Abstract: The disclosed orbital ball flow detectors have an exposed ball-sensing electrode near or along the path of the orbiting ball, and a return electrode. The ball's cross-section is much larger than the sensing electrode, which is closely over-shadowed by the ball as it orbits past the electrode. Unusually large signals are provided when the ball is of insulation and the flow to be monitored exhibits some electrical conductivity. Where the ball orbits along a conductive track and is of metal, it acts as a switch when oribiting past the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A device for measuring flow rate of a flowing medium in a pipe having a throttling device received therein, and a meter for measuring pressure differential connected to the throttling device, including a measuring device for determining density of the medium being disposed in the flowing medium, the pressure differential meter and the measuring device for determining the density of the medium being connected to an evaluation unit for determining the flow rate from the pressure differential in the flowing medium and the density of the medium, the measuring device for determining the density of the medium being located at a section of the throttling device which has a uniformly smaller diameter than that of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for determining a measurable variable of a flowing medium, in particular the flow velocity and/or the material properties, in which the temperature variation of a heated sensor is evaluated in an electronic measuring circuit for the determination of the variable. The measurement accuracy is improved in particular in the range of low flow velocities by heating the sensor with a heating pulse within at least one measurement period, and determining as a measured variable the time after which the sensor is cooled to at least a given temperature.

Abstract: A below ground meter box for a fluid meter includes a first sleeve for placement at the bottom of a pit in which the fluid meter is located, the first sleeve having apertures for receiving fluid conduits for the fluid meter and a second sleeve of greater axial length than the first sleeve but of substantially the same diameter; the upper edge of the first sleeve has internally an abutment edge spaced a small distance therefrom and externally a curved wall section extending above the upper edge so that when the second sleeve engages the upper edge of the first sleeve, the curved wall section will prevent lateral movement between the sleeves.

Abstract: A device of the antifraud sealing cap type in the form of a unit having: a covering skirt (5) provided on the inside face of its upper edge with recesses extended downward by hooks (9) able to engage in shoulder (3) of threaded lock nut (2) provided on the body of the meter; a ring with an inside vertical lip (10) whose pin (11) projecting from the collar come to be inserted in said recesses (8); and a cover (12) whose opening and closing hinge (13) is pivoted in an opening made on the upper edge of the skirt. The device is particularly useful for antifraud covering of water meters.

Abstract: In a method for continuously determining the delivery rate of a stream or flow of loose bulk material and/or for continuously dosing such material, the loose material is caused to travel along part of a circular path and is then removed from that circular path after travelling at least around a portion of a circle. The centrifugal force exerted by the loose material on the axis of rotation is measured and used to deterine the delivery rate. The centrifugal force is measured by sensing an excursion of a rotational axis of a measuring wheel caused by the centrifugal force exerted by the loose material continuously fed onto and removed from the rotating measuring wheel such that the material travels through a semicircle. Before being fed onto the measuring wheel, the material may be accelerated to the wheel's velocity. The centrifugal force resulting on the wheel axis is measured.