Patents Assigned to Hydrometer GmbH
  • Patent number: 10161770
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a device for measuring a fluid parameter of fluid flow in a channel, including: a transmitter; at least one receiver; a processor operatively coupled to the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver; a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processor to: transmit, using the transmitter, directed energy carrying a signal toward a surface of a fluid in a fluid channel, so as to produce one or more reflections from the fluid surface; detect, by the at least one receiver, one or more received signals associated with the one or more reflections so produced; determine, based upon a measurement beam comprising characteristics of the transmitted and received signals, one or more fluid parameters to be measured using a processor of the device; and associate, using a processor of the device, the one or more fluid parameters with a channel segment. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: OTT Hydromet GmbH
    Inventors: David L. Rick, Martin Kennerknecht, Stefan Siedschlag, Fabian Kratz, Leon Audergon
  • Patent number: 8904881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly for an ultrasound flowmeter, comprising a one-part or multi-part housing (2), which is provided to be connected to a line carrying the medium to be measured, wherein the ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound through the housing (2) and the ultrasound transducer assembly has the following features: an ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) with a first main surface on the side facing the medium and a second main surface on the side facing away from the medium, first, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the first main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), second, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the second main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), wherein the first contact means are located between the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) and the housing (2), through which ultrasound is to be transmitted, of the ultrasound flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg, Gerhard Dietz, Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Oefelein, Tino Hofmann, Axel Schmidt-Schoenian, Roland Horn
  • Patent number: 8516901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement insert for a flow meter and a flow meter. The present invention discloses using, in a customary housing of a bulk water meter, e.g. a Woltman meter, instead of a device for mechanical flow measurement a measurement insert which comprises an ultrasonic measurement path and can be fastened to the opening of the housing by a housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Öfelein
  • Patent number: 8499648
    Abstract: A gas meter comprising a housing (2) with a gas inlet connection (5) and an inflow chamber (16) which is arranged downstream of the latter and into which gas flows via an inflow opening (14), arranged downstream of which inflow chamber (16) is a measuring section (19) arranged upstream of a gas outlet connection (6) and having a measuring device (20), in which the gas flow is measured, wherein projecting into the inflow chamber (16) there is a tube (15) which merges into the measuring section (19) or forms the latter and runs substantially perpendicularly to the gas flow direction through the inflow opening (14) and overlaps the inflow opening (14), at least in a certain section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg, Andreas Hegendoerfer
  • Patent number: 8443842
    Abstract: Flow straightener for a flowmeter, in particular an ultrasonic metering device, which can be fitted into a flow pipe which is upstream of or in the flowmeter and through which the fluid to be measured flows with a main direction of flow (H), comprising a number of vanes (11, 12, 16, 17), which each have surfaces (13) that are parallel to one another and, in the fitted position, run parallel to the main direction of flow (H) of the fluid to be measured, the vanes (11, 12, 16, 17) being arranged in such a way that, in the fitted position, the flow cross section (Q) of the fluid-carrying flow pipe is subdivided into a number of partial cross sections (TQ1,2,3,4,5), at least some of the partial cross sections (TQ1,2,3,4,5) being of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 8424392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing arrangement for an ultrasound flow meter, comprising a unipartite or multipartite housing (2) provided to be connected to a fluid line, comprising an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic transducer body and a housing or covering which at least partially surrounds the ultrasonic transducer body, comprising a housing opening provided in the housing (2) for positioning the ultrasonic transducer at the housing arrangement, comprising a sealing element arranged between the housing (2) and the ultrasonic transducer, wherein a housing insert (5) can be inserted in the housing opening (16) as a module, the housing insert (5) is adapted to receive at least two ultrasonic transducer bodies (4, 7) which are positioned separately, without the ultrasonic transducer body (4, 7) coming into contact with the fluid, and the housing insert (5) is connected to the housing (2) via a sealing element (13) which is common to the ultrasonic transducer bodies (4, 7) which are positione
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Oefelein
  • Patent number: 7819021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid meter (1) having a measuring tube housing (2), a measuring zone (3) inside the measuring tube housing (2), an ultrasonic transducer configuration of at least one ultrasonic transducer (4 and/or 5) for generating an ultrasonic signal and/or converting an ultrasonic signal passing through the measuring zone (3) into an electric signal and a deflecting device (11) for deflecting the ultrasonic signal in particular in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube (3) such that the surface normal N of the ultrasonic transducer (4 and/or 5) is arranged so it is inclined laterally based on the top position of the fluid-filled interior of the measuring tube housing (2) in the installed position with the plane E such that the ultrasonic signal does not strike the deflecting device (11) from above in the installed position of the fluid meter (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg, Axel Schmidt-Schoenian, Roland Messthaler
  • Patent number: 7698958
    Abstract: A differential pressure system and a gas meter arrangement for precisely measuring a gas consumption by a gas meter is provided. A previously known gas meter is disposed in a bypass comprising a differential pressure system in the gas pipe for measuring a volumetric flow rate inside the gas pipe. The differential pressure system includes flow ducts having decreasing diameters as the radial position increases starting from a central axis of the differential pressure system. Examples of execution include inlet ports and/or outlet ports of the flow ducts which are provided with a specific countersink angle (?), and an equidistant, concentric arrangement of flow ducts on the cross-sectional area of the differential pressure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Matter, Thomas Kleiner, Beat Kramer
  • Publication number: 20080236296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid meter (1) having a measuring tube housing (2), a measuring zone (3) inside the measuring tube housing (2), an ultrasonic transducer configuration of at least one ultrasonic transducer (4 and/or 5) for generating an ultrasonic signal and/or converting an ultrasonic signal passing through the measuring zone (3) into an electric signal and a deflecting device (11) for deflecting the ultrasonic signal in particular in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube (3) such that the surface normal N of the ultrasonic transducer (4 and/or 5) is arranged so it is inclined laterally based on the top position of the fluid-filled interior of the measuring tube housing (2) in the installed position with the plane E such that the ultrasonic signal does not strike the deflecting device (11) from above in the installed position of the fluid meter (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg, Axel Schmidt-Schoenian, Roland Messthaler
  • Patent number: 7366057
    Abstract: An arrangement for signal processing in ultrasonic transducers in flow meters has an ultrasonic transducer acted upon by a drive signal with the ultrasonic transducer being connected to a resonant circuit matched to the frequency of the drive signal. The resonant circuit can be a component of the network which makes switching over the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting operation to a receiving operation possible. An ultrasonic flow meter uses time-of-flight principle for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals and signal post-processing of the received ultrasonic signals. To make available an ultrasonic flow meter that produces an improved quality voltage signal for evaluation and at the same time makes possible a reduction of its production costs, a ringing circuit is provided. The ringing circuit may be a series ringing circuit for signal post-processing of the received ultrasonic signals connected to a comparator and using an LC-circuit, a Pi-filter or an RLC-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Gaugler, Horst Ziegler, Horst Behlen
  • Patent number: 7360447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for liquid or gaseous media, the flow meter has a measuring channel through which the medium flows, at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel and also at least one pair of ultrasound converters for emitting and receiving ultrasound signals, wherein for guiding an ultrasound signal from one ultrasound converter to the other ultrasound converter, at least one pair of reflectors is arranged in the measuring channel, the diameter of the measuring channel is reduced using a reducer in certain regions for guiding the flow of the medium, wherein the reducer is formed by a measuring channel insert, which is arranged on and/or integrated into the measuring channel inner wall, and which is used simultaneously for holding or fixing other functional parts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a flow meter, in which a flow guide plate is used as a holding plate for the pair of reflectors and stretches in the longitudinal direction of the measuring channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Ofelein, Gunter Hauenstein
  • Patent number: 7287437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for liquid or gaseous media, the flow meter has a measuring channel through which the medium flows, at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel and also at least one pair of ultrasound converters for emitting and receiving ultrasound signals, wherein for guiding an ultrasound signal from one ultrasound converter to the other ultrasound converter, at least one pair of reflectors is arranged in the measuring channel, the diameter of the measuring channel is reduced using a reducer in certain regions for guiding the flow of the medium, wherein the reducer is formed by a measuring channel insert, which is arranged on and/or integrated into the measuring channel inner wall, and which is used simultaneously for holding or fixing other functional parts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a flow meter, in which a flow guide plate is used as a holding plate for the pair of reflectors and stretches in the longitudinal direction of the measuring channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Ofelein, Gunter Hauenstein
  • Publication number: 20060288798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for liquid or gaseous media, said flow meter comprising a measuring channel through which the medium flows, at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel and also at least one pair of ultrasound converters for emitting and receiving ultrasound signals, wherein for guiding an ultrasound signal from one ultrasound converter to the other ultrasound converter, at least one pair of reflectors is arranged in the measuring channel, the diameter of the measuring channel is reduced using a reducer in certain regions for guiding the flow of the medium, wherein the reducer is formed by a measuring channel insert, which is arranged on and/or integrated into the measuring channel inner wall, and which is used simultaneously for holding or fixing other functional parts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a flow meter, in which a flow guide plate is used as a holding plate for the pair of reflectors and stretches in the longitudinal direction of the measuring channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Ofelein, Gunter Hauenstein
  • Publication number: 20060196278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter for liquid or gaseous media, said flow meter comprising a measuring channel (1) through which the medium flows, at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel and also at least one pair of ultrasound converters (2, 3) for emitting and receiving ultrasound signals, wherein for guiding an ultrasound signal from one ultrasound converter (2 and/or3) to the other ultrasound converter (3 and/or 2), at least one pair of reflectors (4, 5) is arranged in the measuring channel (1), the diameter of the measuring channel (1) is reduced using a reducer (7) in certain regions for guiding the flow of the medium, wherein the reducer (7) is formed by a measuring channel insert, which is arranged on and/or integrated into the measuring channel inner wall (6), and which is used simultaneously for holding or fixing other functional parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Applicant: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Ofelein, Gunter Hauenstein
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5831158
    Abstract: A combination water meter comprises a main meter which can be connected to a water main for determining larger amounts of water flow and to an auxiliary meter which is disposed in a bypass conduit for determining smaller amounts of water flow. An on-off valve insert, which opens the passageway through the water main when a specified pressure is reached, is disposed in series with the measurement insert of the main meter, and the measurement insert of the main meter as well as the auxiliary meter are disposed in a housing having a partition which divides the housing into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber and has an opening between the two. The lid of the housing and the inserts are connected in such a manner that they can be dismantled as a unit. The partition is fastened to and preferably integrally molded with the lid and sealed with respect to the housing by means of a gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Schloetterer, Ewald Lacher
  • Patent number: 4487217
    Abstract: A reversing valve for a combination meter, including a closure element, movable in the axial direction, which is provided with a cylindrical closure ring which in the closed position of the reversing valve covers radially outwardly directed valve openings, and having at least one channel extending essentially axially associated therewith, which channel is closed in the closed position though already after slight shifting of the closure element in the direction of its open position communicates the working chamber of a hydraulic adjustment member with the main flow. The working chamber additionally has a presettable opening which is always open in the direction of the auxiliary flow or total flow. The effective-pressure-cross section of the closure element is suddenly enlarged inwardly during opening, and is reduced in a sudden manner during closing, by having the main flow act on the working chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Schmidt
  • Patent number: D968426
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTT HydroMet GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Ray Nelson
  • Patent number: D968427
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTT Hydromet GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Ray Nelson