Patents by Inventor Graeme Ralph Duffill

Graeme Ralph Duffill 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: 7974792
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a liquid flow fraction in a gas 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 first sensor signal and a second sensor signal from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the first and second sensor signals from the interface (201), determine a substantially instantaneous flow stream density of the gas flow material using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, compare the substantially instantaneous flow stream density to at least one of a predetermined gas density that is representative of a gas flow fraction of the gas flow material and a predetermined liquid density that is representative of a liquid flow fraction, and determine the liquid flow fraction from the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Steven M. Jones, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Patent number: 7908097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis
  • Patent number: 7827844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the flow calibration factor of a Coriolis flowmeter. In accordance with a first embodiment, an improved material density is obtained by measuring material density when the temperature of the material is equal to a predetermined reference temperature. In accordance with a second embodiment, a preprogrammed data base stores density/temperature relationships. Improved density information is obtained by measuring the density and temperature of the material, applying the measured density/temperature information from the data base, and obtaining density information compensated for a predetermined reference temperature. The improved density information obtained for both embodiments is unaffected by temperature changes and is used to validate the flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor compensation for pressure changes and changes in material composition is obtained in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Timothy Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • 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
  • 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: 7614273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the flow calibration factor of a Coriolis flowmeter. In accordance with a first embodiment, an improved material density is obtained by measuring material density when the temperature of the material is equal to a predetermined reference temperature. In accordance with a second embodiment, a preprogrammed data base stores density/temperature relationships. Improved density information is obtained by measuring the density and temperature of the material, applying the measured density/temperature information from the data base, and obtaining density information compensated for a predetermined reference temperature. The improved density information obtained for both embodiments is unaffected by temperature changes and is used to validate the flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor compensation for pressure changes and changes in material composition is obtained in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Timothy Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Publication number: 20080302169
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the flow calibration factor of a Coriolis flowmeter. In accordance with a first embodiment, an improved material density is obtained by measuring material density when the temperature of the material is equal to a predetermined reference temperature. In accordance with a second embodiment, a preprogrammed data base stores density/temperature relationships. Improved density information is obtained by measuring the density and temperature of the material, applying the measured density/temperature information from the data base, and obtaining density information compensated for a predetermined reference temperature. The improved density information obtained for both embodiments is unaffected by temperature changes and is used to validate the flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor compensation for pressure changes and changes in material composition is obtained in a similar manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Timothy Patten, Graeme Ralph Duffill
  • Patent number: 7421350
    Abstract: A meter electronics and method for detecting a residual material in a flow meter assembly are provided according to the invention. The meter electronics includes a processing system adapted to direct the flow meter to vibrate the flow meter assembly and receive a vibrational response from the flow meter assembly. The meter electronics further includes a storage system configured to store flow meter parameters and data. The meter electronics is further characterized by the processing system being configured to compare the vibrational response to a predetermined residual material threshold to detect the residual material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Micro Motinn, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Andrew Timothy Patten, Mark James Bell
  • Publication number: 20080190195
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a liquid flow fraction in a gas 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 first sensor signal and a second sensor signal from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the first and second sensor signals from the interface (201), determine a substantially instantaneous flow stream density of the gas flow material using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, compare the substantially instantaneous flow stream density to at least one of a predetermined gas density that is representative of a gas flow fraction of the gas flow material and a predetermined liquid density that is representative of a liquid flow fraction, and determine the liquid flow fraction from the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Steven M. Jones, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Publication number: 20080189067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis
  • 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