Acoustic Or Vibration Sensor Patents (Class 702/54)
  • Patent number: 8577628
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining spatially dense dynamic properties of a structure are disclosed. In particular, spatially dense mode shapes are determined using acceleration records collected when one or several sensors are moving. The mobile sensor gathers vibration response data for the structure as the mobile sensor moves over the structure. The vibration response data is used to extract a fine grid of modal coordinates with a reduced number of sensors and without requiring mode shape expansion. The high spatially dense mode shapes can be included as part of accurate numerical models for the structure that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as damage detection, earthquake engineering, wind engineering, and other suitable purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Juan Caicedo, Johannio Marulanda Casas
  • Patent number: 8571819
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 8560252
    Abstract: A coupling element of a sensor of an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, which includes at least three rods having, in each case, a first rod end and a second rod end. The rods, in each case, have, on their respective first ends, first end faces, which, in each case, can be acoustically coupled with the sound-emitting and/or sound-receiving area of an ultrasonic transducer element. The respective first end faces of the rods together form a first coupling surface of the coupling element, and the rods, in each case, have, on their respective second ends, second end faces, which form a second coupling surface of the coupling element, wherein the rods, in each case, have a first rod cross section, which is different in shape and/or size from a respective second rod cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Andreas Berger, Frank Wandeler, Achim Wiest
  • Patent number: 8532943
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the mass fractions of water and oil in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes a sensor portion that measures sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time and at a second time. The apparatus includes a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid which changes the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount between the first time and the second time. A method for measuring water mass fraction in a flowing mixture of oil and water through a pipe includes the steps of measuring sound velocity and temperature of the flowing oil water mixture at a first time with a sensor portion. There is the step of changing the temperature of the flowing oil water mixture by a measurable amount with a temperature changer in thermal communication with the flowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert Estrada, Calvin R. Hastings
  • Patent number: 8521451
    Abstract: Embodiments of a probe for measuring an oil viscosity are provided. In one embodiment, the probe includes a housing, a magnetoelastic ribbon, an electromagnetic coil, a temperature sensor and an electrical board. The housing is mounted to an oil containing member. The magnetoelastic ribbon is fixed to an inside of the housing through a first insert member at one end and is at least partially immersed in the oil at an opposite end. The electromagnetic coil is disposed in the housing to surround the magnetoelastic ribbon. The temperature sensor is mounted to the housing for measuring a temperature of the oil. The electrical board is electrically connected to the electromagnetic coil and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ho Sung Kong, Hung Gu Han, Liubou Vasilievna Markova, Mikhail Savich Semenyuk, Vladimir Mikhailovich Makarenko
  • Patent number: 8521457
    Abstract: A user configured measurement display system and method for a non-destructive testing device and instrument (NDT/NDI) with high input data rate is disclosed. The system and the method provide the means for NDT/NDI instruments display measurement values that satisfies user designated measurement criterion occurring during any measurement time intervals (MTIs). The present disclosure overcomes the shortcomings of conventional ways of picking and displaying measurement values at fixed MTIs, by which the values truly satisfying the measurement criterion that occurs at random MTIs (other than scheduled MTIs) are often skipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus NDT
    Inventors: Jayesh Patel, Michael Drummy
  • Publication number: 20130204533
    Abstract: Variable volume systems and methods of use thereof described herein are capable of making calibrated determinations of fluid properties and phase behavior of a fluid sample. The determinations can be calibrated based on one or more calibration functions, such as system volume corrected for pressure and temperature variations. Cross-checking the results of measurements can be used to determine accuracy of the calibration or monitor for leaks or other anomalies of the variable volume systems. The variable volume systems can be implemented in a well logging tool and are capable of being calibrated downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8467986
    Abstract: Drive techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The drive techniques account for delays caused during digital signal processing of sensor signals that correspond to a motion of a flowtube, as well as drive signals that impart motion to the flowtube. Such delays may be caused by a variety of factors, including delays associated with analog/digital conversion of the signals and/or filtering of the signals. The techniques include open-loop techniques and closed-loop techniques, which can be used separately or together during the start-up and operation of the digital flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Mayela E. Zamora
  • Patent number: 8457909
    Abstract: A method for analysing blade displacements detected by circumferentially-spaced stationary timing probes associated with a rotating blade assembly, the displacements corresponding to times at which the blades pass the probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Peter Russhard
  • Patent number: 8448491
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Joel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8442782
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium, wherein a mechanically oscillatable unit is supplied with an exciter signal wherein a received signal coming from the mechanically oscillatable unit is received, and wherein the exciter signal is produced in such a manner, that a phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal equals a predeterminable phase value. A criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal, or a signal dependent on the exciter signal or on the received signal, is established; in the case, in which the criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference is fulfilled, tuning of the phase difference is closed-loop controlled; and, in the alternative case, tuning of the phase difference is open-loop controlled. An apparatus associated with the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Meier, Alexander Müller, Sascha D'Angelico, Franco Ferraro, Walter Rombach
  • Patent number: 8401760
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring oil consumption in a gas turbine engine system are provided. When the gas turbine engine is not running the reservoir oil level, reservoir oil temperature, and reservoir attitude are sensed. The current gas turbine engine system oil quantity is determined based on at least the sensed reservoir oil level, the sensed reservoir oil temperature, and the sensed reservoir attitude. When a predetermined event has occurred, an average gas turbine engine system oil quantity is automatically calculated. The gas turbine engine system oil consumption rate is determined from a plurality of the average oil quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Payne, Harold Riley
  • Patent number: 8392128
    Abstract: A method for interrogating a passive sensor comprising at least one piezoelectric resonator includes the following steps: the identification of the characteristic width of the resonant frequency band of the resonator; the determination of a scan interval equal to a third of the measured bandwidth; a first series of three interrogation measurements with signals respectively at a first frequency, at a second frequency and at a third frequency making it possible to define a first resonance value, a second resonance value and a third resonance value; the determination by a parabolic fitting operation of the resonator response curve on the basis of said first, second and third resonance values, so as to calculate a first value of the frequency in real time of the resonator. The invention also relates to an electronic device for interrogating a passive sensor comprising at least one piezoelectric resonator and comprising a micro-controller implementing the interrogation method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Senseor
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Friedt
  • Publication number: 20130046714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a health of the system. Groups of vibration data are identified for the system. A group of vibration data in the groups of vibration data comprises data for vibrations of the system at different frequencies over time. The groups of vibration data for the system are stored in a number of associative memories in a computer system. The health of the system is identified based on the groups of vibration data in the number of associative memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Patrick Neal Harris
  • Patent number: 8374806
    Abstract: An ultrasonic phase-shift detection device includes a clock generator, a divider, a first counter, a comparator, a phase detector and a second counter. The divider is provided for dividing the clock signal to generate ultrasonic signals. The comparator is provided for comparing the counting value of the first counter and a predetermined number. The phase detector is provided for comparing the phase shift between different ultrasonic signals. The second counter is provided for counting to generate the digital result signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tatung Company
    Inventors: Shu-Ting Liao, Chao-Fa Lee, Cheng-Hsing Kuo
  • Patent number: 8370109
    Abstract: Machine vibration baselines are synthesized without averaging historical vibration data. Instead machinery configuration information is used, including data about the machine train, the machine's rotating components, and the machine speeds. For each component being considered, a plurality of parameters is identified for deriving baseline portions. The parameters for one component are used to identify baseline vibration amplitude floor values, vibration amplitudes at frequencies corresponding to various harmonics of a rotational speed, and vibration amplitudes corresponding to forcing frequencies and their harmonics/sidebands. Parameters for other components also may be used to identify amplitudes at harmonic frequencies and forcing frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: DLI Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Van Dyke, William A. Watts, Laurent H. LaPorte
  • Patent number: 8364546
    Abstract: A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Edward Yenni, Peter J. Jahrling
  • Patent number: 8306763
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining information about particle geometry are provided. As such, an ultrasonic transducer acts as both a transmitter and a receiver. The transducer insonifies a particle and scattered waves are then received by the transducer—now acting as a receiver. A small flat target moving relative to a stationary receiver will lead to the same radiated field as waves propagating through an equivalent moving aperture. Based on the Doppler distribution of the scattered or radiated waves resulting from relative motion between the particles and a receiver, the acoustic pressure field in the plane of the equivalent two-dimensional aperture can be inferred. The equivalent aperture geometry can be obtained from the inferred field. Hence, the particle geometry can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Anthony A. Ruffa
  • Patent number: 8296083
    Abstract: A vibratory pipeline diagnostic system (100) is provided. The system (100) comprises at least one vibration generator (104) adapted to be affixed to a pipeline, at least one vibration sensor (107) adapted to be affixed to the pipeline, and a processing device (111) in communication with the at least one vibration generator (104) and the at least one vibration sensor (107). The processing device (111) is configured to vibrate a portion of the pipeline using the at least one vibration generator (104), receive a vibrational response to the vibration from the at least one vibration sensor (107), compare the vibrational response to one or more previous vibrational responses of the pipeline, and indicate a fault condition if the vibrational response differs from the one or more previous vibrational responses by more than a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: John D Martin
  • Patent number: 8290719
    Abstract: A method is present for processing a signal. A response signal is received from a structure. The response signal is decomposed into a plurality of signals based on a number of characteristics. A mode in the plurality of signals is identified based on a number of known characteristics for the mode, wherein the mode has a velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeong-Beom Ihn, Christopher J. Martens
  • Patent number: 8260562
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J Cunningham, William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally
  • Patent number: 8224492
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosed method includes receiving a user selection of a machine system type from a plurality of machine system types, where the system types corresponding to specific machine component combination. The method also includes configuring alarms based on the machine system type, configuring calculations of vibration parameters based on the machine system type, wherein the calculations are adjusted for the machine system type, and configuring diagnostic information based on the machine system type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Jason E. Lakomiak, Michael P Burrows, Paul A Lowe, Gilles Lanthier, Ryan C Barrick, Ronald W Falk, Mandi L Hebebrand
  • Publication number: 20120123705
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Michael Wiesmann, Patrick Oudoire
  • Patent number: 8180582
    Abstract: A system for detecting a presence of a liquid within a receptacle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor includes a transmitting probe and a receiving probe positioned within the liquid receptacle. The transmitting probe includes a first transducer and the receiving probe includes a second transducer. The processor is in electrical communication with the first and second transducers and monitors the first and second transducers to determine the presence and level of the liquid within the liquid receptacle based on a time between generation of a first extensional wave by the first transducer and reception of a second extensional wave by the second transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Terence J. Knowles
  • Patent number: 8175822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the pressure and/or molar mass of a gas in a housing, the measure being carried out via an acoustic sensor, said acoustic sensor at least one transducer (5), an electric system (8) connected to the transducer (5) and a coupling layer (6) for coupling the transducer (5) to the housing (1), said method comprising the following steps: generating using the transducer (5) an excitation acoustic signal that vibrates the housing (1) and the gas (2) in a wide frequency band; detecting with the transducer (5) a response acoustic signal characteristic of the vibrations of the housing and the gas; analysing the response electric signals from the transducer (5) using the system (8); and deriving, essentially based on the gas (2) resonance frequencies, the speed of the acoustic waves in the gas, the molar mass of the gas and the pressure thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: Electricite de France, Centre National de la Recherche, Universite Montpellier 2 Sciences et Techniques
    Inventors: Daniel Baron, Jean-Yves Ferrandis, Gérard Leveque, Didier Laux, Eric Rosenkrantz
  • Patent number: 8165830
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for processing sensor signals in a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201) and configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal, and compute a frequency from the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift. The processing system (203) is further configured to generate sine and cosine signals using the frequency, and quadrature demodulate the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal using the sine and cosine signals in order to determine the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B McAnally, Denis M Henrot
  • Patent number: 8127614
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic coupling using ultrasonic radiation pressure generating are provided. Ultrasonic energy is generated to propagate in the form of ultrasonic waves in a medium coupled to a second element. The ultrasonic energy is converged in the medium to couple the medium to an object located at a distance from the second element. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microsonic Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Vibhu Vivek, Babur Hadimioglu, Ratnakar Dadi
  • Publication number: 20120053862
    Abstract: Acoustic volume indicators for determining liquid or gas volume within a container comprise a contactor to vibrate a container wall, a detector to receive vibration data from the container wall, a processor to convert vibration data to frequency information and compare the frequency information to characteristic container frequency vs. volume data to obtain the measured volume, and an indicator for displaying the measured volume. The processor may comprise a microprocessor disposed within a housing having lights that each represent a particular volume. The microprocessor is calibrated to provide an output signal to a light that indicates the container volume. The processor may comprise a computer and computer program that converts the data to frequency information, analyzes the frequency information to identify a peak frequency, compares the peak frequency to the characteristic frequency vs. volume data to determine the measured volume, and displays the measured volume on a video monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Winston B. Young, Huey Wai
  • Publication number: 20110301882
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system or method for measuring and analyzing acoustic signals from a pipe, e.g. from solid particles or cleaning pigs transported with fluid flow in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: *registering acoustic signals generated in the pipe in at least one time window, *splitting the signals in a number of frequency bands, *processing the filtered signals to calculate characteristics of the fluid flow in a pipe, the characteristics including mean and deviation of the signal in each frequency band, the characteristics being indicative of possible events occurring in the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Morten Ivar Andersen
  • Patent number: 8073640
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a conductivity-dielectric (CD) electrode design with apertures that allow compressional waves to propagate away from the surface of the acoustic wave device unimpeded. This prevents reflection of compressional waves that would interact with the viscosity sensor surface, thus altering the device response. It allows compressional waves to pass through, and allows the dual mode viscosity sensor responses to be utilized for density/viscosity/elasticity measurement and correlation. The invention further offers methods of instrumentation to detect unwanted reflections, to compensate, and to correct for the distortions caused by reflections. Finally, the invention provides a system and method for utilizing deliberately introduced reflections to obtain additional information, including fluid density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Andle, Daniel S. Stevens, Reichl B. Haskell, Dana Y. G. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8060320
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 8060334
    Abstract: An aircraft Ice Detection pitot-static tube is described which uses sensors integrated into the pitot-static tube to determine when and where the pitot-static tube is icing up. Temperature, thermal conductivity and impedance sensor measurements are combined with a mathematical transfer of the impedance sensor output into the complex dielectric plane to identify that the material accreating on the exterior and interior of the pitot-static tube is ice and only ice. Identification of ice realized when the trace in complex dielectric space has a distinctive semi-circular form, which only ice exhibits, with measured values in agreement with reference laboratory data stored in the onboard computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Philip Onni Jarvinen
  • Patent number: 8019559
    Abstract: A flow meter and method for measuring flow in liquids which may have entrained bubbles or foreign matter. The meter performs alternate transit time and Doppler measurements. The transit time measurements are used to calculate flow so long as they are successful. If the transit time measurements are not successful, the Doppler measurements are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Racine Federated, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Stevens, Richard L. Little, William W. Roeber
  • Patent number: 7983855
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for generating a drive signal for a vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface (201) and a processing system (203). The processing system is configured to receive the sensor signal (201) through the interface, phase-shift the sensor signal (210) substantially 90 degrees to create a phase-shifted sensor signal, determine a phase shift value from a frequency response of the vibratory flowmeter, and combine the phase shift value with the sensor signal (201) and the phase-shifted sensor signal in order to generate a drive signal phase (213). The processing system is further configured to determine a sensor signal amplitude (214) from the sensor signal (210) and the phase-shifted sensor signal, and generate a drive signal amplitude (215) based on the sensor signal amplitude (214), wherein the drive signal phase (213) is substantially identical to a sensor signal phase (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, William M Mansfield, Craig B McAnally
  • Patent number: 7983856
    Abstract: A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Eldec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Boulanger, Bruce K. Grewell
  • Publication number: 20110130980
    Abstract: The invention relates to measuring visco-elastic fluid parameters, in particular, in the oil production industry, for defining heavy oil parameters during field development. The method involves the excitation of a hollow resonance device oscillations by sending a continuous variable-frequency signal to two transmitting transducers located on the outer surface the said resonance device. Oscillations are recorded by a receiving transducer. Amplitude-vs-frequency response curve is plotted and effective resonance frequency ?r is determined. Thereafter, a cavity of the said resonance device is filled with a medium under examination, and oscillations are excited to obtain associated amplitude-vs-frequency response values. An axially symmetric capacity placed in a thermostabilized chamber is used as the resonance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Oleg Mikhailovich Zozulya, Igor Borisovich Esypov, Andrey Viktorovich Fokin
  • Patent number: 7953564
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Publication number: 20110125412
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a fluid treatment system and/or the qualities, characteristics, properties, etc., of the fluid being processed or treated by the fluid treatment system. The present invention also relates to carbon nanotube sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: Corey Alan SALZER, Charles Scholpp, Russell Martin Young, Michael Mario Carrabba, Vishnu Vardhanan Rajasekharan, Christopher Patrick Fair, Terrance William Fitzgerald, Frank Howland Carpenter, JR., John Edwin Lee
  • Publication number: 20110118998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processor or signal processing module that features one or more modules configured to receive an input signal containing information about the unsteady pressures or acoustic emissions caused by a medium flowing through a pump, and also configured to provide of an output signal containing information about the performance of the pump. The information about the performance of the pump may include information about pump performance monitoring by a slip flow measurement, about predicting impeller wear, about pump impeller cavitation monitoring, about pump monitoring through acoustic emissions, about pump leak detection, about pump efficiency monitoring and about positive displacement pump monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas H. Loose, Christian Victor O'keefe, Robert J. Maron, Joseph L. Poplawski, Mike A. Davis, Mark R. Fernald, Timothy J. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20110071776
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a conductivity-dielectric (CD) electrode design with apertures that allow compressional waves to propagate away from the surface of the acoustic wave device unimpeded. This prevents reflection of compressional waves that would interact with the viscosity sensor surface, thus altering the device response. It allows compressional waves to pass through, and allows the dual mode viscosity sensor responses to be utilized for density/viscosity/elasticity measurement and correlation. The invention further offers methods of instrumentation to detect unwanted reflections, to compensate, and to correct for the distortions caused by reflections. Finally, the invention provides a system and method for utilizing deliberately introduced reflections to obtain additional information, including fluid density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Andle, Daniel S. Stevens, Reichl B. Haskell, Dana Y.G. Tucker
  • Patent number: 7899645
    Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Labcyte Inc.
    Inventors: Shehrzad Ahmed Qureshi, Richard G. Stearns
  • Patent number: 7890271
    Abstract: The object of the invention is providing a revolution indicator and a program for the indicator, which can detect a varying number of revolutions precisely. The indicator includes: a detecting portion detecting a physical phenomenon resulting from the revolution movement of a measuring object; a FFT computation portion performing a fast Fourier transform of the data detected by the detecting portion under a specific data length, and computing and outputting the analytical data; and a revolution computing portion computing the number of revolutions of the measuring object based on the analytical data output from the FFT computation portion. A variation determination portion is equipped, which makes the FFT computation portion compute the first analytical data continuously, based on the data successively detected by the detecting portion under the first data length and determines whether there is any variation or not in the first analytical data computed continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Miyano, Hideaki Hori
  • Publication number: 20110015879
    Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the aerodynamic noise of a vehicle; the system is provided with: a measuring station, which is adapted to receive the vehicle and is provided with a supporting element; at least one blower carried by the supporting element and adapted to generate an air jet towards the vehicle; an actuating device for displacing the supporting element with respect to the vehicle; at least one phonometer for measuring the aerodynamic noise produced by the vehicle struck by the air jet generated by the blower; a position sensor for detecting the position of the supporting element with respect to the vehicle; and a processing unit connected to the phonometer and to the position sensor for correlating the aerodynamic noise measurements supplied by the phonometer with the position of the supporting element with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FERRARI S.P.A
    Inventor: Gabriele Cavallotti
  • Publication number: 20100332157
    Abstract: A method for interrogating a passive sensor comprising at least one piezoelectric resonator includes the following steps: the identification of the characteristic width of the resonant frequency band of the resonator; the determination of a scan interval equal to a third of the measured bandwidth; a first series of three interrogation measurements with signals respectively at a first frequency, at a second frequency and at a third frequency making it possible to define a first resonance value, a second resonance value and a third resonance value; the determination by a parabolic fitting operation of the resonator response curve on the basis of said first, second and third resonance values, so as to calculate a first value of the frequency in real time of the resonator. The invention also relates to an electronic device for interrogating a passive sensor comprising at least one piezoelectric resonator and comprising a micro-controller implementing the interrogation method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SENSEOR
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Friedt
  • Patent number: 7844405
    Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Steven A. Africk
  • Patent number: 7831398
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method is provided for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe having a lengthwise axis to determine a parameter of the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Charles Winston
  • Publication number: 20100268469
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for determining one or more properties of at least one fluid sample. A tube configured to receive the at least one fluid sample wherein the tube is placed in a pressure housing. Further, an excitation source configured to generate vibration of the tube whereby a circulation of an electrical current along a portion of the tube is subjected to at least one magnetic field produced by at least one magnet. Further still, at least one vibration sensor that converts vibrations of the tube into a measurement signal. Finally, a processor that receives the measurement signal determines a resonant frequency from the measurement signal using a frequency measuring device to determine a property of the one or more properties of the at least one sample fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Chloe Coleou, Bill Grant, Jacques Jundt
  • Patent number: 7783434
    Abstract: Mass flow meter having at least one measurement tube, through which mass flows, as an oscillation body which can be set in mechanical oscillation by means of an excitation unit, the oscillation behavior of which varying as a function of the mass flow can be recorded via at least one oscillation sensor in order to determine the mass flow, wherein in order to eliminate noise signals from the measurement voltage (sen) recorded via the oscillation sensor computational technology means are provided for forming a complex conjugate spectrum (|sa1j|) from the spectrum of the excitation voltage (seD) as well as a vector product between this (|sa1j|) and the measurement voltage (sen) for the purpose of filtering, in order, by further computational technology means for inverse Fourier transformation, to obtain the signal relationship associated with the vector product between the excitation voltage (seD) and the measurement voltage (sen) so that the processed measurement voltage (sa1) resulting therefrom then predominan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Dieter Keese, Thomas Blume
  • Patent number: 7774150
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the vibrational response, vibrates at least one flowtube (130) of the vibratory flow meter (5) and generates a first tube period ?m1 for a first flow material m1, vibrates the at least one flowtube (130) and generates a second tube period ?m2 for a second flow material m2, and determines one or more of a stiffness coefficient C1 or a mass coefficient C2 from the first tube period ?m1, a first density ?m1, the second tube period ?m2, and a second density ?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Paul Stack
  • Patent number: 7774149
    Abstract: A water leakage-acoustic sensing method in a steam generator of a sodium-cooled fast reactor, the method including: calculating a standard deviation and an average of an octave band by octave band analysis of an input signal sound received from at least one predetermined acoustic sensor; comparing the calculated standard deviation and the calculated average of the octave band, and determining a size of the octave band based on a comparison result; calculating an average of standard deviations of the octave band recomposed by the determined size and normalizing the average of standard deviations; applying a predetermined weight, established by a predetermined neural network learning algorithm, to the normalized average of standard deviations; and generating leakage determination data based on the average of standard deviations to which the weight is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Lyd.
    Inventors: Tae-Joon Kim, Ji-Young Jeong, Do-Hee Hahn