Abstract: A flow meter (1) includes a flow tube (3) and sensors (19a, 19b), that generate signals for measuring a fluid flow through the flow tube. An electronics housing (5) accommodates a battery (23) and a printed circuit board, PCB (15). The PCB is equipped with electronics. A pair of elongate connector elements (29) electrically connect axial end contacts (27) of the battery with the PCB for powering the electronics and/or sensors by the battery. The battery is arranged at a distance (D3) to the PCB. The pair of elongate connector elements includes a first end section (31), connected to the PCB, a contact section (33), connected to one of the end contacts of the battery, and a second end section (35). The electronics housing includes inward protrusions. The second end sections of the pair of elongate connector elements abut axially against the inward protrusions to fix the battery axially.

Abstract: A method for controlling wireless transmission of a command from a gateway to a utility meter. The utility meter comprises a wireless communication interface, a processor for executing commands received via the wireless communication interface, a first Command Message Counter, CMC, and a utility meter ID. The gateway comprises a wireless communication interface, a processor for generating data messages comprising commands, a second CMC associated with the utility meter ID of the utility meter and a Command Message Counter Limit, CMCL. The method includes determining in the gateway if the second CMC associated with the utility meter ID of the utility meter has reached the CMCL. If said second CMC has reached the CMCL refrain from transmitting the command to the utility meter. Otherwise generating in the gateway a data message comprising the command, the utility meter ID of the utility meter and a third CMC and transmitting the generated data message from the gateway to the utility meter.

Abstract: A fluid consumption meter (50) configured to measure a flow rate of a fluid and with a noise detection module (40) for leak detection. Also having a control device with a bi-directional communication unit (60) and being configured to receive a leak detection control signal from an external device (100), to set the fluid consumption meter (50) into a leak detection mode upon reception of the leak detection control signal, and to start a noise measurement for leak detection in said leak detection mode and to transmit data from said noise detection module, an to a leak detection system.

Abstract: A method for locating a leak (19) in a water supply network with a water source (11) and one or more water consumption meters (21, 22) on the consumer side. The method includes calculating a length of the pipe (17) between the consumption meter (21) and the leak (19) location based on a temporal temperature curve and a quantity of water flowing through the at least one consumption meter (21).

Abstract: A method for acoustic leakage detection in a fluid pipe network (1) uses at least one ultrasonic flow meter (13) installed at a pipe (15, 17). The pipe connects a consumer site (3) to the fluid pipe network. The method includes detecting at least one sound wave traveling along the pipe and/or along fluid within the pipe from a sound source to the at least one ultrasonic flow meter, determining the traveling direction of at least one of the at least one sound wave, interpreting a sound wave of the at least one sound wave as a leakage sound candidate if the determined traveling direction of said sound wave is towards the consumer site, and interpreting a sound wave of the at least one sound wave as a background noise if the determined traveling direction of said sound wave is away from the consumer site.

Abstract: A method for updating Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, information in a battery powered utility meter with an integrated modem for cellular communication. The modem is with intervals controlled to connect to a cellular network. When the modem is connected to the cellular network data is transmitted to a head end system. As a response the modem receives a first data message from the head end system via the cellular network. The modem is controlled to remain connected to the cellular network long enough to receive the response whereafter the modem enters Power Saving Mode or is powered off. The utility meter determines if the first data message comprises an indication that a Short Message Service message or a second data message containing Subscriber Identity Module update information is to be received by the modem via the cellular network during a second time period.

Abstract: A method for determining events in a network of consumption meters, in which an event is determined by grouping data wherein the event according to consumption meters which have detected this characterizing data. If groups of consumption meters match, this is determined as an event, the grouping being carried out according to the following criteria—temporal coincidence of the event—spatial concordance of the event—consistency of the event type. The spatial concordance is determined by determining and ranking the Euclidean distance of each of a plurality of consumption meters to everyone of the of others of the plurality of consumption meters, and by assigning the n closest consumption meters that have detected this characterizing data to a group of consumption meters.

Abstract: A radio communication method involves utility meters installed at distributed installation locations with a data receiver. Data is received from the utility meters. Data is modulated on a received signal having a time-varying phase offset. Decision-directed phase tracking compensates for the time-varying phase offset. The compensated received signal is coherently demodulated to extract data. Extracted data is modulated to reconstruct a replica of the received signal. A phase offset prediction error—comparison between compensated received signal and the replica—and a phase offset prediction error covariance-divergence of compensated received signal and reference value and/or of phase offset prediction error and error reference value—are estimated and input into a Kalman filter. A Kalman filter output provides a prediction of time-varying phase offset in a feedback loop to compensate time-varying phase offset of received signal before compensated received signal is coherently demodulated to extract data.

Abstract: An automatic reading system (ARS—1) determines values at a plurality of distributed installation locations and communicates data containing said values via a low power wide area Network (LPWAN) to a head-end-system (HES—3). The ARS includes the HES and battery-powered stationary measuring devices (7), configured to be installed at an installation location and to determine said values at the installation location. The measuring devices include an LPWAN connection module to establish a wireless values communication connection via the LPWAN to the HES. A mobile installation device (13) includes a short-range connection module establishing a communication connection (15) and sending candidate information to measuring devices about to be installed at the installation location. The LPWAN connection module attempts to establish for the first time at the one of the installation locations a handshaked LPWAN connection to the LPWAN based on the received LPWAN connection candidate information.

Abstract: A flow meter including a flow tube element with sensors configured to generate signals for measuring a fluid flow through the flow tube element. An electronics housing with a mounting side is releasably mounted to the flow tube element. The electronics housing accommodates a battery and electronics. The electronics and the sensors are powered by the battery, located in a battery cartridge that is arranged within the electronics housing and is removable through the mounting side with the housing unmounted from the flow tube element. A first anti-tampering element is arranged between a first part of the electronics and the battery cartridge. A second anti-tampering element is mounted to the flow tube element independently from the electronics housing. The second anti-tampering element and a second part of the electronics remain mounted to the flow tube element with the electronics housing unmounted from the flow tube element.

Abstract: A measurement device, such as a consumption meter, which is designed for dismantling with the purpose of recycling. The measurement device has a housing with a first side (FS) and a second side (LD) forming an enclosure in which a stack of elements (E1, E2) are arranged. The stack of elements (E1, E2) comprises a first element (E1) adjacent to the first side (FS) of the housing, an upper second (E2) arranged adjacent to the second side (LD), where at least one of the elements (E1, E2) comprises a circuit board with electronic components configured for measuring a physical quantity, and one or more additional components.

Abstract: A method for dismantling a measurement device, e.g. a consumption meter, comprising a first housing element and a second housing element fastened to the first housing element so as to enclose a stack of elements comprising at least: one circuit board comprising electronic components configured for performing a measurement of a physical parameter, and one or more additional components, such as a battery. The method comprises forcing (F_PM) at least one push member, such as 2-10 pins or mandrels, against a wall of the first housing element in a direction towards the second housing element, so as to penetrate through the wall of the first housing element.

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.