Abstract: This invention is related to an apparatus which incorporates a microfabricated silicon mass flow sensor to measure city gas flow rate in a medium pressure range for utility industry which is dominated by conventional mechanical meters such as turbine and rotary meters. The microfabricated mass flow sensor is so called micro-electro-mechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) device. Due to the small feature size of micro scale for MEMS mass flow sensor, the invented apparatus includes many advantages such as low power consumption, compact package, high reliability and extended dynamic measurement range. This apparatus is also provided with a stable flow conditioning to achieve a desired dynamic range capability. Furthermore, because of the high accuracy characteristic, the apparatus in this invention could be applied for custody transfer or tariff in utility industry as well.

Abstract: An all-electronic utility gas meter using with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas metrology data for custody transfer or tariff in city gas metering application is disclosed in the present invention. The meter has two separate metrology units. One of the units is located in the main flow channel with the insertion probing configuration while the other is configured as a bypass unit assembly with the main metrology unit. The bypass metrology unit can perform independent metrology tasks and can be exchanged onsite during service, maintenance or repair without dismantle the meter from the service pipeline. The bypass metrology unit also can be used to compare the measured data from time to time and performance self-diagnosis that shall help the performance and data authentication during the meter field service. Both of the units can be powered by battery or external sources.

Abstract: An all-electronic utility gas meter using with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas metrology data for custody transfer or tariff in city gas metering application is disclosed in the present invention. The meter has two separate metrology units. One of the units is located in the main flow channel with the insertion probing configuration while the other is configured as a bypass unit assembly with the main metrology unit. The bypass metrology unit can perform independent metrology tasks and can be exchanged onsite during service, maintenance or repair without dismantle the meter from the service pipeline. The bypass metrology unit also can be used to compare the measured data from time to time and performance self-diagnosis that shall help the performance and data authentication during the meter field service. Both of the units can be powered by battery or external sources.

Abstract: This invention is related to an apparatus which incorporates a microfabricated silicon mass flow sensor to measure city gas flow rate in a medium pressure range for utility industry which is dominated by conventional mechanical meters such as turbine and rotary meters. The microfabricated mass flow sensor is so called micro-electromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) device. Due to the small feature size of micro scale for MEMS mass flow sensor, the invented apparatus includes many advantages such as low power consumption, compact package, high reliability and extended dynamic measurement range. This apparatus is also provided with a stable flow conditioning to achieve a desired dynamic range capability. Furthermore, because of the high accuracy characteristic, the apparatus in this invention could be applied tot custody transfer or tariff in utility industry as well.