A mass flow control apparatus and methods for calibrating and tuning the mass flow apparatus are provided. The mass flow apparatus can be calibrated by receiving a calibration input signal that provides one or more properties of a gas that is flowing through a main fluid flow path and performing one or more measurements, using one or more sensors, on the gas. The calibration includes determining a calibration parameter based on the results of the one or more measurements and the calibration input signal and adjusting a proportional valve, based on the calibration parameter, to adjust a flow rate, of the gas through the apparatus, to match a setpoint flow rate.

A flowmeter failure determination method includes: a step of measuring a filling amount of hydrogen gas filled in a fuel tank of an automobile, using a flowmeter; a step of acquiring information of a pressure and a temperature of the fuel tank; a step of calculating the filling amount of the hydrogen gas filled in the fuel tank based on the acquired pressure and temperature and a capacity of the fuel tank in which an expansion rate of the fuel tank is considered; and a step of determining presence or absence of a failure of the flowmeter using an error value between the measured filling amount and the calculated filling amount.

A device which: optically detects the presence of, measures the flow rate of, and identifies the characteristics of venting fugitive gas emissions. Specifically the device provides a spectral analysis of emission gas constituents; selective detection of the presence of venting hydrocarbons; measurement of venting emissions flow rates, the measurement of shut-in and flowing venting system pressures and the venting system temperatures. The flow rates are corrected, relative to the detection of the gas constituents and standard temperature and pressure (STP). These devices are configured to collect such data electronically and transmit via various telemetry systems, to a secure remote data network for reporting, access, evaluation, real-time monitoring and archiving as required.

A gas meter (10) includes a normal measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a predetermined sampling period and a detailed measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a sampling period shorter than the predetermined sampling period in the normal measurement mode. A center device (40) gives an instruction to the gas meter (10) to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode. The center device (40) further collects flow rate data measured in the detailed measurement mode from the gas meter (10), and generates, based on the collected flow rate data, failure diagnosis information for diagnosing a failure in a gas appliance. With this configuration, the failure part in the gas appliance can be remotely identified, which accelerates the repair work.

Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Embodiments of a portable verification system can move from one in-field gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect downstream of a main pipeline's meter run or station. A control valve of the portable verification system allows volume measurement at different flow velocities to be verified. In some embodiments, the portable verification system is connected to the meter run and the main pipeline by an adjustable pipeline section. This section can extend horizontally and vertically, as well as swivel to provide versatility when connecting in the field. Adaptor fittings having one flange sized for and fitted to the inlet and outlet ends of the portable verification system and another flange sized for the meter run or main pipeline connection provide additional versatility. Downtime is limited to the time required to complete a circuit between the meter run, portable verification system, and main pipeline.

A respiratory flow therapy apparatus including a sensor module can measure a flow rate of gases or gases concentration provided to a patient. The sensor module can be located after a blower and/or mixer. The sensor module can include at least an ultrasonic transmitter, a receiver, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and/or a flow rate sensor. The receivers can be immersed in the gases flow path. The receivers can cancel delays in the transmitters and improve accuracy of measurements of characteristics of the gases flow. The receivers can allow for detection of a fault condition in a blower motor of the apparatus.

The abnormality detection method of the flow rate control device 10 is performed in the gas supply system 100 including the flow rate control device 10 having the restriction part 12, the control valve 14, the flow rate control pressure sensor 16 for measuring the upstream pressure P1, and the control circuit 19, the inflow pressure sensor 20 for measuring the supply pressure P0, and the upstream on-off valve 2 provided upstream of the inflow pressure sensor, and includes a step of closing the upstream on-off valve in a state in which the gas flows at the controlled flow rate at the downstream of the restriction part by controlling the opening degree of the control valve based on the output of the flow rate control pressure sensor, a step of measuring the drop in the supply pressure P0 on the upstream side of the control valve after closing the upstream on-off valve while keeping the control valve open, and a step of detecting the presence or absence of abnormality in the flow rate control device based on the measured supply pressure drop.

Mass flow verification systems and apparatus may verify mass flow rates of mass flow controllers (MFCs) based on choked flow principles. These systems and apparatus may include a plurality of differently-sized flow restrictors coupled in parallel. A wide range of flow rates may be verified via selection of a flow path through one of the flow restrictors based on an MFC's set point. Mass flow rates may be determined via pressure and temperature measurements upstream of the flow restrictors under choked flow conditions. Methods of verifying a mass flow rate based on choked flow principles are also provided, as are other aspects.

In one aspect, data characterizing a fuel storage facility can be received from a sensor in operable communication with the fuel storage facility. An estimate of meter drift of a flow meter of a fuel dispenser in fluid communication with the fuel storage facility can be determined based on the received data. The estimate of meter drift can be determined based on at least one predictive model that predicts whether a calibration parameter characterizing a calibration of the flow meter has deviated from a predetermined flow meter calibration parameter. The estimate of meter drift can be provided.