Method and apparatus for calibration of electronic gas meters
First Claim
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1. A method for calibration of a fluid flow meter and the like, comprising:
- supplying a gaseous test fluid to the meter under test in a series of different known flow rates;
measuring the volume flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter and the time taken at each flow rate using a volume measurement standard apparatus and a timing means;
enabling the meter under test to measure the volume flow rate of the fluid which flows through the meter at each test flow rate and recording the volume flow rate measured by the meter at each test flow rate; and
deriving from the recorded and measured fluid flow rates obtained for each test flow rate, data for use in the calibration of the meter.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the calibration of electronic gas meters and the like includes subjecting the meter under test to test fluid at a series of differing known volumetric flow rates, determining the meter response using a bell prover to determine volume flow rate, and using data obtained from the series of tests in the calculation of calibration data which is stored in the memory of the electronic meter for use in subsequent volumetric flow measurement by the meter.
37 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for calibration of a fluid flow meter and the like, comprising:
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supplying a gaseous test fluid to the meter under test in a series of different known flow rates; measuring the volume flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter and the time taken at each flow rate using a volume measurement standard apparatus and a timing means; enabling the meter under test to measure the volume flow rate of the fluid which flows through the meter at each test flow rate and recording the volume flow rate measured by the meter at each test flow rate; and deriving from the recorded and measured fluid flow rates obtained for each test flow rate, data for use in the calibration of the meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for calibration of a fluid meter and the like comprising:
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supplying a test fluid to the meter under test through a controllable flow rate means; controlling the flow rate means to vary the flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter in a series of different known flow rates; measuring the volume flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter under test and the time taken at each test flow rate using a bell prover apparatus including a test bell and a timing means; enabling the meter to measure the volume flow rate of the fluid which flows through the meter at each flow rate and recording the volume flow rate measured by the meter at each flow rate; and deriving from the recorded and measured flow volumes and times taken for each test flow rate, calibration data for use in the calibration of the meter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for calibration of an electronic fluid meter of the type having a fluid flow measuring means which includes a solid state flow sensor, a solid state signal processing circuit and meter memory means, comprising:
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supplying a test fluid to the meter under test through a controllable flow rate means; controlling the flow rate means to vary the flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter in a series of different known flow rates; measuring the volume flow rate of the test fluid supplied to the meter under test and the time taken at each flow rate using a bell prover apparatus including a test bell and a timing means; enabling the fluid flow measuring means of the meter under test to measure the volume flow rate of the test fluid which flows through the meter at each test flow rate and to store data representing the measured fluid volume flow rate in the memory means; deriving from the measured volume flow rate data stored in the meter memory means calibration data for each flow rate; and storing the calibration data in the meter memory means for use in subsequent flow measurements made by the fluid flow measuring means.
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15. In an apparatus for use in calibration of a fluid flow meter having flow measuring means, signal processing means and memory means, the apparatus including a test bell which is moved between first and second positions in measuring a unit volume of a test fluid, an encoder means for generating electrical pulses indicative of the instantaneous position of the test bell as it moves between the first and second positions, and means including a controllable test flow rate determining means communicating the test bell with the meter for supplying the measured test fluid to the meter, the combination comprising:
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pulse detecting means including pulse accumulating means; said pulse accumulating means being coupled to said encoder means to count the pulses generated thereby and to provide a first output signal when the test bell reaches the first position and a second output signal when the test bell reaches the second position; timing means coupled to said pulse accumulating means for timing the duration between said first and second output signals; said test flow rate determining means being controllable to vary the flow rate of the test fluid supplied to said meter in a series of different known flow rates; process controller means for enabling said meter flow measuring means to operate during the duration between said output signals and register the volume of test fluid passed through the meter at each flow rate and for stopping the operation of said meter flow measuring means at the end of the time interval and; said signal processing means of said meter being responsive to said meter flow measuring means to generate data representing the volume flow rate for fluid flow through the meter at each flow rate and to store said data in the memory means of the meter for use in the calculation of calibration data for the meter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification