Patents by Inventor Scot Ronald Foss

Scot Ronald Foss 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: 20240280390
    Abstract: A magnetic flow meter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe, the flow meter includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes disposed within the pipe which are electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid and responsively provide respective first and second electrode signals. Output circuitry coupled to the first and second electrodes provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry provides an electrode referenced diagnostic signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Bruce David Rovner, Kirk Allan Hunter, Jared James Dreier, Scot Ronald Foss, Samuel Ethan Messenger
  • Patent number: 11181404
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly, an electromotive force (EMF) sensor, a power amplifier, a current sampling circuit, and a controller. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow, and includes a coil configured to receive a coil current and induce an EMF in the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate. The EMF sensor generates an output indicating the induced EMF. The power amplifier is configured to generate unfiltered current pulses at a first frequency. The power amplifier includes a low pass filter that attenuates the unfiltered current pulses to form coil current pulses at a second frequency that form the coil current. The current sampling circuit samples the coil current pulses at a sampling frequency. The controller is configured to change a relationship between the sampling frequency and the first frequency, and adjust the coil current based on the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Masoud Ameri, Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Publication number: 20210072053
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flow tube assembly, an electromotive force (EMF) sensor, a power amplifier, a current sampling circuit, and a controller. The flow tube assembly receives the fluid flow, and includes a coil configured to receive a coil current and induce an EMF in the fluid flow that is proportional to the flow rate. The EMF sensor generates an output indicating the induced EMF. The power amplifier is configured to generate unfiltered current pulses at a first frequency. The power amplifier includes a low pass filter that attenuates the unfiltered current pulses to form coil current pulses at a second frequency that form the coil current. The current sampling circuit samples the coil current pulses at a sampling frequency. The controller is configured to change a relationship between the sampling frequency and the first frequency, and adjust the coil current based on the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Masoud Ameri, Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 10935402
    Abstract: A magnetic flow meter includes electrode sensors generating a sensor signal indicative of flow of a liquid through a conduit. A noise identification module identifies a noise level in the sensor signal and a contaminant identification module uses the noise level to determine whether there is a contaminant in the liquid in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Andrew Thomas Kline
  • Patent number: 10663331
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes circuitry for sensing coil current, coil voltage, or coil resistance. Based on the sensed coil current, voltage, or resistance, a digital processor determines whether a power limit or a coil current limit is exceeded and either halts operation until it receives a new configuration with a new coil current setpoint, or determines a new coil current setpoint itself and adjusts the magnetic flowmeter to that new coil current setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier, Samuel Ethan Messenger, Kirk Allan Hunter
  • Patent number: 10641627
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube with electrodes and field coil and a transmitter that automatically determines an operating setpoint for the magnetic flowmeter based upon sensed coil inductance, sensed coil resistance, a power rating for the transmitter, the flowtube, or both, and selected performance criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Rovner, Scot Ronald Foss, Steven B. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20200080877
    Abstract: A magnetic flow meter includes electrode sensors generating a sensor signal indicative of flow of a liquid through a conduit. A noise identification module identifies a noise level in the sensor signal and a contaminant identification module uses the noise level to determine whether there is a contaminant in the liquid in the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Andrew Thomas Kline
  • Patent number: 9952075
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes are disposed within the pipe and electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid. Input circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry coupled to the input circuitry is configured to identify a saturation related condition and responsively provide a diagnostic output. In another embodiment, saturation prevention circuitry prevents saturation of the input circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Bruce David Rovner, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 9696188
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter comprises a pipe section for process flow, a coil for generating a magnetic field across the pipe section, a current source for energizing the coil to generate the magnetic field at a coil drive frequency, and electrodes for sensing voltage induced across the process flow by the magnetic field. A processor calculates a function of the sensed voltage and generates a flow output based on the function. The processor adjusts an operating parameter of the flowmeter, such as electrode voltage sampling period, the coil drive frequency, or a phase shift, as a function of a sensed electrode-to-electrode or electrode-to-ground complex impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Bruce D. Rovner, Scot Ronald Foss
  • Publication number: 20160290844
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes are disposed within the pipe and electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid. Input circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry coupled to the input circuitry is configured to identify a saturation related condition and responsively provide a diagnostic output. In another embodiment, saturation prevention circuitry prevents saturation of the input circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Bruce David Rovner, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 9395221
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes are disposed within the pipe and electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid. Input circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry coupled to the input circuitry is configured to identify a saturation related condition and responsively provide a diagnostic output. In another embodiment, saturation prevention circuitry prevents saturation of the input circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Bruce David Rovner, Jared James Dreier
  • Patent number: 9163968
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. A coil is positioned proximate the flowtube and arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid in response to a drive current alternating direction. First and second electrodes are arranged to sense a voltage potential in the process fluid in response to the applied magnetic field. The voltage potential is indicative of flow rate of process fluid through the flowtube. A sensor is coupled to the first and second current paths which has a sensor output related to the drive current. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of a transient change in the sensor output when current flowing through the coil alternates direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Publication number: 20150177035
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube with electrodes and field coil and a transmitter that automatically determines an operating setpoint for the magnetic flowmeter based upon sensed coil inductance, sensed coil resistance, a power rating for the transmitter, the flowtube, or both, and selected performance criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Rovner, Scot Ronald Foss, Steven B. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20150082905
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid in a pipe includes a magnetic coil disposed adjacent to the pipe configured to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. First and second electrodes are disposed within the pipe and electrically coupled to the process fluid and configured to sense an electromotive force (EMF) induced in the process fluid due to the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid. Input circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes and provides an output related to the sensed EMF. Diagnostic circuitry coupled to the input circuitry is configured to identify a saturation related condition and responsively provide a diagnostic output. In another embodiment, saturation prevention circuitry prevents saturation of the input circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Bruce David Rovner, Jared James Dreier
  • Publication number: 20150082909
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. A coil is positioned proximate the flowtube and arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid in response to a drive current alternating direction. First and second electrodes are arranged to sense a voltage potential in the process fluid in response to the applied magnetic field. The voltage potential is indicative of flow rate of process fluid through the flowtube. A sensor is coupled to the first and second current paths which has a sensor output related to the drive current. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of a transient change in the sensor output when current flowing through the coil alternates direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier
  • Publication number: 20150082906
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes circuitry for sensing coil current, coil voltage, or coil resistance. Based on the sensed coil current, voltage, or resistance, a digital processor determines whether a power limit or a coil current limit is exceeded and either halts operation until it receives a new configuration with a new coil current setpoint, or determines a new coil current setpoint itself and adjusts the magnetic flowmeter to that new coil current setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Ronald Foss, Jared James Dreier, Samuel Ethan Messenger, Kirk Allan Hunter
  • Publication number: 20140260662
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter comprises a pipe section for process flow, a coil for generating a magnetic field across the pipe section, a current source for energizing the coil to generate the magnetic field at a coil drive frequency, and electrodes for sensing voltage induced across the process flow by the magnetic field. A processor calculates a function of the sensed voltage and generates a flow output based on the function. The processor adjusts an operating parameter of the flowmeter, such as electrode voltage sampling period, the coil drive frequency, or a phase shift, as a function of a sensed electrode-to-electrode or electrode-to-ground complex impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Bruce D. Rovner, Scot Ronald Foss