ADVANCES IN SELF-VALIDATING INSTRUMENTATION

Manus Henry, Mihaela Duta

Abstract

This paper provides an overview into recent developments in self-validating sensors. This concept assumes the availability of internal computing power for self-diagnostics, and of digital communications to convey measurement and diagnostic data. A generic set of metrics are proposed for describing measurement quality, including on-line uncertainty. A SEVA instrument, based on the Coriolis mass flow meter is described; its ability to detect and compensate for the effects of two-phase flow has been implemented in a commercial meter. SEVA has been incorporated into a British Standard, which is currently being extended. Other related standardisation efforts include work by the European user organisations WIB and NAMUR, who are collaborating on an initiative to develop a common framework for describing sensor diagnostics on-line. Comparison with the SEVA Coriolis meter show some of the limitations of the WIB approach. Recent theoretical developments in SEVA include a simple technique for combining the outputs of redundant SEVA sensors for consistency checking and the calculation of a combined best estimate.

Keywords

self-validating sensors, sensor fusion, Coriolis mass flow meter

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IMEKO-TC7-2004-127.pdf

DOI

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IMEKO TC

TC7 - Measurement Science

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