Rosemount Inc.

Banner Engineering Corporation

Rivatek, Inc.

Dennis John Smith

John Allan Kielb

Grant Bradley Edwards

Mark Fandrey

Eric Karl Lindmark

Neal Andrew Schumacher

William J Ballot

Steven M Dennis

Myles L Miller

Randall C Olson

Kenneth G Guttsen

Paul D Bratton

Robert W Fayfield

Steven M Behm

David Anthony Horky

Donald F Palan

Mark Daniel Litecky

Steven D Kruse

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Retro-reflective sensor with multiple detectors

A flow blender device that includes a plurality of input flow conduits and a single output flow conduit. A variable sized orifice is positioned along at least one of the conduits for metering and controlling fluid flowing through the flow blender device. The variable sized orifice can be positioned along any of the input or output flow conduits. The flow blender device can use differential pressure measurements across the variable sized orifices to determine fluid flow rates in the flow blender device.

Fluid flow blender and methods

A method of improving the accuracy of a variable orifice flow meter that includes characterizing the flow coefficient of the flow meter orifice for different orifice openings and for different differential pressures. The method may be particularly useful with a flow metering and controlling device that includes a fluid flow conduit having at least one planar inner wall and an element having a linear edge configured to mate with the at least one planar inner wall of the fluid flow conduit. The element is movable relative to the conduit to define a flow orifice and vary a cross-sectional area of the orifice. The device also includes a processor configured to calculate the fluid flow based on the cross-sectional area of the orifice, the differential pressure, and the flow coefficient.

Software correction method and apparatus for a variable orifice flow meter

Housing for photoelectric control

A process seal made of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene is used as a microwave window in a radar tank level gauge. The periphery of the process seal is surrounded by a metal containment ring that is fitted to the periphery to limit the amount of expansion outwardly of the process seal material as well as provide for localized loading at the periphery for clamping pressures on the seal. Electromagnetic radiation shielding is provided not only by the containment ring, but also by an EMI shielding O-ring mounted in a groove on a sealing end of the containment ring. A process environmental O-ring is carried by the process seal in an outer shoulder groove that is enclosed by the containment ring.

PTFE window seal with EMI shielding

Pressure transmitter with dual inlet base and dual compartment housing

Pressure transmitter with single inlet base and dual compartment housing

An explosion proof electrical feedthrough assembly is provided in a process variable transmitter which has a sensor sensing a process variable and providing a sensor output signal indicative of the process variable. The transmitter also includes a processing circuit coupled to the sensor to receive the sensor output signal and provide a transmitter output signal based on the sensor output signal. The feedthrough assembly includes a terminal block which is coupled to the processing circuit and includes power supply terminal connectors and communication signal connectors. The communication signal connectors are arranged generally radially about the power supply terminal connectors.

Process control transmitter with electrical feedthrough assembly

A waveguide assembly for a process sealed level gage includes first and second waveguide portions, a process sealing cavity and a mechanical barrier. The first waveguide portion has a first waveguide bore. The second waveguide portion is fastened to the first waveguide portion and has a second waveguide bore which is axially aligned with the first waveguide bore for communicating microwave signals at a waveguide wavelength .lambda..sub.G between the waveguide bores. The process sealing cavity is formed at an interface between the first and second waveguide portions. The mechanical barrier includes a first shaft section positioned within the first waveguide portion, a second shaft section positioned within the second waveguide portion and a raised annular shoulder positioned at the interface, within the process sealing cavity. The raised annular shoulder has a width, which is measured radially outward from an outside diameter of the shaft sections, of approximately 1/2 .lambda..sub.G and a height, which is measured axially between the first and second waveguide portions, of approximately 1/4 .lambda..sub.G.

Level gage waveguide process seal having wavelength-based dimensions

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Dennis John Smith