US4961348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flowmeter fluid composition correction
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1988-12-16
•
Granted: 1990-10-09
•
Expires: 2008-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for correcting the flow measurement of a gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter of the microanemometer class is disclosed in which an uncorrected flow value signal for the fluid of interest in relation to a microanemometer sensor output is corrected by applying a correction factor to the flow value signal based on certain unique physical parameters of the fluid of interest which nominally include thermal conductivity, k, specific heat, c p , and density, q.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Bonne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/68; G01F1/696; G01F1/6965; G01F1/684; G01F1/6842; G01F1/76; G01F1/86; G01F15/00; G01F15/02; G01F15/04; G01F15/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of a gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter of the microbridge class having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled microbridge sensor output (S o ) for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value (M o ) or volumetric flow value (V o ) for the fluid of interest in relation to the microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) thermal conductivity (k) and density (q); and applying a correction factor normalized with reference to a particular gas to the flowrate signal to obtain the corrected mass flow value (M o *) or volumetric flow (V o *) and sensor output S o * according to a relationship selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po).sup.X.sbsp.2
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of a gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter of the microbridge class having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled microbridge sensor output (S o ) for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value (M o ) or volumetric flow value (V o ) for the fluid of interest in relation to the microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) thermal conductivity (k) and density (q); and applying a correction factor normalized with reference to a particular gas to the flowrate signal to obtain the corrected mass flow value (M o *) or volumetric flow (V o *) and sensor output S o * according to a relationship selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po).sup.X.sbsp.2
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
7 words
or M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po).sup.X.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.3
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
7 words
or M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po).sup.X.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.3
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
7 words
or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
7 words
or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
8 words
or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.3
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.3
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
4 words
and S.sub.o */S.sub.o =1
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
4 words
and S.sub.o */S.sub.o =1
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
or S.sub.o */S.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.Y.sbsp.2 or S.sub.o */S.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.Y.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.3 Where: M*=corrected mass flow S*=corrected output (sensor) V*=corrected volumetric flow k/k o =normalized thermal conductivity c p /c p o =normalized specific heat q/q o =normalized density o=refers to the base or reference gas x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , or y 1 , y 2 , y 3 or z 1 , z 2 and z 3 are exponents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
or S.sub.o */S.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.Y.sbsp.2 or S.sub.o */S.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.Y.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.Y.sbsp.3 Where: M*=corrected mass flow S*=corrected output (sensor) V*=corrected volumetric flow k/k o =normalized thermal conductivity c p /c p o =normalized specific heat q/q o =normalized density o=refers to the base or reference gas x 1 , x 2 , x 3 , or y 1 , y 2 , y 3 or z 1 , z 2 and z 3 are exponents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the relationship is selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.X.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.3 or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2 (q/q.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.3 and S o */S o =1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein k and c p are determined by a second microbridge means in relatively static communication with the fluid of interest.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein k and c p are determined by a second microbridge means in relatively static communication with the fluid of interest.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the correction factors are normalized with respect to CH 4 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of obtaining correction factors are applied to a plurality of gases.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said plurality of gases include CH 4 , CO 2 , O 2 air, C 3 H 8 , Ar and He.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the correction factors are normalized with respect to CH 4 .
Claim 20
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected, nulled dynamic microbridge sensor output for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value or volumetric flow value for the fluid of interest in relation to the dynamic microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k) of the fluid of interest; and applying an on-going, time-variable correction factor to the flow value normalized with respect to a particular reference gas to obtain the corrected mass flow value or volumetric flow valve and sensor output according to a known relationship, among values of specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k) normalized with respect to the reference gas.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected, nulled dynamic microbridge sensor output for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value or volumetric flow value for the fluid of interest in relation to the dynamic microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k) of the fluid of interest; and applying an on-going, time-variable correction factor to the flow value normalized with respect to a particular reference gas to obtain the corrected mass flow value or volumetric flow valve and sensor output according to a known relationship, among values of specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k) normalized with respect to the reference gas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising monitoring the density (g) of the fluid of interest.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein k and c p are determined by a second microbridge means in relatively static communication with the fluid of interest.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein k and c p are determined by a second microbridge in relatively static communication with the fluid of interest.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the steps of obtaining correction factors are applied to a plurality of gasses.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said plurality of gases include CH 4 , CO 2 , O 2 air, C 3 H 8 , Ar and He.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the correction factors are normalized with respect to CH 4 .
Claim 28
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of a gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled microbridge sensor output (S o ) for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value (M o ) or volumetric flow value (V o ) for the fluid of interest in relation to the microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k); and applying a correction factor normalized with respect to a particular reference gas to the flowrate valve to obtain the corrected mass flow value (M o *) or volumetric flow (V o *) and sensor output S o * according to a relationship selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.x.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.x.sbsp.2 V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/K.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.z.sbsp.2 and S.sub.o */S.sub.o =1 S.sub.o */S o=(k/k.sub.o).sup.y.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.y.sbsp.2 Where: M*=corrected mass flow S*=corrected output (sensor) V*=corrected volumetric flow k/ko=normalized thermal conductivity c p /c po =normalized specific heat o=refers to the base or reference gas x 1 , x 2 , or y 1 , y 2 or z 1 , and z 2 =are exponents.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for compensating the flow measurement of a gaseous fluid of interest for changes in the composition of that fluid in a flowmeter having a first dynamic microbridge exposed to the flow and producing a flow-related output signal, comprising the steps of: obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled microbridge sensor output (S o ) for the fluid of interest; obtaining an on-going, uncorrected nulled mass flow value (M o ) or volumetric flow value (V o ) for the fluid of interest in relation to the microbridge sensor output; obtaining the specific heat (c p ) and thermal conductivity (k); and applying a correction factor normalized with respect to a particular reference gas to the flowrate valve to obtain the corrected mass flow value (M o *) or volumetric flow (V o *) and sensor output S o * according to a relationship selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.x.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.x.sbsp.2 V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/K.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.z.sbsp.2 and S.sub.o */S.sub.o =1 S.sub.o */S o=(k/k.sub.o).sup.y.sbsp.1.(c.sub.p /c.sub.po).sup.y.sbsp.2 Where: M*=corrected mass flow S*=corrected output (sensor) V*=corrected volumetric flow k/ko=normalized thermal conductivity c p /c po =normalized specific heat o=refers to the base or reference gas x 1 , x 2 , or y 1 , y 2 or z 1 , and z 2 =are exponents.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the relationship is selected from: M.sub.o */M.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.X.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.X.sbsp.2 or V.sub.o */V.sub.o =(k/k.sub.o).sup.z.sbsp.1 (c.sub.p c.sub.po ).sup.z.sbsp.2 and S.sub.o */S.sub.o =1 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 wherein k and c p are determined by a second microbridge means in relatively static communication with the fluid of interest.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the correction factors are normalized with respect to CH 4 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the steps of obtaining correction factors are applied to a plurality of gases.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said plurality of gases include CH 4 , CO 2 , O 2 air, C 3 H 8 , Ar and He.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the correction factors are normalized with respect to CH.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-08 | 1994-04-09 | 1994-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-08 | 1998-04-09 | 1998-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-08 | 2002-04-09 | 2002-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |