Patents by Inventor Robert C. Hedtke

Robert C. Hedtke 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: 20130104663
    Abstract: A coplanar process fluid pressure sensor module is provided. The module includes a coplanar base and a housing body. The coplanar base has a pair of process fluid pressure inlets, each having an isolator diaphragm. The housing body is coupled to the coplanar base at an interface between the coplanar base and the housing body. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the pair of process fluid pressure inlets, and is disposed proximate the coplanar base within the housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, David A. Broden
  • Publication number: 20130074604
    Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter has a remote pressure sensor. The transmitter includes an electronics housing and a loop communicator disposed in the electronics housing and being configured to communicate in accordance with a process communication protocol. A controller is disposed within the electronics housing and is coupled to the loop communicator. Sensor measurement circuitry is disposed within the electronics housing and is coupled to the controller. A remote pressure sensor housing is configured to couple directly to a process and is spaced from the electronics housing. A pressure sensor is disposed within the remote pressure sensor housing. The pressure sensor forms at least one electrical component having an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. Portions of the electrical component are coupled directly to a multiconductor cable that operably connects the pressure sensor to the sensor measurement circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, John Schulte, David A. Broden
  • Publication number: 20130079895
    Abstract: A process device for coupling to an industrial process for use in monitoring or controlling the process includes a device housing configured to physically couple to the industrial process. A process variable sensor is configured to measure a process variable and measurement circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor provides an output related to the sensed process variable. A piezoelectric transducer provides an electrical output related to pressure pulsations in the industrial process. Electrical circuitry in the housing includes an input configured to receive the electrical output from the piezoelectric sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8387463
    Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable in an industrial process comprises a gauge pressure sensor, an excitation source and transmitter circuitry. The gauge pressure sensor measures a pressure difference between a process fluid and a reference volume, and generates a pressure sensor signal representing the pressure difference. The excitation source generates a pressure pulse within the reference volume to influence generation of the pressure sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the gauge pressure sensor to provide an output related to a change in the pressure sensor signal due to the pressure pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8299938
    Abstract: An industrial process transmitter includes a first process sensor, transmitter circuitry, a housing and an image projector. The first process sensor measures a process variable of an industrial process and generates a sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the first process sensor and is configured to operate functions of the process transmitter. The housing includes a window and an image projector. The image projector is connected to the transmitter circuitry and is configured to project an image of information relating to functions of the process transmitter onto the window in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8276458
    Abstract: An industrial process transmitter includes a sensing system and transmitter electronics. The sensing system senses a process variable over a range. The transmitter electronics is connected to the sensing system and produces a scaled analog communication signal to communicate the process variable over an analog loop. The range is disproportionately distributed over the scale by the transmitter electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8250924
    Abstract: A process device for coupling to an industrial process for use in monitoring or controlling the process includes a device housing configured to physically couple to the industrial process. A process variable sensor is configured to measure a process variable and measurement circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor provides an output related to the sensed process variable. A piezoelectric transducer provides an electrical output related to pressure pulsations in the industrial process. Electrical circuitry in the housing includes an input configured to receive the electrical output from the piezoelectric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8132464
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter for measuring a pressure of a process fluid includes a process coupling having a first port configured to couple to a first process pressure and a second port configured to couple to a second process pressure. A differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first and second ports and provides an output related to a differential pressure between the first pressure and the second pressure. First and second pressure sensors couple to the respective first and second ports and provide outputs related to the first and second pressures. Transmitter circuitry is configured to provide a transmitter output based upon the output from the differential pressure sensor and/or the first and/or second pressure sensors. Additional functionality is provided by the transmitter using the sensed first and/or second pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Broden, Robert C. Hedtke, Andrew J. Klosinski, Fred C. Sittler
  • Publication number: 20120036924
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a process variable of fluid at a first location including a variable resonator disposed at the first location having a resonant frequency which varies in response to the process variable of the fluid and responsively provides a resonant acoustic signal at the resonant frequency indicative of the process variable. An acoustic sensor disposed at a second location which is spaced apart from the variable resonator is configured to receive the resonant acoustic signal transmitted from the variable resonator. Measurement circuitry coupled to the acoustic sensor configured to provide a process variable output related to the process variable of the fluid in response to the received resonant acoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, Liangju Lu
  • Publication number: 20120006120
    Abstract: An industrial process transmitter includes a sensing system and transmitter electronics. The sensing system senses a process variable over a range. The transmitter electronics is connected to the sensing system and produces a scaled analog communication signal to communicate the process variable over an analog loop. The range is disproportionately distributed over the scale by the transmitter electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20120006119
    Abstract: A process variable transmitter for measuring a pressure of a process fluid includes a process coupling having a first port configured to couple to a first process pressure and a second port configured to couple to a second process pressure. A differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first and second ports and provides an output related to a differential pressure between the first pressure and the second pressure. First and second pressure sensors couple to the respective first and second ports and provide outputs related to the first and second pressures. Transmitter circuitry is configured to provide a transmitter output based upon the output from the differential pressure sensor and/or the first and/or second pressure sensors. Additional functionality is provided by the transmitter using the sensed first and/or second pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: David A. Broden, Robert C. Hedtke, Andrew J. Klosinski, Fred C. Sittler
  • Patent number: 7977924
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a process device includes a fluid disruption generation element to generate a fluid disruption within process fluid flowing through a pipe associated with an industrial process and a process variable sensor coupled to the disruption generation element to measure a process parameter. The process device further includes a power generation element adapted to generate an electrical output signal in response to the fluid disruption and a power storage component coupled to the power generation element. The power storage component is adapted to accumulate a charge based on the electrical output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, David A. Broden, Liang-Ju Lu
  • Patent number: 7954383
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a fill tube which is arranged to couple to a process pressure. A sensor is coupled to the fill tube and is configured to measure pressure of fluid in the fill tube as a function of a change of a physical property of the fill tube. Circuitry is provided to measure pressure using the pressure sensor, and to measure pressure based upon the change of the physical property of the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Willcox, Robert C. Hedtke, Liangju Lu
  • Patent number: 7918134
    Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable in an industrial process comprises a sensor module, a heating device and transmitter circuitry. The sensor module has a sensor for sensing a process variable of an industrial process and generating a sensor signal. The heating device is connected to the sensor module for generating a heat pulse to influence generation of the sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the sensor and the heating device. The transmitter circuitry verifies operation of the sensor by measuring a change in the sensor signal due to the heat pulse. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat pulse thermally expands a volume of a fill fluid within the process transmitter. In another embodiment, the heat pulse changes a physical property, such as dielectric, of a fill fluid within the process transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, Charles R. Willcox, David A. Broden, Andrew Juri Klosinski, John P. Schulte
  • Patent number: 7913566
    Abstract: A process device for coupling to an industrial process for use in monitoring or controlling the process includes a device housing configured to physically couple to the industrial process. A coil of wire is mounted to the housing and a magnet is configured to move through the coil of wire. The relative movement of the magnet is responsive to vibrations in the industrial process. Such relative movement induces an electrical current in the coil of wire. Electrical circuitry in the housing includes an input to receive the electrical current from the coil of wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20110057811
    Abstract: An industrial process transmitter includes a first process sensor, transmitter circuitry, a housing and an image projector. The first process sensor measures a process variable of an industrial process and generates a sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is connected to the first process sensor and is configured to operate functions of the process transmitter. The housing includes a window and an image projector. The image projector is connected to the transmitter circuitry and is configured to project an image of information relating to functions of the process transmitter onto the window in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7870791
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor which is arranged to couple to a process pressure. A quartz crystal is coupled to the sensor and is configured to measure pressure of fluid in the sensor body. An output from the quartz crystal is related to pressure applied to the sensor body by the process pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, Liangju Lu
  • Patent number: 7808379
    Abstract: A selectable mode field transmitter is configurable to operate in one of a plurality of operating modes having different combinations of function, performance, and power consumption. The selectable mode field transmitter includes a housing, a sensor located within the housing, and transmitter circuitry for transmitting data provided by the sensor to a receiver external to the housing. The transmitter circuitry includes a controller that electrically configures the transmitter circuitry to one of a plurality of operational modes in response to mode selection data received from a source external to the housing. Therefore, the selectable mode field transmitter can be configured based on the needs or requirements of a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, John Paul Schulte, Steven Richard Trimble
  • Publication number: 20100207913
    Abstract: A method (200) of controlling a liquid crystal display (LCD) (110) integrated within a sensing device for operation in cold temperature is provided. The method (200) includes providing electrical power to the LCD (110), providing an electrical signal to the LCD (110) to update displayed information, measuring (206) the ambient temperature proximate the LCD (110) and making adjustments to the power and update information supplied to the LCD (110) based on the ambient temperature. Another aspect of the invention includes a field device (10) including an LCD (110), an electronic control module (120) configured to provide power and communication signals to the LCD (110), and a temperature sensor (112) coupled to the electronic control module (120). The electronic control module (120) is configured to measure the temperature proximate the LCD (110) and control power and communication supplied to the LCD (110) based on the temperature at the LCD (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, Vladimir Victorovich Repyevskiy
  • Publication number: 20100148982
    Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable comprises a process sensor, transmitter circuitry, a transmitter housing, a mounting component, and a non-contact proximity sensor. The process sensor senses a process variable of a process fluid. The transmitter circuitry processes a signal from the process sensor. The transmitter housing receives the process sensor and transmitter circuitry. The transmitter mounting component is connected to the housing to isolate the sensor, the transmitter circuitry or the transmitter housing from the process fluid or an external environment. The non-contact proximity sensor system detects a spatial relationship between the transmitter housing and the transmitter mounting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke