropping the one or more initial filter coefficients reduces a total number of filter coefficients to be used by the processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Paul J. Hays
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Patent number: 7953568Abstract: A method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes testing one or more first pickoff wires and one or more second pickoff wires of the cabling for pickoff open wire faults. The method further includes testing the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires for pickoff connection orientation faults if no pickoff open wire faults are determined in the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires. The method further includes testing one or more driver wires of the cabling for driver open wire faults. The method further includes testing the driver wires for a driver connection orientation fault if no driver open wire faults are determined in the driver wires.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Craig B. McAnally
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Publication number: 20110121794Abstract: A bus instrument (10) configured to predictively limit power consumption and adapted for use with a two-wire instrumentation bus is provided. The bus instrument (10) includes a sensor (13), a shunt regulator (14), and a controller (20). The controller (20) is configured to generate a predicted available power Ppredicted that will be available to the bus instrument (10) after a change in the loop current IL, compare the predicted available power Ppredicted to a present time power Pt0 comprising a controller power Pcontroller plus a sensor power Psensor, and reduce the sensor power Psensor if the total available power Pavailable is less than the controller power Pcontroller plus the sensor power Psensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Micro Motionm Inc.Inventors: William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally, Paul J Hays
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Publication number: 20110113173Abstract: A method for executing a processing routine that utilizes an external memory is provided. The processing routine requires more than one external memory access. The method comprises the step of distributing the external memory access after a predetermined number of external memory accesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2008Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Craig B. McAnally, William M. Mansfield
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Publication number: 20110098945Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for generating a drive signal for a vibrating measuring device (5). A drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) is selected from at least two drive chains (C1, C2, C3, CN). Each drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) modifies at least one pick-off signal to generate the drive signal. Each drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) generates a different mode of vibration in the at least one conduit (103A). The drive signal generated by the selected drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) is provided to a drive (104) of the vibrating measuring device (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventor: Craig B McAnally
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Patent number: 7925456Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
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Patent number: 7908097Abstract: Meter electronics (20) and methods for detecting a flow anomaly in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) are provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response of the flow material, with the vibrational response including at least a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal and generate at least one flow characteristic using at least the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift, compare the at least one flow characteristic to at least one anomaly profile, detect a shift in the vibrational response if the at least one flow characteristic falls within the anomaly profile, and indicate an anomaly condition as a result of the detecting.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis
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Patent number: 7845242Abstract: A three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) is provided according to the invention. The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) includes a first flow conduit (210a) conducting a first flow stream, a second flow conduit (210b) that is independent of the first flow stream, and a common driver (216) configured to vibrate the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b). The three pickoff sensor flow meter (200) further includes three pickoff sensors (218, 219a, 219b) configured to provide first and second time delay values (?t1) and (?t2) for the first flow conduit (210a) and the second flow conduit (210b).Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Mark James Bell, Gregory Treat Lanham
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Publication number: 20100275703Abstract: The present invention relates to flow devices that measure a characteristic of a flowing substance and methods for operating flow devices. In one embodiment, a drive (40) is provided that receives a first signal (55) for vibrating at least one conduit (20) at a resonance frequency and a second signal (56) for vibrating the at least one conduit (20) at a frequency that is different than the resonance frequency. In another embodiment, a drive (140) is provided that alternates between receiving a drive signal (155) to vibrate at least one conduit (120) at a resonance frequency and providing a pick-off signal (145) for measuring motion of the at least one conduit (120). In another embodiment, one or more electronics (50, 150) are provided that determine a mode of vibration of at least one conduit (20, 120) and compare the determined mode of vibration to one or more reference modes of vibration to determine whether a substance is flowing within the at least one conduit (20, 120).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis, Paul J. Hays