Patent ID: 7860677
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. A method to update characteristic information for a gas meter operating to measure gas in a gas line, the method comprising: measuring, by a portable diagnostic device, a parameter indicative of performance degradation of a gas meter, wherein the parameter is measured using one or more sensors that are part of the portable diagnostic device; determining, by the portable diagnostic device, a flow rate of gas through the gas meter while the parameter is being measured, wherein the flow rate is determined using, at least, a temperature parameter and a pressure parameter, measured by sensors that are part of the gas meter, and wherein service of the gas meter is not significantly interrupted or stopped while the parameters or the flow rate are being determined; determining, by the portable diagnostic device, a gas meter characteristic based on the measured parameter and the determined flow rate, wherein the gas meter characteristic defines a relationship between motion of a flow-responsive element in the gas meter to an error in the volume measured by the gas meter; and updating an electronic corrector coupled to the gas meter to use the determined gas meter characteristic.