With Signal Processing, Span Or Set Point Adjustment (e.g., Zero Correction) Patents (Class 73/1.34)
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Patent number: 8590361Abstract: Zero and calibration drift errors in a magnetic flow meter can be detected and automatically corrected. A zero error can be detected by measuring an amplifier output when the meter's electromagnet is inactive. Automatic calibration of the span can be done by adding a signal to a measured electrode voltage at an amplifier input, subtracting the expected amplified value of that signal at the output and adjusting the amplifier gain responsive to the difference in signal magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Onicon, Inc.Inventor: Murray F Feller
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Patent number: 8573026Abstract: A method for ascertaining volume- or mass-flow of a medium in a pipeline, or measuring tube, of radius (r) via a sound entrainment method, wherein ultrasonic measuring signals are transmitted and/or received along a plurality of defined sound paths (m). During a calibration phase, successive, different flow profiles (v(r)) of a measured medium are established in the pipeline, or in the measuring tube, and wherein, for each flow profile (v(r)), a defined volume flow, or a defined mass flow, is ascertained, wherein, on the basis of measured values (vx(r1) . . . vx(rm)) ascertained in the separate measuring paths (m), each flow profile (v(r)) established in the pipeline, or in the measuring tube, is described by a characteristic parameter set (a1, . . . , an with n?N) and wherein, for each flow profile (V(r)), on the basis of the defined volume- or mass-flow and on the basis of the measured volume- or mass-flow, a flow-profile-dependent correction factor MF(a1, . . .Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Froehlich, Matthias Altendorf, Torsten Strunz
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Patent number: 8443649Abstract: In a mass flow controller verifying system, there are provided a verifying gas line arranged in parallel to influent flow gas lines and joined into a post-confluent flow gas line, a reference volume calculating portion adapted to calculate a reference volume determined for a specified piping of a gas piping system, a verifying parameter calculating portion adapted to calculate a verifying parameter based on time series data of a measurement pressure measured by a pressure measurement unit during a control of a flow rate by a mass flow controller to be verified, and a comparing portion adapted to compare a reference parameter set based on the reference volume and the verifying parameter, whereby the verifying system can be introduced into an existing gas piping system used in a semiconductor manufacturing process and so forth at a low cost and is capable of verifying a mass flow controller quickly and accurately.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Yuji Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8434345Abstract: An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Kurt M. Klosterman, Ganesh Rajagopal, Larry R. Jibson, James L. Dempski, Paul A. Matuszewski, Jeffrey W. Stewart, Jeffrey R. Swanson, David M. Tipotsch, Randall E. Youngs, Noman A. Abunimeh
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Patent number: 8381755Abstract: A pressure type flow rate control reference allows the performance of flow rate calibrations of a flow rate controller on all types of gases, including corrosive gases, at low costs, and also has excellent flow rate control accuracy. The pressure type flow rate control reference includes a pressure controller for adjusting the pressure of a calibration gas from a calibration gas supply source, a first volume provided on the downstream side of a pressure controller, a first connection mouth of an uncalibrated flow rate controller provided on the downstream side of the first volume, a reference pressure type flow rate controller connected to a second connection mouth on the downstream side of the uncalibrated flow rate controller, a second volume provided on the downstream side of a reference pressure type flow rate controller, and an evacuation device provided on the downstream side of the second volume.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated, Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shuji Moriya, Wataru Okase, Tsutomu Shinohara, Nobukazu Ikeda, Michio Yamaji, Yasutaka Hayashi, Toshihide Yoshida, Yasuyuki Omata
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Patent number: 8302455Abstract: A system and method for calibrating an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, a method includes disposing a fluid circulating device within a flow meter. Fluid is circulated in the flow meter by operation of the fluid circulating device. An acoustic signal transit time within the flow meter is measured during the circulating. Based on the measuring, a portion of the acoustic signal transit time caused by latency induced by components of the flow meter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventor: Henry C. Straub, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120210768Abstract: A device for automated calibration of a multiphase flowmeter comprising a tube for trapping a multiphase sample along with three ultrasound (US) transducers is described herein. The calibration device is placed vertically, using two valves the tube traps a sample of the liquid in the tube. Then, once the three phases of the liquid separate, the ultrasound transmitters are used to determine the phase fractions of each phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: Southern Methodist UniversityInventors: Yildirim Hurmuzlu, Edmond Richer
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Patent number: 8190390Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530 operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Micromed Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gino Morello, Bryan Lynch, Robert Benkowski
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Publication number: 20120055229Abstract: A method for determining an error in a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a vibrating flow meter is provided. The method includes the step of receiving sensor signals from the vibrating flow meter. A first flow rate is determined using the sensor signals. A fluid density is determined. A fluid velocity is determined using the first flow rate, the fluid density, and a physical property of the flow meter. A flow parameter, V/p is calculated based on the fluid velocity and the density. A flow rate error is then determined based on the calculated flow parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Anthony William Pankratz, Joel Weinstein
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Patent number: 8122754Abstract: A meter proving method and system. At lease some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising establishing a prover time by a prover device, measuring a flow rate of a fluid with a flow meter that uses multiple measurements taken over a period of time to produce each individual flow rate value (the flow meter electrically coupled to the prover device), and generating a meter volume over the prover time based on the flow rate. The generating the meter volume based on the flow rate does not involve: generating a pulse train output signal by the flow meter; and generating the meter volume based on an attribute of the pulse train.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventors: William R. Freund, Jr., Gail P. Murray, Kerry D. Groeschel
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Patent number: 8075178Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed for the calibration of heating element and ambient temperature sensors, comprising: a) an amplifier having positive and negative inputs, and an output; b) one or more heating MOS transistors selectably coupled in parallel and having 1) a heating transistor drain coupled to the positive input of the amplifier; 2) a heating transistor source configured to receive a supply voltage; and 3) a heating transistor gate coupled to the amplifier output; c) one or more ambient MOS transistors selectably coupled in parallel and having 1) an ambient transistor drain, 2) an ambient transistor gate coupled to the amplifier output; and 3) an ambient transistor source configured to receive the supply voltage; d) a temperature difference resistance configured: 1) to be coupled at least partially between an ambient connection and the ambient transistor drain; and 2) to be coupled at least partially between the ambient connection and the negative input of the amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Zentrum Mikroelektronic Desden AGInventors: Mathias Krauss, Maha Jaafar
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Patent number: 8047080Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter for giving a magnetic field to a measurement fluid, detecting an electric signal occurring in the measurement fluid according to the magnetic field, and computing a flow quantity value based on the electric signal includes a zero point measurement section for measuring a zero point of the measurement fluid; a storage section for storing the measured zero point measurement value; a determination section for determining whether or not the difference between the preceding zero point measurement value stored in the storage section and the present zero point measurement value is beyond a predetermined value range; and at least either a transmission section for transmitting the determination result or a display section for displaying the determination result when the determination section determines that the difference is beyond the predetermined value range.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Ikuhiko Ishikawa, Yasumi Koike, Toru Shimura
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Publication number: 20110259077Abstract: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zero checking techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, even if previously calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, e.g., will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. Therefore, zero checking features are provided that allow for fast and accurate determinations of the zero-flow values, for use in adjusting later measurements. The zero-checking features include a button attached to an exterior of a flowmeter, so that it is easily accessible to an operator of the flowmeter. The button, in conjunction with an internal zero checking system, allows for a display of a zero value in response to a request from the operator of the flowmeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Dutton
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Patent number: 8024146Abstract: A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Prehn Bey, Richard Gehman
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Patent number: 7957841Abstract: A method of determining a flow rate of a pump involves determining a volume capacity for a flow line carrying produced fluids from the pump, determining a starting pressure for the flow line and setting an arbitrary target pressure for the purpose of testing. The test is initiated by preventing flow in the flow line while continuing to operate the pump and monitoring pressure in the flow line to determine a time interval required to reach the target pressure. The method then involves performing calculations to determine flow rate using the volume capacity, the starting pressure, the change in pressure over the time interval required to reach the target pressure. The flow rate is equivalent to ?V divided by a change in time ?T. The method is preferably used as part of a manual or automated pump control strategy to keep the pump operating within flow rate ranges that provide optimum pump efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Noralta Technologies Inc.Inventors: Cam Zarowny, Wayne Muir, Wendell Young
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Patent number: 7950265Abstract: A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Limit, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Bowcutt, Ahmed Shishegar, Matthew Ibarra, Daniel L. Corbin, Dennis Repp, Robert M. Connell, Oscar Dufau, Gregory Blake, Sam Iravantchi
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Patent number: 7918238Abstract: A mass flow controller arranged to perform mass flow test operation in the controller itself by incorporating a test tank. The mass flow controller is provided, in a channel (6) for feeding fluid, with a means (8) for detecting the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the channel and outputting a flow rate signal, and a mechanism (10) for controlling the mass flow rate by varying the valve opening by a valve drive signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Tanaka, Shigehiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 7856335Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Micromed Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gino Morello, Bryan Lynch, Robert Benkowski
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Publication number: 20100307220Abstract: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zeroing techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, if not properly calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, e.g., will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. By determining a magnitude of such erroneous measurements, calibration values may be determined, which may later be used to adjust a measurement that is output by the flowmeter and thereby improve an accuracy of the flowmeter. Such calibration values may be determined for a plurality of operational conditions associated with the flowmeter, such as densities of materials being measured, and/or configurations of flow elements associated with transporting material to the flowmeter. Then, the calibration values may be correlated with the relevant operational conditions, and stored for later use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Wade M. Mattar
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Patent number: 7822570Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes delivering gas by a gas flow delivery system controlled by a mass flow controller (MFC) to an orifice, which is located upstream from the reaction chamber. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice. The method further includes measuring a set of upstream pressure values of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes applying a calibration factor of a set of calibration factors to determine the actual flow rate. The calibration factor is a ratio of an average of the set of upstream pressure values to an average of a set of golden upstream pressure values, which is associated with an indicated flow rate for an MFC.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, James V. Tietz, Vernon Wong, Richard J. Meinecke
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Patent number: 7769557Abstract: A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Prehn Bey, Richard Gehman
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Patent number: 7757541Abstract: An embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention to determine the flow rate of a second gas relative to a first gas, comprises, setting a flow of a first gas to a known level, taking a first measurement of the first gas with a measurement technique sensitive to a concentration of the first gas, and establishing a flow of a second gas mixed with the first gas. A second measurement of the first gas is taken with a measurement technique that is sensitive to the concentration of the first gas, and the flow of the second gas is determined by a calculation involving a difference between the first measurement and the second measurement. In alternative embodiments, the first measurement may be taken of a flow of two or more gases combined, with the second measurement taken with one of the gases removed from the mixture. Certain embodiments of methods of the present invention may be employed in sequence in order to determine flow rates of more than two gases.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Pivotal Systems CorporationInventors: Joseph R. Monkowski, Barton Lane
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Patent number: 7716963Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that determines the time delay (202) between the actual flow and the measured flow in a flow meter. The time delay is used to shift the flow measured by the flow meter to correspond to the actual flow measured by a prover or calibration system. In this way an accurate comparison is made between the flow measured by the flow meter and the flow provided by the prover.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Mark James Bell, Brian T. Smith
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Patent number: 7720617Abstract: A method of obtaining at least one representation of a characteristic function of a sensor from a test fluid during calibration of the sensor according to a sensor model having a transfer function operating on flow rate, at least one sensor property and at least one fluid property and employing the at least one representation of the characteristic function to determine flow rates through the sensor during operation with an arbitrary fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLCInventors: Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, John M. Lull
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Patent number: 7712347Abstract: A self-diagnostic measurement method to detect microbridge null drift and performance. An ASIC can be designed to include a self-diagnostic feature that automatically occurs at start up or upon command in Normal Operation whereby the temperature compensated microbridge null can be measured in a state of very low thermal energy and allows for the tracking of microbridge null stability versus time. An Airflow Combi-Sensor ASIC (Heimdal) with its strategic partner ZMD can be developed and can be implemented in the form of a self-diagnostic feature that occurs when power is first applied to the ASIC or upon command. When the self-diagnostic is initiated, power is removed and after the electronics have settled, a small power can be applied to the microbridge to measure the bridge null with reduced sensitivity to flow due to self-heating.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Lamar F. Ricks, Paul P. Bey
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Patent number: 7693686Abstract: A sensor arrangement comprises a sensor responsive to a measurement parameter as a sensor signal and a signal processing means for the sensor signal, the signal processing means having a switching stage for comparison of the sensor signal with a comparison or switching value and for producing a switching signal in a manner dependent on the comparison. A functional stage is present, which constitutes one function of the sensor signal, is comprised in the signal processing means, such function including a time derivative of the sensor signal or a sensor signal value modified by an additive factor, and the output signal of the functional stage forming the comparison of switching value for the switching stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KGInventors: Dietmar Wagner, Armin Seitz
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Patent number: 7690240Abstract: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zeroing techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, if not properly calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, e.g., will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. By determining a magnitude of such erroneous measurements, calibration values may be determined, which may later be used to adjust a measurement that is output by the flowmeter and thereby improve an accuracy of the flowmeter. Such calibration values may be determined for a plurality of operational conditions associated with the flowmeter, such as densities of materials being measured, and/or configurations of flow elements associated with transporting material to the flowmeter. Then, the calibration values may be correlated with the relevant operational conditions, and stored for later use.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventor: Wade M. Mattar
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Publication number: 20100071438Abstract: A method for determining the flow rate of a gas includes measuring a first concentration of a calibration gas provided to the process chamber at a first pressure and temperature by directing infrared radiation into the process chamber and monitoring a first amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the calibration gas. A mixture of a second gas and the calibration gas is provided to the process chamber while maintaining the first pressure and temperature. A second concentration of the calibration gas in the mixture is measured by directing infrared radiation into the process chamber and monitoring a second amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the calibration gas. A flow rate of the second gas is calculated by comparing the first and second concentrations of the calibration gas. In one embodiment, the calibration gas and the second gas may not absorb the infrared radiation at the same wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Matthew F. Davis, Thorsten B. Lill, Quentin E. Walker
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Publication number: 20100043521Abstract: A meter proving method and system. At lease some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising establishing a prover time by a prover device, measuring a flow rate of a fluid with a flow meter that uses multiple measurements taken over a period of time to produce each individual flow rate value (the flow meter electrically coupled to the prover device), and generating a meter volume over the prover time based on the flow rate. The generating the meter volume based on the flow rate does not involve: generating a pulse train output signal by the flow meter; and generating the meter volume based on an attribute of the pulse train.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.Inventors: William R. Freund, JR., Gail P. Murray, Kerry D. Groeschel
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Patent number: 7650734Abstract: A system and method is provided for remotely and automatically calibrating a mass-flow sensor in a yield monitor of a combine. The invention uses a wireless communication device installed on a combine and a remote wireless communication device installed on a grain carrier or truck carrier. Once an actual weight is obtained, calibration information is sent to the combine to calibrate the mass-flow sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Andy D. Beck, Terrence D. Pickett
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Patent number: 7624616Abstract: A meter proving method and system. At lease some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising establishing a prover time by a prover device, measuring a flow rate of a fluid with a flow meter that uses multiple measurements taken over a period of time to produce each individual flow rate value (the flow meter electrically coupled to the prover device), and generating a meter volume over the prover time based on the flow rate. The generating the meter volume based on the flow rate does not involve: generating a pulse train output signal by the flow meter; and generating the meter volume based on an attribute of the pulse train.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventors: William R. Freund, Jr., Gail P. Murray, Kerry D. Groeschel
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Patent number: 7607335Abstract: A particulate sampler system includes a diluted exhaust mass flow controller that receives flow from a dilution mass flow controller and a laminar flow element (LFE). The dilution mass flow controller and LFE are fluidly arranged parallel to one another. A controller communicates with the mass flow controllers and the LFE to determine the flow through these devices, command valves in the mass flow controllers and generate data for determining calibration coefficients and correction factors. The diluted exhaust mass flow controller is calibrated and calibration coefficients are generated using a first to fourth order curve fit. Similarly, initial calibration coefficients are generated for the dilution mass flow controller. The diluted exhaust mass flow controller is set at a desired flow point. The dilution mass flow controller is varied between set points corresponding to different dilution ratios at the common, desired set point.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: AVL North America Inc.Inventors: Gerald Marek, Shahin Sabokdast Nudehi
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Patent number: 7600485Abstract: A method for calibrating milk meters in a milking system includes a milking station having at least one milk meter that measures a value of a milking performance of a milking animal. The method includes the steps: determining a reference value which reflects the amount of milk received from a number of milking animals during a selected time period in a reference unit, retrieving all measured values during the selected time period for each milk meter that by itself contribute to the amount of milk received by the reference unit, comparing the reference value with the sum of all retrieved measured values and calculating a correction function for one of the milk meters, and using the calculated correction function to adjust the measured value from the milk meter.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Delaval Holding ABInventors: Anders Umegård, Helmut Obermüller
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Patent number: 7552614Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality and accuracy of a sensor such that monitoring of a sensor is possible without the provision of redundant sensors. Briefly described, one embodiment is an anemometer operable to detect wind speed adjacent to the wind power installation, a calculating unit operable to calculate a calculated wind speed using data from an operating parameter of the wind power installation, and a comparison device operable to compare the detected wind speed with the calculated wind speed to determine the functionality of the anemometer.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Aloys Wobben
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Patent number: 7543595Abstract: An arrangement for calibrating a Venturi valve includes a source of flow measurements and a processing circuit. The Venturi valve has a variable shaft position and is operable to provide an air flow corresponding to the variable shaft position. The processing circuit is operable to provide a plurality of voltages to an actuator, the actuator operable to change the variable shaft position dependent on said plurality of voltages. The processing circuit is also operable to receive from the source of flow measurements a flow measure for each variable shaft position corresponding to each of the plurality of voltages. The processing circuit is further operable to store information representative of the relationship between each of the plurality of voltages and the flow measures.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Jacob, William Glaser, Paul E. Pelczynski
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Patent number: 7539560Abstract: Valve positioning systems may include one or more components and a controller. Components may include one or more electric-to-pressure output converters, relays, gas supplies, and/or actuators. A controller may adjust a position of a valve by sending a signal. The valve positioning system may individually monitor components and determine the condition of each component being individually monitored. The valve positioning system may determine if a component will fail prior to failure and/or determine if a problem will occur in a component prior to the problem occurring.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Dresser, Inc.Inventors: Henry W. Boger, Sandro Esposito
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Patent number: 7533682Abstract: A system and method of flow rate compensation is provided to allow precise volume dispensing over widely varied and varying input process media pressure and flow conditions. This system utilizes empirical data of actual flow rate versus flow rate measured by a flow meter to characterize flow meter non-linearities. This data is used to generate a compensation control curve. The system controller receives flow data from a flow meter in the field and calculates pulse duration of the output of the flow meter. The compensation control curve is then used to determine the volume of process media flowing at any given time. This instantaneous volume information is added to an accumulator to determine the volume of process media dispensed. This volume is compared to a target volume. Once this target volume is reached, the flow of process media is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Bogdan Gheorghe, Philip C. Hawken
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Patent number: 7523639Abstract: A flow meter monitoring system (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow meter monitoring system (100) includes a communication interface (101) configured to communicate with one or more flow meters and receive meter calibration values for a flow meter of the one or more flow meters. The flow meter monitoring system (100) further includes a processing system (102) in communication with the communication interface (101) and configured to receive the meter calibration values from the communication interface and correlate the meter calibration values to known meter calibration values (114) in order to determine the flow meter type.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Paul J. Hays
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Patent number: 7516034Abstract: A magnetic flow transmitter includes a calibration converter that performs a calibration calculation routine to produce a calibration constant that couples to a flow converter. A data set input couples a flowtube data set that is associated with a unique flowtube to the calibration converter. A data table associates multiple flowtube data sets with multiple calibration calculation routines. The data table couples a calibration calculation routine that is unique to the flowtube data set to the calibration converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventor: Robert K. Schulz
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Patent number: 7508222Abstract: A method of determining the inter-electrode or electrode-to-ground impedance or the filling state of an electromagnetic flow meter having flow sensing electrodes connected to an electrode signal amplifier, the method comprising applying a test input signal to the flow sensing electrodes via a connection through which an output flow measurement signal of the flow meter is transmitted from the amplifier, in a manner such that the output of the amplifier is indicative of the said impedance or the filling state.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: ABB LimitedInventor: Peter Asquith
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Publication number: 20090056410Abstract: A self-diagnostic measurement method to detect microbridge null drift and performance. An ASIC can be designed to include a self-diagnostic feature that automatically occurs at start up or upon command in Normal Operation whereby the temperature compensated microbridge null can be measured in a state of very low thermal energy and allows for the tracking of microbridge null stability versus time. An Airflow Combi-Sensor ASIC (Heimdal) with its strategic partner ZMD can be developed and can be implemented in the form of a self-diagnostic feature that occurs when power is first applied to the ASIC or upon command. When the self-diagnostic is initiated, power is removed and after the electronics have settled, a small power can be applied to the microbridge to measure the bridge null with reduced sensitivity to flow due to self-heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Lamar F. Ricks, Paul P. Bey
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Patent number: 7463991Abstract: A flow verifier for verifying measurement of a flow rate of a fluid by a device includes a flow restrictor that renders the flow rate verification substantially insensitive to elements upstream of the flow restrictor. The flow verifier includes a vessel that receives a flow of the fluid from the device, and a pressure sensor that measures pressure of the fluid within the vessel. An outlet valve regulates flow of the fluid out of the vessel. The flow restrictor is located adjacent to and upstream of the vessel, along a flow path of the fluid. The flow restrictor restricts the flow of the fluid so as to induce a shock in the flow path of the fluid, and sustains the shock during a time period sufficient to render the flow rate verification substantially insensitive to the elements upstream of the flow restrictor.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Ali Shajii, Daniel Smith
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Publication number: 20080295568Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a reference meter to provide automated calibration for a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one method, first historical metering data associated with a fuel flow meter and second historical metering data associated with a reference meter are maintained within a memory. The first historical metering data is compared with the second historical metering data. It is determined whether a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter. In response to determining that a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter, an automated calibration of the fuel flow meter is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, John Steve McSpadden
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Patent number: 7424894Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Celerity, Inc.Inventors: John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
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Patent number: 7383102Abstract: A protection system is provided that mitigates damage caused by slug flow in oil and gas production systems. The protection system opens or closes a choke valve based upon flow parameters such as the separator pressure and level, and the riser pressure. The choke valve position is calculated based upon a number of factors of the production system in order to maintain efficiency while providing safety.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Brian A. Coward
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Patent number: 7380564Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mass flow controller to have a constant control loop gain under a variety of different types of fluids and operating conditions, and for configuring the mass flow controller for operation with a fluid and/or operating conditions different from that used during a production of the mass flow controller. Further, the system and method includes providing control by reducing the effects of hysteresis in solenoid actuated devices by providing a non-operational signal to the solenoid actuated device.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Celerity, Inc.Inventors: John M. Lull, Chiun Wang, William S. Valentine, Joseph A. Saggio, Jr.
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Patent number: 7373798Abstract: A pulse production interval measurement module (or temporal reconciliation module) for preferred use with a computational flowmeter to thereby temporally reconcile or time shift flowmeter output produced by a volume of fluid flow through the computational flowmeter with the start and stop times of the flow of a calibrated fluid volume through a prover. The pulse production interval measurement module may be implemented with software and/or hardware and operate on stored data or real time or near real time measurements. Timing signals are sampled or collected with respect to one or more measurement elements within the computational flowmeter from which the measurement time interval for the flowmeter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Inventor: Galen Cotton
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Patent number: 7285420Abstract: A system and method are described herein for self-referencing a sensor that is used to detect a biomolecular binding event and/or kinetics which occur in a sample solution flowing along side a reference solution in a micron-sized deep flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Norman H. Fontaine, Prantik Mazumder, Mark A. Quesada, Eric J. Mozdy, Po Ki Yuen
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Patent number: 7280927Abstract: A method and system for providing a linear signal from a flow transducer. A non-linear raw signal can be obtained from a mass flow transducer. An approximated error comprising a discrete sinusoidal function incremented by a variable and selectable omega value can then be subtracted from the non-linear raw signal, in order to provide a subtracted result and reduce an error range thereof. The linear signal can then be obtained from the subtracted result in order to linearize a raw output from the flow transducer. A user is thus permitted to tune a frequency increment associated with the variable and selectable omega value in order to reduce the error range thereof. Linearized airflow and liquid flow sensor outputs can thus be generated by allowing a user the freedom to tune the frequency increment depending upon the user's flow range for reducing errors.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Anthony M. Dmytriw
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Patent number: 7277802Abstract: A method and system for providing a linear signal from mass flow transducer approximates the error from the original raw signal using discrete sine functions and subtracts the approximated error from the original raw signal. The method and system can be implemented using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) mated with a raw mass flow transducer. The method and system for linearizing the signal can be contained in the ASIC, and allows for improved accuracy in the linear signal with few coefficients and mathematical steps.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Anthony M. Dmytriw