公开(公告)号：US20210003531A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-07

申请号：US17029153

申请日：2020-09-23

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Søren Tønnes Nielsen ,  Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Jens Lykke Sørensen ,  René Gajda Kristensen ,  Martin Christian Høj Petersen

IPC: G01N29/032 ,  G01D4/00 ,  G01M3/24 ,  G01F1/66 ,  G01M3/28

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc. Such consumer noise level measurement at the consumer site allows collection of noise level data to assist in locating fluid leakages in a fluid supply pipe system.

公开(公告)号：US10564017B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-18

申请号：US16335084

申请日：2017-09-19

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Søren Tønnes Nielsen ,  Jens Lykke Sørensen ,  Paul Martin Bendixen

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  G01N29/02

Abstract: Ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring the flowrate of a fluid based on transit times of opposite propagating ultrasonic wave packets, including two ultrasonic transducers arranged at a flow tube for transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave packets through a fluid; a control circuit configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive co-propagating and counter-propagating ultrasonic wave packets, and to determine transit times between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave packets; wherein the control circuit is further configured to continuously determine the flowrate of the fluid based on sequential application of separate flow measurement sequences and flow estimation sequences, the flow measurement sequence including transmitting and receiving a co-propagating wave packet and a counter-propagating wave packet, determining a transit time difference between the co-propagating and the counter-propagating wave packets, determining the speed of sound in the fluid, and calculating the flowrate based on the transit time difference and the speed of sound; and the flow estimation sequence including transmitting and receiving a co-propagating wave packet and/or a counter-propagating wave packet, and based on the co-propagating or the counter-propagating wave packet, determining whether a fluid condition of the fluid has changed since the previous flow measurement.

公开(公告)号：US10276917B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-30

申请号：US15323687

申请日：2015-07-02

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Johnny Dørken Christiansen ,  Claus Jørgensen ,  Lasse Pilegaard

IPC: G08B21/00 ,  H01Q1/22 ,  H01Q1/12 ,  H01Q7/00 ,  H04B5/00

Abstract: A data transmission system (600) for transmitting consumption data from a consumption meter (100) is provided, wherein the system (600) comprises the consumption meter (100) arranged to measure a volume of a supplied utility and comprising a housing (110) with an outer surface (112); a control circuit arranged in the housing to generate a signal indicative of the volume of the utility; and a transmitter (40) arranged in the housing and being connected to the control circuit and arranged for transmitting the signal indicative of the volume of the utility; and a transmission coupler module (200) comprising a housing adaptor (210) which fits onto the outer surface (112) of the housing (110); and a conductive element (220) arranged with the housing adaptor (210) and being near-field coupled to the transmitter (140), wherein the conductive element (220) is removably arranged with the housing adaptor (210). The data transmission system has high transmission efficiency.

公开(公告)号：US09733112B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-15

申请号：US14361269

申请日：2012-11-30

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Jens Lykke Sørensen ,  Paul Martin Bendixen

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  G06F17/40 ,  G06F19/00 ,  G01P5/24

CPC classification number: G01F1/66 ,  G01F1/662 ,  G01F1/667 ,  G01P5/245 ,  G06F17/40 ,  G06F19/00

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an ultrasonic flow meter by digitally sampling received signals. Acoustic wave packets are transmitted through a measuring distance in opposite directions, and the received signals are digitized at a sampling frequency being below the Nyquist-limit of two times the signal frequency of the wave packet to generate digitized under-sampled signals 31. From the digitized under-sampled signals, the difference in propagation time along the measuring distance is determined.

公开(公告)号：US09714858B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-25

申请号：US14443772

申请日：2013-11-21

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Søren Tønnes Nielsen ,  Jens Lykke Sørensen

IPC: G01F15/06 ,  G01D4/02 ,  G01D11/24

CPC classification number: G01F15/06 ,  G01D4/02 ,  G01D11/24

Abstract: A consumption meter is provided with a conductive feed through for external communication equipment. The meter comprises a housing (104) which forms a closed compartment when an opening of the housing is closed with a cover (106). The compartment includes a communication module (204) and the conductive feed through comprises at least one conductive path (202, 408) from the communication module (204) to an outside part of the meter (102), which outside part is subject to ambient conditions. The path is provided via the opening of the housing and a sealing means (210) in the opening of the housing is used to seal against a first surface (308) of the conductive path when the cover is attached to the housing.

公开(公告)号：US08928137B2

公开(公告)日：2015-01-06

申请号：US13895244

申请日：2013-05-15

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Anders Skallebæk ,  Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Søren Tønnes Nielsen

IPC: H01L23/12 ,  G01F1/66

CPC classification number: G01F1/662

Abstract: An ultrasound flow meter unit arranged to measure a fluid flow rate is provided, where the unit comprises a circuit board 502 which comprises an electronic circuit, a first ultrasound transducer 506 and a first conducting path 564 electrically connected to first ultrasound transducer and the electronic circuit, wherein the circuit board is a multi-layer circuit board and the first conducting path 564 is arranged at least partially between a first layer 581 and a second layer 582. In a further embodiment, there is provided an upper electrically conducting layer 586 and/or a lower electrically conducting layer 588 which substantially covers, respectively, the upper surface of the first layer 581 and the lower surface of the second layer 582.

Abstract translation: 提供了布置成测量流体流速的超声波流量计单元，其中该单元包括电路板502，其包括电子电路，第一超声波换能器506和电连接到第一超声换能器的第一导电路径564和电子电路 ，其中电路板是多层电路板，并且第一导电路径564至少部分地布置在第一层581和第二层582之间。在另一实施例中，提供了上导电层586和/ 或分别基本上覆盖第一层581的上表面和第二层582的下表面的下导电层588。

公开(公告)号：US20140216167A1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-07

申请号：US14346177

申请日：2012-09-19

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Søren Tønnes Nielsen ,  Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Jens Lykke Sørensen

IPC: G01F1/66

CPC classification number: G01F1/66 ,  G01F1/662 ,  G01F1/667

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter arranged to measure a flow rate of a liquid, the flow meter comprises a flow tube 2, optionally a measurement insert, and two or more ultrasonic transducers 8 which are arranged in transducer inserts 20 to be inserted into the flow tube through openings in the flow tube. The transducer inserts are formed monolithically with the housing as a part of the bottom of the housing. The transducer inserts are in a mount position inserted through the openings in the flow tube to extend into the flow passage so that the surface 15 of the transducer inserts protrude into the flow passage. In this manner, gas bubbles, such as air bubbles, released from the flowing liquid will not rest in front of the transducer insert irrespectively of the orientation of the flow meter in the pipe installation.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种布置成测量液体流速的超声波流量计，该流量计包括一个流量管2，可选地是一个测量插入件，以及两个或多个超声波换能器8，它们设置在换能器插入件20中以插入 流管通过流管中的开口。 换能器插入件与外壳一体地形成为壳体底部的一部分。 换能器插入件处于穿过流管中的开口插入的安装位置，以延伸到流动通道中，使得换能器插入件的表面15突出到流动通道中。 以这种方式，从流动液体释放的气泡（例如气泡）不会停留在换能器插入件的前面，而与管道安装中的流量计的取向无关。

公开(公告)号：US20130205913A1

公开(公告)日：2013-08-15

申请号：US13880932

申请日：2011-10-14

Applicant: Jens Lykke Sørensen ,  Janus Honoré

Inventor： Jens Lykke Sørensen ,  Janus Honoré

IPC: G01F1/66

CPC classification number: G01F1/667

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic flow meter comprising a generator circuit and a receiver circuit electrically separated from the generator circuit. The flow meter further comprises transducer switching means for controlled connection of ultrasonic transducers to either the generator circuit or to the receiver circuit. The output impedance of the generator circuit and the input impedance of the receiver circuit are controlled to be substantially zero.

Abstract translation: 本发明公开了一种超声波流量计，包括发电机电路和与发电机电路电隔离的接收器电路。 流量计还包括换能器切换装置，用于将超声换能器控制连接到发电机电路或接收器电路。 发电机电路的输出阻抗和接收器电路的输入阻抗被控制为基本为零。

公开(公告)号：US20120031198A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-09

申请号：US13262575

申请日：2010-03-25

Applicant: Anders Skallebaek ,  Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Søren Tønnes Nielsen

Inventor： Anders Skallebaek ,  Peter Schmidt Laursen ,  Søren Tønnes Nielsen

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  H05K3/34

CPC classification number: G01F1/662 ,  G01F1/667

Abstract: An ultrasound flow meter unit arranged to measure a fluid flow rate with one or more ultrasound transducers (606), and a circuit board (602) with an electronic circuit arranged to operate the ultrasound transducer(s) (106, 306). The ultrasound transducer (606), e.g. in the form of a piezo-electric element, is mechanically fixed to the circuit board (602) by a first electrically conducting fixing means which additionally serve(s) to provide an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the transducer (606) and the electronic circuit. Hereby a functional flow measurement unit (600) is provided which can be tested prior to assembly with a flow meter housing etc. Preferably, a set of ultrasound transducers (106, 306) are soldered directly onto electrically conducting paths (631) on a surface of the circuit board (602) being in electrical connection with the electronic circuit, e.g. in a single SMT mounting process together with mounting of all other electronic components on the circuit board (602). Through-going openings (630, 640) of the circuit board (602) in the vicinity of these conducting paths (631) serve to provide thermal elasticity. A metal clip soldered to the circuit board (602) may serve to electrically connect a second electrical terminal of the transducer (606) to the electronic circuit.

Abstract translation: 超声波流量计单元，布置成用一个或多个超声换能器（606）测量流体流速，以及电路板（602），电路板布置成操作超声换能器（106,306）。 超声换能器（606），例如 以压电元件的形式通过第一导电固定装置机械地固定到电路板（602），第一导电固定装置另外用于在换能器（606）的电端子和 电子电路。 因此，提供功能流量测量单元（600），其可以在与流量计外壳等组装之前进行测试。优选地，一组超声换能器（106,306）直接焊接在表面上的导电路径（631）上 电路板（602）与电子电路电连接，例如， 在单个SMT安装过程中连同所有其它电子部件安装在电路板（602）上。 在这些导电路径（631）附近的电路板（602）的贯穿开口（630,640）用于提供热弹性。 焊接到电路板（602）的金属夹可以用于将换能器（606）的第二电端子电连接到电子电路。

公开(公告)号：US20240413964A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-12

申请号：US18680218

申请日：2024-05-31

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Alex BIRKLYKKE ,  Jesper Torsvik TOFT

IPC: H04L7/00 ,  H04Q9/00

Abstract: A radio communication method involves utility meters installed at distributed installation locations with a data receiver. Data is received from the utility meters. Data is modulated on a received signal having a time-varying phase offset. Decision-directed phase tracking compensates for the time-varying phase offset. The compensated received signal is coherently demodulated to extract data. Extracted data is modulated to reconstruct a replica of the received signal. A phase offset prediction error—comparison between compensated received signal and the replica—and a phase offset prediction error covariance-divergence of compensated received signal and reference value and/or of phase offset prediction error and error reference value—are estimated and input into a Kalman filter. A Kalman filter output provides a prediction of time-varying phase offset in a feedback loop to compensate time-varying phase offset of received signal before compensated received signal is coherently demodulated to extract data.