How can different interpretations and use of bond graph parameters be avoided?

Since its invention by H. M. Paynter in the late 1950s, a bond graph has become a powerful tool in simulation, analysis and design of multidisciplinary physical systems. Still, there exists no full standardization of the graphical representation of a bond graph. As long as these different representations do not result in misinterpretations of the meaning of a bond graph, no further standardization is needed. However, the success of the bond graph method urges for an elimination of some ambiguities. This paper is mainly devoted to the use and interpretation of bond graph parameters. It will be shown that the so called common use of some bond graph parameters is ambiguous. A non-ambiguous use and interpretation of all conventional bond graph symbols is proposed in this paper.