Abstract: Disclosed is a method for commissioning a magneto-inductive flow measuring device having means for producing a magnetic field and at least one measuring electrode pair for sensing a potential difference in a medium. The method includes a settling of the means during a settling time for stabilizing the magnetic field. During the settling time a first voltage time function is applied to the means, wherein after the settling time a measuring time begins, wherein during the measuring time a second voltage time function is applied to the means, wherein the settling time is divided into first time intervals, each of which has a duration, wherein the measuring time is divided into second time intervals, each of which has a duration, wherein an average value of all first interval durations is always less than an average value of all second interval durations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring assembly comprising: a metallic measuring tube open on both sides for carrying a medium, wherein the measuring tube has an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, and at least two apertures, wherein the two apertures extend from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface; a dielectric cladding layer, which rests on the inner circumferential surface of the measuring tube; a first microwave antenna, which is arranged in the measuring tube and with which contact can be made through the first aperture; a second microwave antenna which is arranged in the measuring tube and with which contact can be made through the second aperture; wherein the dielectric cladding layer forms a dielectric waveguide, via which microwaves can, at least to some extent, reach from the first microwave antenna to the second microwave antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a magnetoinductive flowmeter as well as to such a flowmeter, wherein a disturbance superimposed on a measurement signal is at least partially compensated for by negative feedback of the disturbance to the measurement signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analog-to-digital conversion of an analog input signal, which is at least essentially continuous and which has a useful signal that is superimposed with at least two interference signals having different frequencies, into a digital output signal, wherein the input signal is sampled in a limited measuring cycle, and wherein the number and points in time of multiple sampling points within the measuring cycle are determined as a function of a frequency of the input signal. It is provided that the sampling points (are determined as a function of the frequencies of the interference signals.

Abstract: A field device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sensor, an analog-digital converter configured to continuously convert detected signals output from the sensor to digital signals, and a calculator configured to convert the digital signals to process values. The calculator starts acquisition of the digital signals output from the analog-digital converter at a first point in time that is delayed by a processing time required for the conversion process of the analog-digital converter from a start point of a timing signal defining a sampling section of the detected signals, and finishes the acquisition of the digital signals output from the analog-digital converter at a second point in time that is delayed by the processing time from an end point of the timing signal.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes an exciter configured to excite fluid which is a measurement target, a state detector configured to detect a state of the fluid excited by the exciter, a driver configured to supply exciting current for driving the exciter, a first current detector that is disposed between the exciter and the driver, the first current detector being configured to detect the exciting current, and a processor configured to diagnose insulation deterioration of the exciter in accordance with a change of a detection result of the first current detector.

Abstract: Method for operating for measuring the flow velocity of a flowing medium using a measuring device in which a magnetic field is induced in the flowing medium and on which a interference voltage is superimposed. During compensation measuring, a first magnetic flux density is generated in the medium and a first measuring voltage determined, a second magnetic flux density is generated in the medium and a second measured voltage determined, and a third magnetic flux density is generated in the medium and a third measured voltage determined. The flow velocity is determined from the first and second magnetic flux densities and measured voltages, and the interference voltage is determined form the third magnetic flux density and measured voltage and the determined flow velocity. Then, a fourth measured voltage is determined, and the flow velocity re-determined from the third magnetic flux density, the fourth measured voltage and the determined interference voltage.

Abstract: To suppress the generation of bubbles of gas dissolved in a fluid, a flow evaluating portion compares a measured flow rate value with a preset reference flow rate value and determines whether a fluid is flowing through a measurement tube. When the flow evaluating portion determines that the fluid is not flowing through the measurement tube, a magnetic excitation controlling portion imposes a limitation so that a magnetic excitation current reduces to an electric current value less than a magnetic excitation current obtained in normal measurement. When the flow evaluating portion determines that the fluid is flowing through the measurement tube, the magnetic excitation controlling portion releases the limitation on the magnetic excitation current.

Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a measuring tube having a measuring section, a magnetic field generating apparatus for generating a magnetic field in the measuring section of the measuring tube, and two electrodes which are located in the measuring section of the measuring tube for detecting the measurement voltage, the magnetic field generating apparatus having magnet coils which are located outside of the measuring section of the measuring tube and have a respective coil core. The cores of the magnet coils with reference to the magnetic flux make contact with two yoke elements via magnetic connection elements in a magnetically highly conductive manner and the yoke elements partially border the measuring section of the measuring tube.

Abstract: A method for determining the starting instant (t0) of a periodically oscillating signal response (E2; E2?), wherein the signal response comprises a first set of half periods (E2a-d; E2?a-d) having a polarity equal to a polarity of the first half period (E2a; E2?a) in the signal response, and a second set of half periods (E2e-h; E2?e-h) having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first half period (E2a; E2?a) in the signal response. The method comprises the steps of: determining a peak half period (E2e; E2?f) as the half period with the highest amplitude in a selected one of the first and second sets; determining a zero-crossing instant (ZC1; ZC?1) of the signal response occurring a known time distance from the peak half period (E2e; E2?f); determining the starting instant (t0) of the signal response (E2; E2?) based on the zero-crossing instant (ZC1; ZC?1) and a relationship between the peak half period (E2e; E2?f) and the starting instant (t0).

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter that prevents fluctuations in the frequency of synchronized pulse signals due to momentary fluctuations of the power source voltage. The comparator of an AC synchronizing circuit that generates pulse signals synchronized to the frequency of a commercial power source is given a hysteresis function in which a first threshold value Vth1 and a second threshold value Vth2 are set up in the comparator. The comparator compares the level of divided AC signals from a dividing circuit with the first threshold value Vth1, and if the level of the divided AC signals exceeds the first threshold value Vth1, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level; and if the level of the divided AC signals falls below the second threshold value Vth2, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “H” level to the “L” level.

Abstract: A method for predictive maintenance for a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device and/or to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a medium flowing through a magneto-inductive flow-measuring device, wherein the magneto-inductive flow-measuring device includes a magnet system, which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to a measuring tube axis; at least two measuring electrodes coupled with the medium, having a defined rest potential and being arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicularly to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium on the basis of measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided and includes at least one sensing device. The at least one sensing device includes a first sensor segment having a first segment polarity and being associated with a first outer portion of the pipe and a second sensor segment having a second segment polarity and being associated with a second outer portion of the pipe, wherein the first sensor segment and the second sensor segment generate sensor data responsive to the fluid flowing within the pipe. The apparatus further includes a processing device communicated with the at least one sensing device, wherein the processing device receives the sensor data and processes the sensor data to determine the at least one characteristic of the fluid.

Abstract: A flow monitoring system includes a pipe for transporting a fluid therethrough. An optical fiber generally spirals about the pipe along a longitudinal portion having a predetermined length to serve as a single transducer for detecting flow information from the longitudinal portion. A linear polarizer/analyzer circuit communicates with the optical fiber. A light source communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit and generates a light signal along the optical fiber at a frequency greater than a period of a disturbance to flow past the predetermined length of the transducer. A reflector is disposed along the optical fiber for reflecting the light signal along the optical fiber. An optical detector communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit. The optical detector determines from the light signal dynamic events along the optical fiber indicative of flow disturbances passing by the transducer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided and includes at least one sensing device. The at least one sensing device includes a first sensor segment having a first segment polarity and being associated with a first outer portion of the pipe and a second sensor segment having a second segment polarity and being associated with a second outer portion of the pipe, wherein the first sensor segment and the second sensor segment generate sensor data responsive to the fluid flowing within the pipe. The apparatus further includes a processing device communicated with the at least one sensing device, wherein the processing device receives the sensor data and processes the sensor data to determine the at least one characteristic of the fluid.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter transmitter includes a flowtube and measurement circuitry which provides an output related to flow through the flowtube. Output circuitry, such as analog and pulse output circuitry, provides transmitter output(s) related to flow through the flowtube. Output verification circuitry of the transmitter is coupled to the output circuitry and provides verification of proper operation of the output circuitry by analyzing the output signals.

Abstract: A method of determining the inter-electrode or electrode-to-ground impedance or the filling state of an electromagnetic flow meter having flow sensing electrodes connected to an electrode signal amplifier, the method comprising applying a test input signal to the flow sensing electrodes via a connection through which an output flow measurement signal of the flow meter is transmitted from the amplifier, in a manner such that the output of the amplifier is indicative of the said impedance or the filling state.

Abstract: The process measuring device comprises a flow sensor having a measuring tube, a sensor arrangement for producing a measurement signal, and an evaluation and operating circuit. The method serves to compensate for the effects of interfering potentials which are caused especially by foreign particles or air bubbles in the liquid to be measured. For this purpose, an anomaly in the waveform of the measurement signal caused at least in part by an electrical, especially pulse-shaped, interfering potential is detected by determining within a stored first data set a data group which digitally represents the anomaly. To generate an interference-free data set, the data belonging to the data group are removed from the stored first data set.

Abstract: The process measuring device includes a flow sensor having a measuring tube, a sensor arrangement for producing a measurement signal, and an evaluation and operating circuit. The method serves to compensate for the effects of interfering potentials which are caused especially by foreign particles or air bubbles in the liquid to be measured. For this purpose, an anomaly in the waveform of the measurement signal caused at least in part by an electrical, especially pulse-shaped, interfering potential is detected by determining within a stored first data set a data group which digitally represents the anomaly. To generate an interference-free data set, the data belonging to the data group are removed from the stored first data set.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter works with insulating liquids, and includes circuitry for handle drifting zero-point offset and triboelectric noise occurring in turbulently flowing dielectrics. Two signal processing schemes are presented—using high frequency induction and low frequency induction, but instead of measuring total voltage, the processor senses total voltage differentials, smooths the differentials, then integrates (sums) them such that the three components of total voltage are articulated—and, importantly, the flow voltage component itself is measured.

Abstract: A previously unidentified problem of clipping in the input stages of flowmeter sensing circuitry has been identified and addressed. A solution is provided by flowmeter sensing circuitry, comprising: first and second inputs for connection to potential sensing electrodes positioned to measure a potential difference across the fluid which potential is representative of flow; differential amplifier means coupled to the first and second inputs for producing an output signal indicative of said potential difference across the fluid as a measure of flow; characterized by at least one voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage of at least one of the first and second inputs relative to a ground reference; and fault detecting means for detecting a potential fault if the voltage is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the uncertainty factor of a measuring process employing a measuring frequency, especially a magnetoinductive flow measuring procedure, whereby for each half-cycle of the measuring frequency at least one measured value is quantified by sampling a measuring signal. According to the method, the deviation of the measured values is determined at the measuring frequency but phase-shifted relative to the measuring frequency, and/or the deviation of the measured values is determined at a minimum of two frequencies differing from the measuring frequency and on the basis of the two deviations at the frequencies differing from the measuring frequency the deviation of the measured values at the measuring frequency is arrived at by interpolation or extrapolation. This permits easy access to the deviation at the measuring frequency, which is of significance as a diagnostic value.

Abstract: A method for testing an electromagnetic flowmeter and a flowmeter are described, the flowmeter having a measuring tube (2) and a coil arrangement (3, 4) for generating a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of flow through the measuring tube (2), the current direction in the coil arrangement being periodically changed. In this connection, it is desirable for simple monitoring to be possible. For that purpose, after changing the current direction, at least one parameter of the current rise is determined and this is compared with a reference value. For this, the flowmeter has a testing device (20, 25) which, after a change-over of the current direction, determines at least one parameter (T) of the rise in the current in the coil arrangement (3, 4, 30) and compares it with a given value.

Abstract: The flowmeter comprises a flow sensor with a flow tube, two electrodes, and two field coils traversed by a first excitation current and a second excitation current, respectively, as well as control and evaluation electronics. The method serves to generate an error signal when the uniform turbulence in the liquid to be measured is disturbed. There are four quarter cycles. During each quarter cycle, a voltage is derived from the electrodes, and from these voltages, a first and a second voltage difference and a quotient using the first and the second voltage differences are formed. The latter is determined during calibration under uniformly turbulent flow conditions, and stored. In operation, values of the quotient are continuously formed and compared with the stored quotient; in case of deviations, an alarm is triggered and/or the volumetric flow rate signal represented by the first voltage difference is corrected.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter works with insulating liquids, and includes circuitry for handle drifting zero-point offset and triboelectric noise occurring in turbulently flowing dielectrics. Two signal processing schemes are presented—using high frequency induction and low frequency induction, but instead of measuring total voltage, the processor senses total voltage differentials, smooths the differentials, then integrates (sums) them such that the three components of total voltage are articulated—and, importantly, the flow voltage component itself is measured.

Abstract: In an AC flowmeter, a method of obtaining phase sensitive measurement is disclosed, which can dramatically reduce the effect of unwanted signals. According to the invention the output of the electromagnetic flowmeter (which flowmeter is arranged to be excited at an excitation frequency selected from a range of possible excitation frequencies) is corrected.

Abstract: The flowmeter comprises a flow sensor with a flow tube, two electrodes, and two field coils traversed by a first excitation current and a second excitation current, respectively, as well as control and evaluation electronics. The method serves to generate an error signal when the uniform turbulence in the liquid to be measured is disturbed. During a first quarter cycle, the excitation currents are equal, have a constant value, and flow in the same direction, a first direction. During a second quarter cycle, the first excitation current has the constant value and flows in the opposite direction, and the second excitation current is less by a constant amount and flows in the first direction. During a third quarter cycle, the excitation currents have the constant value and flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A magneto-inductive flow-measuring method for moving fluids, whereby the field coils generating the magnetic field are energized in gapped fashion and each measuring period includes a positive half-cycle of the magnetic field and a negative half-cycle of the magnetic field. The magneto-inductive flow-measuring method saves energy while at the same time permitting the simple and precise definition of the measuring signal by virtue of the fact that the measuring periods additionally include a section preceding the first half-cycle of the magnetic field and a section following the last half-cycle of the magnetic field, and that the additional signals measured therein are used to quantify an interference signal superposed over the measuring signal and to correct the measuring signal accordingly.

Abstract: A previously unidentified problem of clipping in the input stages of flowmeter sensing circuitry has been identified and addressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for measuring at least one dimension of a conducting volume, in which a measurement sensor (10) is placed in a cavity existing inside an homogeneous conducting or non-conducting body (11), the dimensions and resistivity of this cavity being large compared with the dimensions and resistivity of the volume to be measured, the characteristics of the sensor varying as a function of the immediate volume surrounding it, this medium being a medium with electromagnetic losses. It also relates to a device for embodiment of this process.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter and method of operating the same. There is provided a flow measurement duct, a magnetic circuit including pole pieces for generating a magnetic field in fluid flowing in a direction in the duct across the direction of flow, and an electrical circuit including at least one sensing electrode for measuring a voltage thereby induced in the fluid to provide an output indicative of the flow. The method comprises measuring a series of pairs of outputs of the electrical circuit, each pair of outputs comprising an output when the magnetic field is present and an output when the magnetic field is absent, and determining from the measured series of pairs of outputs whether fluid is present or absent in the duct.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow-rate measurement system for measuring flow-rate values of a fluid is disclosed. Detection units measure the flow-rate values of the fluid. A meter board, which connects to the detection units via a common bus-line, collects the flow-rate values. The detection units include a first communications circuit which is connected between two ends of an exciting coil and server both to transmit flow-rate signals or cumulative flow-rate signals to a meter board in synchronization with an alternating waveform voltage of a common bus-line, and to receive signals from the meter board in synchronization with the alternating waveform voltage. The meter board encompasses a second communications circuit which is connected to the common bus-line and serves both to transmit signals to the plurality of detection units in synchronization with the alternating-current waveform voltage, and to receive signals from the detection units in synchronization with the alternating waveform voltage.

Abstract: The flowmeter comprises a flow sensor with a flow tube, two electrodes, and two field coils traversed by a first excitation current and a second excitation current, respectively, as well as control and evaluation electronics. The method serves to generate an error signal when the uniform turbulence in the liquid to be measured is disturbed. There are four quarter cycles. During each quarter cycle, a voltage is derived from the electrodes, and from these voltages, a first and a second voltage difference and a quotient using the first and the second voltage differences are formed. The latter is determined during calibration under uniformly turbulent flow conditions, and stored. In operation, values of the quotient are continuously formed and compared with the stored quotient; in case of deviations, an alarm is triggered and/or the volumetric flow rate signal represented by the first voltage difference is corrected.