# US 2009/0260424 A1 · Self-checking analyzer method and system using frequency response > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260424 A1 - Document ID: US20090260424A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/416,884 - Filed: 2009-04-01 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-01 - Assignees: Phase Dynamics, Inc. - Inventors: Bentley N. Scott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260424A1 ## CPC - G01N 22/00: Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more (G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow and a first measuring device configured to provide a first frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system is configured to validate the first frequency response using the second frequency response. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measurement unit comprising: a first measuring device; a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device; a switch; and an antenna element; wherein the switch is configured to connect the first measuring device to the antenna element to obtain a first frequency response to a multiphase fluid flow and to connect the second oscillator to the antenna element to obtain a second frequency response to the multiphase fluid flow; and wherein the measurement unit is configured to validate the first frequency response using the second frequency response. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the first measuring device is one of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the second first measuring device is the other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the switch is a solid state switch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the first frequency response is used to determine a water content of the multi-phase fluid flow. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The measurement unit of claim 4, wherein the water content is derived from one or more calibration curves. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the measurement unit is further configured to validate the first frequency response by comparing a subsequent frequency response of the first measuring device to free air with a calibrated value. ### Claim 7 An analyzer system comprising: a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow; a first measuring device configured to provide a first frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow; and a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow; wherein the analyzer system is configured to validate the first frequency response using the second frequency response. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 further comprising: a switch configured to connect the first measuring device to an antenna element to obtain the first frequency response and to connect the second oscillator to the antenna element to obtain the second frequency response. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the switch is a solid state switch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the first measuring device is one of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the second first measuring device is the other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the first frequency response is used to determine a water content of the multi-phase fluid flow. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the water content is derived from one or more calibration curves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the analyzer system is further configured to validate the first frequency response by comparing a subsequent frequency response of the first measuring device to free air with a calibrated value. ### Claim 14 A method of validating a frequency response comprising: obtaining a first frequency response to a multiphase fluid flow from a first measuring device; obtaining a second frequency response to the multiphase fluid flow from a second measuring device, the second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device; and validating the first frequency response using the second frequency response. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first measuring device is one of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the second first measuring device is the other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising: determining a first water content of the multiphase fluid flow using the first frequency response. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising: determining a second water content of the multiphase fluid flow using the second frequency response; and validating the first water content using the second water content. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first and second water contents are determined from one or more calibration curves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising: validating the first frequency response by comparing a subsequent frequency response of the first measuring device to free air with a calibrated value. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second oscillators differ from one another in at least one of tuning elements, active devices, and matching circuitry.