Flowmeter fault detection

Abstract

A previously unidentified problem of clipping in the input stages of flowmeter sensing circuitry has been identified and addressed. A solution is provided by flowmeter sensing circuitry, comprising: first and second inputs for connection to potential sensing electrodes positioned to measure a potential difference across the fluid which potential is representative of flow; differential amplifier means coupled to the first and second inputs for producing an output signal indicative of said potential difference across the fluid as a measure of flow; characterized by at least one voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage of at least one of the first and second inputs relative to a ground reference; and fault detecting means for detecting a potential fault if the voltage is outside a predetermined range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.