Flow Metering System Reducing Uncertainty via MLU Data Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow meter technologies have plateaued in reducing flowrate prediction uncertainty, and existing methods do not effectively utilize multiple instrument readings to improve individual flow meter performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses multiple flow meters or additional instrumentation in conjunction with physical laws to combine data and reduce uncertainty, applying techniques like Maximum Likelihood Uncertainty (MLU) to derive a more accurate and reliable flowrate prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple flow meters are used to improve measurement reliability, then flowrate prediction uncertainty is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement system is segmented into multiple independent flow meters, each measuring the same fluid flow independently. This segmentation allows the system to combine multiple measurements to reduce overall uncertainty while maintaining the simplicity of individual meter designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow rate readings from different flow meters are merged through a calculation process that applies physical laws (conservation of mass and energy). The merging combines the individual measurements and their uncertainties to produce a single flow rate prediction with reduced uncertainty.
2Measurement precision
If additional instrumentation is added to reduce measurement uncertainty, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional instrumentation serves multiple functions: it provides secondary flow rate measurements, supplies data for uncertainty calculation, and enables the application of physical laws to reconcile measurements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The calculation process acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple flow meters and additional instrumentation, applies physical laws and uncertainty analysis, and produces a reconciled flow rate prediction. This intermediary process integrates information from multiple sources without requiring direct physical connection between all components.
3Reliability
If flow meters operate on different physical principles, then measurement reliability improves through cross-validation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different flow meters operate on different physical principles (e.g., one based on pressure differential, another on velocity measurement), providing locally optimized measurements suited to their specific operating characteristics. This diversity in measurement approaches enhances reliability through cross-validation while allowing each meter to maintain its own simplified design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Improved flow metering methods and devices are provided, where the uncertainty of a flow rate readign can be reduced. This is done by applying MLU or other similar techniques at a micro level, that is, to an individual flow meter or other type of instrumentation/measurement appartus.