A diagnostics system comprising a controller for controlling operations of a mass flow controller. The controller is communicable coupled to at least one sensor and to a valve and tuned to control the valve based on a predetermined set point value and communication from the at least one sensor. The controller determines at least one predetermined value associated with a reverse flow of a fluid and either cause the controller to enter a hard fault or a safe state. The predetermined value of the flow is either a percentage of total flow or a percentage of total flow over a time period. The controller can log the date, time, and a device identifier in response to determining the at least one predetermined value. In addition, the diagnostics system can include a centralized controller configured to receive diagnostics data from a plurality of controllers and control operation of the controllers.

A mass flow controller comprises: a first flow meter constructed and arranged to measured flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a second flow meter constructed and arranged to measure flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a control valve constructed and arranged so as to control the flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller in response to a control signal generated as a function of the flow rate as measured by one of the flow meters; and a system controller constructed and arranged to generate the control signal, and to provide an indication when a difference between the flow rate of mass as measured by the first flow meter and the flow rate of mass as measured by the second flow meter exceeds a threshold.

A gas flow control system for delivering a plurality of gas flows. The gas flow control system has a gas flow path extending from a gas inlet to first and second gas outlets. First and second flow restrictors are operably coupled to the gas flow path. First and second valves are operably coupled to the gas flow path such that when both first and second valves are in a fully open state, flows of gas from the first and second gas outlets are split according to the impedances of the first and second flow restrictors.

An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include an actuator that mounts to a substrate found in the gas meter or in an adjacent, collateral device like a pressure regulator. The substrate may embody a diaphragm or membrane, possibly a thin, flexible or semi-rigid member. The actuator may include piezoelectric transducers that mount to this member. In operation, the piezoelectric transducers can generate an electrical signal in response to mechanical activity (or energy) from the thin member. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to replace, supplement, or recharge a power source that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow meter.

A measured quantity of gas is introduced into a gas reservoir via a filling station including a flow meter. The quantity of gas transferred by the filling station to the reservoir is measured by the flow meter. The measured quantity of gas is reduced or increased by a predetermined corrective amount to yield a corrected gas quantity.

A measured quantity of gas is introduced into a gas reservoir via a filling station including a flow meter. The quantity of gas transferred by the filling station to the reservoir is measured by the flow meter. The measured quantity of gas is reduced or increased by a predetermined corrective amount to yield a corrected gas quantity.

By supplying a pulse signal to sensor wires to make the sensor wires generate heat, instead of applying DC electric voltage to the sensor wires, an amount of energy supplied to the sensor wires is decreased while maintaining a signal intensity supplied to the sensor wires, or the signal intensity supplied to the sensor wires is increased while maintaining the amount of energy supplied to the sensor wires. Thereby, a method for measuring a mass flow rate by a thermal type mass flow meter, which can reduce heat generation from the sensor wires while suppressing decrease in measurement accuracy, or can improve measurement accuracy while suppressing increase in heat generation from the sensor wires, is provided.

A gas meter control system is adapted for use in gas meters having a plurality of different sizes (e.g., ability to measure different flowrates and/or different gas volumes per billing cycle) and different functional capabilities. In an example, the gas meter control system is configured to recognize and identify a metrology unit, sensor(s), switch(es), valve(s), valve motor(s), and/or other device(s) within a gas meter. Having identified devices present within a gas-environment and an air-environment of the meter, the control system selects and executes appropriate software to operate the identified devices. Addition of an additional component to the meter (e.g., an earthquake sensor or a tamper sensor) results in identification of the added component and execution of appropriate control software. Accordingly, the gas meter control system replaces a number of control systems configured to operate a single specific meter and/or configuration.

A circuit arrangement to control at least one valve includes at least one actuator with at least one positioning element adjustable between at least one first position and a second position. At least one driver unit activates the actuator and a control unit operates the driver unit. At least one air mass measuring device measures an air mass flowing through the valve. The control unit processes an output signal of the air mass measuring device. Valves, valve arrangements, seat comfort systems, and methods all use such circuit arrangements.

Methods and systems for mitigating condensation in a sensor module of a combustion appliance are disclosed. In one example, a fluid flow from a main conduit is cooled with a passive heat exchanger. A sensor of a sensor module may be heated to a temperature above the cooled fluid flow. Cooling the incoming fluid flow with a passive heat exchanger and/or heating the downstream flow sensor may help mitigate condensation in the sensor module, and in particular, on the sensor device. This may help increase the reliability of the system.