Patents by Inventor Lowell Kleven

Lowell Kleven 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: 9945819
    Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an acoustic sensor element and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube, and a foot. The foot has a mounting surface that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly couples to acoustic sensor element and provides a diagnostic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 9217653
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes at least one sensor which monitors a process variable, and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuitry coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to provide process variable data indicative of process variable values. A digital signal processor (DSP) is coupled to the A/D converter circuitry to receive the process variable data. The DSP comprises a co-processor configured to receive and perform calculations on the process variable data from the A/D converter circuitry to generate output data. Communications circuitry of the process transmitter is configured either to control communication over loop wiring which can be coupled to the process transmitter, or to control wireless communications with the process transmitter. A microprocessor, separate from the co-processor of the DSP, is coupled between the co-processor and the communications circuitry to control movement of the output data from the DSP to the communications circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, John P. Schulte
  • Patent number: 9188489
    Abstract: A sensor tube for protecting a sensor inserted into a moving process fluid is provided. The sensor tube includes a process interface section for mounting to a process vessel and an extended section extending from the process interface section to a sealed end. The extended section includes a twisted section having a longitudinal axis. The process interface section and the extended section define a sensor bore configured to receive a sensor therein. The twisted section has a cross section that includes at least three equally sized walls and wherein the walls form helixes along the longitudinal axis of the twisted section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Publication number: 20140352435
    Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an acoustic sensor element and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube, and a foot. The foot has a mounting surface that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly couples to acoustic sensor element and provides a diagnostic output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 8849589
    Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes a power supply module, a process communication module, a processor and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is coupled to the power supply module and to the processor. The measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure, static pressure and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute process fluid mass flow, and to use the static pressure and process fluid temperature to obtain an energy per unit mass value relative to the process fluid and to provide an energy flow indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Wiklund, Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 8800373
    Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an acoustic sensor element and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube, and a foot. The foot has a mounting surface that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly couples to acoustic sensor element and provides a diagnostic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 8655604
    Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes process communication circuitry, a processor, and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is configured to communicate with at least one additional process device. The processor is coupled to the process communication circuitry and is configured to execute instructions to provide a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle includes a number of flow-related calculations. Measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to a plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure during each cycle, and to obtain static pressure, and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute a process fluid flow value using a current differential pressure sensor indication and at least one flow-related value calculated during a previous cycle. The process communication circuitry communicates the computed process fluid flow value to the at least one additional process device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, David E. Wiklund
  • Publication number: 20130142216
    Abstract: A sensor tube for protecting a sensor inserted into a moving process fluid is provided. The sensor tube includes a process interface section for mounting to a process vessel and an extended section extending from the process interface section to a sealed end. The extended section includes a twisted section having a longitudinal axis. The process interface section and the extended section define a sensor bore configured to receive a sensor therein. The twisted section has a cross section that includes at least three equally sized walls and wherein the walls form helixes along the longitudinal axis of the twisted section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Publication number: 20120204650
    Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an acoustic sensor element and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube, and a foot. The foot has a mounting surface that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly couples to acoustic sensor element and provides a diagnostic output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 7724001
    Abstract: A circuit that senses a process variable includes a voltage divider that includes first and second capacitances. At least one of the capacitances is varied by the process variable. Divider ends receive modulated potentials, and a divider center tap coupled to a detector. The detector has a detector output representing carrier frequency range components. A control circuit controls a baseband envelope of the modulated potentials as a function of the detector output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Publication number: 20100106433
    Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes process communication circuitry, a processor, and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is configured to communicate with at least one additional process device. The processor is coupled to the process communication circuitry and is configured to execute instructions to provide a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle includes a number of flow-related calculations. Measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to a plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure during each cycle, and to obtain static pressure, and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute a process fluid flow value using a current differential pressure sensor indication and at least one flow-related value calculated during a previous cycle. The process communication circuitry communicates the computed process fluid flow value to the at least one additional process device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, David E. Wiklund
  • Publication number: 20090292484
    Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes a power supply module, a process communication module, a processor and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is coupled to the power supply module and to the processor. The measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure, static pressure and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute process fluid mass flow, and to use the static pressure and process fluid temperature to obtain an energy per unit mass value relative to the process fluid and to provide an energy flow indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: David E. Wiklund, Lowell A. Kleven
  • Publication number: 20090072994
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes at least one sensor which monitors a process variable, and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuitry coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to provide process variable data indicative of process variable values. A digital signal processor (DSP) is coupled to the A/D converter circuitry to receive the process variable data. The DSP comprises a co-processor configured to receive and perform calculations on the process variable data from the A/D converter circuitry to generate output data. Communications circuitry of the process transmitter is configured either to control communication over loop wiring which can be coupled to the process transmitter, or to control wireless communications with the process transmitter. A microprocessor, separate from the co-processor of the DSP, is coupled between the co-processor and the communications circuitry to control movement of the output data from the DSP to the communications circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, John P. Schulte
  • Patent number: 7458275
    Abstract: A pressure transmitter comprises a metal wall separating a process pressure chamber from an electronics compartment. The metal wall has a stepped bore with a bore shelf facing the process pressure chamber. A metal header has a stepped outer rim with a header shelf that contacts the bore shelf. The metal header includes at least one electrical feedthrough with a glass-to-metal seal adjacent the stepped outer rim. A welded seal seals the stepped outer rim to the stepped bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Mark G. Romo
  • Publication number: 20080229838
    Abstract: A pressure transmitter comprises a metal wall separating a process pressure chamber from an electronics compartment. The metal wall has a stepped bore with a bore shelf facing the process pressure chamber. A metal header has a stepped outer rim with a header shelf that contacts the bore shelf. The metal header includes at least one electrical feedthrough with a glass-to-metal seal adjacent the stepped outer rim. A welded seal seals the stepped outer rim to the stepped bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Mark G. Romo
  • Publication number: 20070227253
    Abstract: A circuit that senses a process variable, comprises a voltage divider that includes first and second capacitances. At least one of the capacitances is varied by the process variable. Divider ends receive modulated potentials, and a divider center tap coupled to a detector. The detector has a detector output representing carrier frequency range components. A control circuit controls a baseband envelope of the modulated potentials as a function of the detector output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 6658945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus measures a parameter of a flowing fluid at a first location. A correction is applied to the parameter value that yields an adjusted value representative of the parameter of the fluid at a second location. A flowmeter output is calculated as a function of the adjusted value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 6651512
    Abstract: A method and apparatus measures a fluid flow using generated vortices. A flow rate is calculated from at least the frequency of the vortices. Warnings are generated for other characteristics of the vortices and fluid measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 6643610
    Abstract: A transmitter for measuring a process variable includes a sensor configured to couple to a process and having a sensor output related to the process variable. A microprocessor coupled to the sensor output provides a process variable output which is a function of an orthogonal-polynomial of the sensor output. A transmitter output is configured to provide an output related to the process variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Ahmed H. Tewfik
  • Patent number: 6622573
    Abstract: A flow device including a differential flow plate insertable into a flow path between pipe sections including a flow conduit supporting a flow interrupter and differential pressure taps. The flow conduit including a seamless interface between the flow interrupter and the pressure taps to reduce non-attributable pressure loss between differential pressure taps as well as reduce field installation labor including that of pressure testing the various pressure couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell Kleven