Patent ID: 11873628
Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC E  G | IPC E  G

Claim 7:
8. A redundant sensor flow meter system configured to measure water flow from more than one location, the flow meter system comprising:
a plurality of sensors positioned within a flow stream in a conduit;
an electronic processor coupled to the plurality of sensors;
a display coupled to the electronic processor, wherein the electronic processor and the display are configured to collect and display a sensor output from the plurality of sensors;
an on board firmware configured to use a multi sensor algorithm to estimate water flow through the conduit, wherein the algorithm is configured to adjust a flow estimate based on sensor bias and predict at least one of eminent failure, unacceptable error between sensors, or sensor failure; and
a straightening vane within the flow stream configured to reduce turbulence, wherein the electronic processor is configured to sum a sensed flow within a cross-sectional area of the vane with one of the plurality of sensors;
wherein the system is configured to inform a user of a condition;
wherein the system is configured to collect information from the user about crop type, area irrigated, soil type, irrigation system type, and rainfall, for the purpose of determining a crop water use efficiency for an irrigation entity and meter application.