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.

Abstract: A water utility meter configured for dynamic throttling and arranged to register and manage the amount of water delivered to a consumption site from a distribution network is disclosed. The water utility meter comprises a flow sensor for measuring a flow rate through the water utility meter, a valve for limiting the flow rate from the distribution network to the consumption site, an actuator for changing a valve position so that the valve may be in an open position or a closed position or a variable throttling position and a controller unit arranged to control the actuator. The controller unit is further configured to monitor the flow rate using the flow sensor, to verify if the flow rate exceeds a maximum flow rate limit or does not exceed a minimum flow rate limit and if the limits are exceeded adjust the valve position to change the maximum flowrate.

Abstract: A compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data of a fluid includes a flow tube with a flow bore for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet, a flowmeter housing, 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 two or more backing devices arranged to provide a holding force to the ultrasonic transducers, forcing a lower side of the ultrasonic transducers against transducer areas provided on the flow tube.

Abstract: A method for replacing an existing key derivation key in a utility meter arranged in a meter communication infrastructure in a secure way. The method provide a secure mechanism for exchange of symmetric keys without the need for transferring keys across the meter communication infrastructure. From the head-end system to the utility meter is transmitted a command data message comprising a request for replacing the existing key derivation key with the new key derivation key, the key-generation information and a activation key or an authentication code calculated based on the activation key. The utility meter receiving the command data message is arranged to derive the new key derivation key based on a copy of a disaster recovery key stored in the utility meter and on the key-generation information comprised in the received command data message. Further, the utility meter is arranged for deriving a activation key from the new key derivation key. The activation key is used for verifying the command data message.

Abstract: A consumption meter arranged to measure a flow rate of a fluid comprising: a tube with two transducer holes in a wall of the tube; a meter housing arranged at the tube, comprising two transducer housings and a main housing; first and second ultrasonic transducers arranged in the transducer housings for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals propagating through the fluid; a control circuit arranged in the meter housing for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers to generate a signal according to the flow rate of the fluid. The transducer housing comprises: an internal transducer housing element arranged at an inner surface of the tube and an external transducer housing element arranged at an outer surface of the tube to extend through the transducer hole in the wall of the tube such that the transducer housing is fixated to the tube.

Abstract: A consumption meter arranged to measure a flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a tube with for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet, multiple individual flow meters arranged at the tube to measure a sub-flow rate of the fluid, a first control circuit and communication interface arranged for receiving the measured sub-flow rate from each of the multiple flow meters, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid according to the received sub-flow rates, each of the multiple individual flow meters comprising: a flow meter housing arranged at the tube; first and second ultrasonic transducers arranged in the flow meter housing for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals propagating through the fluid; a second control circuit arranged for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers, and being arranged to generate the signal indicative of the sub-flow rate of the fluid accordingly; and a communication interface arranged for transmitting the signal indica

Abstract: Integrated flow meter and control valve (1) including a flow tube (11); a substantially watertight meter housing (12) providing a compartment (121), extending from the flow tube; a metering unit (139 arranged inside the compartment for measuring the flow of a medium flowing though the flow channel, and an electrical valve actuator (18) arranged inside the compartment and adapted to control a flow control element (19) arranged inside the flow channel, wherein that meter housing is formed as an integrated part of the flow tube with the compartment having a primary opening (124) for insertion of the metering unit and a secondary sealable opening (125) for insertion of the electrical valve actuator.

Abstract: Method and devices for wirelessly transmitting data packets in a meter reading system, wherein the method comprises generating at the meter device, a first data packet including payload data and a first message authentication code computed based the payload data and associated meter data stored in a memory of the meter device, transmitting the first data packet from the meter device to the receiver, and performing a primary authentication check of the first data packet and verifying the associated meter data at the receiver by recalculating the first message authentication code using the received payload data and current associated meter data stored in a memory of the receiver, as input.

Abstract: A water utility meter arranged to register the volume of water delivered to a consumption site through a distribution network and connect or disconnect the consumption site from the utility distribution network is disclosed. The water utility meter comprises: a flow sensor arranged to measure a flow rate and/or a volume of water delivered to the consumption site; a valve for connecting and disconnecting the consumption site from the distribution network; an actuator for opening and closing the valve; and a controller unit arranged to control the actuator. The controller unit is configured to connect the consumption site to the distribution network by operating the actuator to open the valve. After opening the valve the controller unit analyses flow rate and/or volume measurements from the flow sensor to determine if a reference profile is violated. If the reference profile is violated the controller unit will disconnect the consumption site from the distribution network by closing the valve.

Abstract: A turbidity measurement device for measuring turbidity of a fluid flowing in a flow tube. A first transducer transmits ultrasonic signals through the fluid in the turbidity measurement section so as to provide a first ultrasonic standing wave between the first and second section ends. A receiver transducer receives the ultrasonic scattered response from particles in the fluid flowing through the turbidity measurement section. A control circuit operates the transducers and generates a signal indicative of the turbidity of the fluid in response to signals received from the receiver transducer. Preferably, the device may comprise a second transducer for generating a second ultrasonic standing wave with the same frequency, and further the two transducers may be used to generate a measure of flow rate by means of known ultrasonic techniques. This flow rate may be used in the calculation of a measure of turbidity.

Abstract: A consumption meter (M1) arranged to determine a consumed quantity of a utility at the consumer site. The meter (M1) has a communication unit with a transmitter and a receiver arranged for communication via a network, preferably an RF network. The meter can autonomously transmit data frames (DF) in accordance with a set of transmission parameters, e.g. data frames with data indicative of a consumed quantity. The meter can receive, within a limited time window (TW) following transmission of said data frame (DF), an acknowledgement frame comprising link data indicative of receipt of said data frame by an associated collector which has received the data frame (DF). Finally, the meter can adjust the set of transmission parameters for transmission of a subsequent data frame (DF) in response to said link data.

Abstract: A smart metering device being part of an advanced metering infrastructure is provided. The smart metering device might comprise one or more sub devices such as: metering devices, actuator devices, sensor devices etc. The smart metering device includes a valve arranged to limit the delivery of a utility to the consumer. Moreover the smart metering devices includes a communication device including a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a collector, utilizing a listen after talk mechanism to perform a two-way communication to the head end system through a collector. The presented invention is especially beneficial for battery supplied smart metering devices. The advanced metering infrastructure will provide a given service level for communication between the meter and the head end system. The service level will be changed dynamically in order to meet the adequate service level at all times.

Abstract: A dual band antenna (AN) configured for being position on a surface of a pit lid and capable of wireless signal transmission at two frequency bands in response to an electrical signal applied via a feed wire. A convex conductive surface, e.g. 5 dome-shaped, is placed above a conductive ground plane element, wherein at least a part of an edge, e.g. 20-40% of the edge, of the dome-shaped radiator element is in electrical contact with the conductive ground plane element. Further, the convex conductive surface is connected via the feed wire. This antenna design allows first and second resonance frequencies within a factor of such as 1.8-2.2, 10 which allows the antenna to be designed e.g. for both of the frequency bands 450-470 MHz and 902-928 MHz which are relevant for meter reading data and with smaller dimension than what could be expected from conventional antennas.

Abstract: Compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data, comprising: 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 two or more 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 other fluid related data; and one or more battery packs for powering flowmeter operations including at least the processor and the meter circuit and the display; wherein the processor and the ultrasonic transducers are surface mounted on a lower side of the printed circuit board and the display is mounted on an upper side of the printed ci