Abstract: A DC electrical meter (62) includes or is connected to a current sensor (1). The current sensor includes a busbar connector (2) including a first part (3) connected to a third part (4) via a second part (5). The second part (5) includes a main body (6) integrally formed with first (7a) and second (7b) connecting members, each having a proximal end (8a, 8b) where it meets the main body (6) and a distal end (9a, 9b) electrically coupled to a respective conductive element (10a, 10b) supported on a substrate (11) and coupled to circuitry (12) configured to measure a voltage therebetween. When a first temperature difference (?T1) exists between the respective proximal ends (8a, 8b) of the first (7a) and second (7b) connecting members, a second temperature difference (?T2) between the respective distal ends (9a, 9b) is less than or equal to 50% of the first temperature difference (?T1).

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor arrangement. The ultrasonic sensor arrangement may comprise a housing with a container which is open at the top, a disc-shaped, piezoelectric element and a coupling element in the interior of the container, wherein the coupling element has a bearing surface, on which the piezoelectric element is arranged, and is provided on the underside of the container, wherein the container and the coupling element are integrally formed, and wherein at least the piezoelectric element is covered with a potting compound, and to a measuring apparatus comprising such an ultrasonic sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A measuring device for determining the flow rate of a fluid which flows through a pipe portion. The measuring device comprises a measuring pipe with a pipe wall, at least one ultrasonic sensor for transmitting an acoustic signal and/or receiving an acoustic signal having an ultrasonic sensor upper surface and a holding element. In the pipe wall, at least one opening of a first type is provided, into which the at least one ultrasonic sensor can be inserted, and wherein the measuring device has an assembled state in which the holding element surrounds the measuring pipe in an annular manner and is positioned on the at least one ultrasonic sensor inserted into the opening of a first type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for leak detection in a distribution network having consumption meters. The distribution network is divided into zones having an upstream location and a downstream location. An upstream pressure sensor detects the upstream pressure at the upstream location and the downstream pressure sensor detects the detected downstream pressure at the downstream location. A downstream pressure lookup table is used to determine an expected pressure at each downstream location based on a range of hypothetical upstream pressures at the corresponding upstream location and consumption data from the consumption meters. The expected pressure and the detected downstream pressure at each downstream location are compared to determine if the calculated discrepancy exceeds a discrepancy threshold.

Abstract: System and methods for determining loading on supply lines of a three-phase power distribution system. Load meters are connected to the supply lines to receive power. A feeder meter is connected to a supply line designated the reference supply line having a known reference phase. A device generates a timing pulse received by the load meters and the feeder meter. The load meters and feeder meter each determine a respective time delay and feeder meter delay from receiving the timing pulse until a landmark value of the power received. The feeder meter delay corresponds to the reference phase. Each load meter and feeder meter includes a transmission device to transmit the time delay or feeder meter delay. An end server receives the time delays and feeder meter delay and assigns each load meter to a phase by comparing the time delay for a load meter to the feeder meter delay.

Abstract: Meters including a pressure regulating systems are provided. The pressure regulating system includes a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure of water flowing through the meter; an actuator coupled to the pressure sensor; an electronics module configured to receive pressure information related sensed pressure from the actuator and process the received pressure information; and a radio module coupled to the meter and configured to receive the processed sensor information from the electronics module, communicate the processed sensor information to a remote location and receive pressure adjustment information from the remote location. The received pressure adjustment information is used to adjust water pressure in the meter from the remote location.

Abstract: A flow meter system for detecting the flow of a fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A top plate is coupled to the inlet and the outlet and a sensor is configured to detect the fluid flowing therebetween. A main module is coupled between the inlet and the outlet and has a main rotor configured to be rotated by the fluid flowing through the main module. An output shaft is coupled to the main rotor such that rotation of the main rotor causes rotation of the output shaft. A first spacer is removably coupled between the main module and the outlet. The first spacer is rotorless. The top plate defines an opening that receives the output shaft. The first spacer ensures alignment between the output shaft and the opening defined in the top plate. The sensor senses rotation of the output shaft to detect the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system that is able to monitor the operational status of a plurality of test points and rectifiers. The cathodic protection system includes a plurality of test point monitors that are associated with test points and a plurality of rectifier controllers that are associated with the rectifiers located along a utility pipeline. The test point monitors are battery powered while the rectifier controllers may be utility line powered. Each of the test point monitors and rectifier controllers communicates with a base station utilizing a wireless communication technique. The base station communicates with a back end server that operates to accumulate data and visually present the data to an operator on a display associated with cathodic protection software application. The software application allows the operator to monitor the health of the system and address alerts generated by any of the test points or monitored rectifiers.

Abstract: A flow meter system for detecting the flow of a fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A top plate is coupled to the inlet and the outlet and a sensor is configured to detect the fluid flowing therebetween. A main module is coupled between the inlet and the outlet and has a main rotor configured to be rotated by the fluid flowing through the main module. An output shaft is coupled to the main rotor such that rotation of the main rotor causes rotation of the output shaft. A first spacer is removably coupled between the main module and the outlet. The first spacer is rotorless. The top plate defines an opening that receives the output shaft. The first spacer ensures alignment between the output shaft and the opening defined in the top plate. The sensor senses rotation of the output shaft to detect the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A system for managing a distribution network, the system including a network hydraulic model and an automated meter infrastructure (AMI) providing AMI data from consumption meters. The system includes subnetworks within the distribution network, nodes interconnecting the subnetworks, and boundary devices connected to the nodes. Each boundary device includes a flow meter and a pressure sensor that sense a flow and a pressure of the distribution network at the nodes at a given time step. A subnetwork hydraulic model is generated for each subnetwork from the network hydraulic model. A processing module determines a first comparison for the given time interval between the AMI data from the consumption meters within a given subnetwork, the flow and the pressure at the nodes bordering the given subnetwork, and the subnetwork hydraulic model for the given subnetwork. The distribution network is managed based at least in part on the first comparison.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent pipe ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a sealing gasket operatively coupled with the sleeve adjacent an open end of the sleeve, and a clamping element for compressing the sleeve or the sealing gasket into tightened engagement with one of the pipe ends. The clamping element includes two bolt flanges nominally spaced apart by a gap and a double threaded fastening bolt with two external threaded portions, which engage with two corresponding fastening nuts having right-hand thread and left-hand thread, respectively. Accordingly, when the fastening bolt is rotated, both the fastening nuts move towards or away from one another, thereby rapidly moving the bolt flanges to shrink the gap and compress the clamping element or to expand the gap. As such, less time and labor are required to operate the pipe coupling in the field.

Abstract: System and methods for determining loading on supply lines of a three-phase power distribution system. Load meters are connected to the supply lines to receive power. A feeder meter is connected to a supply line designated the reference supply line having a known reference phase. A device generates a timing pulse received by the load meters and the feeder meter. The load meters and feeder meter each determine a respective time delay and feeder meter delay from receiving the timing pulse until a landmark value of the power received. The feeder meter delay corresponds to the reference phase. Each load meter and feeder meter includes a transmission device to transmit the time delay or feeder meter delay. An end server receives the time delays and feeder meter delay and assigns each load meter to a phase by comparing the time delay for a load meter to the feeder meter delay.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for leak detection in a distribution network having consumption meters. The distribution network is divided into zones having an upstream location and a downstream location. An upstream pressure sensor detects the upstream pressure at the upstream location and the downstream pressure sensor detects the detected downstream pressure at the downstream location. A downstream pressure lookup table is used to determine an expected pressure at each downstream location based on a range of hypothetical upstream pressures at the corresponding upstream location and consumption data from the consumption meters. The expected pressure and the detected downstream pressure at each downstream location are compared to determine if the calculated discrepancy exceeds a discrepancy threshold.

Abstract: A system for managing a distribution network, the system including a network hydraulic model and an automated meter infrastructure (AMI) providing AMI data from consumption meters. The system includes subnetworks within the distribution network, nodes interconnecting the subnetworks, and boundary devices connected to the nodes. Each boundary device includes a flow meter and a pressure sensor that sense a flow and a pressure of the distribution network at the nodes at a given time step. A subnetwork hydraulic model is generated for each subnetwork from the network hydraulic model. A processing module determines a first comparison for the given time interval between the AMI data from the consumption meters within a given subnetwork, the flow and the pressure at the nodes bordering the given subnetwork, and the subnetwork hydraulic model for the given subnetwork. The distribution network is managed based at least in part on the first comparison.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent pipe ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a sealing gasket operatively coupled with the sleeve adjacent an open end of the sleeve, and a clamping element for compressing the sleeve or the sealing gasket into tightened engagement with one of the pipe ends. The clamping element includes two bolt flanges nominally spaced apart by a gap and a double threaded fastening bolt with two external threaded portions, which engage with two corresponding fastening nuts having right-hand thread and left-hand thread, respectively. Accordingly, when the fastening bolt is rotated, both of the fastening nuts move towards or away from one another, thereby rapidly moving the bolt flanges to shrink the gap and compress the clamping element or to expand the gap. As such, less time and labor are required to operate the pipe coupling in the field.

Abstract: A method and a device for supplying a measurement electronics system in a fitting, through which a fluid flows, with electrical energy, which is generated in a turbine by the fluid flowing through the filling, wherein the flow quantities and pressures vary within wide boundaries, typically 1:1000. A pressure control device associated with the turbine controls the pressure of the fluid striking the turbine in such a manner that the electrical energy required for operating the measurement electronics system is generated with a small flow quantity, the pressure loss incurred by the fluid while flowing through the fitting being limited to a maximum value.

Abstract: A fire hydrant water leak and theft detection system is connected to a dry barrel fire hydrant. The detector is connected to the upper barrel portion of the fire hydrant below the nozzle assembly and includes a pair of electrodes. A signal is generated when water in the upper barrel portion closes an electrical circuit between the two electrodes due to the conductivity of the water between the electrodes. The detection system sends a signal to a network system upon detection of water in the barrel portion and relays to remote monitoring locations.

Abstract: A fire hydrant water leak and theft detection system is connected to a dry barrel fire hydrant. The detector is connected to the upper barrel portion of the fire hydrant below the nozzle assembly and includes a pair of electrodes. A signal is generated when water in the upper barrel portion closes an electrical circuit between the two electrodes due to the conductivity of the water between the electrodes. The detection system sends a signal to a network system upon detection of water in the barrel portion and relays to remote monitoring locations.

Abstract: A magnetic flow meter includes a magnetic flow transducer positioned to sense the flow of water through the flow meter. The magnetic flow transducer includes first and second electrodes positioned on opposite sides of a measuring channel. First and second magnetic pole pieces are positioned on opposite sides of the measuring channel and orthogonal to the first and second electrodes. The magnetic pole piece includes extending tab portions that are located adjacent to the first and second electrodes on opposite sides of the first and second electrodes. The extended tabs formed on each of the first and second magnetic pole pieces reduce the induced voltage within the electrodes to increase the accuracy of the measurement taken by the magnetic flow transducer.

Abstract: A magnetic flow meter includes a magnetic flow transducer positioned to sense the flow of water through the flow meter. The magnetic flow transducer includes first and second electrodes positioned on opposite sides of a measuring channel. First and second magnetic pole pieces are positioned on opposite sides of the measuring channel and orthogonal to the first and second electrodes. The magnetic pole piece includes extending tab portions that are located adjacent to the first and second electrodes on opposite sides of the first and second electrodes. The extended tabs formed on each of the first and second magnetic pole pieces reduce the induced voltage within the electrodes to increase the accuracy of the measurement taken by the magnetic flow transducer.