Transmitted Along Single Path Patents (Class 73/861.28)
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Publication number: 20110271770Abstract: A measuring tube, a measuring system and a method for determining and/or monitoring flow through a measuring tube, comprising a measuring tube, on which ultrasonic transducers are releasably placeable. The ultrasonic transducers transmit and/or receive ultrasonic signals, which pass through the measuring tube approximately coaxially to the measuring tube axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Achim Wiest, Vivek Kumar
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Patent number: 8047082Abstract: A device is provided for determining a mass flow of a first gas flowing in a flowing channel of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The device includes: sound transducers arranged at respective ends of a measuring path for providing sound signals, a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of an overall mass flowing in the flow channel, and an evaluation unit arranged downstream of the sound transducers. The evaluation unit is capable of carrying out the following: determining a flow rate of the overall mass and a speed of sound based on delay times of the sound signals, determining an overall mass flow based on the flow rate, the temperature, and a pressure of the overall mass in the flowing channel, ascertaining a proportion of a second gas flowing in the flow channel at a temperature above 10° C. and based on the speed of sound and the temperature, and correcting the overall mass flow to obtain the mass flow of the first gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Rudolf Bierl, Martin Lesser, Andreas Meyer, Frank Steuber
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Publication number: 20110239781Abstract: A system for measuring flow parameters in a drain pipe which may be partially or completely filled. The system comprises wide band pulsed ultrasonic echo ranging sensor disposed in a lower portion of a pipe with a beam directed generally upward at a predetermined inclined angle. Echo information may be processed to determine contiguous particle traces from the same respective particles in a range vs. time format. Particle velocity may be determined based on trace slope or arc. Average particle velocity from a measurement subset of flow may be used to determine a subset average flow rate, which is then related to total flow rate and total flow average velocity based on one or more models. One embodiment may reflect the beam from the surface of the water to extend coverage near the bottom of the pipe and may avoid an exclusion zone at the bottom of the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventor: Alan Petroff
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Publication number: 20110239780Abstract: A coupling element for an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, wherein the coupling element has a pedestal with a bearing surface, on which bearing surface a piezoelement is applied. The pedestal is an integral component of the coupling element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Andreas Berger, Quirin Muller, Achim Wiest
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Publication number: 20110226063Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an ultrasonic sensor having a transmitter operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the first pipe wall, the fluid flow disposed within the pipe, and the second pipe wall, and a receiver operable to receive the transmitted signal after the signal has passed through the pipe walls and fluid flow; b) disposing the transmitter adjacent the first wall and the receiver adjacent the second wall; c) disposing at least one acoustic member between at least one of the transmitter and the first wall, and the receiver and the second wall, which acoustic member has acoustic properties such that the combined respective member and pipe wall have half wave resonant frequencies that substantially match the half wave resonant frequencies of the opposite wall, or opposite wall and respective member; and d) sensing the fluid flow through the pipe walls and structure using the ultrasonic sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: EXPRO METERS, INC.Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, ChangJiu Dang
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Publication number: 20110226068Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus (10) for measuring the flow velocity of a fluid is provided which flows in a pipeline in a main flow direction, wherein the ultrasonic measurement apparatus (10) has an ultrasonic measurement zone (36) with at least a pair of ultrasonic transducers (38), an evaluation unit for determining the flow velocity from a propagation time difference of ultrasound transmitted and received with and against the flow, as well as a deflection unit, by means of which the fluid from the main flow direction is deflectable and suppliable to the ultrasonic measurement zone (36). In this respect the deflection unit (20, 26, 32) forms a loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: SICK ENGINEERING GMBHInventors: Toralf DIETZ, Gerry SCHRÖTER, Andreas GURR
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Patent number: 7987731Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic flowmeter comprising an oscillator and an oscillation start unit for accelerating oscillation of the oscillator. The oscillation start unit accelerates the oscillation of the oscillator so that pulses from the oscillator will become stable in a shorter time period. The accuracy of flow rate measurement is improved. Electric power can be saved where the flow rate is measured repeatedly at intervals.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Daisuke Bessyo, Fumikazu Shiba, Koichi Takemura
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Patent number: 7975559Abstract: A damping device for a fluid flow meter is provided. The fluid flow meter is mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a wall in a direction substantially normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe. The transmitted signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at one or more frequencies. The damping device includes a tuned body attachable to the pipe wall at one or more contact points. The body has one or more resonant structural modes, each with a natural frequency, which natural frequencies are closely matched to the one or more frequencies of the secondary signals. The body is operable to dissipate energy upon excitation by the secondary signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Patent number: 7966893Abstract: A method comprises, without ceasing flow of fluid through a flow meter, transmitting an ultrasonic signal of a first frequency through the fluid, adjusting the first frequency to a second frequency, and transmitting another ultrasonic signal of the second frequency through the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventor: Henry C. Straub, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110146414Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe includes an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves. The transducer includes a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Donald R. Augenstein, Bobbie W. Griffith
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Patent number: 7963177Abstract: A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Patent number: 7963176Abstract: An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, especially a clamp-on type, is mounted on a line through which medium flows with at least one ultrasonic transducer and a guide frame for guiding and holding the ultrasonic transducer. A fixing mechanism allows the ultrasonic transducer to be moved onto the line or away from the line and also allows it to be axially moved and fixed on the guide frame or unclamped from it. The ultrasonic flow rate measuring device is able to be easily unclamped for maintenance and repair purposes and then re-attachable to the line in the original configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Krohne AGInventors: Jan Pors, Jeroen v. d. Berg, Marcel Molenaar, Jankees Hogendoorn
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Publication number: 20110132103Abstract: A flowmeter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe includes a tube having a channel disposed in the pipe through which fluid in the pipe flows. The flowmeter includes an upstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer propagates through the channel. The flowmeter includes a downstream transducer in contact with the pipe and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer propagate through the channel and are received by the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal. The downstream transducer receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer and provides a downstream transducer signal. The flowmeter includes a controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers which calculate fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Emanuel Gottlieb, Donald R. Augenstein
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Patent number: 7954387Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The transducer assembly includes an outer housing and an electroacoustic signal generating element secured within the outer housing. The signal generating element transmits an ultrasonic signal at a characteristic frequency along an ultrasonic path that is perpendicular to the face of the generating element. An isolation diaphragm is coupled to the proximal end of the outer housing. The isolation diaphragm is thin relative to a characteristic wavelength of the diaphragm material. A fluidic transmission layer is disposed between the electroacoustic signal generating element and the isolation diaphragm. In one embodiment, the isolation diaphragm is at an angle relative to the proximal face of the electroacoustic signal generating element. In another embodiment, a flow meter includes the ultrasonic transducer assembly, and the isolation diaphragm substantially matches the contour of the flow passage within the flow meter body.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Edward Randall Furlong
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Patent number: 7934432Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the run time of an ultrasonic pulse in the determination of the flow velocity of a gas in a breathing gas volume flow sensor (1). The breathing gas volume flow sensor (1) has a flow duct (3) with a measuring section, wherein the measuring section is arranged in parallel to or at an angle (?) smaller than 90° to the flow duct (3). The measuring section has an ultrasound transmitter (5) and an ultrasound receiver (7). The method determines the run time of the ultrasonic pulse from the receiving signal spectrum without the damping of the ultrasonic pulse having an effect on the run time measurement by an ultrasonic pulse being triggered by a transmitting pulse at the ultrasound transmitter (5). The ultrasound receiver (7) sends a receiving signal and the receiving signal is recorded as a first receiving signal data record as a function of time after the transmitting pulse.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbHInventors: Henning Kühn, Henning Gerder
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Publication number: 20110094309Abstract: Measuring system and method for determining and/or monitoring flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube with a first ultrasonic sensor and at least a second ultrasonic sensor, wherein the first ultrasonic sensor has at least one electromechanical ultrasonic transducer element and is placeable in a first region of the measuring tube, and wherein the second ultrasonic sensor has at least two electromechanical ultrasonic transducer elements and is placeable in a second region of the measuring tube in such a manner, that the ultrasonic signals transmittable through the measured medium from the first ultrasonic sensor are receivable by the second ultrasonic sensor, and that the ultrasonic signals transmittable through the measured medium from the second ultrasonic sensor are receivable by the first ultrasonic sensor, and with at least one control/evaluation unit, which, on the basis of the ultrasonic-measuring signals, or on the basis of measurement data, which are derived from the ultrasonic measuring siType: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Andreas Berger, Finn Bloch Jensen, Ralf Sonderkamp, Achim Wiest
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Publication number: 20110088483Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring arrangement (1) for the flow, speed of sound, density, viscosity and/or temperature measurement of flowing media, including a measurement tube (2) having a measurement section (3), with the tube being disposed in an area of a measurement housing (4). At least two ultrasound transmitting receivers are spaced apart as sensors for sound transmission through the measurement section (3) in the direction of flow of a medium, and opposite thereto, and for signal recording. In order to provide an ultrasonic measuring arrangement (1) that is simple and inexpensive to produce, has a small nominal diameter and permits direct sound transmission through the measurement section (3) at as low a transmission output as possible, the measurement tube (3) is configured together with the measurement housing (4) as a one-piece housing part (5) free of seals and seams, and the sound path form an acute angle with the flow direction of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: MIB GMBH MESSTECHNIK UND INDUSTRIEBERATUNGInventors: Thomas Will, Martin Deutscher
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Patent number: 7925456Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Andrew T. Patten, Charles P. Stack, Jeffrey S. Walker, Neal B. Gronlie
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Publication number: 20110072910Abstract: A flow meter for use in a flowing fluid medium includes at least one ultrasonic transducer and at least one measuring section having at least one flow pipe through which a fluid medium flows in a main direction of flow. The ultrasonic transducer is equipped to emit ultrasonic signals essentially parallel to the main direction of flow into the measuring section. The ultrasonic transducer is separated from the flow pipe by at least one thermal decoupling element. The thermal decoupling element is equipped to reduce heat transfer from the flow pipe to the ultrasonic transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Gerhard HUEFTLE, Uwe KONZELMANN
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Patent number: 7911306Abstract: A transformer board is disclosed. In some embodiments, the transformer board includes a base, a circuit board, a transformer having a first and second winding, a first and a second connector, a ribbon cable and a nonconductive fill material. The base has a recess within which the circuit board is positioned. The transformer is mechanically coupled to the circuit board. The first connector is configured to electrically couple to transducers within a pressure boundary of an ultrasonic flow meter and is electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer. The ribbon cable is electrically coupled between the first winding of the transformer and the second connector. The nonconductive fill material is contained by the recess and encases the circuit board, the transformer, the coupling of the first connector to the second winding of the transformer, and the coupling of the ribbon cable to the first winding of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventor: Charles Robert Allen
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Publication number: 20110041621Abstract: An acoustic matching member, an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver, and an ultrasonic flowmeter, which are capable of measuring a flow rate of a fluid with greater accuracy, are provided. An acoustic matching member 24 is fitted to a main body 21 in a pair of ultrasonic transmitter/receivers 15, 16. The acoustic matching member 24 includes a matching member 34 equipped with a porous body 35 adhered tightly to an acoustic-wave emission surface 27 of the main body 21, and a dense layer 37 stacked on a surface 35B of the porous body 35 and including a thermosetting resin 38 and first flowability-diminishing particles 39, and a sidewall member 36 adhered tightly to the acoustic-wave emission surface 27 and an end face 35A of the porous body 35.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Makoto Nakano, Takehiko Shigeoka, Masahiko Ito
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Patent number: 7886615Abstract: A method for system- and/or process-monitoring in the case of an ultrasound flow measuring device having a plurality of measuring channels, wherein a medium flows though a pipeline or measuring tube in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipeline or measuring tube. Ultrasonic measuring signals are coupled into the pipeline or measuring tube and coupled out of the pipeline or measuring tube in such a way that they travel through the medium along different sound paths. Following passage through the pipeline or measuring tube, the ultrasonic measuring signals are detected in the individual measuring channels, wherein at least one actual quantity describing the ultrasonic measuring signal of each measuring channel is ascertained. The actual quantity is compared with a desired quantity captured under predetermined system- or process-conditions, and a report is output in the case of a difference between the ascertained, actual quantity and the captured, desired quantity.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Froehlich, Andreas Berger, Klaus Bussinger
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Publication number: 20110000311Abstract: A system and method for measurement of flow parameters in a sewer pipe that may be partially or completely filled. Flow parameters may include flow velocity, flow volume, depth of flow and surcharge pressure. Measurements are taken from a sensor head installed on the inside of the pipe at the top of the pipe approximately the larger of at least 1 foot or 1 pipe diameter upstream of a pipe opening. Flow velocity may be measured by two different technologies. The technology employed depends on whether or not the pipe is full. If the pipe is not full then flow velocity may be measured, for example, using a wide beam, ultrasonic, diagonally downward looking Doppler signal that interacts with the surface of the flow. If the pipe is full, then flow velocity may be measured using, for example, an average velocity Doppler sensor, a peak velocity Doppler sensor or an ultrasonic velocity profiler.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventor: Alan Petroff
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Publication number: 20100319465Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of pollution monitoring equipment and in particular to aspirated particle detector systems, which detect particles in air sampled from a number of locations. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining flow in an aspirated particle detector system, said system comprising a plurality of carriers in fluid communication with a particle detector, comprising means for detecting the flow rate in at least one of the carriers comprising sensing a signal transmitted between a first and a second signal transceiver (44a-d, 42) wherein the first transceiver (42) is adapted to transceive signals in at least two of the carriers. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of an ultrasonic means of flow sensing within an aspirated smoke detector system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: VFS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Kemal Ajay, Arjun Vinoo Caprihan, Ron Knox
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Publication number: 20100319464Abstract: It is desirable that an operation of an oscillator used for measuring propagation time of ultrasonic waves in an ultrasonic flowmeter be an intermittent operation in order to achieve electric power savings. However, pulse stability of the oscillator requires time, so that there is a problem that the intermittent operation cannot be performed. An ultrasonic flowmeter comprising an oscillator 60, and an oscillation start unit 61 for accelerating oscillation of the oscillator, constructed so that a pulse of the oscillator oscillated by the oscillation start unit 61 is used in measurement of propagation time of ultrasonic waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Daisuke Bessyo, Fumikazu Shiba, Koichi Takemura
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Publication number: 20100313676Abstract: A method comprises, without ceasing flow of fluid through a flow meter, transmitting an ultrasonic signal of a first frequency through the fluid, adjusting the first frequency to a second frequency, and transmitting another ultrasonic signal of the second frequency through the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.Inventor: Henry C. Straub, JR.
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Publication number: 20100288055Abstract: A sensor measures a flow quantity of a medium using a first wave converter and a second wave converter which faces the first wave converter, each of which emits and receives sound waves, and a device calculates the flow quantity on the basis of a first wave transit time from the first wave converter to the second wave converter, and on the basis of a second wave transit time from the second wave converter to the first wave converter. The device includes a unit for limiting the change to the flow quantity. In this manner, and the measurement may be carried out more accurately.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Roland Mueller, Gerhard Hueftle, Dirk Daecke, Bernhard Opitz, Michael Horstbrink, Frank Steuber, Tobias Lang, Sami Radwan, Bernd Kuenzl, Roland Wanja, Ralf Kieser
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Patent number: 7832282Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement system for measuring a flow in a conduit. Spaced ultrasonic signal transmitters are configured to launch a ultrasonic beams having a center axis of maximum intensity. Receiving transducers are configured to receive modulated signal energy from the beams and are located off the center axis of the beams to increase the modulation of the signal energy and to produce receiver output signals. A processing subsystem is configured to correlate the receiver output signals to determine a time delay indicative of the flow velocity in the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Xiaolei Shirley Ao
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Publication number: 20100257941Abstract: A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Expro Meters, Inc.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Publication number: 20100257942Abstract: An embodiment of a piezoelectric assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a piezoelectric element including a first face and a second face. In addition, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first electrode engaging the first face. Further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a second electrode engaging the second face. Still further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises an electrically conductive shim connector attached to the first electrode. Moreover, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first wire electrically coupled to the shim connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.Inventors: Henry Charles Straub, JR., Charles Wayne Melvin
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Patent number: 7810399Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter with a measuring tube through which flows a medium and which, viewed in cross section, has a split circumference forming two halves with two ultrasonic converter pairs, each with an associated ultrasound reflector. The converters of each pair are mounted on a common circumferential half in a mutually offset position as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the tube, while the reflector for each pair is positioned on the other, opposite circumferential half in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube between the two converters, so that an ultrasound signal emitted by one converter of a pair travels along a V-shaped signal path via the reflector of the associated pair to the other converter of that pair. The first pair and the second reflector are positioned on one circumferential half of the tube while the second pair and the first reflector are positioned on the other, opposite circumferential half of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Krohne AGInventors: Jeroen Martin van Klooster, Cornelis Johannes Hogendoorn
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Publication number: 20100251829Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid flowing through an internal passage of an elongated body is provided. The internal passage is disposed between a first wall and a second wall, and the first wall and the second wall each include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The method includes the steps of providing an array of at least two ultrasonic sensor units, operating the sensor units to transmit ultrasonic signals at one or more frequencies substantially coincident with at least one frequency at which the transmitted ultrasonic signals resonate within the first wall, receiving the ultrasonic signals with the sensor units, and processing the received ultrasonic signals to measure the at least one parameter of fluid flow within the internal passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: EXPRO METERS, INC.Inventor: Michael A. Davis
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Patent number: 7795783Abstract: Transducer assemblies and methods of replacing having a housing, a removable diaphragm, and a sealing diaphragm. The transducer assembly may be used with a spool piece to prevent fluid from escaping from the spool piece when parts of the transducer assembly are removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.Inventors: Wallace Trochesset, Prakash Mistry, Peter E. Zasowski
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Publication number: 20100218618Abstract: Provided is a technique for performing a precise flow rate measurement of a large-bore pipeline without causing any aliasing. Ultrasonic pulses are transmitted at a first repetition frequency and at a second repetition frequency different from the first one, and a fluid velocity distribution measuring means measures a first flow velocity distribution for the first repetition frequency and a second flow velocity distribution for the second repetition frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2007Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: THE TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.Inventors: Michitsugu Mori, Kenichi Tezuka, Takeshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7784358Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining flow in an aspirated particle detector system, includes a plurality of carriers in fluid communication with a particle detector, a flow rate detector in at least one of the carriers that senses a signal transmitted between a first and a second signal transceiver, wherein the first transceiver transceives signals in at least two of the carriers.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: VFS Technologies LimitedInventors: Kemal Ajay, Arjun Vinoo Caprihan, Ron Knox
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Publication number: 20100192703Abstract: Methods of measuring flow properties and flowmeters having an upstream transceiver and a downstream wave transceiver, each positioned with a wave emitting surface exposed to a fluid flowing in a conduit are described, the transceiver being separated by a length L along the conduit and adapted to receive wave signals traveling in flow direction and opposite to the flow direction, respectively, and an electronic processor for extracting from travel time measurements of the wave signals flow characterizing parameters, the transceivers being adapted to generate tube waves, particularly in the audible frequency range, in the conduit and used to determine the travel time of the tube waves between the upstream transceiver and the downstream wave transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Songming Huang, Gary Oddie
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Patent number: 7752918Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid flowing through an internal passage of an elongated body is provided. The internal passage is disposed between a first wall and a second wall, and the first wall and the second wall each include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The method includes the steps of providing an array of at least two ultrasonic sensor units, operating the sensor units to transmit ultrasonic signals at one or more frequencies substantially coincident with at least one frequency at which the transmitted ultrasonic signals resonate within the first wall, receiving the ultrasonic signals with the sensor units, and processing the received ultrasonic signals to measure the at least one parameter of fluid flow within the internal passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Davis
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Publication number: 20100139415Abstract: A method for system- and/or process-monitoring in the case of an ultrasound flow measuring device having a plurality of measuring channels, wherein a medium flows though a pipeline or measuring tube in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipeline or measuring tube. Ultrasonic measuring signals are coupled into the pipeline or measuring tube and coupled out of the pipeline or measuring tube in such a way that they travel through the medium along different sound paths. Following passage through the pipeline or measuring tube, the ultrasonic measuring signals are detected in the individual measuring channels, wherein at least one actual quantity describing the ultrasonic measuring signal of each measuring channel is ascertained. The actual quantity is compared with a desired quantity captured under predetermined system- or process-conditions, and a report is output in the case of a difference between the ascertained, actual quantity and the captured, desired quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Andreas Berger, Klaus Bussinger, Thomas Frohlich
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Publication number: 20100107777Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement system for measuring a flow in a conduit. Spaced ultrasonic signal transmitters are configured to launch a ultrasonic beams having a center axis of maximum intensity. Receiving transducers are configured to receive modulated signal energy from the beams and are located off the center axis of the beams to increase the modulation of the signal energy and to produce receiver output signals. A processing subsystem is configured to correlate the receiver output signals to determine a time delay indicative of the flow velocity in the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: Xiaolei Shirley AO
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Publication number: 20100095782Abstract: According to the method longitudinal waves are generated in a transducer used only as a transmitter connected from outside to a conduit. These waves are transmitted along two diagonal paths through the streaming medium in an upstream and a downstream direction, and received by two transducers used only as receivers which are located in a diagonal upstream and downstream position and on an opposite side relative to the transducer used as a transmitter, also connected to the conduit. A transit time value of the waves between the transducer used as a transmitter and each of the transducers used as receivers is determined. A difference value on the basis of the determined transit time values is generated and the flow parameters are determined on the basis of said difference value. This measuring method is highly independent of the propagation velocity of the wave in the medium streaming in the conduit therefore also independent of the temperature and humidity of a gaseous medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: György Ferencz, Zoltan Rozsnyik
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Patent number: 7694565Abstract: This invention relates to the field of signal transit time sensors, in particular sensors based on ultrasonic transit times. Existing electronic control circuits for such transit time sensors for measurements on medical liquids, in particular blood, are extremely complex or their time resolution is limited. However, the present invention makes use of a simple measurement technique which cannot be used directly at first for the time resolution to be achieved. In this method, an ordinary sampling method is used to detect the received signal (12). An oscillator-like received signal (12) generated by an emitted step-like signal is first sampled during a half-period (14, 15) and is checked with the help of a selection criterion.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventors: Franz-Wilhelm Koerdt, Peter Scheunert, Dejan Nikolic, Klaus Metzner, Alexander Kuhn
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Patent number: 7673527Abstract: The invention relates to a flow cell for an ultrasonic flow meter comprising two transducers of ultrasonic waves wherein the two transducers are reversibly detachable from the flow cell. The flow cell with the transducers detached is sterilisable and is particularly suitable for use in disposable or single-use systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences ABInventors: Hanno Ehring, Dan Hermansson
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Publication number: 20100011880Abstract: A flow measurement system and method uses enhanced phase detection based on a ratio of amplitudes of summations of two oppositely propagating acoustic signals. A need for direct time measurement and extensive difference calculation is consequently avoided so that in some implementations compact, simple, low power analog circuitry can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: George W. Keilman, Peter Leigh Bartlett, Timothy Johnson
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Publication number: 20100010756Abstract: Detecting liquid in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising flowing a gaseous substance through a central passage of a meter body, sending acoustic signals along respective chordal pathways across the central passage (none of the chordal pathways intersect a lower portion of the central passage where liquid, if present during flow of the gaseous substance, accumulates), calculating a flow velocity of the gaseous substance proximate to each chordal pathway based on transit times of the acoustic signals along the respective chordal pathways, and determining the presence of a liquid accumulated in the lower portion based on the flow velocity proximate to each chordal pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Derr, Henry Charles Straub, JR.
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Publication number: 20100000331Abstract: A damping device for a fluid flow meter is provided. The fluid flow meter is mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a wall in a direction substantially normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe. The transmitted signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at one or more frequencies. The damping device includes a tuned body attachable to the pipe wall at one or more contact points. The body has one or more resonant structural modes, each with a natural frequency, which natural frequencies are closely matched to the one or more frequencies of the secondary signals. The body is operable to dissipate energy upon excitation by the secondary signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: EXPRO METERS, INC.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Publication number: 20090288496Abstract: The invention concerns a flow metering techniques, which applies acoustic means and/or methods as embodied for an acoustic flow metering arrangement according to the invention. The flow metering can be implemented with an acoustic flow meter arrangement, which comprises a measuring section (1) provided with a sound source, at least two sound sensors and a reflector, being arranged so that the sound source of the acoustic flow meter arrangement and at least two sound sensors are arranged to mutual pre-defined distances in the measuring section. So, the determination of the sound velocity at rest (c) and the flow velocity (v), from the known distance between the sound source and the sensors, is obtainable from the values for sum (TSUM) and difference (TDIF) of the upstream and downstream transit times of sound between the sensor locations, by utilising the sound as directly propagated and as reflected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2006Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: JUSTIFLOW OYInventors: Pekka Hiismäki, Pekka Hyvönen, Sauli Koukkari
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Publication number: 20090249888Abstract: A device is provided for determining a mass flow of a first gas flowing in a flowing channel of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The device includes: sound transducers arranged at respective ends of a measuring path for providing sound signals, a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of an overall mass flowing in the flow channel, and an evaluation unit arranged downstream of the sound transducers. The evaluation unit is capable of carrying out the following: determining a flow rate of the overall mass and a speed of sound based on delay times of the sound signals, determining an overall mass flow based on the flow rate, the temperature, and a pressure of the overall mass in the flowing channel, ascertaining a proportion of a second gas flowing in the flow channel at a temperature above 10° C. and based on the speed of sound and the temperature, and correcting the overall mass flow to obtain the mass flow of the first gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Rudolf Bierl, Martin Lesser, Andreas Meyer, Frank Steuber
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Publication number: 20090249889Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter includes two ultrasonic transceivers. Each of the ultrasonic transceivers includes a cylindrical transmitting body closely fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a measurement pipe through a fluid flows so as to surround the measurement pipe, and an ultrasonic transducer surrounding the measurement pipe and spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement pipe. The transmitting body is made of a rubber material and has axial end surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the measurement pipe. The axial end surface of the ultrasonic transducer is fixedly secured to the axial end surface of the transmitting body, and the ultrasonic transducer is extended and contracted in the axial direction thereof by applying a voltage between the axial end surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: ASAHI ORGANIC CHEMICALS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinobu Kamimura
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Patent number: 7552652Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring the volume, and/or mass, flow of a medium flowing through a containment in a stream direction. The device includes: At least one ultrasonic transducer, which emits and/or receives ultrasonic measuring signals; and a control/evaluation unit, which determines the volume, and/or mass, flow of the medium in the containment on the basis of the ultrasonic measuring signals according to the travel time difference principle or the Doppler principle. A first clock-pulse generator having a first pulse rate and a second clock-pulse generator having a second pulse rate are provided, with the first pulse rate of the first clock-pulse generator being greater than the second pulse rate of the second clock-pulse generator. The control/evaluation unit operates the first clock-pulse generator intermittently. The control/evaluation unit sizes the duration of a switch-on, or measuring, phase and/or a resting phase as a function of the available energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventors: Thomas Fröhlich, Klaus Bussinger, Jacobson Saul
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Patent number: 7549346Abstract: A flowmeter element is used for measuring a mass flow rate of fluid, and includes a semiconductor board, an ultrasonic unit and a pressure detecting unit. The ultrasonic unit performs at least one of sending ultrasonic wave and receiving ultrasonic wave. The pressure detecting unit detects a pressure of the fluid. The ultrasonic unit and the pressure detecting unit are integrally disposed on the semiconductor board.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiko Yoshida