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).

  • Publication number: 20070131024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20070119265
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes: A measuring tube vibrating at least at times during operation and serving for the conveying of a medium, wherein the measuring tube communicates with a pipeline via an inlet tube piece at an inlet end and an outlet tube piece at an outlet end; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on the inlet end to form a first coupling zone and affixed to the measuring tube on the outlet end to form a second coupling zone; and a first cantilever for producing bending moments in the inlet tube piece and coupled with the inlet tube piece and the measuring tube essentially rigidly in the area of the first coupling zone and having a center of mass lying in the region of the inlet tube piece, as well as a second cantilever for producing bending moments in the outlet tube piece and coupled essentially rigidly with the outlet tube piece and the measuring tube in the region of the second coupling zone and having a center of mass lying in the region of the outlet tube piece
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Gerhard Eckert, Rainer Lorenz, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schuetze, Michal Fuchs, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Wolfgang Drahm, Leonhard Probst
  • Publication number: 20070119264
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes: A measuring tube vibrating at least at times during operation and serving for the conveying of a medium, wherein the measuring tube communicates with a pipeline via an inlet tube piece at an inlet end and an outlet tube piece at an outlet end; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on the inlet end to form a first coupling zone and affixed to the measuring tube on the outlet end to form a second coupling zone; and a first cantilever for producing bending moments in the inlet tube piece and coupled with the inlet tube piece and the measuring tube essentially rigidly in the area of the first coupling zone and having a center of mass lying in the region of the inlet tube piece, as well as a second cantilever for producing bending moments in the outlet tube piece and coupled essentially rigidly with the outlet tube piece and the measuring tube in the region of the second coupling zone and having a center of mass lying in the region of the outlet tube piece
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Gerhard Eckert, Rainer Lorenz, Alfred Rieder, Christian Schuetze, Michael Fuchs, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Wolfgang Drahm, Leonhard Probst
  • Publication number: 20070095153
    Abstract: An inline measuring device which serves for measuring at least one physical, measured variable of a medium conveyed in a pipeline, includes a measurement pickup of vibration-type, as well as a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measurement pickup. The measurement pickup includes at least one, essentially straight measuring tube serving to convey the medium to be measured and communicating with the connected pipeline, an exciter mechanism acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate, during operation, at least at times and/or at least in part, with torsional oscillations about a torsional oscillation axis imaginarily connecting an inlet end of the measuring tube and an outlet end of the measuring tube, as well as a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the at least one measuring tube and delivering at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20070084298
    Abstract: For measuring a medium, the medium flows through at least one inline measuring device measuring tube joined into the course of a pipeline, especially a measuring tube which vibrates, at least at times. Using an inline measuring device sensor arrangement arranged on the measuring tube and/or in its vicinity and reacting, at least mediately, to changes of the at least one physical parameter of the medium, at least one measurement signal is produced, which is influenced by at least one physical parameter of the medium in the measuring tube. Additionally, pressures effective in the medium are registered, in order to determine repeatedly a pressure difference existing in the flowing medium at least in part along the at least one measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20070062260
    Abstract: A vibration meter and a method of measuring a viscosity of a fluid flowing through a pipe are disclosed. The vibration meter comprises meter electronics and a transducer assembly with an electromechanical excitation arrangement and with a flow tube which oscillates in operation. A sensor arrangement produces sensor signals. representative of inlet-side and outlet-side deflections of the flow tube. An evaluation circuit derives from said sensor signals and from an excitation current generated by an excitation circuit for the excitation arrangement a viscosity value representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7191667
    Abstract: A vibration meter and a method of measuring a viscosity of a fluid flowing through a pipe are disclosed. The vibration meter comprises meter electronics and a transducer assembly with an electromechanical excitation arrangement and with a flow tube which oscillates in operation. A sensor arrangement produces sensor signals representative of inlet-side and outlet-side deflections of the flow tube. An evaluation circuit derives from said sensor signals and from an excitation current generated by an excitation circuit for the excitation arrangement a viscosity value representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7181982
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes at least one measuring tube through which a two, or more, phase medium during operation. A support means of the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter is fixed to an inlet end and an outlet end of the measuring tube and thus holds the tube such that it can oscillate. During operation, the measuring tube is made to oscillate with mechanical oscillations, especially bending oscillations, by means of an exciter arrangement. Additionally, the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes means for producing measurement signals (xs1, xs2) representing inlet end and outlet end oscillations of the measuring tube. An evaluation electronics produces an intermediate value (X?m) derived from the measurement signals (x1, xs2) and representing a provisionally determined mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Matt Christian, Ida Wenger, legal representative, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Wenger, deceased
  • Patent number: 7171859
    Abstract: A process meter for measuring at least one physical process variable of a medium stored in a container or flowing in a line, comprising: a transducer including a sensor arrangement providing measurement signals (s1, s2), the sensor arrangement having: at least a first sensor providing at least a first measurement signal (s1) in response to the physical process variable being measured, particularly to changes in the process variable, and at least a first temperature sensor mounted in the transducer for locally sensing a first temperature, T1, in the transducer, and by means of the at least one temperature sensor, at least a first temperature measurement signal (?1) representing the first temperature, T1, in the transducer; and meter electronics which, using at least the first measurement signal (s1) and a first correction value (K1) for the at least first measurement signal (s1), derive at least one measured value (X) currently representing the physical variable, wherein: during operation, the meter electronic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 7162915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20060278019
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes at least one measuring tube through which a two, or more, phase medium during operation. A support means of the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter is fixed to an inlet end and an outlet end of the measuring tube and thus holds the tube such that it can oscillate. During operation, the measuring tube is made to oscillate with mechanical oscillations, especially bending oscillations, by means of an exciter arrangement. Additionally, the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes means for producing measurement signals (xs1, xs2) representing inlet end and outlet end oscillations of the measuring tube. An evaluation electronics produces an intermediate value (X?m) derived from the measurement signals (xs1, xs2) and representing a provisionally determined mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Matt Christian, Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Ida Wenger
  • Publication number: 20060272428
    Abstract: An inline measuring device comprises a vibratory-type transducer and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the vibratory-type transducer. The vibratory-type transducer includes at least one measuring tube being inserted into the course of a pipeline and serving for conducting a mixture to be measured. An exciter arrangement acting on the measuring tube for causing the at least one measuring tube to vibrate and a sensor arrangement sensing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube and delivering at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. The measuring device electronics delivers an excitation current driving the exciter arrangement. Further, the inline measuring device electronics is adapted to produce a measured value representing the physical, measured quantity of the mixture to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20060225517
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation is vibrated by an excitation assembly and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. The transducer further comprises a torsional vibration absorber which is fixed to the flow tube and which in operation covibrates with the torsionally vibrating flow tube, thus producing reactive torques which at least partially balance torques developed in the vibrating flow tube. One of the advantages of the transducer disclosed is that it is dynamically balanced to a large extent even in the face of variations in fluid density or viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20060201260
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes: At least one interconnected system (1, 2) formed by means of at least two components (1, 2), especially components (1, 2) of metal. At least the first component (1) of the interconnected system is, in such case, embodied as a composite, formed part composed of at least two materials, which differ from one another with respect to at least one physical and/or chemical property, especially a material density, melting temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and/or modulus of elasticity, etc. As a result of using at least one composite component (1), the at least two components of the interconnected system (1, 2) can be bonded together lastingly and reliably, especially by means of welding, such being true especially also for the case in which the interconnected system is a bi-, or poly-, metal, interconnected system (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Ennio Bitto, Rainer Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7080564
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation is vibrated by an excitation assembly and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. The transducer further comprises a torsional vibration absorber which is fixed to the flow tube and which in operation covibrates with the torsionally vibrating flow tube, thus producing reactive torques which at least partially balance torques developed in the vibrating flow tube. One of the advantages of the transducer disclosed is that it is dynamically balanced to a large extent even in the face of variations in fluid density or viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20060156830
    Abstract: A process meter for measuring at least one physical process variable of a medium stored in a container or flowing in a line, comprising: a transducer including a sensor arrangement providing measurement signals (s1, s2), said sensor arrangement having: at least a first sensor providing at least a first measurement signal (s1) in response to the physical process variable being measured, particularly to changes in the process variable, and at least a first temperature sensor mounted in said transducer for locally sensing a first temperature, T1, in the transducer, and by means of said at least one temperature sensor, at least a first temperature measurement signal (?1) representing the first temperature, T1, in said transducer; and meter electronics which, using at least said first measurement signal (s1) and a first correction value (K1) for the at least first measurement signal (s1), derive at least one measured value (X) currently representing the physical variable, wherein: during operation, said meter elec
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Rieder
  • Publication number: 20060156831
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device includes a vibratory measuring transducer having at least one measuring tube, which has medium flowing through it during operation. In operation, the measuring tube is caused by an exciter arrangement to undergo mechanical oscillations, especially bending oscillations. Additionally, the Coriolis mass flow measuring device includes a sensor arrangement for producing oscillation measurement signals (s1, s2) representing the inlet-end and outlet-end oscillations of the measuring tube. Measuring device electronics controlling the exciter arrangement produces an exciter current (iexc) and an intermediate value (X?m) derived from the oscillation measurement signals (s1, s2). This intermediate value represents an uncorrected mass flow. Derived from the exciter current and/or from a component of the exciter current (iexc), an intermediate value (X2) is produced, which corresponds to a damping of the oscillations of the measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Fuchs, Hans-Jorg Sprich, Ibho Itin, Samuel Wyss
  • Patent number: 7077014
    Abstract: For conveying a fluid, the measuring transducer is equipped with a measuring tube, which is held oscillatably in a support element and vibrates during operation. The measuring tube executes, during operation, at least over part of its length, driven by an exciter arrangement, bending oscillations about an oscillation axis. These bending oscillations predominantly assume an oscillation form having at least three bending oscillation antinodes. Inlet-end and outlet-end oscillations are registered by means of a sensor arrangement. Additionally provided in the measuring transducer is a coupler arrangement connected with measuring tube and with support element and having at least one coupling element interacting mechanically, especially resiliently, with the vibrating measuring tube and the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7040180
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes at least one measuring tube, which is traversed in operation by medium. A support structure of the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter is fixed at an inlet end and at an outlet end of the measuring tube and thus clamps the measuring tube such that it can oscillate. In operation, the measuring tube is caused by means of an exciter arrangement to oscillate with mechanical oscillations, especially bending oscillations. Furthermore, the Coriolis mass-flow/density meter includes structure for producing measurement signals (xs1, xs2) representing inlet-end and outlet-end oscillations of the measuring tube. An evaluation electronics produces an intermediate value (X?m) derived from the measurement signals (xs1, xs2) and representing an uncorrected mass flow rate. The evaluation electronics also produces a correction value (XK) for the intermediate value (X?m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christian Matt, Ida Vercna Kobel Wenger, legal representative, Michael Fuchs, Wolfgang Drahm, Alfred Wenger, deceased
  • Patent number: 7040181
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device includes a vibratory measuring transducer having at least one measuring tube, which has medium flowing through it during operation. In operation, the measuring tube is caused by an exciter arrangement to undergo mechanical oscillations, especially bending oscillations. Additionally, the Coriolis mass flow measuring device includes a sensor arrangement for producing oscillation measurement signals (s1, S2) representing the inlet-end and outlet-end oscillations of the measuring tube. Measuring device electronics controlling the exciter arrangement produces an exciter current (iexc) and an intermediate value (X?m) derived from the oscillation measurement signals (s1, s2). This intermediate value represents an uncorrected mass flow. Derived from the exciter current and/or from a component of the exciter current (iexc), an intermediate value (X2) is produced, which corresponds to a damping of the oscillations of the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Michael Fuchs, Hans-Jörg Sprich, Ibho Itin, Samuel Wyss