Patents by Inventor Joel Weinstein

Joel Weinstein 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).

  • Publication number: 20150211907
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (10) of a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The sensor assembly (10) comprises one or more fluid conduits (103A, 103B). The sensor assembly (10) also includes a case (200) surrounding at least a portion of the one or more fluid conduits (103A, 103B). A synthetic wrap (300) is applied to at least a portion of the case (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20150160056
    Abstract: A method for determining fluid characteristics of a multicomponent fluid is provided. The method includes a step of measuring a first density, ?1, of a multicomponent fluid comprising one or more incompressible components and one or more compressible components at a first density state. The method further includes a step of adjusting the multicomponent fluid from the first density state to a second density state. A second density, ?2, of the multicomponent fluid is then measured at the second density state and one or more fluid characteristics of at least one of the compressible components or the incompressible components are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Scott Schollenberger, Joel Weinstein, David John Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9043166
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a volume flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a volume-density product to an accumulated volume-density product and add the volume flow to an accumulated volume flow, and determine a non-aerated volume-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated volume-density product by the accumulated volume flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Steven M. Jones
  • Patent number: 8831896
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a mass flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a mass-density product to an accumulated mass-density product and add the mass flow to an accumulated mass flow, and determine a non-aerated mass-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated mass-density product by the accumulated mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Steven M. Jones
  • Patent number: 8720281
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter and determining a current zero offset for the vibrating flow meter. The current zero offset can be determined based on the received sensor signals. The method also comprises the step of determining one or more current operating conditions. The one or more current operating conditions can be compared to one or more previous operating conditions of the offset correlation. The method also includes the step of generating an average zero offset if the offset correlation includes a previously determined zero offset corresponding to the current operating conditions. The average zero offset can be based on the current zero offset and the previously determined zero offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J Hays, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20140123727
    Abstract: A fluid flow system (300) is provided. The fluid flow system (300) includes a pipeline (302) with a flowing fluid. The fluid flow system (300) further includes a first vibrating meter (5) including a first sensor assembly (10) located within the pipeline (302) and configured to determine one or more flow characteristics, including a first flow rate. A second vibrating meter (5?) including a second sensor assembly (10?) located within the pipeline (302) is provided that is in fluid communication with the first sensor assembly (10) and configured to determine one or more flow characteristics, including a second flow rate. The fluid flow system (300) further includes a system controller (310) in electrical communication with the first and second vibrating meters (5, 5?). The system controller (310) is configured to receive the first and second flow rates and determine a differential flow rate based on the first and second flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Paul J. Hays
  • Publication number: 20140116107
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly located within a pipeline (301). The sensor assembly (10) is in fluid communication with one or more fluid switches (309). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure one or more flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is further configured to receive a first fluid switch signal (214) indicating a fluid condition within the pipeline (301) from a first fluid switch (309) of the one or more fluid switches. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to correct the one or more flow characteristics if the fluid condition is outside a threshold value or band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Aart R Pruysen, Steven M Jones, John Ansdell Houghton
  • Patent number: 8695440
    Abstract: A method for operating a vibrating flow meter system is provided. The method includes the step of receiving a first sensor signal from a first vibrating flow meter. A second sensor signal is received from a second vibrating flow meter. A first flow rate is generated from the first sensor signal and a second flow rate is generated from the second sensor signal. The method further includes the step of determining a differential zero offset of the first vibrating flow meter based on the first and second flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J Hays, Joel Weinstein, Goldino Alves
  • Patent number: 8650929
    Abstract: A method for determining an error in a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method includes the step of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter. A first flow rate is determined using the sensor signals. A fluid density is determined. A fluid velocity is determined using the first flow rate, the fluid density, and a physical property of the flow meter. A flow parameter, V/p is calculated based on the fluid velocity and the density. A flow rate error is then determined based on the calculated flow parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20140039814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8589091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer program product for detecting a process disturbance from entrained gas or particulates within a fluid flowing in a vibrating flow device (5). In one embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value and a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value. In another embodiment, the system, the method and the computer program may involve a comparison between a measured drive gain and a drive gain threshold value, a comparison between a void fraction and a void fraction threshold value, and a comparison between a measured mass flow rate and a nominal mass flow rate threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Stack, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8448491
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8327718
    Abstract: A very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) is provided. The very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103A, 103B). The flow meter assembly (10) is configured to generate a very low frequency vibrational response that is below a predetermined minimum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid independent of a foreign material size or a foreign material composition. The very low frequency vibratory flow meter (100) further includes meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and configured to receive the very low frequency vibrational response and generate one or more flow measurements therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8327717
    Abstract: A very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) is provided. The very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103A, 103B). The flow meter assembly (10) is configured to generate a very high frequency response that is above a predetermined maximum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid independent of a foreign material size or a foreign material composition. The very high frequency vibratory flow meter (100) further includes meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and configured to receive the very high frequency vibrational response and generate one or more flow measurements therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8322230
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining one or more flow fluid characteristics of a multi-phase flow fluid includes one or more flow conduits (103A,103B). The flow meter assembly (10) is configured to generate a very low frequency response that is below a predetermined minimum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid and to generate a very high frequency response that is above a predetermined maximum decoupling frequency for the flow fluid, independent of the foreign material size or the foreign material composition. The meter (100) further includes meter electronics (20) configured to receive one or more very low frequency vibrational responses and one or more very high frequency vibrational responses and determine the one or more flow fluid characteristics from the one or more very low frequency vibrational responses and the one or more very high frequency vibrational responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8289179
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for entrained gas in a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) comprises a flow meter assembly (10) configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material, a bubble size sensor (50) configured to generate a bubble measurement signal for the flow material, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and to the bubble size sensor (50). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the vibrational response and the bubble measurement signal, determine a bubble size of bubbles in the flow material using at least the bubble measurement signal, determine one or more flow characteristics of the flow material using at least the vibrational response and the bubble size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Mark James Bell
  • Publication number: 20120232811
    Abstract: The invention relates to meter electronics (20) for vibratory flowmeter friction compensation is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly (10) of a vibratory flowmeter (5) and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201) and configured to measure a mass flow rate of a fluid using the vibrational response. The processing system (203) is configured to determine a fluid velocity (V) using the mass flow rate, a fluid density (?), and a cross-sectional flow area (A), determine a friction factor (f) using the fluid velocity (V) and a pressure drop (?P), and determine a compensation factor using the friction factor (f). The invention also relates to a vibratory flowmeter compensation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20120125124
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter and determining a current zero offset for the vibrating flow meter. The current zero offset can be determined based on the received sensor signals. The method also comprises the step of determining one or more current operating conditions. The one or more current operating conditions can be compared to one or more previous operating conditions of the offset correlation. The method also includes the step of generating an average zero offset if the offset correlation includes a previously determined zero offset corresponding to the current operating conditions. The average zero offset can be based on the current zero offset and the previously determined zero offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Joel Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20120125123
    Abstract: A method for operating a vibrating flow meter system is provided. The method includes the step of receiving a first sensor signal from a first vibrating flow meter. A second sensor signal is received from a second vibrating flow meter. A first flow rate is generated from the first sensor signal and a second flow rate is generated from the second sensor signal. The method further includes the step of determining a differential zero offset of the first vibrating flow meter based on the first and second flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Joel Weinstein, Goldino Alves
  • Publication number: 20120109543
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a volume flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a volume-density product to an accumulated volume-density product and add the volume flow to an accumulated volume flow, and determine a non-aerated volume-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated volume-density product by the accumulated volume flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Steven M. Jones