Flow Meter Error Propagation for Dynamic Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow measurement technologies do not accurately account for dynamic changes in operating parameters and error sources, leading to unreliable measurement uncertainties and quality of measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining current measurement uncertainty in real-time by linking static and dynamic error sources through error propagation, incorporating additional sensor units for detecting operating parameters and including zero-point stability, calibration, repeatability, and linearity uncertainties in the measurement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If measurement uncertainty is determined by statistical analysis over a limited period, then all disturbance variables are automatically taken into account, but no more precise statement can be made about the current measurement uncertainty of an individual measured value
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement uncertainty is segmented into static error sources (calibration, repeatability, linearity, long-term reproducibility) and dynamic error sources (operating parameter variations, zero-point stability). This segmentation allows the static components to be determined through comprehensive statistical analysis while the dynamic components are evaluated in real-time for each individual measured value, thereby achieving both comprehensive error coverage and precise current uncertainty determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic evaluation of error sources by continuously monitoring operating parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rate) and calculating their impact on measurement uncertainty in real-time. This dynamic approach complements the static statistical analysis, enabling precise determination of current measurement uncertainty for each individual measured value while maintaining comprehensive error coverage.
2Ease of operation
If maximum measurement uncertainty is specified in manufacturer specifications, then a uniform assessment standard is provided, but the reliability of measured values does not reflect variations in external operating parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where operating parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rate) are continuously monitored and fed into the measurement uncertainty calculation. The system dynamically adjusts the measurement uncertainty based on actual operating conditions, providing real-time feedback on measurement reliability that reflects variations in external parameters while maintaining a uniform assessment framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from specifying a fixed maximum measurement uncertainty to calculating dynamic measurement uncertainty based on actual operating parameters. By incorporating temperature, pressure, and flow rate variations into the uncertainty calculation, the system maintains ease of operation through standardized procedures while accurately reflecting measurement reliability under varying conditions.
3Measurement precision
If real-time uncertainty determination is implemented for each measured value, then the dynamics of error sources are taken into account, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensor units and error propagation calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flow meter multi-functional by integrating additional sensor units that not only monitor operating parameters for uncertainty calculation but also provide valuable process information. The error propagation calculation system serves multiple purposes: determining measurement uncertainty, validating measurement quality, and providing feedback for process optimization, thereby justifying the increased device complexity through multiple useful functions.
4Measurement precision
If measurement uncertainty is determined through error propagation linking static and dynamic error sources, then precise current measurement uncertainty is achieved, but the calculation complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the static error sources (calibration, repeatability, linearity, long-term reproducibility) through comprehensive statistical analysis before actual measurement operations. These pre-calculated static uncertainty components are stored and readily available, so that during real-time measurement only the dynamic error sources need to be calculated based on current operating parameters, significantly reducing the processing time while maintaining precise current measurement uncertainty determination.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described and illustrated is a method (1) for operating a flow meter (2) for measuring the flow rate of a flowing medium through a pipe (3), wherein the flow meter (2) has a measuring unit (4) for determining individual measured values (6) of the flow rate and an error unit (5) for determining the measurement uncertainty of the individual measured values (6), wherein the determination of the individual measured values (6) is carried out at a measurement frequency. The task of specifying a method for operating a flow meter that improves the quality of the measurement is solved by determining a current measurement uncertainty (7) for each individual measured value (6) by the error unit (5) and by linking both static and dynamic error sources together by error propagation to determine the current measurement uncertainty (7).