Abstract: A gas meter is configured for diagnostics using differential pressure (DP) measurements. The configurations include executable instructions to actively manage the DP sensor. These instructions active the DP sensor only during stable flow and, where applicable, for a defined test time period. This feature manages power consumption to maintain battery life with acceptable standards or regulations.

Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.

Abstract: Apparatus are configured to monitor lifespan of parts on a pressure regulator. These configurations may include sensors that generate signals in response to movement of parts on the pressure regulator. Processing circuitry can process the signals to identify data that corresponds to deflection of a spring inside of the pressure regulator. This data may correlate with duty cycle of a diaphragm. In one implementation, utilities can use the duty cycle to gauge useable lifespan of the diaphragm as well as other operating conditions that may prevail on the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.

Abstract: A gas meter is configured for diagnostics using differential pressure (DP) measurements. The configurations include executable instructions to actively manage the DP sensor. These instructions active the DP sensor only during stable flow and, where applicable, for a defined test time period. This feature manages power consumption to maintain battery life with acceptable standards or regulations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-powered utility delivery system that includes an energy generator that produces electrical energy and consequently regulates a pressure of utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system. Additionally, the self-powered utility delivery system includes an electronic utility meter that monitors a quantity (e.g., volume) of utility that flows through the self-powered utility delivery system and toward a consumer.

Abstract: A power supply is configured with “smart” technology compatible with functionality on metrology hardware, like gas meters. This technology enables functions on the power supply to retain and generate data. The data may characterize discharge of an energy source, like batteries, that is resident on the power supply. Other data may indicate charge levels that are commensurate with ambient storage and use conditions, for example, to identify effects of “self-discharge” that may occur on the power supply after manufacture but before use on the gas meter. In one implementation, the gas meter may process the data from the power supply to track connection (and disconnection) of the power supply, set life expectancy of the power supply, and manage maintenance on the device as necessary to pre-empt issues that may occur at the end-of-usable life for the power supply, among other favorable functions.

Abstract: An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include a body with ends connectable to a pipe, a fluid circuit disposed in the body and coupled to the ends, the fluid circuit comprising, a flow unit configured to convert a single stream of fuel gas into a pair of streams at different temperatures, and a power unit responsive to a temperature differential between the two streams to generate an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to operate the flow device or, when necessary, replace, supplement, or recharge a power source on the flow device that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow device.

Abstract: An electronic flow meter that is configured to use localized flow conditions to determine volumetric flow. The embodiments may include a body forming a pass-through channel and a by-pass channel; a semiconductor device comprising a sensor disposed proximate the by-pass channel, the sensor configured to generate a signal with data that reflects localized pressure and localized temperature of a stream in the by-pass channel; and a processing component coupled with the sensor to receive and process the signal so as to identify a flow condition for the stream, select a calculation for volumetric flow rate in response to the flow condition, use data for localized pressure and localized temperature in the calculation to generate a value for the volumetric flow rate; and generate an output with data that reflects the value for the volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A sensor unit that is configured to improve the non-contact, magnetic interface on a gas meter. The configurations may include a pair of magnets that co-rotate in response to a magnet internal to the gas meter. At least one of the magnets may also move longitudinally in proximity to the internal magnet. This feature aligns the magnets with one another to ensure proper magnetic coupling with the internal magnet.

Abstract: Apparatus are configured to monitor lifespan of parts on a pressure regulator. These configurations may include sensors that generate signals in response to movement of parts on the pressure regulator. Processing circuitry can process the signals to identify data that corresponds to deflection of a spring inside of the pressure regulator. This data may correlate with duty cycle of a diaphragm. In one implementation, utilities can use the duty cycle to gauge useable lifespan of the diaphragm as well as other operating conditions that may prevail on the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A metering system that may find use to generate values for measured parameters of materials. The metering system may be configured with a metrology device configured to generate a first signal in digital format to convey information about material in a conduit. The metering system may also include an accessory coupled with the metrology device, the accessory configured to use the information of the first signal to generate a second signal, the second signal conveying information that defines a measured parameter for the material. In one implementation, the accessory comprises executable instructions that configure the accessory to exchange information with the metrology device so as to verify a regulatory status for the metrology device.

Abstract: An energy harvester for use in-line with a pipe to harness potential and kinetic energy of fluids flowing therein. Structure for the energy harvester may include a shaft and a blade extending radially therefrom. The shaft can penetrate a housing that operates as a pipe section to install the device in-line with pipe. The shaft can couple with an electrical generator. A load may connect with voltage terminals on the generator so that fluid impinging on the blades will rotate the generator to power the load, effectively harvesting power from the flowing fluid. In one implementation, a load control device that couples with the generator voltage terminals controls a pressure characteristic of the fluid, such as pressure drop, by applying an electrical load on the generator and controllably impeding rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for metering gas includes a housing configured to allow a flow of the gas between an input port and an output port. Further, the system includes a flow manager disposed in the housing and configured to modify at least one physical characteristic of the flow of the gas in the housing. Furthermore, the system includes a flow sensor disposed in the housing and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to flow characteristics of the gas in the housing. Moreover, the system also includes a processor configured to determine at least one flow parameter of the gas based on an amplitude characteristic of the electrical signal, a temporal characteristic of the electrical signal, or both the amplitude characteristic and the temporal characteristic of the electrical signal. A method for metering the gas is also presented.

Abstract: A power supply is configured with “smart” technology compatible with functionality on metrology hardware, like gas meters. This technology enables functions on the power supply to retain and generate data. The data may characterize discharge of an energy source, like batteries, that is resident on the power supply. Other data may indicate charge levels that are commensurate with ambient storage and use conditions, for example, to identify effects of “self-discharge” that may occur on the power supply after manufacture but before use on the gas meter. In one implementation, the gas meter may process the data from the power supply to track connection (and disconnection) of the power supply, set life expectancy of the power supply, and manage maintenance on the device as necessary to pre-empt issues that may occur at the end-of-usable life for the power supply, among other favorable functions.

Abstract: An encoder device that is configured for use on a gas utility meter. These configurations may generate power and data concomitantly with movement of mechanics in response to flow of material through the meter. In one implementation, the meter may include a meter body with flanged ends, the meter body forming an interior cavity. Impellers may reside in the interior cavity to meter precise volume of fuel gas through the device. The encoder device may couple with the impellers, for example, using non-contact modalities, like magnetics. The encoder device may include a processor and memory, a sensor unit, and a power unit, where the sensor unit and the power unit are responsive to rotation of the impellers to generate a data signal and a power signal, respectively, without contact with the impellers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-powered utility delivery system that includes an energy generator that produces electrical energy and consequently regulates a pressure of utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system. Additionally, the self-powered utility delivery system includes an electronic utility meter that monitors a quantity (e.g., volume) of utility that flows through the self-powered utility delivery system and toward a consumer.

Abstract: A system for metering gas a fluid stream includes a primary conduit and a secondary conduit coupled to the primary conduit such that the secondary conduit receives a portion of a fluid stream passing through the primary conduit. A flow manager disposed in the primary conduit is configured to maintain a predetermined relationship between at least one first physical characteristic of the fluid stream and at least one second physical characteristic of the portion of the fluid stream. A sensor measures a flow characteristic of the portion of the fluid stream and a processor determines a flow parameter of the fluid stream based, at least in part, on the predetermined relationship and one of an amplitude or temporal characteristic of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A functional board that is configured to accommodate different data protocols for “off-board” communication. These configurations may find use in metrology hardware, for example, utility meters that measures volumetric flow of fluids like gas or water. In one implementation, the functional board may include a circuit board and a pair of circuit cards coupled to the circuit board to communicate with one another using a first communication protocol. The pair of circuit cards may include at least one that is removable from the circuit board and comprises an interface unit that transmits and receives incoming signals in a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.

Abstract: An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include a body with ends connectable to a pipe, a fluid circuit disposed in the body and coupled to the ends, the fluid circuit comprising, a flow unit configured to convert a single stream of fuel gas into a pair of streams at different temperatures, and a power unit responsive to a temperature differential between the two streams to generate an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to operate the flow device or, when necessary, replace, supplement, or recharge a power source on the flow device that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow device.