Abstract: Position sensing modules associated with a device are provided. The position sensing modules are configured to receive electrical characteristics associated with one or more switches of a device over a predetermined period of time, the one or more switches being configured to connect service to or disconnect service from a customer; calculate a match indicator for each phase of the device including the one or more switches, the match indicator indicating whether an electrical characteristic on a load-side of the device matches a same electrical characteristic on a line-side of the device for each phase of the device; and determine a position of the one or more switches based on the received electrical characteristics and the calculated match indicator for each phase of the device.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to ZL1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of ZL1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2)?ZL1?1.25 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2), where Zp is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Zg is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

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 sacrificial anode for use with a meter is provided. The sacrificial anode comprising an anode body including one or more anodic metals, the anode body being configured to be positioned in a problem area of the meter including a cathodic metal, such that the anode body corrodes in place of the cathodic metal of the problem area preserving the cathodic metal. Related meters and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system that detects temperature and current events in a power grid is provided. The system includes at least one sensor associated with an electric meter; a plurality of bus bars connected to the electric meter; at least one temperature sensor uniquely associated with each of the plurality of bus bars; and at least one current sensor uniquely associated with each of the plurality of bus bars. The system detects a plurality of temperatures and/or currents and compares the detected plurality of temperatures and/or currents to expected thresholds or threshold ranges for temperatures and/or currents in the system to provide a comparison result and determines if a notification related to temperature and/or current events in the system should be sent based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A meter assembly is provided including a register or an index associated with a meter; and a communication circuit decoupled from the register or the index and configured to communicate with the register or the index using an optical communication link between the register or the index and the communication circuit. Related communication circuit housings are provided.

Abstract: Methods include establishing a transport layer security connection between the client and a server that provides the web service, identifying at least one cryptographic key for communication with the web service in the connection, closing the connection and communicating between the client and the web service using a web service token that is signed and encrypted according to the identified at least one cryptographic key. Communicating between the client and the web service using a web service token may not require creation of a new transport layer security connection. Further embodiments provide a computer configured to perform operations as described above and computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform operations as described above.

Abstract: Systems for reducing leakage at a pressure barrier in a gas meter, are provided including first and second gaskets; a flexible circuit having variable thicknesses, such that a thicker portion of the flexible circuit is provided between the first and second gaskets; and a mounting plate on the flexible circuit, the mounting plate compressing the flexible circuit between the first and second gaskets on a non-pressurized side of the pressure barrier of the gas meter. Related flexible circuits and gas meters are also provided.

Abstract: Gas meters are provided including a housing and a pressure regulator integrated with the housing. The pressure regulator is configured to adjust pressure of gas flowing through the gas meter responsive to a signal from a remote location or automatically based on a predetermined pressure threshold programmed into the gas meter.

Abstract: A method for identifying report triggering events in a power grid to improve stability in the power grid is provided. Energy flow information in the power grid is measured and report triggering events during a predetermined period of time are identified. The report triggering events include at least a predetermined number of load flow transitions where energy flows back from a load associated with the power grid to the power grid during the predetermined period of time and/or exceeding a threshold of time where an energy flow phase angle between voltage and current remains at or near 90 or 270 degrees indicating pure volt-ampere reactive (VAR) operation during the predetermined period of time. A report associated with each of the identified report triggering events is generated and includes a location indicating where the report triggering event occurred in the power grid. The reports are transmitted.

Abstract: An electricity meter includes a power line interface circuit configured to generate measurements of parameters for at least two electricity transmission paths. The meter also includes a balance determination circuit configured to generate at least one balance metric that indicates a balance between the electricity transmission paths from the generated measurements. The meter further includes a communications circuit configured to transmit balance information to an external recipient responsive to the at least one balance metric.

Abstract: Bypass detection modules associated with a device are provided. The bypass detection module is configured to determine if one of more switches have been opened to remove service from a customer; monitor electrical characteristic associated with both a line side of the device and a load side of the device responsive to determining that one of more of the one or more switches have been opened to remove service from the customer; and determine a state of the device based on the monitored electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Methods for remotely monitoring a status of a light fixture including monitoring sensor data associated with the light fixture; analyzing the monitored sensor data to determine if the light fixture is operating outside expected parameters associated with the light fixture; and altering the status of the light fixture for a finite period of time if it is determined that the light fixture is operating outside expected parameters are provide. Related monitoring modules and computer program products are also provided.

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: Bending mode transducers are provided including a substrate made of a high density material, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. A piezoelectric layer is provided on the first surface of the substrate and at least one patterned electrode is provided on the piezoelectric layer. A mounting block is on the at least one patterned electrode at least one electrical contact point is provided on the first surface of the substrate remote from the at least one patterned electrode. Related devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A high-resolution index (HRI) detector module for use with a meter including an HRI wheel therein having a modulator thereon is provided. The HRI detector module includes a plurality of capacitive sensors positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB). The plurality of capacitive sensors is configured to detect a change in capacitance caused by the modulator of the HRI wheel when the modulator enters into an electric field generated by the plurality of capacitive sensors. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for connecting a central module to a network is provided. The system includes a central module having an inlet and an outlet; a first connector configured to be received at the inlet of the central module; a second, connector configured to be received at the outlet of the central module; and at least one fastening mechanism configured to secure the first and second connectors to the central module such that a sealed connection is provided through the central module to the network.