Abstract: An enclosure for an ultrasonic transducer is configured for variable moisture protection. During storage and transport, the enclosure may be kept in a sealed state, which prevents entry of humidity. During operation in a wet environment (e.g., in a water meter attached to a pipe) water leaks into the enclosure very slowly, even when sealed. Accordingly, a tube is opened, allowing water molecules to be exhausted from the enclosure and absorbed by a desiccant within the water meter. In an example, a tube passes from an interior of the enclosure to an exterior of the enclosure. An end cap on the tube prevents humid air from entering the enclosure during storage and transport of the ultrasonic transducer. During operation in a humid environment, removal of the end cap allows air exchange to ventilate the enclosure and allows a desiccant outside the enclosure to absorb humidity exhausted from the enclosure.

Abstract: A plug is adapted for connection to an ultrasonic transducer to protect and guide wiring during storage, transportation, and the manufacturing process. The plug protects and orients wires to allow for automated manufacturing and to provide an improved connection between the transducer and an electronic printed circuit board. The plug may include a first portion having wire guide(s) and a second portion configured for attachment to the transducer. The plug includes at least one wire guide to protect wire(s) that connect the ultrasonic transducer to a printed circuit board. A wire extends through a passage defined in each wire guide on a first portion of the plug. The first portion slides with respect to the second portion to expose portions of first and second wires carried within the first and second channels, respectively. Once exposed, the wires can be soldered to a PCB in an automated manner.

Abstract: An enclosure for an ultrasonic transducer is configured for variable moisture protection. During storage and transport, the enclosure may be kept in a sealed state, which prevents entry of humidity. During operation in a wet environment (e.g., in a water meter attached to a pipe) water leaks into the enclosure very slowly, even when sealed. Accordingly, a tube is opened, allowing water molecules to be exhausted from the enclosure and absorbed by a desiccant within the water meter. In an example, a tube passes from an interior of the enclosure to an exterior of the enclosure. An end cap on the tube prevents humid air from entering the enclosure during storage and transport of the ultrasonic transducer. During operation in a humid environment, removal of the end cap allows air exchange to ventilate the enclosure and allows a desiccant outside the enclosure to absorb humidity exhausted from the enclosure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for configuring a bi-material enclosure for an acoustic sensor assembly, such as for use in a water or gas metering applications, or other applications using piezo and/or transducer devices. A plastic housing with mechanical reinforcements (e.g., 40% glass fiber) provides the advantage of strength and resistance to a high-pressure environment encountered during use. Use of a plastic sleeve having less or no reinforcements provides more consistent signal reception and data generation between different transducer assemblies under the same or similar conditions. Accordingly, the bi-material transducer enclosure provides a high resistance to pressure and/or high reproducibility of signal-transmission characteristics between transducer assemblies.

Abstract: An enclosure for an ultrasonic transducer is configured for variable moisture protection. During storage and transport, the enclosure may be kept in a sealed state, which prevents entry of humidity. During operation in a wet environment (e.g., in a water meter attached to a pipe) water leaks into the enclosure very slowly, even when sealed. Accordingly, a tube is opened, allowing water molecules to be exhausted from the enclosure and absorbed by a desiccant within the water meter. In an example, a tube passes from an interior of the enclosure to an exterior of the enclosure. An end cap on the tube prevents humid air from entering the enclosure during storage and transport of the ultrasonic transducer. During operation in a humid environment, removal of the end cap allows air exchange to ventilate the enclosure and allows a desiccant outside the enclosure to absorb humidity exhausted from the enclosure.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a flow tube, the sensor comprising sensing means and a sensor body, wherein a portion of the sensing means is located within the sensor body and a first portion of the sensor body is arranged to fasten the sensor body to the flow tube such that the sensor is positioned for sensing the flow rate of the fluid in the flow tube.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for configuring a bi-material enclosure for an acoustic sensor assembly, such as for use in a water or gas metering applications, or other applications using piezo and/or transducer devices. A plastic housing with mechanical reinforcements (e.g., 40% glass fiber) provides the advantage of strength and resistance to a high-pressure environment encountered during use. Use of a plastic sleeve having less or no reinforcements provides more consistent signal reception and data generation between different transducer assemblies under the same or similar conditions. Accordingly, the bi-material transducer enclosure provides a high resistance to pressure and/or high reproducibility of signal-transmission characteristics between transducer assemblies.

Abstract: An enclosure for an ultrasonic transducer is configured for variable moisture protection. During storage and transport, the enclosure may be kept in a sealed state, which prevents entry of humidity. During operation in a wet environment (e.g., in a water meter attached to a pipe) water leaks into the enclosure very slowly, even when sealed. Accordingly, a tube is opened, allowing water molecules to be exhausted from the enclosure and absorbed by a desiccant within the water meter. In an example, a tube passes from an interior of the enclosure to an exterior of the enclosure. An end cap on the tube prevents humid air from entering the enclosure during storage and transport of the ultrasonic transducer. During operation in a humid environment, removal of the end cap allows air exchange to ventilate the enclosure and allows a desiccant outside the enclosure to absorb humidity exhausted from the enclosure.

Abstract: A plug is adapted for connection to an ultrasonic transducer to protect and guide wiring during storage, transportation, and the manufacturing process. The plug protects and orients wires to allow for automated manufacturing and to provide an improved connection between the transducer and an electronic printed circuit board. The plug may include a first portion having wire guide(s) and a second portion configured for attachment to the transducer. The plug includes at least one wire guide to protect wire(s) that connect the ultrasonic transducer to a printed circuit board. A wire extends through a passage defined in each wire guide on a first portion of the plug. The first portion slides with respect to the second portion to expose portions of first and second wires carried within the first and second channels, respectively. Once exposed, the wires can be soldered to a PCB in an automated manner.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a flow tube, the sensor comprising sensing means and a sensor body, wherein a portion of the sensing means is located within the sensor body and a first portion of the sensor body is arranged to fasten the sensor body to the flow tube such that the sensor is positioned for sensing the flow rate of the fluid in the flow tube.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a flow tube, the sensor comprising sensing means and a sensor body, wherein a portion of the sensing means is located within the sensor body and a first portion of the sensor body is arranged to fasten the sensor body to the flow tube such that the sensor is positioned for sensing the flow rate of the fluid in the flow tube.

Abstract: Meters are described. In one example, a meter includes a totalizer including an electronic circuit and a metering screen, a cap at least partially covering the totalizer, the cap including a window to facilitate viewing of data of the metering screen, and a screen cover mounted on the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position in order to cover the metering screen. In such an arrangement the electronic circuit includes a device for detection of the open position or the closed position of the screen cover, and the detection of the open position or the closed position controls scrolling of data of the metering screen.

Abstract: Meters are described. In one example, a meter includes a totalizer including an electronic circuit and a metering screen, a cap at least partially covering the totalizer, the cap including a window to facilitate viewing of data of the metering screen, and a screen cover mounted on the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position in order to cover the metering screen. In such an arrangement the electronic circuit includes a device for detection of the open position or the closed position of the screen cover, and the detection of the open position or the closed position controls scrolling of data of the metering screen.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for assisting deployment of a fixed remote meter reading network, in which system an access point is to recover measurement data from meters (1) by radio, said data being transmitted via a radio communication module (2) associated with each meter and being relayed to the access point via at least one intermediate collector. The system enables an installer to be equipped with a portable device enabling in situ validation of future positions for intermediate collectors.