Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed having a meter body that is enveloped by a shroud having a compliant band disposed at least partially about the meter body. The shroud protects transducers and transducer cables. The shroud forms a chamber between the shroud and meter body, and includes a releasable portion to allow access into the chamber.

Abstract: An orifice plate assembly including a plurality of ring members, each having an inner facing surface including a first annular recess extending therein, and a plurality of inner annular seals, wherein a different inner annular seal of the plurality is overmolded to the first annular recess of each of the plurality of ring members to seal against a facing surface of an orifice plate captured between the plurality of ring members.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a meter body including a passageway therethrough and an outer surface having a curved portion, a transducer assembly coupled to said meter body, a shroud on said outer surface of said meter body and covering said transducer, said shroud including a pair of shell portions, each shell portion including a pair of ends and a pair of edges, a fastener disposed between one end of each of said shell portions and configured to draw said shell portions toward one another, and a wireway defined by said outer surface of said meter body and said shell portions.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a meter body including a longitudinal axis, an outer surface, and a fluid passageway therethrough, and a plurality of electronics housings supported on the meter body by an enclosure assembly, wherein the enclosure assembly includes a base supported by the meter body, a tubular member having a passage for the passing of a transducer cable, a bracket member coupled to the tubular member, the bracket member having a pair of longitudinally extending sides, a pair of laterally extending sides at longitudinal ends of the bracket member, and a conduit member extending between the longitudinally extending sides.

Abstract: An orifice fitting includes a body, an orifice plate mounted in the body, and an orifice plate transfer passage within the body. The orifice plate transfer passage includes a shoulder, and the orifice plate is movable through the passage. In addition, the orifice fitting includes a sealing assembly disposed in the orifice plate transfer passage. The sealing assembly includes a sealing insert including a first section and a second section. In addition, the sealing assembly includes a first sealing member configured to create a first fluid tight barrier between the second section and the orifice plate transfer passage. Further, the sealing assembly includes a second sealing member configured to create a second fluid tight barrier between the shoulder and the first section. Still further, the sealing assembly includes a subchamber within the orifice plate transfer passage between the first fluid tight barrier and the second fluid tight barrier.

Abstract: A monolithic matching structure for use in an ultrasonic transducer. The matching structure includes a mini-horn array. The mini-horn array includes a back plate, a plurality of horns, and a front plate. The plurality of horns extend from the back plate. Each of the horns includes a base and a neck. The base is adjacent the back plate. The neck extends from the base. Transverse area of the base is larger than transverse area of the neck. The front plate is adjacent the neck of each of the horns.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning an orifice plate carrier in an orifice fitting. The positioning device is secured in an upper chamber of the fitting and includes an insert having a first end and a second end, and a back side, a first side, and a second side each extending from and connecting the first and second ends to form a through-passage with a front side. The through-passage is configured to allow the orifice plate carrier to pass therethrough. The first and second sides include a first cutout and a second cutout, respectively, which are configured to allow a gear to pass therethrough. The gear engages grooves on the orifice plate carrier to pass the orifice plate carrier through the upper chamber. The positioning device provides consistent and repeatable alignment in guiding the orifice plate carrier in and out of the fitting.

Abstract: A monolithic matching structure for use in an ultrasonic transducer. The matching structure includes a mini-horn array. The mini-horn array includes a back plate, a plurality of horns, and a front plate. The plurality of horns extend from the back plate. Each of the horns includes a base and a neck. The base is adjacent the back plate. The neck extends from the base. Transverse area of the base is larger than transverse area of the neck. The front plate is adjacent the neck of each of the horns.

Abstract: A metering system configured to couple to multiple specialty systems, such as a control system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are processing units comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a communication port configured to coupled to a backbone communication network of a control system. The memory stores a program that causes the processor to selectively participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a first manufacturer (the control system implements a first proprietary communication protocol between processing units), and to participate (over the communication port) as a processing unit of a control system of a second manufacturer different than the first manufacturer (the control system of the second manufacturer implements a second proprietary communication protocol between the processing units).

Abstract: A system and method for providing a multi-double block and bleed configuration in an orifice fitting to provide an additional barrier of protection between the pressurized flow stream and the environment outside the flowmeter. The multi-double block and bleed system includes a first pair of blocking valves located below a second pair of blocking valves. The multi-double block and bleed system further includes a first vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the first pair blocking valves, a second vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the second pair of blocking valves, and a third vent valve positioned between the first and second pairs of blocking valves. The pairs of blocking valves and the vent valves are arranged to provide double block and bleed during all phases of orifice plate installation and removal.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an orifice meter includes providing an orifice fitting body having a bore, an orifice plate, a plurality of tap holes, and a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the plurality of tap holes. The method further includes removing the orifice plate and the plurality of pressure sensors from the orifice fitting body and installing a plurality of transducers into the plurality of tap holes. At least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to generate a signal and at least one of the plurality of transducers is configured to receive the signal. Additionally, the method includes measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the bore based on an output of each of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A device and method for securing an orifice flowmeter and preventing unauthorized access to the flowmeter while in service is disclosed. The security device includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a closed end, an open end, a front surface, and a back surface forming a cavity. Through bores extend coaxially through the top surface and the bottom surface proximate the open end. Some embodiments include protrusions coupled to the interior of cavity. The protrusions together with the back surface of the housing are configured to surround exposed portions of the flowmeter, such that the addition of a shackle portion of a locking device through the through bores will prevent removal of the security device from the flowmeter and subsequently prevent access to the flowmeter.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonic flow metering. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow and a plurality of ultrasonic flowmeters. Each of the ultrasonic flowmeters includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers, and a flow processor. The pair of ultrasonic transducers is configured to form a chordal path across the passage between the transducers. The flow processor is coupled to the ultrasonic transducers. The flow processor is configured to measure the fluid flow through the spool piece based on outputs of the transducers of all of the ultrasonic flowmeters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer suitable for use in ultrasonic metering of fluids at extreme temperatures. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric crystal, low-density epoxy encasing the piezoelectric crystal, and a cylindrical reinforcing sleeve embedded in the low-density epoxy. The sleeve includes fiber mesh, and surrounds the piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: A cable assembly for coupling a transducer includes a plug body having a nose section with a nose end, a tail section with a tail end opposite the nose end; and a cable restraining feature disposed proximal the tail end. In addition, the cable assembly includes a cable having a first end, a second end, a signal conductor, and a pliable fixing member. A portion of the pliable fixing member is disposed in the cable restraining feature and extends at least partially around the plug body to limit the movement of the first end of the cable relative to the plug body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of a flow metering system. In one embodiment, a flow metering system includes a flow meter, a first and second pressure sensors, a flow conditioner, and a condition monitor. The flow meter is configured to measure the volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The first pressure sensor is disposed proximate the flow meter to measure pressure of the fluid proximate the flow meter. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the flow meter. The second pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the flow conditioner to measure pressure of the fluid upstream of the flow conditioner. The condition monitor is coupled to the flow meter and the pressure sensors, and is configured to identify a potential discrepancy in operation of the flow metering system based on a difference between pressure measurements of the first and second pressure sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer suitable for use in ultrasonic metering of fluids at extreme temperatures. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric crystal, low-density epoxy encasing the piezoelectric crystal, and a cylindrical reinforcing sleeve embedded in the low-density epoxy. The sleeve includes fiber mesh, and surrounds the piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ultrasonic flow metering of viscous fluids. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes an ultrasonic flow meter, a flow conditioner, and a reducer. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged to exchange ultrasonic signals through a fluid stream flowing between the transducers. The flow conditioner is disposed upstream of the ultrasonic flow meter. The reducer is disposed between the flow conditioner and the ultrasonic flow meter to reduce the cross sectional area of the fluid stream flowing from the flow conditioner to the ultrasonic flow meter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring operation of an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a condition monitor. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid flowing in the passage. The condition monitor is coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter and is configured to monitor a parameter of operation of the ultrasonic meter, and to acquire a plurality of values of the parameter over time. The condition monitor is also configured to compute, for each of the acquired values, a difference between the acquired value and a predetermined reference, and to arrange the differences in time sequence.