SELF-NORMALIZING FLOW SENSOR AND METHOD FOR THE SAME

摘要

An apparatus to normalize a flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel is provided. The apparatus uses a moveable member, such as a flexible membrane disposed for reciprocating displacement, to produce a constant dither flow of the fluid that is independent of fluid composition. This dither flow generates a signal output from a normalizing flow sensor that both represents a characteristic property of the fluid and a flow rate calibration factor. A similar apparatus to determine the characteristic property or flow rate calibration factor is also provided. The devices disclosed may be sued in numerous industrial, process, and medical flow system applications for normalization of flow sensors and to derive other properties of a fluid.