Vibration Patents (Class 73/54.41)
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Patent number: 8281646Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Margaret Cowsar Waid, Bryan W. Kasperski, Michael Andrew Yuratich
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Publication number: 20120198920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2010Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: Camilla Käck, Julien Saint-Guirons, Björn Ingemarsson, Kerstin Lundell
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Patent number: 8215156Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Sekonic CorporationInventor: Shinsuke Miura
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Publication number: 20120152001Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: ANTON PAAR GMBHInventors: Erwin Reichel, Bernhard Jakovby, Christian Riesch
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Publication number: 20120144901Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Alexander Muller, Volker Dryer, Sergej Lopatin
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Publication number: 20120111097Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventor: Philippe SIERRO
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Patent number: 8166812Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Emmanuel Desroques, Sophie Nazik Godefroy, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Christopher Harrison, Kai Hsu, Noriyuki Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20120084024Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: NORCROSS CORPORATIONInventor: Robert A. Norcross, JR.
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Patent number: 8056398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Kent State UniversityInventors: Antal Istvan Jákli, Christopher Allen Bailey
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Publication number: 20110271756Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventor: Robert Lalla
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Patent number: 8020428Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Colorado School of MinesInventor: Roelof K. Snieder
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Patent number: 8020432Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Arthur Ballato
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Publication number: 20110203367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: MicroPoint Bioscience Inc.Inventors: Michael Huang, Mengya Wu, Mengyou Wu
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Patent number: 7987717Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: manroland AGInventors: Magdalena-Elena Casagrande, Thomas Walther
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Publication number: 20110179860Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Endress + HAuser GmbH + Co.KGInventors: Martin Urban, Serguej Lopatin, Oliver Schmidt
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Patent number: 7975530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Sierra Sensors GmbHInventors: Christopher D. Whalen, Klaus Wiehler, Sven Kelling
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Publication number: 20110130980Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Oleg Mikhailovich Zozulya, Igor Borisovich Esypov, Andrey Viktorovich Fokin
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Publication number: 20110124744Abstract: This invention relates generally to magnetic resonance (MR)-based methods and kits for measuring the viscosity of liquid samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Lee Josephson, Rui Hong, Michael J. Cima, Ralph Weissleder
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Publication number: 20110036151Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Andle, Daniel S. Stevens, Reichl B. Haskell
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Publication number: 20110030455Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: NORIYUKI MATSUMOTO, SOPHIE NAZIK GODEFROY, KAZUMASA KATO, GO FUJISAWA
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Publication number: 20110023587Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: RAGHU MADHAVAN, YU HATORI, MAMI NISHIDA, SOPHIE NAZIK GODEFROY, MICHAEL STANGELAND, GO FUJISAWA
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Patent number: 7878044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
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Publication number: 20110000285Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDSInventors: Simon Biggs, David Harbottle
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Patent number: 7814795Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Tatung CompanyInventors: Chao-Fa Lee, Cheng-Hsing Kuo, Tsong-Rong Yan
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Patent number: 7802466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Sierra Sensors GmbHInventors: Christopher D. Whalen, Klaus Wiehler, Sven Kelling
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Publication number: 20100236323Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co KGInventors: Sascha D' Angelico, Martin Urban
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Patent number: 7788979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: John F. Vetelino, Donald F. McCann
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Patent number: 7784329Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Universite Louis Pasteur (Etablissement Public a Caractere Scientifique, Culturel et Professionnel)Inventors: Philippe Martinoty, Dominique Collin
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Publication number: 20100170327Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: C A CASYSO AGInventors: Martin Glauner, Axel Schubert, Max Kessler
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Patent number: 7721590Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignees: 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
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Publication number: 20100089174Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
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Patent number: 7677087Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunichi Wakamatsu, Mitsuaki Koyama, Tsuyoshi Shiobara
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Publication number: 20100043554Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Sascha D' Angelico, Alexander Muller, Walter Rombach
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Publication number: 20100005865Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventor: Shinsuke Miura
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Publication number: 20090216467Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
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Patent number: 7574898Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Christopher Harrison, Isabelle Etchart, Kai Hsu, Jacques Jundt, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Sophie Godefroy, Matthew Sullivan, Antoine Fornari
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Publication number: 20090193889Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Margaret Cowsar Waid, Bryan W. Kasperski, Michael Andrew Yuratich
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Patent number: 7552639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunichi Wakamatsu, Mitsuaki Koyama
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Publication number: 20090120169Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: William H. Chandler,, JR., Douglas B. McNeil, Gregory Ray Goslin
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Patent number: 7520162Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm
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Publication number: 20090078029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2006Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITYInventors: Shuji Matsusaka, Hiroaki Masuda, Yanbin Jiang, Masatoshi Yasuda
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Publication number: 20090064766Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Monika Scherer
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Publication number: 20090064693Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, Oleg Kolosov, Mark D. Uhrich, William Rust, John M. Feland, III, John F. Varni, Blake Walker
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Publication number: 20090025459Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Yunlong Zhang, Bin Mi
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Publication number: 20080314128Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Jesus Carmona, Yingjie Lin
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Patent number: 7468608Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Dieter Feucht, Reinhard Gabl, Wolfram Wersing, Heinrich Zeininger
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Patent number: 7444245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Helmut Pfeiffer, Sergej Lopatin
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Publication number: 20080245147Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: Colorado School of MinesInventor: Roelof K. Snieder
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Patent number: 7403127Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Helmut Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 7398685Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.Inventors: Atsushi Itoh, Motoko Ichihashi