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

Inventor： Lotte Holmegaard ,  Sune Hoveroust Dupont ,  Mads Raunbak ,  Morten Ørris Poulsen ,  Morten Rasmussen

IPC: G01F15/10

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.

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

Inventor： Leonardo Azzinnari ,  Bo Rosenberg Pedersen ,  Klaus Lund Nielsen

IPC: H01Q1/22 ,  G01D4/00 ,  H01Q1/50

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.

公开(公告)号：US20240210267A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-27

申请号：US18556000

申请日：2022-03-30

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Sune Hoveroust DUPONT ,  Lars CHRISTIANSEN

IPC: G01M3/24

CPC classification number: G01M3/243

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for setting up an acoustic leak detection system in a fluid distribution network characterized by the following steps:



placing at least one first acoustic sensor (10) in the network
placing at least one acoustic signal generator (26) in the network at a location distanced to the at least one first acoustic sensor (10) along a pipe (4),
generating an acoustic signal by the acoustic signal generator (26)
evaluating whether the at least one first acoustic sensor (10) detects said generated acoustic signal, and
in case that said generated acoustic signal is not detected by said at least one first acoustic sensor (10), placing at least one second acoustic sensor (24) in the network at a location less distant along the pipe from the location of the signal generator (26) than said at least one first acoustic sensor (10).

公开(公告)号：US20240201278A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-20

申请号：US18524119

申请日：2023-11-30

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Mads Erik Lund JENSEN ,  Juha-Matti SAVOLAINEN

IPC: G01R31/392 ,  G01R31/3842 ,  H02J7/00

CPC classification number: G01R31/392 ,  G01R31/3842 ,  H02J7/0047

Abstract: A consumption meter includes a battery for energy supply and an accumulation module. The accumulation module is configured for accumulating a first quantity over a time period to obtain a first accumulated quantity. The first quantity is based on a product of at least a current drawn from the battery and a duration over which the current was drawn from the battery. The accumulation module is further configured for transmitting the first accumulated quantity at regular or irregular intervals to a battery lifetime estimation module for calculating a remaining battery lifetime on basis of a nominal battery capacity, the received first accumulated quantity and an operating time of the battery. A consumption meter system includes the consumption meter and a battery lifetime estimation module.

公开(公告)号：US11991622B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-21

申请号：US17540032

申请日：2021-12-01

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Anders Koed Kjær ,  Shekib Habbassy ,  Jens Hørdum

IPC: H04W48/16 ,  H04W52/02 ,  H04W76/18

CPC classification number: H04W48/16 ,  H04W52/0229 ,  H04W76/18

Abstract: A battery-powered stationary measuring device, measuring or detecting a utility installation value, includes a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) connection module configured to establish a wireless communication connection to a LPWAN for communicating data to a head-end-system (HES) and attempt to successfully establish a connection to the LPWAN by selectively conducting one of the group comprising: an extended LPWAN search and a limited LPWAN search; veto the extended LPWAN search as long as a savings threshold for a total number or amount of power budget savings has not been reached; increase the total of power budget savings for unsuccessful limited LPWAN searches; and allow the extended LPWAN search if the total number or amount of power budget savings has reached the savings threshold. The total number or total amount of power budget savings is reduced with each conducted extended LPWAN search.

公开(公告)号：US20230204399A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US18146498

申请日：2022-12-27

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Bjarke Brogaard PAULI ,  Daniel Rømer BECK

IPC: G01F1/84

CPC classification number: G01F1/8436 ,  G01F1/8431

Abstract: A flow meter including a flow tube element with sensors configured to generate signals for measuring a fluid flow through the flow tube element. An electronics housing with a mounting side is releasably mounted to the flow tube element. The electronics housing accommodates a battery and electronics. The electronics and the sensors are powered by the battery, located in a battery cartridge that is arranged within the electronics housing and is removable through the mounting side with the housing unmounted from the flow tube element. A first anti-tampering element is arranged between a first part of the electronics and the battery cartridge. A second anti-tampering element is mounted to the flow tube element independently from the electronics housing. The second anti-tampering element and a second part of the electronics remain mounted to the flow tube element with the electronics housing unmounted from the flow tube element.

公开(公告)号：US11629977B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-18

申请号：US16502792

申请日：2019-07-03

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Daniel Beck Rømer

IPC: G05D7/06 ,  G01F22/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G01D4/00 ,  G01F15/00

Abstract: A water utility meter configured for dynamic throttling and arranged to register and manage the amount of water delivered to a consumption site from a distribution network is disclosed. The water utility meter comprises a flow sensor for measuring a flow rate through the water utility meter, a valve for limiting the flow rate from the distribution network to the consumption site, an actuator for changing a valve position so that the valve may be in an open position or a closed position or a variable throttling position and a controller unit arranged to control the actuator. The controller unit is further configured to monitor the flow rate using the flow sensor, to verify if the flow rate exceeds a maximum flow rate limit or does not exceed a minimum flow rate limit and if the limits are exceeded adjust the valve position to change the maximum flowrate.

公开(公告)号：US11619529B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-04

申请号：US17375471

申请日：2021-07-14

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Lasse Pilegaard ,  Anders Hedegaard ,  Kaspar Raahede Aarøe

IPC: G01F1/667 ,  G01F1/66

Abstract: A compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data of a fluid includes a flow tube with a flow bore for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet, a flowmeter housing, a printed circuit board arranged in the flowmeter housing and including a processor for controlling operations of the flowmeter, a meter circuit including ultrasonic transducers provided on the printed circuit board and configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic wave packets through the fluid, a display mounted on the printed circuit board and configured for displaying a measured flowrate and the other fluid related data, one or more battery packs for powering flowmeter operations, and two or more backing devices arranged to provide a holding force to the ultrasonic transducers, forcing a lower side of the ultrasonic transducers against transducer areas provided on the flow tube.

公开(公告)号：US20220200749A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-23

申请号：US17557903

申请日：2021-12-21

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Flemming HALD ,  Jeppe HOFNI ,  Mathias Rønholt KIELGAST ,  Torben MARKUSSEN

IPC: H04L5/00 ,  H04W72/04

Abstract: A wireless communication link management method includes sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device (7) to the data collection unit (5) via a primary channel. After sending, the measuring device provides a time-limited primary access opportunity (AO) for receiving a link management downlink frame. A primary signal quality is evaluated. A secondary uplink frame is sent from the measuring device via a secondary channel. A time-limited secondary access opportunity for receiving a link management downlink frame is provided. Secondary signal qualities are evaluated. One among the primary access opportunity and the secondary access opportunities is selected for sending a link management downlink frame from the data collection unit to the measuring device depending on the signal qualities. The associated channel is used as the primary channel for sending data in a primary uplink data frame from the measuring device to the data collection unit.

公开(公告)号：US11323783B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-03

申请号：US16474623

申请日：2017-12-22

Applicant: Kamstrup A/S

Inventor： Johnny Dørken Christiansen ,  Flemming Hald

IPC: H04L1/00 ,  H04L1/18 ,  H04W52/04 ,  H04Q9/00

Abstract: A consumption meter (M1) arranged to determine a consumed quantity of a utility at the consumer site. The meter (M1) has a communication unit with a transmitter and a receiver arranged for communication via a network, preferably an RF network. The meter can autonomously transmit data frames (DF) in accordance with a set of transmission parameters, e.g. data frames with data indicative of a consumed quantity. The meter can receive, within a limited time window (TW) following transmission of said data frame (DF), an acknowledgement frame comprising link data indicative of receipt of said data frame by an associated collector which has received the data frame (DF). Finally, the meter can adjust the set of transmission parameters for transmission of a subsequent data frame (DF) in response to said link data.