Abstract: Method for determining an absolute flow rate of a volume or mass flow, comprising the following process steps: measuring continuous reference values, where each individual reference value is in a direct physical relationship to the flow rate, determining reference value fluctuations, calculating or mapping the absolute flow rate as a function of a numerical and/or statistic evaluation function of the reference value fluctuations, in particular a fluctuation value generated therefrom.

Abstract: A water quality analyzer comprises: sensor electrodes 1a, 1b made of different metals from each other, the electrodes in a liquid of inspecting object generating a sense voltage in proportion to the liquid's impurities concentration; an operational amplifier OP1 amplifying the sense voltage without inverting to provide for a CPU 3; a resistor R0 whose one end is connected to the electrode 1a; and a voltage divider 2 applying a voltage obtained by dividing the sense voltage by a prescribed division ratio to R0's another end. The CPU 3 calculates input signal from OP1 to obtain chlorine concentration and displays the calculated result on a LCD 4 in a measurement mode, and sets the division ratio of the divider 2 so that sense voltage across electrodes 1a, 1b soaked in a liquid including prescribed concentration chloride approximately agrees with a reference voltage of prescribed concentration in a sense-voltage calibration mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of magnetic-responsive micro-beads dispersed in a liquid sample. Also provided is a method and microfluidic immunoassay pScreen™ device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an analyte in a sample medium by using antigen-specific antibody-coated magnetic-responsive micro-beads. The methods and devices of the present invention have broad applications for point-of-care diagnostics by allowing quantification of a large variety of analytes, such as proteins, protein fragments, antigens, antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, RNA, RNA fragments, functionalized magnetic micro-beads specific to CD4+, CD8+ cells, malaria-infected red blood cells, cancer cells, cancer biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen and other cancer biomarkers, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic agents, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bench-top laboratory-based assays.

Abstract: A system for creating a flow cytometer network includes: a flow cytometer with an interrogation zone and a fixed gain detection system that collects sample data from the interrogation zone; a flow cytometer data center that stores and manages sample- related data from the flow cytometer; and a network communication module that communicates sample-related data between the flow cytometer and the data center. The system may include a second flow cytometer and a second network communication module, where the first and second flow cytometers are calibrated to have substantially identical fixed gain settings. A method for creating a flow cytometer network includes: calibrating first and second flow cytometers with a calibration solution; collecting sample data with a fixed gain detection system; uploading data to a flow cytometer data center; retrieving data from the data center; and performing data analysis on the retrieved data.

Abstract: A small volume prover apparatus and method for precisely measuring the flow rate of a fluid via a cylindrical component such as a flow tube. A precision bore cylinder and a piston can be configured with a valve arrangement in order to permit fluid to pass through an annular passage when the piston travels from one position to an opposite position. An accelerometer sensor can be mounted to the piston for continuously detecting the velocity of the piston traveling in the pipe by integrating acceleration data with respect to time data. The volumetric flow rate can be automatically calculated by multiplying the velocity with respect to the area of the flow tube.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, data carriers and apparatus and systems for detecting pipetting errors include: (a) during pipetting, measuring the pressure in the tip of a pipetting device and determining an earlier rate of change of the pressure ?0 in the tip; (b) based on the earlier rate of pressure change ?0 and a previous pressure value pi, determining an expectation range for the pressure pi+1 at a further moment in time and/or an expectation range for the rate of pressure change ?i+1 based on the pressure at the further moment in time ti+1; (c) at the further moment in time ti+1 measuring the pressure pi+1 in the tip; and (d) determining the occurrence of a pipetting error by comparing the measured pressure pi+1 at the further moment ti+1 in time and/or a rate of pressure change ?i+1 calculated on the basis of the pressure pi+1 at the further moment ti+1 in time, with respectively the determined expectation range of acceptable pressures and the determined expectation range of acceptable rates of pressure

Abstract: An ultrasonic multiphase flowmeter, a flow rate measurement program and a multiphase flow rate measurement method using an ultrasonic wave that can measure the flow rate of a multiphase flow by detecting the position of an interface between phases by an operation processing of at least one of data on reflected ultrasonic wave and data on a flow velocity distribution are provided. The ultrasonic multiphase flowmeter functions to transmit/receive ultrasonic waves, calculate flow velocity distributions, determine interface positions, and calculate flow rates.

Abstract: A fluid handling control/monitoring system is divided into a network of modular, intelligent components. These individual components are generally specific to a certain function within the system and contain all the intelligence necessary to perform that function without external guidance. Examples of the different types of components include but are not limited to: human-machine interface (HMI), fluid control, heater control, motor control, field-bus communications and the like. While each type of board is specialized in function, it may control several items of the same nature. For instance, a heater control may be able to control several heaters on one system. Similarly, a fluid board may have the ability to receive input from more than one flow meter and then control fluid flow of more than one point. An example might be a plural component metering and dispensing system where two fluid components have to be combined in a precise mix ratio.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein make possible to use lower cost, fixed flow components, such as critical orifices, which are fast to stabilise to a steady flow. These cannot be adjusted to achieve equal flows but are selected to be sensibly close to their desired flow values. This embodiment determines the true ratios of the flows of all of the flow controlling components. Actual flows are not measured but near equal flows are each fed to a common flow meter and the ratio of the indicated flow meter readings is taken to be the same as the ratio of the flows. Two, near equal flows are then combined and compared to a single flow of approximately the same value, and so on. The flow meter is used only to compare near equal flows so does not need to be calibrated nor linear over a wide range.

Abstract: A method and equipment are provided for determining the level/height, of one or more interfaces between two or more fluid phases of different density that are contained in a vessel, tank or the like. The position of the different interfaces in a tank is determined by measuring the pressure thereby determining the density of the fluid over the height of the tank by using a pressure measuring rod, equipped with pressure sensors, positioned in the tank. A mathematical model or algorithm is used which calculates how the density and hence the pressure vary over the height of the tank as a function of the fluid properties of the respective fluids in the tank, the interface, on the basis of the density being the same within each layer of the respective fluid, as a respective point at which the density changes from one layer to the next in the tank.

Abstract: A measuring system for precise measuring a density of a medium flowing in a pipe line. The measuring system comprises a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. Both sensors communicate with a measuring electronics of the system. The measuring electronics are operable to provide, based on temperature measurement and pressure measurement, a provisional density measured value, especially according to one of the industrial standards AGAR, AGN NX-19, SGERG-88 IAWPS-IF97, ISO 12213:2006. Further, the measuring electronics provides, based on the provisional density measured value and a density correction value, which is dependant on a flow velocity of the medium, and temperature measurement, a density measured value, which differs from the provisional density measured value, and which represents the density to be measured more accurately.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a water content in a multiphase fluid flow stream is provided. The apparatus includes a measurement section configured to obtain a series of electrical measurements of the multiphase fluid flow stream over a first predetermined time interval, and determine a minimum electrical measurement Fmin_baseline from the series of electrical measurements. The measurement section also is configured to calculate a running average of the frequency (Fmin_gas_pattern) from the series of electrical measurements indicative of a change in a gas flow pattern of the multiphase fluid flow stream over a second predetermined time interval. The measurement section further is configured to calculate a corrected electrical measurement F_calc_WC for determining the water content in the multiphase fluid flow stream by subtracting the running average of the frequency. Fmin_gas_pattern from the minimum electrical measurement Fmin_baseline.

Abstract: A method for determining a dosed, or metered, volume of an automatic peristaltic sample taker, in the case of which a measured, dosed, or metered, volume of the peristaltic sample taker is corrected by means of a calibration map. In order to improve accuracy in the determining of the dosed, or metered, volume, during a calibration phase, the calibration map is corrected by means of a correction curve, which depends on a negative pressure arising in the suction region of the peristaltic sample taker.

Abstract: A method of calibration of a dataset for spectroscopically resolved radiation scanning, comprising the steps of: generating an apparatus condition specific calibration dataset of emergent radiation intensity information generated after interaction in the scanning zone of at least one standard object spectroscopically resolved into a plurality of frequency bands; providing a transferable database comprising a dataset of transferable data items of emergent intensity information for a range of component materials, each spectroscopically resolved into a plurality of frequency bands and linked to the condition specific calibration dataset; defining a reference calibration dataset; generating a transfer function between the data item and the reference calibration dataset; applying the transfer function to the transferable data item to generate a dynamic data item adjusted to the reference calibration; populating a data register with a dynamic dataset comprising a dataset of data items each dynamically adjusted to t

Abstract: A method for establishing a mass flow controller (MFC) control scheme, which is configured for reducing a time scale for gas delivery into a processing chamber, for a recipe is provided. The method includes identifying a set of delayed gas species utilized during execution of the recipe with a set of delivery time slower than a target delivery time scale. The method also includes establishing an initial overshoot strength and an initial overshoot duration for each gas specie of the set of delayed gas species. The method further includes establishing MFC control scheme by adjusting an MFC hardware for each gas specie during the execution of the recipe. Adjusting the MFC hardware includes applying the initial overshoot strength for the initial overshoot duration to determine if the MFC control scheme provides for each gas specie a pressure profile within a target accuracy of an equilibrium pressure for the processing chamber.

Abstract: A dewatering system includes a selective calibrating sensor circuit configured to receive sensor readings from an electronic sensor, to determine if the electronic sensor is immersed in water, to allow a user to adjust a pump down time in the field, and to generate a control output signal accordingly. The selective calibrating sensor circuit periodically performs a self-calibration when the electronic sensor is not immersed in water to cancel the effect of potential contaminants deposited on the electronic sensor over its operating life. The selective calibrating sensor circuit inhibits calibration when the electronic sensor is immersed in water. In some applications with multiple electronic sensors, the selective calibrating sensor circuit disconnects from one of the electronic sensors before performing the self-calibration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of calibrating a vibrating tube densitometer intended to operate at combined elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a controller 100 of this remaining liquid amount meter 200 performs cumulative processing that increases a cumulative value T when a display level (Rm1) specified based on the liquid surface level detected by a first detection section 141 is higher than a display level (Rm) displayed by the remaining liquid amount meter 200, and that decreases the cumulative value (T) when the display level (Rm1) is lower than the display level (Rm) (S9 to S15). Then, when the cumulative value (T) becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value (Tc), the controller 100 performs display processing that changes the display level (Rm) displayed by the remaining liquid amount meter 200 (S16 to S19).

Abstract: A system includes a first module, a second module, and a third module. The first module determines a first temperature and a first power dissipation value of a thermistor based on a resistance of a first resistor connected in series with the thermistor. The second module, after disconnecting the first resistor and connecting a second resistor in series with the thermistor, determines a second temperature and a second power dissipation value of the thermistor based on a resistance of the second resistor. The third module determines a thermal dissipation factor based on the first and second temperatures and the first and second power dissipation values, and corrects temperature sensed by the thermistor based on the thermal dissipation factor.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a measure of fluid. The apparatus comprises a flow meter and a pulser having an identifier and a memory. The pulser is associated with the flow meter for generating pulser data indicative of a volume of fluid delivered through the flow meter. The pulser may alter the pulser data using correction data stored in its memory to generate altered pulser data. The pulser may store at least one of the pulser data and the altered pulser data in the memory. The apparatus further comprises a switch operatively connected to the pulser's memory. The switch is operative to vary the memory of the pulser between a write-protected and a write-enabled mode. Also, the apparatus comprises a controller in communication with the pulser and a serial communication circuit which enables communication between the pulser and the controller. Communication between the controller and the pulser includes the identifier.

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring the fraction of a liquid in a wet gas flow are described, the device including one or more light sources emitting at a first wavelength at which the liquid is highly absorbing and emitting at a second wavelength close to the first wavelength and at which the liquid is not highly absorbing; and one or more sensor for detecting the transmittance of the light at the first and second wavelengths through said gas flow, the device further including processing means for determining a liquid fraction of the liquid in the wet gas flow by correcting the transmittance measured at the first wavelength for the effects of scattering using the transmittance measured at the second wavelength. By making use of cross-correlations or know flow rate meters the device can be used as a flow meter.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a temperature compensation coefficient for a device (12) that utilizes flow. The device includes a flow path (16) and a flow restriction portion (14) in the flow path to create a pressure differential in the flow path. The method includes calculating a temperature compensation coefficient and obtaining a first temperature and a first differential pressure reading at a first time period before flow is generated through the device, and obtaining a second temperature and a second differential pressure reading at a second time period after flow is generated through the device. The method further includes obtaining a compensated differential pressure value based on the temperature compensation coefficient, the measured first temperature, the first differential pressure reading, the measured second temperature, and the second differential pressure reading. The method also includes obtaining the flow within the flow path as a function of the compensated differential pressure value.

Abstract: An in-situ gas flow measurement controller measures the temperature and rate of pressure drop upstream from a flow control device (FCD). The controller samples the pressure and temperature data and applies the equivalent of a decimating filter to the data to produce filtered data at a slower sampling rate. The controller derives timestamps by counting ticks from the sampling clock of the A/D converter that is sampling the pressure at regular intervals to ensure the timestamps associated with the pressure samples are accurate and do not contain jitter that is associated with software clocks. The controller additionally normalizes the temperature reading to account for power supply fluctuations, filters out noise from the pressure and temperature readings, and excludes data during periods of instability. It calculates the gas flow rate accounting for possible non-linearities in the pressure measurements, and provides the computed gas flow measurement via one of many possible interfaces.

Abstract: A fluid measurement apparatus capable of accurately determining an activated appliance is provided. A flow measurement apparatus 100 has a flow measurement unit 12 that measures an amount of fluid flowing through a passageway, a determination zone storage unit 16 that allocates and stores a flow measured by the flow measurement unit 12 into determination zones classified by combination of a plurality of conditions; a grouping unit 18 that groups determination zones according to appliances to be used on the basis of determination-zone-specific storage values stored in the determination zone storage unit 16 and that registers the grouped determination zones; and an integration unit 20 that integrates a flow value for each of the determination zones registered by the grouping unit 18. Thus, a flow is integrated for each determination zone grouped according to an appliance. An appliance is determined by reference to a database including the integrated data.

Abstract: A system for calibrating an agricultural product metering system is provided including a calibration unit configured to be mounted to the agricultural product metering system. The calibration unit includes a load cell configured to measure a calibration weight of product exiting the agricultural product metering system, and the calibration unit is configured to output signals indicative of the calibration weight of the product. The calibration system also includes a controller configured to receive the signals and to calculate a product flow rate based on the calibration weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that guides a user through a sequence of steps that will allow the user to complete a predefined task using the flow meter. The steps include: selecting a predefined task, displaying a sequence of steps that directs the user through a process for using the Coriolis flow meter to complete the predefined task, and operating the Coriolis flow meter in response to the sequence of steps to complete the predefined task.

Abstract: A system includes a probe configured to be raised and lowered in a tank that is configured to receive a material. The system also includes a connector coupled to the probe and having at least one type of coding encoded on the connector. The system further includes a main unit configured to raise and lower the probe using the connector, digitally capture information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector, determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, and wirelessly transmit the determined level reading.

Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tubing is determined using a flow meter. The flow meter measures a value related to the flow rate. The tubing has a valve for controlling the fluid flowing through the flow meter. The method of determination of the flow rate includes closing the valve and measuring a first zero flow rate value at a first time and a second zero flow rate value at a second time, estimating an error of the value measurement based on the first and second zero flow rate values, opening the valve and measuring value of the flowing fluid, applying an error correction to the measured value of the flowing fluid, and calculating a corrected flow rate based on the corrected value of flowing fluid.

Abstract: Meter electronics for geometric thermal compensation in a flow meter is provided according to the invention. The meter electronics includes an interface configured to receive sensor signals and a temperature signal (T) of the flow meter. The meter electronics further includes a processing system coupled with the interface and configured to receive the sensor signals and the temperature signal (T) and compute a geometric thermal compensation factor (TFe) for one or more flow conduits of the flow meter using the temperature signal (T). The geometric thermal compensation factor (TFe) is used to process the first and second sensor signals.

Abstract: A home site fuel monitor device in conjunction with a remote central site system to provide accurate fuel usage data used in planning fuel deliveries. The fuel monitor device is U an internet based, compact, and low cost home heating site monitor device that is easily installed in the home heating site without modification to the home site's heating system. The monitor device includes a microprocessor which measures heating system run times using real time clock values. The microprocessor computes heating system fuel usage and the rate of fuel usage using heating system run times and heating burner parameters down loaded from the remote central site system. The monitor device continuously adjusts or recalibrates the rate of fuel usage defined as a burn coefficient value to coincide with the latest delivery information received from the central site system which results in increased accuracy over time.

Abstract: A thermal mass flow meter and a thermal mass flow control device addresses a thermal siphon error, even if they are in a compact and inexpensive structure, without using a flow path converting block. A control computing process portion is configured to correct a measurement error caused by thermal siphon by calculating a correction value based on a measurement value at time of depressurizing fluid flow path and flow rate measuring conduit to an atmospheric pressure or less, a difference between the measurement value and a measurement value at time of charging an actual fluid into the flow rate measuring conduit, kind of the actual fluid, pressure at time of charging the actual fluid, and flow ratio of the fluid flowing in the fluid flow path and the flow rate measuring conduit, storing the correction value, and correcting an actual measured output flow value by the stored correction value.

Abstract: A sensor probe provides a pair of unique signal paths through a test material, wherein one configuration of the probe provides identical external portions of the signal paths such that a selected parameter of a measuring signal passing along at least two of the unique signal paths is measured. From these measurements, a method is provided for calculating at least one parameter of the test material, wherein the parameter can include an intrinsic parameter as well as a condition of state.

Abstract: A method and system for in situ calibrating a flow metering system to monitor fluid flow in a pipe from a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) measuring a first characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a DP flow meter during a dry gas period, and producing an first output data representative of the first characteristic; b) measuring a second characteristic of the fluid flow exiting the well using a SONAR flow meter time during the dry gas period, and producing a second output data representative of the second characteristic; c) determining a dry gas offset between the DP flow meter and the SONAR flow meter based on the first output data and the second output data; and d) calibrating the flow metering system using the dry gas offset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel aboard a spacecraft under weightless conditions utilize at least one orifice, at least one flow latch valve for the selection of an orifice to be used, and at least one control valve for releasing a stream of a pressurizing gas from at least one high-pressure tank in order to restore pressure in a fuel tank following a pressure reduction due to withdrawal of fuel. The amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is determined based on the time required to restore fuel tank pressure by a flow of gas from the high pressure tank to the fuel tank, via the orifice.

Abstract: Managing system for emissions environmental pollutants comprising: a measuring device for measuring a flow rate of a fuel supplied to a customer; an unit emission quantity storage device of environmentally influential substance for storing a unit emission quantity of an environmentally influential substance emitted when an unit flow rate of fuel is manufactured or processed; and an emission quantity computing device of environmentally influential substance for calculating, based on the fuel flow rate measured by the measuring device, and the unit emission quantity of the environmentally influential substance stored by the unit emission quantity storage device, an environmental emission quantity of the environmentally influential substance emitted when the fuel supplied to the customer is manufactured or processed.

Abstract: A blood flow calibration system 500 including a computer 400 operable to determine and store calibration data for a flow meter 124, a test system 530 operable to simulate blood flow for the flow meter 124, thereby allowing the computer 400 to determine the calibration data, and a programmer 300 operable to transfer the calibration data from the computer 400 to the flow meter 124. The flow meter 124 preferably includes a power management circuit 348a,b operable to detect whether the flow meter 124 is powered. In the event that the flow meter 124 is unpowered, the power management circuit 348a,b is preferably able to supply power to a portion of the flow meter 124 in order to transfer the calibration data thereto.

Abstract: Preparation methods for introducing liquid samples to gas analysis instruments include 1) complete evaporation of a liquid sample in a sample chamber, and 2) allowing the sample vapor in the sample chamber to equilibrate for a predetermined time. An inert carrier gas (e.g., dry nitrogen or zero air) is also admitted to the sample chamber. After equilibration, the sample vapor is admitted as a conditioned sample to an analysis instrument. Preferably, the predetermined equilibration time is sufficiently long that the sample vapor in the sample chamber becomes substantially homogeneous with respect to both concentration and isotopic ratio. Vapor derived from a liquid calibration standard in this manner can be employed as an accurate gas-phase calibration reference.

Abstract: A method of providing configuration information for a process fluid flow device is provided. The method includes receiving a process fluid selection and providing at least one selectable fluid property relative to the selected process fluid and receiving at least one process fluid property selection. Information relative to a primary element is also received. Reception of a reset relative to the process fluid selection, the process fluid property, and the primary element selection, clears the respective information. The configuration information is provided to a process fluid flow device based on the process fluid selection, the process fluid property and the primary element information.

Abstract: A sensor includes one or more sensor transducers coupled with a signal conditioning IC incorporating signal conditioning circuitry and memory devoted to storing end-user downloadable coefficients. In a preferred embodiment, the IC is an ASIC and the end-user downloadable coefficients are pre-selected by the end-user based on its needs, and the coefficients are pre-stored in the ASIC when the sensor is calibrated. This results in a more cost-effective and space-efficient sensor device with improved functionality over that available in the prior art.

Abstract: A method of estimating airflow for a characterized blower system including a motor. The method includes running the motor, estimating a torque and a speed of the running motor, and assuming a starting airflow estimate. Torque is calculated based on the estimated speed and the estimated airflow. A torque error is calculated as a function of the calculated torque and the estimated torque. Estimated airflow is revised based on the calculated torque error. The method also includes repeating the calculating and revising steps using the revised estimated airflow until the torque error is within a predetermined acceptable range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting deposit buildup within an ultrasonic flow meter are disclosed. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic flow meters comprising a spool piece configured to couple within a flow of fluid, a first transducer pair mechanically mounted to the spool piece and configured to fluidly couple to the flow of fluids (wherein the first transducer pair comprises an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer in operational relationship to the upstream transducer and defines a first chord there between), and electronics electrically coupled to the first transducer pair. The electronics is configured to detect deposit buildup over an inner surface of the ultrasonic flow meter.

Abstract: A drop mass deviation measuring apparatus, a drop mass deviation measuring method, a pattern forming system, and a control method measure mass deviations of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units in real time with high precision. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units, a drop moving force providing part to provide moving forces, having directions different from discharge directions of each of the plurality of drops, to the plurality of drops, a discharged drop position detection member to acquire drop position images individually reflecting the a position of each of the plurality of drops, and a drop mass deviation measurement control part to calculate a drop discharge direction separation angle of each of the plurality of drops using the drop position images acquired by the discharged drop position detection member to measure mass deviation of each of the drops.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mass flow controller. The mass flow controller may comprise a pair of thermal sensing elements, a bridge circuit adapted to receive at least one first signal from the pair of thermal sensing elements and a differential amplifier adapted to (i) receive at least one bridge signal from the bridge circuit, and (ii) emit an output signal generally proportional to a flow rate of fluid passing through the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller is also comprised in one embodiment of a filter portion of a control module having one or more first filters comprising substantially permanent parameters adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for a baseline fluid upon a change in the flow rate and one or more second filters comprising variable parameters, with each of the one or more second filters being adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for non-baseline fluids upon a change in the flow rate.

Abstract: A biosensor package structure with a micro-fluidic channel is provided. The biosensor package structure includes a substrate, a biochip, and a cover. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, and an opening. The biochip is attached on the first surface. A bio-sensing area of the biochip is exposed to the opening of the substrate. The cover is attached on the second surface to cover the opening so as to form a micro-fluidic channel. By implementing the invention, the manufacturing process of the biosensor is simplified and the productivity is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow rate measurement device for measuring a volume of gas flowing through a gas supply system in which a plurality of appliances are connected. The flow rate measurement device according to the second embodiment comprises a flow rate sensor configured to detect a gas flow flowing through the gas supply system and a differentiator configured to differentiate the detected gas flow. A memory is provided in which profiles of gas consumption by appliances are storable in relation to identities of the appliances. The flow rate measurement device according to the present invention also comprises a first profile finder which is responsive to the differentiated gas flow to search for a profile from the stored profiles which corresponds to the detected gas flow.

Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a thermal mass flow sensor in combination with a pressure sensor to provide a mass flow controller that is relatively insensitive to fluctuations in input pressure. The pressure sensor and thermal sensor respectively provide signals to an electronic controller indicating the measured inlet flow rate and the pressure within the dead volume. The electronic controller employs the measured pressure to compensate the measured inlet flow rate and to thereby produce a compensated measure of the outlet flow rate, which may be used to operate a mass flow controller control valve.

Abstract: A method for delivering a process gas to a reaction chamber of a plasma processing system using a recipe having a recipe flow rate is provided. The method includes delivering the process gas by a gas flow delivery system controlled by a mass flow controller (MFC) to an orifice. The predicted flow rate is previously computed by pressurizing a gas. The predicted flow rate further being previously computed measuring a set of upstream pressure values of the gas via at least one pressure sensor. The method also includes applying, using a programmed computing device, a calibration factor of a set of calibration factors to determine the predicted flow rate, the calibration factor being a ratio of an average of the set of upstream pressure values to an average of a set of golden upstream pressure values.

Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a differential pressure flowmeter. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the effective delivery rate of a peristaltic pump with which a liquid is delivered inside an elastic hose pipe or for adjusting the speed of a peristaltic pump in order to match the effective delivery rate of the pump to the desired delivery rate may be characterized in that the effective delivery rate is calculated based on the nominal speed of the pump and the pressure inside the hose pipe upstream of the pump depending on the running time of the pump. The stroke volume of the pump may be multiplied by the nominal speed of the pump and the product from the stroke volume and the speed of the pump may be corrected by a correction function, thereby determining the effective delivery rate of the pump.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system for predicting the availability of hot water for bathing. One or more parameters corresponding to the operation of a water heater are monitored over time and/or a temperature distribution of water in a hot water tank measured. Data corresponding to the monitored parameters and/or temperature distribution are processed to determine a rate at which hot water is being consumed by filling a bath and/or due to other hot water consumers and/or to determine a current hot water availability condition. Based on a hot water consumption rate and/or determination of a current hot water availability condition, a projection is made to whether there will be adequate hot water to fill the bathtub to a desired level or volume at a desired temperature.