Fluid Or Fluid Flow Measurement Patents (Class 702/100)
  • Publication number: 20040099041
    Abstract: An element impedance detection apparatus for an oxygen sensor is provided with a first switching device, a second resistor, first resistor, and a first condenser for application of a sweep voltage to the oxygen sensor. The first switching device is switched to ON and the sweep voltage applied; a sensor current I that flows in the oxygen sensor along with application of the sweep voltage is then detected. Element impedance is calculated based on the sweep voltage and the sensor current. The second resistor, the first resistor and the first condenser are connected to the oxygen sensor such that a time constant of the sweep voltage increases as the element impedance becomes larger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutaka Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040098212
    Abstract: The present invention discloses water leakage detecting system for liquid pipe and method thereof. The present invention provides the present status for all liquid pipes by installing more than one liquid pipes, by laying under the ground, to which more than one conducting wires are inserted or fixed, transmitting pulse signal to each conducting wire using pulse transmitter, checking whether each liquid pipe is damaged or not and grasp the damaged points by inspecting the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: In Sik Hong, Seung Soo Ha
  • Patent number: 6726774
    Abstract: A bubble detection system to detect bubbles in photoresist. The system includes photoresist at least one tank, a buffer tank, a pump, and a bubble sensor. The photoresist tank provides the photoresist. The buffer tank stores the photoresist from the photoresist tank. The pump pumps the photoresist from the buffer tank to an end terminal. The bubble sensor is set between the buffer tank and the pump to detect bubbles in the photoresist, and outputs an alarm signal when bubbles are detected. The nozzle is set at the end terminal to output the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Hau Tzeng, Yuh-Tong Tsay, Chung-Te Tsai, Cheng-Yi Lin, Mao-I Ting
  • Publication number: 20040078164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level (F) of a medium (2) in a container (3) or, respectively, to a method and a device for establishing the density (&rgr;) of a medium in the container (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Alexander Mller
  • Publication number: 20040074279
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for calibrating at least one sensor within a gas detector (22), which detector has a gas inlet in fluid communication with the or each sensor, the apparatus comprising a housing (10) that contains: a) a surface (24) for abutting against the detector (22); b) a holder (14) for holding the gas detector (22) with respect to the housing (10) in such a manner that a region of the detector containing the gas inlet abuts against the surface (24) of the housing to form a sealed gas interface between the surface (24) and the detector (22); c) a connector for connecting a source of pressurised calibration gas (12) to the apparatus, d) a conduit (32) for delivering a calibration gas from the connector (34) to the interface between the detector and the apparatus housing, e) electrical connections (40) within the holder for forming electrical connections between the apparatus and a detector held within the holder, and e) a flow controller (34, 36) within the conduit for providing calibration gas
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Gerard Forrest
  • Publication number: 20040069065
    Abstract: A method for assessing the particle size of a bulk particulate material (1), such as powdered or granular material includes transmitting sound energy (as herein defined) through the particulate material (1) from a source (2) to a detector (3), and assessing the particle size from the time taken to pass through the material from the source (2) to detector (3) or signal velocity, through the material (1). Typically the signal is a frequency or frequencies in the range about 20 Hz to 20 kHz (but higher frequencies are envisaged), and the particulate material may be in a moving production stream of the particulate material (1). Apparatus is also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Tallon, Clive Eric Davies
  • Patent number: 6721674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ calibration of quantity measurement of a fluid flowing in a channel, in which a device for measuring the volume of the fluid is disconnected from the fluid flow, measuring fluid is accumulated in a pre-determined amount on site of the calibration, this pre-determined amount of measuring fluid is led through the measuring device with a pre-determined volume flow, in the course of which the volume values measured by the measuring device are saved, then the measured volume values and the real values of the fluid led through are compared to each other and, with this, the quantity measurement of the flowing fluid is calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Andras Borzsonyi
  • Patent number: 6721669
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow meter whereby movement of fluid causes screw spindles or other movable elements to rotate and generate electronic pulses. The invention compensates for non-linearity in the relationship between the flow rate and the number of pulses, occurring particularly at low flow rates, by providing a device in the form of a transducer which assigns volume a value to each pules, which volume values are accumulated such that when certain predetermined value is exceeded a transducer generates a counter signal. Thus, the present invention enables compensation for non-linearity to be made and pulses output corresponding to a standard unit of volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Köpl, Alfons Harding
  • Patent number: 6721618
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating software such that coding of a source program for use in controlling equipments may be automatically performed to the selection of data corresponding to a SECS message defining operations of the semiconductor fabricating equipments in the SECS message communications for a semiconductor fabricating or processing system. According to the present invention, it is possible to rapidly automate the equipment and perform ease maintenance and repair of the fabricating equipments and provide a more static environment for fabricating the semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Miracom, Inc.
    Inventors: Wonin Baek, Jaekwang Lee, Dongsik Min, Jaegwang Lee, Kyuheung Lee
  • Patent number: 6721683
    Abstract: A low cost method and system for diagnosing and reporting potential pump system failure. A method embodying the invention includes calculating amperage variables for the pump moter using a signal from an amp sensor measuring electrical current used by the pump. Design values for the pump are acquired and diagnostic values are calculated using one or more calculated amperage variables and one or more of the acquired design values. Using the diagnostic values, diagnostic parameters are then calculated. Each design parameter is then compared with a baseline value or pattern. Where the design parameter verifies beyond a set tolerence limit, an adverse diagnosis is reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Insightek, LLC
    Inventors: Casey A. Harris, Jeffrey A. Schibonski, Frederick E. Templeton, Dal L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6714878
    Abstract: A method for controlling the gas flow within a digital mass flow controller. The method calculates a digitally enhanced flow rate signal that more accurately represents an actual flow rate through the digital mass flow controller. The digitally enhanced flow rate is calculated using a sensed flow rate signal output from a flow sensor, a scaled first derivative of the sensed flow rate signal, and a scaled, filtered second derivative of the sensed flow rate signal. A set-point signal is compared to the digitally enhanced flow rate signal to generate a digital error signal. The digital error signal is provided to a digitally realized PI (proportional integral) controller. The PI controller generates a digital control signal which is used to control a valve in the digital mass flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mykrolis Corporation
    Inventor: Emmanuel Vyers
  • Publication number: 20040055359
    Abstract: An automatic system for calibrating gas sensors comprising a source of SPAN gas and a source of ZERO gas, and a means to control the flow of these gases to sensors. The system schedules and makes all required sensor value corrections and adjustments without human intervention. High resolution monitoring enables life extensions for the sensors, as well as higher accuracy monitoring than would be reasonably expected from low cost sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: REL-TEK
    Inventors: Albert E. Ketler, Bradley H. Baker, Thayananthan Narayanan, Lauren E. Sargent, Ronald C. Smathers, Ehren R. Graber
  • Publication number: 20040040366
    Abstract: An intake air oxygen concentration sensor calibration device is provided with an oxygen concentration sensor that detects a concentration of oxygen contained in intake air, intake passageway pressure detection means, stable condition determination means that determines whether the intake passageway pressure is in a stable condition based on the amplitude of fluctuations in intake passageway pressure and a predetermined stable condition criterion value, calibration coefficient calculation means that calculates a calibration coefficient based on the intake passageway pressure and a reference output value of the oxygen concentration sensor, and calibration means that calibrates the output of the oxygen concentration sensor based on the calibration coefficient, wherein and the stable condition criterion value is set so that the smaller the intake passageway pressure detected, the smaller the value, and the greater the intake passageway pressure detected, the greater the value, and the calibration coefficient calc
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuji Matsubara, Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6701223
    Abstract: Pipelines are controlled by specifying operations along them. Control specifies sequential control values defining operations at each station to control the pipeline state. The time-dependent state is determinable by software calculations using continuous measurements along the pipeline. Forecasted deliveries dictate that the current pipeline state must change by future time (T). Control sequences are determined at pipeline stations to exercise optimum pipeline control while achieving predetermined goals from the current state to a sustainable target state which supports future deliveries by simulating current pipeline states through time interval T, while satisfying time-dependent forecast deliveries. An initial computable control set is iteratively improved and evaluated by computing the gradient of pipeline operational cost, costs of missing target(s), and costs of violating constraints by solving an adjoint problem each time the simulation is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Advantica, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry R. Rachford, Jr., Richard G. Carter
  • Patent number: 6698276
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the size, concentration and size distribution of particles in a fluid by determining the characteristics of an acoustic speckle signal of the particles and relating these characteristics to the size and concentration characteristics of the particles. The method and the apparatus are especially useful for the measurement of the size distribution of small particles in optically opaque liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm J. W. Povey, Jie Tong, Phillip V. Nelson, Gregory M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040035190
    Abstract: An apparatus for noninvasively monitoring the flow and/or the composition of a flowing liquid using ultrasound is described. The position of the resonance peaks for a fluid excited by a swept-frequency ultrasonic signal have been found to change frequency both in response to a change in composition and in response to a change in the flow velocity thereof. Additionally, the distance between successive resonance peaks does not change as a function of flow, but rather in response to a change in composition. Thus, a measurement of both parameters (resonance position and resonance spacing), once calibrated, permits the simultaneous determination of flow rate and composition using the apparatus and method of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Dipen N. Sinha
  • Patent number: 6697742
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter is tested and calibrated in situ by measuring the impedance of the drive coil, and the isolation to ground impedance of the coil and of the flowmeter sensor electrodes. Testing is effected by portable field equipment or by a built-in test equipment facility with the flowmeter transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Kent-Taylor Limited
    Inventors: Bryan Raymond Franklin, Colin Edward Undery
  • Publication number: 20040030522
    Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting measurements of fluid flow using device-specific information to compensate for differences between individual devices of the same design. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing device-specific calibration data; sensing a fluid flow; computing a measured fluid flow based on the sensed fluid flow, and correcting the measured fluid flow based on the device-specific calibration data. More particularly, the fluid flow measurement is corrected using correction factors that compensate for the use of a gas that is different from the calibration gas (CF0(1+aF+bF2+cF3)), for device variations in sensor sensitivity (1+&agr;&Dgr;R), and for variations in the split flow of fluid through the flow meter (1-&bgr;&Dgr;ADC(Sp/100)2). The sensor and split flow correction factors may be used independently of each other in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Stuart A. Tison, Shiliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20040030521
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a plurality of measures of quantity of a substance flowing through a respective plurality of conduits is disclosed, wherein each of the conduits is supplied from an upstream common source location. An improved series of measurements are derived from an upstream absolute measure and downstream relative measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Asquith
  • Publication number: 20040030520
    Abstract: A gas meter for determining a gas mixture consumption is revealed which determines sensor signal values proportional to a flow rate, this gas meter being calibrated as an energy measuring unit. The calibration is based on a basic gas mixture. During the measurement of the gas consumption, a measured energy consumption value is multiplied by a correction factor which takes account, at least approximately, of the calorific value of a supplied gas mixture, this calorific value being determined by an external unit. By this means, it is possible, using a simple and cost-efficient gas meter, to determine the effective supplied energy and to bill costs according to the supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Matter, Philippe Pretre, Thomas Kleiner, Alexander Wenk
  • Patent number: 6691054
    Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by employing the F Factor and other operating parameters to determine and monitor the unit's heat rate and to determine the emission rates of its pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Exergetic Systems LLC
    Inventor: Fred D Lang
  • Publication number: 20040015304
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to specify a fill level measurement device, in which a measurement sensor (MS) is connected to a measurement data converter (MW), which is connected to an electrical analytical device (EA), in such a way as to simplify and abbreviate maintenance and repair work. For this purpose, the measurement data converter (MW) contains a first non-volatile memory (S1), and the electronic analytical device (EA) contains a second non-volatile memory (S2). The same parameter data, which are necessary to start and operate the fill level measurement device, are redundantly stored in both memories (S1, S2). When the measurement data converter (MW) is replaced, the data stored in the second memory (S2) of the electronic analytical device (EA) are automatically read into the first memory (S1) of the newly installed measurement data converter (MW).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Herbert Auber, Martin Mellert, Martin Mosmann, Thomas Oehler
  • Patent number: 6681189
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method for determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit having an obstruction flow meter includes receiving a &bgr; ratio value indicative of a &bgr; ratio of the obstruction flow meter, receiving a pressure differential value indicative of a pressure differential across the obstruction flow meter, receiving a density value indicative of a density of the fluid, receiving a discharge coefficient formula for the obstruction flow meter, the discharge coefficient formula being a function of the &bgr; ratio of the obstruction flow meter and an Euler number for the fluid flowing through the conduit, and determining, by the computer, the flow rate based on the received &bgr; ratio value, the received pressure differential value, the received density value, and the received discharge coefficient formula. The determined flow rate may either be the volumetric flow rate or the mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Gerald L. Morrison, Kenneth R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6678624
    Abstract: A calibration factor for a sensor including a material-containing conduit and a plurality of motion transducers operative to generate motion signals representing motion of the conduit is determined from a normal modal dynamic characterization of motion of the conduit. The calibration factor may be generated by generating a solution to a modal differential equation of motion in a modal domain including a plurality of normal modes of motion of the conduit, and by generating the calibration factor from this solution. The normal modal dynamic characterization may characterize motion of the conduit as a function of a modal Coriolis term that describes coupling among a plurality of normal modes of the conduit responsive to mass flow in the conduit. The modal Coriolis term may be determined from a mode shape function that describes modal motion of the conduit as a function of location on the conduit. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Normen
  • Publication number: 20030236643
    Abstract: A mass flow sensor calibrator employs a variable-flow fluid source, a receptacle of known volume, and a pressure differentiator. The variable-flow fluid source supplies gas at varying rates to the mass flow sensor being calibrated and at proportional rates to a receptacle of known volume. A pressure differentiator computes the time derivative of gas flow into the receptacle of known volume and, from that, the actual flow into the receptacle. Given the actual flow, the proportionate flow into the mass flow sensor may be determined and the flow signal from the mass flow sensor correlated to the actual flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Nicholas Kottenstette, Jesse Ambrosina
  • Patent number: 6666086
    Abstract: An improved boiler water-level controller. According to one aspect of the present invention, a positive blowdown signal is presented to indicate to the operator that the alarm probe is in steam; performing blowdown until this indicator turns on helps ensure that the alarm probe is working properly. According to another aspect of the present invention, the controller uses a novel methodology of sensing water level using conductivity probes. An embodiment of this methodology uses the charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistive value to sense the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Colman, Thomas E. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030233203
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining fluid flow through a pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values and for calibrating the pressure regulator using a temporary flow meter disposed downstream of the throttling element. A system and method is also provided for calibrating a temperature transmitter associated with the pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce F. Grumstrup, Paul R. Adams
  • Patent number: 6654697
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter diagnosing the condition of its primary element or impulse lines connecting to a differential pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the differential pressure sensor has a difference output representing the sensed differential pressure minus a moving average. A calculate circuit receives the difference output and calculates a trained output of historical data obtained during an initial training time. The calculate circuit also calculates a monitor output of current data obtained during monitoring or normal operation of the fluid flow meter. A diagnostic circuit receives the trained output and the monitor put and generates a diagnostic output indicating a current condition of the primary element and impulse lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Kadir Kavaklioglu
  • Publication number: 20030213282
    Abstract: A method is described for determining the uncertainty factor of a measuring process employing a measuring frequency, especially a magnetoinductive flow measuring procedure, whereby for each half-cycle of the measuring frequency at least one measured value is quantified by sampling a measuring signal. According to the method, the deviation of the measured values is determined at the measuring frequency but phase-shifted relative to the measuring frequency, and/or the deviation of the measured values is determined at a minimum of two frequencies differing from the measuring frequency and on the basis of the two deviations at the frequencies differing from the measuring frequency the deviation of the measured values at the measuring frequency is arrived at by interpolation or extrapolation. This permits easy access to the deviation at the measuring frequency, which is of significance as a diagnostic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Brockhaus
  • Patent number: 6636815
    Abstract: A system, method, and software are disclosed that determine a proportion of a majority component of a fluid that is flowing through a Coriolis flowmeter. Circuitry receives pickoff signals and a temperature signal from the Coriolis flowmeter responsive to the fluid being flowed through the Coriolis flowmeter. The circuitry processes the pickoff signals and the temperature signal to determine a proportion of the majority component relative to the fluid. To determine the proportion of the majority component in one example, the circuitry determines a first volumetric flow rate based on a measured mass flow rate of the fluid and a reference density of the majority component. The circuitry then determines a second volumetric flow rate based on a measured volumetric flow rate, a temperature-varying density, and the reference density. The circuitry determines the proportion of the majority component based on the first volumetric flow rate and the second volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keilty, Andrew T. Patten
  • Publication number: 20030191598
    Abstract: A calibration factor for a sensor including a material-containing conduit and a plurality of motion transducers operative to generate motion signals representing motion of the conduit is determined from a normal modal dynamic characterization of motion of the conduit. The calibration factor may be generated by generating a solution to a modal differential equation of motion in a modal domain including a plurality of normal modes of motion of the conduit, and by generating the calibration factor from this solution. The normal modal dynamic characterization may characterize motion of the conduit as a function of a modal Coriolis term that describes coupling among a plurality of normal modes of the conduit responsive to mass flow in the conduit. The modal Coriolis term may be determined from a mode shape function that describes modal motion of the conduit as a function of location on the conduit. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Normen
  • Publication number: 20030191599
    Abstract: A method and protocol tester for decoding data for the performance of a measurement task, which data is encoded in accordance with a protocol description, includes modifying the protocol description with respect to the measurement task by compressing protocol elements that are of no relevance to the measurement task and decoding the encoded data according to the modified protocol description to provide only decoded data relevant to the measurement task. The decoded data may be filtered before further processing according to a filter condition determined by the measurement task. Alternatively the filter condition may be installed as part of the modified protocol description. Then additional filtering may be applied when there are further filter conditions determined by the measurement task. The result is a protocol tester that permanently stores the protocol description while allowing modification of the protocol description for each measurement task, reducing storage and calculation requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bartsch
  • Patent number: 6622105
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting acceleration and force data associated with a rotating device or rotating system is disclosed, which includes a sine table and a cosine table that may be created based on a particular number of measured data points per revolution of the rotating device or rotating system. Data contained within the sine and cosine tables are then dynamically correlated to obtain acceleration and force data associated with the rotating device or rotating system, wherein dynamically correlated data are thereby utilized to determine a required correction necessary to place the rotating device or rotating system in a balanced state. An error calculated based on a sample size and the number of samples obtained since a last index pulse can be utilized to compute the validity of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Edward Determan
  • Publication number: 20030171887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for obtaining measuring characteristic correction factors for a respiratory flow measuring device (50) using a differential pressure difference. The system (1) has a 3L syringe (10), a detecting unit (20), an A/D converter (30) and a computer (40). The 3L syringe (10) is connected to a respiratory tube of the respiratory flow measuring device (50) through a duct line. The detecting unit (20) detects volume variation within the syringe (10) and outputs the detected result as a voltage signal. The A/D converter (30) converts a volume variation signal, detected as the voltage signal by the detecting unit (20), and a differential pressure variation signal, detected as a voltage signal by a differential pressure sensor (54) through a signal extracting circuit (56) into digital signals. The computer (40) calculates measuring characteristic correction factors using the digital signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Un Jong Cha, Hyun Sik Kim, Kyoung A. Kim
  • Patent number: 6615145
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining particle character moving with a vertical fluid flow towards a multiplet of calibrated sediment traps. The number N of measuring locations, which coincides with the number of n different particle groups (Pn) occurring at all of them, with N (N=n) different types of sediment traps (TN) the mass accumulations (MTN) and the sinking/raising velocity spectrum (VW) of the n particle groups are determined. Upon formulation and solution of a linearly independent system of [N] accumulation equations under incorporation of the established calibration and measurement parameters, the sought-after in-situ mass flux [(ISM)Pn] and the derived in-situ total mess flux [(ISM)p] is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Giselher R. Gust
  • Publication number: 20030159521
    Abstract: A method for determining the NOx mass flow at the input of an NOx storage catalytic converter in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine from operating parameters of the internal combustion engine is introduced, characterized in that the intake air temperature and the engine oil temperature are considered in the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Walter Sarholz, Klaus Winkler
  • Patent number: 6611769
    Abstract: An electronic, programmable meter register (10) includes an input section (18, 19, 30) for generating pulses in response to units of flow in a water meter, a stored control program (46), a microelectronic CPU (31) for executing the program (46) to read input pulses and to transmit output data representing units of flow volume. An output device (16) is responsive to output data from the CPU (31) to display units of flow volume, and the CPU (31) stores a programmable meter input resolution factor for a corresponding one of several meters that scales the output data that is transmitted to the output device (16). A magnet (49) is held outside the register unit (10), but in proximity to a reed switch (22) inside the sealed unit (10) to sequence the display (16) through a series of totalization, rate of flow and other screen displays. A magnetic pulse pickup (24, 18, 19) is provided to signal both forward and reverse flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Olson
  • Patent number: 6611778
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. When a sastisfactory map is obtained, the collected data is processed on the basis of the map to obtain an image of the preselected place with each spatial unit thereof correlated with a color hue and a color intensity. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop the calibration map. The calibration map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hadassa Degani
  • Patent number: 6606573
    Abstract: A parameter sensor including a conduit configured to contain a material is controlled. A first excitation applied to the conduit is determined. Motion of the conduit in response to the first excitation is determined. A second excitation to apply to the conduit is determined from the determined first excitation, the determined motion in response to the first excitation, a desired motion for the conduit, and a frequency response for the conduit. In particular, excitations may be iteratively determined and applied to the conduit, and motion signals representing motion of the excited conduit may be processed to generate process parameter estimates, such as mass flow rate estimates. The frequency response may be assumed to be time-invariant, or may be adaptively estimated. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Glen Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6597998
    Abstract: A self calibration system is provided for a fuel tank in which a method is applied to dynamically determine the relationship between the remaining fuel in the tank and the measured depth of that remaining fuel. It is not necessary to provide the specific volume-to-depth relationship prior to operation of the marine vessel. Based on initial estimation of this relationship, which can be a linear estimation, the actual relationship is determined based on measured fuel depth changes and measured fuel consumptions which are contemporaneous with the measurement of the depth changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Publication number: 20030135341
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. When a satisfactory map is obtained, the collected data is processed on the basis of the map to obtain an image of the preselected place with each spatial unit thereof correlated with a color hue and a color intensity. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop the calibration map. The calibration map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hadassa Degani
  • Patent number: 6585885
    Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Barnstead Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, Steven C. Peake, Chester E. Chomka, Joseph F. Tilp, Eric J. Willman, Kerry W. Leppert, Tina M. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 6577977
    Abstract: A process parameter associated with a material contained in a vibrating structure is estimated. A plurality of motion signals representing motion at a plurality of locations of the vibrating structure are received. The received plurality of motion signals are force filtered with a force filter to produce a force-filtered motion signal that discriminates motion attributable to a force of interest among a plurality of forces acting on the vibrating structure. A process parameter associated with the material contained in the vibrating structure is estimated from the force filtered motion signal. Preferably, a plurality of motion signal values is generated from the received plurality of motion signals, and force filtering includes the step of applying a force filter matrix to the plurality of motion signal values to produce a force filtered motion signal value. A process parameter, such as mass flow, density or the like, is then estimated from the force filtered motion signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Normen
  • Publication number: 20030105604
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for performing real-time measurement performance characteristics of streaming media servers over a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Leslie E. Ash, Michael F. Wiebel, Darren R. Elven, Christopher L. Burton, Ryan P.B. Lee, Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 6574575
    Abstract: A rapid sensor calibration technique applied prior to each Sensor 9 measuring a beverage in which water (zero Brix), at same temperature as beverage, is drawn from a Water Supply 3 via Valve 6 and passed over the fixed optic Sensor 9 in order to reference out any sensor temperature changes or beverage temperature changes or sensor surface fouling by the dispensed beverage. This technique of continuous and multiple calibrations, provides an enhanced “beverage dispensing system” calibration beyond that achievable using known calibration methods associated with automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality for soft drinks from a fountain dispenser using, for example, water at a specific temperature to initially calibrate Sensor 9, or using a high quality beverage, from a bottle, for example, at a known Brix level to initially calibrate Sensor 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Keren Deng, Dwight U. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 6561207
    Abstract: A flow meter system that calculates mass flow rate based only on a single pressure signal. A flow controller is arranged in parallel with a restriction such that a constant pressure differential is maintained across the restriction. The pressure, and temperature if not controlled, of the fluid flowing through the restriction is measured on either side of the restriction. The pressure is compared to a plot of pressure versus mass flow rate calculated for the specific restriction and fluid being measured. The constant pressure differential maintained across the restriction yields a linear relationship between pressure and flow rate. If temperature is not controlled, the plot of pressure versus mass flow rate will remain linear, but the slope of the curve will be adjusted based on the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: FlowMatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Lowery, Petur Thordarson, Robert Laragione
  • Patent number: 6564167
    Abstract: The position sensor has a sensor element and a transmitter part which can be displaced between a first end position and a second end position. The measurement signal passes through an extreme value between the first and the second end positions. The actual values of the measurement signal in the first and second end position are determined. The extreme value of the measurement signal between the first and second end position is also determined. The position is determined in dependence on the current actual value of the measurement signal, the extreme value, and the actual values in the first and second end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludwig Schifferl
  • Patent number: 6556931
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a density compensated flow rate of a material flowing through a vibrating conduit. Signals are received from sensors affixed to the vibrating conduit. An uncompensated flow rate of said material is then calculated from the signals. A density compensation factor is then determined from the uncompensated flow rate and non-linear information relating density to errors in flow rate. The density compensated flow rate is then determined by applying the density compensation factor to the uncompensated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hays, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6556935
    Abstract: A small shape recognizing capacitive sensor device includes detection elements, sensor circuits, and a correction circuit. The detection elements are arranged adjacent to each other. The sensor circuits are connected to the detection elements, respectively. The correction circuit corrects the output signal level of the sensor circuit. The output signal level correction circuit includes a calibration circuit, calibration reference signal generation circuit, and comparison circuit. The calibration circuit is connected to the output side of the sensor circuit. The calibration reference signal generation circuit generates a calibration reference signal. The comparison circuit compares the output from the sensor circuit with the calibration reference signal and supplies the difference output to the calibration circuit as a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Morimura, Satoshi Shigematsu, Katsuyuki Machida, Hakaru Kyuragi, Toshishige Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20030078750
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. When a satisfactory map is obtained, the collected data is processed on the basis of the map to obtain an image of the preselected place with each spatial unit thereof correlated with a color hue and a color intensity. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop the calibration map. The calibration map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Hadassa Degani