Self-calibrating mass flow sensor system

摘要

Method and system for calibrating a mass flow sensor. The mass flow sensor includes an impact sensor that receives an impact force due to collisions with a plurality of solid particles to generate an output signal. A model relates a mass flow input to the output signal. At least one measurable parameter is varied over a plurality of samples by varying a physical component of the mass flow sensor, and a generated output signal is received. The model can be calibrated based on the received output signal for each of the plurality of samples. A mass-flow input can also be estimated while simultaneously updating the model.

主权项

1. A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor in a machine, the machine including a housing, a mass flow system to move solid particles and propel particles through a path toward a portion of the housing, the mass flow sensor disposed to determine a mass of particles propelled through the path toward a portion of the housing and generate a corresponding sensor output, and an actuator to adjust at least one measurable parameter of the mass flow sensor to affect the sensor output, and a processor to receive the sensor output and control the actuator, the method comprising:
by the processor, applying a model relating a mass flow input to the sensor output, the model including at least one internal parameter and the at least one measurable parameter; by the actuator, varying the at least one measurable parameter over a plurality of samples; by the processor, for each of the plurality of samples, receiving the generated sensor output; by the processor, measuring a mass flow input for mass flow that occurs while conducting said varying; and by the processor, updating the model by updating the at least one internal parameter in said model based on the mass flow input for each of the plurality of samples, the received sensor output for each of the plurality of samples, and the varied measurable parameter for each of the plurality of samples.