Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas measuring system connectable to a gas line, where the gas measuring system may include a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, and a controller in communication with the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor. The flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor may be configured to sense measures of a gas passing through the gas line. The controller may repeatedly obtain pressure measurements at set pressure measurement times. Measures from the flow sensor may be monitored and when a measure from the flow sensor measure meets a flow rate criteria, the controller may trigger an extra pressure measurement without waiting for a next pressure measurement time. The controller may initiate closing of a gas valve when a measure from the pressure sensor exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas meter connectable to a gas line, where the gas meter may have a metrology unit in communication with a flow of gas through the gas line and an index unit in communication with and releasably coupled to the metrology unit. The metrology unit may be configured to generate flow rate data of the flow through the gas line based on outputs from a flow rate sensor, generate gas temperature data based on outputs from a temperature sensor, compensate the flow rate data based on the temperature data, generate an average flow rate, and output the average flow rate data to the index unit. The index unit may generate gas volume data based on flow rate data received from the metrology unit.

Abstract: A multifunctional dust trap for reducing an acoustic noise and dust filtering comprising: an inlet connected to a gas inlet of a gas meter; a chamber, connected to the inlet, to receive a flow of a gas, comprises: a first wall to deflect the flow of the gas in a first direction, wherein the first wall directs the flow of the gas into a cross sectional area of the chamber, which reduces a velocity of the deflected gas such that a centrifugal force guides a plurality of dust particles towards a base of the chamber; and a second wall to deflect the flow of the gas in a second direction; and an outlet, attached to the chamber, to enable an exit of a clean flow of the gas away from one or more flow inlets of a flow tube installed within the gas meter.

Abstract: The system can include installing a gas meter in a gas supply net. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a level of pressure within the gas meter. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a flow rate level within the gas meter. The gas meter determines where a leak exists based on the flow rate level and the level of pressure. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a location of the leak, and whether the leak is upstream or downstream from the gas meter. The location of the leak is determined by the level of the pressure and the flow rate level. The system can also include a head end configured at a set position. The gas meter can inform the head end of the location of the leak.

Abstract: A valve without position indicating switches. Positions of the valve are detected from current magnitude measurements and current profile analytics. The current profile may be learned initially and relearned and adapted at each operation. The valve may be opened and closed by a driver that is actuated by an electrical current to control the opening and closing of the valve. The current may be regulated by a controller to open and close the valve appropriately.

Abstract: A system includes a flow tube configured to receive a flow measured by an ultrasonic flow measurement, wherein a center region of the flow tube is configured to have a drop in pressure. The system also includes a heat source/hot wire and temperature sensors configured to enable a flow measured by a thermal massflow measurement. In the system, a controller is configured to compare the flow measured by the ultrasonic flow measurement to the flow measured by the thermal massflow measurement. The controller determines a ratio of the flow measured by an ultrasonic flow measurement to the flow measured on by the flow measurement based on thermal massflow. The controller also calculates a density, a thermal conductivity and an energy and/or gas content of the gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic flow tube comprising: a flow chamber for accepting an inflow of a gas, comprising a center pipe and a plurality of outer pipes surrounding the center pipe, connected between an inlet wall and an outlet wall of the flow chamber such that a velocity of the gas within the center pipe and the plurality of outer pipes is numerically same; and a first transducer attached near the inlet wall and a second transducer attached near the outlet wall, wherein a first acoustic wave package generated by the first transducer and a second acoustic wave package generated by the second transducer is transmitted into the flow chamber such that the center pipe receives a majority of the first and the second acoustic wave package, and the plurality of outer pipes receives a minority of the first acoustic wave package and the second acoustic wave package.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system including a gas meter, regulator, and head end system. The system can include installing a regulator in a gas supply grid. The system may also include installing a gas meter in a gas supply grid, wherein the gas meter is installed to diagnose a grid pressure over flow rate of the regulator. In addition, the system may include determining, by the gas meter, an initial fingerprint of the regulator, wherein the initial fingerprint indicates an initial pressure and flow rate profile over a time period after the gas meter was installed. Further, the system can include comparing, by the gas meter, continuous pressure readings of the regulator with the initial fingerprint, wherein the gas meter determines if the continuous pressure readings correspond to the initial fingerprint. The system may also include notifying, by the gas meter, a head end system of the continuous pressure readings.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas meter connectable to a gas line, where the gas meter may have a metrology unit in communication with a flow of gas through the gas line and an index unit in communication with and releasably coupled to the metrology unit. The metrology unit may be configured to generate flow rate data of the flow through the gas line based on outputs from a flow rate sensor, generate gas temperature data based on outputs from a temperature sensor, compensate the flow rate data based on the temperature data, generate an average flow rate, and output the average flow rate data to the index unit. The index unit may generate gas volume data based on flow rate data received from the metrology unit.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas measuring system connectable to a gas line, where the gas measuring system may include a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, and a controller in communication with the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor. The flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor may be configured to sense measures of a gas passing through the gas line. The controller may repeatedly obtain pressure measurements at set pressure measurement times. Measures from the flow sensor may be monitored and when a measure from the flow sensor measure meets a flow rate criteria, the controller may trigger an extra pressure measurement without waiting for a next pressure measurement time. The controller may initiate closing of a gas valve when a measure from the pressure sensor exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A multifunctional dust trap for reducing an acoustic noise and dust filtering comprising: an inlet connected to a gas inlet of a gas meter; a chamber, connected to the inlet, to receive a flow of a gas, comprises: a first wall to deflect the flow of the gas in a first direction, wherein the first wall directs the flow of the gas into a cross sectional area of the chamber, which reduces a velocity of the deflected gas such that a centrifugal force guides a plurality of dust particles towards a base of the chamber; and a second wall to deflect the flow of the gas in a second direction; and an outlet, attached to the chamber, to enable an exit of a clean flow of the gas away from one or more flow inlets of a flow tube installed within the gas meter.

Abstract: An ageing and dust detection system, comprising: a data collection unit configured to collect a plurality of parameters of a gas meter; and a processing unit, configured to: receive the plurality of the parameters of the gas meter; calculate a numerical value of the plurality of the parameters; compare the calculated numerical value of the plurality of the parameters with a corresponding predefined higher range of values and a predefined lower range of values for the plurality of parameters; determine a reason of a fault in the gas meter based on the compared values, wherein the reason of the fault in the gas meter is at least one of, a presence of a dust, an ageing of the gas meter, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The system can include installing a gas meter in a gas supply net. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a level of pressure within the gas meter. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a flow rate level within the gas meter. The gas meter determines where a leak exists based on the flow rate level and the level of pressure. The system may also include determining, by the gas meter, a location of the leak, and whether the leak is upstream or downstream from the gas meter. The location of the leak is determined by the level of the pressure and the flow rate level. The system can also include a head end configured at a set position. The gas meter can inform the head end of the location of the leak.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system including a gas meter, regulator, and head end system. The system can include installing a regulator in a gas supply grid. The system may also include installing a gas meter in a gas supply grid, wherein the gas meter is installed to diagnose a grid pressure over flow rate of the regulator. In addition, the system may include determining, by the gas meter, an initial fingerprint of the regulator, wherein the initial fingerprint indicates an initial pressure and flow rate profile over a time period after the gas meter was installed. Further, the system can include comparing, by the gas meter, continuous pressure readings of the regulator with the initial fingerprint, wherein the gas meter determines if the continuous pressure readings correspond to the initial fingerprint. The system may also include notifying, by the gas meter, a head end system of the continuous pressure readings.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic flow tube comprising: a flow chamber for accepting an inflow of a gas, comprising a center pipe and a plurality of outer pipes surrounding the center pipe, connected between an inlet wall and an outlet wall of the flow chamber such that a velocity of the gas within the center pipe and the plurality of outer pipes is numerically same; and a first transducer attached near the inlet wall and a second transducer attached near the outlet wall, wherein a first acoustic wave package generated by the first transducer and a second acoustic wave package generated by the second transducer is transmitted into the flow chamber such that the center pipe receives a majority of the first and the second acoustic wave package, and the plurality of outer pipes receives a minority of the first acoustic wave package and the second acoustic wave package.

Abstract: A valve without position indicating switches. Positions of the valve are detected from current magnitude measurements and current profile analytics. The current profile may be learned initially and relearned and adapted at each operation. The valve may be opened and closed by a driver that is actuated by an electrical current to control the opening and closing of the valve. The current may be regulated by a controller to open and close the valve appropriately.

Abstract: A circuit that indicates a warning of low battery life so that an instrument supported by a battery, may have the battery replaced before the battery dies. A switch and series resistor may be connected between the battery and a capacitor. The switch may turn on when the voltage on the capacitor is below a first predetermined voltage limit, and the switch may be turned off when the voltage at the capacitor is above a second predetermined voltage limit. When the switch is on, a voltage on the resistor can be measured and current consumption can be calculated with measured voltage, resistor value and duty cycle of the switch. When the battery is discharged, its internal resistance and then its duty cycle may increase. When the duty cycle hits 100 percent, the battery may be nearly dead but with enough life for the circuit to issue the low battery warning.

Abstract: A circuit that indicates a warning of low battery life so that an instrument supported by a battery, may have the battery replaced before the battery dies. A switch and series resistor may be connected between the battery and a capacitor. The switch may turn on when the voltage on the capacitor is below a first predetermined voltage limit, and the switch may be turned off when the voltage at the capacitor is above a second predetermined voltage limit. When the switch is on, a voltage on the resistor can be measured and current consumption can be calculated with measured voltage, resistor value and duty cycle of the switch. When the battery is discharged, its internal resistance and then its duty cycle may increase. When the duty cycle hits 100 percent, the battery may be nearly dead but with enough life for the circuit to issue the low battery warning.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a peak detector, coupled to a circuit element of the power converter, configured to produce a signal corresponding to a peak current through a circuit element. The controller also includes an adjustable reference circuit responsive to a difference between the signal and a reference signal corresponding to a desired peak current to produce a corrected signal corresponding to the peak current.

Abstract: A startup circuit with reduced power dissipation, method of operating the same and a power converter employing the startup circuit. In one embodiment, the startup circuit for a controller includes a charge accumulation circuit having a resistor series-coupled to a capacitor and a first Schmitt trigger having an input coupled to the capacitor. The startup circuit also includes a second Schmitt trigger having an input coupled to an output of the first Schmitt trigger and configured to provide a bias voltage for the controller via the capacitor when an input voltage thereto exceeds a trip voltage.