Patent US1033196A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4311054A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4311054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mass flowmeter with sensor gain control
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1980-02-28
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Granted: 1982-01-19
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Expires: 2000-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A mass flow rate meter is provided having two U-shaped tubular flow loops, means for vibrating the flow loops like the tines of a tuning fork. Opto-electrical sensors on opposite legs of the flow loops generate signals indicative of the times between the passing of the sides of the loop through the static plane of the loop. The times between the passing of the sides of the loops through the static plane may be combined to derive the mass flow rate of material flowing through the loops. Means are provided for varying the gain of the opto-electrical sensors to provide for a constant performance under conditions of changing temperature, voltage variations and aging characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce M. Cox
- 👤 Morris D. Ho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/76; G01F1/78; G01F1/80; G01F1/84; G01F1/8409; G01F1/8427; G01F1/8431; G01F1/845; G01F1/8468; G01F1/8472; G01F1/8477; G01F1/8481; G01F1/8486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A mass flowmeter system of the coriolis force type, comprising: a base member; at least one generally U-shaped tube having two side legs joined together by a cross member, the free ends of said side legs being rigidly attached to said base member and forming an inlet and an outlet for flowable material; means for vibrating the bight end of said U-shaped tube perpendicular to the plane of said U-shaped tube; sensor means on each of the side legs of said U-shaped tube for generating an electrical output signal indicative of when each of said side legs reaches a predetermined point in its vibratory motion; third sensor means located approximately at the midpoint of said cross member for generating a control signal when said cross member reaches a predetermined point in its vibratory motion; and, means for automtically varying the electrical gain of said side leg sensor means to provide for consistent detection of when each of said side legs reaches the predetermined point in its vibratory motion, wherein said control signal is supplied to said gain varying means as the time basis for said gain varying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A mass flowmeter system of the coriolis force type, comprising: a base member; at least one generally U-shaped tube having two side legs joined together by a cross member, the free ends of said side legs being rigidly attached to said base member and forming an inlet and an outlet for flowable material; means for vibrating the bight end of said U-shaped tube perpendicular to the plane of said U-shaped tube; sensor means on each of the side legs of said U-shaped tube for generating an electrical output signal indicative of when each of said side legs reaches a predetermined point in its vibratory motion; third sensor means located approximately at the midpoint of said cross member for generating a control signal when said cross member reaches a predetermined point in its vibratory motion; and, means for automtically varying the electrical gain of said side leg sensor means to provide for consistent detection of when each of said side legs reaches the predetermined point in its vibratory motion, wherein said control signal is supplied to said gain varying means as the time basis for said gain varying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprise opto electrical sensors having a light source, a light detector, means for converting detected light to electrical signals, and means for interrupting the light path from source to detector as a function of motion of said legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said light sources comprise light emitting diodes and said light detectors comprise photo transistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said means for automatically varying the electrical gain of said sensor means includes means for varying the drive current to said light emitting diodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said means for varying the drive current to said light emitting diodes includes means for comparing said electrical output signals of said sensors to a reference signal and means for generating an error signal in response to said comparison.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined point comprises the point of maximum positive displacement from its static position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 and further including means for sensing the velocity of said U-shaped tube and generating a signal representative thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 7 and further including means for detecting the peak velocity of said U-shaped tube in response to said representative signal, and generating a peak signal in response thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 and further including means for comparing said peak signal to a reference velocity signal and generating an error signal in response to said comparison.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 and further including means responsive to said error signal for supplying current to said vibrating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the frequency of said current supplied to said vibrating means is that of said representative signal from said velocity sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-07-20 | 1986-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-18 | 1989-07-20 | 1990-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-18 | 1993-07-20 | 1994-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |