JP2020144151A - Determining corrected measured flow rate - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method of determining a corrected measured flow rate.SOLUTION: A method provided herein comprises steps of: measuring a flow rate with a first flow meter 5a and measuring a flow rate with a second flow meter 5b, where the first flow meter and the second flow meter are fluidly coupled in series; and correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The embodiments described below relate to flow rate measurement, and more particularly to the determination of corrected measurement flow rate.

For example, vibration sensors such as vibration densitometers and colioli flow meters are commonly known, and they are used to measure mass flow rates and other information about substances flowing through the flow meter conduits. An exemplary Koriori flow meter is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,109,524, US Pat. No. 4,41025, and US Pat. No. 31,450. These flow meters have a meter assembly with one or more conduits of linear or curved shape. For example, each Coriolis mass flow meter conduit configuration has a series of natural vibration modes that can be of simple bending, twisting, or coupling type. They can be driven so that each conduit oscillates in a preferred mode. When there is no flow through the flow meter, the driving force applied to the conduit causes all points along the conduit to oscillate in phase or with a small "zero offset", which is the time delay measured at zero flow. .. The zero offset may be called the meter zero point.

As the material begins to flow through the conduit, the Coriolis force causes each point along the conduit to have a different phase. For example, the phase of the inlet end of the flowmeter lags behind the phase of the central driver position, while the phase of the outlet precedes the phase of the central driver position. The pick-off of the conduit produces a sinusoidal signal that represents the movement of the conduit. The signal output from the pickoff is processed to determine the time delay between pickoffs. The time delay between two or more pickoffs is proportional to the mass flow rate of the material flowing through the conduit.

A meter electronics connected to the driver activates the driver and generates a drive signal from the signal received from the pickoff to determine the mass flow rate and / or other characteristics of the process material as well. The driver may have one of many well-known configurations, however, magnets and opposing drive coils have been very successful in the flowmeter industry. Alternating current is passed through the drive coil to oscillate the conduit at the desired conduit amplitude and frequency. It is also known in the art to provide pick-off as a magnet and coil configuration very similar to this driver configuration.

Due to various design constraints, many systems use more than one meter assembly. For example, in a meter assembly used to supply liquid natural gas (LNG) to an LNG vehicle, a first meter assembly is used to measure the fuel pumped from the LNG storage tank to the LNG vehicle. May be good. A second meter assembly may be used to measure the fuel returned to the LNG tank. The fuel returned to the LNG tank may have different flow rates, temperatures, conditions, and so on. If the fuel is not consumed by the LNG vehicle, the mass flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters must be the same. However,
Some flow meters, such as large flow meters, may have a meter zero point that fluctuates or drifts. This fluctuation or drift may be called zero flow instability. Due to this zero flow instability, the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters may differ even if the flow rates are actually the same. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the corrected measurement flow rate.

A method of determining the corrected measurement flow rate is provided. According to one embodiment, the method is a step of measuring the flow rate with the first flow meter and a step of measuring the flow rate with the second flow meter, wherein the second flow meter is the first. It includes a step of fluid coupling in series with the flow meter and a step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.

A dual flow meter system is provided for determining the corrected measurement flow rate. According to one embodiment, the dual flowmeter system comprises a first flowmeter, a second flowmeter fluidly coupled in series with the first flowmeter, and the first flowmeter. It includes at least one meter electronic device communicatively coupled to the second flow meter. The at least one meter electronic device is configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.

A fluid control system is provided. According to one embodiment, the fluid control system comprises a supply line having a first flow meter, a return line having a second flow meter fluidized in series with the first flow meter, and said first. A system controller comprising one flow meter and one or more meter electronic devices communicably coupled to the second flow meter, and communicably coupled to the one or more meter electronic devices. At least one of the above meter electronic devices
The measured flow rate of the first flow meter is configured to be corrected by using the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.

Aspects According to one aspect, the method of determining the corrected measurement flow rate is a step of measuring the flow rate with the first flow meter and a step of measuring the flow rate with the second flow meter, wherein the second flow meter Includes a step of fluid coupling in series with the first flow meter and a step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.
Preferably, the step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter includes a step of summing the measured flow rate of the second flow meter with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter.
Preferably, the step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter is a step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter using the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter. Thus, the estimated zero flow instability comprises a step consisting of the difference between the measured flow rate of the first flow meter and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter.
Preferably, the flow rate of the first flow meter and the flow rate of the second flow meter are measured substantially simultaneously.
Preferably, the flow rate of the second flow meter is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter.

According to one aspect, the dual flow meter system (5) for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is fluid coupled in series with the first flow meter (5a) and the first flow meter (5a). A second flow meter (5b) and at least one meter electronic device (100) communicatively coupled to the first flow meter (5a) and the second flow meter (5b). The at least one meter electronic device (100) is configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). It is equipped with a meter electronic device (100).

Preferably, the one or more meter electronic device (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) is the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). Is provided with a meter electronic device (100) configured to sum with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a).
Preferably, the one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) is such that the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a). The one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct using the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter (5a), wherein the estimated zero flow instability is the said. The meter electronic device (100) is provided with a difference between the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b).
Preferably, the flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) are measured substantially simultaneously.
Preferably, the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a).

According to one aspect, the fluid control system (400) for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is in series with the supply line (SL) having the first flow meter (5a) and the first flow meter (5a). A return line (RL) having a second flowmeter (5b) fluidized to and one communicably coupled to the first flowmeter (5a) and the second flowmeter (5b). A system controller (410) having the above meter electronic device (100) and communicably coupled to the one or more meter electronic device (100).
) And at least one of the one or more meter electronic devices (100) use the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). It is configured to correct.

Preferably, at least one of the one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the system controller (410) and the first flow meter (5a). Of the meter electronic device (100) configured to sum the measured flow rates of the system controller (410) and the second flow meter (5b) with the measured flow rates of the first flow meter (5a). Have at least one of them.
Preferably, at least one of the system controller (410) and the one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) is said. The system controller (410), and one or more of the measured flow rates of the first flow meter (5a) configured to be corrected using the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter (5a). In the meter electronic device (100) of the above, the estimated zero flow instability is the difference between the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). It includes at least one of the meter electronic devices (100) to be configured.
Preferably, the flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) are measured substantially simultaneously.
Preferably, the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a).

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. It is understood that the drawings are not necessarily on scale.
A dual flow meter system 5 for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is shown. A dual flow meter system 5 for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is shown. The block diagram of the meter electronic device 100 is shown. A fluid control system 400 for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is shown. A method 500 for determining the corrected measurement flow rate is shown.

FIGS. 1-5 and the following description describe specific embodiments and teach one of ordinary skill in the art how to create and use the best embodiment of the embodiment for determining a corrected measurement flow rate. For the purpose of teaching the principles of the present invention, some conventional embodiments have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations of these examples are within the scope of this specification. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variants for determining the corrected measurement flow rate. As a result, the embodiments described below are not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

Determining the corrected measurement flow rate may include measuring the flow rate with a first flow meter and a second flow meter. For example, the first and second flow meters may be fluid-coupled in series, so that the first and second flow meters measure the same amount of flow. However, due to its own zero flow instability, the first flowmeter can be inaccurate. As a result, the flow rate measured by the second flow meter may be more accurate than the flow measured by the first flow meter. The zero flow instability of the first flow meter can be greater than the zero flow instability of the second flow meter.

Therefore, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter may be corrected by using the measured flow rate of the second flow meter. For example, the second flow rate may be summed with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter. Summing the measured flow rates may include obtaining the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter, which may be the measured flow rate difference between the first and second flow meters. Therefore, the corrected measured flow rate of the first flow meter may be more accurate than the measured flow rate.

Dual Flowmeter System FIG. 1 shows a dual flowmeter system 5 for determining a corrected measurement flow rate. As shown in FIG. 1, the dual flowmeter system 5 includes a first flowmeter 5a and a second flowmeter 5b. The first and second flowmeters 5a and 5b are the meter electronics 100 and the first and second meter assemblies 10a.
, 10b respectively.
The meter electronics 100 are communicably coupled to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b via a first and second set of lead wires 11a, 11b. The first and second sets of leads 11a, 11b are coupled (eg, mounted or mounted) to the first and second communication ports 27a, 27b of the meter electronics 100. The first and second sets of leads 11a, 11b are also the first and second via the first and second communication ports 7a, 7b on the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b. It is connected to the meter assemblies 10a and 10b of. The meter electronic device 100 is configured to provide information to a host via path 26. The first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b are shown with a case surrounding the flow tube. For the meter electronics 100 and the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b, FIGS. 2 and 3
Will be described in more detail below with reference to.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b can be used to calculate, for example, the flow difference and / or total flow of the supply line SL and the return line RL. More specifically, the dual flowmeter system 5 may be employed for low temperature applications where the fluid is supplied from the tank in a liquid state and then returned to the tank in a gaseous state. In one exemplary low temperature application, the first meter assembly 10a may be part of a supply line SL that supplies LNG to the LNG dispenser LD, and the second meter assembly 10b may be from the LNG dispenser LD. May be part of the return line RL of. The total flow rate through the second meter assembly 10b can be subtracted from the total flow rate through the first meter assembly 10a to determine the total amount of LNG supplied to the LNG vehicle. To show that the dual flowmeter system 5 can be used for other purposes
This exemplary application with supply line SL and return line RL is shown by the dashed line. Other cold fluids such as hydrogen may be used. As can be understood here, in the described embodiment and other embodiments, the calculation can be performed by the meter electronic device 100, which will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a dual flow meter system 5 for determining a corrected measurement flow rate. As shown in FIG. 2, the dual flow meter system 5 includes a first flow meter 5a and a second flow meter 5a described with reference to FIG.
Equipped with a flow meter 5b. For clarity, Meter Electronics 100 and 1st and 2nd
The case on the meter assembly 10a, 10b is not shown. The first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b react to the mass flow rate and density of the process material. Meter electronic device 100
Connected to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b via a first and second set of leads 11a, 11b, it routes density, mass flow rate, and temperature information along with other information. Provided via 26. Although the Coriolis flowmeter structure is described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be carried out using another flowmeter.

The first and second meter assemblies 10a and 10b are a pair of parallel conduits 13a, 13a'and 13b, 13b', a first and second drive mechanism 18a, 18b, a temperature sensor 19a, 19b, and a pair of left and right. Equipped with pick-off sensors 17al, 17ar and 17bl, 17br. Each of the pair of conduits 13a, 13a'and 13b, 13b'curves at two symmetrical positions along the length of the conduits 13a, 13a' and 13b, 13b', and is essentially over their length. It is parallel. The conduits 13a, 13a'and 13b, 13b' are driven in opposite directions around their respective bending axes by the drive mechanisms 18a, 18b, and the first flowmeter.
It is driven in a mode called out-of-phase bending mode. The drive mechanisms 18a and 18b are used to attach magnets to conduits 13a and 13b', to attach opposing coils to conduits 13a and 13b, and to vibrate both conduits 13a, 13a'and 13b and 13b'. It may be equipped with any one of many configurations, such as passing an alternating current through it. Appropriate drive signals are applied to the drive mechanisms 18a, 18b by the meter electronics 100.

を生成することができる。流量較正係数FCFおよびゼロオフセットΔT₀を利用する質量流
量の方程式の例を、方程式（1）によって記載する。

方程式中、

=質量流量
FCF=流量較正係数
ΔT_{ｍｅａｓｕｒｅｄ}=測定される時間遅延
ΔT₀=初期のゼロオフセット、となっている。 The first and second flow meters 5a, 5b can be initially calibrated and a flow calibration coefficient FCF can be generated with zero offset ΔT ₀ . In use, the time delay ΔT measured by pickoff minus the zero offset ΔT ₀ is multiplied by the flow calibration factor FCF to mass flow.

Can be generated. An example of a mass flow rate equation using the flow rate calibration coefficient FCF and zero offset ΔT ₀ is described by equation (1).

In the equation,

= Mass flow rate
FCF = flow calibration coefficient ΔT _measured = measured time delay ΔT ₀ = initial zero offset.

The temperature sensors 19a and 19b are attached to the conduits 13a'and 13b' and continuously measure the temperature of the conduits 13a' and 13b'. The temperature of the conduits 13a', 13b', and thus the voltage appearing at the temperature sensors 19a, 19b for a given current, is determined by the temperature of the material passing through the conduits 13a', 13b'. The meter electronic device 100 may use the temperature-dependent voltage appearing on the temperature sensors 19a and 19b to compensate for the change in elastic modulus of the conduits 13a'and 13b' due to some change in the conduit temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature sensors 19a, 19b are resistance temperature detectors (RTDs). Although the RTD sensor is used in the embodiments described herein, other temperature sensors such as thermistors and thermocouples may be used in other embodiments.

The meter electronic device 100 is connected to the left and right sensor signals from the left and right first and second pick-off sensors 17al, 17ar and 17bl, 17br, and the first and second through the first and second sets of lead wires 11a and 11b. It receives the temperature signals from the second temperature sensors 19a and 19b. The meter electronic device 100 supplies a drive signal to the drive mechanisms 18a and 18b and vibrates the first and second pair of conduits 13a, 13a'and 13b, 13b'. The meter electronics 100 processes the left and right sensor and temperature signals to calculate the mass flow rate and density of material passing through the first and / or second meter assemblies 10a, 10b. This information, along with other information, is applied by the meter electronic device 100 as a signal via path 26.

As can be seen here, the dual flowmeter system 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes only two meter assemblies 10a and 10b, but is a system with three or more meter assemblies and a dual flowmeter system. 5 may be used. For example, meter electronics may be configured to communicate with three or more meter assemblies. In such a configuration, a dual flowmeter system 5
May be part of the meter electronics and may be two of three or more meter assemblies.

Meter electronic device FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the meter electronic device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the meter electronics 100 are communicably coupled to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b include the left and right first and second pick-off sensors 17al, 17ar and 17bl, 17br, and the drive mechanisms 18a, 18b. It includes temperature sensors 19a, 19b, which are via a first and second set of leads 11a, 11b, first and second communication channels 112a, 112b and first and second I / O ports. It is communicably coupled to the meter electronic device 100 via 160a and 160b.

The meter electronic device 100 supplies the first and second drive signals 14a and 14b via the lead wires 11a and 11b. More specifically, the meter electronic device 100 supplies the first drive signal 14a to the first drive mechanism 18a in the first meter assembly 10a. The meter electronic device 100 is also configured to supply a second drive signal 14b to a second drive mechanism 18b in the second meter assembly 10b. Further, the first and second sensor signals 12a and 12b are supplied by the first and second meter assemblies 10a and 10b, respectively. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor signal 12a is supplied by the left and right first pick-off sensors 17al, 17ar in the first meter assembly 10a. The second sensor signal 12b is supplied by the left and right second pick-off sensors 17bl, 17br in the second meter assembly 10b. As can be understood here, the first and second sensor signals 12a and 12b are supplied to the meter electronic device 100 via the first and second communication channels 112a and 112b, respectively.

Meter electronics 100 include one or more signal processors 120 and a processor 110 communicatively coupled to one or more memories 130. Processor 110 is also communicably coupled to user interface 30. The processor 110 is communicably coupled to the host via communication port 140 and receives power via power port 150. Processor 110 may be a microprocessor, but any suitable processor may be used. For example, the processor 110 may consist of subprocessors such as a multi-core processor, a serial communication port, a peripheral interface (eg, a serial peripheral interface), an on-chip memory, and an I / O port. In these and other embodiments, the processor 110 is configured to perform operations on received and processed signals, such as digitized signals.

Processor 110 may receive digitized sensor signals from one or more signal processors 120. Processor 110 is also configured to provide information such as fluid phase differences and characteristics in the first or second meter assemblies 10a, 10b and the like. Processor 110 may provide information to the host via communication port 140. Processor 110 may also be configured to communicate with one or more memories 130 to receive and / or store information in one or more memories 130. For example, processor 110 may receive calibration factors and / or meter assembly zero points (eg, phase differences at zero flow) from one or more memories 130. Each of the calibration factors and / or the zero points of the meter assembly may be associated with the first and second flowmeters 5a, 5b and / or the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b, respectively. Processor 110 may use calibration factors to process digitized sensor signals received from one or more signal processors 120.

One or more signal processors 120 are shown as composed of first and second encoder / decoder (CODEC) 122, 124 and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 126. One or more signal processors 120 may tune the analog signal, digitize the tuned analog signal, and / or supply the digitized signal. The first and second CODECs 122 and 124 are configured to receive left and right sensor signals from the left and right first and second pickoff sensors 17al, 17ar and 17bl, 17br. The first and second CODECs 122 and 124 are also configured to supply the first and second drive mechanisms 18a and 18b with the first and second drive signals 14a and 14b. In another embodiment, more or less signal processors may be used. For example, a single CODEC may be used for the first and second sensor signals 12a, 12b and the first and second drive signals 14a, 14b. Additional or alternative, two ADCs may be used instead of a single ADC 126.

In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more memories 130 are composed of a read-only memory (ROM) 132, a random access memory (RAM) 134, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM®) 136. There is. However, in another embodiment, one or more memories 130 may consist of more or less memory. Additional or alternative, the one or more memories 130 may consist of different types of memory (eg, volatile, non-volatile, etc.). For example, instead of FRAM® 136, different types of non-volatile memory, such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), may be used as an example.

As can be seen here, the dual flow meter system 5 shown in FIG. 3 has only two meter assemblies 10a and 10b, but the dual flow meter system 5 has three or more meter assemblies. May be used in. For example, meter electronics may be configured to communicate with three or more meter assemblies. In such a configuration, the dual flow meter system 5 may be part of the meter electronics or may be two of three or more meter assemblies.

As can be understood here, when the first and second flow meters 5a and 5b are arranged in series, the flow rates flowing through the first and second flow meters 5a and 5b may be the same. For example, referring to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the LNG dispenser LD is not supplying fluid to the vehicle, the mass flow rates flowing through the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b must be the same. However, the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b may not be the same due to zero flow instability. The zero flow instability of the first flow meter 5a may be greater than the zero flow instability of the second flow meter 5b.

For example, the first flowmeter 5a may have a larger diameter than the second flowmeter 5b in order to supply fluid. Due to its large diameter, the meter zero point of the first flowmeter 5a may fluctuate or drift more than the meter zero point of the second flowmeter 5b. Therefore, in order to measure the flow rate using the first flow meter 5a, the flow rate measurement value by the first flow meter 5a may be corrected by the flow rate measurement value of the second flow meter 5b. Will be described in detail in.

System Figure 4 shows a fluid control system 400 for determining a corrected measurement flow rate. As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid control system 400 is a fuel control system including a fuel source FS fluidly coupled to the vehicle V. The fuel source FS is fluidly coupled to the vehicle V via the supply line SL, the return line RL, and the bypass line BL. The fluid control system 400 includes the dual flow meter system 5 described above. The fluid control system 400 also comprises a system controller 410 communicably coupled to the valve 420 via the communication line shown by the dashed line. The system controller 410 is also communicably coupled to the dual flowmeter system 5.

The fuel source FS supplies fuel to the vehicle V via the supply line SL. The fuel may be supplied to the vehicle V in liquid form. As shown, the supply line SL consists of a fuel source FS, a pump P fluidly coupled to the vehicle V and a first flowmeter 5a. The first flow meter 5a is configured to measure the flow rate through the supply line SL. The flow rate flowing through the supply line SL may be the fuel supply flow rate to the vehicle V.

The fuel source FS may receive fuel from vehicle V via return line RL and from supply line SL via bypass line BL. Fuel may be supplied in the form of fuel to the fuel source FS via the return line RL and the bypass line BL. Bypass line BL is shown as not including the flow meter. The return line RL may consist of a fuel source FS and a second flowmeter 5b fluidized to the vehicle V. The second flow meter 5b may measure the flow rate of fuel returned to the fuel source FS via the return line RL.

The valve 420 controls the flow path of fuel through the fluid control system 400. The valve 420 comprises a first meter assembly, a vehicle V, and a first valve 420a fluidized to a second valve 420b. When the first valve 420a is opened, the fuel flowing through the supply line SL is supplied to the vehicle V. When the first valve 420a is closed, the fuel in the supply line SL is not supplied to vehicle V. The second valve 420b can also control the flow through the vehicle V.

For example, if the first valve 420a is open and the second valve 420b is closed, fuel will only flow through vehicle V. The fuel flow rate through the vehicle V, the vehicle V, the return line RL,
It may be similarly controlled by a third valve 420c fluidly coupled to the bypass line BL.
If the first valve 420a is closed and the second valve 420b is open, the fuel is vehicle V.
Does not flow. Instead, fuel flows through return line RL or bypass line BL.

The fuel flow rate through the return line RL and the bypass line BL may be controlled by the fourth and fifth valves 420d and 420e. If the fourth valve 420d is open and the fifth valve 420e is closed, fuel can flow through the return line RL to the fuel source FS. the 4th
If the valve 420d of the valve 420d is closed and the fifth valve 420e is open, fuel can flow to the fuel source FS through the fifth valve 420e of the bypass line BL. In other embodiments, the fourth valve 420d may not be used. Therefore, the fuel flow rate can flow through the return line RL by closing the first, third and fifth valves 420a, 420c, 420e.

As can be seen here, the fuel flow through the supply and return lines RL may be measured by the dual flow meter system 5. The dual flowmeter system 5 is composed of the first and second flowmeters 5a and 5b described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the first flow meter 5a is composed of a meter electronic device 100 and a first meter assembly 10a. The second flow meter 5b consists of meter electronics 100 and a second meter assembly 10b. Although a single meter electronic device 100 is shown, the meter electronic device 100 may be composed of one or more meter electronic devices. For example, the meter electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is a first meter electronic device communicatively coupled to a first meter assembly 10a and a second meter electronic device coupled to a second meter assembly 10b. It may be configured. As shown, the meter electronics 100 are communicably coupled to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b via the communication line shown by the dashed line. The meter electronics 100 are also communicably coupled with the system controller 410.

The system controller 410 may be a host such as a host communicatively coupled to the meter electronic device 100 via the path 26 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The system controller 410 may include, for example, a processor communicatively coupled to memory, a hard drive, or the like. Although the system controller 410 is shown as a single integrated assembly, any suitable configuration may be adopted. For example, the system controller 410 may be a software instance that performs operations in a distributed computing environment. The system controller 410 is configured to transmit and / or receive communications over the communication line. As shown in FIG. 4, the system controller 410 transmits communication between the pump P, the valve 420, and the dual flow meter system 5 to determine the corrected measurement flow rate shown in this discussion. / Or can be received.

において、測定流量

は第1の流量計5aによって測定される流量である。第1の流量計5aの測定流量

は、補正されていない流量であってもよい。つまり、第1のメータアセンブリ10aの流量較正係数FCFおよびメータゼロ点ｔ_０（ゼロオフセットなどとも呼ばれる）を使用して測定
流量

が決定されてはいるが、その測定流量

は第2の流量計5bによって測定される流量によりまだ補正されていない可能性がある。 The system controller 410 and / or the meter electronic device 100 has the following equation (2) to
(5) may be used to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a. The following equation (2)

In, the measured flow rate

Is the flow rate measured by the first flow meter 5a. Measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a

May be an uncorrected flow rate. That is, the flow rate calibration coefficient FCF of the first meter assembly 10a and the meter zero point t ₀ (also called zero offset, etc.) are used to measure the flow rate.

Is determined, but its measured flow rate

May not yet be corrected by the flow rate measured by the second flowmeter 5b.

In a fluid control system 400 in which the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b are coupled in series so that fluid can flow back and forth, the flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b may be equal. There is. For example, the first, third, and fifth valves 420a, 420c, 420e are closed and the second
And when the fourth valves 420b, 420d are open, the measured flow rates of the first and second flowmeters 5a, 5b may be equal to give the following relational expression (3).

を以下の方程式（4）を用いて補正できることを示している。

方程式中、

は第1の流量計5aの推定ゼロ流動不安定性であり、

は第1の流量計5aの測定流量であり、かつ

は第2の流量計5bの測定流量である。 The above relational expression (3) is the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a.

Is shown to be correctable using the following equation (4).

In the equation,

Is the estimated zero flow instability of the first flowmeter 5a,

Is the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a, and

Is the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b.

におけるドミナント誤差項は、第1の流量計5aにおけるゼロ流動不安定性に起因する可能
性がある。従って、第1の流量計5aの測定流量

を推定ゼロ流動不安定性

を用いて補正してもよい。例えば、以下の方程式（5）が成り立ち、

となる本方程式を、補正測定流量を得るために使用してもよい。方程式中、第1の流量計5aにおいてそれぞれ、

は補正測定流量であり、
FCFは流量較正係数であり、かつ
ｔ_０はメータゼロ点である。 As you can see here, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a

The dominant error term in is due to the zero flow instability in the first flowmeter 5a. Therefore, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a

Estimate zero flow instability

May be corrected using. For example, the following equation (5) holds,

This equation can be used to obtain the corrected measurement flow rate. In the equation, in the first flowmeter 5a, respectively

Is the corrected measurement flow rate,
FCF is the flow rate calibration factor, and t ₀ is the meter _zero point.

をもたらす第1および第2の流量計5a、5b間の大きさの比率は4より大きくてもよいが、任
意の適切な比率を採用してもよい。 By correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a, for example, the range of the first flow meter 5a can be expanded. This range may be expanded at turndown of the first flowmeter 5a. The turndown of the first flow meter 5a may be in the low flow zone directly above zero flow, which is in a state where the measurement signal and noise cannot be distinguished, for example, the flow rate is too low for accurate measurement. .. Further, by correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a, it is possible to compensate for the influence of the zero flow instability of the first flow meter 5a. In addition, for applications where the measured flow rate of a small flow meter (eg, 0.25 inch) is used to correct the measured flow rate of a large flow meter (eg, 1.0 inch), use a large flow meter instead of a small flow meter. The ability to measure the flow rate using it provides a higher flow rate, which reduces, for example, the filling time to the vehicle V. Desired accurate correction measurement flow rate

The size ratio between the first and second flowmeters 5a and 5b may be greater than 4, but any suitable ratio may be adopted.

The flow rates measured by the first and second flow meters 5a and 5b may be measured substantially simultaneously. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the meter electronics 100 are communicably coupled to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b. Therefore, the fuel flow rates through the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b may be measured substantially simultaneously. On the other hand, when using two meter electronics, each of the two meter electronics may use a separate clock. The timing of the two clocks may be slightly different. Therefore, when the flow rate is measured using two meter electronic devices, the flow rates may be different even if they are performed at the same time. Other errors may be related to using different meter electronics to make flow measurements. In addition, two meters may be configured so as to measure the flow rate substantially at the same time.

によって第1の流量計5aのゼロ流動不安定性を正確に特徴付けることができる。以下の考
察に示しているように、推定ゼロ流動不安定性

を使用して測定流量を補正してもよい。 By measuring the flow rate substantially at the same time, it can be ensured that the above relational expression (3) is a correct assumption. Therefore, estimated zero flow instability

Can accurately characterize the zero flow instability of the first flowmeter 5a. Estimated zero flow instability, as shown in the discussion below

May be used to correct the measured flow rate.

Method FIG. 5 shows a method 500 for determining a corrected measurement flow rate. As shown in FIG. 5, in step 510 of the method 500, the flow rate is measured by the first flow meter. The first flow meter may be the first flow meter 5a described above with reference to FIG. In step 520 of the method 500, the flow rate is also measured by the second flow meter, which may be the second flow meter 5b described above with reference to FIG. The second flowmeter may be fluid coupled in series with the first flowmeter. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the second flowmeter 5b can be fluid-coupled in series with the first flowmeter 5a via the second and fourth valves 420b, 420d, but these valves are the first. The first, third and fifth valves 420a, 420c, 420e are open when closed. In other embodiments, the fourth valve 420b may not be used. Therefore, the first and second flowmeters 5a and 5b can be fluidly coupled in series only through the second valve 420b. Also, if the first, third, and fourth valves 420a, 420c, 420d are open and the second and fifth valves 420b, 420e are closed, then the first and second flowmeters 5a, 5b may be fluid coupled in series via the vehicle V.

In step 510, the flow rate measured by the first flow meter may be measured by the first flow meter 5a, which is composed of the first meter assembly 10a and the meter electronic device 100, as shown in FIG. The flow rate measured by the first flow meter 5a may be the fuel flow rate when fuel is not supplied to the vehicle V. For example, as described above, the fuel may flow through the first and second flowmeters 5a, 5b without flowing through the vehicle V and the bypass line BL.

In step 520, the fuel flow rate may be measured by a second flow meter 5b that can be placed in series with the first flow meter 5a. As can be seen here, the flow rate measured by the second flowmeter 5b flows from vehicle V through the third valve 420c and / or from the first flowmeter 5a through the second valve 420b. It may be due to the flowing fuel. As can be seen here, the fuel flow rate through the second flowmeter 5b is the same as the flow rate through the first flowmeter 5a, depending on which of the valves 420 is open or closed, for example. Good,
Or it may be different.

The valve 420 may be opened and closed so that fuel flows only through the supply line SL and the return line RL. Since the fuel flows only through the supply line SL and the return line RL, the fuel flow rate through the first flow meter 5a is substantially the same as the fuel flow rate through the second flow meter 5b. Therefore, the flow rate measured by the first flow meter 5a may be the same as the flow rate measured by the second flow meter 5b. However, due to the zero flow instability in one of the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b, the measured flow rates of the first and second flow meters 5a, 5b may not be the same.

In step 530, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter may be corrected by using the measured flow rate of the second flow meter. For example, referring to the fluid control system 400 shown in FIG. 4, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a may be corrected by the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b. The measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a may be corrected by summing the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a. Summing the measured flow rates may include any suitable operation, including addition and subtraction.

を決定してもよい。従って、上記方程式（5）を参照しながら、推定ゼロ流動不安定性

を使用して補正測定流量

を決定してもよい。方法500について図４および関係式／方程式（3）〜（5）を参照しな
がら述べているが、別のシステム、関係式、および／または方程式を別の実施形態において採用してもよい。 For example, according to equation (4) above, subtract the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a from the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b, and the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter 5a.

May be determined. Therefore, with reference to the above equation (5), the estimated zero flow instability

Corrected measurement flow rate using

May be determined. Although method 500 is described with reference to FIG. 4 and relational equations / equations (3)-(5), another system, relational equation, and / or equation may be employed in another embodiment.

を決定し、メータ電子機器100内にこれを格納し、かつこれを使用して第1の流量計5aのその後の測定流量を補正することができる。また、LNGを供給できる燃料制御システムであ
る図４に示す流体制御システム400において、補正測定流量を決定することについて上述
しているが、別のシステムにおいて測定流量を補正してもよい。例えば、別のシステムでは船舶用燃料などを供給することができる。この別のシステムを、検証、取引計量、または効率化用途に使用してもよい。この別のシステムにおいて他の用途および構成を採用してもよい。 In the above, it is described that the measured flow rates of the first and second flow meters 5a and 5b are performed substantially at the same time. However, in other embodiments, measurements may be taken at different times. For example, estimated zero flow instability using flow rates measured at virtually the same time

Can be determined, stored in the meter electronics 100, and used to correct the subsequent measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a. Further, although the fluid control system 400 shown in FIG. 4, which is a fuel control system capable of supplying LNG, describes the determination of the corrected measurement flow rate, the measured flow rate may be corrected in another system. For example, another system can supply marine fuel and the like. This alternative system may be used for verification, transaction weighing, or efficiency applications. Other uses and configurations may be employed in this other system.

In the above embodiment, a dual flow meter system 5, a fluid control system 400, and a method 500 for correcting the measured flow rate are provided. In the dual flow meter system 5, the fluid control system 400, and the method 500, the first flow meter 5a may be used to measure the flow rate of fuel or the like flowing through the supply line SL shown in FIG. 4, for example. The second flow meter 5b may measure the fuel flow rate through the return line RL fluidly coupled in series with the first flow meter 5a. For example, the fuel flow rate may be the same because the second flow meter 5b is placed in series with the first flow meter 5a. However, the first flowmeter 5a may have zero flow instability. Due to zero flow instability, the flow rate measured by the first flowmeter 5a may differ from the flow rate measured by the second flowmeter 5b.

The measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a may be corrected by the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b. For example, the measured flow rate of the first flow meter 5a may be summed with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter 5b. Therefore, it is possible to correct the zero flow instability that can be accurately determined as the difference between the measured flow rates.
Also, when measuring the flow rate of the first flow meter 5a and the flow rate of the second flow meter 5b substantially simultaneously, it may be advantageous to use the dual flow meter system 5. As an example, the first and second
When the flow meters 5a and 5b of the above are fluidly coupled in series, the fluid flow rate of the fuel, for example, may be the same through both the first and second flow meters 5a and 5b. Therefore, by utilizing the meter electronics 100 communicably coupled to the first and second meter assemblies 10a, 10b, the measured flow rate includes, for example, errors related to timing issues between different meter electronics. It may be guaranteed that the measurements are obtained at substantially the same time so that there is no such thing.

The detailed description of the above embodiments is not an exhaustive description of all embodiments that we intend to be within the scope of this specification. In fact, one of ordinary skill in the art may combine or delete certain elements of the above embodiments in various ways to create another embodiment, and such alternative embodiments are described herein. Recognize that it is included in the scope and teaching content. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that all or part of the above embodiments may be combined to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of this specification.
Therefore, although certain embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes, various uniform modifications are possible within the scope of this specification, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems and methods for determining corrected measurement flow rates, and thus they are only in the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. It does not apply. Therefore, the scope of the above embodiment should be determined from the following claims.

Claims (15)

A method of determining the corrected measurement flow rate
The step of measuring the flow rate with the first flow meter,
A step of measuring the flow rate with the second flow meter, wherein the second flow meter is fluid-coupled in series with the first flow meter.
A method comprising the step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter using the measured flow rate of the second flow meter. The step according to claim 1, wherein the step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter includes a step of summing the measured flow rate of the second flow meter with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter. Method. The step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter is a step of correcting the measured flow rate of the first flow meter by using the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter. One of claims 1 and 2, wherein the estimated zero flow instability comprises a step consisting of the difference between the measured flow rate of the first flow meter and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter. The method described in. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow rate of the first flow meter and the flow rate of the second flow meter are measured substantially simultaneously. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow rate of the second flow meter is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter. A dual flow meter system (5) for determining the corrected measurement flow rate,
The first flowmeter (5a) and
A second flow meter (5b) fluidly coupled in series with the first flow meter (5a),
At least one meter electronic device (100) communicably coupled to the first flow meter (5a) and the second flow meter (5b), the at least one meter electronic device (100). A double with a meter electronic device (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) with the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). Flowmeter system (5). The one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) make the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) the first. Flowmeter of 1 (5a)
The dual flow meter system (5) according to claim 6, further comprising the meter electronic device (100) configured to sum with the measured flow rate of. The one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) make the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) the first. Flowmeter of 1 (5a)
The one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to be compensated for using the estimated zero flow instability of, wherein the estimated zero flow instability is the said of the first flow meter (5a). The double according to any one of claims 6 and 7, comprising the meter electronic device (100) comprising the difference between the measured flow rate and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). Flowmeter system (5). The double according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) are measured substantially simultaneously. Flowmeter system (5). The double according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a). Flowmeter system (5). A fluid control system (400) for determining the corrected measurement flow rate.
A supply line (SL) with a first flow meter (5a) and
A return line (RL) having a second flow meter (5b) fluidized in series with the first flow meter (5a).
It comprises one or more meter electronic devices (100) communicably coupled to the first flow meter (5a) and the second flow meter (5b).
At least one of the system controller (410) and the one or more meter electronic devices (100) communicably coupled to the one or more meter electronic devices (100) is the first flow meter (5a). ) Is corrected by using the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b).
Fluid control system (400). At least one of the system controller (410) and the one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) is the system controller. At least of the meter electronic device (100) configured to sum the measured flow rate of (410) and the second flow meter (5b) with the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a). The fluid control system (400) according to claim 11, comprising one. At least one of the system controller (410) and the one or more meter electronic devices (100) configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) is the system controller (410). 410), and the one or more meter electrons configured to correct the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) using the estimated zero flow instability of the first flow meter (5a). In the device (100), the estimated zero flow instability is composed of the difference between the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the measured flow rate of the second flow meter (5b). The fluid control system (400) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, further comprising at least one of the meter electronic devices (100). The fluid control according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the flow rate of the first flow meter (5a) and the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) are measured substantially simultaneously. System (400). The fluid control system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the flow rate of the second flow meter (5b) is measured before the measured flow rate of the first flow meter (5a). (400).

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