By Measuring Electrical Or Magnetic Properties Patents (Class 73/861.08)
  • Publication number: 20110297844
    Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp assembly for a fluid treatment system. The lamp assembly can include an inductive secondary, first and second electrodes coupled to the inductive secondary, and a lamp including a dielectric barrier interposed between the first and second electrodes. The dielectric barrier can define a discharge chamber including a discharge gas, and one of the first and second electrodes can extend within the discharge chamber. The inductive secondary can be adapted to receive power from a nearby inductive primary to promote a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge chamber. The resulting dielectric barrier discharge can generate ultraviolet light for the treatment of air or water, or for other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Karlis Vecziedins, Michael E. Miles, Joshua K. Schwannecke, David A. Meekhof, Donovan L. Squires, William T. Stoner, JR., Matthew J. Norconk, Richard B. Bylsma, Matthew J. Lilley
  • Publication number: 20110290036
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Marty Lynn Pflum
  • Patent number: 8061216
    Abstract: In an aspiration flow measurement system, a flow channel is provided for receiving an aspiration fluid flow therethrough. The flow measurement system further includes an aspiration flow measurement chamber and a flow sensor that is configured to generate a raw signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel. A control system is configured to monitor the signals indicating the flow through the flow measurement chamber, and to determine when a value of the raw signal is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, wherein the control system generates a filtered signal of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventor: Ross Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 8061217
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a powder when a powder is conveyed by using air as a carrier gas, which apparatus measures the flow rate based on the change of capacitance of the powder to be measured. The apparatus that can measure the flow rate of a powder with high accuracy by compensating for the effect of the thermal drift of the capacitance. It includes a protecting pipe for conveying a powder, a housing pipe having measuring electrodes, and a transducer for outputting an output of the measuring electrode to a display. It further includes an atmospheric temperature sensor and a carrier gas-temperature sensor 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Hisada, Mitsuo Shintani, Manabu Yamaguchi, Yoshiki Aramatsu
  • Publication number: 20110271768
    Abstract: An air flow measurement apparatus includes an air flow sensor for outputting an air flow signal indicative of detected air flow, a reference voltage generator for outputting reference voltage signals, a multiplexer for sequentially selecting the signals in a predetermined order, an A/D converter for converting the signals into digital data in an order selected by the multiplexer, and a signal processing unit for applying correction processing to air flow voltage data corresponding to the air flow signal using reference voltage data corresponding to the reference voltage signals. The signal processing unit has a sampling timing setting section for determining sampling timings at which the A/D converter samples the signals in such a manner that the sampling timing at which the air flow signal is sampled is interposed between the sampling timings at which successive two of the reference voltage signals are sampled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akitoshi MIZUTANI, Takao Ban
  • Publication number: 20110259118
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: YAMATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ichirou MITSUTAKE
  • Publication number: 20110239777
    Abstract: A highly portable airborne particle and microorganism collection system which includes an air flow control mechanism adapted to control the air flow volume as air is pulled through the system via a vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: H. Johnny Gainey, Jr., Randy Hardee
  • Publication number: 20110231114
    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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Curtis Roys
  • Publication number: 20110217208
    Abstract: A gas nozzle measurement apparatus comprises a controllable gas source to provide across a gas plate having gas nozzles, a flow of gas at a constant pressure or constant flow rate, and a sensor plate sized to cover an area comprising at least a portion of the front face of the gas plate. The sensor plate comprises gas flow sensors arranged in locations that correspond to positions of individual gas nozzles of the gas nozzles of the gas plate such that each gas flow sensor can measure a pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of a gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle that faces the gas flow sensor, and generate a signal indicative of, or display, the pressure, flow rate, density, or velocity of the gas stream passing through the individual gas nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kadthala R. NARENDRNATH, Ashish BHATNAGAR, Daniel L. MARTIN, Robert T. HIRAHARA, Gangadhar SHEELAVANT
  • Patent number: 7992450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the mass flow, in particular of a foaming liquid, comprising a measuring device with two electrodes and at least one electrical means for generation of an electrical parameter and an analytical device. The electrical means is connected to the first electrode at two remote points, such as to be wired in parallel with the first electrode. The second electrode is connected to the first electrode by means of the analytical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Gea Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Publication number: 20110185821
    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, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: FLUONIC INC.
    Inventor: Amir Genosar
  • Publication number: 20110179880
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Iakov Veniaminovitch Kopelevitch
  • Publication number: 20110167924
    Abstract: A cooling water measurement system for a gradient system of an imaging system, such as a magnetic resonance system, is provided. A volume of cooling water flowing through at least one gradient system cooling water tube of the gradient system per unit of time is determined. The gradient system cooling water measurement system includes a voltage measurement system for measuring a Hall voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Ralph Kimmlingen
  • Publication number: 20110167925
    Abstract: Provided is a waterproofing apparatus for an electrical cable end of the invention, in which, for waterproofing of an electrical cable end, the electrical cable end is placed in a high pressure atmosphere such that a liquid waterproofing agent dispensed onto the electrical cable end permeates the inside of a sheathed electrical cable, the apparatus is provided with; a first accommodating section that accommodates the electrical cable end to which a liquid waterproofing agent is applied, a sealing device that seals the first accommodating section, and a pressurizing device that feeds air into the first accommodating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Ooki, Takeaki Sakaki, Daisuke Takeda
  • Patent number: 7975558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring gas flow are provided. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit for gas control may be utilized to verify and/or calibrate gas flows utilized for backside cooling, process gas delivery, purge gas delivery, cleaning agent delivery, carrier gases delivery and remediation gas delivery, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ahmad Lee, Ezra Robert Gold, Chunlei Zhang, James Patrick Cruse, Richard Charles Fovell
  • Publication number: 20110120207
    Abstract: A method for characterizing magnetorheological fluids using a volume flow rate measurement. The volume flow of the magnetorheological fluid through a capillary is initially measured, with a constant weight force being applied onto the magnetorheological fluid. A magnetic field is then applied to the capillary, and the volume flow of the magnetorheological fluid through the capillary is measured with the magnetic field applied, with a second constant weight force being applied onto the magnetorheological fluid. A device for carrying out the method comprises a container for storing a magnetorheological fluid, wherein the container is connected on one side to a capillary through which the magnetorheological fluid can flow, and is closed on a different side by a movable piston, which presses the magnetorheological fluid through the capillary with a constant weight force, and means for generating a magnetic field are provided in the region of the capillary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Claus Gabriel, Peter Schuler, Christoffer Kieburg, Günter Oetter, Martin Laun
  • Publication number: 20110113894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow monitor for monitoring the flow of flowing media, wherein a paddle projecting into the flow transfers the rotating movement of the paddle onto a display device by means of a magnetic gear comprising a plurality of individual magnets corresponding with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Reiner Brill, Kai Haemel, Ulrich Rehnelt, Karsten Viereck
  • Patent number: 7945395
    Abstract: The actual density of liquids is determined with a flexural oscillator that is excited at two different natural vibrations. The presence of air/gas inclusions or other inhomogeneities in a liquid is detected and their influence can be eliminated. In an initial step, the periods of the inherent vibrations and of at least one vibration damping value of the natural vibrations are determined for liquids having different densities ? and viscosities. Liquid densities as well as the difference between them and between the vibration damping values are determined from this. An inclusion-free curve (KB) which reflects the functional dependence F(??) between the relative density differences and the vibration damping differences is calculated and the exact function determined; i.e. the gas/air inclusion-free curve (KB) is expanded by introducing a deviation bandwidth (ab) to form an inclusion-free curve area (KF), which is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: LABOR FUER MESSTECHNIK Dr. Hans Stabinger GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heimel, Ulrike Rakusch, Klaus Ritzmann, Hans Stabinger
  • Publication number: 20110107845
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter comprising an outer casing having flow connections adapted to be connected so that in operation fluid to be measured flows through the casing, and a mechanical flow measuring unit (12) disposed in the casing to measure said flow through the casing, the casing being of plastics material and in at least two parts (30, 32) which are permanently bonded or connected together (at 34, 36) to enclose the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Elster Metering Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy John Gabriel, Martin Philip May
  • Patent number: 7938018
    Abstract: A liquid flow sensing system for sensing the flow of liquid within a supply line (2) of a metering pumping machine, the system including a magnetic member (4) arranged for movement relative to a pneumatic switch (8) operated by the presence or absence of a magnetic field, the magnetic member (4) being contained within a sealed unit (5) located within the supply line (2) and the arrangement being such that, when the liquid flow rate falls below a predetermined level, the magnetic member (4) moves downwardly from a first operative position into a second operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: GSSC, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Roger Harper
  • Publication number: 20110079089
    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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventor: Steven Bruce Rogers
  • Patent number: 7891255
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring volume- or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of a measuring tube axis, includes: a magnet system producing a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to the measuring tube axis; at least one measuring electrode coupled with the medium; a reference component lying at a defined potential, wherein the reference component is connected with a resistance; and a control/evaluation unit, which, on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the at least one measuring electrode, delivers information concerning volume- or mass flow of the medium in the measuring tube. For the purpose of an early recognizing of a malfunction of the measuring apparatus device, or a component of the measuring apparatus device, a measuring device is provided, which makes available information concerning whether electrical current is flowing through the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Thomas Budmiger
  • Patent number: 7886614
    Abstract: A measuring device includes: a measuring transducer accommodated, at least partially, in a housing, for registering at least one, measured variable; and a measuring device electronics electrically connected, at least at times, with the measuring transducer. The measuring device electronics includes at least one measurement channel for registering and further processing at least one primary signal generated by means of the measuring transducer, and an electrical current measuring circuit for registering measuring-device-internally flowing, electrical currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ole Koudal, Christian Matt, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl
  • Publication number: 20110031272
    Abstract: A volume-based, rather than time-based, system for dispensing fluid incorporates a microprocessor-based controller, software, pump, and positive displacement flow meter. The volume being pumped and the time it takes to pump that volume is calculated and tracked by the software, giving a flow rate. This rate is then tracked by the software for any changes. Any conditional changes that occur, affecting this rate, are tracked, and if the rate becomes too excessive outside of the normal rate established at initial calibration, then an alarm or other indication is provided to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: KNIGHT, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Comiskey, Rocklin Verespej, Sven Schmode
  • Publication number: 20110030482
    Abstract: A system for monitoring water quality in a water meter data collection system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological and environmental sensors (S1, S2) disposed in a distribution system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the sensors (S1, S2) generating electrical signals through a network (G) that can be processed and communicated with the water meter data to a collection station (D) from the metering end points (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Richard A. Meeusen, Gregory M. Gomez, Donald J. Faber, Dennis J. Webb, Daniel D. Zandron, Mark Lazar
  • Publication number: 20110000309
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring apparatus comprises a vessel for receiving electrically conductive liquid, and a measuring element for measuring electrically the filled volume of the vessel as a function of time to provide a signal representative of the flow rate of electrically conductive liquid entering the vessel. The measuring element is disposable within the vessel and is configured to regulate the flow of electrically conductive liquid from the first side to the second side of the measuring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
    Inventors: Clive Javan Griffiths, Jennifer Caffarel, Michael Whitaker, Michael James Drinnan
  • Publication number: 20100326202
    Abstract: [Problems] For an apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a powder when a powder is conveyed by using air as a carrier gas, which apparatus measures the flow rate based on the change of capacitance of the powder to be measured, to provide the apparatus that can measure the flow rate of a powder with high accuracy by compensating for the effect of the thermal drift of the capacitance. [Means for Solving Problems] The apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a powder, which apparatus uses capacitance, comprises: a protecting pipe for conveying a powder, a housing pipe having measuring electrodes, and a transducer for outputting an output of the measuring electrode to a display. It further comprises an atmospheric temperature sensor and a carrier-gas-temperature sensor 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Wataru Hisada, Mitsuo Shintani, Manabu Yamaguchi, Yoshiki Aramatsu
  • Patent number: 7810398
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a change of a physical quantity by means of a conductor structure having a processor for applying a defined supply signal to the conductor structure so as to effect a current flow through the conductor structure, the current flow being changeable by the physical quantity, and a detector for detecting a magnetic field caused by the current flow through the conductor structure by means of a magnetoresistive element allocated to the conductor structure, a change of the physical quantity being associated with a change of the detected magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Juergen Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20100251828
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring gas flow are provided. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit for gas control may be utilized to verify and/or calibrate gas flows utilized for backside cooling, process gas delivery, purge gas delivery, cleaning agent delivery, carrier gases delivery and remediation gas delivery, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jared Ahmad Lee, Ezra Robert Gold, Chunlei Zhang, James Patrick Cruse, Richard Charles Fovell
  • Patent number: 7788983
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement is arranged to detect at least one position of a displaceable component in a fluid device, which fluid device comprises a wall enclosing a cavity, in which cavity the component is displaced by pressurized fluid selectively applied to the component. The sensor arrangement includes a magnetic sensor mounted outside the wall and a first sensor element that is connected to the magnetic sensor and extends through the wall and a predetermined distance into the cavity. The magnetic sensor is arranged to detect the position of at least one predetermined second sensor element located on the displaceable component by sensing a change in magnetic flux induced in the first sensor element by the second sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Hansson, Ulf Nyberg
  • Patent number: 7779702
    Abstract: A transmitter for a magnetic flowmeter comprises a current source, memory and a signal processor. The current source energizes the flowmeter, such that the flowmeter generates an induced electromotive force in response to a process flow. The memory stores a flow configuration that describes a flow pipe disturbance in the process flow. The signal processor determines the flow rate as a function of the induced electromagnetic force, and as a further function of the flow configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Bret A. Shanahan
  • Publication number: 20100209893
    Abstract: A method for comprising the steps of performing a swallowing evaluation upon a patent to determine whether the patient suffers from dysphagia; selecting a quantifiable food characteristic that can be objectively measured; preparing multiple foods having different values of unit measure for a quantifiable food characteristic; using a first apparatus for measuring the quantifiable food characteristic of each of the multiple prepared foods; administering to the patient each of the multiple prepared foods having different values for the quantifiable food characteristic; observing the patient's ability to swallow each of the multiple foods having a different value for the quantifiable food characteristic; determining a safe range of values for the quantifiable food characteristic based on the patients ability to swallow each of the multiple foods; prescribing a customized dysphagia diet comprising the safe range of values for the quantifiable food characteristic for designating foods acceptable for consumption by
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Vocatek, Incorporated
    Inventor: Cheryl Lynn Evans
  • Publication number: 20100206043
    Abstract: A smoke evaluation device includes a manifold in fluid communication with a source of smoke, and a first sampling line and a second sampling line in fluid communication with the manifold. The first sampling line and the second sampling line are arranged to convey parallel smoke flows. A first filter station is located in the first sampling line, and is adapted to support a filter paper in fluid communication with the smoke. A first circuit board station is located in the second sampling line, and is adapted to support a circuit board in fluid communication with the smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FACTORY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Archibald Tewarson
  • Patent number: 7757567
    Abstract: A dispensing measuring device. The device correlates the relative proximity between a Hall effect sensor and a magnet. One is held stationary, while the other is movable in response to ordinary actuation which occurs during dispensing. Detection of changes in the proximity are correlated to the amount of material dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Livingston Joyce, Kelly Stewart Teegarden
  • Patent number: 7743670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring gas flow are provided. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit for gas control may be utilized to verify and/or calibrate gas flows utilized for backside cooling, process gas delivery, purge gas delivery, cleaning agent delivery, carrier gases delivery and remediation gas delivery, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ahmed Lee, Ezra Robert Gold, Chunlei Zhang, James Patrick Cruse, Richard Charles Fovell
  • Publication number: 20100148804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining at least one parameter of at least one medium, said medium being introducible into at least one measuring path. An electric and/or electromagnetic field can be partially coupled into or out of the medium by passing at least one electric and/or electromagnetic signal into the measuring path. The measuring path comprises at least one line arrangement having at least two elementary cells arranged along the measuring path, said elementary cells comprising at least one electric path from at least one input to at least one output and comprising at least one respective capacitative element. The electrical properties of the capacitative element can by be modified by the medium. The electric and/or the electromagnetic signal can be applied to the input of a first elementary cell and the output of the first elementary cell can be connected to the input of a second elementary cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DARMSTADT
    Inventors: Rolf Jakoby, Martin Schuessler, Andreas Penirschke, Holger Maune
  • Patent number: 7729871
    Abstract: An airflow detecting apparatus for a fan includes an amplifier circuit (100), a comparator circuit (200), a micro control unit (MCU) (U1), and an indicating circuit (300). The amplifier circuit has an input terminal receiving a voltage signal from a piezoelectric film (H1) disposed at an airflow path of the fan, and outputs an amplified voltage signal at an output terminal. The comparator circuit has an input terminal receiving the amplified voltage signal from the amplifier circuit and compares the amplified voltage signal with a reference voltage signal received at another input terminal of the comparator circuit, and outputs a voltage level signal at an output terminal. The MCU receives the voltage level signal from the comparator circuit and processes it to output an indicating signal. The indicating circuit receives the indicating signal from the MCU and indicates status of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100116065
    Abstract: A flowmeter is provided to have a measuring tube, in or on which a measuring system is arranged. The flowmeter includes pinch seal sleeves which are arranged at both ends of the measuring tube for connecting the measuring tube to a process pipeline. According to an exemplary configuration, the pinch seal sleeves and/or the inner surfaces of the pinch seal sleeves are composed of an electrically insulating material and/or coated with an electrically insulating material. To make the device lighter in enable fast installation, the measuring tube can be made flangeless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Uwe MECKE, Uwe Pohl, Hans-Werner Schwiderski
  • Patent number: 7712381
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement for coupling high frequency electromagnetic waves into or out of a pipe-shaped hollow body includes two patch antenna elements that are located opposite one another and integrated in the pipe inner wall (5) of the hollow body (1), and have curved surfaces fitted to the curved longitudinal pipe inner wall of the hollow body (1). An apparatus for mass flow measurement includes at least two of such antenna arrangements axially spaced apart from one another in a conveyor pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schenck Process GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Allenberg, Andreas Penirschke, Rolf Jakoby
  • Publication number: 20100107775
    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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Gang Yang, Zengxi Lu
  • Publication number: 20100105146
    Abstract: A system for monitoring water quality in a water distribution system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological and environmental sensors (S1, S2) disposed in a distribution system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the sensors (S1, S2) generating electrical signals through a network (G) that can be processed and communicated to a collection station (D) from the metering end points (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Richard A. Meeusen, Gregory M. Gomez, J. Donald Faber, Dennis J. Webb, Daniel d. Zandron, Mark Lazar
  • Patent number: 7698936
    Abstract: Fuel gauges for fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. Each fuel gauge has a property that is readable by an electrical circuit. These properties are related to the remaining fuel in the fuel supplies. These properties include, but are not limited to, electrical capacitance, magnetic, semi-conducting resistance, bi-metal resistance, and oscillating magnetic field. These fuel gauges are functional at any fuel supply orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20100024566
    Abstract: A liquid flow sensing system for sensing the flow of liquid within a supply line (2) of a metering pumping machine, the system including a magnetic member (4) arranged for movement relative to a pneumatic switch (8) operated by the presence or absence of a magnetic field, the magnetic member (4) being contained within a sealed unit (5) located within the supply line (2) and the arrangement being such that, when the liquid flow rate falls below a predetermined level, the magnetic member (4) moves downwardly from a first operative position into a second operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Roger Harper
  • Patent number: 7637169
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter comprises a pipe section, an insulating liner, a flangeless retention collar, a liner protector, a coil and an electromotive force sensor. The insulating liner lines the pipe section to form a process flow channel. The flangeless retention collar is located on an end of the pipe section for forming an end-to-end fluid connection to the process flow channel, and the liner protector is formed on the retention collar to provide an end seal for the insulating liner. The coil produces a magnetic field within the process flow channel, and the electromotive force sensor senses an electromotive force generated in fluid flow through the process flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rosemount, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Allen Shanahan, Nelson Mauricio Morales
  • Publication number: 20090314101
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device and system for determining a flow rate of an excretion stream within an excretion collection assembly. According to some embodiments of the present invention, one of the constituent elements of the collection assembly includes a sensing module which includes an electrical and/or electromechanical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Noam Levine
  • Publication number: 20090288495
    Abstract: A metering system for measuring a flow of petroleum and LPG. In embodiments of the invention, a magnetic drive is used to couple a measuring chamber, such as a known oscillating piston system, to a register or indicator, avoiding leakage and excessive wear due to passing a shaft through the wall of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Actaris Metering Systems
    Inventor: William Rodney Cooper
  • Publication number: 20090277278
    Abstract: A measuring device includes: a measuring transducer accommodated, at least partially, in a housing, for registering at least one, measured variable; and a measuring device electronics electrically connected, at least at times, with the measuring transducer. The measuring device electronics includes at least one measurement channel for registering and further processing at least one primary signal generated by means of the measuring transducer, and an electrical current measuring circuit for registering measuring-device-internally flowing, electrical currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec Ag
    Inventors: Ole Koudal, Christian Matt, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl
  • Patent number: 7614316
    Abstract: A method is provided for probing the effective hydrodynamic flow of a liquid at various positions within a dissolution testing apparatus. The method includes embodiments of an appropriate electrode probe, and methods of generating a signature pattern from the sampled current that may be used to characterise the hydrodynamic flow of the liquid in the apparatus. The signature pattern may be used to validate and qualify the performance of the dissolution apparatus, diagnose problems with dissolution apparatus, predict the initial dissolution rate of a drug, or determine the local flow rate around specific parts of a drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Joel Cheng, Yiu-Chung Lee, Hitoshi Masui, Gabriel Lam
  • Publication number: 20090241686
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a MEMS detector that enables control of a device using human breath are disclosed and may include detecting air flow caused by human breath via a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) detector, which may include deflectable members operable to detect the movement of air. The deflection of the members may be limited via a spacer within the MEMS detector. The amount of deflection may be determined by measuring reflected light signals, piezoelectric signals, capacitance changes, or current generated by the deflection in a magnetic field. Output signals may be generated based on the detected movement. The MEMS detector may include a substrate, a spacer, and the MEMS deflectable members. The substrate may include a ceramic material and/or silicon, and may include embedded devices and interconnects. An integrated circuit may be electrically coupled to the substrate. Air flows may be directed out of the side of the MEMS detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Pierre Bonnat
  • Patent number: 7584657
    Abstract: A flow sensor for determining the flow rate of a fluid therethrough. The flow sensor may include a chamber for the fluid to flow therethrough, a moveable magnet positioned within the chamber, a stationary magnet positioned about the chamber, and one or more sensors positioned about the chamber to determine the position of the moveable magnet therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Gregory Richard Heller, Victor Henry Quittner