Consumption meter with remote program update

    公开(公告)号:US09648400B2

    公开(公告)日:2017-05-09

    申请号:US14398286

    申请日:2013-05-06

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    CPC classification number: H04Q9/14 G06F8/65 H04Q9/00 H04Q2209/10 H04Q2209/60

    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of consumption meters (2) arranged in a communication network, where program data of the consumption meters can be updated via the communication network. A data collector (3) is arranged for updating the program data of a group of consumption meters over the network. This is performed by establishing a dedicated update session to each consumption meter of the group of consumption meters, and transmitting addressed update program segments to consumption meters in session. During the update session with a given consumption meter, any other consumption meter which is within communication range (8) will, if it receives the update segment, store it even though the segment is addressed to another meter. In an update session of a next meter, only segments not already stored from a previous session to another consumption meter are transmitted to the next meter.

    Flow meter with protruding transducers
    72.
    发明授权
    Flow meter with protruding transducers 有权
    带有突出传感器的流量计

    公开(公告)号:US09182260B2

    公开(公告)日:2015-11-10

    申请号:US14346177

    申请日:2012-09-19

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    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。

    Flow meter with ultrasound transducer directly connected to and fixed to measurement circuit board
    73.
    发明授权
    Flow meter with ultrasound transducer directly connected to and fixed to measurement circuit board 有权
    流量计与超声波传感器直接连接并固定在测量电路板上

    公开(公告)号:US08596140B2

    公开(公告)日:2013-12-03

    申请号:US13262575

    申请日:2010-03-25

    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。

    SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACOUSTIC LEAK DETECTION IN A UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20250130134A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-04-24

    申请号:US18687547

    申请日:2021-09-06

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    Abstract: A system and a method for identifying a leak indication in a utility distribution system is described. A pipe network for supplying a utility to a multitude of service connections includes a plurality of acoustic sensors mounted at the service connections. The acoustic sensors are preferably integrated in ultrasonic flow meters. The method comprises the steps of obtaining information about a time of change of a fluid pressure and then establishing a first noise indicator from the noise measured by the acoustic sensors before said time of change, establishing a second noise indicator from the noise measured after said time of change; and then correlating one or more first noise indicators and second noise indicators with the fluid pressure to identify service connections subject to leak indications. A leak detection system based on a mathematical cross correlation of noise indicators and fluid pressure in a fluid pipe system is also described.

    ULTRASONIC FLOW METER AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE STATE OF A MEDIUM INSIDE AN ULTRASONIC FLOWMETER

    公开(公告)号:US20250130083A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-04-24

    申请号:US18922661

    申请日:2024-10-22

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter (2) includes a flow channel (4), at least one ultrasonic transducer (16,18) located in the flow channel or on a wall (5) of the flow channel (4) and a processing unit (14) connected to this at least one ultrasonic transducer (16,18). The processing unit (14) is configured such that the processing unit controls the at least one ultrasonic transducer (16,18). The processing unit (14) includes an analyzing module (36) that is configured such that analyzing module (36) evaluates a state of a medium in-side the flow channel (4) by analyzing a ringdown behavior-damping of the signal of the at least one ultrasonic transducer (16,18). A method for evaluating the state of a medium inside an ultrasonic flow meter (2) is provided.

    METHOD FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION OF UTILITY METERS WITH A DATA RECEIVER

    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

    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.

    METHOD FOR DETERMINING EVENTS IN A NETWORK
    77.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240302186A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-09-12

    申请号:US18546810

    申请日:2022-03-02

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    CPC classification number: G01D4/004 G01D2204/47

    Abstract: A method for determining events in a network of consumption meters, in which an event is determined by grouping data wherein the event according to consumption meters which have detected this characterizing data. If groups of consumption meters match, this is determined as an event, the grouping being carried out according to the following criteria—temporal coincidence of the event—spatial concordance of the event—consistency of the event type. The spatial concordance is determined by determining and ranking the Euclidean distance of each of a plurality of consumption meters to everyone of the of others of the plurality of consumption meters, and by assigning the n closest consumption meters that have detected this characterizing data to a group of consumption meters.

    Method for detecting seismic events

    公开(公告)号:US12066583B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-08-20

    申请号:US17558029

    申请日:2021-12-21

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    CPC classification number: G01V1/288 G01V1/01 G01V1/30

    Abstract: A method detects seismic events, in particular detects foreshocks for earthquake prediction. The events are detected by a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a part of a water pipe network on which the sensors are arranged is used for detection. An ultrasonic water meter to be connected to a water pipe network and an ultrasonic water meter system connected to a water pipe network are provided to detect seismic events.

    PREVENTING FROST DAMAGE OF FLOW METERS IN A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

    公开(公告)号:US20240230389A9

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-11

    申请号:US18493218

    申请日:2023-10-24

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    CPC classification number: G01F15/10

    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing frost damage to one or more flow meters installed in a fluid distribution network containing a fluid, wherein each flow meter is configured to measure a temperature, preferably an air temperature, and to wirelessly transmit the measured temperature, such as via a mobile or a fixed wireless reading system to a processing unit. The method comprises: 1) during a period continuously monitoring (M_TMP) the temperatures measured by the plurality of flow meters over a period of time, 2) performing a data analysis (P_DA) on the temperatures of the plurality of flow meters from the period, 3) based on the data analysis, identifying (I_FDC) one or more ones of the plurality of flow meters as frost damage candidates in a future frost period, and 4) transmitting (T_WS) a warning signal indicative of the frost damage candidates or initiating frost protection measures to protect the frost damage candidates. It has been found that it is possible to monitor temperatures in a no-frost period to identify a frost damage candidate, e.g. if a flow meter is positioned in a pit and the lid is removed thereby causing the risk of a frost damage of the flow meter.

    TRANSMISSION COUPLER
    80.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240213653A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-06-27

    申请号:US18544691

    申请日:2023-12-19

    Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

    CPC classification number: H01Q1/22 G01D4/002 H01Q1/50

    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a transmission coupler for receiving radio signals carrying consumption data from a utility meter. The utility meter comprises a meter housing wherein a radio frequency transmitter circuit and a meter antenna is arranged. The transmission coupler comprises a coupling antenna, a transmission line or a radio frequency connector for connection of a transmission line and a mechanical connection element. The mechanical connection element is arranged for mechanically connection of the transmission coupler to an outer surface of the meter housing whereby a near field coupling is provided between the meter antenna and the coupling antenna through the meter housing. The transmission line or radio frequency connector is electrically connected to the coupling antenna. The transmission coupler further comprises a displacement element arranged to occupy a volume in the proximity of the coupling antenna, whereby a volume of a medium surrounding the transmission coupler is displaced away from the coupling antenna by the displacement element, such that the influence on the near field coupling by the medium surrounding the coupling antenna is reduced.

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