# US 10,480,977 B2 · Method for generating a diagnostic from a deviation of a flow meter parameter

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- Number: US 10,480,977 B2
- Document ID: US10480977B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/936,564
- Filed: 2008-05-01
- Published: 2011-02-03
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2008-05-01
- Assignees: Micro Motion, Inc.
- Applicants: Timothy J. Cunningham; Andrew Timothy Patten
- Inventors: Timothy J. Cunningham; Andrew Timothy Patten
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480977B2

## CPC

- G01F 1/8477: {with multiple measuring conduits}
- G01F 1/8409: {constructional details}
- G01F 15/022: {using electrical means}
- G01F 25/10: of flowmeters
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME

## Abstract

A method for detecting a deviation in a flow meter parameter of a flow meter that is adapted to measure a fluid flow rate is provided. The method comprises measuring a differential pressure across at least a portion of the flow meter. The method further comprises comparing the measured differential pressure to an expected differential pressure; the expected differential pressure being based on the measured flow rate. The method further comprises detecting a deviation in the flow meter parameter if the difference between the measured differential pressure and the expected differential pressure exceeds a threshold limit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for detecting a deviation in a flow meter parameter of a Coriolis flow meter, comprising steps of:
measuring a differential pressure across at least a portion of the Coriolis flow meter;
determining an expected differential pressure based on a known fixed fluid viscosity;
measuring a flow rate with the Coriolis flow meter;
comparing the measured differential pressure to the expected differential pressure based on the measured flow rate; and
detecting a deviation in the flow meter parameter if the difference between the measured differential pressure and the expected differential pressure falls outside of a predetermined threshold limit;
wherein the deviation in the flow meter parameter indicates the presence of a coating in the Coriolis flow meter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of measuring a differential pressure across the entire Coriolis flow meter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the expected differential pressure is obtained from a previously prepared plot of differential pressure v. flow rate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of storing the expected differential pressure in a meter electronics.

### Claim 5

A method for detecting a deviation in a flow meter parameter of a Coriolis flow meter, comprising steps of:
measuring a differential pressure across the Coriolis flow meter;
measuring a fluid flow rate with the Coriolis flow meter;
calculating an expected fluid flow rate based on the measured differential pressure;
comparing the measured fluid flow rate to the calculated fluid flow rate; and
detecting a deviation in the flow meter parameter if the difference between the measured fluid flow rate and the calculated fluid flow rate exceeds a predetermined threshold limits;
wherein the deviation in the flow meter parameter indicates the presence of a coating in the Coriolis flow meter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of determining a flow meter coefficient.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of storing the expected fluid flow rate in meter electronics.