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: 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.

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: A computer-implemented method is used to correct deviations between a predicted gas excess air ratio and a calculated excess air ratio in a dual fuel engine or other gas fueled compression ignition engine. The method includes determining gas excess air ratio for the engine based at least in part on at least one detected current operating parameter and calculating a predicted exhaust gas oxygen concentration engine based on the predicted gas excess air ratio. A time based filtered predicted exhaust gas oxygen concentration value may then be calculated and compared to a time-based filtered measured exhaust gas oxygen concentration value. The resultant oxygen concentration deviation value may be used to generate a corrected predicted gas excess air ratio.

Abstract: One embodiment comprises a method of providing accurate mass flow controller flow rate data for a non-manufacturing-tuning-gas. The mass flow controller may be operated at a setpoint greater than 50%. Data may be recorded to a mass flow controller memory. The setpoint may then be changed to 0%. The recorded data may then be analyzed and one or more non-manufacturing-tuning-gas correction algorithm parameters may be calculated. The one or more non-manufacturing-tuning-gas correction algorithm parameters may be stored in a mass flow controller memory and subsequently used in at least one future mass flow controller operation involving the non-manufacturing-tuning-gas.

Abstract: A multi-phase process fluid is passed through a vibratable flowtube. Motion is induced in the vibratable flowtube. A first apparent property of the multi-phase process fluid based on the motion of the vibratable flowtube is determined, and an apparent intermediate value associated with the multi-phase process fluid based on the first apparent property is determined. A corrected intermediate value is determined based on a mapping between the intermediate value and the corrected intermediate value. A phase-specific property of a phase of the multi-phase process fluid is determined based on the corrected intermediate value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of characterizing a well using a series of measurements taken along the sandface of that well in order to optimize a well model. The method may comprise providing a well model with a plurality of adjustable physical parameters, providing a data set made up of a plurality of sandface measurements, and running the well model with different combinations of adjustable physical parameters so that the results of the well model substantially match the results of the sandface measurements. In one embodiment, the method may comprise creating a communication pathway between the surface and the sandface including an inductive coupler. A further step may include pre-processing the plurality of the sandface measurements. In addition, a further step may be to establish or set at least one control device in order to change the flow characteristics of the production fluid in the well.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter includes a sensor drive controller that outputs a sensor drive signal that is used to drive a sensor that senses a process variable. The sensor drive controller changes the frequency of the sensor drive signal to avoid frequencies and associated harmonics at which noise occurs and which could interfere with the sensor signal.

Abstract: A flow rate measuring device has a flow rate measurement unit, an appliance registering unit, a calculating unit, a determining unit, a first appliance identifying unit, and a second appliance identifying unit. The appliance registering unit stores at least first gas flow rate variation profiles on activation of respective gas appliances coupled to a flow channel, and second gas flow rate variation profiles based on the control specific to the respective gas appliances. The first appliance identifying unit identifies which gas appliance is activated based on the first gas flow rate variation profiles on activation. When a determining unit detects a stop of any of gas appliances, the second appliance identifying unit identifies a gas appliance in continuous use by using the second gas flow rate variation profiles based on the control specific to the respective gas appliances.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining a remaining actual operational period for a filter in a filtration device including: determining an initial remaining operational period based on an installation date of the filter and an initial expected operational period; periodically determining a remaining actual operational period of the filter based on the initial remaining operational period based and an elapsed operational period from the installation date; monitoring at least one operating parameter in the filtration device; adjusting the remaining actual operational period based on the monitored operating parameter, and continuing to periodically determine the remaining actual operational period based on the adjusted remaining actual operational period and the elapsed operational period.

Abstract: Fluid control apparatus including a proportional flow valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a pneumatic proportional control valve in communication with the proportional flow valve for modulating the proportional flow valve; a frictional flow element having a frictional flow element fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the proportional flow valve and having a frictional flow element fluid outlet spaced from the frictional flow element fluid inlet, an upstream pressure sensor; a downstream pressure sensor; and a controller in communication with the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor and the pneumatic proportional control valve.

Abstract: A pressure detector detecting a pressure of cold or hot water; a temperature detector detecting a temperature of a pressure sensor; correcting equation storage storing, cold water correcting equation information applied when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is included in a cold water temperature range, and hot water correcting equation information applied when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is included in a hot water temperature range; a temperature range determiner determining the temperature range that includes the temperature detected by the temperature detector as either a cold water temperature range or a hot water temperature range; and a correction calculating portion using the correcting equation corresponding to the temperature range determined by the temperature range determiner correcting the detection signal by the pressure detector, and outputting the post-correction signal as a measurement signal.

Abstract: A method of method of determining relative contributions of two or more producing subterranean sources to a total flow is described using the steps of selecting a subset from a set of identifiable components in the total flow and using the subset to determine the relative contributions of two or more producing subterranean sources, wherein the subset is selected based on the sensitivity of the determination step to errors in the measurement of concentrations of said identifiable components.

Abstract: This method comprises taking a first pressurized gaseous phase sample in a flow channel and transferring the first sample in the measuring channel. It comprises activating a second sensor to collect a first piece of information representative of the first pressurized sample. The method comprising taking a second pressurized liquid phase sample, transferring the second sample in the measuring channel and activating the second sensor a second piece of information representative of the second pressurized sample. The method comprises the computation of at least one calibration coefficient connecting the property to the or each piece of information received from the sensor, based on the first piece of information and the second piece of information.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. The calibration map serves as a criteria for selecting the time points. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop a color coded output map. The calibration map, the color coded output map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter that prevents fluctuations in the frequency of synchronized pulse signals due to momentary fluctuations of the power source voltage. The comparator of an AC synchronizing circuit that generates pulse signals synchronized to the frequency of a commercial power source is given a hysteresis function in which a first threshold value Vth1 and a second threshold value Vth2 are set up in the comparator. The comparator compares the level of divided AC signals from a dividing circuit with the first threshold value Vth1, and if the level of the divided AC signals exceeds the first threshold value Vth1, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level; and if the level of the divided AC signals falls below the second threshold value Vth2, the level of the synchronized pulse signals is inverted from the “H” level to the “L” level.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantitation of surface-binding optical resonance profiles includes a calibration module including a calibration scan result fetcher, a calibration profile creation module, and a fitting module. The fitting module includes an experimental scan result fetcher, a calibration profile fetcher, and a resonance shift determination module. A method for qualifying a surface plasmon resonance chip is also described herein.

Abstract: A flow rate measuring device has a flow rate measurement unit, an appliance registering unit, a calculating unit, a determining unit, a first appliance identifying unit, and a second appliance identifying unit. The appliance registering unit stores at least first gas flow rate variation profiles on activation of respective gas appliances coupled to a flow channel, and second gas flow rate variation profiles based on the control specific to the respective gas appliances. The first appliance identifying unit identifies which gas appliance is activated based on the first gas flow rate variation profiles on activation. When a determining unit detects a stop of any of gas appliances, the second appliance identifying unit identifies a gas appliance in continuous use by using the second gas flow rate variation profiles based on the control specific to the respective gas appliances.

Abstract: An air pollution sampling system and a method thereof applied to a wide-area air sampling are revealed. Air is forced into an air sampling unit by movement of a vehicle, for performing an active air sampling without a power source. An air sampling unit includes a plurality of baffle plates so as to adjust air sampling rate and avoid interference caused by turbulence generated during the movement of the vehicle. A positioning device provides geographic coordinates, vehicle speed and time. An information processing device integrates sampling flow and positioning information from the positioning device, collects information generated by the sampling system, and computes statistics of the accumulated samples and relative sampling positions. By the collected sampling positions, time and flow rate, the sampling amount is obtained through data processing and calculation. In combination with the display of positioning data, the geographic area represented by the air samples could be understood more clearly.

Abstract: A flow controller and a test method therefor are provided which enable testing of the flow control of a process gas passing through a fluid path during operation of semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses. While the flow control is being performed to adjust the flow rate through the fluid path to a flow rate set value, a predetermined number of pieces of test sampling information is collected and associated with the flow rate set value for storage. The test sampling information is made up of a detected flow rate value of the process gas, a detected pressure value, and valve drive control information delivered to a flow control valve mechanism. Then, coefficients of association are sequentially determined which indicate the associations of the predetermined number of detected flow rate values and pieces of valve drive control information, which are stored as the test sampling information.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a desired property of a fluid downhole is described. In some non-limiting examples, the method comprises receiving an input signal representing sound speed of a fluid downhole, processing the input signal using a correlation equation expressing the desired property in terms of at least sound speed to produce an output signal representing the desired property, and outputting the output signal. In some examples, the correlation equation is derived through a chemometric analysis of a training data set, the training data set comprises a plurality of input values and a plurality of output values derived from said input values, between the desired fluid property and the first measured property, and the output values are calculated from the input values using a series of correlation equations. In at least one example, the desired property is gas oil ratio. In another example, the desired property is gas brine ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to false echo storage in the area of level measurement. The decision as to whether or not to initialize and/or update the false echo memory is made using at least one value for the sensor-inherent noise, container noise and/or EMC noise for this purpose. This may make it possible to avoid identifying a false echo as the level echo.

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 invention relates to a method for calibrating the transmitters of ultrasonic flow meters according to the transit time difference method. The object of the invention is to provide a method for calibrating the transmitters of ultrasonic flow meters, said calibration being able to be carried out independently of the other components of the meter, such as the acoustic transducers and the pipe in which the fluid flow being measured occurs. According to the invention, the measurement signals are generated by means of an artificial simulation of the measurement path. This allows the transmitter to be calibrated independently of the remaining components of the measuring apparatus, such as the measuring tube and the acoustic transducers.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus is disclosed in which a barrier (2) separates a chamber into a first region (10) and a second region (20). The barrier (50) is of a known thickness (T), and it comprises holes having a known radius (R). Gas flow means provide a flow of a carbon dioxide (12) in the first region (10) and a flow of a nitrogen (22) in the second region (20). A gas detector (28) measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the second region (20) and a processor (32) calculates the theoretical diffusive flux from one region to another based on the known properties of the through-holes. The processor (32) is arranged to calculate a calibration parameter in order to relate the measured parameter to the theoretical diffusive flux, based on the known properties of the through-holes.

Abstract: A gas sensor which includes: a plurality of gas detectors, each detects a target gas; an error detector which detects the occurrence of an error on each of gas sensors; an output selector which selects one output from among outputs entered from each gas sensor, the output selected by the output selector is the output from the gas detector in which no error exists; and an output unit which generate a normal output based on the output selected by the output selector and outputs the normal output to an external electrical device through a single output system, the output unit generates an abnormal output based on the output from the gas detector, in which the error exists, when the gas detector, in which an error exists, is detected, and outputs alternately the normal output and the abnormal output.

Abstract: A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device that comprises an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a pressure sensor, which may or may not be the only pressure sensor of the fluid control device, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a single pressure sensor.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid pressure measurement system includes a densometer adapted to measure a fluid density of a fluid flowing in a tubing system; and a monitoring unit communicably coupled to the densometer. The monitoring unit is adapted to receive a plurality of values representative of the fluid density from the densometer and includes a memory adapted to store the plurality of values representative of the fluid density; and one or more processors operable to execute a fluid pressure measurement module. The module is operable when executed to determine a fluid pressure of the fluid based on at least a portion of the values representative of the fluid density.

Abstract: The present invention provides 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 is also adapted to alter the pulser data using correction data stored in its memory to generate altered pulser data. The pulser is further adapted to 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 that is communicatively coupled to 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: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zero checking techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, even if previously calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, that is, the flowmeter will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. Therefore, zero checking features are provided that allow for fast and accurate determinations of the zero-flow values, for use in adjusting later measurements. The zero-checking features include a button attached to an exterior of a flowmeter, so that it is easily accessible to an operator of the flowmeter. The button, in conjunction with an internal zero checking system, allows for a display of a zero value in response to a request from the operator of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.

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: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.

Abstract: A flow meter prover (120, 220, 320) is provided with multiple pairs of detectors to record multiple calibrated prover volumes with a single pass of the displacer 124. The prover conduit 122 may be fitted with a first pair of detectors (116, 118) for a first calibrated prover volume (V1) and a second pair of detectors (130, 132) for a second calibrated prover volume (V2). A single pass of the displacer may trip more pairs of detectors (216, 218, 230, 232, 234, 236) corresponding to more calibrated prover volumes (V3, V4, V5). A flow computer 326 may be configured to record more than two calibrated prover volumes (V6, V7, V8, V9) using only two pairs of detectors (316, 318, 330, 332) and a displacer (324).

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal type mass flow meter and a thermal type mass flow control device which can lower a measurement error caused by an influence of a thermal siphon phenomenon so as to intend to improve a flow rate measurement precision while it is possible to construct a whole compactly and inexpensively with a simple structure, without using any flow path converting block.

Abstract: A technique for determining pump flow without using traditional sensors features steps and modules for creating a calibrated power curve at closed valve conditions at several speeds; calculating coefficients from a normalized power curve based on a pump's power ratio; and solving a polynomial power equation for flow at the current operating point. The calibrated power curve may be created by increasing the speed of the pump from a minimum speed to a maximum speed and operating the pump with a closed discharge valve. This data is used to correct published performance for shutoff power and best efficiency point power at rated speed in order to determine the pump's power ratio. It is also used to accurately determine closed valve power at the current operating speed. The pump's power ratio is determined by the equation: Pratio=Pshutoff @100%/PBEP—corr.

Abstract: Systems and processes may provide calibration of a fuel dispenser. In particular implementations, fuel dispenser systems and processes may include the ability to determine whether a fuel delivery measurement of a fuel dispenser should be calibrated and adjust the fuel dispenser in response to the calibration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. The calibration map serves as a criteria for selecting the time points. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop a color coded output map. The calibration map, the color coded output map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.

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: 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 computerized method for monitoring a water utility network, the water utility network comprising a network of pipes for delivering water to consumers and a plurality of meters positioned within the pipes across the water distribution network. The method includes receiving meter data representing parameters measured by the meters, such as flow, pressure, chlorine level, pH and turbidity of the water being distributed through the pipes. The method also includes receiving secondary data from sources external to the meters and representing conditions affecting consumption of water in a region serviced by the water utility network such as weather and holidays. The meter and secondary data is analyzed using statistical techniques to identify water network events including leakage events and other events regarding quantity and quality of water flowing through the pipes and operation of the water network. The events are reported to users via a user interface.

Abstract: A configuration facility is presented and specified, with at least one computer unit and a display device for the configuration of a time-triggered bus system. The bus system has at least two bus nodes and a data bus connecting the bus nodes. At least one node task and at least one transmission task can be executed at the bus nodes. The node tasks can be presented in time sequence in a node task field, the transmission tasks can be presented in time sequence in a transmission task field separate from the node task field, and the node tasks and the transmission tasks can be coordinated with each other by graphic allocation.

Abstract: In a flow rate estimation device of a blood pump, a general flow rate estimation formula which includes a correction term is formed based on a plurality of blood pumps. Measured data obtained from an objective blood pump implanted inside a patient is substituted into the correction term, thus forming a flow rate estimation formula of the objective blood pump. The flow rate Q of the objective blood pump is estimated based on the flow rate estimation formula and the values of the rotational speed N and the consumption current I of the motor of the objective blood pump, and the attribute data Z of the blood of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a fluid transfer process, including the steps: providing an allowable pressure profile; detecting a pressure occurring in the course of the fluid transfer process; comparing detected pressure with the allowable pressure profile and signaling an error, if the detected pressure is not within the allowable pressure profile. The allowable pressure profile is defined by interpolation points, the interpolation points being based on a probability function representing a family of pressure courses of a plurality of fluid transfer processes. The allowable pressure profile can be divided into at least two distinct process sections, each section corresponding to a distinct process phase of the fluid transfer process. The probability function is calculated from a family of test pressure curves and reflects the statistical behavior of the pipette system.

Abstract: Determining a pattern of arrival time cycle skip in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transceiving acoustic signals through a fluid flowing in a meter (the transceiving between respective pairs of a plurality of transducer pairs), measuring transit time of acoustic signals between the respective pairs of the plurality of transducers pairs, calculating a plurality of error values (each error value indicative of a cycle skip mode in measuring of the transit time of the acoustic signals), and determining the cycle skip mode using, at least in part, the plurality of error values.

Abstract: In an oil sample analysis calculator (100) for analyzing results of oil samples from an engine, the oil sample analysis calculator (100) includes an input module (110) which receives an input data set (140), a processing module (130) which receives the input data set (140) from the input module (110) and corrects the input data set (140) based on at least one of an amount of oil added to the engine and an amount of oil removed from the engine, and an output module (120) which receives the input data set (140) corrected by the processing module (130) and outputs an output data set (150).

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for estimating material weight, mass and volume in real-time are disclosed. The amount of material in the container is measured. An estimate of the amount of material in the container is then obtained using the measured amount of material in the container, a desired rate of change of material, and a container system model. The estimate of the amount of material in the container is then adjusted based on the difference between the estimated and measured amount of material in the container.

Abstract: A method for validating a flow calibration factor of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method for validating a flow calibration factor of a flow meter includes determining an initial flexural stiffness of a component of the flow meter. The method for validating a flow calibration factor of a flow meter includes determining a current flexural stiffness of the component. The method for validating a flow calibration factor of a flow meter further includes comparing the initial flexural stiffness to the current flexural stiffness. The method for validating a flow calibration factor of a flow meter further includes detecting a calibration error condition responsive to comparing the initial flexural stiffness to the current flexural stiffness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided and includes at least one sensing device. The at least one sensing device includes a first sensor segment having a first segment polarity and being associated with a first outer portion of the pipe and a second sensor segment having a second segment polarity and being associated with a second outer portion of the pipe, wherein the first sensor segment and the second sensor segment generate sensor data responsive to the fluid flowing within the pipe. The apparatus further includes a processing device communicated with the at least one sensing device, wherein the processing device receives the sensor data and processes the sensor data to determine the at least one characteristic of the fluid.