Vibrated Conduit Patents (Class 73/861.355)
  • Patent number: 11959788
    Abstract: A measuring system for measuring a mass flow rate, a density, a temperature or a flow velocity. The measuring system includes a main line, a first Coriolis measuring device arranged in the main line, a second Coriolis measuring device arranged in series with the first Coriolis measuring device in the main line, a bypass line which bypasses the second Coriolis measuring device, a first valve arranged in the bypass line, and a computing unit which is connected to the first Coriolis measuring device and to the second Coriolis measuring device. The first valve opens depending on a pressure. The first Coriolis measuring device is designed for a higher maximum flow rate than the second Coriolis measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Buchner, Thomas Rothlaender, Andre Steinhoefler, Patrick Tinauer, David Bischof, Jaime Diaz Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11953359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coil apparatus of an oscillation sensor or exciter of a measuring transducer or a measuring device for measuring a density or mass flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube of the measuring transducer or measuring device, comprising: a circuit board having a circuit board layer, at least one coil registering or producing a time varying magnetic field, wherein the coil has a winding region and a central region lacking turns of a winding, wherein the central region of a coil has a rectangular shape with oppositely lying, first sides and with oppositely lying, second sides, wherein the first sides have a first side length, and wherein the second sides have a second side length, wherein the electrically conductive trace has a trace breadth of at least 30 micrometer, wherein a ratio of first side length to second side length is greater than 3.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Severin Ramseyer, Benjamin Schwenter, Marc Werner, Claude Hollinger, Martin Stucki
  • Patent number: 11906339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis measuring transducer of a Coriolis measuring device comprising: at least one measuring tube; at least one exciter; at least two sensors; wherein at least one exciter or at least one sensor has a coil device and a magnet device, wherein the magnet device has a holder and at least a first magnet group and at least a second magnet group, wherein the holder has a body with a body length axis and a first end and a second end wherein the first end has an end surface, wherein the body has three recesses, wherein a central recess is separated, in each case, from an outer recess by, in each case, an intermediate wall, wherein each intermediate wall has an opening, and wherein the first magnet group is arranged in a first opening, and wherein the second magnet group is arranged in a second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Schwenter, Marc Werner, Claude Hollinger, Gebhard Gschwend
  • Patent number: 11879760
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for determining a decay characteristic of a meter assembly (10) of a flow meter (5) is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from a meter assembly (10), the vibrational response comprising a response to an excitation of the meter assembly (10) at a substantially resonant frequency, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), determine a response voltage (V) of the vibrational response, determine a decay characteristic (?) of the meter assembly (10) based on the response voltage (V), and compensate the decay characteristic (?) by using a previously determined decay characteristic-to-response voltage relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Craig B. McAnally, Bert J. Downing
  • Patent number: 11852517
    Abstract: A method for detecting a deviation in a flow meter parameter is provided. The method includes measuring a flow tube temperature in a plurality of locations; and calculating a temperature gradient based on the measured temperatures. The method also includes detecting a deviation in the flow meter parameter if the calculated temperature gradient exceeds a temperature gradient threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham, Andrew Timothy Patten
  • Patent number: 11841258
    Abstract: A Coriolis measuring sensor of a Coriolis measuring device includes: at least a pair of measuring tubes; a support body; at least one exciter; and at least two electromagnetic sensors per pair of measuring tubes, wherein the electromagnetic sensors are configured to mask interference magnetic fields and to detect local inhomogeneous magnetic fields generated by magnet devices of the sensor according to a winding direction and/or an interconnection configuration of coils of the magnet devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Johan Pohl, Ennio Bitto
  • Patent number: 11802785
    Abstract: An interface adapted for connecting a fluid measurement point includes a body including at least two connection locations, wherein the body has fluid ducts, each of which has a connection location, wherein the fluid ducts have at their connection locations first duct axes, wherein the connection locations are especially coplanar, wherein the connection locations are adapted for connecting process connectors from a connection direction for sealed communication with the fluid ducts, wherein the fluid ducts are adapted via the process connectors to supply, and drain, a medium, respectively, to and from the fluid measurement point, wherein the interface has at least one holding element for releasably securing at least one process connector to the body, wherein the holding element has at least one process connector seat, wherein the holding element is adapted to be moved into an end position (EP) effecting the securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Severin Ramseyer, Christian Schütze, Jean-Claude Chevrolet
  • Patent number: 11783976
    Abstract: The coil comprises a coil carrier, a coil wire at least partially surrounded by an insulating layer and wound around the coil carrier, as well as a protective cover layer at least partially covering the coil wire wound around the coil carrier. The coil wire is composed, at least partially, of silver, the insulating layer surrounding the coil wire is composed, at least partially, of a ceramic material, and the protective cover layer is composed, at least partially, of a ceramic material and/or a glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Schwenter, Claude Hollinger, Marc Werner, Martin Stucki
  • Patent number: 11650091
    Abstract: A flowmeter (200) is provided having a flow inlet (210) and a flow outlet (210?). A first conduit (208A) has an inlet leg (212A) fluidly coupled to a central conduit portion (212C), wherein the central conduit portion (212C) is further fluidly coupled to an outlet leg (212?A). A second conduit (208B) has an inlet leg (212B) fluidly coupled to a central conduit portion (212?C), wherein the central conduit portion (212?C) is further fluidly coupled to an outlet leg (212?B). The flow inlet (210) is fluidly coupled to a first end of the first conduit (208A) and a first end of the second conduit (208B), and the flow outlet (210?) is fluidly coupled to a second end of the first conduit (208A) and a second end of the second conduit (208B). A manifold (206) is fluidly coupled to the inlet legs (212A, 212B) and the outlet legs (212?A, 212?B). A driver (214) is at least partially coupled to the manifold, wherein the driver (214) is operable to vibrate the first and second conduits (208A, 208B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Andrew Schlosser
  • Patent number: 11635322
    Abstract: A system and method for metering fluid flow is disclosed which has improved diagnostic capabilities. As well as informing a flow meter operator of the presence of a malfunction and its likely cause, the new systems and methods can also quantify an associated flow prediction bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Richard Steven
  • Patent number: 11630044
    Abstract: An oscillator for density measurement of a liquid, including a counter mass and a container for the liquid. The oscillator is made of metal and the container has two identical resonator tubes, which are clamped into the counter mass in parallel to each other, and a connecting tube connecting the resonator tubes. The resonator tubes can be set into a resonance oscillation in which a common centre of gravity of the resonator tubes remains at rest during the resonance oscillation. The oscillator also includes a web located between the counter mass and the connecting tube, which web spaces the resonator tubes from each other in such a way that the lengths (L) of the resonator tubes enclosed between the counter mass and the web can be set into a diametrically opposite oscillation on the basis of which the density of the liquid located in the oscillator can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Wolfgang Belitsch
  • Patent number: 11624640
    Abstract: An example optical measurement system includes: a first light source configured to emit a first light beam; a first optical sensor configured to output first measurements based on detecting the first light beam; a second light source configured to emit a second light beam; a second optical sensor configured to output second measurements based on detecting the second light beam, wherein the first measurements and the second measurements comprise variable components; a third optical sensor configured to output third measurements based on detecting the second light beam or a third light beam, wherein the third measurements comprise a first steady state component; and a compensation circuit configured to control a first light output of the first light beam and a second light output of the second light beam by controlling current to the first light source and the second light source based on the third measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Krakhman
  • Patent number: 11497565
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a catheter procedure includes a body configured to receive a percutaneous device where the body has a first end and a second end. A distal pinch is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A proximal pinch is positioned on the first end of the body and is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A linear drive mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to move the body and the proximal pinch between a first position and a second position to cause linear movement of the percutaneous device along a longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the second end of the body and is configured to rotate the body and the proximal pinch to cause the percutaneous device to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Corindus, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Blacker
  • Patent number: 11471944
    Abstract: A method for manufacture of a complex component includes construction of the component from a metal material in an additive manufacturing method with at least one cavity segment that has a cavity open on at least one side and defined by an interior surface of the component, formation of an auxiliary electrode during construction of the component, formation of one or a plurality of supporting structures that connect the auxiliary electrode to the interior surface of the component during the construction of the component, electrical insulation of the auxiliary electrode from the interior surface by separating the supporting structures from the interior surface or from the auxiliary electrode, and performance of an electro-polishing of the interior surface in an electrolyte bath by connecting the component and the auxiliary electrode to different poles of an electric voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Debril, Thomas Holder, Volker Robrecht
  • Patent number: 11428559
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mass flow meter according to the Coriolis principle, comprising two measuring tube pairs which have different usage mode natural frequencies, an exciter for exciting flexural vibrations and a vibration sensor pair for detecting flexural vibrations; and comprising a circuit for driving the exciters and for detecting signals of the vibration sensors, for determining flow-dependent phase differences between the signals of the inlet-side and outlet-side vibration sensors and for determining mass flow measurement values based on the flow-dependent phase differences, wherein the circuit is configured to perform, when determining the mass flow measurement values based on the flow-dependent phase differences, a zero-point correction for the first measuring tube pair and/or the second measuring tube pair using signal amplitude ratios of the measuring tube pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11391612
    Abstract: A coriolis mass flow meter, including: a housing body, having a flow inlet and flow outlet for a fluid medium, two measurement tubes, which are spaced apart from each other fastened to the housing body connecting the flow inlet and the flow outlet to each other, at least one electrically controllable vibration exciter for each measurement tube (23, 24), the vibration exciter being designed to cause the measurement tube to vibrate, and at least two electrically controllable vibration sensors, the vibration sensors being designed to sense the vibration of at least one of the two measurement tubes. The vibration exciter vibration sensors are spatially fixedly fastened to the housing body between the two measurement tubes and are designed as electromagnetic coils. Each coil interacts with a permanent magnet fastened to one of the measurement tubes. The permanent magnets are oriented in such a way that permanent magnets attract each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HEINRICHS MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Chatzikonstantinou
  • Patent number: 11378431
    Abstract: A mass flow measuring sensor includes: an oscillatable measuring tube bent in a tube plane; an oscillation exciter for exciting bending oscillations in a bending oscillation use-mode; two oscillation sensors for registering oscillations; a support system; and a measuring sensor housing; wherein the support system has support system oscillation modes, including elastic deformations of the support plate; wherein the support plate is cut to form a number of spirally shaped spring securements, via which the support plate is secured to the measuring sensor housing with oscillation degrees of freedom, whose eigenfrequencies are lower than a use-mode eigenfrequency of the bending oscillation use-mode, wherein the use-mode eigenfrequency is lower than the eigenfrequencies of the support system oscillation modes, wherein a calibration factor describes a proportionality between a mass flow through the measuring tube and a phase difference between oscillations of the measuring tube oscillating in the bending oscillation
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Benjamin Schwenter, Dieter Mundschin, Christian Schütze
  • Patent number: 11326920
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a Coriolis mass flow meter including two measuring tube pairs each having two measuring tubes mounted as to oscillate relative to one another and have a bending vibration excitation mode of different excitation mode natural frequencies, each pair having an electrodynamic exciter and a vibration sensor pair including a first inlet-side vibration sensor and a first outlet-side vibration sensor, and further includes a circuit configured to determine phase difference-dependent mass flow measurement values, wherein a difference deviation between a first relative signal amplitude difference of sensor signals having the first excitation mode natural frequency and a second relative signal amplitude difference of sensor signals having the second excitation mode natural frequency is not more than a tolerance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventor: Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11280653
    Abstract: A vibratory meter (5), and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The vibratory meter includes a pickoff, a driver, and a flow tube (700) comprising a tube perimeter wall with: a first substantially planar section (706a), a second substantially planar section (706b) coupled to the first substantially planar section to form a first angle ?1 (704), a third substantially planar section (706c), a fourth substantially planar section (706d), and a fifth substantially planar section (706e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Joel Weinstein, Mitalee Nayan Desai, Clinton R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11262226
    Abstract: A U-shaped tube is used to measure the mass flow rate of the fluid using both thermal method and the Coriolis principle simultaneously. Two resistant coils are wound on the tube to do the thermal measurement and an excitation coil and two optical sensors are used to do the Coriolis flow measurement. It takes the advantages of both technologies and create a flow sensor which is super accurate, gas type insensitive, long-term stable and fast responsive without too much pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Guanghua Wu
  • Patent number: 11073499
    Abstract: A measuring transducer includes a support body, a curved oscillatable measuring tube, an electrodynamic exciter, at least one sensor for registering oscillations of the measuring tube, and an operating circuit. The measuring tube has first and second bending oscillation modes, which are mirror symmetric to a measuring tube transverse plane and have first and second media density dependent eigenfrequencies f1, f3 with f3>f1. The measuring tube has a peak secant with an oscillation node in the second mirror symmetric bending oscillation mode. The operating circuit is adapted to drive the exciter conductor loop with a signal exciting the second mirror symmetric bending oscillation mode. The exciter conductor loop has an ohmic resistance R? and a mode dependent mutual induction reactance Rg3 which depends on the position of the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Gerhard Eckert, Ennio Bitto, Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11022471
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (100, 300) for a vibratory conduit (130a, 330) is provided. The sensor assembly (100, 300) includes a sensor bracket (110, 310) having an outer surface (112, 312) substantially symmetric about an axis (S) and including a complementary portion (112c, 312c). The sensor assembly (100, 300) also includes a tube ring (120, 220, 320) having an outer surface (122, 222, 322) including a complementary portion (122c, 222c, 322c) affixed to the complementary portion (112c, 312c) of the sensor bracket (110, 310). The axis (S) of the sensor bracket (110, 310) is external of the vibratory conduit (130a, 330) when the tube ring (120, 220, 320) is affixed to the vibratory conduit (130a, 330).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Barclay Garnett, Xue Zi, Yingxue Xu, Xiang Feng
  • Patent number: 11009380
    Abstract: A method for determining the gas portion in the medium flowing through a Coriolis mass flowmeter, wherein the Coriolis mass flowmeter has at least one measuring tube, at least one oscillation generator, at least two oscillation sensors and at least one control and evaluation unit, wherein the method is characterized in that the density value ?100 of the gas-free medium is determined in a ?100 step, that the density value ?mess of the medium flowing through the measuring tube is measured in a ?mess step, that a quantity GVQ for the gas portion of the medium flowing through the measuring tube is calculated in a GVQ step with the density value ?100 and the density value ?mess, and that the quantity GVQ is output for the gas portion of the medium flowing through the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Storm, Johannes Kunze
  • Patent number: 10942058
    Abstract: The measuring system comprises a transducer apparatus with two tubes, each having a lumen surrounded by a wall. A fluid flows through each tube, while the tube is vibrated. An electromechanical-exciter mechanism maintains mechanical oscillations of each of the tubes, and a sensor arrangement registers mechanical oscillations of at least one of the tubes. The transducer apparatus includes two temperature sensors, each being mechanically and thermally conductively coupled with a wall of a respective one of the tubes and adapted to register a measuring point temperature and to convert such into a temperature measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Gerhard Eckert, Ennio Bitto, Hao Zhu
  • Patent number: 10845227
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device and/or density measuring device, comprising: at least two measuring tubes which extend mirror symmetrically to a first mirror plane; at least one exciter mechanism and at least one sensor arrangement for exciting and registering measuring tube oscillations; two terminally located collectors for joining the measuring tubes; a support body for connecting the collectors; and a number of plate-shaped couplers for pairwise connecting of the measuring tubes for forming an oscillator. The measuring tube centerlines of the measuring tubes have two oppositely bent sections and an intermediately lying straight section. The second bent section is arranged on the side of the straight section away from the second mirror plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Gerhard Eckert, Ennio Bitto
  • Patent number: 10816377
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter, comprising a housing with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid medium, which are arranged along a flow axis, two measuring tubes configured to allow the fluid medium to flow through them in a flow direction and arranged between the inlet and the outlet and having a measuring tube circumference on their external surface, a fixing element which connects the two measuring tubes in the region of the inlet and/or the outlet in such a manner that they are fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the fixing element includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member connected to both measuring tubes, and wherein each of the connecting members rests against the measuring tubes in such a manner that a part of the measuring tube circumference of each measuring tube remains free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ROTA YOKOGAWA GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Martin Ricken
  • Patent number: 10801871
    Abstract: A flow conduit assembly (300), a method for making the same, a brace bar (304), and a vibrating flowmeter including the flow conduit assembly are provided. The flow conduit assembly includes a first flow tube (302), a second flow tube (303), and a first brace bar (304) coupled to the first flow tube, wherein the first brace bar does not enclose the first flow tube and the second flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Joel Weinstein, Mitalee Nayan Desai, Clinton R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10801870
    Abstract: A mass flow sensor includes: a vibratory measurement tube bent in a tube plane; a vibration exciter for exciting bending vibrations in a bending vibration use-mode; two vibration sensors for sensing vibrations; a support system having a support plate, bearing bodies on the inlet and sides; and a sensor housing, wherein: the support system has support system vibration modes which include elastic deformations of the support plate; the measurement tube is connected fixedly to the support plate by the bearing body on the inlet side and by the bearing body on the outlet side; and the support plate has a number of spring-loaded bearings exposed through cut-outs in the support plate by which the support plate is mounted on the sensor housing with degrees of vibrational freedom, the natural frequencies of which are lower than a use-mode natural frequency of the bending vibration use-mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Christof Huber, Christian Schütze, Dieter Mundschin, Benjamin Schwenter, Severin Ramseyer, Marc Werner
  • Patent number: 10782170
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter comprises a first flow tube having a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a first reaction force, and the second end comprises a second reaction force. A second flow tube is operably connected to the first flow tube. The second flow tube comprises a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a third reaction force, and the second end comprises, a fourth reaction force. A drive system is operably connected to the first and second flow tubes. At least one balance mass is operably attached the first flow tube or the second flow tube. The one balance mass is sized and positioned to minimize one or more of the first reaction force, the second reaction force, the third reaction force, and the fourth reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: IDEX India PVT. LTD
    Inventors: Subhasish Guin, Donald Reed Cage
  • Patent number: 10768034
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measurement sensor of the vibrational type for measuring the density and/or the mass flow of a medium, including: two oscillators; an exciter for stimulating oscillator vibrations; and two vibration sensors, wherein the first oscillator includes first and second measuring tubes and a first resilient vibration coupler for coupling the measuring tubes, wherein the second oscillator includes third and fourth measuring tubes and a second resilient vibration coupler for coupling the third and fourth measuring tubes, wherein perpendicularly to a measuring tube transverse plane a measurement sensor longitudinal plane extends between the third and the fourth measuring tube, wherein the first and third measuring tube relative to a measurement sensor longitudinal plane are in mirror symmetry relative to one another, and wherein the second and fourth measuring tube relative to the measurement sensor longitudinal plane are in mirror symmetry relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Ennio Bitto, Gerhard Eckert
  • Patent number: 10718649
    Abstract: A vibratory meter (5) including a multi-channel flow tube (130) is provided. The vibratory meter (5) includes a meter electronics (20) and a meter assembly (10) communicatively coupled to the meter electronics (20). The meter assembly (10) includes the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530) comprising two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) surrounded by a tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534). The two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) and tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534) comprise a single integral structure. A driver (180) is coupled to the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530). The driver (180) is configured to vibrate the multi-channel flow tube (130, 330, 430, 530). The two or more fluid channels (132, 332, 432, 532) and tube wall (134, 334, 434, 534) are configured to deform in the same direction as the single integral structure in response to a drive signal applied to the driver (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Joel Weinstein, Martin Andrew Schlosser, Frederick Scott Schollenberger
  • Patent number: 10718648
    Abstract: A method for determining density and/or mass flow of a compressible medium with a measuring transducer of vibration-type having at least two oscillators, each including a pair of measuring tubes, wherein the pairs of measuring tubes are arranged for parallel flow, wherein the two oscillators have mutually independent oscillator oscillations with mutually differing eigenfrequencies for corresponding oscillation modes. The method includes steps of determining the values of the eigenfrequencies of at least two different oscillator oscillations, determining at least two preliminary density measured values based on the values of the eigenfrequencies, and determining a correction term for one of the preliminary density measured values and/or for a preliminary measured value of flow based on the preliminary density measured values and the values of the eigenfrequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 10712189
    Abstract: A method serves for operating a measuring transducer of vibration-type having at least two oscillators, each of which is formed by a pair of measuring tubes, wherein the pairs of measuring tubes are arranged for parallel flow, wherein the two oscillators have mutually independent oscillator oscillations with mutually differing eigenfrequencies for corresponding oscillation modes. The method includes steps of determining a first value of a primary measurement variable, or of a variable derived therefrom, using the first oscillator, determining a second value of the primary measurement variable, or of a variable derived therefrom, using the second oscillator, checking an actual ratio between the first value and the second value by comparison with an expected ratio between the first value and the second value, and outputting a signal when the actual ratio does not correspond to the expected ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 10627276
    Abstract: A method for creating an asymmetric flowmeter manifold (202, 202?) is provided. The method comprises the steps of defining at least one flowmeter (5) application parameter. The method also comprises determining an area for at least a first flow path (402) and a second flow path (402?), and forming the asymmetric manifold with the determined flow path areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: David Skinkle
  • Patent number: 10591335
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device and/or density measuring device includes two bent measuring tubes, which extend mirror symmetrically to a first mirror plane between the measuring tubes, an actuator arrangement and at least one sensor arrangement. At the inlet end and at the outlet end, a collector, with which the measuring tubes are joined, wherein the collectors each fulfill the functionality of a node plate. A support body, which connects the collectors rigidly with one another; and inlet end and outlet end, in each case, at least one plate-shaped coupler, which connect the measuring tubes pairwise with one another, in order to form an oscillator. The couplers have tube openings for measuring tubes, wherein the measuring tubes are connected at least sectionally with the couplers, wherein inlet end and outlet end, in each case, at least one coupler has, between the measuring tubes, a tuning opening for influencing the oscillation characteristics of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Ennio Bitto
  • Patent number: 10488239
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (10) for a flowmeter is provided. A flow tube (20) having a first and second loop (24, 26) are connected by a crossover section (22). The flow tube (20) comprises a thermal expansion bend (300, 302). First and second anchor blocks (30a, 30b) are each attachable to the flow tube (20) proximate the crossover section (22). A tube support (106) is attachable to one of the first and second anchor blocks (30a, 30b). First and second manifolds (90, 92) are attachable to an inlet (50) and outlet (52). A support block (100) is attachable to the first and second anchor blocks (30a, 30b), first and second manifolds (90, 92), flow tube (20), first and second anchor blocks (30a, 30b), and first and second manifolds (90, 92), and allow a predetermined degree of movement due to heating and cooling cycles when not attached to the support block (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Gregory Treat Lanham, Christopher A. Werbach, Nikhil Bhargava, Anand Vidhate, David Fleming, Lyle Dee Ashby
  • Patent number: 10429224
    Abstract: Provided is a Coriolis flow sensor assembly that includes a flow tube configured to provide a flow path through the flow tube. Further, the Coriolis flow sensor assembly includes a mechanical drive assembly configured to drive an oscillation of the flow tube while fluid is flowing via an oscillation surface. The Coriolis flow sensor assembly includes an interface fixedly coupled to the oscillation surface of the mechanical drive assembly and configured to receive the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Philipp Lang, Jens Rütten, Charles Erklin Seeley
  • Patent number: 10408652
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device includes four bent measuring tubes, two exciter mechanisms, and two sensor arrangements. All four measuring tubes are joined inlet end and outlet end with collectors, where the measuring tubes are connected inlet end and outlet end pairwise with node plates to form oscillators, where the exciter mechanisms are adapted to excite bending oscillation working modes between the two measuring tubes of an oscillator, where the first oscillator and the second oscillator have bending oscillation working modes with first and second working mode eigenfrequencies (f11, f12), where the magnitude of the difference of the working mode eigenfrequencies of the two oscillators (|f11?f12|) amounts to at least 0.1 times, for example, at least 0.2 times and especially at least 0.4 times the lower of the two working mode eigenfrequencies, where the sensor arrangements are adapted to register oscillations of the oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder
  • Patent number: 10317270
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus for securely and adjustably associating a fluid meter a fluid meter test bench. The apparatus comprises two vertical support members each connected by a horizontal support element at one end with at least one latching device defined at its free ends and wherein at least one of the latching devices define a locking member configured to secure the vertical support elements to a fluid meter test bench. The horizontal support element defines an adjustment interface mechanically associated with an adjuster element configured for adjustably securing a flow path element of a fluid meter test bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Floyd Stanley Salser, David Zook
  • Patent number: 10240958
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter and a measuring tube unit for use in the Coriolis mass flowmeter with an inlet end and an outlet end, at least two measuring tubes and at least two transition pieces. In each case, one transition piece is arranged on a measuring tube at the inlet end. Each measuring tube has a measuring tube cross section and each transition piece has a transition piece cross section at the inlet. The transition piece is designed in one piece with the associated measuring tube, and the transition piece cross section deviates in its shape and size from the associated measuring tube cross section, the measuring tubes being arranged and aligned in such a manner that the transition piece cross sections form an overall cross section and thus a flow divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KROHNE AG
    Inventor: James Blackmore
  • Patent number: 10234338
    Abstract: A transducer apparatus comprises a transducer housing, a tube as well as a temperature sensor. The tube is arranged within a cavity of the transducer housing, in such a manner that an intermediate space is formed between a wall of the transducer housing facing the cavity inner surface and an outer surface of a wall of the tube facing the cavity. The tube is adapted to guide a fluid in its lumen, in such a manner that an inner surface of the wall of the tube facing the lumen is contacted by fluid guided in the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Hao Zhu, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 10209113
    Abstract: An integrated flow meter includes a support and one or more flow sensitive member(s) integrated with the support. The support is formed by using an injection molding process that overmolds material over an outer surface of the flow sensitive member(s). The materials for the support and for the flow sensitive member(s) preferably are polymeric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Malema Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Young, Jianren Lin
  • Patent number: 10175076
    Abstract: An inlet conduit and an outlet conduit are disposed in a so-called crank shape with respect to a straight conduit. The straight conduit is provided with wall surfaces with which piezoelectric elements come into abutment from outside, and ultrasonic transceiver units are demountably mounted on the outside of the wall surfaces respectively. The two ultrasonic transceiver units have the same shape, and each include a covering member formed of a synthetic resin, the piezoelectric element provided in the covering member for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam, and a cable connected to the piezoelectric element. The conduit portion and the ultrasonic transceiver unit are assembled separately. The ultrasonic transceiver units are disposed on both sides of the conduit portion and are coupled thereto with screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: RYUSOK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiichi Murakami, Kohei Sakiyama
  • Patent number: 10161783
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for prognostic for flow sensor is provided. The method includes receiving a first input, the first input related to an input power of a motor for driving a compressor, and receiving a second input, the second input related to a temperature differential of the compressor. The method also includes calculating an estimated airflow based on the first input and the second input, and exporting data associated with the first input, the second input, and the estimated airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas M. Zywiak
  • Patent number: 10088349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis flow sensor. The sensor comprises a housing and at least a Coriolis-tube with at least two ends being fixed in a tube fixation means. The flow sensor comprises excitation means for causing the tube to oscillate, as well as detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of parts of the tube during operation. According to the invention, the Coriolis flow sensor comprises a reference mass, as well as further excitation means arranged for causing the reference mass to oscillate during operation, as well as further detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of the reference mass during operation. Additionally, control means are provided for controlling the excitation means and/or further excitation means based on vibrations measured by the detection means and/or further detection means. This way a Coriolis flow sensor with active vibration isolation is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Conrad Lötters, Marcel Ronald Katerberg, Wouter Bernardus Johannes Hakvoort, Willem David Kruijswijk, Lubbert Van De Ridder
  • Patent number: 10077996
    Abstract: A flowmeter having one or more conduits (103, 103?) and a driver (104) coupled to one or more conduits (103, 103?) being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the conduit at one or more drive frequencies. One or more pickoffs (105, 105?) are coupled to the one or more conduits (103, 103?) and are configured to detect a motion of the conduit. A housing (200) has a first compartment (400) and a second compartment (402). The first compartment (400) is fluid-tight and encloses at least a portion of the one or more conduits (103, 103?), the driver (104), and the one or more pickoffs (105, 105?). A sealable fill port (418) is configured to allow the addition of a ballast material to the second compartment (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: David Skinkle, Anthony William Pankratz
  • Patent number: 10024703
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having at least one measuring tube that is excitable to oscillations, at least one oscillation generator, at least two oscillation sensors for receiving oppositely influenced oscillation parts of the measuring tube oscillation, at least one evaluation unit and at least two holding devices for holding the oscillation sensors, wherein at least one part of an oscillation sensor is attached to each holding device. Additionally, a Coriolis mass flowmeter that requires little service and is easy to repair, is implemented in that the oscillation sensors each comprise at least one primary oscillation sensor and a secondary oscillation sensor, and that the primary oscillation sensor and the secondary oscillation sensor are connected to the evaluation unit in such a manner that the measuring signal of the primary oscillation sensor and the measuring signal of the secondary oscillation sensor can be detected separately by the evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventor: Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 9995612
    Abstract: A locking portion is attached on a curved tube portion of a measurement tube, and a hole portion is formed at a distal end of the locking portion in a vertical direction, and a conical depression is provided on an inner wall surface on outside of the hole portion. A coupling ring of a coupling portion engages the hole portion, and a pivot needle, coming into abutment with the conical depression abuts from an inner wall surface of the coupling ring which faces the conical depression. The other end of the coupling ring is elastically attracted toward a fixing portion via an elastic member formed of an extension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ATSUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eiichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 9989392
    Abstract: A method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter (1) having at least one measuring tube (2) and at least one sensor (3), wherein the sensor (3) emits an electric sensor signal depending on the temperature of the sensor (3), the sensor (3) is mechanically coupled to the rest of the Coriolis mass flowmeter (1) via a connection (5) and the connection (5) has a thermal resistance. To provide a method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter that makes recognition of a change in the connection possible an electric excitation signal is generated, the excitation signal is impressed in the sensor (3), the sensor signal influenced by the excitation signal is detected, a change between the detected sensor signal and a reference signal is determined and the change between the detected sensor signal and the reference signal is associated with a change in the thermal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Kourosh Kolahi, Ralf Storm
  • Patent number: 9976889
    Abstract: A tuning fork, particularly for a Coriolis mass flowmeter, and method of assembly comprising providing a first and a second measuring tube; providing a driver holder per measuring tube; providing at least one sensor holder per measuring tube; providing a first bracket part and fixing it to opposing portions of said first and second measuring tube such that said bracket part forms a bridge between said measuring tubes at positions corresponding to said driver holders; providing at least one second bracket part and fixing it to opposing portions of said first and second measuring tube such that said second bracket part forms a bridge between said measuring tubes at positions corresponding to said sensor holders; fixing at least one additional part of the tuning fork to the bracketed measuring tubes; severing said first bracket part; and severing said second bracket part. The disclosure additionally provides a tuning fork pre-stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ROTA YOKOGAWA GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Reinshaus, Stefan Schubach, Matthias Amann, Martin Ricken