With Detecting Electrodes Patents (Class 73/861.12)
  • Patent number: 11959783
    Abstract: A field device (10) includes a sensor (11) that measures a physical quantity and outputs a measurement signal indicating a measured value, converters (12, 15, 16) that perform a predetermined conversion process on the measurement signal, and a processor (17) that outputs an output signal corresponding to the measurement signal subjected to the conversion process. The processor (17) starts verifying operational soundness of the converters (12, 15, 16) when the measurement signal subjected to the conversion process satisfies a predetermined condition, and outputs, while the operational soundness of the converters (12, 15, 16) is being verified, a signal corresponding to the measurement signal subjected to the conversion process and acquired immediately before the operational soundness of the converters (12, 15, 16) is verified, or a signal corresponding to the measurement signal indicating a predetermined measured value of the sensor (11), as the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yoshida, Shunsuke Ebisumoto
  • Patent number: 11860012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a an electromagnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of fluid flowing in a conduit of the electromagnetic flowmeter, wherein the electromagnetic flowmeter comprises: a coil attached to the conduit and excited by an excitation unit to generate an electromagnetic field to interact with the fluid flowing in the conduit, a shield magnetically coupled with the coil, a pair of electrodes mounted on the conduit for measuring potential difference generated by the interaction of the electromagnetic field in the fluid; and wherein the at least one coil and the at least one shield is provided with an arrangement to displace the at least one of the at least one coil and the at least one shield to adjust the interaction of the electromagnetic field with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Subhashish Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 11860013
    Abstract: A magnetically inductive flowmeter for determining flow velocity and/or volume flow of a medium includes a measuring tube for conveying the medium, a magnetic field generating device and at least one electrode assembly, which is installed in the measuring tube in such a manner that it forms a galvanic contact with the medium, wherein the electrode assembly has an electrode body, wherein the electrode body is stylus shaped and has a front end surface, wherein a pressure measuring transducer is coupled with the electrode body, and wherein the pressure measuring transducer is contactable with the pressure acting on the front end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Heinz Rufer, Frank Voigt, Steffen Ziegler
  • Patent number: 11860011
    Abstract: A magnetic insertion meter is disclosed herein. Disclosed insertion meters include in some examples, a sensor head tube cylinder having a textured front surface and at least two electrodes. Disclosed insertion meters include a textured front surface adapted to move the separation point of a fluid flowing over the sensor head tube towards the upstream surface as compared to the same sensor head tube without the textured front surface. Methods of measuring flow are also disclosed herein using example magnetic insertion meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ONICON INC.
    Inventors: William S. Valentine, Michael Upham, Kevin Holler, Adam Sheppard
  • Patent number: 11841252
    Abstract: A method for determining conductivity of a medium includes: generating a signal with first and second frequencies; feeding the signal to first and second electrodes; determining a first voltage between the first and second electrodes, a first current through the medium for the first frequency, and a first impedance from the first voltage and first current; determining a second voltage between the first and second electrodes, a second current through the medium for the second frequency, and a second impedance from the second voltage and second current; determining and comparing phases of the first and second impedances; determining a medium resistance with a first formula when the first impedance phase is smaller than the second impedance phase; determining a medium resistance with a second formula when the first impedance phase is equal to or greater than the second impedance phase; and determining conductivity of the medium using the medium resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Helmut Brockhaus, Markus Dabrowski
  • Patent number: 11781696
    Abstract: A tube adapter for a pipeline for conveying a medium includes a pipeline section having a tubular, first channel for inserting the pipeline section into the pipeline, and a tubular, second channel, which is arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first channel and connected with the first channel. In a transition region between a wall of the first and a wall of the second channel, at least one hollow is present in a wall of the first and/or second channel. The present disclosure further includes an arrangement having a measuring device and a tube adapter according to the present disclosure as well as to a method for producing a tube adapter according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11781891
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter includes a measuring tube for conveying a medium, a magnetic field generating coil and at least two measuring electrodes for sensing a measurement voltage inductively generated in the medium, including a conductive coating internally selectively applied in the measuring tube for forming a galvanic contacting of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Simon Mariager, Simon Triebenbacher, Michael Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11747179
    Abstract: A magnetically inductive flow meter having a measuring tube with a wall, which includes an electrically insulating surface of a first material, and an electrode having an electrode axis, wherein the electrode has at least one electrode end surface for tapping off a measuring signal, in particular a measuring voltage, in a measuring medium, and has an electrode shank extending through the measuring tube wall, wherein the electrode has a stop projecting from the electrode shank with a stop surface to limit the displaceability of the electrode relative to the wall along the electrode axis, wherein the electrode has an electrically insulating coating in a region of the electrode shank and in a region of the stop surface, wherein the material of the electrically insulating coating has a Shore hardness which is equal to or lower than that of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Florent Tschambser
  • Patent number: 11693037
    Abstract: A method employs an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry an electromagnetic field measurement system to overcome environmental obstacles in measuring environmental electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field measurement system senses the electromagnetic field of a spatial position in the environment to generate a sensing signal, then processes the sensing signal to remove the high-frequency electromagnetic interference generated by the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle itself from the sensing signal, and converts the processed sensing signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is processed to extract at least one wave according to a fundamental frequency and a harmonic order, thereby removing the low-frequency electromagnetic interference from the digital signal. The extracted wave is employed in calculating an environmental electromagnetic field value of the spatial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Che-Peng Chao, Li-Lu Ko, Kun-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 11680834
    Abstract: A detection device for a liquid-conducting appliance includes a hydraulic body (2) defining a duct (3) for a flow of a liquid, and a flow sensor on the hydraulic body (2), which includes an electromagnetic arrangement and a detection arrangement. The detection arrangement includes two electrode units (20) for detecting a potential difference induced by the flow of the liquid through an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic arrangement. The hydraulic body (2) has two through openings on two opposite sides (3a, 3b) of the duct (3), inserted in each of which is a corresponding electrode unit (20), in such a way that the electrode units (20) are opposed to one another and in contact with the liquid. The device (1) includes sealing elements at each through opening, for preventing leakage of the liquid from the duct (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ELTEK S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Savini, Daniele Cerruti, Roberto Grappiolo, Marco Pizzi
  • Patent number: 11543272
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for measuring a flow of a fluid using a magnetic flow sensor, including: introducing a magnetic flow sensor into a fluid, wherein the fluid has a flow path, wherein the magnetic flow sensor comprises a coil and metallic field disrupter; positioning the magnetic flow sensor such that a distal end of the magnetic flow sensor is parallel with the flow path of the fluid; and measuring a flow of the fluid by measuring a voltage received from the magnetic flow sensor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MCCROMETER, INC.
    Inventors: David Christian Wick, Matt Holmes, Javier Tornero-Guerrero, James Takao Prince
  • Patent number: 11509292
    Abstract: A method for identifying a mechanical impedance of an electromagnetic load may include generating a waveform signal for driving an electromagnetic load and, during driving of the electromagnetic load by the waveform signal or a signal derived therefrom, receiving a current signal representative of a current associated with the electromagnetic load and a back electromotive force signal representative of a back electromotive force associated with the electromagnetic load. The method may also include implementing an adaptive filter to identify parameters of the mechanical impedance of the electromagnetic load, wherein an input of a coefficient control for adapting coefficients of the adaptive filter is a first signal derived from the back electromotive force signal and a target of the coefficient control for adapting coefficients of the adaptive filter is a second signal derived from the current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Marchais, Pablo Peso Parada, Eric Lindemann
  • Patent number: 11493372
    Abstract: An electromagnetic measuring device includes a hydraulic body defining a duct for a flow of a liquid, and a flow sensor on the hydraulic body that includes an electromagnetic arrangement for generating an electromagnetic field through the duct in a direction transverse to the flow of the liquid, and detection arrangement including two electrical detection elements for detecting a potential difference induced by the flow of the liquid through the electromagnetic field. The detection elements are associated to one and the same face of a substrate, which extends on the outside of the duct in a position corresponding to a first side of the duct. The first side of the duct has two through openings, each of which is in a position corresponding to a respective electrical detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ELTEK S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Savini, Daniele Cerruti, Roberto Grappiolo
  • Patent number: 11493373
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for operating an electromagnetic flowmeter capable of being mounted on to a surface of a flow pipe for measuring a flow of fluid flowing in the flow pipe. The method comprising: exciting the coil to have electromagnetic interaction with the fluid in the flow pipe resulting in leakage current; providing a current to compensate for the resulting leakage current in the flow pipe by applying a potential difference to electrodes that are attached to a housing of the electromagnetic flowmeter and in contact with the flow pipe; detecting a condition wherein the resulting current flowing is within a threshold range; and determining a measure of flow in the flow pipe based on a value of the applied potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Subhashish Dasgupta, Vinay Kariwala
  • Patent number: 11467013
    Abstract: Methods of inserting a sensor assembly into a flow pipe are disclosed. The methods may include fastening a preload nut into a hot tap housing, applying force to at least one handle connected to a stem to insert the sensor assembly into the flow pipe, and fastening a collar onto the stem. In one example, the collar is between the preload nut and the hot tap housing. And, in one example, the methods may include tightening the preload nut into the hot tap housing until the preload nut bottoms out at a hard stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Onicon Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Ball, Adam Tyler, Kevin Holler, Darral Ying, David Gagliardo, Michael Upham, Adam Sheppard
  • Patent number: 11445860
    Abstract: A household appliance includes the food preparation container, into which an ingredient for food preparation can be fed by the user. The household appliance includes at least one sensor for determining a feeding quantity of an ingredient as the ingredient is being fed into the food preparation container. A control device of the household appliance is configured to determine the feeding quantity based on a sensor signal of the at least one sensor such that a user can prepare particularly reliably and reproducibly a food that requires a uniform feed of an ingredient for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Roman Ortmann, Gerhard Isenberg, Sarah Thutewohl, Samuel Möller
  • Patent number: 11378429
    Abstract: A magnetic insertion meter is disclosed herein. Disclosed insertion meters include in some examples, a sensor head tube cylinder having a textured front surface and at least two electrodes. Disclosed insertion meters include a textured front surface adapted to move the separation point of a fluid flowing over the sensor head tube towards the upstream surface as compared to the same sensor head tube without the textured front surface. Methods of measuring flow are also disclosed herein using example magnetic insertion meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ONICON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William S. Valentine, Michael Upham, Kevin Holler, Adam Sheppard
  • Patent number: 11365994
    Abstract: A flow tube liner for a flow tube assembly of a magnetic flowmeter includes a cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall includes an electrically insulative interior layer and a metallic exterior layer. The exterior layer is bonded to an exterior surface of the interior layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Keltgen, Brian Scott Junk, Michael Jeffrey Mikolichek
  • Patent number: 11365995
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter assembly is provided having a tubular body, having opposing open ends and defining a fluid flow path therebetween along a longitudinal axis (Ax). A pair of coil assemblies is coupled to the tubular body in an intermediate region thereof supported by an adjustable brace. A pair of measuring electrodes is attached to the tubular body in electrical communication with the fluid with the flow path and aligned along an axis (Ay) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (Ax) and orthogonal to the axis (Az). Auxiliary electrodes are disposed upstream and downstream of the pair of measuring electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Signet LLC
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Paxton Gross, Calin Ciobanu, Kevin Franks
  • Patent number: 11333538
    Abstract: An example system is configured for determining properties of a fluid in a conduit. The system includes a mass flow meter including a hollow conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and a wall. The conduit is for conducting the fluid. The system includes a driver coupled to the conduit. The driver is configured for inducing an oscillation in the conduit. The system includes two or more accelerometers coupled to the conduit. The two or more accelerometers are configured for measuring displacement of the conduit. The system includes an electrical permittivity sensor coupled to the conduit. The electrical permittivity sensor is configured for measuring electrical permittivity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Muhammad Arsalan
  • Patent number: 11330350
    Abstract: A field device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of types of sensors, at least one converter configured to acquire measured results of the plurality of types of sensors and to convert the measured results into measured information, the measured information being a physical quantity, and an information providing device configured to acquire and store the measured information from the at least one converter and to provide the stored measured information to an outside of the field device in a case that a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Arai, Yusaku Yoshida, Shuichi Sato, Ikuhiko Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11313888
    Abstract: Techniques for hot socket detection are disclosed. In an example, a meter includes a current transformer with a secondary bifilar winding. The meter is in proximity to a current coil. The secondary bifilar winding includes a first bifilar winding and a second bifilar winding. A start lead of the first bifilar winding is connected to a start lead of the second bifilar winding. The meter further includes a voltage source configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal. The DC voltage signal is provided to a finish lead of the first bifilar winding. A first sense resistor is connected between a finish lead of the second bifilar winding and ground. A processing circuit receives a signal indicating a voltage across the first sense resistor and determines a temperature associated with the current coil. The processing circuit is further configured to detect a hot socket condition based on the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kraus, Frank J. Boudreau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11289221
    Abstract: A detection apparatus is a flow and temperature measuring device in the form of a tube having a channel positioned parallel to a coolant flow stream and contains a drogue that is firmly attached to a mount within the channel. The mount has a load detection apparatus firmly imbedded near the flow inlet to the tube. The drogue has at least neutral buoyancy in the fluid at the minimum fluid temperature of interest. A change in the buoyancy of the drogue as a function of temperature and a corresponding change in the strain detection apparatus output in the fluid is determined by a combination of simple physics and calibration measurements. The relationship between changes in strain detection apparatus signal output and flow-rate-induced forces applied to the drogue surface are also determined using a combination of simple physics and calibration measurements. A system and method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Heibel
  • Patent number: 11280647
    Abstract: A magnetically-inductive flow-measuring device, with a measuring tube for guiding an electrically-conductive medium, with a coil for generating a magnetic field that at least partially runs through the measuring tube and with a magnetic circuit device for guiding the magnetic field outside of the measuring tube, the magnetic circuit device has at least one coil core, a first yoke element, a second yoke element, a first pole piece and a second pole piece, the coil core is arranged inside the coil and the measuring tube is arranged between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. To provide a magnetically-inductive flow-measuring device with a magnetic circuit device, the magnetic circuit device is made from an at least partially bent sheet element or from multiple at least partially bent sheet elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KROHNE AG
    Inventor: Joseph Neven
  • Patent number: 11150118
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, Patrick M. Murphy, William M. McDowell
  • Patent number: 11125710
    Abstract: A sensor includes electrodes and two enclosure portions. The electrodes have a shape to match an outer periphery of a non-metallic parent pipe. The two enclosure portions are connected by a hinge to facilitate positioning around the outer periphery of the non-metallic parent pipe. A first portion of the two enclosure portions includes a cutout electrode for surrounding a cutout space. The cutout electrode is tied to a ground to shield against signals from the cutout space. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the presence or absence of a pipe inserted within an inner periphery of the non-metallic parent pipe based on a capacitance measurement and a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Atlas Sensors, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Patent number: 11092469
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetically inductive flow measuring device comprising: a measuring tube; a magnet system having a coil system, wherein the magnet system has a coil holder that holds the coil system; a pair of measuring electrodes; a field guide-back that passes around the measuring tube and comprises a first part and an equal second part each with a first planar end, a second planar end and a central region, wherein the first part and second part are adapted to be brought together via their ends, wherein each of the first ends and the second ends has an engagement opening and an engagement means, wherein the engagement means of each end is adapted upon bringing together of the equal parts to engage in an engagement opening of an end of the other equal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Beat Tschudin
  • Patent number: 11060893
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes at least one coil configured to generate a magnetic field within a process fluid flow. A pair of electrodes is configured to detect an electromotive force within the process fluid flow in response to the magnetic field. Coil drive circuitry is coupled to the at least one coil and is configured to cause the at least one coil to generate the magnetic field. Measurement circuitry is operably coupled to the pair of electrodes and configured to provide an indication of the detected electromotive force. A processor is coupled to the measurement circuitry and the coil drive circuitry. The processor is configured to cause the coil drive circuitry to operate at one of a plurality of coil drive frequencies. The processor is also configured to obtain a plurality of measurement samples while process fluid is flowing and while the coil drive circuitry is operating at a first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion Inc.
    Inventors: Scot R. Foss, Andrew T. Kline
  • Patent number: 11009423
    Abstract: A leak detection system configured to be attached on an exterior of a conduit to detect a leak in a non-pressurized conduit. The leak detection system includes a first fluid section and a second fluid section that each includes the same or similar fluid volumes. The first fluid section includes a testing chamber configured be attached to the conduit. With the testing chamber positioned on the conduit, a pressure sensor connected to each of the first and second fluid sections senses a difference in the fluid pressure between the first and second fluid sections to detect a leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kane Mordaunt, Mark Douglas Fuller, David Keith Farnsworth, Andrew Perry Newton
  • Patent number: 11002578
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flow measuring device includes measuring electrodes, each having an end face including a planar annular edge region surrounding a center region, each annular edge region configured to seat against a sealing surface of an inner mold such that the center region of the end face does not contact the inner mold during the injection molding of a measuring tube body. A method for manufacturing the magnetic-inductive flow measuring device includes steps of providing and positioning an inner mold, an outer mold and two measuring electrodes, where each annular edge region of each measuring electrode seats against its corresponding sealing surface of the inner mold such that the center region of the measuring electrode protrudes into the corresponding recess of the inner mold without contacting the inner mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Beat Tschudin
  • Patent number: 10996087
    Abstract: A liquid-contact portion exposed into a measurement tube is provided, and a main body portion formed by covering a base material with a conductor is provided. A terminal portion electrically connected to the conductor is provided. The main body portion includes a small diameter portion having a cylindrical shape and being inserted at one end thereof into an electrode insertion hole of the measurement tube, and the one end corresponds to the liquid-contact portion; and a large diameter portion having a disc shape extending outward from the other end of the small diameter portion in a radial direction. The large diameter portion includes an annular groove opened toward inside a measurement, tube, and cutaway's extending outward from the annular groove in the radial direction and opening to an outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kimura, Kazuko Okuhata
  • Patent number: 10969260
    Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic flowmeters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic flowmeter specifically designed for the hydraulic fracturing industry that is capable of withstanding a variety of corrosive slurries, acids, bases, and solvents including a liner including partially stabilized magnesium zirconia (MgPSZ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: THOMPSON EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd C. Thompson, Thomas Meacham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10962396
    Abstract: A brace bar (140, 140?, 140a, 140a?) configured to be removably attachable to vibratory conduits (130a, 130b) of a flowmeter (5) is provided. The attachment comprises a mechanical attachment, wherein the brace bar (140, 140?, 140a, 140a?) is movable about the vibratory conduits (130a, 130b). A component (14, 14a, 16, 16?, 16a, 16a?) of the flowmeter (5) sensor assembly (10) that is removably attachable to vibratory conduits (130a, 130b) is also provided. The attachment comprises a mechanical attachment, comprising: a coil portion (164, 170) and a magnet portion (165, 171), wherein the component (14, 14a, 16, 16?, 16a, 16a?) is movable about the vibratory conduits (130a, 130b). The brace bar is repositionable, such that heat stress is minimized, while repair and tuning of the sensor assembly is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David Skinkle
  • Patent number: 10914792
    Abstract: A linearity compensation circuit is disclosed for improving the linearity of a sensing signal. The linearity compensation circuit may include a compensator that is capable of receiving a sensing signal from a sensor and generating a compensation signal based on the sensing signal. The linearity compensation circuit may also include an output circuit that is capable of combining the compensation signal and the sensing signal to generate a compensated signal that exhibits an improved linearity. Also disclosed is a sensing apparatus which includes a sensor and the linearity compensation circuit. The sensing apparatus may thus be able to generate a sensing signal that is linear over a wider dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ACEINNA TRANSDUCER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Leyue Jiang, Alexander Dribinsky, Bin Liu, Weize Xu
  • Patent number: 10823594
    Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow measuring device is disclosed that includes a measuring tube with a measuring tube axis and two measuring electrodes arranged diametrally opposite one another on the measuring tube and from which a signal is tapped for ascertaining a flow. The flow measuring device includes four other electrodes in pairs arranged diametrally opposite one another on the measuring tube, forming second and third electrode axes that intersect the measuring tube axis, where the two electrode axes are arranged offset from a parallel projection of the first electrode axis onto the second cross-sectional plane by a clockwise or counterclockwise angular measure. The flow measuring device further includes an evaluation unit for detecting a flow profile based on measurement signals tapped from the electrodes of the two electrode axes. A further aspect of the disclosure includes a method for compensating a flow profile related measurement error in a flow measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventor: Thomas Budmiger
  • Patent number: 10746577
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes flowmeter electronics and a flowtube configured to receive process fluid flow. The flowtube has a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate an inner diameter to contact process fluid. At least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the flowtube and is configured to couple ultrasonic energy to the process fluid proximate at least one electrode. Flowmeter electronics are coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the at least one ultrasonic transducer and are configured to detect at least partial electrode coating or buildup and responsively generate a cleaning cycle within the flowtube using the at least one ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Xiaochun Shi
  • Patent number: 10739172
    Abstract: A measuring device has a measuring tube to be traversed by a medium in a throughflow direction as well as a magneto-inductive measuring device and an acoustic measuring device, which each are arranged on the measuring tube. The magneto-inductive measuring device comprises at least one coil that generates a magnetic field extending through the interior of the measuring tube as well as two electrodes arranged on the measuring tube, which can pick up a measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: BUERKERT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Dieter Binz, Hendrik Faustmann, Yves Hoog
  • Patent number: 10712185
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter and method in which a control circuit and/or evaluation circuit is designed/operated in such a manner that a measuring voltage tapped or tappable by measuring electrodes for flow measurement are evaluated only during a flow measuring time that is less than half the duration of the period of generation of the magnetic field and that the control circuit is designed/operated in such a manner that the measuring electrodes are impinged with conductivity measuring signals only during a conductivity measuring time that lies outside the flow measuring time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Brockhaus, Wilhelm Florin
  • Patent number: 10670435
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a measuring tube and at least one measuring electrode has at least one opening in its circumferential wall, at least a electrode head of the at least one measuring electrode being arranged in the at least one opening. At least one coil pair has first and second coils that are arranged offset to one another on the circumferential wall of the measuring tube in the axial direction of the measuring tube. The first and second coils are arranged at least partially overlapping to one another in a top view of a cross section through the measuring tube. The at least one measuring electrode is arranged in a peripheral area of the circumferential wall of the measuring tube that is located between the first and the second coil of the at last one coil pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Abrolat, Thomas Musch
  • Patent number: 10670437
    Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter for measuring the flow of a conductive medium having a measuring tube, a magnetic field generator, a magnetic circuit device for guiding the measuring magnetic field, electrodes for detecting a flow-dependent electrical measuring voltage when the conductive medium flows through the measuring tube, and an electronic control and evaluation unit, and a method for operating the magnetic-inductive flowmeter. To make the magnetic-inductive flowmeter which smaller and cheaper, a sensor for detecting a physical disturbance variable acting on the magnetic circuit device is arranged on the magnetic circuit device, wherein the measuring magnetic field is influenced by the physical disturbance variable and wherein the control and evaluation unit is designed such that it detects and signals an exceeding or falling below of a pre-definable limit value of the physical disturbance variable and/or performs a correction of the effect of the physical disturbance variable on the flow measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Brockhaus, Wilhelm Florin
  • Patent number: 10655996
    Abstract: Method of determining a velocity profile of a fluid flowing through a conduit, the method including applying a saturation pulse on spins of magnetic field-sensitive nuclei in the fluid, measuring a signal of the fluid to determine position of the magnetic field-sensitive nuclei, the measurement carried out at a recovery time ‘TR’ and at a distance ‘d’ within the conduit, determining within the conduit a radial distance ‘r’ characterized by a local minimum in the measured signal, wherein the radial distance ‘r’ is measured from the center of the conduit, and determining a velocity profile of the fluid at the radial distance, based on the magnetic field-sensitive nuclei.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Bendel, Boaz Shapira
  • Patent number: 10620024
    Abstract: A measuring tube for a magneto-inductive flow measuring device, comprising a support tube and a liner arranged in the support tube wherein the support tube has on its inner surface a surface structure, which prevents a rotary movement of the liner in the measuring tube, and a magneto-inductive flow measuring device with such a measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Frank Voigt
  • Patent number: 10620025
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flow conduit insert (FCI) for a flow conduit (CON) of an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM), the ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) being arranged to measure a flow of a liquid passing through the flow conduit (CON) by means of an ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for being inserted into the inner space of the flow conduit (CON), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted for accommodating the entire path (PTH) in the flow conduit (CON) of the ultrasound signal, the flow conduit insert (FCI) having a first end (1EN) and a second opposite (2EN) end and an inner flow channel (CUN), said first and second ends (1EN, 2EN) being connected by the flow channel (CUN), the flow conduit insert (FCI) being adapted such that the flow of liquid passes through the flow channel (CUN), wherein the flow conduit insert (FCI) comprises a first and a second part (IPA, 2PA) forming the flow channel (CUN), said first and second parts (IPA, 2PA) each extending from said first end (1EN) to said s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: APATOR MIITORS APS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Pol Martinez Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10551229
    Abstract: A preamplifier substrate on which a preamplifier is mounted, the preamplifier being configured to amplify electromotive forces detected by a pair of surface electrodes, is disposed outside a flux region where a magnetic flux is produced, and the preamplifier substrate extends in a direction intersecting a measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Momose, Hiroyuki Inagaki, Kouichi Mamada, Yoshio Yamazaki, Takumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10551228
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus for measuring flow of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube of metal using the magneto-inductive principle, comprising the method steps as follows: securing first and second collars of metal externally on the measuring tube with an orientation perpendicular to the tube axis of the measuring tube; lining the measuring tube internally with an electrically non-conductive, elastic liner; and altering a measuring section of the measuring tube located at least partially between the first collar and the second collar by means of cold deformation in such a manner that the cross sectional area of the measuring section is reduced compared with the cross sectional area of an inflow section of the measuring tube located upstream from the measuring section and an outflow section of the measuring tube located downstream from the measuring section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEX AG
    Inventors: Florent Tschambser, Lars Dreher, Thomas Sulzer
  • Patent number: 10508940
    Abstract: A measuring device with a fluid module is proposed, which comprises a measuring tube through which a fluid can flow and at least one acoustic measuring unit. The at least one acoustic measuring unit comprises at least one transmitter, at least one receiver as well as at least one waveguide. The measuring tube has at least one measuring section with a substantially angular internal cross section and at least one connecting section with a non-angular internal cross section, wherein the measuring tube has at least one transition section, which extends between the measuring section and the connecting section. The transition section has an internal cross section identical to the internal cross section of the measuring section at an end allocated to the measuring section and further an internal cross section identical to the internal cross section of the connecting section at an end allocated to the connecting section. Furthermore, a fluidic system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG, BURKERT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Hendrik Faustmann, Yannick Fuchs, Yves Hoog, Franziska Maier, Michael Tischmacher
  • Patent number: 10502599
    Abstract: A polymeric flow tube assembly is provided. The flow tube assembly includes a flow conduit configured to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first coil is mounted with respect to the flow conduit and disposed about a first magnetic pole member. A second coil is mounted with respect to the flow conduit and is disposed about a second magnetic pole member. The second magnetic pole member is configured to cooperate with the first magnetic pole member to generate an electromagnetic field across a flow measurement aperture. First and second electrodes are positioned within the flow tube assembly to measure an electromotive force generated within a fluid in the flow measurement aperture. At least one of the first magnetic pole member, second magnetic pole member, first electrode and second electrode is formed, at least in part, of a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven B. Rogers, Michael J. Mayer, Bruce D. Rovner, Michael J. Mikolichek, Erik D. Anderson, Nicholas W. Bond, Chad T. Weigelt
  • Patent number: 10502600
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter includes a measuring tube, first and second printed circuit boards fixed to the measuring tube, a housing accommodating the measuring tube and the first and second printed circuit boards and supporting the first and second printed circuit boards, joints made of an electrically conductive material and fixed to the housing, each joint having a cylindrical portion that forms a fluid passage in cooperation with the measuring tube, and connecting components each sandwiched by a corresponding one of the first and second printed circuit boards and a corresponding one of the cylindrical portions. Each connecting component is configured to elastically deform to reduce a distance between one end and the other end of the connecting component. Each connecting component electrically connects a corresponding one of the cylindrical portions to a shield pattern (electrically conductive portion) of a corresponding one of the first and second printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Inagaki, Osamu Momose
  • Patent number: 10480970
    Abstract: An interface circuit to an electromagnetic flow sensor is described. In an example, it can provide a DC coupled signal path from the electromagnetic flow sensor to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit. Examples with differential and pseudo-differential signal paths are described. Examples providing DC offset or low frequency noise compensation or cancellation are described. High input impedance examples are described. Coil excitation circuits are described, such as can provide on-chip inductive isolation between signal inputs and signal outputs. A switched mode power supply can be used to actively manage a bias voltage of an H-Bridge, such as to boost the current provided by the H-Bridge to the sensor coil during select time periods, such as during phase shift time periods of the coil, which can help reduce or minimize transient noise during such time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global
    Inventor: Ke Li
  • Patent number: 10473498
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter comprises a magnetic excitation coil, first and second electrodes which are disposed opposite to each other on an outer peripheral surface of a measurement tube, an amplifying circuit that amplifies an electromotive force generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, a flow rate calculation portion that calculates a flow rate of the fluid, a third electrode formed on the outer peripheral surface of the measurement tube separated from the first electrode and the second electrode, a fourth electrode which is in contact with the fluid, a resistor in which one end is connected to the third electrode, a voltage detecting portion that measures voltages of a signal generated in the third electrode by inputting an AC signal to the other end of the resistor, and an electrical conductivity calculating portion that calculates electrical conductivity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Momose