公开(公告)号：US11566928B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-31

申请号：US16994562

申请日：2020-08-15

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Tianshui Liu ,  Murad Laribi ,  Chang Shen

IPC: G01F1/66

Abstract: A flow meter for calculating fluid flow rate and/or volume includes a flow cell shaped to define an internal passageway through which the fluid travels, and four separate transducer assemblies independently mounted within mounts in the flow cell in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each transducer assembly includes a transducer, a transducer stud with a recess in its front surface that is dimensioned to receive the transducer, and a sensor plate mounted onto the stud for retaining the transducer in the recess. A bore extends vertically through the transducer stud and into communication with the recess, the bore being dimensioned to receive wiring for the transducer. The separation and independent mounting of the four transducer assemblies in the flow cell minimizes the disruption of normal fluid flow through the internal passageway, thereby enabling greater accuracy of measurements to be achieved.

公开(公告)号：US11313714B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-26

申请号：US16460650

申请日：2019-07-02

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G01F25/00

Abstract: A device for measurement of ultrasonic wave transit times of an ultrasonic flow sensor consists of: 1) a synchronization signal generator, 2) a reference pulse generator, 3) a sine wave generator, 4) an analog signal amplifier, 5) a comparator, 6) a plurality of latch circuits, 7) a digital adder, 8) an integrator, 9) an A/D converter. 10) a master counter, 11) a plurality of edge counters, and 12) an arithmetic circuit. The device measures the ultrasonic wave transit times using a method of averaging the ultrasonic wave arriving limes at different measuring points (triggering point). This method has less dependency on triggering threshold level and the ultrasonic signal amplitude, and thus has less dependency on threshold drift, threshold stability, system gain fluctuation, electronic noise and signal amplitude variations. As a result, the method can greatly improve the velocity measurement accuracy and system robustness of an ultrasonic flow sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20190323878A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-24

申请号：US16460650

申请日：2019-07-02

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G01F25/00

Abstract: A device for measurement of ultrasonic wave transit times of an ultrasonic flow sensor consists of: 1) a synchronization signal generator, 2) a reference pulse generator, 3) a sine wave generator, 4) an analog signal amplifier, 5) a comparator, 6) a plurality of latch circuits, 7) a digital adder, 8) an integrator, 9) an A/D converter. 10) a master counter, 11) a plurality of edge counters, and 12) an arithmetic circuit. The device measures the ultrasonic wave transit times using a method of averaging the ultrasonic wave arriving limes at different measuring points (triggering point). This method has less dependency on triggering threshold level and the ultrasonic signal amplitude, and thus has less dependency on threshold drift, threshold stability, system gain fluctuation, electronic noise and signal amplitude variations. As a result, the method can greatly improve the velocity measurement accuracy and system robustness of an ultrasonic flow sensor.

公开(公告)号：US11815382B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17146876

申请日：2021-01-12

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Tianshui Liu ,  Chang Shen ,  Murad Laribi

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  H05K1/18 ,  G01F15/06 ,  G01K13/02

CPC classification number: G01F1/662 ,  G01F15/06 ,  G01K13/02 ,  H05K1/181 ,  H05K2201/10098 ,  H05K2201/10128

Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the flow rate or volume of a fluid includes a flow tube shaped to define an internal passageway through which the fluid travels, a set of transducers coupled to the flow tube in fluid communication with the internal passageway, and a core module coupled to the flow tube. The core module comprises a cup-shaped enclosure shaped to define an interior cavity and a top cover mounted on the enclosure to enclose the interior cavity. A disc-shaped partition separates the interior cavity into an upper compartment which receives a printed circuit board assembly and a lower compartment which receives a power supply assembly and a connector assembly. Separating the interior cavity into distinct compartments allows for different waterproofing techniques to be utilized based on the sensitivity and lifespan differential between the various electrical components, thereby minimizing the use of potting material and facilitating component replacement.

公开(公告)号：US20210223077A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-22

申请号：US17146876

申请日：2021-01-12

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Tianshui Liu ,  Chang Shen ,  Murad Laribi

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  H05K1/18 ,  G01K13/02 ,  G01F15/06

Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the flow rate or volume of a fluid includes a flow tube shaped to define an internal passageway through which the fluid travels, a set of transducers coupled to the flow tube in fluid communication with the internal passageway, and a core module coupled to the flow tube. The core module comprises a cup-shaped enclosure shaped to define an interior cavity and a top cover mounted on the enclosure to enclose the interior cavity. A disc-shaped partition separates the interior cavity into an upper compartment which receives a printed circuit board assembly and a lower compartment which receives a power supply assembly and a connector assembly. Separating the interior cavity into distinct compartments allows for different waterproofing techniques to be utilized based on the sensitivity and lifespan differential between the various electrical components, thereby minimizing the use of potting material and facilitating component replacement.

公开(公告)号：US10775214B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US16190607

申请日：2018-11-14

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  G01N29/02 ,  G01N29/024

Abstract: This invention provides an insertion type ultrasonic flow meter, flow measuring system and method, which related to the field of flow measuring and metering. The insertion type ultrasonic flow meter includes a first insertion type sensor and a second insertion type sensor. The first insertion type sensor is equipped with a first ultrasonic transducer; the second insertion type sensor is equipped with a second ultrasonic transducer. The first insertion type sensor and the second insertion type sensor are installed at upstream and downstream of the pipeline respectively. The first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer are equipped face-to-face. Compared to current technology, the insertion type ultrasonic flow meter provided by this invention has better signal receiving capability and smaller channel noise, therefore lower power consumption that can be powered with battery. It can also conduct accurate measurement to low velocity and flow rate of water in pipeline.

公开(公告)号：US11181392B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-23

申请号：US16941996

申请日：2020-07-29

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G08B23/00 ,  G01D4/00 ,  G06Q50/06

Abstract: An automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a plurality of metering endpoints, each endpoint being configured to wirelessly transmit meter data in compliance with a data transmission schedule. A handheld unit, transported by a vehicle in proximity to the endpoints, is adapted to receive the meter data. To reduce the risk of communication collision, each endpoint is configured with techniques for modifying its transmission schedule. As one technique, each endpoint transmits meter data at a fixed time interval between successive transmissions, each transmission being applied with a random time offset to yield a non-periodic transmission cycle. As another technique, each metering endpoint is configured to transmit meter data within a designated time slot within the fixed time interval. Further, each endpoint monitors the distribution of data within the various time slots and modifies the time slot to which it is assigned to optimally balance the distribution of meter data.

公开(公告)号：US20200149940A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16190607

申请日：2018-11-14

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G01F1/66 ,  G01N29/024

Abstract: This invention provides an insertion type ultrasonic flow meter, flow measuring system and method, which related to the field of flow measuring and metering. The insertion type ultrasonic flow meter includes a first insertion type sensor and a second insertion type sensor. The first insertion type sensor is equipped with a first ultrasonic transducer; the second insertion type sensor is equipped with a second ultrasonic transducer. The first insertion type sensor and the second insertion type sensor are installed at upstream and downstream of the pipeline respectively. The first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer are equipped face-to-face. Compared to current technology, the insertion type ultrasonic flow meter provided by this invention has better signal receiving capability and smaller channel noise, therefore lower power consumption that can be powered with battery. It can also conduct accurate measurement to low velocity and flow rate of water in pipeline.

公开(公告)号：US20140096586A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-10

申请号：US13646665

申请日：2012-10-06

Applicant: SPIRE METERING TECHNOLOGY LLC

Inventor： Chang Shen

IPC: G01F25/00

CPC classification number: G01F25/00

Abstract: A device for measurement of ultrasonic wave transit times of an ultrasonic flow sensor consists of: 1) a synchronization signal generator, 2) a reference pulse generator, 3) a sine wave generator, 4) an analog signal amplifier, 5) a comparator, 6) a plurality of latch circuits, 7) a digital adder, 8) an integrator, 9) an A/D converter, 10) a master counter, 11) a plurality of edge counters, and 12) an arithmetic circuit. The device measures the ultrasonic wave transit times using a method of averaging the ultrasonic wave arriving times at different measuring points (triggering point). This method has less dependency on triggering threshold level and the ultrasonic signal amplitude, and thus has less dependency on threshold drift, threshold stability, system gain fluctuation, electronic noise and signal amplitude variations. As a result, the method can greatly improve the velocity measurement accuracy and system robustness of an ultrasonic flow sensor.

Abstract translation: 超声波流量传感器的超声波传播时间测量装置包括：1）同步信号发生器，2）参考脉冲发生器，3）正弦波发生器，4）模拟信号放大器，5）比较器， 6）多个锁存电路，7）数字加法器，8）积分器，9）A / D转换器，10）主计数器，11）多个边沿计数器，以及12）运算电路。 该装置使用在不同测量点（触发点）对超声波到达时间进行平均的方法来测量超声波传播时间。 该方法对触发阈值电平和超声信号幅度的依赖性较小，因此对阈值漂移，阈值稳定性，系统增益波动，电子噪声和信号幅度变化的依赖性较小。 结果，该方法可以大大提高超声波流量传感器的速度测量精度和系统鲁棒性。

公开(公告)号：USD947051S1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-29

申请号：US29706439

申请日：2019-09-20

Applicant: Spire Metering Technology LLC

Designer： Chang Shen