Vibration Patents (Class 73/54.41)
  • Patent number: 8281646
    Abstract: This invention relates to a measurement tool, and in particular to a measurement tool for use in determining the density and/or viscosity of a stationary or moving fluid. The measurement tool has been designed for use in borehole applications during the location and exploitation of oil and gas reserves. The measurement tool has a resilient pipe with a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, and the fluid is located within the pipe. The pipe carries an exciter which is connected to a signal generator, the exciter and signal generator being adapted to impart transverse and/or rotational oscillations to the pipe. Measuring the frequency of the oscillations can be used to determine the density and/or the viscosity of the fluid within the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Cowsar Waid, Bryan W. Kasperski, Michael Andrew Yuratich
  • Publication number: 20120198920
    Abstract: There is disclosed an analytical method and a sensor suitable for carrying out the method. More specifically, there is disclosed a method for preparing a mass sensitive chemical sensor capable of detecting binding analyte species to a surface comprising cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Camilla Käck, Julien Saint-Guirons, Björn Ingemarsson, Kerstin Lundell
  • Patent number: 8215156
    Abstract: Viscosity and elasticity of a liquid are measured by immersing and vibrating a liquid tester in the liquid to be tested and measuring three frequency values that are a resonance frequency value on an amplitude characteristic curve obtained through vibration of the liquid tester in the liquid being tested, a low frequency value lower than the resonance frequency value on the amplitude characteristic curve at a phase angle smaller than a phase angle of 90 degrees at a resonance point on a phase angle characteristic curve obtained through the vibration in the liquid being tested, and a high frequency value higher than the resonance frequency value on the amplitude characteristic curve at a phase angle larger than the phase angle at the resonance point on the phase angle characteristic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sekonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Miura
  • Publication number: 20120152001
    Abstract: A sensor array for viscosity measurement includes the following: a carrier substrate formed with an opening; a metal plate-shaped oscillating element disposed on a surface of the carrier substrate and parallel to the surface over the opening; at least two metal contact electrodes disposed on the carrier substrate; at least two metal spring elements, wherein each of the contact electrodes is connected to the oscillating element by way of a spring element such that the element is mounted on the carrier substrate by way of the spring elements; and a magnet, which is disposed in the vicinity of the carrier substrate such that the magnetic field lines penetrate the plate-shaped oscillating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ANTON PAAR GMBH
    Inventors: Erwin Reichel, Bernhard Jakovby, Christian Riesch
  • Publication number: 20120144901
    Abstract: A multivariable sensor for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined fill level and density and/or viscosity of a liquid in a container. The sensor comprises a measuring tube provided in the container. The measuring tube has at least a first oscillatable segment and a second oscillatable segment, wherein the oscillatable segments have a cross sectional area deviating from a circularly round shape and at least one straight side, wherein on an inner wall of the oscillatable segments, driver/receiving units are placed, which cause the oscillatable segments to execute resonant oscillations. At least one control/evaluation unit is provided, which evaluates frequency and/or phase and/or amplitude of the oscillations and determines therefrom reaching of the predetermined fill level and density and/or viscosity of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Alexander Muller, Volker Dryer, Sergej Lopatin
  • Publication number: 20120111097
    Abstract: A rheometer or viscometer has a first measuring part and a second measuring part, between which a sample space for receiving a material sample is formed. By means of a drive device, at least the second measuring part can be rotated and/or can be oscillated, it being possible for the drive movement of the drive device to be transferred to the second measuring device via a transmission element. The drive device is arranged on the side of the first measuring part that is facing away from the second measuring part and the transmission element penetrates through the first measuring part, particularly at a through-bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Philippe SIERRO
  • Patent number: 8166812
    Abstract: Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine the viscosity of a downhole fluid is described, the apparatus including a wire to be immersed in a downhole fluid, to vibrate when an alternating current is applied to the wire within a magnetic field, and to generate an electromotive force when vibrating within the magnetic field, the wire comprising a first resistance. The apparatus further includes a nulling circuit coupled to the wire, wherein the nulling circuit comprises a second resistance that is selectable to be substantially equal to the first resistance, and an analyzer coupled to the wire and the nulling circuit to determine the first resistance, the second resistance, and a viscosity of the downhole fluid based on the first and second resistances, at least one characteristic of the wire, and the electromotive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Desroques, Sophie Nazik Godefroy, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Christopher Harrison, Kai Hsu, Noriyuki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20120084024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to in-line viscometers with no moving parts for monitoring the viscosity of fluids. One embodiment of the invention is a viscometer including a first tube, a second tube, a first flow metering device coupled with the first tube, a second flow metering device coupled with the second tube. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube. Another embodiment is directed to a method for maintaining a desired viscosity during a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NORCROSS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert A. Norcross, JR.
  • Patent number: 8056398
    Abstract: A nanoliter rheometer is capable of operating over a wide range of temperatures and permits visual observation of extremely small amounts of various often complex and/or expensive small nanoliter size fluids over a wide viscoelastic regime. The nanoliter rheometer comprises two very thin fibers, the ends of which are in close proximity to one another and desirably parallel to one another with one fiber being moved by a drive system and the remaining fiber desirably being stationary and capable of measuring a force transferred through a nanoliter size fluid located between the two fibers ends. The transferred force can be measured either by an LCR meter or a piezoelectric crystal and recorded as by a lock-in amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Antal Istvan Jákli, Christopher Allen Bailey
  • Publication number: 20110271756
    Abstract: A driver circuit comprises: a voltage controller (UCD), which delivers a direct voltage (UPD) to a controller output; a direct voltage converter (DC/DC), to which is applied on the primary side the direct voltage (UPD) delivered from the voltage controller, and which converts such into a direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side; and an end stage operated by means of said direct voltage (U?PD), which converts a control signal (sinexc—A) lying on a signal input into a driver signal (iexc) for the measuring transducer. The direct voltage (U?PD) available on the secondary side of the direct voltage converter (DC/DC) has, in such case, a magnitude which is always smaller than a magnitude of the direct voltage (UPD) delivered by the voltage controller, and the driver signal (iexc) has an electrical power (Pexc), which is higher than an electrical power (Psin) of the control signal (sinexc—A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Robert Lalla
  • Patent number: 8020428
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Roelof K. Snieder
  • Patent number: 8020432
    Abstract: A rigid, planar, non-resonating boundary is introduced parallel to the surface of the piezoelectric resonator in a measurand chamber in order to both reduce the separation space (l) between the resonator and confining wall and confine the measurand fluid between those surfaces in order to reliably measure acoustic viscosity independently form the mass density (?) of the measurand fluid. The hypothesis is that when the penetration depth (?) is comparable to the separation distance (l) between the resonator and the confining wall, then resonator perturbation is a sensitive function of the abbreviated separation space. Variations in the spacing between the resonator and confining wall are accomplished by adjusting the rigid, planar, non-resonating boundary, or confining wall, with a means for lateral movement. The ability to accurately adjust and control small spaces thereby enables MEMS versions of viscometers and associated types of fluid sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Arthur Ballato
  • Publication number: 20110203367
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MicroPoint Bioscience Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Huang, Mengya Wu, Mengyou Wu
  • Patent number: 7987717
    Abstract: For more efficient and energy-saving drying of ink and/or coating films in printing machines, the drying or hardening process must be better monitored. Therefore a method is proposed for determining the degree of hardening of one or more printed ink and/or coating films on a substrate that was coated in an intaglio, flexographic or offset printing process. The degree of hardening or drying due to the hardening or drying process is determined indirectly via the change of mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate. An ultrasound measurement is used for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: manroland AG
    Inventors: Magdalena-Elena Casagrande, Thomas Walther
  • Publication number: 20110179860
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit; at least one transducer unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to mechanical oscillations based on an exciter signal and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and converts such to a received signal. The transducer unit has at least one piezoelectric element. The apparatus further includes: at least one electronics unit, which supplies the transducer unit with the exciter signal and which receives the received signal from the transducer unit; and at least one compensation element, which supplies the exciter signal to the electronics unit and from which the electronics unit receives a compensation signal. The invention provides that the compensation element has at least one at least element made at least partially of a piezoelectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + HAuser GmbH + Co.KG
    Inventors: Martin Urban, Serguej Lopatin, Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7975530
    Abstract: An assembly design for an oscillating resonator-based sensor where an oscillating crystal resonator such as a quartz crystal resonator is rigidly affixed or ‘mounted’ onto a solid substrate in such a fashion that the resonator can either rest flush against the substrate surface or upon a rigid mounting adhesive. Once cured, the mounting adhesive forms a liquid tight seal between the mounted resonator and the substrate such that only the sensing electrode surface will be exposed to fluids applied to the front side of the substrate. The mounted resonator assembly is designed in such a way that it can be interfaced with a fluid delivery system to form a liquid tight chamber or flow cell around the mounted resonator without incurring additional physical impact upon the mounted resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sierra Sensors GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher D. Whalen, Klaus Wiehler, Sven Kelling
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110124744
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to magnetic resonance (MR)-based methods and kits for measuring the viscosity of liquid samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Lee Josephson, Rui Hong, Michael J. Cima, Ralph Weissleder
  • Publication number: 20110036151
    Abstract: Characterizing material properties using a simple and inexpensive measurement circuit is disclosed. It allows measurement of the transfer function change of an acoustic wave device without necessitating detailed knowledge of the resonant frequency, by integrating the transfer function. If one examines the integral of the transfer efficiency of an acoustic wave device as the acoustic wave is damped, one sees that the magnitude of the total signal transfer decreases with increasing damping allowing derivation of the material parameters from the results of simple integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Andle, Daniel S. Stevens, Reichl B. Haskell
  • Publication number: 20110030455
    Abstract: Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed. An example vibrating wire viscometer includes first and second electrically conductive tubes, where the first tube is at least partially inserted into the second tube, and where the first and second tubes are coupled via an electrically insulating bonding agent. The example viscometer further includes first and second electrically conductive pins inserted into respective ones of the first and second tubes, and an electrically conductive wire fastened to the first and second pins to vibrate in a downhole fluid to determine a viscosity of the downhole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: NORIYUKI MATSUMOTO, SOPHIE NAZIK GODEFROY, KAZUMASA KATO, GO FUJISAWA
  • Publication number: 20110023587
    Abstract: Vibrating wire viscometers are described. Some example vibrating wire viscometer housings include a flowline through the housing to expose a first wire to a downhole fluid, a cavity in the housing to hold a magnet and to conduct one or more additional wires from the flowline to a signal generator, first and second electrically conductive posts mechanically coupled to the housing to hold the first wire in tension within the flowline, and a seal mechanically coupled to the housing to prevent access to the magnet by the downhole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: RAGHU MADHAVAN, YU HATORI, MAMI NISHIDA, SOPHIE NAZIK GODEFROY, MICHAEL STANGELAND, GO FUJISAWA
  • Patent number: 7878044
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing information on two of the three variables, density (?), viscosity (?), and elastic modulus (c) of a fluid, such that independent knowledge of one variable allows the remaining two variables to be measured by a single sensor. The present invention relies on the interaction of a predominantly shear horizontal acoustic wave device (“quasi-shear-horizontal”) with the fluid, so as to measure subtle differences in the interaction of two or more acoustic resonance states or waveguide modes of a multi-mode resonator or waveguide, and to derive the desired fluid characteristics therefrom. The most preferred embodiment is a dual-mode coupled resonator filter geometry with one resonant mode having a high degree of symmetry and the other having a high degree of anti-symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
  • Publication number: 20110000285
    Abstract: Apparatus for inspection of a fluid comprising: a channel portion, the channel portion having a channel inlet and a channel outlet separate from the channel inlet; a piezoelectric sensor element provided at a sensor position of the channel and arranged to contact fluid flowing through the channel portion from said channel inlet to said channel outlet, the apparatus being configured to determine a difference value being a value corresponding to a difference between a resonant frequency of oscillation of said piezoelectric element at a given moment in time and a reference resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
    Inventors: Simon Biggs, David Harbottle
  • Patent number: 7814795
    Abstract: A dual mode measurement system with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is provided, which includes a quartz sensing component, a first measurement circuit, a second measurement circuit and a switch unit. When the first measurement circuit is selected through the switch unit, the first measurement circuit and the quartz sensing component form an oscillation circuit and output a resonance signal. When the second measurement circuit is selected through the switch unit, the second measurement circuit outputs a frequency scanning signal to scan the quartz sensing component, so as to output an impedance sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tatung Company
    Inventors: Chao-Fa Lee, Cheng-Hsing Kuo, Tsong-Rong Yan
  • Patent number: 7802466
    Abstract: An assembly design for an oscillating resonator-based sensor where an oscillating crystal resonator such as a quartz crystal resonator is rigidly affixed or ‘mounted’ onto a solid substrate in such a fashion that the resonator can either rest flush against the substrate surface or upon a rigid mounting adhesive. Once cured, the mounting adhesive forms a liquid tight seal between the mounted resonator and the substrate such that only the sensing electrode surface will be exposed to fluids applied to the front side of the substrate. The mounted resonator assembly is designed in such a way that it can be interfaced with a fluid delivery system to form a liquid tight chamber or flow cell around the mounted resonator without incurring additional physical impact upon the mounted resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sierra Sensors GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher D. Whalen, Klaus Wiehler, Sven Kelling
  • Publication number: 20100236323
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring the viscosity of a medium, wherein a mechanically oscillatable unit is excited to execute oscillations based on an exciter signal, and wherein oscillations are received from the mechanically oscillatable unit and transduced into a received signal. The eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency of the mechanically oscillatable unit and/or phase relationship between the exciter signal and the received signal are/is ascertained and/or monitored, and, from changes in the eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency and/or phase relationship, a change in viscosity is deduced and/or, based on dependencies of the oscillations on the viscosity of the medium, from the eigenfrequency and/or resonance frequency and/or phase relationship, viscosity is ascertained. In a second variant of the method, decay behavior of the mechanically oscillatable unit is evaluated. An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring viscosity is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co KG
    Inventors: Sascha D' Angelico, Martin Urban
  • Patent number: 7788979
    Abstract: A Monolithic Antenna Excited Acoustic Transduction (MAEAT) device is fabricated by photolithographically depositing a metallic antenna on one side of a piezoelectric crystal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: John F. Vetelino, Donald F. McCann
  • Patent number: 7784329
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piezo-rheometric measuring cell for shear or compression measurement, essentially comprising two sample holder plates, with the sample for analysis between the same in solid, liquid or intermediate form, piezoelectric ceramic elements on the faces of the plates opposite to the faces in contact with the sample and a construction forming the housing and compressing the arrangement of plates and ceramic elements, one or more ceramics called emitter, being connected to one of the two plates or the emitter plate and subjecting the same to shear or compression vibrations by means of an excitation signal and one or more ceramics, called receiver, being connected to the other plate or receiver plate and converting the forces to which the same is subject into a measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Universite Louis Pasteur (Etablissement Public a Caractere Scientifique, Culturel et Professionnel)
    Inventors: Philippe Martinoty, Dominique Collin
  • Publication number: 20100170327
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring the coagulation characteristics of a test liquid (1), in particular of a blood sample, is provided. According to the present invention standardized geometrical dimensions of a cup (2) and a respective pin (3) are modified for receiving maximum elasticity signal per volume test liquid without resulting in irreversible inelastic effects. In particular, the test liquid gap (8) between the cup (2) and the pin (3) is reduced, the diameter of the cup (2) and the pin (3) are increased and/or the geometry of test liquid accommodating portions (7; 10; 10?) are optimized for increasing the ratio between signal amplitude and a needed amount of test liquid (1) compared to standardized equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: C A CASYSO AG
    Inventors: Martin Glauner, Axel Schubert, Max Kessler
  • Patent number: 7721590
    Abstract: An improved method and assembly, wherein the method generally includes the steps of providing a coated or uncoated sensor element having an exposed sensing surface; attaching the sensor element to a platform so that the exposed sensing surface is spaced from the platform; and optionally applying a protective layer over the platform while maintaining the sensing surface as exposed. The assembly includes a resonator having a free portion with a sensing surface is incorporated onto a platform, components of the sensor are physically shielded from harsh operating conditions, the requisite space is maintained between the free portion of the resonator and the platform, and the sensing surface of the resonator remains exposed for sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Meas France, Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Oleg Kolosov, Leonid Matsiev, John F. Varni, G. Cameron Dales, Olaf Ludtke, Dirk Wullner, Andreas Buhrdorf, Heiko Dobrinski
  • Publication number: 20100089174
    Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a viscosity of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (200) configured to generate a density (p) of a flow material, generate a first mass flow rate (m1) for a first flowtube (210a), and a second mass flow rate (m2) for a second flowtube (210b). The vibratory flow meter (5) further includes a restrictive orifice (252) located in the first flowtube (210a). The restrictive orifice (252) ensures a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube (210a) is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube (210b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 7677087
    Abstract: Provided is a Angevin type quartz sensor which is high in measurement sensitivity, suppresses the influence of the surface tension of a sample solution during measurement, and enables an installed quartz resonator to stable oscillate. An opposing surface portion opposes one surface side of the quartz resonator via a housing area and a pouring opening formed in the outside area of the opposing surface portion. Measurement is conducted in a standstill state where the sample solution is filled in the lower side of the opposing surface portion. Since stress due to the surface tension of the sample solution does not act in this state, the quartz resonator can oscillate with reliability. Therefore, the quartz sensor can reduced the thickness of the quartz resonator, which realizes highly sensitive and highly accurate measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Wakamatsu, Mitsuaki Koyama, Tsuyoshi Shiobara
  • Publication number: 20100043554
    Abstract: An apparatus including: a mechanically oscillatable unit; an exciting/receiving unit; and an electronics unit having an input amplifier and an output amplifier. The amplification factors of the output amplifier and the input amplifier are tunable. The control unit tunes the amplification factor of the output amplifier as a function of damping of the mechanically oscillatable unit in such a manner that the amplitude of the electrical, input signal lies within an amplitude band and that the amplification factor of the output amplifier decreases in the case of lessened damping by the medium and increases in the case of greater damping by the medium, and the control unit tunes the amplification factor of the output amplifier and the amplification factor of the input amplifier in such a manner that the total amplification factor of the electronics unit equals a predeterminable value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha D' Angelico, Alexander Muller, Walter Rombach
  • Publication number: 20100005865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the viscosity and/or elasticity of a liquid by which accurate viscoelasticity measurement can be performed on a wide variety of liquids to be tested ranging from low viscosity liquids to high viscosity liquids, and viscosity and/or elasticity can be precisely determined from the viscoelasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Shinsuke Miura
  • Publication number: 20090216467
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing information on two of the three variables, density (?), viscosity (?), and elastic modulus (c) of a fluid, such that independent knowledge of one variable allows the remaining two variables to be measured by a single sensor. The present invention relies on the interaction of a predominantly shear horizontal acoustic wave device (“quasi-shear-horizontal”) with the fluid, so as to measure subtle differences in the interaction of two or more acoustic resonance states or waveguide modes of a multi-mode resonator or waveguide, and to derive the desired fluid characteristics therefrom. The most preferred embodiment is a dual-mode coupled resonator filter geometry with one resonant mode having a high degree of symmetry and the other having a high degree of anti-symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
  • Patent number: 7574898
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing, e.g., identifying or determining, at least one parameter of a fluid moving through a fluid channel using a vibrating wire in contact with the fluid moving through the fluid channel that is clamped under tension. The vibrating wire is actuated by an actuating device capable of displacing the vibrating wire from an initial position. An interpretation element further is utilized to provide a parameter of the fluid moving through the fluid channel based upon data from the vibrating wire following actuation by the actuation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Isabelle Etchart, Kai Hsu, Jacques Jundt, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Sophie Godefroy, Matthew Sullivan, Antoine Fornari
  • Publication number: 20090193889
    Abstract: This invention relates to a measurement tool, and in particular to a measurement tool for use in determining the density and/or viscosity of a stationary or moving fluid. The measurement tool has been designed for use in borehole applications during the location and exploitation of oil and gas reserves. The measurement tool has a resilient pipe with a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, and the fluid is located within the pipe. The pipe carries an exciter which is connected to a signal generator, the exciter and signal generator being adapted to impart transverse and/or rotational oscillations to the pipe. Measuring the frequency of the oscillations can be used to determine the density and/or the viscosity of the fluid within the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Margaret Cowsar Waid, Bryan W. Kasperski, Michael Andrew Yuratich
  • Patent number: 7552639
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a highly sensitive Langevin type quartz sensor which is easy in assembling, is less likely to cause damage to a quartz resonator during the assembly work, and is easy to perform a measurement work. As a specific means to solve the problem, a recess is formed in a quartz holding member made of, for instance, rubber, and an airtight space is formed by holding the quartz resonator with the quartz holding member so as to cover the recess. In the meantime, a hole is provided in a circuit board and a projected portion which projects toward back side of the recess in the quartz holding member is fitted into this hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Wakamatsu, Mitsuaki Koyama
  • Publication number: 20090120169
    Abstract: A fluid sensor has an electrically grounded header and a plurality of feedthrough conductors extending through the header between opposite ends of the header. The feedthrough conductors are connected to a piezoelectric tuning fork resonator. A temperature sensor is adjacent the tuning fork resonator. A shroud partially encloses the tuning fork resonator and temperature sensor. A printed circuit board is in conductive electrical contact with the feedthrough conductors. The printed circuit board includes an ASIC chip operable to transmit a variable frequency signal to the tuning fork resonator through the feedthrough conductors to oscillate the tuning fork resonator and to monitor impedance of the tuning fork resonator as a function of frequency. The ASIC chip is spaced from the feedthrough conductors a distance of no more than about 2 mm. The printed circuit board is spaced from the tuning fork a distance of no more than about 20 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: William H. Chandler,, JR., Douglas B. McNeil, Gregory Ray Goslin
  • Patent number: 7520162
    Abstract: A vibration meter and a method of measuring a viscosity of a fluid flowing through a pipe are disclosed. The vibration meter comprises meter electronics and a transducer assembly with an electromechanical excitation arrangement and with a flow tube which oscillates in operation. A sensor arrangement produces sensor signals representative of inlet-side and outlet-side deflections of the flow tube. An evaluation circuit derives from said sensor signals and from an excitation current generated by an excitation circuit for the excitation arrangement a viscosity value representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20090078029
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a powdery/granular material flowability evaluation apparatus and a powdery/granular material flowability evaluation method capable of evaluating the flowability of a powdery/granular material in a dynamic state of the powdery/granular material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shuji Matsusaka, Hiroaki Masuda, Yanbin Jiang, Masatoshi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20090064766
    Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the viscosity of non-Newtonian liquids, in particular engine operating materials, a first and a second viscosity measurement being carried out using a viscosity sensor device, and a differing excitation of the non-Newtonian liquid taking place for the first and second viscosity measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Monika Scherer
  • Publication number: 20090064693
    Abstract: A sensor system and method for analyzing a fluid contained within an environmental control system, comprising the steps of providing a system including a passage for containing a thermal change fluid; placing a sensor including a mechanical resonator in the passage; operating the resonator to have at least a portion thereof translate through the fluid; and monitoring the response of the resonator to the fluid in the passage. A preferred sensor includes a tuning fork resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, Oleg Kolosov, Mark D. Uhrich, William Rust, John M. Feland, III, John F. Varni, Blake Walker
  • Publication number: 20090025459
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable acoustic viscosity sensor configured to acoustically obtain a viscosity signal indicative of a viscosity of a fluid in contact with the viscosity sensor. A viscosity measurement circuit produces a viscosity measurement from the viscosity signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunlong Zhang, Bin Mi
  • Publication number: 20080314128
    Abstract: A viscosity sensor for, e.g., outputting a signal representing the viscosity of engine oil has one or more piezoelectric diaphragms disposed in a fluid chamber of a housing. An elongated amplification channel is formed in the housing and extends away from the chamber. The diaphragm can be excited to induce fluid movement that in turn induces the diaphragm to output a sensor signal representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Jesus Carmona, Yingjie Lin
  • Patent number: 7468608
    Abstract: A device for detecting at least one substance of a fluid includes at least one piezo-acoustic resonator with at least one piezo layer, an electrode arranged on the piezo-electric layer, at least one other electrode arranged on the piezo-electric layer and a surface section used for sorption of the substance of the fluid. The piezo-electric layer, the electrodes and the surface section are disposed in such a way that electric control of the electrodes leads to an oscillation of the resonator at a resonance frequency which depends upon the amount of the substance which is sorbed on the surface section. The thickness of the pioelectric layer is in the region of 0.5 to 20 ?m and the resonance frequency of the oscillation ranges from 500 MHz to 2 GHz. The device is a mass sensor with a piezo-acoustic high-frequency thin film resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Feucht, Reinhard Gabl, Wolfram Wersing, Heinrich Zeininger
  • Patent number: 7444245
    Abstract: Field device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container. The field device includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit connected with the container via a process connection; and at least one driver/receiver unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to oscillate, or detects the oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit, as the case may be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Sergej Lopatin
  • Publication number: 20080245147
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Roelof K. Snieder
  • Patent number: 7403127
    Abstract: A device for establishing and/or monitoring a predetermined fill level in a container is provided, to indicate the fill level in a container and exhibiting a best possible, optimum fit for an application, which device includes: a mechanical oscillatory structure placed at the height of the predetermined fill level, which structure exhibits a membrane and two mutually separated oscillation bars formed thereon, an electromechanical transducer, which in operation excites the oscillatory structure to oscillate with oscillations, such that the oscillation bars execute oscillations perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, a receiver- and evaluation-unit, which uses the oscillations to establish and/or monitor whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, or not, in which the oscillation bars exhibit a shape in which a mass moment of inertia of a liquid quantity, which the oscillation bars move with them in the immersed state in the liquid, is as large as possible and greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7398685
    Abstract: A measuring method using a surface acoustic wave device, with which even in a case where a target substance having a different viscosity is added to a buffer liquid on the surface acoustic wave device it is possible to measure a mass load accurately without suffering an effect of this viscous load, and it is also possible to shorten the time taken for the temperature of the buffer liquid to stabilize and thereby shorten the time taken for the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Itoh, Motoko Ichihashi