Patents by Inventor Donald R. Cage
Donald R. Cage 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: 10126266Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and having a plurality of sensor elements to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a radial motion. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate in the radial motion. At least one vibration sensor senses the radial motion of the sensor element assembly. Controlling electronics measure at least one parameter of a fluid based on said radial motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Concentric Meter CorporationInventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Patent number: 10107784Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed. An example electromagnetic transducer may be provided for a fluid parameter meter. The example electromagnetic transducer may include at least one permanent magnet, a first armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet, and a second armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet. The first and the second armatures are arranged to interact with a third armature in magnetic cooperation with the first armature and the second armature. The example electromagnetic transducer may also include at least one electric coil mounted in cooperation with the magnetic field so that electric current through the electric coil to vary the vibratory forces. The example electromagnetic transducer may include an electronic module to control electric current and vibratory forces on a vibrating element of the fluid parameter meter.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Concentric Meter CorporationInventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Patent number: 9752911Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and has at least one straight uniform sensor element with an open interior to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate. At least one vibration sensor senses the vibration of the sensor element assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Concentric Meter CorporationInventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Publication number: 20170205373Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit, A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and having a plurality of sensor elements to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a radial motion. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate in the radial motion. At least one vibration sensor senses the radial motion of the sensor element assembly. Controlling electronics measure at least one parameter of a fluid based on said radial motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Publication number: 20160332129Abstract: A process meter and method for measurement of volume fraction of a slurry mixture. An example process meter includes a first viscosity meter configured to measure a first viscosity of the fluid and to generate a first viscosity signal proportionally related to the first viscosity. The example process meter also includes a second viscosity meter configured to measure a second viscosity of the slurry mixture and to generate a second viscosity signal proportionally related to the second viscosity. The example process meter also includes control electronics configured to receive the first viscosity signal and the second viscosity signal, and to calculate a volume fraction of the solid particles in the slurry mixture based on the first viscosity signal and the second viscosity signal. The control electronics is configured to create an output signal from the process meter proportionally related to the volume fraction, and to measure the volume fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Michael N. Schott, Donald R. Cage, Kristian S. Schartau
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Publication number: 20160334316Abstract: A vibrating element type process meter is disclosed, to measure slurry mass flow rate, density and viscosity, and the mass and volume fraction of particles in a slurry. An example may implement a vibrating element type sensor to measure the apparent mass flow rate and density and viscosity of a slurry, and by using slurry particle properties including particle size and shape and density, the true mass flow rate and slurry density may be determined. An algorithm may be applied to compensate the apparent mass flow rate and density by using the measured slurry viscosity and particle property data to derive a true slurry density.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Publication number: 20160187300Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed. An example electromagnetic transducer may be provided for a fluid parameter meter. The example electromagnetic transducer may include at least one permanent magnet, a first armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet, and a second armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet. The first and the second armatures are arranged to interact with a third armature in magnetic cooperation with the first armature and the second armature. The example electromagnetic transducer may also include at least one electric coil mounted in cooperation with the magnetic field so that electric current through the electric coil to vary the vibratory forces. The example electromagnetic transducer may include an electronic module to control electric current and vibratory forces on a vibrating element of the fluid parameter meter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Publication number: 20160187176Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and has at least one straight uniform sensor element with an open interior to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate. At least one vibration sensor senses the vibration of the sensor element assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Donald R. Cage, Michael N. Schott, Kristian S. Schartau
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Patent number: 8033928Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus adapted for use with an assistive energy type golf club which is safe to use, inconspicuous, and able to release sufficient assistive energy at the optimum time during a golf swing to add prescribed incremental velocity to a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 7963859Abstract: Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Publication number: 20110081980Abstract: Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 7731602Abstract: Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Publication number: 20090029793Abstract: Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Publication number: 20080280692Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus adapted for use with an assistive energy type golf club which is safe to use, inconspicuous, and able to release sufficient assistive energy at the optimum time during a golf swing to add prescribed incremental velocity to a golf ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 6782762Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter which comprises at least first and second generally parallel flowtubes, each of which includes a first half that is connected to an inlet manifold and a second half that is connected to an outlet manifold, a first brace bar which is attached to the first halves of the flowtubes, and a second brace bar which is attached to the second halves of the flowtubes. The first and second brace bars are oriented on the flowtubes such that, when the flowtubes are vibrated in at least one of a driven mode of vibration and a Coriolis mode of vibration, the resulting reaction forces at the inlet and outlet manifolds are less than those that exist when the first and second brace bars are oriented generally perpendicular to the flowtubes.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Direct Measurement CorporationInventor: Donald R. Cage
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Publication number: 20040045371Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter which comprises at least first and second generally parallel flowtubes, each of which includes a first half that is connected to an inlet manifold and a second half that is connected to an outlet manifold, a first brace bar which is attached to the first halves of the flowtubes, and a second brace bar which is attached to the second halves of the flowtubes. The first and second brace bars are oriented on the flowtubes such that, when the flowtubes are vibrated in at least one of a driven mode of vibration and a Coriolis mode of vibration, the resulting reaction forces at the inlet and outlet manifolds are less than those that exist when the first and second brace bars are oriented generally perpendicular to the flowtubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 6684715Abstract: The present invention is a Coriolis mass flowmeter which comprises at least one flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is allowed to flow; a number of force drivers for vibrating the flowtube in at least one mode of vibration of the flowtube; the vibration of the flowtube causing a driven deflection of the flowtube and the fluid flowing through the vibrating flowtube generating Coriolis forces which cause a Coriolis deflection of the flowtube; a plurality of strain-sensing transducers connected to the flowtube for generating signals representative of the driven deflection of the flowtube and the Coriolis deflection of the flowtube; and a signal processing circuit connected to the strain-sensing transducers for producing an indication of the mass flow rate of the fluid from the signals generated by the strain-sensing transducers.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 6639495Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electromagnetic actuator for a device having a first component which is movable relative to a second component, the electromagnetic actuator comprising a coil which is coupled to the first component; a magnetically permeable core which is coupled to the second component and which comprises an annular pole having first and second ends, a cylindrical keeper positioned around the pole, and a base connecting the first end of the pole to an adjacent end of the keeper; wherein the inner diameter of the keeper is greater than the outer diameter of the pole and the coil is positioned between the keeper and the pole; a magnet which is magnetically coupled to the core and which produces a magnetic field having flux lines that flow through the keeper, the base and the pole and across the coil; wherein the pole comprises an inner annular surface which is tapered from the first end to the second end to reduce the inductance of the coil and thereby permit the actuator to generate a gType: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Donald R. Cage
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Patent number: 6502466Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having a flowtube and excitation circuitry, coupled to the flowtube, that can excite the flowtube at varying frequencies of vibration and a method of operating the same to compensate for effects of fluid compressibility. In one embodiment, the Coriolis mass flowmeter includes: (1) flowrate measurement circuitry, coupled to the flowtube, that measures a first mass flowrate of a fluid flowing through the flowtube at a first vibration frequency and a second mass flowrate of the fluid at a second vibration frequency and (2) fluid compressibility compensation circuitry, coupled to the flowrate measurement circuitry, that employs the first and second mass flowrates to determine a frequency response of the fluid and a fluid compressibility compensation adjustment from the frequency response.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Direct Measurement CorporationInventors: Donald R. Cage, Gabriel S. Dragnea
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Patent number: 6494106Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Coriolis-type flowmeter having a dynamic counterbalance system which comprises a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow; the flowtube comprising first and second ends; a counterbalance which is vibrationally coupled to the flowtube proximate the first and second ends; an electromagnet device for vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance in opposition to one another; the flowtube having a first frequency response to the vibrating means and the counterbalance having a second frequency response to the vibrating means; at least one inertial mass; and means for selectively coupling the inertial mass to the counterbalance to thereby alter the second frequency response by a desired amount; wherein in the event the second frequency response is different from the first frequency response, the inertial mass may be coupled to the counterbalance to alter the second frequency response by the desired amount to thereby make the second frequency responseType: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Cage, Larry K. Carmichael