Patent ID: 6843110
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. A method for testing the accuracy of a flowmeter having at least two sensing elements arranged to detect fluid flow rate in a flow field, the method comprising: determining the calibration data of each sensing element; storing the calibration data in memory in the flowmeter; applying a first predetermined stimulation to a first sensing element to make it an active sensing element; applying a second predetermined stimulation different from the first stimulation to a second sensing element so that the second sensing element functions as a reference sensing element; measuring the output of the first sensing element measuring the output of the second sensing element; comparing the outputs of the first and second sensing elements to determine a first fluid flow rate past the sensing elements in the flow field; then interchanging the functions of the first and second sensing elements; applying the first predetermined stimulation to the second sensing element; applying the second predetermined stimulation to the first sensing element; measuring the output of the second sensing element; measuring the output of the first sensing element; then comparing the outputs of the second sensing element and the first sensing element to determine a second fluid flow rate past the sensing elements in the flow field; and then comparing the thus determined first and second fluid flow rates.