By Measuring Electrical Or Magnetic Properties Patents (Class 73/861.08)
  • Publication number: 20130276547
    Abstract: A flow rate meter comprises a disposable fluid transport portion and a reusable interface connector removably attached to the transport portion. The transport portion includes a flow conduit having an input and an output, while the interface connector provides feedback to a desired location. First and second portions of control circuitry are, respectively, associated with the transport portion and the interface connector. The first circuitry portion includes a plurality of electrodes and derives flow rate. The device measures a range of flow rates and is adapted, for example, for use in micro-fluidic systems including fluids administration to a patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Amir Genosar
  • Publication number: 20130276548
    Abstract: A system and a method to measure the material discharge from a mill for grinding ore in real time, wherein the system includes: at least of a strain gage (16) located on at least one insert (13), where said insert (16) is located in the pulp lifter (8) or discharge chute (9), and wherein said strain gage (16) is connected to an adaptor unit of the strain gage (22); a wireless transmitter (19) connected to said strain gage adaptor (22), wherein said transmitter transmits the signal from the strain gage (16); a wireless receiver (20) receiving the signal from the wireless transmitter (19); and a signal reader (21) connected to said wireless receiver (20) which processes the signals received from the accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Luis Magne Ortega, Gilda Titichoca Aguirre, Eduardo Altamirano Cabrera
  • Patent number: 8561477
    Abstract: A fluid flow monitoring system including one or more fluid flow dispensing valves each including a piston. Fluid flow sensors are associated with the fluid flow dispensing valves for measuring fluid flow. The fluid flow sensors include a housing with a magnet positioned therein and a piston follower is coupled to the magnet. The piston follower includes a shoulder portion positioned within the housing. A spring is operative to bias the magnet and piston follower towards the piston during operation so that piston movement is transmitted to the magnet. The housing includes a retainer portion disposed on the housing that confronts the shoulder portion of the piston follower whereby the magnet, piston follower, and spring are retained within the housing. The system also includes a fluid flow monitor that includes a microprocessor programmed to convert cycle signals from the sensors to fluid flow information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Coltec Industrial Products LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Roys
  • Publication number: 20130233079
    Abstract: This invention relates to flow sensors, systems, and methods useful for detecting and/or monitoring flow of a fluid. The invention is also related to detecting and/or monitoring the presence of scour, overtopping, and/or bed migration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
    Inventors: Raymond Andrew Swartz, Alison Behre Flatau
  • Patent number: 8500651
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring volumes and areas using electromagnetic induction techniques. A current is generated and fed into one of two coil assemblies to induce voltage into another coil assembly to provide accurate values for volume or area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Volusense AS
    Inventors: Morten Eriksen, Erik Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8499647
    Abstract: A noise eliminating circuit is provided between a sample hold portion and an A/D converting portion. In the noise eliminating circuit, a DC flow rate signal is sent from the sample hold portion through a buffer to one input terminal of an operational amplifier as a first input signal, and through a high-pass filter and a buffer to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier as a second input signal. The high-pass filter passes, as a noise component, a signal of higher than a specific frequency included in the DC flow rate signal. The operational amplifier calculates the difference between the first input signal (the flow rate signal component+the noise component) and the second input signal (the noise component), and outputs this difference (the flow rate signal component) to the A/D converting portion as the DC flow rate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Ichirou Mitsutake
  • Publication number: 20130139608
    Abstract: A flow meter comprising a magnet, a substantially non-magnetic conduit adapted to convey conductive fluid flowing in said conduit, said conduit arranged proximate to said magnet, and a sensor for sensing distortion of lines of force created by said magnet when said fluid flows in said conduit. Neither the magnet nor the sensor need be in physical contact with the conduit that carries the conductive fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Lee Gouwens
  • Patent number: 8457907
    Abstract: A compensation device for fluidic oscillation flow meters is provided. The compensation device includes a fluid supply unit, a fluidic oscillator, an electronic valve, a reference tank and a computer. The fluid supply unit supplies fluid into a pipe. The fluidic oscillator generates a characteristic oscillation frequency when the fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit passes through the fluidic oscillator. The electronic valve controls a flow rate of the fluid passing through the fluidic oscillator. The reference tank accumulates and stores the fluid passing through the electronic valve. The computer calculates a characteristic linear compensation coefficient using data about the time for which the fluid had passed through the fluidic oscillator, an oscillation frequency of the fluidic oscillator, a preset flow rate of the electronic valve, and a preset fluid accumulation amount of the reference tank. The computer stores the calculated characteristic linear compensation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Shindonga Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Moon Young Kim, Young Geun Hong, Hyoung Kee Yang, In Sung Cha
  • Publication number: 20130125664
    Abstract: Wireless flow monitoring devices are described. In one example, a device to wirelessly monitor a flow of material is described that includes a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having an aperture, a lever secured within the housing to move in response to the flow of material, and a paddle arm forming at least a portion of a first arm of the lever, where an end of the paddle arm extends out the aperture of the second surface of the housing, and where a paddle is affixed to the paddle arm to be positioned within the flow of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald D. Harper, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130118271
    Abstract: A system for processing a signal from a sensor is described. The system comprises an analog-to-digital converter. The system is configured to vary a sampling rate of said analog-to-digital converter dependent on an expected shape of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SENTEC LTD.
    Inventors: Edward Colby, Matthew Storkey, David Healy, Konstantin Stefanov
  • Publication number: 20130112007
    Abstract: Appurtenances added to a pipe mitigate the effects of upstream valves, sluice gates or pipe elbows to condition the pipe flow for accurate flow rate detection by a reverse propeller meter. Further appurtenances allow the reverse propeller meter to be used in extreme debris situations such as weeds, vines and moss present in many canal systems. The system provides an electronic signal that indicates flow rate and accumulated flow volume, or the signal can be transmit to a central headquarters for remote gate control or canal automation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: RSA Environmental
    Inventor: RSA Environmental
  • Publication number: 20130047742
    Abstract: A circuit board has a hollow space partitioned with a detection film on the front side exposed in a passage. The circuit board is accommodated in a recess of a support member and opposed to a bottom surface of the recess on the rear side. The bottom surface of the recess has a groove on one side in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions relative to the detection film. The groove inclines airflow in the groove relative to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions to guide the airflow toward the rear side of the detection film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junzo Yamaguchi, Takao Ban
  • Publication number: 20130025376
    Abstract: A wind-speed-detecting device including a stator, a rotor and a processing unit is disclosed. The stator has a flux-sensing member. The rotor has a plurality of blades and a magnet module, wherein the rotor is rotatably coupled with the stator, at least a part of the plurality of blades is arranged in a settling area of an air channel, and the magnet module faces the flux-sensing member. The processing unit electrically connects with the flux-sensing member to receive an electrical signal generated by the flux-sensing member and to send out a processing result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Tso-Kuo Yin
  • Publication number: 20130008262
    Abstract: A method and a gas flow meter for measuring gas flow, having a cylinder, and a piston disposed movably within the cylinder, forming a clearance seal between the piston and the cylinder. A gas flow to be measured is directed to the cylinder so as to move the piston within the cylinder. From the detected movement of the piston, electrical signals representative of the gas flow are generated. Gas temperature and pressure data are also measured. A controller calculates a standardized flow rate of gas based on gas species information, and determines a compressibility factor based on the gas species information and the temperature and pressure data, and calculates a corrected flow rate. The compressibility factor is determined from a table pre-stored in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Albert Morrell, David William Wilson, Mohammed Abdul Aziz
  • Publication number: 20130008261
    Abstract: A method and a gas flow meter for measuring gas flow. A cylinder is supported in the flow meter with a horizontal orientation. A piston is disposed movably within the cylinder, the piston having a surface which forms a clearance seal with a surface of the cylinder. The piston may have a low-friction coating such as diamond-like carbon. A gas flow to be measured is received at a gas inlet, and directed to the cylinder so as to move the piston within the cylinder. The gas flow is directed by valves and conduits alternately to the two ends of the cylinder, for measuring the gas flow in both directions of the cylinder. From the detected movement of said piston electrical signals representative of the gas flow are generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Edward Albert MORRELL
  • Patent number: 8347731
    Abstract: A flow rate meter comprises a disposable fluid transport portion and a reusable interface connector removably attached to the transport portion. The transport portion includes a flow conduit having an input and an output, while the interface connector provides feedback to a desired location. First and second portions of control circuitry are, respectively, associated with the transport portion and the interface connector. The first circuitry portion includes a plurality of electrodes and derives flow rate. The device measures a range of flow rates and is adapted, for example, for use in micro-fluidic systems including fluids administration to a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Amir Genosar
  • Publication number: 20120325013
    Abstract: Flow measurement systems and methods are provided. A flow measurement system can include at least one heat-producing computing device (160) having at least one fluid inlet (120) and one fluid outlet (130). The system can further include at least one inlet fluid inlet temperature sensor (140) and at least one outlet fluid temperature sensor (150). At least one current sensor (160) measuring the current supplied to at least a portion of the at least one heat-producing computing device (110) can also be included with the system (100). The system can also include at least one calculating device (180) adapted to calculate the inlet fluid flow rate based at least in part upon the sensed inlet fluid temperature, the sensed outlet fluid temperature, and the sensed current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Brandon Rubenstein, Roy Zeighami
  • Patent number: 8336392
    Abstract: Nowadays many electronic devices, such as LCD projector, computer servers, and air fresher etc. require reliable air cooling system to reduce the risk of electronics damage caused by overheating. The present invention disclosed an apparatus integrated with air flow sensor as an alarm apparatus for air flow clog detection. The major prior approach for air flow circulation failure detection is based on an indirect measurement method of temperature monitoring on surrounding environments, which method is suffering from the slow response and poor identification of real-time situation. The present invention will demonstrate the advantages by directly monitoring air flow over by indirectly monitoring the surrounding temperature as for the purpose of preventing air flow path clog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Siargo Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Jian Luo, Changming Jiang, Yenan Liu, Wenhong Deng, Jialuo Jack Xuan, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 8334727
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a radio frequency (RF) Robinson oscillator comprising: a resonator comprising a sensor rhumbatron, the sensor rhumbatron comprising a cavity member, the cavity member having a re-entrant boss member, the re-entrant boss member being arranged to project into a cavity portion of the cavity member; a feedback element arranged to provide positive radio frequency (RF) feedback to the cavity member thereby to increase a quality factor Q of the cavity member, the feedback element having first and second terminals coupled to the cavity member, the apparatus being operable to cause the oscillator to oscillate at a resonant frequency; and an output arranged to provide a signal that varies according to a value of at least one electrical parameter of the oscillator, said at least one electrical parameter being selected from amongst an electromagnetic loss and a resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: John Francis Gregg, Mazhar Bari
  • Publication number: 20120304779
    Abstract: An electronic flow meter includes a magnetic sensor, phase-A and phase-B drivers, a phase-A comparator, a phase-B comparator, a two-phase encoder, and a rotational speed timer. The two-phase encoder determines a normal/reverse direction where the impeller is rotated based on event signals sampled by the phase-A and the phase-B comparators, respectively, causing a counter to count up or to count down according to the normal/reverse direction as determined, thereby outputting an event count signal. The rotational speed timer calculates a rotational frequency of the impeller from the event count signal outputted by the two-phase encoder and sets frequencies of respective sampling signals of the phase-A and the phase-B comparators at a time when the rotational frequency of the impeller is measured next, and respective drive periods of the phase-A and the phase-B drivers in accordance with the rotational frequency of the impeller as calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshiharu ONO, Osamu KARINO, Yoshihiro SHIMIZU, Yoshihiro MIYAGAWA, Hiroyuki KAWAJIRI, Takehiro FURUKAWA
  • Patent number: 8297131
    Abstract: A flow rate meter that includes a container of known and fixed volume. Electrodes, or sensors, are placed inside the container at several different heights. An electronic circuit uses the electrodes, or sensors, to measure the time it takes this container of known and fixed volume to fill a certain distance with water or water-based solution. The electronic circuit calculates the flow rate in engineering units from this elapsed time by knowing the volume of the container between the fixed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Innoquest, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120240689
    Abstract: A fluid meter includes a housing which comprises a cavity that defines a flow bore through which a fluid to be metered is directed, a rotor which is rotatably supported in the cavity and is set into rotation by the fluid flowing through the flow bore, a first magnet which is connected to the rotor, a second magnet which is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, a cap member which is positioned over the first magnet and separates the second magnet from the cavity, and a rotary encoder which is operatively coupled to the second magnet. Rotation of the rotor is magnetically transmitted through the cap member from the first magnet to the second magnet and is detected by the rotary encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Robert M. Smith, Jeffrey W. Lantz, James C. Breter
  • Patent number: 8272271
    Abstract: A device for determining or monitoring one or more physical and/or chemical, process variables and having a vibration sensor comprising, a plug-in element and a socket element, which are releasably connected by a pluggable connection and which communicate with one another via an interface, wherein, in the plug-in element or the socket element, a transducer is provided for determining or monitoring a process variable, and wherein the element not having the transducer has the vibration sensor, and the element having the vibration sensor is connectable with a superordinated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft Für Mess-Und Regeltechnik mbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Buschnakowski, Jorg Uhle
  • Publication number: 20120234859
    Abstract: Electrochemical impedance may be used for accurate and real-time tracking and control of fluid delivery from fluid-filled chambers, such as from drug delivery devices. At least two measurement electrodes may be placed within the chamber in contact with the fluid to be sensed. Application of a small alternating current using these electrodes through the fluid/drug may allow measurement of electrochemical impedance. Volumetric changes of the compressible chamber due to movement of at least one surface within the compressible chamber (such as an actuating bellows or flexible diaphragm), may induce changes in the measured electrochemical impedance. Measuring these changes may allow for tracking of ejected liquid volumes from the compressible chamber. By taking the time-derivative of this signal, the rate of volume change can be tracked and therefore the rate of ejected fluid (flow rate) can be deduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN A. GUTIERREZ, ELLIS MENG
  • Patent number: 8266943
    Abstract: In a flow rate estimation device of a blood pump, a general flow rate estimation formula which includes a correction term is formed based on a plurality of blood pumps. Measured data obtained from an objective blood pump implanted inside a patient is substituted into the correction term, thus forming a flow rate estimation formula of the objective blood pump. The flow rate Q of the objective blood pump is estimated based on the flow rate estimation formula and the values of the rotational speed N and the consumption current I of the motor of the objective blood pump, and the attribute data Z of the blood of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sun Medical Technology Research Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Miyakoshi, Kenji Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120232810
    Abstract: A method for determining the electrical conductivity of a mass flow in a three dimensional target volume including the steps of placing electrodes in a measuring connection with the target volume; supplying alternating voltage or alternating current to the tar-get volume between two of the electrodes and measuring the current or the voltage between the electrodes; determining a state space model which defines the relationships between the electrical conductivity, the voltage and the current in the target volume and the evolution of the electrical conductivity as a function of time; comparing the currents and/or the voltages according to the state space model with the supplied and the measured ones; and modifying the state space model to decrease any differences. The electrodes are placed substantially within one plane; and the state space model is determined so as to the time-dependent flow field of the mass flow within the target volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Jari Kaipio, Anssi Lehikoinen, Arto Voutilainen, Marko Vauhkonen
  • Patent number: 8256294
    Abstract: A grammage detection sensor which detects a grammage of a recording medium using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave and a receiving unit including a first vibration member configured to receive the ultrasonic wave that is transmitted from the transmitting unit and passes through the recording medium. The receiving unit includes a guide member configured to guide the ultrasonic wave that passes through the recording medium to the first vibration member. A length from a surface of the first vibration member to a plane including an end plane of the guide member along a line that passes through a center of the first vibration member and is perpendicular to the first vibration member is approximately n times of one-half wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitting unit where n is an integer of one or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Ishida
  • Patent number: 8245580
    Abstract: A coil assembly includes a coil form and a winding. The coil form includes a base defining a loop defined by a pair of opposed first sides and a pair of opposed second sides, a plurality of spaced apart support members extending from the base along the first sides, and a coil support structure extending from the base at each of the second sides. Each support member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the base and the second portion extending from the first portion, with a gap is defined between adjacent support members. The winding abuts the first portion of at least some of the spaced apart support members and is at least partially secured by the second portions of the support members. The winding abuts each of the coil support structures, and is curved in a saddle shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Bruce Rogers
  • Patent number: 8236246
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas sensitive apparatus that is useful in view of its applicability to the detection or quantitative determination of individual gases present in a gas mixture, and is advantageous in view of its compact size, and its low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Harry Edwards Betsill
  • Publication number: 20120186594
    Abstract: An electronic smoke comprising an inhale detector and a smoke effect generating circuitry. The inhale detector comprises an air-flow sensor which is arranged to detect direction and rate of air flow through the smoke apparatus, and the smoke effect generating circuitry is arranged to operate the smoke effect generating circuitry to generate smoking effect when the air flow direction corresponds to inhaling through the apparatus and the air flow rate reaches at predetermined threshold. Such an electronic smoke alleviates the problem of inadvertent triggering due to environmental vibration or noise or children playing by blowing into the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Minilogic Device Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Loi Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 8225677
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor for measuring flow parameters of a two-phase flow, a device for measuring phase concentration of a two-phase flow, and a system and method for measuring flow parameters of a two-phase flow is disclosed. In the capacitive sensor, at least one pair of electrodes is twisted by 180° in a common direction into a spiral shape. Edge guard electrodes are twisted in the common direction and are formed between adjacent electrode edges. Problems of non-homogeneous sensitivity distribution of a measuring field and soft field effect can be effectively addressed, thereby allowing reliable and accurate measurement of phase concentration of a two-phase flow. The system for measuring flow parameters of the two-phase flow can output signals with a current of 4˜20 mA to a PLC system or communicate with an industrial process control computer or with a remote control computer system in a operating room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Gang Yang, Zengxi Lu
  • Publication number: 20120174684
    Abstract: A method for measuring flow rate of at least one fluid in a multi-phase fluid comprises: providing a magnetic resonance module through which the fluid phases flow and at least one pre-polarization module of variable effective length upstream of the magnetic resonance module; and conducting, a measurement by: i) setting the pre-polarization module to have a first effective length, ii) applying a RF pulse sequence to the fluid, in the magnetic resonance module, iii) determining the intensity of a pre-determined number of spin echoes produced by the RF pulse sequence, iv) determining a line approximating the attenuation of the intensity during the RF sequence, v) determining slope and y-intercept of the line, vi) determining the ratio of the slope and intercept, vii) applying a calibration between the slope:intercept ratio and multi-phase flow rate so as to determine the flow velocity of the fluid in the multi-phase fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel PUSIOL
  • Publication number: 20120152376
    Abstract: A fluid flow detection device includes a housing of non-magnetic metal, a flow passage through the housing and a valve seat in the flow passage. A magnetic valve element emits a magnetic field. The valve element is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage. The magnetic valve element is biased toward the closed position. A magnetic field enhancer is movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field. A magnetic field sensor on the housing is operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Canlong He, Paul G. Conley
  • Publication number: 20120137708
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a dispenser for dispensing a liquid. The dispenser may include a measurement chamber configured to receive the liquid, a temperature probe positioned within the measurement chamber, and a capacitance probe positioned within the measurement chamber. The capacitance probe may house the temperature probe. The dispenser may also include a first conduit fluidly coupled to the measurement chamber and configured to deliver the liquid out of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Michael MACKEY
  • Publication number: 20120118073
    Abstract: In order to place a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow measuring device at a reference potential, a grounding gasket is arranged, in each case, between flared end regions of the measuring tube, or measuring tube flanges secured on the measuring tube, and pipeline flanges connected with the pipeline. The grounding gasket comprises a conductive support material. The support material is provided with an electrically conductive, chemically resistant, plastics coating, at least in regions in contact in the installed state with the medium, the flared end regions, or the measuring tube flanges, as the case may be, and the pipeline flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Roger Kerrom
  • Publication number: 20120103107
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate measuring apparatus which suppresses deformation of a base main body due to vibration of a pipe so as to be able to reduce occurrence of disconnection of wires due to the vibration of the pipe. The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a bonding portion (16) corresponding to a deformation suppression portion provided between an inner wall surface (17a) of a flange (17) of a base (11) and an outer circumferential wall surface (6a) of a cover (6) covering a circuit board (5), which is opposed to the inner wall surface (17a), for connecting the flange (17) and the cover (6) to suppress the deformation of a base main body (32) of the base (11) due to vibration of an intake pipe (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki URAMACHI, Koji TANIMOTO, Yuji ARIYOSHI, Masahiro KAWAI, Shinichiro HIDAKA, Naoyuki KISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8166828
    Abstract: Fluid flow meters and methods for measuring different aspects of fluid flow with a non-contact sensor are provided. In some cases a fluid flow gear meter is provided with a fluid chamber that is sealed with a cover portion carrying the non-contact sensor. An optional separation member may be located between the cover portion and the chamber to seal the chamber. In some cases the cover portion and/or separation member are configured to transmit visible light to allow viewing of the fluid chamber, through material selection and/or the presence of viewing cavities within the material. The flow meter is optionally configured to prevent or reduce the transmission of ambient environmental radiation into the flow meter to lessen the likelihood that it may adversely affect an optical non-contact sensor used to detect movement of gears within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Skirda, Richard Mehus, William M. Christensen, Scott Limback
  • Patent number: 8156817
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure detection device capable of easy installation and removal of a sensor in/from a diaphragm, measurement of a pressure in a wide rage, and manufacture at a low cost while reducing a size. A sensor part (A) has: a magnet (12) being applied with a load produced by pressing of a diaphragm (8); and a magnet cap (11) covering the magnet (12). The diaphragm (8) has an intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) buried therein. The intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) has a protrusion part protruding from the diaphragm (8) so as to be in contact with the magnet (12). The magnet cap (11) has an opening part enabling the protrusion part of the intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) and the magnet (12) to be joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kaneko, Aki Kitani
  • Publication number: 20120085166
    Abstract: A device for measuring the physical characteristics of a flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a plug attached to two or more strut assemblies, each strut assembly comprising a forward strut, a rearward strut, and a skid having an inner surface that faces the plug, and one or more sensors located on the inner surface of the skid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Edward Randall Furlong
  • Patent number: 8136409
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first detector to receive a first signal from a first switch configured to open and close based on position of a metering wheel associated with a flow line. The apparatus can further include a first counter to count within a first range based on a change in a state of the first signal. Using this information, the apparatus can determine usage and direction of, e.g., a fluid or liquid flowing along the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Marty Lynn Pflum
  • Publication number: 20120058025
    Abstract: A dispensing system and method for delivering material to a washing device using a capacitance sensor configuration is disclosed. The capacitance sensor configuration allows a controller to monitor and determine a flow rate of fluid exiting a reservoir. The dispensing system uses the flow rate information, along with downstream conductivity information, to control the dispensing of material. Additionally, one or more error conditions are identified during the material delivery cycle based at least partially on the monitored conductivity and capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: DIVERSEY, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Fienup, Keith Grider, Sean Corrigan
  • Publication number: 20120048032
    Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a flow rate sensor, an electronic circuit, a connector, and an adjusting terminal. The sensor outputs a detection signal in accordance with a flow rate. The circuit is electrically connected to the sensor to control input into and output from the sensor. The connector includes a connecting terminal and a connector housing. The connecting terminal electrically connects together the circuit and an external device. The housing is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom and an opening to hold the connecting terminal. The housing includes a projection portion that projects from a bottom face of the bottom toward the opening. The adjusting terminal is electrically connected to the circuit to adjust the circuit. The adjusting terminal is held by the housing and includes an exposed part exposed from the housing. The exposed part is exposed from a surface of the projection portion on an opening-side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki TAKIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120042715
    Abstract: Multiple flow sensors in an array are provided to achieve wide dynamic range, low detection limit, and potentially low cost. Each flow sensor can measure the flow rate of surrounding fluid, among other fluid parameters. The flow sensor can be rendered active by inclusion of a piezoelectric element so as to be capable of achieving mechanical vibration, hence allowing it to interact with local fluid surroundings, or capable of converting mechanical energy in the surrounding fluid to electrical signals and energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20120038143
    Abstract: A pipe connection includes a main body, an inner sleeve, a water inlet connector, a water outlet connector, a circuit board, a control panel, at least one battery, a magnetically activated detector, an impeller, and a magnetic member. In operation, when the water flows through the impeller, the impeller is rotated, and the magnetic member is moved to pass by the detector intermittently so that the detector can transmit a detected signal to the circuit board which can calculate the rotation speed of the magnetic member so as to obtain the water flow rate. Thus, the pipe connection can calculate and indicate the water flow rate in the pipe so that when the flow rate of the output water from the pipe reaches a preset value, the user can shut the water flow to regulate and save the water flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Pao-Yun Shih
  • Publication number: 20120031195
    Abstract: Fluid flow meters and methods for measuring different aspects of fluid flow with a non-contact sensor are provided. In some cases a fluid flow gear meter is provided with a fluid chamber that is sealed with a cover portion carrying the non-contact sensor. An optional separation member may be located between the cover portion and the chamber to seal the chamber. In some cases the cover portion and/or separation member are configured to transmit visible light to allow viewing of the fluid chamber, through material selection and/or the presence of viewing cavities within the material. The flow meter is optionally configured to prevent or reduce the transmission of ambient environmental radiation into the flow meter to lessen the likelihood that it may adversely affect an optical non-contact sensor used to detect movement of gears within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Anatoly Skirda, Richard Mehus, William M. Christensen, Scott Limback
  • Patent number: 8109151
    Abstract: A flow sensing system is provided. The system can include a first graphitic member and a first measurement device communicatively coupled to the first graphitic member. The first measurement device is adapted to measure a voltage along each of a plurality of orthogonal axes defined by the first graphitic member. The system can further include a display communicatively coupled to the first measurement device, the display adapted to convert the measured voltages into a signal proportionate to the fluid flow past the first graphitic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Iakov Veniaminovitch Kopelevitch
  • Publication number: 20120029845
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus and method are provided for detecting the composition of a fluid. An alternating electromagnetic field may be applied to the fluid and distortions in the electromagnetic field are compared with predetermined, expected distortion “signatures” for particular components at particular concentrations. The presence and concentration of the components in the fluid may be detected by detecting these distortion signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gennadiy Flider, Gabreal Livschits
  • Publication number: 20120011940
    Abstract: Nowadays many electronic devices, such as LCD projector, computer servers, and air fresher etc. require reliable air cooling system to reduce the risk of electronics damage caused by overheating. The present invention disclosed an apparatus integrated with air flow sensor as an alarm apparatus for air flow clog detection. The major prior approach for air flow circulation failure detection is based on an indirect measurement method of temperature monitoring on surrounding environments, which method is suffering from the slow response and poor identification of real-time situation. The present invention will demonstrate the advantages by directly monitoring air flow over by indirectly monitoring the surrounding temperature as for the purpose of preventing air flow path clog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Siargo Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Jian Luo, Changming Jiang, Yenan Liu, Wenhong Deng, Jialuo Jack Xuan, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Publication number: 20120000293
    Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Ali E. Aliev, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail Kozlov, Shaoli Fang, Raquel Ovalle-Robles, Anvar A. Zakhidov
  • Publication number: 20110314930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow measuring device. The device includes a fluid flow having at least one of a volume flow rate and a mass flow rate. At least one spring element is included, which is exposed to the fluid flow, such that the spring element is elastically displaceable in at least one of a ferromagnetic and an electrically conductive mobile region depending on the dynamic pressure acting thereon with an eddy current sensor arranged stationarily. The eddy current sensor generates a measurement signal that is correlated with a distance between the eddy current sensor and the mobile region. The distance varies with the dynamic pressure-related displacement of the mobile region, and at least one temperature sensor is included, the temperature sensor measures an actual temperature of the fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Moritz Krämer, Hartmut Sauter, Holger Christian Schönekess, Hartmut Sohla