Abstract: Coordination of measurement subsystems of a flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first control electronics electrically coupled to the first plurality of transducer pairs (the first control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the first plurality of transducer pairs), a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second control electronics different than the first control electronics (the second control electronics electrically coupled to the second plurality of transducer pairs, the second control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the second plurality of transducer pairs). The first and second control electronics communicatively coupled and configured to coordinate activation of their respective transducer pairs.

Abstract: Coordination of measurement subsystems of a flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first control electronics electrically coupled to the first plurality of transducer pairs (the first control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the first plurality of transducer pairs), a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second control electronics different than the first control electronics (the second control electronics electrically coupled to the second plurality of transducer pairs, the second control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the second plurality of transducer pairs). The first and second control electronics communicatively coupled and configured to coordinate activation of their respective transducer pairs.

Abstract: A method and system for driver configuration for an ultrasonic meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic meters comprising a spool piece that couples within a flow of fluids, a first upstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first downstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece (the first downstream transducer in operational relationship to the first upstream transducer), and a first transducer driver that selectively couples to the first upstream and first downstream transducers. The transducer driver drives the first upstream transducer, and also drives the first downstream transducer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing measurements in a hazardous environment. In one embodiment the system comprises: a main device and a remote device having a programmable logic device (PLD). The main device is isolated from the hazardous environment, while the remote device is located within the hazardous environment. A cable is provided to transport at least one communication signal between the main device and the remote device, and the main device uses the communication signal to configure the PLD in the remote device. The remote device may also include a switch that passes the communication signal to a configuration terminal of the PLD before the PLD is configured, and that automatically blocks the communication signal from the configuration terminal after the PLD is configured. After the PLD is configured, the main device and PLD may both employ the communication signal to communicate in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol.

Abstract: An acoustic device that places existing components in a damping pattern after transmitting an acoustic signal. In one embodiment, the device comprises a transistor bridge and an acoustic transducer. The transistor bridge is coupled between two predetermined voltages having a voltage difference, and the acoustic transducer is coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge. The transistor bridge enters a damping configuration after applying an excitation pattern to the acoustic transducer. In the damping configuration, the input terminals of the transistor bridge are preferably grounded. In applying the excitation pattern, the transistor bridge preferably applies the voltage difference to the acoustic transducer in alternate polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic transducer includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge, and further includes a piezoelectric crystal coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer.