Patents by Inventor Peter E. Allstrom

Peter E. Allstrom 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: 11609141
    Abstract: A material property sensor for a pressure transmitter comprises a sensing pattern immersed in a fill fluid. The pressure transmitter comprises a diaphragm configured for contact with a process fluid at an exterior surface of the diaphragm. The pressure transmitter further comprises a pressure sensor configured for sensing a pressure of the process fluid on the diaphragm. The pressure sensor and the diaphragm define a cavity within which the fill fluid is disposed such that the diaphragm of the pressure sensor is in contact with the fill fluid at an interior surface of the diaphragm. The sensing pattern is immersed in the fill fluid within the cavity and configured to measure an electrical property of the fill fluid at an initial time and at one or more subsequent times during operation of the pressure transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Dorr, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20220381638
    Abstract: A material property sensor for a pressure transmitter comprises a sensing pattern immersed in a fill fluid. The pressure transmitter comprises a diaphragm configured for contact with a process fluid at an exterior surface of the diaphragm. The pressure transmitter further comprises a pressure sensor configured for sensing a pressure of the process fluid on the diaphragm. The pressure sensor and the diaphragm define a cavity within which the fill fluid is disposed such that the diaphragm of the pressure sensor is in contact with the fill fluid at an interior surface of the diaphragm. The sensing pattern is immersed in the fill fluid within the cavity and configured to measure an electrical property of the fill fluid at an initial time and at one or more subsequent times during operation of the pressure transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy E. Dorr, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Patent number: 11365992
    Abstract: Vortex sensor amplitude information may be used to validate that a vortex signal being measured corresponds to an actual fluid flow and is not noise. The estimated amplitude of a sinusoidal vortex signal is used as a secondary means to determine the fluid flow based on vortex sensor characteristics. The original amplitude of the sinusoidal vortex signal is determined from a clipped voltage amplitude sinusoidal signal. The estimated velocity of the fluid in a pipe based on the original amplitude of the sinusoidal vortex signal is compared to the measured velocity of the fluid based on vortex velocity frequency. If the two determined velocities do not reasonably agree, the measured vortex signal is not a valid flow signal and adaptive filters are adjusted to reduce the effects of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Timothy Dorr
  • Publication number: 20210172773
    Abstract: Vortex sensor amplitude information may be used to validate that a vortex signal being measured corresponds to an actual fluid flow and is not noise. The estimated amplitude of a sinusoidal vortex signal is used as a secondary means to determine the fluid flow based on vortex sensor characteristics. The original amplitude of the sinusoidal vortex signal is determined from a clipped voltage amplitude sinusoidal signal. The estimated velocity of the fluid in a pipe based on the original amplitude of the sinusoidal vortex signal is compared to the measured velocity of the fluid based on vortex velocity frequency. If the two determined velocities do not reasonably agree, the measured vortex signal is not a valid flow signal and adaptive filters are adjusted to reduce the effects of noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. ALLSTROM, Timothy DORR
  • Patent number: 9851698
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter provides an output representing a process variable. The process variable transmitter includes a process variable sensor that provides an analog sensor signal representing a process variable, an analog to digital converter that receives the analog sensor signal from the process variable sensor and converts it to digital sensor signal values, and a compensation processor. The compensation processor calculates, in a first mode, a compensated process variable value at a first slow rate. The compensation processor calculates a compensation factor relating the compensated process variable value to an initial digital sensor signal value. The compensation processor calculates, in a second mode, a process variable estimate as a function of an updated digital sensor signal value and the compensation factor. The process variable estimate is calculated at a second rate faster than the slow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Jeff Stewart
  • Patent number: 9696742
    Abstract: Two-wire transmitters are described in which the required voltage that a control room must supply to the transmitter is lower at high current than at low current, thus freeing up more voltage for other uses, and in which a constant set of operating voltages may be maintained. A corrected pressure in a vortex flow meter may be determined that reflects the mass flow rate. Thus, the mass flow rate may be determined based on the corrected pressure reading and a measured volumetric flow rate. Density may be determined from pressure and temperature using a table containing error values based on a standard density determination and a relatively simple approximation. During operation of a flow meter, the stored error values may be linearly interpolated and the approximation may be computed to determine the density from the stored error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren E. Cook, Joseph J. Lewicke, Peter E. Allstrom, James H. Vignos
  • Patent number: 9404778
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20160041576
    Abstract: Two-wire transmitters are described in which the required voltage that a control room must supply to the transmitter is lower at high current than at low current, thus freeing up more voltage for other uses, and in which a constant set of operating voltages may be maintained. A corrected pressure in a vortex flow meter may be determined that reflects the mass flow rate. Thus, the mass flow rate may be determined based on the corrected pressure reading and a measured volumetric flow rate. Density may be determined from pressure and temperature using a table containing error values based on a standard density determination and a relatively simple approximation. During operation of a flow meter, the stored error values may be linearly interpolated and the approximation may be computed to determine the density from the stored error value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Warren E. Cook, Joseph J. Lewicke, Peter E. Allstrom, James H. Vignos
  • Patent number: 9122502
    Abstract: A system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument includes a configuration module configured for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, and a representation module communicably coupled to the configuration module. The representation module includes a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument. A method of production of a system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, includes configuring a configuration module for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, communicably coupling the configuration module to a representation module; and disposing a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument in the representation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Spencer K. Howe
  • Publication number: 20140277606
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter provides an output representing a process variable. The process variable transmitter includes a process variable sensor that provides an analog sensor signal representing a process variable, an analog to digital converter that receives the analog sensor signal from the process variable sensor and converts it to digital sensor signal values, and a compensation processor. The compensation processor calculates, in a first mode, a compensated process variable value at a first slow rate. The compensation processor calculates a compensation factor relating the compensated process variable value to an initial digital sensor signal value. The compensation processor calculates, in a second mode, a process variable estimate as a function of an updated digital sensor signal value and the compensation factor. The process variable estimate is calculated at a second rate faster than the slow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Jeff Stewart
  • Publication number: 20140249794
    Abstract: A system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument includes a configuration module configured for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, and a representation module communicably coupled to the configuration module. The representation module includes a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument. A method of production of a system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, includes configuring a configuration module for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, communicably coupling the configuration module to a representation module; and disposing a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument in the representation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Spencer K. Howe
  • Patent number: 8776019
    Abstract: A system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument includes a configuration module configured for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, and a representation module communicably coupled to the configuration module. The representation module includes a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument. A method of production of a system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, includes configuring a configuration module for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, communicably coupling the configuration module to a representation module; and disposing a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument in the representation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Spencer K. Howe
  • Publication number: 20140041459
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received a signal from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Patent number: 8576084
    Abstract: A flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20120019389
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received a signal from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20110077911
    Abstract: Two-wire transmitters are described in which the required voltage that a control room must supply to the transmitter is lower at high current than at low current, thus freeing up more voltage for other uses, and in which a constant set of operating voltages may be maintained. A corrected pressure in a vortex flow meter may be determined that reflects the mass flow rate. Thus, the mass flow rate may be determined based on the corrected pressure reading and a measured volumetric flow rate. Density may be determined from pressure and temperature using a table containing error values based on a standard density determination and a relatively simple approximation. During operation of a flow meter, the stored error values may be linearly interpolated and the approximation may be computed to determine the density from the stored error value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Warren E. Cook, Joseph J. Lewicke, Peter E. Allstrom, James H. Vignos
  • Patent number: 7853415
    Abstract: Two-wire transmitters are described in which the required voltage that a control room must supply to the transmitter is lower at high current than at low current, thus freeing up more voltage for other uses, and in which a constant set of operating voltages may be maintained. A corrected pressure in a vortex flow meter may be determined that reflects the mass flow rate. Thus, the mass flow rate may be determined based on the corrected pressure reading and a measured volumetric flow rate. Density may be determined from pressure and temperature using a table containing error values based on a standard density determination and a relatively simple approximation. During operation of a flow meter, the stored error values may be linearly interpolated and the approximation may be computed to determine the density from the stored error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren E. Cook, Joseph J. Lewicke, Peter E. Allstrom, James H. Vignos
  • Publication number: 20100175012
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring a field device includes a console communicably coupled to a field device located remotely therefrom. The console is configured to capture output data from an output buffer of one or more field devices, in which the output buffer is also configured to supply said output data to a field device user interface. The console displays a representation of the field device user interface, and displays the captured output data on the representation in substantially the same manner as displayed on the field device user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, David A. Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20100174388
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for storing hierarchical inputs for a field device in a control system, including upper level inputs in the form of data relating to the process under control, received from a plurality of input devices, and lower level inputs generated by the field devices using the upper level inputs. A record of dependencies among the hierarchical inputs is maintained, along with the status of each of the hierarchical inputs, which is transformed into a graphical status tree representation thereof, including the dependencies shown as one or more hierarchical flow paths. The status of the hierarchical inputs in the graphical status tree is identified by applying a visual marker to inputs having a normal status, and applying other visual markers to inputs having an error status to highlight erroneous flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: David A. Ferreira, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Publication number: 20100145671
    Abstract: A system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument includes a configuration module configured for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, and a representation module communicably coupled to the configuration module. The representation module includes a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument. A method of production of a system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, includes configuring a configuration module for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, communicably coupling the configuration module to a representation module; and disposing a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument in the representation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Peter E. Allstrom, Spencer K. Howe