Patent ID: 6658946
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of detecting fluid flow through a conduit due to the operation of a fluid pump to determine if a predetermined amount of a fluid was moved through the conduit by operation of the pump comprising measuring pressure within the conduit and determining a duration of an increase in pressure within the conduit associated with fluid movement through the conduit due to the operation of the pump and comparing the determined duration of increased pressure to a duration that would be expected if the predetermined amount of fluid were moved through the conduit, wherein the duration of the increase in pressure is determined by:determining a pressure increase time corresponding to an initial increase in pressure associated with initiation of forced fluid movement through the conduit; determining a pressure drop time corresponding to a drop in pressure below an increased pressure value associated with forced fluid movement through the conduit; and subtracting the pressure increase time from the pressure drop time.