Casing Patents (Class 73/273)
  • Publication number: 20120103086
    Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a housing, a support, and a flow measurement element. The housing defines a passage therein and includes a passage narrowing part, which reduces a cross-sectional area of the passage, in a predetermined part of the passage. The support has a platy shape and is disposed along a flow direction of fluid flowing in the passage. The flow measurement element is located inside the passage narrowing part and is disposed on a surface of the support. The flow measurement element detects a flow rate of fluid flowing in the passage. The passage narrowing part has an inner wall surface that gradually reduces a width of the passage from a center side to both end sides of the passage in a height direction of the passage, which is perpendicular to a direction of the width of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi GOKA, Takashi Enomoto, Noboru Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8161812
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary gas meter is described herein with an exchangeable cartridge which has a meter body surrounded by an open bracket. The meter body can have a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet. An impeller can be located in the chamber and can include a plurality of rotors connected to a gear box and a meter index to display flow information. A counter can be coupled to the meter index, for counting revolutions of the rotors and for translating the revolutions into a measurement of fluid volume. A removable first sleeve insert and second sleeve insert can permit fluid to flow into the inlet port and out of the outlet port while simultaneously securing the bracket to the meter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Gas Measurement Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ge Fischer
  • Publication number: 20120085164
    Abstract: A mount and housing for fluid meter components, including transducers, is directly coupled to fixation points on a pipe exterior circumference without external straps. The mount may be selectively coupled and decoupled from the pipe fixation points. One or more mounts and housings may be arrayed on a pipe exterior in modular fashion, for different metering applications. Similarly, the mount and housing interior optionally may be reconfigurable in modular fashion for orientation and alignment of one or a plurality of transducers or other components for different user applications, without the need for auxiliary alignment tools, templates, measuring instruments or other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Roehrig, Joseph J. Wuthijaroen
  • Publication number: 20120011929
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to flow meters and more particularly to improved plastic water flow meters for commercial or residential use. In various embodiments, a plastic water meter is provided that may include metal threads for connecting the water meter to a water system. In particular, the plastic water meter may include at least one spud that is shaped to receive and engage a plastic spud insert, in which the plastic spud insert may include a metal ring with a threaded outer surface. The plastic spud insert may include an annular lip portion extending outwardly to discourage removal of the metal ring when the spud insert is engaged with the water meter. Furthermore, the plastic spud insert and the inner surface of the metal ring may have complementary circumferential profiles to discourage relative rotation between the metal ring and the spud insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Marty Scott Ball, Jeremy Alan McCraven
  • Patent number: 8069720
    Abstract: A sensor housing for a field device includes a housing body and a solar module that may be put in place and removed. The solar module supplies the field device with electrical energy and may be placed on top of the housing body at various angles of rotation, as a result of which at the same time an electrical contact between the solar module and an energy storage device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Andreas Isenmann, Volker Allgaier, Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Guenter Kech
  • Patent number: 8047072
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to flow meters and more particularly to improved plastic water flow meters for commercial or residential use. In various embodiments, a plastic water meter is provided that may include metal threads for connecting the water meter to a water system. In particular, the plastic water meter may include at least one spud that is shaped to receive and engage a plastic spud insert, in which the plastic spud insert may include a metal ring with a threaded outer surface. The plastic spud insert may include an annular lip portion extending outwardly to discourage removal of the metal ring when the spud insert is engaged with the water meter. Furthermore, the plastic spud insert and the inner surface of the metal ring may have complementary circumferential profiles to discourage relative rotation between the metal ring and the spud insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Marty Scott Ball, Jeremy Alan McCraven
  • Publication number: 20110247411
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to flow sensors, and more particularly, to devices and methods for providing a pressure drop through a flow sensor at a given flow rate. In one illustrative embodiment, a sensor assembly includes a housing with a first flow port and a second flow port. The housing may define a fluid channel extending between the first flow port and the second flow port, with a sensor positioned in the housing and exposed to the fluid channel. The illustrative sensor may be configured to sense a measure related to the flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid channel. A flow restrictor may be situated in and integrally molded with at least one of the first flow port and the second flow port. The flow restrictor may be configured to accurately provide a pressure drop through the flow sensor at a given flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Jamie Speldrich
  • Publication number: 20110209542
    Abstract: A flow sensor and fastener assembly, is disclosed which includes at least the following modules: a sensor housing and a fastener element; wherein: the sensor housing is adapted to receive a flow-based sensor, e.g. a MEMS airflow sensor; the sensor housing includes a connection for transmitting sensing signals from a fitted flow-based sensor; the fastener element includes a head and a shank, at least part of the shank being externally threaded; the fastener element includes a bore extending through the whole length of the fastener element; and the bore is shaped at the head end of the fastener element to provide a sensor housing receiving part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Martyn John Hucker, Graham Andrew Johnson, David Baker, Amir Rezai
  • Patent number: 7980127
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a transparent holder with an inlet and an outlet connected to a first, second and third fastening portions through a first, second, third and fourth connection ribs, a first and second fastening assemblies screwed respectively with the inlet and outlet, a butting member located at one end of the transparent holder, a flow scale plate located on a recess of the transparent holder, and a regulation member coupled to the inlet. The three fastening portions with respectively a first, second and third fastening hole are integrally formed with the inlet and outlet. Through the first and second fastening holes, the transparent holder is firmly fastened to a machine. Thus hydraulic pressure generated in the inlet and outlet does not cause loosening due to screw fastening of the three fastening portions. The structural strength of the transparent holder is increased and assembly is easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Yao-Sung Hou
  • Patent number: 7975560
    Abstract: A magnetic shield may be mounted to a water meter housing to protect the magnetic operation of the water meter from a tamper magnet, including both smaller, flexible tamper magnets and larger, strong tamper magnets. The shield may include a contoured portion and a barrier portion. The barrier portion may provide a physical and spatial barrier between a larger tamper magnet and an internal magnetic sensor of the water meter. The contoured portion may conform to the housing of the water meter and may prevent smaller tamper magnets from being maneuvered close to the housing of the water meter. The shield may be made of a ferrous material suitable for attenuating a magnetic field. The shield may receive a looped sensor transmission cable within a U-shaped opening enabling the shield to be installed and/or removed from the water meter without the sensor transmission cable being detached from the water meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Elster Amco Water
    Inventors: Rolando Armas, Evan Hengge
  • Publication number: 20110107845
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter comprising an outer casing having flow connections adapted to be connected so that in operation fluid to be measured flows through the casing, and a mechanical flow measuring unit (12) disposed in the casing to measure said flow through the casing, the casing being of plastics material and in at least two parts (30, 32) which are permanently bonded or connected together (at 34, 36) to enclose the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Elster Metering Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy John Gabriel, Martin Philip May
  • Patent number: 7895898
    Abstract: A negative pressure gauge includes a body and a multi-stage positioning means. The body is provided with an airflow passage. The multi-stage positioning means includes a rotary piece and a cover plate. The rotary piece is pivotally connected to the body and is provided with positioning recesses and venting troughs. The cover plate covers the rotary piece and is fixedly connected to the body. The cover plate extends to form a positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning recesses. When the rotary piece rotates with respect to the cover plate, the positioning recesses allow the positioning protrusion to be selectively positioned therein and control the communication or obstruction between the venting troughs and the airflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pacific Hospital Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Donny Chung
  • Publication number: 20110036162
    Abstract: In a flow sensor (1) comprising a flow channel (14) embedded in a base body (1?), a flow sensor element (13) adjacent to the flow channel (14) and a cover plate (12) covering the flow channel (14) and arranged on the base body (1?), the flow channel (14) is formed by an elastic sealing lip which delimits said channel (14), running on and around an upper side of the base body (1?) lying opposite the cover plate (12) and is pressed against the cover plate (12) such that a seal is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Philip Holoch, Karin Megnet, Curdin Staheli
  • Patent number: 7854165
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to flow meters and more particularly to improved plastic water flow meters for commercial or residential use. In various embodiments, a plastic water meter is provided that may include metal threads for connecting the water meter to a water system. In particular, the plastic water meter may include at least one spud that is shaped to receive and engage a plastic spud insert, in which the plastic spud insert may include a metal ring with a threaded outer surface. The plastic spud insert may include an annular lip portion extending outwardly to discourage removal of the metal ring when the spud insert is engaged with the water meter. Furthermore, the plastic spud insert and the inner surface of the metal ring may have complementary circumferential profiles to discourage relative rotation between the metal ring and the spud insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Marty Scott Ball, Jeremy Alan McCraven
  • Publication number: 20100257930
    Abstract: A sensor housing for a field device includes a housing body and a solar module that may be put in place and removed. The solar module supplies the field device with electrical energy and may be placed on top of the housing body at various angles of rotation, as a result of which at the same time an electrical contact between the solar module and an energy storage device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Andreas ISENMANN, Volker ALLGAIER, Josef FEHRENBACH, Thomas DECK, Guenter KECH
  • Patent number: 7805990
    Abstract: For arranging an air mass meter at a flow channel, the flow channel has a housing section with a flange surrounding a receiving opening for the air mass meter. The air mass meter has a socket with a contact surface that is facing the flange. Fasteners are provided that attach the socket on the housing section. The socket and the housing section have elements for positioning the air mass meter free of play relative to a flow direction of a fluid flow that is guided in the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Mann + Hummel GmbH, Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jürgen Lang, Eric Thebault, Robert Hasenfratz, Masayuki Kozawa, Hiromu Kikawa
  • Patent number: 7762313
    Abstract: A coolant sensor doubles as a bleed valve for purging trapped air from a cooling system. The sensor slides into a port placing a sensor element in contact with the coolant. The sensor includes a pair of encircling o-rings for sealing the system from atmosphere in one position and permitting bleeding in a second position. The bleed channel is in the sensor port between the o-rings. The sensor is moved so the innermost o-ring clears the narrow opening into the cooling system. The outermost o-ring maintains a seal to keep the coolant from leaking out of the sensor port. The sensor is held in either position by a horseshoe clip or by a bayonet arrangement, the horseshoe clip arrangement including multiple apertures for each position, the bayonet having a position to provide for safe bleeding of air from the cooling system without completely removing the sensor from its retention port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Eric Darby
  • Patent number: 7742883
    Abstract: A battery powered, low voltage faucet flow timer, water usage calculator, and energy consumption awareness meter is simple to install and calibrate and may enable a user to understand the water usage associated with showering, bathing or other open faucet water use activity. The device may provide a simple method for calculating the flow characteristics for a shower, bath or other faucet and entering this flow rate into the timing device so that the timer provides an accurate calculation of water usage indicating both the time spent with the water running and approximate total water usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Mark R Florence
  • Publication number: 20100101817
    Abstract: A connecting box is provided for a field device. To simplify installation even in the case of physically small devices, a connecting terminal of the connecting box is arranged in a cover of the connecting box so that when the cover is closed, the connecting terminal is contact-connectd to a contact strip arranged in the cover and having contacts corresponding to those of the connecting terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz RACKEBRANDT, Harald Grothey
  • Publication number: 20100089147
    Abstract: A pitot cover is provided with fail-safe removable operation from a pitot tube by virtue of a number of different removal structures. Foremost among these is an elastomeric band which holds two halves of the pitot cover to the pitot tube. The band is separated by an adhesive strip, part of which lies on the pitot tube and melts at less than 230° F. or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Steven A. DeGroff, Samuel S. Conte
  • Publication number: 20090255345
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, sealant, and an array of at least two ultrasonic sensors. The housing is operable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The housing has at least one pocket extending between a pipe-side surface and an outer surface. The pipe-side surface mates with the exterior surface of the pipe. The sealant is disposed between the pipe exterior surface and the housing pipe-side surface. The sealant forms a seal around the pocket when the housing is mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The array of ultrasonic sensor units are disposed within the at least one pocket. Each sensor unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the fluid flow within the pipe. The receivers are operable to receive signals from the transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7559256
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring device has a flow channel including: a pair of first and second centrifugal chambers each having a curved wall surface; a first guiding flow channel allowing a first secondary flow channel to communicate with one end of the wall surface of the first centrifugal chamber; an intermediate flow channel allowing the other end of the wall surface of the first centrifugal chamber to communicate with one end of the wall surface of the second centrifugal chamber; a second guiding flow channel allowing the other end of the wall surface of the second centrifugal chamber to communicate with a second secondary flow channel; a first flow dividing channel communicating with the first centrifugal chamber; a second flow dividing channel communicating with the second centrifugal chamber; and a detection space portion, in which a detection element is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Naotsugu Ueda, Satoshi Nozoe
  • Patent number: 7475602
    Abstract: A process and device for mounting a clamp-on flow rate measurement device on a measurement pipe using a mounting device having a holding strap with catches. The holding strap can be fastened on the measurement pipe by the holding strap being guided into and through the catch and tightened. A holder is attached to the holding strap to which the clamp-on flow rate measurement device can be fastened. First the mounting device is mounted on the measurement pipe, afterwards the clamp-on flow rate measurement device is attached to the holder without the holding strap being completely tensioned, so that the clamp-on flow rate measurement device is loosely held on the measurement pipe. Then, after aligning the clamp-on flow rate measurement device is, the clamp-on flow rate measurement device is completely attached to the holding means by further tensioning of the holding strap by lifting the catch off the measurement pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Marcel Meijlom Molenaar, Jan Teunis Aart Pors, Jeroen Van Den Berg, Cornelis Johannes Hogendoorn
  • Publication number: 20080266660
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a transparent housing cover for a meter index for communicating optical signals through an optical port formed on a front face of the transparent housing cover, for further communicating optical signals in a straight line past one side of the meter index; and for re-directing the optical signals at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to or from an optical transceiver. The cover includes an integrally formed light pipe, the light pipe further forming the optical port near the front of the body and the light pipe extending along one side of the body and behind the meter index; and the light pipe includes a surface at a back end for reflecting light at approximately ninety degrees to and from a light transceiver positioned behind the meter index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald D. Benson, John A. Olson
  • Patent number: 7427750
    Abstract: One embodiment of a mass spectrometer assembly includes a base configured to define at least a portion of a vacuum chamber volume; a mass separator component within the vacuum chamber volume; a lid coupled to the mass separator component and configured to be removably operably coupled with respect to the base; and wherein the lid is configured to be positioned in a first operable position to form a hermetical seal with the base and provide the mass separator component within the vacuum chamber volume and a second operable position wherein at least a portion of the lid is spaced from the base and the mass separator component is at least partially removed from within the vacuum chamber volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Griffin Analytical Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John W. Grossenbacher, Garth E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7412882
    Abstract: A combined utility meter and meter register assembly (10) is disclosed in which a housing (11, 13, 31) for both a utility metering element and a meter register has no visual readout or display of metering data. Metering data is signaled through a data port (33) or an antenna (36) to external equipment. The meter register is provided by electronic circuitry (29a, 29b) that is placed in an upper cavity (27) in the housing part (13) that is then closed by a cover (31) or a body of sealing material. A label (32) can be placed over the closure informational purposes. An additional embodiment of the housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lazar, Ronald D. Benson, Eric Metzger, Kelly Laughlin-Parker, Joseph Stauber
  • Publication number: 20080165828
    Abstract: A detector (10) includes: a joint (20) mounted on a fluid pipe; a case (30) mounted on the joint (20) to house a sensor (60); a holder (40) attached to the case (30) and housing a circuit board (70); and a cover (50) attached to the holder (40) and integrated with a light-shielding plate (53). An annular first lug (421), a leaf spring (422) having a projection (423) and a rotation restrainer which projects further from the first lug (421) along an inner circumferential side thereof are integrally formed on the holder (40). An annular first recess (32) to be engaged with the first lug (421) is formed on the case (30). A groove (33) is formed on an inner surface of the first recess. An annular second recess (34) is provided on an inner circumferential side of the first recess (32). A riser portion (35) is provided to a bottom surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidebumi Seki, Hiroyuki Sakai, Tomohiro Rokugawa
  • Patent number: 7363811
    Abstract: A measurement pickup is provided offering a high measure of safety and having a measurement pickup housing, a sensor element arranged in the measurement pickup, at least one connection element closing the measurement pickup housing, and an excess-pressure protection device, especially a burst disk or a pressure relief valve, integrated in the connection element, which serves to effect a pressure equalization with an environment of the measurement pickup in the case of a pressure overload in the measurement pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Dannhauer, Ralf Nuernberger, Dietfried Burczyk, Thiérry Moser, Oliver Graf, Raphael Erni, Stefan Muth
  • Patent number: 7341097
    Abstract: A coolant sensor doubles as a bleed valve for purging trapped air from a cooling system. The sensor slides into a port placing a sensor element in contact with the coolant. The sensor includes a pair of encircling o-rings for sealing the system from atmosphere in one position and permitting bleeding in a second position. The bleed channel is in the sensor port between the o-rings. The sensor is moved so the innermost o-ring clears the narrow opening into the cooling system. The outermost o-ring maintains a seal to keep the coolant from leaking out of the sensor port. The sensor is held in either position by a horseshoe clip or by a bayonet arrangement, the horseshoe clip arrangement including multiple apertures for each position, the bayonet having a position to provide for safe bleeding of air from the cooling system without completely removing the sensor from its retention port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventor: Eric Darby
  • Publication number: 20080006085
    Abstract: A flow sensor functions as a flow meter, for measuring the flow rate of a measurement objective fluid. The flow sensor comprises a flow passage, through which the measurement objective fluid flows, a sensor arranged so as to face the flow passage from a top wall that defines the flow passage, a throttle surface opposed to the top wall where the sensor is arranged, and an inclined surface provided on an upstream side of the throttle surface. The inclined surface is disposed such that the flow passage widens toward the inlet side of the flow passage. The inclined surface has an angle such that an extension line thereof passes through a position that is offset toward the upstream side, as compared to the detecting section of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamashita, Yuta Oshima
  • Patent number: 7284455
    Abstract: An electronic environment sensing instrument having an analog indicator has a casing having a front panel with a scale, an electronic sensing and driving assembly mounted in the casing, a needle and a DC power supply. The electronic driving indicator assembly has a detecting and driving circuit to sense and measure an environmental parameter outside the casing and generates a control signal, a drive unit to receive the control signal and rotate a specific amount in a specific direction based on the control signal and a gear assembly connected to and driven by the drive unit. The needle is attached to and driven by the gear assembly and points to a specific value on the scale corresponding to the sensed environmental parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Matador International Inc.
    Inventors: Ping-Han Lee, Li-Zhen Wang
  • Patent number: 7204157
    Abstract: A modular utility meter, for example, a water meter, is provided which comprises a meter base and a meter head. The output signal from a transducer in the meter base is processed in the meter head to calculate the utility supply. The processing includes linearization of the signal calibration data stored in the meter base. Therefore, any meter head may be combined with a meter base containing any different type of transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Severn Trent Metering Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Furmidge, Stuart Hallows, Mark Fairman
  • Patent number: 7143645
    Abstract: A water meter housing assembly (10) comprises a cylindrical, plastic housing body (11), a non-cast housing bottom (13) of hydroformable or stamped brass, a single-piece strainer and sealing member (40) that is disposed in the housing bottom (13) and portions of non-cast hydroformable or stamped brass tubing (15) with spud ends (16, 17) for connection in a water supply line. The brass consists essentially of lead-free material. The assembly (10) is designed to provide a lower cost alternative to foundry cast meter housings. The assembly (10) also provides advantages in a method of vertical assembly that saves manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Benson, Eric Metzger, Lee Karsten, H. Paul Walding, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7117737
    Abstract: A flow meter having an index cover adapted to house an index of the meter seals to the remainder of the meter with an elastomeric ring seal received between the index cover and the meter body. The ring seal defines a plurality of lines substantially parallel to the perimeter of the ring seal along which the seal is adapted to seal against a surface of the index cover and to seal against the substantially planar surface of the flow meter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Alan Sallee, Hooshang Andrew Befrui
  • Patent number: 7021134
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for isolating a component of a microfluidic analytical system are provided. An isolation manifold including a housing is used to isolate a sensitive component of a microfluidic analytical system from environmental noise and interference, such as mechanical vibrations and the like. The housing of the manifold includes an interior portion and a recess adapted to receive at least a portion the component to be isolated, such as a flow sensor. The housing has openings which allow for fluid communication through the housing to tubing used to connect the component to the analytical system. A potting agent can be used to help secure the component in place within the housing and to help minimize the potential for damage to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Upchurch Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Dykas, Michael L. Bailey, Nathaniel E. Nienhuis
  • Patent number: 6952970
    Abstract: A modular utility meter (1), for example, a water meter, is provided which comprises a meter base (2) and a meter head (3). The output signal from a transducer in the meter base (2) it processed in the meter head (3) to calculate the utility supply. The processing includes linearization of the signal using calibration data stored in the meter base (2). Therefore, any meter head may be combined with a meter base containing any different type of transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Fusion Meters Limited
    Inventors: Neil Furmidge, Stuart Hallows, Mark Fairman
  • Patent number: 6925867
    Abstract: A fluid meter, in particular a water meter, comprises a tank having a bottom and into which is inserted through an opening opposite the bottom in an insertion direction parallel to its axis of symmetry a measurement chamber having at least one lateral orifice connected in a sealed manner to a pipe of the tank via a seal that is compressed between an external surface of the chamber, called the first surface, and an internal surface of the tank, called the second surface. The first and second surfaces are inclined to the axis of symmetry of the tank and the minimum distance between the first and second surfaces and the axis of symmetry is near the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Actaris SAS
    Inventor: Alcide Mercier
  • Patent number: 6848303
    Abstract: A water meter includes a metal housing which is connectable with a connecting housing through which the water passes and which is disposed in a water pipeline. A plastic measurement insert includes a channel ring upper part, a channel ring lower part and an unpeller mounted therebetween. The metal housing presses the plastic measurement insert onto an outlet opening of the connecting housing. Said plastic measurement insert is seated with its lower edge on a gasket on an opening surrounding the connecting housing to thereby form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Ottmar Oeder, Walter Klass
  • Publication number: 20040261522
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for isolating a component of a microfluidic analytical system are provided. An isolation manifold including a housing is used to isolate a sensitive component of a microfluidic analytical system from environmental noise and interference, such as mechanical vibrations and the like. The housing of the manifold includes an interior portion and a recess adapted to receive at least a portion the component to be isolated, such as a flow sensor. The housing has openings which allow for fluid communication through the housing to tubing used to connect the component to the analytical system. A potting agent can be used to help secure the component in place within the housing and to help minimize the potential for damage to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas C. Dykas, Michael L. Bailey, Nathaniel E. Nienhuis
  • Publication number: 20040261523
    Abstract: A fluid meter, in particular a water meter, comprises a tank having a bottom and into which is inserted through an opening opposite the bottom in an insertion direction parallel to its axis of symmetry a measurement chamber having at least one orifice connected in a sealed manner to a pipe of the tank via a seal that is adapted to be compressed between an external surface of the chamber and an internal surface of the tank. The seal consists of a bead of polymerizable plastic material deposited onto one of the surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Gilles Cognot
  • Publication number: 20040255668
    Abstract: A fluid meter, in particular a water meter, comprises a tank having a bottom and into which is inserted through an opening opposite the bottom in an insertion direction parallel to its axis of symmetry a measurement chamber having at least one lateral orifice connected in a sealed manner to a pipe of the tank via a seal that is compressed between an external surface of the chamber, called the first surface, and an internal surface of the tank, called the second surface. The first and second surfaces are inclined to the axis of symmetry of the tank and the minimum distance between the first and second surfaces and the axis of symmetry is near the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Alcide Mercier
  • Publication number: 20040206175
    Abstract: A water meter includes a metal housing which is connectable with a connecting housing through which the water passes and which is disposed in a water pipeline. A plastic measurement insert includes a channel ring upper part, a channel ring lower part and an unpeller mounted therebetween. The metal housing presses the plastic measurement insert onto an outlet opening of the connecting housing. Said plastic measurement insert is seated with its lower edge on a gasket on an opening surrounding the connecting housing to thereby form a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ottmar Oeder, Walter Klass
  • Patent number: 6789419
    Abstract: A liquid meter body including a plastic material bucket 1 which includes a lower portion 3 delimited by a bottom 9 end by a lower side wall 10 and a cylindrical upper portion 4 delimited by an upper side wall. The upper side wall joins onto the lower side wall at a shoulder 5. The lower portion 3 defines a housing 2 for a measuring chamber. The meter body further comprises entry and exit tubes 6, 7, the tubes having an external thread, the interior of the tubes opening into the housing 2 of the measuring chamber via a bore formed in the lower side wall 10 and respectively forming an injector 11 and an ejector 12. The meter body has an elliptical bottom 9. The bores forming the injector 11 and the ejector 12 are elliptical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Actaris S.A.S.
    Inventor: Barbara Hennebelle
  • Publication number: 20040149028
    Abstract: A flow sensor with a tube through which flows a medium to be measured and a housing comprising a lower shell and an upper shell and receiving electronics with unions provided with a flow bore communicating with the tube and which are received in recesses made in facing sides of the lower shell and upper shell, wherein the unions have an outer part, an inner part and a central piece, the inner part of both unions is provided with a blind hole concentric to the flow bore, and in which are mounted the ends of the tube, and the central piece is constructed cylindrically with a reduced diameter compared with the parts of the unions, and the lower shell and upper shell are in each case provided with a semicylindrical portion receiving the central piece of the unions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SENSORENTECHNOLOGIE GETTORF GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Hiss, Stefan Michelsen
  • Patent number: 6668644
    Abstract: An adjustable meter loop assembly for connecting a gas meter to a gas supply line and a gas service line which includes a gas inlet conduit, a gas outlet conduit, and an adjustable brace. The gas inlet conduit is connectable to a gas inlet of the gas meter and the gas supply line. The gas outlet conduit is connectable to a gas outlet of the gas meter and the gas service line. The adjustable brace connects the gas inlet conduit to the gas outlet conduit. At least one of the gas inlet conduit and the gas outlet conduit is rotatable so as to permit the position of a second end of one of the gas inlet conduit and the gas outlet conduit to be selectively altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Uponor Aldyl Co.
    Inventor: Howard W. Hall
  • Patent number: 6647793
    Abstract: A pressure sensor of a pressure-sensor module is connected to a wet space in a vehicle door by a through-passage channel of a sealing cushion and a connecting branch, which is guided with sealing action through a partition. A housing of the sensor module is located in a dry space. An interior of the housing and the dry space are sealed in relation to the interior of the connecting branch, with the result that a water-tightness of the housing, in which a printed circuit board and electronic components are accommodated, does not have to meet high requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Dirmeyer, Robert Gruber, Harald Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030136188
    Abstract: An adjustable meter loop assembly for connecting a gas meter to a gas supply line and a gas service line which includes a gas inlet conduit, a gas outlet conduit, and an adjustable brace. The gas inlet conduit is connectable to a gas inlet of the gas meter and the gas supply line. The gas outlet conduit is connectable to a gas outlet of the gas meter and the gas service line. The adjustable brace connects the gas inlet conduit to the gas outlet conduit. At least one of the gas inlet conduit and the gas outlet conduit is rotatable so as to permit the position of a second end of one of the gas inlet conduit and the gas outlet conduit to be selectively altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Howard W. Hall
  • Patent number: 6588800
    Abstract: A pipe loop (10) for fitting a water meter (12) to a plumbing installation includes a pipe coupling having an adapter (20) with an inlet (22) and an outlet (24) and being adapted to be connected in a straight length of pipe (14) in the plumbing installation, the adapter (20) defines a seat formation (26) between the inlet (22) and outlet (24), the seat formation (26) having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the inlet (22) and outlet (24). A body portion (32) is screw threadedly connected to the adapter (20), the body portion defining a pair of coaxially radially separated tubular members (36, 42), the inner tubular member (42) extending beyond the outer tubular member (36) into sealing engagement with the seat formulation (26). The outer tubular member (36) has radial apertures (48) and an outer water jacket (50) is mounted around the outer tubular member (36), so that it is rotatable with respect thereto, the water jacket (50) being sealed between the body member (32) and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Oswald Peter John Meli
  • Patent number: 6588447
    Abstract: A break-away ring manufactured from a frangible material and removably received by a water meter of the type used to measure the volume of water consumed by a residence or a commercial facility. The break-away ring applies a holding pressure for retaining within the water meter a register to measure the volume of water consumed. The ring has a plurality of notches formed therein. A tool is inserted in one of the notches for prying the break-away ring outwardly from the water meter, whereby to break the ring and end the holding pressure generated thereby. Accordingly, the register can now be easily lifted out of the water meter for repair or replacement. The foregoing removal of the register is accomplished without having to either interrupt the water service to the consumer or disconnect the water meter from the consumer's water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur A. Hendey
  • Patent number: RE38348
    Abstract: An improved assembly (10) for housing electronics for remote reading to meter reading data in a subsurface enclosure (11) includes a first inner enclosure (40) of metal for housing the receiver/transmitter circuitry (90), a second inner enclosure (69, 86) for housing a battery (65) and an outer enclosure (24) of plastic which encloses both of the inner enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Bloss, Jr., H. Paul Walding, Jr., Jeffrey L. Sell