Flow Meter Calibration Using Virtual Temperature Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meter calibration methods fail to accurately correct for significant changes in temperature and fluid properties, leading to errors in flow rate measurement, particularly when temperature changes affect kinematic viscosity and fluid density, and often require recalibration at multiple temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that calculates error dependencies as a function of flow rate at one temperature and applies these to different temperatures without physical measurement, using kinematic viscosity calculations and experimental or simulated data to create correction arrays, which are then approximated and corrected for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow meter calibration is performed at multiple temperatures using physical measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model that replicates the physical flow meter's behavior across different temperatures. Instead of physically measuring at multiple temperatures, the system copies the calibration data from a reference temperature and transforms it using the virtual model to generate accurate calibration curves for other temperatures, eliminating repeated physical measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration at a single reference temperature and uses the virtual model to pre-calculate transformation factors for other temperatures. This preliminary action at one temperature enables subsequent calibration at different temperatures without additional physical measurement, saving time while maintaining precision
2Measurement precision
If flow meter calibration is performed at multiple temperatures using physical measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model copies calibration characteristics from a single reference temperature measurement and generates equivalent calibration data for multiple temperatures through computational transformation, eliminating the need for energy-intensive physical measurements at each temperature point
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical calibration process (which consumes energy for heating, cooling, and repeated measurements) with a computational approach using a virtual model that transforms calibration data mathematically, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining calibration accuracy
3Device complexity
If correction factor arrays are used for flow meters with varying characteristics, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates individualized calibration curves for each flow meter using its specific characteristics (diameter, roughness, Reynolds number) in the virtual model. Instead of applying a generic correction factor array, the system tailors the calibration to local conditions of each meter, ensuring high precision while maintaining simple implementation through automated virtual modeling
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer- implemented method for calibrating a flow meter, including the following steps: array of error dependencies Epi as a function of flow rate Vi is taken (101) for temperature T1, where i = (1, 2...,n); values of kinematic viscosity v1 for temperature T1 and of kinematic viscosity v2 for temperature T2 ≠ T1 are calculated (102); values of the flow rate array VRi are calculated, where VRi ∗ V1 = Vi ∗ V2, where i = (1, 2 ..., n); a corresponding error Epi is assigned (104) VRi → Epi to the values of the flow rate calculated in the previous step, obtaining as a result an array of error dependencies Epi as a function of flow rate VRi for temperature T2 ≠ T1, where i = (1, 2...,n); the array of dependencies from the previous step is saved (105) in the memory of the flow meter.