Patent ID: 7409871
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: G01F,G05D

Abstract:
1. A mass flow meter having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, comprising: a thermal mass flow sensor to provide a first electrical signal indicative of a mass flow rate of a fluid flowing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the thermal mass flow sensor having a sensor inlet portion fluidly connected to the fluid inlet, a sensor outlet portion fluidly connected to the fluid outlet, and a sensor measuring portion disposed between and fluidly connected to the sensor inlet portion and the sensor outlet portion; at least one inclination sensor to provide at least one second electrical signal indicative of an angle of inclination of at least one of the sensor inlet portion, the sensor outlet portion, and the sensor measuring portion relative to at least one reference axis; and a controller, to receive the first electrical signal and the at least one second electrical signal, calculate a correction factor based upon the at least one second electrical signal, and apply the correction factor to the first electrical signal to provide a third electrical signal indicative of the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet that is compensated for the angle of inclination of the at least one of the sensor inlet portion, the sensor outlet portion, and the sensor measuring portion relative to the at least one reference axis.