Patents by Inventor Curtis John Ollila

Curtis John Ollila 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: 6718615
    Abstract: A method of forming a flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6564650
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section and are adapted to be vibrated in phase opposition by a driver. The phase difference between the ends of the vibrating loops is measured. The measured phase difference is used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6386048
    Abstract: A balance bar for a straight tube Coriolis flowmeter. The balance bar is preferably manufactured by process that provides an increased number of flowmeter elements integral to the balance bar. These integral elements comprise: brace bars at each end of the balance bar, rib elements on each side of the balance bar to raise the horizontal vibration frequency, a surface to facilitate the mounting of a driver to the balance bar and to a flow tube surrounded by the balance bar, surfaces to facilitate the mounting of sensors to the balance bar and flow tube, voids that lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar in a drive plane, and a cavity that makes the vibration amplitude of the balance bar less than that of the flow tube. These elements lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar to make the flowmeter calibration factor independent of density. The balance bar is ideally made by a casting process. The balance bar may also be fabricated by other processes including machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Robert Barclay Garnett, Curtis John Ollila, Rachael Esther Cohen
  • Patent number: 6374478
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a straight tube Coriolis Flowmeter. The system of this invention provides a process for connecting a flow tube assembly including a balance bar and a flow tube to at least two points inside a casing. The process provides an inexpensive way to use localized heat to affix the flow tube assembly to the two points. The use of localized heat reduces damage caused by expansion of components caused by heat as well reduces damage to electrical components in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Neece, James Vernon Decker, Clinton Ray Griffin, Edwin Arthur Hagerman, III, Curtis John Ollila, Michael Leon Overfelt, Kevin Robert Piletic, John Randolph Roper, Michael Benton Shelton
  • Patent number: 6354154
    Abstract: A balance bar for a straight tube Coriolis flowmeter. The balance bar is preferably manufactured by process that provides an increased number of flowmeter elements integral to the balance bar. These integral elements comprise: brace bars at each end of the balance bar, rib elements on each side of the balance bar to raise the horizontal vibration frequency, a surface to facilitate the mounting of a driver to the balance bar and to a flow tube surrounded by the balance bar, surfaces to facilitate the mounting of sensors to the balance bar and flow tube, voids that lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar in a drive plane, and a cavity that makes the vibration amplitude of the balance bar less than that of the flow tube. These elements lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar to make the flowmeter calibration factor independent of density. The balance bar is ideally made by a casting process. The balance bar may be also fabricated by other processes including machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Robert Barclay Garnett, Curtis John Ollila, Rachael Esther Cohen
  • Publication number: 20020014125
    Abstract: A flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube ends are coupled to end flanges by means of a raised element having a center opening for sealably receiving the flow tube terminus. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges to minimize the surface area of the flow tube that is affected by the weld between the case end and raised element of the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6343517
    Abstract: A flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube ends are coupled to end flanges by means of a raised element having a center opening for sealably receiving the flow tube terminus. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges to minimize the surface area of the flow tube that is affected by the weld between the case end and raised element of the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6332367
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Publication number: 20010039841
    Abstract: A balance bar for a straight tube Coriolis flowmeter. The balance bar is preferably manufactured by process that provides an increased number of flowmeter elements integral to the balance bar. These integral elements comprise: brace bars at each end of the balance bar, rib elements on each side of the balance bar to raise the horizontal vibration frequency, a surface to facilitate the mounting of a driver to the balance bar and to a flow tube surrounded by the balance bar, surfaces to facilitate the mounting of sensors to the balance bar and flow tube, voids that lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar in a drive plane, and a cavity that makes the vibration amplitude of the balance bar less than that of the flow tube. Said element that lowers the resonant frequency of the balance bar also makes the flowmeter calibration factor independent of density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Robert Barclay Garnett, Curtis John Ollila, Rachael Esther Cohen
  • Patent number: 6314820
    Abstract: Signal processing of Coriolis flowmeter output signals is improved by increasing the frequency separation between the flow tube drive frequency and unwanted lateral mode vibration frequencies. A cylindrical lateral mode stabilizer surrounds the flow tube near each flow tube end and is positioned between the flow tube and a surrounding balance bar. Axially lateral extensions on opposing circumferential sides of each lateral mode stabilizer element stiffen the flow tube ends for only lateral vibrations. This raises the lateral mode vibration frequency of the flow tube while leaving the drive mode frequency relatively unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis John Ollila
  • Publication number: 20010029790
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section and are adapted to be vibrated in phase opposition by a driver. The phase difference between the ends of the vibrating loops is measured. The measured phase difference is used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6293158
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6286373
    Abstract: A system enclosing a Coriolis flowmeter in a explosion proof housing. The explosion proof housing is structured in a way that the housing can withstand an explosion of volatile material inside the housing. The explosion proof housing prevents sparks and heat inside the housing from igniting volatile material outside the housing. Any gaps or openings in the explosion proof housing provide a flame path of sufficient length to cool a flame or hot material escaping from the housing. The use of the secondary housing as an explosion proof compartment allows the use of a driver having greater power as well as conventional leads inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Dale Lister, John Richard McCarthy, Curtis John Ollila, Anthony Pankratz
  • Patent number: 6044715
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 5996225
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Ollila, David Frederick Normen, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: D435227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Dale Lister, Michael Leon Overfeldt, Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Curtis John Ollila