09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Flow meters; sensors for flow meters; transmitters for flow
meters; air detectors; bubble detectors; electric flow
control installations; electronic flow control
installations.
2.
CORIOLIS MASS FLOW SENSORS HAVING DIFFERENT RESONANT FREQUENCIES
A flow measurement system includes two or more flow sensors that may operate simultaneously and a plurality of connected flow paths for flow of fluids. Each flow sensor is positioned along a different flow path of the plurality of connected flow paths and includes at least one flow tube and a support that clamps the flow tube. The flow tube of each flow sensor has a different resonant frequency so that cross-talk between the flow sensors can be reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, the flow tube of each flow sensor has a different tube length, wall thickness, material, and/or weight. The flow measurement system can also include one or more pumps for pumping fluid into the flow sensors and a dampener arranged between a pump and a corresponding flow sensor for mitigating interference on the flow sensor from operation of the pump.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Flow meters; sensors for flow meters; transmitters for flow meters; air detectors; bubble detectors; electric flow control installations; electronic flow control installations.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Flow meters; flow controllers; sensors for flow meters for measuring liquids and gases, not for medical purposes; electronic transmitters for flow meters; scientific instruments, namely, air flow detectors and bubble detectors; electric flow control installations, namely, flow switches for controlling the flow of liquids and gases; electronic flow control installations, namely, electronic instruments for measuring, monitoring, and controlling flow, pressure, and temperature of liquids and gases Medical flow meters; electronic sensors for measuring airflow specially adapted for medical flow meters; electronic transmitters specially adapted for medical flow meters; medical detectors for detecting air in fluids; medical detectors for detecting bubbles in fluids; electric flow control installations for medical purposes, namely, medical devices for controlling air flow for medical use; electronic flow control installations for medical purposes, namely, medical devices for controlling air flow for medical use
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
flow meters; sensors for flow meters; transmitters for flow meters; air detectors; bubble detectors; electric flow control installations; electronic flow control installations. medical flow meters; sensors for medical flow meters; transmitters for medical flow meters; medical detectors for detecting air in fluids; medical detectors for detecting bubbles in fluids; electric flow control installations for medical purposes; electronic flow control installations for medical purposes.
Devices and methods include a Coriolis flow meter including a first and second manifolds made from a polymer material. Each manifold includes a respective tubular port extension extending outward from a surface of the manifold. A flow-sensitive tube made from the polymer material is attached at a first end to the first tubular port extension and attached at a second end to the second tubular port extension. An isolating structure is clamped around a portion of the first tubular port extension and positioned adjacent to the surface of the first manifold. The isolating structure is made from a second material different from the polymer material.
G01F 1/84 - Coriolis or gyroscopic mass flowmeters
G01F 15/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
Devices and methods include a Coriolis flow meter including a first and second manifolds made from a polymer material. Each manifold includes a respective tubular port extension extending outward from a surface of the manifold. A flow-sensitive tube made from the polymer material is attached at a first end to the first tubular port extension and attached at a second end to the second tubular port extension. An isolating structure is clamped around a portion of the first tubular port extension and positioned adjacent to the surface of the first manifold. The isolating structure is made from a second material different from the polymer material.
A flow dampener for dampening pulsation in a fluid flow includes a body shell, a flexible membrane, and two flow ports. The body shell has an interior surface and an elongate groove formed on the interior surface. The flexible membrane is sealed to the interior surface of the body shell and covers the elongate groove. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is over-molded onto the body shell. The flexible membrane cooperates with the elongate groove to form an elongate flow path for the fluid flow. The flexible membrane has a thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. As the membrane is flexible, it vibrates as the fluid flows through the elongate flow path, absorbs kinetic energy in the fluid flow, and thereby dampens pulsation in the fluid flow.
A Coriolis flow sensor includes a metal flow tube and an enclosure. The enclosure encloses the flow tube and is constructed at least partially from a gamma transparent material. The metal flow tube may be constructed from stainless steel. The gamma transparent material and the flow tube are thin enough to permit sterilization of an interior of the flow tube by gamma irradiation of the flow tube through the gamma transparent material. The enclosure is also shaped to facilitate locking and unlocking the Coriolis flow sensor in place on a mounting structure.
A flow sensor includes a flow tube in a form of a tube and a support cast around the flow tube. The support clamps the flow tube and the flow tube extends through the support. The flow sensor is formed by placing the flow tube in a tube cavity of a casting mold and pouring or injecting a liquid resin into a support cavity of the casting mold. The support is formed around the flow tube from solidifying the liquid resin in the support cavity of the casting mold. A temperature of the casting mold during formation of the support does not exceed a threshold temperature to avoid deformation of the flow tube. The flow sensor can also include at least one memory chip that stores calibration information associated with the flow sensor and connectors that allows a controller to read the calibration information from the memory chip.
Embodiments relate to a flow process system comprising a cradle and a locking mechanism. The cradle has a mounting structure for a Coriolis flow sensor, and the cradle has significantly more mass than the Coriolis flow sensor. Tire locking mechanism is used to lock and unlock Coriolis flow sensors in place on the mounting structure. The locking mechanism produces sufficient locking force when locked that tire Coriolis flow sensor and cradle vibrate as a unitary body. In this way, the Coriolis flow sensor has effectively more mass when used as part of the flow process system, but Coriolis flow sensors may be easily replaced by unlocking the locking mechanism, removing the current Coriolis flow sensor and replacing it with another.
A Coriolis flow sensor includes a metal flow tube and an enclosure. The enclosure encloses the flow tube and is constructed at least partially from a gamma transparent material. The metal flow tube may be constructed from stainless steel. The gamma transparent material and the flow tube are thin enough to permit sterilization of an interior of the flow tube by gamma irradiation of the flow tube through the gamma transparent material. The enclosure is also shaped to facilitate locking and unlocking the Coriolis flow sensor in place on a mounting structure.
A flow measurement system includes two or more flow sensors that may operate simultaneously and a plurality of connected flow paths for flow of fluids. Each flow sensor is positioned along a different flow path of the plurality of connected flow paths and includes at least one flow tube and a support that clamps the flow tube. The flow tube of each flow sensor has a different resonant frequency so that cross-talk between the flow sensors can be reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, the flow tube of each flow sensor has a different tube length, wall thickness, material, and/or weight. The flow measurement system can also include one or more pumps for pumping fluid into the flow sensors and a dampener arranged between a pump and a corresponding flow sensor for mitigating interference on the flow sensor from operation of the pump.
A flow dampener for dampening pulsation in a fluid flow includes a body shell, a flexible membrane, and two flow ports. The body shell has an interior surface and an elongate groove formed on the interior surface. The flexible membrane is sealed to the interior surface of the body shell and covers the elongate groove. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is over-molded onto the body shell. The flexible membrane cooperates with the elongate groove to form an elongate flow path for the fluid flow. The flexible membrane has a thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. As the membrane is flexible, it vibrates as the fluid flows through the elongate flow path, absorbs kinetic energy in the fluid flow, and thereby dampens pulsation in the fluid flow.
F16L 55/04 - Devices damping pulsations or vibrations in fluids
B05C 11/10 - Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent materialRecovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
F02M 37/00 - Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatusArrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
F15B 1/12 - Accumulators using a gas cushionGas charging devicesIndicators or floats therefor with flexible separating means attached at their periphery
A flow dampener for dampening pulsation in a fluid flow includes a body shell, a flexible membrane, and two flow ports. The body shell has an interior surface and an elongate groove formed on the interior surface. The flexible membrane is sealed to the interior surface of the body shell and covers the elongate groove. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is over-molded onto the body shell. The flexible membrane cooperates with the elongate groove to form an elongate flow path for the fluid flow. The flexible membrane has a thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. As the membrane is flexible, it vibrates as the fluid flows through the elongate flow path, absorbs kinetic energy in the fluid flow, and thereby dampens pulsation in the fluid flow.
A flow measurement system includes two or more flow sensors that may operate simultaneously and a plurality of connected flow paths for flow of fluids. Each flow sensor is positioned along a different flow path of the plurality of connected flow paths and includes at least one flow tube and a support that clamps the flow tube. The flow tube of each flow sensor has a different resonant frequency so that cross-talk between the flow sensors can be reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, the flow tube of each flow sensor has a different tube length, wall thickness, material, and/or weight. The flow measurement system can also include one or more pumps for pumping fluid into the flow sensors and a dampener arranged between a pump and a corresponding flow sensor for mitigating interference on the flow sensor from operation of the pump.
A flow measurement system includes two or more flow sensors that may operate simultaneously and a plurality of connected flow paths for flow of fluids. Each flow sensor is positioned along a different flow path of the plurality of connected flow paths and includes at least one flow tube and a support that clamps the flow tube. The flow tube of each flow sensor has a different resonant frequency so that cross-talk between the flow sensors can be reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, the flow tube of each flow sensor has a different tube length, wall thickness, material, and/or weight. The flow measurement system can also include one or more pumps for pumping fluid into the flow sensors and a dampener arranged between a pump and a corresponding flow sensor for mitigating interference on the flow sensor from operation of the pump.
A flow sensor includes a flow tube in a form of a tube and a support cast around the flow tube. The support clamps the flow tube and the flow tube extends through the support. The flow sensor is formed by placing the flow tube in a tube cavity of a casting mold and pouring or injecting a liquid resin into a support cavity of the casting mold. The support is formed around the flow tube from solidifying the liquid resin in the support cavity of the casting mold. A temperature of the casting mold during formation of the support does not exceed a threshold temperature to avoid deformation of the flow tube. The flow sensor can also include at least one memory chip that stores calibration information associated with the flow sensor and connectors that allows a controller to read the calibration information from the memory chip.
A flow sensor includes a flow tube in a form of a tube and a support cast around the flow tube. The support clamps the flow tube and the flow tube extends through the support. The flow sensor is formed by placing the flow tube in a tube cavity of a casting mold and pouring or injecting a liquid resin into a support cavity of the casting mold. The support is formed around the flow tube from solidifying the liquid resin in the support cavity of the casting mold. A temperature of the casting mold during formation of the support does not exceed a threshold temperature to avoid deformation of the flow tube. The flow sensor can also include at least one memory chip that stores calibration information associated with the flow sensor and connectors that allows a controller to read the calibration information from the memory chip.
A method of manufacturing a Coriolis mass flowmeter from a polymeric material is described, in which a dynamically responsive manifold is fabricated from the same material as the flow sensor's flow-sensitive elements. The flowmeter is free of mechanical joints and adhesives. The manifold and flow-sensitive elements therefore do not slip or change their location relative one another, nor are they subject to differing degrees of thermal expansion that would otherwise undermine integrity, reliability, and/or accuracy of the boundary condition at the ends of the vibrating flow-sensitive elements.
B29C 65/02 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
G01F 1/84 - Coriolis or gyroscopic mass flowmeters
G01F 15/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
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.
G01F 1/84 - Coriolis or gyroscopic mass flowmeters
B29C 65/70 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by moulding
B29C 45/14 - Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mouldApparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
B29K 69/00 - Use of polycarbonates as moulding material
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.
G01F 1/84 - Coriolis or gyroscopic mass flowmeters
G01F 15/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Pressure relief valves being parts of semiconductor manufacturing machines Automatic liquid-flow control machines and instruments; Automatic valves; Automatic valves for preventing excess flow in gases and liquids; Control valves for regulating the flow of gases and liquids; Flow meters; Flow switches for monitoring and controlling the flow of gases or liquids; Pneumatic and hydraulic directional control valves for use in automated production machinery; Pressure sensors [ ; Safety valves for flow shutoff in well construction; Temperature sensors ]
A method of manufacturing a Coriolis mass flowmeter from a polymeric material is described, in which a dynamically responsive manifold is fabricated from the same material as the flow sensor's flow-sensitive elements. The flowmeter is free of mechanical joints and adhesives. The manifold and flow-sensitive elements therefore do not slip or change their location relative one another, nor are they subject to differing degrees of thermal expansion that would otherwise undermine integrity, reliability, and/or accuracy of the boundary condition at the ends of the vibrating flow-sensitive elements.
G01F 1/84 - Coriolis or gyroscopic mass flowmeters
G01F 15/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
B29C 65/02 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
26.
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CORIOLIS MASS FLOW RATE SENSOR FROM A POLYMERIC MATERIAL
A method of manufacturing a Coriolis mass flowmeter from a polymeric material is described, in which a dynamically responsive manifold is fabricated from the same material as the flow sensor's flow-sensitive elements. The flowmeter is free of mechanical joints and adhesives. The manifold and flow-sensitive elements therefore do not slip or change their location relative one another, nor are they subject to differing degrees of thermal expansion that would otherwise undermine integrity, reliability, and/or accuracy of the boundary condition at the ends of the vibrating flow-sensitive elements.
A subassembly of a Coriolis flowmeter is fabricated from a single monolithic piece of elastic polymeric material. The subassembly includes two flow-sensitive members and a base integrally connected to the two flow-sensitive members. The two flow-sensitive members include straight sections, and are substantially similar and parallel to each other. Flow passages are drilled along the straight sections of the two flow-sensitive members, and drilled entrances are sealed using the elastic polymeric material. A temperature sensor is fixedly attached to a flow-sensitive member for measuring a temperature of the flow-sensitive member and communicating the temperature to a metering electronics. The metering electronics determines a calibrated flow rate of fluid flowing through the Coriolis flowmeter that accounts for the temperature.
A dispense verification meter for measuring and verifying dispense operations (e.g., actual dispensed volumes) of media dispense systems. The dispense verification meter preferably automatically corrects zero offset drift, preferably samples the flow rate of media being dispensed at a sufficiently high sample rate, and verifies whether the desired dispense operation has been achieved.
A subassembly of a Coriolis flowmeter is fabricated from a single monolithic piece of elastic polymeric material. The subassembly includes two flow-sensitive members and a base integrally connected to the two flow-sensitive members. The two flow-sensitive members include straight sections, and are substantially similar and parallel to each other. Flow passages are drilled along the straight sections of the two flow-sensitive members, and drilled entrances are sealed using the elastic polymeric material. A temperature sensor is fixedly attached to a flow-sensitive member for measuring a temperature of the flow-sensitive member and communicating the temperature to a metering electronics. The metering electronics determines a calibrated flow rate of fluid flowing through the Coriolis flowmeter that accounts for the temperature.
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
B29C 67/24 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or characterised by the choice of material
B32B 37/00 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
A subassembly of a Coriolis flowmeter is fabricated from a single monolithic piece of elastic polymeric material. The subassembly includes two flow-sensitive members and a base integrally connected to the two flow-sensitive members. The two flow-sensitive members include straight sections, and are substantially similar and parallel to each other. Flow passages are drilled along the straight sections of the two flow-sensitive members, and drilled entrances are sealed using the elastic polymeric material. A temperature sensor is fixedly attached to a flow-sensitive member for measuring a temperature of the flow-sensitive member and communicating the temperature to a metering electronics. The metering electronics determines a calibrated flow rate of fluid flowing through the Coriolis flowmeter that accounts for the temperature.
A fluid flow rate and density measuring apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a section of cylindrical conduit, a flow sensor housing for allowing fluid to pass through the open ends of the sensor housing as fluid flows through the conduit, and an elongated cylindrically symmetric structure located within the housing with its longitudinal axis aligned along that of the housing thereby forcing fluid through the annular gap between the exterior of the elongated cylindrically symmetric structure and the interior wall of the sensor housing. The apparatus includes a one-piece construction that includes the housing and the cylindrically symmetric structure. The cylindrically symmetric structure has a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 3:1 and reduces a cross-section area of the conduit to between 20% and 50% of an open inlet area of the conduit.
G01F 1/36 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by measuring pressure or differential pressure the pressure or differential pressure being created by the use of flow constriction
32.
INTERNAL LEAK DETECTION AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION IN A FLOW CONTROL ARRANGEMENT
An apparatus for preventing backflow and contamination, and detecting by pass leaks in a flow control arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vent line connecting a sweep gas source and a vent. Constant process-inert gas flows from the source through the vent line into the vent. The vent line is connected with the flow control arrangement. Any leakage in the flow control arrangement is channeled to the vent line and swept into the vent along with the sweep gas. As a result, pressure in the flow control arrangement cannot build up and leakage backflow is prevented. A flow switch may be disposed on the vent line for detecting leakage. The sweep gas flow rate is controlled at a constant level that is inadequate to actuate the flow switch and keeps the flow switch ready to actuate by any superimposed leakage. The flow switch detects a leakage when it actuates.
G01M 3/26 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
33.
Internal leak detection and backflow prevention in a flow control arrangement
An apparatus for preventing backflow and contamination, and detecting by-pass leaks in a flow control arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vent line connecting a sweep gas source and a vent. Constant process-inert gas flows from the source through the vent line into the vent. The vent line is connected with the flow control arrangement. Any leakage in the flow control arrangement is channeled to the vent line and swept into the vent along with the sweep gas. As a result, pressure in the flow control arrangement cannot build up and leakage backflow is prevented. A flow switch may be disposed on the vent line for detecting leakage. The sweep gas flow rate is controlled at a constant level that is inadequate to actuate the flow switch and keeps the flow switch ready to actuate by any superimposed leakage. The flow switch detects a leakage when it actuates.
F16K 1/00 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
F17D 5/02 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
A dispense verification meter for measuring and verifying dispense operations (e.g., actual dispensed volumes) of media dispense systems. The dispense verification meter preferably automatically corrects zero offset drift, preferably samples the flow rate of media being dispensed at a sufficiently high sample rate, and verifies whether the desired dispense operation has been achieved.
A dispense verification meter for measuring and verifying dispense operations (e.g., actual dispensed volumes) of media dispense systems. The dispense verification meter preferably automatically corrects zero offset drift, preferably samples the flow rate of media being dispensed at a sufficiently high sample rate, and verifies whether the desired dispense operation has been achieved.
A Coriolis flow sensor includes a metal flow tube and an enclosure. The enclosure encloses the flow tube and is constructed at least partially from a gamma transparent material. The metal flow tube may be constructed from stainless steel. The gamma transparent material and the flow tube are thin enough to pemit sterilization of an interior of the flow tube by gamma irradiation of the flow tube through the gamma transparent material. The enclosure is also shaped to facilitate locking and unlocking the Coriolis flow sensor in place on a mounting structure.
A flow dampener for dampening pulsation in a fluid flow includes a body shell, a flexible membrane, and two flow ports. The body shell has an interior surface and an elongate groove formed on the interior surface. The flexible membrane is sealed to the interior surface of the body shell and covers the elongate groove. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is over-molded onto the body shell. The flexible membrane cooperates with the elongate groove to form an elongate flow path for the fluid flow. The flexible membrane has a thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. As the membrane is flexible, it vibrates as the fluid flows through the elongate flow path, absorbs kinetic energy in the fluid flow, and thereby dampens pulsation in the fluid flow.
B05C 11/10 - Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent materialRecovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
F02M 37/00 - Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatusArrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
F15B 1/12 - Accumulators using a gas cushionGas charging devicesIndicators or floats therefor with flexible separating means attached at their periphery
F16L 55/04 - Devices damping pulsations or vibrations in fluids
Embodiments relate to a flow process system comprising a cradle and a locking mechanism. The cradle has a mounting structure for a Coriolis flow sensor, and the cradle has significantly more mass than the Coriolis flow sensor. Tire locking mechanism is used to lock and unlock Coriolis flow sensors in place on the mounting structure. The locking mechanism produces sufficient locking force when locked that tire Coriolis flow sensor and cradle vibrate as a unitary body. In this way, the Coriolis flow sensor has effectively more mass when used as part of the flow process system, but Coriolis flow sensors may be easily replaced by unlocking the locking mechanism, removing the current Coriolis flow sensor and replacing it with another.
