Patents by Inventor Jens Drachmann

Jens Drachmann 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: 11846534
    Abstract: A battery-powered consumption meter (10) is provided, which comprises a measurement means for measuring a value relating to an accumulated volume of a fluid flowing (41) in a connected fluid pipe system (40) to make up a consumption meter representation of the accumulated volume, and a first communication means (11), which is a wireless two-way communication means arranged for transmitting (14d) the consumption meter representation from the consumption meter (10) to an external device (20) external to the consumption meter (10), and for receiving a communication (14a, 14b, 14c) therefrom, the consumption meter (10) having at least two modes of operation comprising: a normal operation mode, and a calibration mode different from the normal operation mode, wherein in calibration mode the consumption meter (10) is arranged to transmit the consumption meter representation (14d) to the external device (20) in response to a request (14c) therefor from the external device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup
  • Publication number: 20220205826
    Abstract: A battery-powered consumption meter (10) is provided, which comprises a measurement means for measuring a value relating to an accumulated volume of a fluid flowing (41) in a connected fluid pipe system (40) to make up a consumption meter representation of the accumulated volume, and a first communication means (11), which is a wireless two-way communication means arranged for transmitting (14d) the consumption meter representation from the consumption meter (10) to an external device (20) external to the consumption meter (10), and for receiving a communication (14a, 14b, 14c) therefrom, the consumption meter (10) having at least two modes of operation comprising: a normal operation mode, and a calibration mode different from the normal operation mode, wherein in calibration mode the consumption meter (10) is arranged to transmit the consumption meter representation (14d) to the external device (20) in response to a request (14c) therefor from the external device (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup
  • Patent number: 11243109
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including a switching unit for switching electrical transmission signals between a signal generator and at least two ultrasonic transducers and for switching electrical reception signal between the transducers and a receiver circuit, wherein the switching unit is coupled to an output terminal of an operational amplifier of the signal generator and to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier of the receiver circuit. Furthermore, a method for characterizing an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed, including the step of determining directly from one or more supply current signals for an active component of a signal generator one or more quantities useful for characterizing the transducer. Furthermore, a method for determining the time delay of an ultrasonic signal in a flow path of an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including the step of comparing physically transmitted, delayed and received signals with simulated non-delayed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10845223
    Abstract: A utility flow meter and a method for measuring a flow of a liquid through a flow conduit having a liquid sensing arrangement, a display device, and a display mode controller for controlling the display mode. The display mode controller is configured to control the display mode based on a first display mode when the liquid presence criterion is fulfilled and a second display mode when the liquid presence criterion is not fulfilled. The first display mode consists of at least one flow representation, and the second display mode consists of at least one further representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10830621
    Abstract: Transit-time based ultrasonic flow meter with analog-to-digital conversion for measuring ultrasonic signals, wherein accuracy of measurements is improved by making several measurements with different input offset, reference voltage, frame offset or sample rate in an analog-to-digital conversion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup
  • Publication number: 20200309578
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transmitter unit for an electromagnetic flow meter arranged to measure a flow rate of a conductive fluid flowing through the flow meter, is disclosed. The transmitter unit comprises a capacitive energy storage comprising at least one capacitor, a magnetic field coil and a switching arrangement. The switching arrangement is configured for effecting a first energy flow from the capacitive energy storage to the magnetic field coil and a first energy reflow from the magnetic field coil to the capacitive energy storage for generation of a first current pulse for transmitting a magnetic field to the conductive fluid. An electromagnetic flow meter is also disclosed, comprising the electromagnetic transmitter unit together with a detector unit and a control unit. Further is a method for controlling an electromagnetic flow meter disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10775212
    Abstract: A method of reducing a phase error of a flow rate measurement in an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. The flow meter has a flow path for a fluid to be measured, a first ultrasonic transducer having a characteristic quantity and a second ultrasonic transducer having a second characteristic quantity. The method comprises repeatedly measuring the first and second characteristic quantities of the ultrasonic transducers and determining a relation between the characteristic quantities, estimating a phase error value indicative of the phase error from the determined relation between the characteristic quantities, and using the estimated phase error value for correcting a difference between transmission times measured by the ultrasonic flow meter. An output is provided indicative of the flow rate of the fluid in the flow path with reduced phase error from the corrected difference between transmission times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10746566
    Abstract: A method for communication between a meter device and a communication network in accordance with a radio protocol, the meter device including a meter device identification and the radio protocol including a reduced part of the meter device identification and a data field, wherein the method of communication involves transmitting a data telegram according to the protocol from the meter device, receiving the data telegram by the communication network, and identifying the meter device from a set of identification elements, including the reduced part of the meter device identification and at least one information element obtained from a data source external to the meter device. The invention furthermore relates to an identification computer device and a meter device adapted for operating according to the above mentioned radio protocol, and a radio protocol for communication between a meter device and a communication network in accordance with the above mentioned radio protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Militors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Publication number: 20200217708
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including a switching unit for switching electrical transmission signals between a signal generator and at least two ultrasonic transducers and for switching electrical reception signal between the transducers and a receiver circuit, wherein the switching unit is coupled to an output terminal of an operational amplifier of the signal generator and to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier of the receiver circuit. Furthermore, a method for characterizing an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed, including the step of determining directly from one or more supply current signals for an active component of a signal generator one or more quantities useful for characterizing the transducer. Furthermore, a method for determining the time delay of an ultrasonic signal in a flow path of an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including the step of comparing physically transmitted, delayed and received signals with simulated non-delayed signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Publication number: 20200182670
    Abstract: Transit-time based ultrasonic flow meter with analog-to-digital conversion for measuring ultrasonic signals, wherein accuracy of measurements is improved by making several measurements with different input offset, reference voltage, frame offset or sample rate in an analog-to-digital conversion stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup
  • Patent number: 10620025
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flow conduit insert (FCI) for a flow conduit (CON) of an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM), the ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) being arranged to measure a flow of a liquid passing through the flow conduit (CON) by means of an ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for being inserted into the inner space of the flow conduit (CON), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for accommodating the entire path (PTH) in the flow conduit (CON) of the ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) having a first end (1EN) and a second opposite (2EN) end and an inner flow channel (CUN), said first and second ends (1EN, 2EN) being connected by the flow channel (CUN), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted such that the flow of liquid passes through the flow channel (CUN), wherein the flow conduit insert (FCI) comprises a first and a second part (IPA, 2PA) forming the flow channel (CUN), said first and second parts (IPA, 2PA) each extending from said first end (1EN) to said s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Pol Martinez Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10605646
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including a switching unit for switching electrical transmission signals between a signal generator and at least two ultrasonic transducers and for switching electrical reception signal between the transducers and a receiver circuit, wherein the switching unit is coupled to an output terminal of an operational amplifier of the signal generator and to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier of the receiver circuit. Furthermore, a method for characterizing an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed, including the step of determining directly from one or more supply current signals for an active component of a signal generator one or more quantities useful for characterizing the transducer. Furthermore, a method for determining the time delay of an ultrasonic signal in a flow path of an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including the step of comparing physically transmitted, delayed and received signals with simulated non-delayed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Publication number: 20200003594
    Abstract: A method of reducing a phase error of a flow rate measurement in an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. The flow meter has a flow path for a fluid to be measured, a first ultrasonic transducer having a characteristic quantity and a second ultrasonic transducer having a second characteristic quantity. The method comprises repeatedly measuring the first and second characteristic quantities of the ultrasonic transducers and determining a relation between the characteristic quantities, estimating a phase error value indicative of the phase error from the determined relation between the characteristic quantities, and using the estimated phase error value for correcting a difference between transmission times measured by the ultrasonic flow meter. An output is provided indicative of the flow rate of the fluid in the flow path with reduced phase error from the corrected difference between transmission times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10488238
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter including a meter housing, a flow tube with an inner flow channel for a fluid to be measured, and ultrasound reflectors, the meter housing has two transducer recesses, an ultrasound transducer positioned in the first transducer recess, and a second ultrasound transducer positioned in the second transducer recess. The transducer recesses each has slanted bottom walls, with the ultrasound transducers abutted against the slanted bottom walls of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10416012
    Abstract: A method for estimating and correcting or at least reducing phase errors in received ultrasonic signals in an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, the method including the steps of: measuring one or more signals in the ultrasonic flow meter, which one or more signals depend on characteristics of one or more ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic flow meter, using the one or more measured signals for calculating an estimated phase error value, and using the estimated phase error value for correcting transmission times measured by the ultrasonic flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10359305
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter includes a meter housing, a first ultrasound transducer, a second ultrasound transducer, an electronic control arrangement for operating the ultrasonic flow meter, and a connection arrangement being arranged between the electronic control arrangement and the ultrasound transducers. The connection arrangement includes an electrically insulating support arrangement, and a set of elastic connectors for electrically connecting the electronic control arrangement with the first and second ultrasound transducers. The insulating support arrangement mechanically fixates the set of elastic connectors and maintains electrical separation between the set of elastic connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Apator Miitors APS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Publication number: 20190072421
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flow conduit insert (FCI) for a flow conduit (CON) of an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM), the ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) being arranged to measure a flow of a liquid passing through the flow conduit (CON) by means of an ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for being inserted into the inner space of the flow conduit (CON), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for accommodating the entire path (PTH) in the flow conduit (CON) of the ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) having a first end (1EN) and a second opposite (2EN) end and an inner flow channel (CUN), said first and second ends (1EN, 2EN) being connected by the flow channel (CUN), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted such that the flow of liquid passes through the flow channel (CUN), wherein the flow conduit insert (FCI) comprises a first and a second part (IPA, 2PA) forming the flow channel (CUN), said first and second parts (IPA, 2PA) each extending from said first end (1EN) to said s
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Apator Miitors Aps
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Pol Martinez Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10215603
    Abstract: An ultrasonic consumption meter includes two ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a flow channel, an electronic circuit for operating the meter, and a housing for the ultrasonic transducers and the electronic circuit. The housing is locked in position relative to the flow channel by a locking mechanism, and the flow channel has two holes for allowing the housing to get into contact with a media flowing in the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10184822
    Abstract: A wireless consumption meter, such as an ultrasonic flow meter, and a test and calibration system; the wireless consumption meter including a test mode which changes the wireless communication parameters to transmit less data, with less power, faster and more often, than in a normal operating mode. The test and calibration system includes test boxes arranged to receive measurement data from the consumption meters under the test mode circumstances and a common control unit arranged to control the start and stop of the testing and to establish a test or calibration result based on the received measurements from the consumption meters and by comparing with a reference value from a reference device. Further, methods performed by the consumption meter and the test and calibration system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup, Thorbjorn Borup
  • Patent number: 10107660
    Abstract: A flow conduit insert for inserting in a flow conduit of an ultrasonic flow meter. The flow conduit insert being designed for increasing the flow velocity of a fluid flowing through the flow conduit. The flow conduit insert includes a flow controlling arrangement, and a fixation arrangement. The flow controlling arrangement has an inner flow channel with a free passage along the longitudinal center axis of the flow conduit over the entire length of the flow conduit insert. The fixation arrangement is arranged to fixate at least one ultrasound reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann