Self-validating sensors
First Claim
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1. A method of providing a measurement and an indication about the validity of the measurement when the occurrence of a fault has been detected in the source of the measurement, the method comprising:
- combining multiple estimates of the measurement to produce a combined estimate for the measurement,combining uncertainty measures for each of the multiple estimates to produce an uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the measurement,when the occurrence of a fault has been detected, providing the combined estimate for the measurement as a value for the measurement at a current time, andwhen the occurrence of a fault has been detected, providing the uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the measurement as an indication of the validity of the value for the measurement at the current time.
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Abstract
A sensor for provides a measurement and information about the validity of the measurement. The sensor includes a transducer for generating a data signal related to the value of a variable and a transmitter for receiving the data signal and generating output signals. The transmitter generates a first output signal related to the value of the variable. The transmitter also generates a second output signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of the first output signal.
242 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing a measurement and an indication about the validity of the measurement when the occurrence of a fault has been detected in the source of the measurement, the method comprising:
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combining multiple estimates of the measurement to produce a combined estimate for the measurement, combining uncertainty measures for each of the multiple estimates to produce an uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the measurement, when the occurrence of a fault has been detected, providing the combined estimate for the measurement as a value for the measurement at a current time, and when the occurrence of a fault has been detected, providing the uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the measurement as an indication of the validity of the value for the measurement at the current time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A temperature sensor for providing a measurement and an indication about the validity of the measurement, the temperature sensor comprising:
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a transducer for generating a data signal related to a temperature, and a transmitter for receiving said data signal and generating in response thereto said temperature measurement and an uncertainty signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of said temperature measurement, said transmitter being operable to detect a fault in the transducer and, upon detecting said fault, to; combine multiple estimates of the temperature measurement to produce a combined estimate for the temperature measurement, combine uncertainty measures for each of the multiple estimates to produce an uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the temperature measurement, provide the combined estimate for the temperature measurement as the temperature measurement at a current time, and provide the uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the temperature measurement as the uncertainty signal for the temperature measurement at the current time. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A Coriolis flow meter for providing measurements of mass flow, density and temperature and information about the validity of the measurements, the Coriolis flow meter comprising:
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one or more transducers for generating a first data signal related to mass flow, a second data signal related to density, and a third data signal related to temperature, and a transmitter for receiving said first, second and third data signals and generating in response thereto a mass flow measurement, a first uncertainty signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of said mass flow measurement, a density measurement, a second uncertainty signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of said density measurement, a temperature measurement, and a third uncertainty signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of said temperature measurement, said transmitter being operable to detect a fault in the one or more transducers and, upon detecting said fault, to; combine multiple estimates of the temperature measurement to produce a combined estimate for the temperature measurement, combine uncertainty measures for each of the multiple estimates to produce an uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the temperature measurement, provide the combined estimate for the temperature measurement as the temperature measurement at a current time, and provide the uncertainty measure for the combined estimate for the temperature measurement as the third uncertainty signal at the current time. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification