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).

  • Patent number: 6904476
    Abstract: A two-wire process transmitter for use in monitoring an industrial process includes HART® communication circuitry and Fieldbus communication circuitry to couple to a two-wire process control loop. A first pair of electrical terminals is provided to couple the HART® communication circuitry to the two-wire process control loop in a first configuration, and a second pair of electrical terminals is provided to couple the Fieldbus communication circuitry to the two-wire process control loop in an alternative second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 6898980
    Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Behm, Dale S. Davis, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Robert C. Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson, Scott D. Nelson, Weston Roper, Theodore H. Schnaare, John P. Schulte, Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6839546
    Abstract: A process transmitter is configured to measure a process variable of an industrial process. A housing has a first cavity which houses first transmitter electronic circuitry and provides a barrier between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and second transmitter electronic circuitry. A non-physical electromagnetic link between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and the second transmitter electronic circuitry configured to carry data therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20040203421
    Abstract: A process transmitter is configured to measure a process variable of an industrial process. A housing has a first cavity which houses first transmitter electronic circuitry and provides a barrier between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and second transmitter electronic circuitry. A non-physical electromagnetic link between the first transmitter electronic circuitry and the second transmitter electronic circuitry configured to carry data therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20040199681
    Abstract: A two-wire process transmitter for use in monitoring an industrial process includes HART communication circuitry and Fieldbus communication circuitry to couple to a two-wire process control loop. A first pair of electrical terminals is provided to couple the HART communication circuitry to the two-wire process control loop in a first configuration, and a second pair of electrical terminals is provided to couple the Fieldbus communication circuitry to the two-wire process control loop in an alternative second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20040089075
    Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Steven M. Behm, Dale S. Davis, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Robert C. Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson, Scott D. Nelson, Weston Roper, Theodore H. Schnaare, John P. Schulte, Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6662662
    Abstract: A pressure transmitter with a fluid isolator that includes a sensor tube and a fill tube that have “D” shaped ends that connect together in a port internal to the transmitter. The shaped ends can be brazed into the port for sealing. Fitting both the sensor tube and the fill tube in the same port provides a low cost isolator with reduced isolator liquid volume. The fluid isolator has an isolator diaphragm with a central diaphragm region overlying a central backing plate that includes a annular groove. The annular groove avoids slow response of the isolator after an overpressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina A. Nord, David A. Horky, Kenneth G. Guttsen, Thomas E. Johnson, Matthew G. Sherin, Kevin P. Szafranski, William J. Ballot, Renae M. Patrick, Donald E. Harasyn, Ryan R. Eidenschink, Todd W. Schansberg, Mark G. Romo, Steven M. Behm, Bennett L. Louwagie, Robert C. Hedtke, Stanley E. Rud, Jr., Jeffrey C. Brekken
  • 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: 6609427
    Abstract: A pressure transmitter with a hermetically sealed housing surrounding a cavity that is filled with a gas that is free of integrated circuit contaminants. A sensor circuit including an integrated circuit is placed in the cavity and a gas fill port on the housing is sealed. The sensor circuit is electrically adjustable from outside the pressure transmitter and the integrated circuit is protected from contaminated atmospheres outside the pressure transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Westfield, Robert C. Hedtke, Weston Roper, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Scott D. Nelson, Theodore H. Schnaare, Steven M. Behm, Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6568279
    Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Behm, Dale S. Davis, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Robert C. Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson, Scott D. Nelson, Weston Roper, Theodore H. Schnaare, John P. Schulte, Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6484590
    Abstract: A method for measuring fluid flow includes generating vortices in a fluid and relating the fluid flow to a first set of fluid parameters to obtain a first relationship, and relating the fluid flow to a second set of fluid parameters to obtain a second relationship. The first and second sets of fluid parameters are monitored. A first flow value is calculated from the first set of monitor fluid parameters and the first relationship. The second relationship is adjusted based on the first flow value. The output value is calculated from the second set of monitored fluid parameters and the adjusted second relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Robert C. Hedtke, David E. Wiklund
  • Patent number: 6457367
    Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Behm, Dale S. Davis, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Robert C. Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson, Scott D. Nelson, Weston Roper, Theodore H. Schnaare, John P. Schulte, Mark S. Shumacher
  • Publication number: 20020108448
    Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Steven M. Behm, Dale S. Davis, Mark C. Fandrey, Roger L. Frick, Robert C. Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson, Scott D. Nelson, Weston Roper, Theodore H. Schnaare, John P. Schulte, Mark S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6412353
    Abstract: A vortex sensor senses the vortices generated by a vortex generator. A temperature sensor, disposed at a streamlined body within a flow tube, measures a temperature of fluid carried by the flow tube. A circuit coupled to the vortex sensor and to the temperature sensor creates an output indicative of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Robert C. Hedtke, David E. Wiklund
  • Patent number: 6170338
    Abstract: A vortex sensor senses the generated vortices and provides a vortex signal. A filtering circuit is coupling to the vortex sensor to receive the vortex signal and provide an output indicative of fluid flow. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the fluid and provides a temperature value, while a pressure sensor senses a pressure of the fluid and provides a pressure value. A processor is operably coupled to the filtering circuit, the temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor for receiving the output, the temperature value, and the pressure value, respectively. The processor calculates a calibration factor as a function of the output, the temperature value, and the pressure value for use in calculating the output value indicative of the flow rate of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rosemont Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell A. Kleven, Robert C. Hedtke, David E. Wiklund
  • Patent number: 5095739
    Abstract: A tank leak detector has a pressure transmitter suspended in a tank to detect liquid level changes of a fluid by sensing a pressure which changes when a liquid level changes. The transmitter preferably is a differential pressure transmitter. A pump is provided for drawing liquid through a tube up to a sealed passageway in a manifold which is connected to a pressure sensing inlet of the pressure transmitter. The pump eliminates air bubbles in the passageway and at the pressure sensing inlet. The sealed passageway provides a liquid column that changes in pressure at the pressure sensing inlet as the liquid level rises and falls where transmitter output indicates liquid level changes. The detector is temperature stable because the tank is underground where both inlets of a pressure sensor are at the same temperature. The unit is easily installed in existing tanks by suspending from a support in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 4653330
    Abstract: A pressure transmitter housing for mounting an internal sensing cell, and having two sections that provide integral pressure connecting flanges for differential pressure sensing, and provide proper clamping pressure and seals on the sensing cell. The housing sections also provide a space for all transmitter circuitry in a toroidal chamber defined in the housing and surrounding the sensing cell. Each of the housing sections has a sealing surface for sealing against the outer ends of a differential pressure sensing cell, and clamping the ends of the cells together under compressive load using external clamping bolts. One of the housing sections has a terminal strip to connect to external power supply wires. The housing sections are easily cast and machined, and will accommodate the necessary dimensional tolerances needed for manufacturing processes in making the sensing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: D297314
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke