Patents by Inventor Robert Hedtke

Robert 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: 8180466
    Abstract: A process device is configured to meet a desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL). A device interface is configured to couple to the process device and provide an output related to operation of a component of the process device. A component monitor monitors operation of the component and identifies a safety event of the component. A safety response module responds to a safety event of the component in accordance with a safety response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Longsdorf, Dale Davis, Robert Hedtke, Scott Nelson
  • Patent number: 7812466
    Abstract: A resonance frequency vibration power harvester includes an elongate body, a first vibration energy harvester device and a weight. The elongate body includes a first end, a second end and an interior channel extending through at least a portion of the elongate body between the first end and the second end. The second end of the elongate body is for connecting to a vibration source such that the first end is cantilevered. The first vibration energy harvester device is attached adjacent the first end of the elongate body, and the weight is joined to the interior channel to adjust a resonant frequency of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Liang-Ju Lu, Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20090195222
    Abstract: A resonance frequency vibration power harvester comprises an elongate body, a first vibration energy harvester device and a weight. The elongate body includes a first end, a second end and an interior channel extending through at least a portion of the elongate body between the first end and the second end. The second end of the elongate body is for connecting to a vibration source such that the first end is cantilevered. The first vibration energy harvester device is attached adjacent the first end of the elongate body, and the weight is joined to the interior channel to adjust a resonant frequency of the elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Liang-Ju Lu, Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7528737
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a temperature responsive indicator to indicate an operating condition of the process transmitter. The operating condition may represent a level of a sensed process variable or an operating temperature of the process transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7509220
    Abstract: A process control system includes a process sensor, an inclination sensor and transmitter circuitry. The process sensor senses the process variable of a process fluid and the inclination sensor senses the orientation of the transmitter. The transmitter circuitry produces an output based on the sensed process variable and the sensed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7490516
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a manually operated power generator to provide electrical power to sense a process variable, produce an output based on the sensed process variable, and provide a display of the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hedtke, Richard L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7434469
    Abstract: A process control system includes a transmitter having transmitter circuitry, a sensor, a remote sensing apparatus, a linkage and a slack take-up device. The sensor senses a process variable of a process fluid. The remote sensing apparatus communicating with the process fluid. The linkage communicates between the transmitter and the process fluid. The slack take-up device selectively adjusts a relative length of the linkage between the transmitter and the remote sensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7430917
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a hydraulic system with a fill fluid for transmitting pressure from a process fluid to a pressure sensor. The fill fluid contains hydraulic fluid and a self-activating stop-leak composition for preventing loss of fill fluid caused by leaks in the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7412893
    Abstract: A redundant pressure transmitter for redundantly measuring pressure of a process fluid comprises a transmitter housing, transmitter circuitry, a remote seal assembly including a first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor positioned in the transmitter housing. The remote seal assembly also comprises a remote seal flange, a communication system and a capillary tube. The remote seal flange communicates with the process fluid and the first pressure sensor senses the process fluid pressure at the remote seal flange. The communication system relays output of the first pressure sensor to the transmitter circuitry, and the capillary tube communicates the process fluid pressure to the transmitter housing via a fill fluid, where the second pressure sensor senses the pressure of the process fluid through the fill fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20080042863
    Abstract: A process control system includes a process sensor, an inclination sensor and transmitter circuitry. The process sensor senses the process variable of a process fluid and the inclination sensor senses the orientation of the transmitter. The transmitter circuitry produces an output based on the sensed process variable and the sensed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070272027
    Abstract: A process control system includes a transmitter having transmitter circuitry, a sensor, a remote sensing apparatus, a linkage and a slack take-up device. The sensor senses a process variable of a process fluid. The remote sensing apparatus communicating with the process fluid. The linkage communicates between the transmitter and the process fluid. The slack take-up device selectively adjusts a relative length of the linkage between the transmitter and the remote sensing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070241916
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a temperature responsive indicator to indicate an operating condition of the process transmitter. The operating condition may represent a level of a sensed process variable or an operating temperature of the process transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070234813
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a hydraulic system with a fill fluid for transmitting pressure from a process fluid to a pressure sensor. The fill fluid contains hydraulic fluid and a self-activating stop-leak composition for preventing loss of fill fluid caused by leaks in the hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070220985
    Abstract: A redundant pressure transmitter for redundantly measuring pressure of a process fluid comprises a transmitter housing, transmitter circuitry, a remote seal assembly including a first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor positioned in the transmitter housing. The remote seal assembly also comprises a remote seal flange, a communication system and a capillary tube. The remote seal flange communicates with the process fluid and the first pressure sensor senses the process fluid pressure at the remote seal flange. The communication system relays output of the first pressure sensor to the transmitter circuitry, and the capillary tube communicates the process fluid pressure to the transmitter housing via a fill fluid, where the second pressure sensor senses the pressure of the process fluid through the fill fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Emerson Process Management
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7258017
    Abstract: A pressure measurement system includes a pressure transmitter and a remote seal assembly, and a capillary tube that connects a housing of the remote seal with a housing of the pressure transmitter utilizing at least one negligible-leakage quick connect coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070169574
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a manually operated power generator to provide electrical power to sense a process variable, produce an output based on the sensed process variable, and provide a display of the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hedtke, Richard Nelson
  • Publication number: 20070085807
    Abstract: A method of controlling a liquid crystal display (LCD) integrated within a sensing device for operation in cold temperature is provided. The method includes providing electrical power to the LCD, providing an electrical signal to the LCD to update displayed information, measuring the ambient temperature proximate the LCD and making adjustments to the power and update information supplied to the LCD based on the ambient temperature. Another aspect of the invention includes a field device including an LCD, an electronic control module configured to provide power and communication signals to the LCD, and a temperature sensor coupled to the electronic control module. The electronic control module is configured to measure the temperature proximate the LCD and control power and communication supplied to the LCD based on the temperature at the LCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20070073417
    Abstract: A transmitter configured to measure a process variable of an industrial process, includes a pressure sensor configured to couple to a pressure of a fluid. An acoustic detector receives an acoustic signal from the fluid. Measurement circuitry coupled to the pressure sensor and the acoustic detector provides an output related to pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20060278005
    Abstract: A pressure sensor including a deformable sensor body formed of a compressible material. A deformation sensor is embedded in the deformable sensor body and has an electrical property which changes in response to deformation of the deformable sensor body. Electrical connections which extend from outside the deformable sensor body to the embedded deformation sensor to provide an indication of an applied line pressure or differential pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: David Broden, Robert Hedtke
  • Publication number: 20060212139
    Abstract: A process coupling for coupling a diagnostic device to process fluid of an industrial process includes a process interface configured to physically couple to the process fluid. A fluid pathway extending from the process interface configured to couple a process interface element of the process device to the process fluid. The fluid pathway is configured to optimize transmission of process noise from the process fluid to the process device for use by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Hedtke, David Broden