Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the flow rate or volume of a fluid includes a flow tube shaped to define an internal passageway through which the fluid travels, a set of transducers coupled to the flow tube in fluid communication with the internal passageway, and a core module coupled to the flow tube. The core module comprises a cup-shaped enclosure shaped to define an interior cavity and a top cover mounted on the enclosure to enclose the interior cavity. A disc-shaped partition separates the interior cavity into an upper compartment which receives a printed circuit board assembly and a lower compartment which receives a power supply assembly and a connector assembly. Separating the interior cavity into distinct compartments allows for different waterproofing techniques to be utilized based on the sensitivity and lifespan differential between the various electrical components, thereby minimizing the use of potting material and facilitating component replacement.

Abstract: A flow meter for calculating fluid flow rate and/or volume includes a flow cell shaped to define an internal passageway through which the fluid travels, and four separate transducer assemblies independently mounted within mounts in the flow cell in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each transducer assembly includes a transducer, a transducer stud with a recess in its front surface that is dimensioned to receive the transducer, and a sensor plate mounted onto the stud for retaining the transducer in the recess. A bore extends vertically through the transducer stud and into communication with the recess, the bore being dimensioned to receive wiring for the transducer. The separation and independent mounting of the four transducer assemblies in the flow cell minimizes the disruption of normal fluid flow through the internal passageway, thereby enabling greater accuracy of measurements to be achieved.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a plurality of metering endpoints, each endpoint being configured to wirelessly transmit meter data in compliance with a data transmission schedule. A handheld unit, transported by a vehicle in proximity to the endpoints, is adapted to receive the meter data. To reduce the risk of communication collision, each endpoint is configured with techniques for modifying its transmission schedule. As one technique, each endpoint transmits meter data at a fixed time interval between successive transmissions, each transmission being applied with a random time offset to yield a non-periodic transmission cycle. As another technique, each metering endpoint is configured to transmit meter data within a designated time slot within the fixed time interval. Further, each endpoint monitors the distribution of data within the various time slots and modifies the time slot to which it is assigned to optimally balance the distribution of meter data.

Abstract: This invention provides an insertion type ultrasonic flow meter, flow measuring system and method, which related to the field of flow measuring and metering. The insertion type ultrasonic flow meter includes a first insertion type sensor and a second insertion type sensor. The first insertion type sensor is equipped with a first ultrasonic transducer; the second insertion type sensor is equipped with a second ultrasonic transducer. The first insertion type sensor and the second insertion type sensor are installed at upstream and downstream of the pipeline respectively. The first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer are equipped face-to-face. Compared to current technology, the insertion type ultrasonic flow meter provided by this invention has better signal receiving capability and smaller channel noise, therefore lower power consumption that can be powered with battery. It can also conduct accurate measurement to low velocity and flow rate of water in pipeline.

Abstract: A device for measurement of ultrasonic wave transit times of an ultrasonic flow sensor consists of: 1) a synchronization signal generator, 2) a reference pulse generator, 3) a sine wave generator, 4) an analog signal amplifier, 5) a comparator, 6) a plurality of latch circuits, 7) a digital adder, 8) an integrator, 9) an A/D converter, 10) a master counter, 11) a plurality of edge counters, and 12) an arithmetic circuit. The device measures the ultrasonic wave transit times using a method of averaging the ultrasonic wave arriving times at different measuring points (triggering point). This method has less dependency on triggering threshold level and the ultrasonic signal amplitude, and thus has less dependency on threshold drift, threshold stability, system gain fluctuation, electronic noise and signal amplitude variations. As a result, the method can greatly improve the velocity measurement accuracy and system robustness of an ultrasonic flow sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor comprises a flow cell body with an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side through which the liquid or gaseous media flows; an inner flow conduit with rough surface which not only decreases the flow transition point from turbulence regime to laminar regime but also suppresses the parasitic multi-mode ultrasonic waves; one pair of electro-ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals; one pair of ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors for guiding ultrasonic waves from one transducer to the other; and two reflecting mirror support fixtures which set the position and orientation of the ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors in such a way that their disturbance to the flow inside the inner flow conduit is minimized while the ultrasonic signal strength is maintained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor comprises a flow cell body with an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side through which the liquid or gaseous media flows; an inner flow conduit with rough surface which not only decreases the flow transition point from turbulence regime to laminar regime but also suppresses the parasitic multi-mode ultrasonic waves; one pair of electro-ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals; one pair of ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors for guiding ultrasonic waves from one transducer to the other; and two reflecting mirror support fixtures which set the position and orientation of the ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors in such a way that their disturbance to the flow inside the inner flow conduit is minimized while the ultrasonic signal strength is maintained.