Abstract: A fluid consumption meter (2) is arranged to measure a flow rate of a fluid and has a control device (14) with a sound detection module (26) arranged to detect a sound in said fluid. The control device (14) is configured such that during activation of the sound detection module (26) at least one further module (20, 22, 24) of the consumption meter (2) not required for sound detection is in a deactivated state. A method is provided for detecting sound in a piping system.

Abstract: A system and a method for identifying a leak indication in a utility distribution system is described. A pipe network for supplying a utility to a multitude of service connections includes a plurality of acoustic sensors mounted at the service connections. The acoustic sensors are preferably integrated in ultrasonic flow meters. The method comprises the steps of obtaining information about a time of change of a fluid pressure and then establishing a first noise indicator from the noise measured by the acoustic sensors before said time of change, establishing a second noise indicator from the noise measured after said time of change; and then correlating one or more first noise indicators and second noise indicators with the fluid pressure to identify service connections subject to leak indications. A leak detection system based on a mathematical cross correlation of noise indicators and fluid pressure in a fluid pipe system is also described.

Abstract: An ultrasound flow meter includes a housing (1) which includes a channel (2) for leading through a fluid, which fluid flow rate is to be measured. Two ultrasound transducers are arranged on the wall which delimits the channel (2), within the housing (1). The ultrasound transducers are fixed within the housing by a non-releasable snap connection and/or clamping connection.

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc.

Abstract: A method detects seismic events, in particular detects foreshocks for earthquake prediction. The events are detected by a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a part of a water pipe network on which the sensors are arranged is used for detection. An ultrasonic water meter to be connected to a water pipe network and an ultrasonic water meter system connected to a water pipe network are provided to detect seismic events.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter, comprising a flow tube with a through-going opening for passage of a fluid between an inlet and an outlet, comprising: a flow pipe of a first material, such as metal, extending between the inlet and the outlet, a liner of a second material, such as a polymer-based material, extending along an inner surface of the flow pipe between the inlet and the outlet, a housing providing a compartment for transducers and metering electronics wherein the housing is connected to the liner, by being mounted on an interface being an integrated part of the liner.

Abstract: A stationary measuring device (7) measures or detects a value at a utility installation. The measuring device includes a low power wide area network (LPWAN) communication module configured to establish a wireless communication connection to a LPWAN for communicating data to a head-end-system (HES) (3) via the LPWAN. The LPWAN communication module is configured to: send a request for a first clock time from the measuring device to a time server; receive the first clock time from the time server in response to the request; receive a second clock time from a base station of the LPWAN; compare the first clock time and the second clock time with each other; and determine a current clock time based on the second clock time if the second clock time lies within a pre-determined range about the first clock time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing frost damage to one or more flow meters installed in a fluid distribution network containing a fluid, wherein each flow meter is configured to measure a temperature, preferably an air temperature, and to wirelessly transmit the measured temperature, such as via a mobile or a fixed wireless reading system to a processing unit. The method comprises: 1) during a period continuously monitoring (M_TMP) the temperatures measured by the plurality of flow meters over a period of time, 2) performing a data analysis (P_DA) on the temperatures of the plurality of flow meters from the period, 3) based on the data analysis, identifying (I_FDC) one or more ones of the plurality of flow meters as frost damage candidates in a future frost period, and 4) transmitting (T_WS) a warning signal indicative of the frost damage candidates or initiating frost protection measures to protect the frost damage candidates.

Abstract: Fluid consumption meter comprising a noise detection module for leak detection measurements and a control device comprising a bi-directional communication unit. The control comprises a time synchronization module for time synchronization of leak detection measurements with an external device via the bi-directional communication unit with a time synchronization error of less than 1000 micro seconds. The control device is arranged to receive a leak detection control signal from an external device and to start the leak detection measurements at a point in time specified the received leak detection control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a transmission coupler for receiving radio signals carrying consumption data from a utility meter. The utility meter comprises a meter housing wherein a radio frequency transmitter circuit and a meter antenna is arranged. The transmission coupler comprises a coupling antenna, a transmission line or a radio frequency connector for connection of a transmission line and a mechanical connection element. The mechanical connection element is arranged for mechanically connection of the transmission coupler to an outer surface of the meter housing whereby a near field coupling is provided between the meter antenna and the coupling antenna through the meter housing. The transmission line or radio frequency connector is electrically connected to the coupling antenna.

Abstract: A compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data includes a flow tube with a flow bore for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet, a flowmeter housing associated with the flow tube, a printed circuit board arranged in the flowmeter housing and including a processor for controlling operations of the flowmeter, a meter circuit including ultrasonic transducers provided on the printed circuit board and configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic wave packets through the fluid, a display mounted on the printed circuit board and configured for displaying a measured flowrate and the other fluid related data, one or more battery packs for powering flowmeter operations, and an antenna element configured to be connected to a radio circuit via connectors provided on the printed circuit board and/or the antenna element.

Abstract: A battery-powered stationary measuring device, measuring or detecting a utility installation value, includes a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) connection module configured to establish a wireless communication connection to a LPWAN for communicating data to a head-end-system (HES) and attempt to successfully establish a connection to the LPWAN by selectively conducting one of the group comprising: an extended LPWAN search and a limited LPWAN search; veto the extended LPWAN search as long as a savings threshold for a total number or amount of power budget savings has not been reached; increase the total of power budget savings for unsuccessful limited LPWAN searches; and allow the extended LPWAN search if the total number or amount of power budget savings has reached the savings threshold. The total number or total amount of power budget savings is reduced with each conducted extended LPWAN search.

Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing frost damage to one or more flow meters installed in a fluid distribution network containing a fluid, wherein each flow meter is configured to measure a temperature, preferably an air temperature, and to wirelessly transmit the measured temperature, such as via a mobile or a fixed wireless reading system to a processing unit. The method comprises: 1) during a period continuously monitoring (M_TMP) the temperatures measured by the plurality of flow meters over a period of time, 2) performing a data analysis (P_DA) on the temperatures of the plurality of flow meters from the period, 3) based on the data analysis, identifying (I_FDC) one or more ones of the plurality of flow meters as frost damage candidates in a future frost period, and 4) transmitting (T_WS) a warning signal indicative of the frost damage candidates or initiating frost protection measures to protect the frost damage candidates.

Abstract: Utility meter for measuring thermal energy delivered to a point of consumption by a fluid supplied via a supply flow and a return flow, including a flow meter unit for measuring a supply flow rate or return flow rate of the fluid; a pair of temperature sensing probes for measuring temperatures of the supply flow and the return flow, each of the temperature sensing probes including a resistive temperature device; and a calculator device configured for executing a measuring algorithm for determining an amount of thermal energy delivered to the point of consumption over a period of time based on flow rates and temperatures received from the flow meter unit and temperature sensing probes, respectively; wherein the calculator device is configured to detect the type of resistive temperature device included in the temperature sensing probes and to adapt the measuring algorithm according to the type of resistive temperature device.

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc.

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc.

Abstract: A method for detecting a constant envelope burst-mode radio frequency (RF) signal with a known periodic synchronization sequence (PSS) represented therein includes transforming an incoming RF signal into a digital baseband signal (DBS), and processing the phase domain part by: 1) applying a correlation algorithm to correlate the DBS with a synchronization pattern corresponding to the PSS, 2) filtering the resulting correlation signal for removing at least a DC component of the correlation signal, 3) down-sampling the filtered correlation signal with a sampling time controlled by a clock aligned with amplitude peaks in the filtered correlation signal, 4) performing a decision algorithm on the down-sampled signal to determine if PSS is present in the incoming RF signal, then 5) generating an output signal indicating if the known PSS is present in the incoming RF signal, in response to a result of the decision algorithm.

Abstract: A modular ultrasonic flow meter including a substantially watertight meter housing connected to a flow tube; a measurement printed circuit board including a measurement circuit communicating with one or more ultrasonic transducers, arranged in the meter housing for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals; and a self-contained power supply. The ultrasonic flow meter further includes a control module comprising a module housing connected with a main printed circuit board including a central processing unit, a memory circuit and a communication circuit, and a power- and communication connection is provided between the main printed circuit board of the control module and the measurement printed circuit board whereby the self-contained power supply may power the main printed circuit board and the measurement printed circuit board.

Abstract: A compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data includes a flow tube with a flow bore for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet, a flowmeter housing associated with the flow tube, a printed circuit board arranged in the flowmeter housing and including a processor for controlling operations of the flowmeter, a meter circuit including ultrasonic transducers provided on the printed circuit board and configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic wave packets through the fluid, a display mounted on the printed circuit board and configured for displaying a measured flowrate and the other fluid related data, one or more battery packs for powering flowmeter operations, and an antenna element configured to be connected to a radio circuit via connectors provided on the printed circuit board and/or the antenna element.