Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Drahm
Wolfgang Drahm 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).
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Patent number: 8714027Abstract: A method for operating a magneto-inductive flow measuring system, wherein the magneto-inductive flow measuring system has a measuring tube, wherein measuring tube has a lumen for the conveying an at least slightly electrically conductive, measured substance, and wherein the magneto-inductive flow measuring system has a first and a second electrode electrically interacting with the measured substance.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Stefan Heidenblut, Frank Schmalzried
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Patent number: 8631712Abstract: A method for detecting complete or partial plugging of a measuring tube of a Coriolis flow measuring device, which is insertable into a pipeline, and which has a measuring transducer of the vibration type having at least two measuring tubes connected for parallel flow. The method includes, in such case, the steps of measuring a subset flow occurring in a subset of the measuring tubes, and comparing a subset flow value obtained from this measurement with a reference value to be expected for this subset. The reference value is, in such case, determined from a total mass flow determined in the context of a Coriolis mass flow measuring. Additionally, the method includes the step of detecting plugging of at least one measuring tube of the measuring transducer, if the subset flow value deviates from the reference value by more than a limit value.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Hao Zhu, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
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Patent number: 8555730Abstract: A measuring transducer of vibration type, especially a Coriolis mass flow meter, having a housing and a mass flow tube, wherein the mass flow tube is formed into a helix having a first loop and a second loop; wherein the mass flow tube has a securement element which affixes a peripheral point of the first loop relative to a neighboring peripheral point of the second loop; and wherein the mass flow tube has an oscillation exciter on a side lying opposite the securement element along the mass flow tube. The mass flow tube has provided between the oscillation exciter and the securement element at least one add-on part acting as a canceling mass.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Ennio Bitto, Wolfgang Drahm, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
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Patent number: 8515691Abstract: A method for determining tube wall thickness of at least one measuring tube of a Coriolis, flow measuring device, wherein the Coriolis, flow measuring device has an oscillatory system, which includes at least one measuring tube, and at least one exciter, by which the oscillatory system is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations. In the method, at least one excitation input variable of the at least one exciter and at least one response variable of oscillations of the oscillatory system caused thereby are registered. Additionally, a tube wall thickness of the at least one measuring tube is ascertained by inserting the excitation input variable and the response variable into a transfer equation.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Marcel Braun
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Publication number: 20130104657Abstract: An ultrasonic particle measuring system having an ultrasonic transducer with at least one ultrasonic transducer element and at least one coupling element, wherein, during operation, acoustic signals are transmittable and receivable by the ultrasonic transducer element via the coupling element, wherein the coupling element is embodied as an acoustic lens, and the ultrasonic, particle measuring system has an evaluation unit suitable for amplitude analysis of reflection signals of acoustic signals reflected from particles to the ultrasonic transducer, and wherein, with the evaluation unit, amplitudes of reflection signals in a predetermined time interval are countable, which are greater than a predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Yaoying Lin, Beat Kissling, Wolfgang Drahm, Thomas Frohlich
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Publication number: 20130031973Abstract: A method for detecting accretion or abrasion on a first measuring tube of a flow measuring device. A first temperature as a function of time is registered via a first temperature sensor, which is arranged on the first measuring tube in such a manner that, between the first temperature sensor and the medium, at least one measuring tube wall of the first measuring tube is embodied. Parallel in time, a second reference temperature as a function of time is registered by a second temperature sensor, which is spaced from the first temperature sensor and thermally coupled to the medium. Therefrom, at least one variable characteristic is determined, and accretion or abrasion on the first measuring tube is detected, if the at least one determined characteristic variable or a variable derived therefrom deviates by more than a limit value from a predetermined reference variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Michael Kirst, Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Christof Huber, Vivek Kumar
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Patent number: 8359933Abstract: For monitoring the tube arrangement, the measuring system of the invention includes, connected to the transmitter electronics, a temperature measuring arrangement having a first temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a first of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement and at least a second temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a second of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement. In the method of the invention, it is provided that, in the case of medium flowing through the tube arrangement, a temperature difference existing between the at least two measuring tubes as a result plugging is ascertained and, in case the ascertained temperature difference deviates from a predetermined limit value for the temperature difference representing a non-plugged tube arrangement, a partial plugging of the tube arrangement, especially a plugging of exactly one of the measuring tubes, is signaled.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Christof Huber, Vivek Kumar, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu
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Publication number: 20120310545Abstract: A measuring device electronics comprises a processor and two clock signal generators. One clock signal generator serves for producing a working clock signal, and also for producing a reference clock signal which is dependant on the working clock signal. The other clock signal generator, serves for producing a second reference clock signal, which is independent of the working clock signal. Based on the two independent reference clock signals, a frequency difference, can, to the extent that such is present, be ascertained during operation of the measuring device electronics or of the measuring device formed therewith. The frequency difference, represents a difference between the instantaneous clocking frequency of the first reference clock signal and the instantaneous clocking frequency of the second reference clock signal, and, in this respect, represents a measure for a deviation of an instantaneous clocking frequency, from the nominally predetermined clocking frequency, of the working clock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl, Christian Matt, Robert Lalla, Matthias Brudermann
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Publication number: 20120255370Abstract: A method for trimming a tube with at least one stiffening element placed on its tube wall to a target bending stiffness, wherein the tube has first an interim bending stiffness, which is greater than the target bending stiffness. For the purpose of reducing the interim bending stiffness of the tube to the target bending stiffness, it is provided in the method of the invention that volume of the stiffening element is removed, for instance, by means of a laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Wiesmann
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Publication number: 20120255371Abstract: The method serves for changing at least one eigenfrequency of a tube arrangement formed by means of at least one tube particularly, however, also for tuning the interim eigenfrequency to a desired eigenfrequency deviating therefrom and referred to as a target eigenfrequency. The tube has a tube wall, of metal and/or an at least sectionally circularly cylindrical, tube wall as well as a stiffening element of metal and/or a stiffening element of material connectable with the material of the tube by material bonding and/or a platelet shaped, stiffening element, placed on the tube wall and co-determining the interim eigenfrequency of the tube arrangement. For the purpose of changing the interim eigenfrequency, it is provided, that volume is removed from the stiffening element, for instance, by means of laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Wiesmann
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Publication number: 20120222479Abstract: A method for detecting plugging of a measuring tube. Heat is supplied to a medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one heating element, or heat is removed from the medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one cooling element. At least one temperature sensor, which is thermally coupled to the medium conveyed in the first measuring tube, temperature is registered. Additionally, a first comparison variable, which is characteristic for heat transport by the medium in the first measuring tube, is determined based on the supplying of heat or removing of heat, as well as on the temperature registering, and this comparison variable is compared with a reference variable. Plugging of at least one measuring tube of the measuring transducer is detected if the first comparison variable deviates from the reference variable by more than a limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Hao Zhu, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
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Publication number: 20120123705Abstract: A measuring system comprises: a measuring transducer; transmitter electronics; at least one measuring tube; and at least one oscillation exciter. The transmitter electronics delivers a driver signal for the at least one oscillation exciter, and for feeding electrical, excitation power into the at least one oscillation exciter. The driver signal, has a sinusoidal signal component which corresponds to an instantaneous eigenfrequency, and in which the at least one measuring tube can execute, or executes, eigenoscillations about a resting position. The eigenoscillations have an oscillation node and in the region of the wanted, oscillatory length exactly one oscillatory antinode. The driver signal has, a sinusoidal signal component with a signal frequency, which deviates from each instantaneous eigenfrequency of each natural mode of oscillation of the at least one measuring tube, in each case, by more than 1 Hz and/or by more than 1% of said eigenfrequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Michael Wiesmann, Patrick Oudoire
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Publication number: 20120060626Abstract: A method for detecting complete or partial plugging of a measuring tube of a Coriolis flow measuring device, which is insertable into a pipeline, and which has a measuring transducer of the vibration type having at least two measuring tubes connected for parallel flow. The method includes, in such case, the steps of measuring a subset flow occurring in a subset of the measuring tubes, and comparing a subset flow value obtained from this measurement with a reference value to be expected for this subset. The reference value is, in such case, determined from a total mass flow determined in the context of a Coriolis mass flow measuring. Additionally, the method includes the step of detecting plugging of at least one measuring tube of the measuring transducer, if the subset flow value deviates from the reference value by more than a limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Hao Zhu, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
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Publication number: 20120042732Abstract: A measuring system comprises: a measuring transducer of vibration type, through which fluid flows during operation, and which produces oscillation signals corresponding to parameters of the flowing fluid; as well as a transmitter electronics (TE), which is electrically coupled with the measuring transducer, and serves for activating the measuring transducer and for evaluating oscillation signals delivered by the measuring transducer. The measuring transducer (MT) includes: At least one measuring tube (10; 10?) for conveying flowing fluid; at least one electro-mechanical oscillation exciter (41) for actively exciting and/or maintaining bending oscillations of the at least one measuring tube in a wanted mode; and at least a first oscillation sensor (51) for registering vibrations of the at least one measuring tube, and for producing an oscillation signal (s1) of the measuring transducer, representing vibrations at least of the at least one measuring tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Hao Zhu, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder, Vivek Kumar
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Publication number: 20120036941Abstract: A method for operating a magneto-inductive flow measuring system, wherein the magneto-inductive flow measuring system has a measuring tube, wherein measuring tube has a lumen for the conveying an at least slightly electrically conductive, measured substance, and wherein the magneto-inductive flow measuring system has a first and a second electrode electrically interacting with the measured substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Stefan Heidenblut, Frank Schmalzried
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Patent number: 8046194Abstract: A method for predictive maintenance for a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device and/or to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device, wherein the magneto-inductive flow-measuring device includes a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to a measuring tube axis; at least two measuring electrodes coupled with the medium, having a defined rest potential and being arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicularly to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Heinz Rufer, Wolfgang Drahm, Frank Schmalzried
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Publication number: 20110219857Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
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Patent number: 7966863Abstract: The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X?) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (X?) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
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Publication number: 20110113896Abstract: For monitoring the tube arrangement, the measuring system of the invention includes, connected to the transmitter electronics, a temperature measuring arrangement having a first temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a first of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement and at least a second temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal dependent on a temperature of a second of the measuring tubes of the tube arrangement. In the method of the invention, it is provided that, in the case of medium flowing through the tube arrangement, a temperature difference existing between the at least two measuring tubes as a result plugging is ascertained and, in case the ascertained temperature difference deviates from a predetermined limit value for the temperature difference representing a non-plugged tube arrangement, a partial plugging of the tube arrangement, especially a plugging of exactly one of the measuring tubes, is signaled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Christof Huber, Vivek Kumar, Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu
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Publication number: 20110094312Abstract: A measuring transducer of vibration type, especially a Coriolis mass flow meter, having a housing and a mass flow tube, wherein the mass flow tube is formed into a helix having a first loop and a second loop; wherein the mass flow tube has a securement element which affixes a peripheral point of the first loop relative to a neighboring peripheral point of the second loop; and wherein the mass flow tube has an oscillation exciter on a side lying opposite the securement element along the mass flow tube. The mass flow tube has provided between the oscillation exciter and the securement element at least one add-on part acting as a canceling mass.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Ennio Bitto, Wolfgang Drahm, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin