Electronic Flow Meter Localized Pressure Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic flow meters face challenges in accurately quantifying volumetric flow of gas across varying conditions, particularly at low flow rates where density fluctuations impact measurements, and in meeting legal metrology standards for accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs sensors to generate data on pressure and temperature conditions, allowing for real-time adjustments to calculate standardized volumetric flow rates using the Ideal Gas Law, and utilizes a flow manager and processor to account for ambient conditions, enabling accurate measurement across different flow regimes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electronic flow meters are used to substitute mechanical flow meters, then technology advancement and potential cost reduction are achieved, but measurement precision and reliability under varying flow conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting measurement parameters based on flow conditions. The system changes from using only temporal characteristics at low flow to using both amplitude and temporal characteristics at higher flow rates, optimizing measurement precision across the entire operating range while maintaining electronic meter advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the measurement system adaptive to varying flow conditions. The measurement approach dynamically switches between different characterization methods (amplitude-based vs. temporal-based) depending on the flow regime, enabling the electronic meter to maintain precision comparable to mechanical meters across all operating conditions
2Device complexity
If standardized volumetric flow calculation is used without density correction, then calculation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision at low flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing density values at multiple pressure and temperature points before actual measurement. This pre-computed density data is then retrieved and applied during measurement, adding precision without requiring complex real-time density calculations or additional hardware
3Adaptability or versatility
If amplitude characteristics are used for flow measurement, then measurement range is expanded, but measurement precision at low flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different measurement characteristics for different flow ranges. Temporal characteristics are used for low flow measurements where they provide superior precision, while amplitude characteristics are used for higher flow measurements where they provide better adaptability and signal strength, with each method optimized for its appropriate operating range
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of volumetric flow measurement by accounting for density and ambient conditions, ensuring compliance with legal metrology standards and improving the reliability of gas flow quantification in both residential and commercial applications.
Implementation Method 1
This data may reflect flow conditions including localized 'measured' conditions, like measured pressure and measured temperature at or proximate the sensor
Implementation Method 2
allowing for real-time adjustments to calculate standardized volumetric flow rates using the Ideal Gas Law
Implementation Method 3
Data on measured pressure is advantageous for the device to account in real-time for density of the sample (proximate the sensor)
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic flow meter that is configured to use localized flow conditions to determine volumetric flow. The embodiments may include a body forming a pass-through channel and a by-pass channel; a semiconductor device comprising a sensor disposed proximate the by-pass channel, the sensor configured to generate a signal with data that reflects localized pressure and localized temperature of a stream in the by-pass channel; and a processing component coupled with the sensor to receive and process the signal so as to identify a flow condition for the stream, select a calculation for volumetric flow rate in response to the flow condition, use data for localized pressure and localized temperature in the calculation to generate a value for the volumetric flow rate; and generate an output with data that reflects the value for the volumetric flow rate.