Flow Sensor Device Cross-Verification Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow sensor devices often fail to reliably detect malfunctions due to the lack of independent verification of measurement accuracy, leading to potential errors in fluid flow measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize at least two sensor arrangements to measure fluid flow and additional fluid properties, allowing for comparison and monitoring of these properties to detect deviations and generate fault signals, thereby ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the flow sensor device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sensor arrangement is used for measuring fluid flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to lack of independent verification
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented into multiple independent sensor arrangements, each measuring different fluid properties (flow rate, temperature, pressure, composition). This segmentation allows independent verification of measurements while maintaining manageable complexity through modular sensor design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring multiple fluid properties and comparing their relationships against expected physical correlations. When deviations are detected, the system can trigger alerts or corrections, thereby improving measurement reliability through self-verification mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor arrangements measuring different fluid properties are used, then the measurement precision is improved through independent verification, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangements are designed with multi-functionality, where each sensor can measure multiple fluid properties (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow rate, composition) simultaneously. This universality reduces the total number of sensors needed while maintaining high measurement precision through cross-verification of multiple parameters.
3Reliability
If fluid properties are monitored and compared for fault detection, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of information increases due to additional measurement and comparison requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing expected relationships and correlations between different fluid properties based on physical laws and operational conditions. This allows for efficient real-time comparison and fault detection without requiring complex on-the-fly analysis, thereby reducing information loss and processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Method of operating a flow sensor device (10) with a first sensor arrangement (11) for measuring a flow (F) of a fluid (g) and a further first fluid property (p1), and with a second sensor arrangement (12) for measuring a further second fluid property (p2); said method comprising the steps of operating said flow sensor device (10) for determining said further first fluid property (p1) by means of said first sensor arrangement (11), operating said flow sensor device (10) for determining said further second fluid property (p2) by means of said second sensor arrangement (12), comparing said further first fluid property (p1) and further second fluid property (p2) and producing a comparison result (R), and monitoring said comparison result and producing a fault signal (FS) in case of a fault state. The present invention relates to such a sensor device.