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.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus having a measurement tube and a thermal sensor for measuring a throughflow of a fluid flowing through the measurement tube, the measurement tube having an inlet and an outlet, and also a measurement section, in which the sensor is arranged. The inlet has an inlet internal diameter and the measurement section has a measurement section internal diameter, and whereby the measurement section internal diameter is greater than the inlet internal diameter.

Abstract: A method of initializing a meter reading device that communicates a current meter value of a meter to a central metering facility includes capturing, by a camera, an optical image of the meter that displays meter information and determining an initial meter value from the meter information in the optical image of the meter. The method further includes initializing the meter reading device using the initial meter value.

Abstract: A magnetically inductive flow meter unit for determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube, having a measuring tube having a measuring channel and a measuring sensor, which is disposed in the measuring channel and is oriented in alignment with the wall of the measuring tube, the measuring sensor including an electrode head, which is made of an electrically conductive material and has a fluid contact section, the electrode head being in direct contact with the fluid flowing through the measuring tube by means of the fluid contact section, the electrode head having an indentation on the side facing the fluid, which forms at least part of the fluid contact section.

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 heath of the system and address alerts generated by any of the test points or monitored rectifiers.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer includes an L-state pulse width modulator configured to receive a reference frequency signal and at least one entry from a frequency table, and to output at least one N/N+1 modulus signals corresponding to the at least one entry from the frequency table. The synthesizer includes a divide by N/N+1 controllable modulus divider configured to receive the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals and to divide the output frequency signal by the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals to generate a second reference frequency signal. The synthesizer includes a phase frequency detector configured to receive the reference frequency signal and the second reference frequency signal and to generate an error signal. The synthesizer also includes a filter network configured to receive the error signal and to output a voltage; and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive the voltage and to generate the output frequency signal.

Abstract: A cellular network includes a node configured to transmit a data packet on a predetermined frequency, first and second base stations configured to receive signals transmitted on the predetermined frequency, and a data concentrator. The first base station and the second base station are arranged in a cellular configuration such that a first coverage area of the first base station at least partially overlaps a second coverage area of the second base station. The first base station and the second base station each receive the data packet transmitted by the node. The data concentrator is configured to collect the data packet received by the first base station and the data packet received by the second base station. The data packet includes latitude and longitude data received from a global positioning system receiver such that a location of the node may be determined from a remote location.

Abstract: A fire hydrant water meter having a flow restricting device that creates back pressure to restrict the flow of water through the fire hydrant water meter. The flow restricting device includes a plurality of flexible vanes that combine to define a variable orifice. As the flow of water through the meter increases, the individual flexible vanes move away from each other to expand the size of the flow orifice. The flow restricting device provides a source of back pressure to water flowing through the meter to restrict the flow rate of water and thus protect the metering device contained within the fire hydrant water meter.

Abstract: A meter reader for reading a meter have a display portion displaying a total output of a quantity being metered and plural incremental outputs defining the total output. The meter reader includes a sensing mechanism for sensing one of the plural incremental outputs in the meter display portion, and a processing unit coupled to the sensing mechanism for accumulating incremental outputs sensed by the sensing mechanism and for determining accumulated meter output over a time period based on the accumulated incremental outputs. Also included is an output mechanism for outputting the accumulated meter output determined by the processing unit. In one example, the sensing mechanism includes a sensor for sensing only a least significant incremental output in usage included in the meter display portion, and an emitter for illuminating the least significant incremental output included in the meter display portion.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer includes an L-state pulse width modulator configured to receive a reference frequency signal and at least one entry from a frequency table, and to output at least one N/N+1 modulus signals corresponding to the at least one entry from the frequency table. The synthesizer includes a divide by N/N+1 controllable modulus divider configured to receive the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals and to divide the output frequency signal by the at least one N/N+1 modulus signals to generate a second reference frequency signal. The synthesizer includes a phase frequency detector configured to receive the reference frequency signal and the second reference frequency signal and to generate an error signal. The synthesizer also includes a filter network configured to receive the error signal and to output a voltage; and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive the voltage and to generate the output frequency signal.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and at least one annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap. The pipe coupling includes an armor positioned to span the gap between the spaced ends to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion having a plurality of corrugations engaging the split-ring gland and the gasket during compression of the gasket. The armor is cold formed to improve structural strength and durability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter, and modifies at least one temperature threshold for determining when an alarm message should be transmitted or an electrical connection in the meter should be disconnected. The method and apparatus includes a plurality of sensors that detect temperatures in various locations within the electricity meter. The method and apparatus compares at least one detected temperature to at least one threshold, and operates an alarm or a switch when the detected temperature exceeds the threshold. The method and apparatus determines an average rate of change for at least one temperature according to a short-term temperature average over a first number of samples of the temperature, and a long term-term temperature average over a second number of samples of the temperature. The second number of samples is different from the first number of samples.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the current flowing through an electric meter. The electric meter includes a reactive sensor positioned in series with a bus bar contained in the meter. The reactive sensor includes an inductor and the voltage across the inductance is measured. A control unit contained in the electric meter calculates the current based on the detected voltage and the value of the inductor. The value of the inductor is determined by passing a reference current through the inductor at a known frequency, such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and the voltage drop across the inductor is measured. Once the value of the inductor is determined, the value is stored in the control unit.

Abstract: A magnetically inductive flowmeter having a pressure-resistant housing made of plastic, comprising a measuring unit with a measuring channel of rectangular cross-section which is flown through by the measurement fluid, a channel wall, two opposing magnet poles at the channel wall, an electromagnet with magnet coil and magnet core for generating a magnetic alternating field as well as two opposing measurement electrodes in the channel wall. The magnet poles are punched, bent and folded parts made of electric sheet metal in the form of an elongate strip with mutually distanced surface elements formed thereon. The elongate strip forms a double web after folding. The surface elements form magnet pole surfaces after bending. The double web and the magnet pole surfaces form the magnet pole. The double web is located on the rear side of the magnet pole.

Abstract: A method for detecting a rotation and a direction of a rotation of a rotor, on which at least one damping element is positioned, wherein two sensors are arranged. The sensors are damped depending on a position of the damping element. After a standardization has been performed, the measurements are taken by observing consecutive rotational angle positions and then standardization rules are applied to the measured decay times of the sensors. Then a vector, which is entered into a coordinate system, is formed from the values. The present vector angle is determined and compared to the value of a suitable prior vector angle. From the result of the comparison, it is determined whether the rotor has performed a rotation and whether the rotation was forward or backward. By repeating the measurements in the rhythm of the scanning frequency, the rotational motions of the rotor can be detected with high accuracy.

Abstract: A fire hydrant water meter having a flow restricting device that creates back pressure to restrict the flow of water through the fire hydrant water meter. The flow restricting device includes a plurality of flexible vanes that combine to define a variable orifice. As the flow of water through the meter increases, the individual flexible vanes move away from each other to expand the size of the flow orifice. The flow restricting device provides a source of back pressure to water flowing through the meter to restrict the flow rate of water and thus protect the metering device contained within the fire hydrant water meter.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus having a measurement tube and a thermal sensor for measuring a throughflow of a fluid flowing through the measurement tube, the measurement tube having an inlet and an outlet, and also a measurement section, in which the sensor is arranged. The inlet has an inlet internal diameter and the measurement section has a measurement section internal diameter, and whereby the measurement section internal diameter is greater than the inlet internal diameter.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided that includes a fluid meter for determination of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube, at least one measuring unit for detecting physical, chemical or biological properties of the fluid, at least one evaluation unit for evaluation of the data captured by means of the measuring unit, and at least one communication unit, wherein the measuring unit, evaluation unit and communication unit are designed as one or more individual modules and each individual module can be connected mechanically to the fluid meter.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing annular moldings subjected to tensile or pressure loading from plastic by using an injection mold having a main cavity, at least one extra cavity is incorporated in the injection mold. The at least one extra cavity is joined to the main cavity by a connecting duct. The main cavity is filled with plastic melt so a flow line is formed in the vicinity of the connecting duct between the at least one extra cavity and the main cavity, wherein the cross section of the connecting duct is dimensioned such that, during the filling of the main cavity, no plastic melt flows into the extra cavity. The filling pressure is increased until plastic melt flows into the extra cavity; flow taking place through the flow line produced during the filling of the main cavity. Subsequently, the injection mold is opened and the molding removed.