FLOWMETERS AND MOUNTING METHODS THEREFOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a flow meter and its mounting method.

[0002] Measuring the travel time of an ultrasonic wave in a fluid using at least one ultrasonic transducer allows the fluid flow rate to be deduced. There are many categories of ultrasonic flow meters, in which the flow rate of a fluid is measured by the propagation speed of an ultrasonic wave in a fluid flowing in a pipe.

[0003] The present invention applies to flow meters in which the transducer or at least its mounting device passes through the wall of the pipeline to come into contact with the fluid whose flow rate is to be measured, as well as to flow meters in which the transducers and / or their mounting device are installed outside the pipeline and the measurement of which is carried out by transmission of waves through the walls thereof.

[0004] Document FR 3 047 068 already discloses a device for mounting an ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted through a wall of a flow meter comprising a pipe, said device being adapted to orient a direction of emission / reception of the transducer in a diagonal direction, called the measurement direction, forming a predetermined angle with a longitudinal axis of the pipe in a longitudinal plane of symmetry thereof.

[0005] Also known from document CN 108548580A is another example of a flow meter with transducers which are mounted in a diagonal direction relative to the axis of the pipeline and which are embedded in epoxy resin.

[0006] Flow meters comprising transducers thus oriented with a measurement direction in a diagonal direction relative to the pipeline generally have a larger footprint than other flow meters whose transducers would be arranged on the same side of the pipeline in particular. In addition, the configuration of the transducers in such flow meters poses the problem of the reliability of the assembly of the different elements composing said flow meter and the establishment of the electrical connections between the transducers and an electronic card of the flow meter.

[0007] The invention therefore aims to propose a flow meter and a mounting method which allow easy mounting of the elements making up said flow meter while providing excellent robustness and excellent reliability of the electrical connections between the different elements making up the flow meter.

[0008] The invention also makes it possible to propose a flow meter which can be manufactured in large series at costs compatible with its operation on an industrial scale and with use in current applications, for example for measuring flow in water supply pipes.

[0009] More specifically, the invention relates to a flow meter comprising: a pipe for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, said pipe extending along a longitudinal axis, at least one first ultrasonic transducer and at least one second ultrasonic transducer, said ultrasonic transducers being mounted opposite each other with respect to a wall of said pipe, at least one first housing delimiting an internal volume for receiving said first ultrasonic transducer, and at least one second housing delimiting an internal volume for receiving said second ultrasonic transducer, side covers capable of closing the opening of each housing, at least one electronic card electrically connected to the first ultrasonic transducer and to the second ultrasonic transducer, a main receptacle comprising a main opening and a bottom, the concavity of said main receptacle being oriented opposite a longitudinal axis of the pipe,said main receptacle delimiting an internal volume for receiving said electronic card.

[0010] The flow meter is characterized in that it includes: at least one first conduit connecting the internal receiving volume of said electronic card of said receptacle to the internal receiving volume of said first ultrasonic transducer, the first conduit being arranged within the wall of said pipe, at least one second conduit connecting the internal receiving volume of said electronic card of said receptacle to the internal receiving volume of said second ultrasonic transducer, the second conduit being arranged within the wall of said pipe, a filling material chosen from a group formed by thermosetting resins, said filling material at least partially filling said internal receiving volume of said first ultrasonic transducer, said internal receiving volume of said second ultrasonic transducer, said first conduit and said second conduit, said filling material further at least partially filling said internal receiving volume of said electronic card.

[0011] Said first conduit and said second conduit which connect the main receptacle respectively to the first housing and to the second housing for receiving the transducers are adapted to allow the flow of a filling material in liquid form. Thus said filling material can be introduced in liquid form (the viscosity of which can vary depending on the nature of the filling material used and the temperature in particular) only via the main receptacle or one of the housings for receiving the transducers and spread at least in each housing for receiving the transducers, the first conduit, the second conduit and the main receptacle. This makes it possible to embed, in the filling material, the electrical contacts and cables of the electronic card but also of the transducers. The filling material thus ensures the sealing of the electronic card up to the transducers which improves the robustness of the flow meter.

[0012] In certain embodiments according to the invention, each housing comprises an opening and a bottom, the concavity of each housing being oriented opposite the longitudinal axis of said pipe.

[0013] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said flow meter comprises side covers capable of closing each opening.

[0014] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said side covers are transparent. This has the advantage of allowing the elements arranged inside each housing to be viewed.

[0015] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said flow meter comprises a main cover capable of closing the main opening of said main receptacle. Advantageously, the main cover can temporarily close the main opening of said main receptacle.

[0016] In particular, said filling material is chosen from the group formed by epoxy resins (or “epoxies”), polyurethanes, silicones (in particular polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS)), their copolymers and their mixtures.

[0017] In certain embodiments according to the invention, the wall of the pipe has an excess thickness in each zone in which a conduit is arranged so as to form a rib within which a conduit is at least partially arranged. The excess thickness arranged in the vicinity of the conduit houses the conduit while limiting the increase in the volume of the wall of the pipe. As a result, the complexity and manufacturing costs are reduced.

[0018] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said filling material completely fills said internal receiving volume of said first ultrasonic transducer and said internal receiving volume of said second ultrasonic transducer.

[0019] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said flow meter further comprises at least one first electrical cable extending in said first conduit so as to electrically connect said first ultrasonic transducer to said electronic card and at least one second electrical cable extending in said second conduit so as to electrically connect said second ultrasonic transducer to said electronic card.

[0020] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said flow meter further comprises a housing containing said electronic card, said housing being arranged in the internal volume of said main receptacle.

[0021] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said electronic card is arranged in said housing so as to extend along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, said first ultrasonic transducer and said second ultrasonic transducer extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pipe.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, said flow meter comprises four ultrasonic transducers, the internal receiving volume of each of said first and second housings receiving two ultrasonic transducers. Thus, said first housing delimits an internal receiving volume of said first ultrasonic transducer and a third ultrasonic transducer and in that said second housing delimits an internal receiving volume of said second ultrasonic transducer and a fourth ultrasonic transducer.

[0024] In certain embodiments according to the invention, each ultrasonic transducer comprises a piezoelectric plate and two conductive rods electrically connected to said electronic card.

[0025] The invention also extends to a method of mounting such a flow meter.

[0026] The invention therefore also relates to a method of mounting such a flow meter, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: said first ultrasonic transducer is mounted in the internal receiving volume of said first ultrasonic transducer of said first housing and said second ultrasonic transducer is mounted in the internal receiving volume of said second ultrasonic transducer of said second housing, said electronic card is mounted in the internal receiving volume of said electronic card of said main receptacle, said electronic card is electrically connected to the first ultrasonic transducer and to the second ultrasonic transducer, after having electrically connected said electronic card to the first ultrasonic transducer and to the second ultrasonic transducer, a filling material in liquid form is introduced through the main opening of the main receptacle, a step of polymerization and / or hardening of said filling material is carried out, and prior to the introduction of said filling material in liquid form,the openings of each housing are closed with side covers.

[0027] In certain embodiments according to the invention, in said method, at least one first electrical cable is introduced into the first conduit electrically connecting the first ultrasonic transducer to the electronic card and at least one second electrical cable is introduced into the second conduit electrically connecting the second ultrasonic transducer to the electronic card. These cables make it possible to electrically connect said electronic card to the first ultrasonic transducer and to the second ultrasonic transducer. In certain embodiments according to the invention, in particular two electrical cables are introduced into the first conduit electrically connecting the first ultrasonic transducer to the electronic card and two electrical cables are introduced into the second conduit electrically connecting the second ultrasonic transducer to the electronic card.It is also possible to pass other cables through each of said first and second conduits.

[0028] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said method further comprises a step during which said electronic card is placed in a housing and said housing is mounted in the internal volume of said main receptacle.

[0029] In certain embodiments in accordance with the invention, in said method, prior to the introduction of said filling material in liquid form, the openings of each housing are closed by said side covers.

[0030] In certain embodiments according to the invention, said method further comprises a step during which at least the internal volume of said main receptacle is subjected to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. For example, the internal volume of said main receptacle can be connected to a suction source (so as to create a vacuum) or the flow meter can be placed in a vacuum enclosure.

[0031] The assembly method according to the invention further comprises the following steps: at least one user interface is provided comprising a display, an electric accumulator and communication means, the main cover is removed from the main receptacle 6, a filling material in liquid form is introduced through the main opening of the main receptacle, so as to fill all or part of the remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptacle, the user interface is electrically connected to the electronic card and the user interface is positioned in a remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptacle, the flow meter is turned over so that the filling material coats the user interface, a step of polymerization and / or hardening of said filling material is carried out, the main cover is placed on the main receptacle 6.

[0032] The invention also relates to a flow meter and a method characterized, in combination or not, by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. Whatever the formal presentation given thereof, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, the different characteristics mentioned above or below must not be considered as closely or inextricably linked to each other, the invention being able to relate to only one of these structural or functional characteristics, or only part of these structural or functional characteristics, or only part of one of these structural or functional characteristics, or any grouping, combination or juxtaposition of all or part of these structural or functional characteristics.

[0033] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given without limitation of some of its possible embodiments and which refers to the appended figures in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a front view of a flow meter according to a first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a top view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of a conduit of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is an exploded view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] there Figure 5 is a perspective view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6is a front view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 is a front view of a flow meter according to the first embodiment of the invention according to the side opposite to that shown in figure 6 , [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 is a front view of a flow meter according to a second embodiment of the invention, before mounting the ultrasonic transducers, [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 is a front view of a flow meter according to the second embodiment of the invention, after mounting the ultrasonic transducers.

[0034] Flow meters 1 and 101 shown in figures 1 to 9 comprise a pipe 2, 102 adapted to allow the circulation of a fluid inside said pipe, said pipe extending along a longitudinal axis 10, 110. Such a pipe may for example be formed from cast iron or metallic material (metals or metallic alloys).

[0035] In a first embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, shown in figures 1 to 7 , the pipe 2 is in the general form of a tube terminated at both ends by annular fittings 73, 74 capable of being assembled to pipes using assembly members such as bolts and nuts. Between the fittings 73, 74, the pipe can be traversed by a fluid from a fluid inlet 70 to a fluid outlet 71.

[0036] The flow meter 1 comprises four ultrasonic transducers 36, 37, said ultrasonic transducers being mounted two by two opposite one another with respect to a wall of said pipe. Each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37 is arranged in a housing 30, 40 delimiting an internal volume for receiving said ultrasonic transducers. The flow meter 1 comprises a first housing 30 delimiting an internal volume for receiving two ultrasonic transducers 36, 37 and a second housing 40 delimiting an internal volume for receiving two other ultrasonic transducers (not shown).

[0037] Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a single ultrasonic transducer per housing 30, 40. The advantage of providing transducers mounted in pairs lies in increasing the accuracy of the measurement carried out by the flow meter. A flow meter according to the invention may therefore comprise only two ultrasonic transducers, i.e. at least two ultrasonic transducers.

[0038] Each housing 30, 40 comprises an opening and a bottom, the concavity of each housing being oriented opposite the longitudinal axis 10 of said pipe, that is to say oriented towards the outside of the pipe 2. In other words, the opening 32 of each housing 30, 40 is arranged towards the outside of the pipe 2, the bottom 33 of each housing therefore being closer to the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe 2 than the opening of each housing 30, 40 relative to said longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe. As can be seen in the figures 1 And 4 , in the embodiment shown, the housing 30 has a circular opening 32 and a flat bottom 33. Similarly, the housing 40 has a circular opening 42 ( figure 2 ) and a bottom (not shown). The bottom 33 of each housing 30, 40 has two niches adapted to receive the distal end of each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37.

[0039] The flow meter further comprises lateral covers 39, 49 capable of closing the opening of each housing 30, 40, the lateral cover 39 closing the opening of the housing 30 ( figure 6 ) and the cover 49 closing the opening of the housing 40 ( figure 7 ). Such side covers 39, 49 are preferably formed from a transparent material (for example a polymer material transparent under visible light such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene).

[0040] The ultrasonic transducers mounted two by two opposite each other on the pipe 2 are oriented in a measurement direction forming a non-zero angle and less than 90° with the longitudinal axis of the pipe 2. In particular, the ultrasonic transducers are arranged diagonally with respect to each other with respect to the pipe 2. More precisely, the ultrasonic transducers are placed on either side of a tubular section forming the pipe 2, so as to each be arranged in the internal receiving volumes delimited by the first housing 30 and the second housing 40. In particular, in an alternative embodiment of a flow meter 1 according to the invention and as shown in the figures, the ultrasonic transducers 36, 37 are mounted through the wall of the pipe 2.In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, the angle between the measurement direction and the longitudinal axis of the pipe 2 is of the order of 30°, but can go up to 50° or even more depending on the flow meter models.

[0041] In a particularly advantageous embodiment variant, the ultrasonic transducers 36, 37 extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pipe 2. Thus, in the same way, the housings 30, 40 extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 10 of said pipe 2, that is to say that the wall forming each housing 30, 40 extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe 2. In the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7, each housing 30, 40 has a wall in the form of a tubular portion extending from the wall of the pipe 2, the longitudinal direction of this tubular portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pipe 2. More particularly, in the first embodiment shown, the two housings 30 and 40 extend parallel to each other, each on a side diametrically opposite to the other with respect to the pipe 2. In addition and in particular, the bottom 33 of each housing 30, 40 is flat and extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe 2.

[0042] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37 comprises a plate of piezoelectric material and two conductive electrodes or rods. The plate of piezoelectric material of each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37 may be protected by an external coating of polymer material. In an embodiment, the main faces of each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37 are orthogonal to the direction of emission / reception of the ultrasonic waves. Each transducer is mounted so that the ultrasonic transducers 36, 37 are placed opposite each other and their respective direction of emission / reception coincides with the measurement direction.

[0043] Each piezoelectric wafer is made of a piezoelectric material. This piezoelectric material must be able to emit and receive ultrasonic signals, particularly at a frequency of around 4 MHz. This material is, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic such as lead zirconate titanates (PZT). Nothing prevents the use of other piezoelectric materials such as single crystals.

[0044] The flow meter 1 according to the first embodiment further comprises a main receptacle 6 comprising a main opening 4 and a bottom 5, the concavity of the receptacle being oriented opposite the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe, that is to say towards the outside of the pipe and not towards the longitudinal axis of the pipe. In other words, the opening 4 of the main receptacle 6 is arranged towards the outside of the pipe 2, the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6 therefore being closer to the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe 2 than the opening 4 of the main receptacle 6. Furthermore, the receptacle delimits an internal volume for receiving at least one electronic card 65 configured to be electrically connected to each ultrasonic transducer. Various embodiments can be envisaged with regard to the dimensions and shapes of the main receptacle 6.The main receptacle 6 may have any shape or even a cubic or cylindrical shape such as in the embodiment shown in . figures 1 to 7 .

[0045] In particular, the main receptacle 6 extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 10 of said pipe 2, that is to say that the wall forming the main receptacle 6 extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipe 2. In the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7, the main receptacle 6 has a wall in the form of a tubular portion extending from the wall of the pipe 2, the longitudinal direction of this tubular portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pipe 2. Furthermore, in the first embodiment shown, the main receptacle 6 extends in a direction intersecting each direction in which each housing 30, 40 extends, and more particularly the main receptacle 6 extends in a direction orthogonal to each direction in which each housing 30, 40 extends (as can be seen in particular in figure 2 ).

[0046] The flow meter 1 further comprises a main cover 8 adapted to be able to close the main opening 4 of the main receptacle 6. Advantageously, the main cover can temporarily close the main opening of said main receptacle.

[0047] The electronic card 65 and other elements of the flow meter to be arranged in the main receptacle 6 may themselves be arranged in a housing 61 adapted to be able to be inserted into said receptacle 6. The housing 61 therefore contains the electronic card 65, said housing being arranged in the internal volume of said main receptacle 6. Such a housing 61 makes it easier to mount the flow meter by making it possible to prearrange elements of the flow meter therein, prior to its insertion into the main receptacle 6. Such a housing 61 also makes it possible to protect the elements it contains.In particular, when it is formed from a polymer material, the housing 61 makes it possible to guarantee the electrical insulation of the electronic card 65 with respect to the body of the flow meter, in particular with respect to the wall of the main receptacle 6 and to the pipe if they are formed from an electrically conductive metallic material, independently of its nature or the quality of its possible coating, or even of the quality of the fixing of the electronic card 65 in the housing 61 and the main receptacle 6.

[0048] The body of the flow meter may comprise the assembly formed by each housing, the main receptacle 6, the pipe 2 and the connectors 73, 74. The body of the flow meter may be manufactured so as to be formed from a single piece (for example by casting cast iron or another metallic material in particular), or from different parts assembled together, for example by welding.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7 , and as we can see on the figure 4 in particular, the electronic card 65 is arranged orthogonally to the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the electronic card 65 may be arranged in a plane non-orthogonal to the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6. Furthermore, the electronic card 65 comprises connection pins, called external connection pins, other than those used to connect it to each ultrasonic transducer. In particular, the external connection pins are configured to connect the electronic card 65 with equipment which allows the flow meter according to the invention to communicate with the outside.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, the flow meter also comprises at least one electrical accumulator such as a battery, rechargeable or not, electrically connected to the electronic card 65 and arranged within the main receptacle 6, and in particular inside the housing 61.

[0051] The flow meter 1 according to the first embodiment further comprises at least one first conduit 50 connecting the main receptacle 6, and more particularly the internal volume for receiving the electronic card 65 of the main receptacle 6, to the internal volume for receiving each ultrasonic transducer, i.e. to each housing 30, 40. In the embodiments shown, each flow meter comprises two conduits 50, a first conduit 50 connecting the internal volume for receiving the electronic card of the receptacle to the internal volume for receiving the first ultrasonic transducer, and a second conduit 50 (not shown) connecting the internal volume for receiving the electronic card of the receptacle to the internal volume for receiving the second ultrasonic transducer, each conduit being arranged within the wall of the pipe.Each conduit 50 is formed within the wall of the pipe 2, that is to say in particular that each conduit 50 is formed within the thickness of the material forming the pipe 2. The wall of the pipe 2 may also have an excess thickness in each zone in which a conduit 50 is formed, for example so as to form a rib 51 within which a conduit is at least partly formed. Such an excess thickness or rib 51 may be formed at the time of molding the pipe 2, the main receptacle 6 and the housings 30, 40 so as to form only a single piece. In particular, in the embodiments shown, the second conduit 50 is identical to the first conduit (in terms of shapes and dimensions).

[0052] Different embodiments can be envisaged concerning the shape of each conduit. Each conduit can have a cross-section that is at least partially curved (in particular circular) and / or at least partially polygonal. This section can be constant or variable. Each conduit can be at least partially rectilinear and / or at least partially curved and extend in a single direction or in several distinct directions, having a single portion or a plurality of successive portions. In particular, each conduit is devoid of a portion forming an angle of the order of 90° or less with respect to the plane in which the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6 extends or with respect to an adjacent portion of this conduit. Each conduit can extend in a direction forming an angle of between 30° and 70° with respect to the plane in which the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6 extends. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7, each conduit is rectilinear (and extends in a single longitudinal direction) and has a circular cross-section. A conduit having a diameter of the order of 8 mm of a flow meter whose pipe has a diameter of the order of 80 mm and whose wall has a thickness of the order of 10 mm extends for example in a direction forming an angle of the order of 50° relative to the plane in which the bottom of the main receptacle 6 extends.

[0053] As can be seen on the figure 2 , each conduit 50 has an inlet orifice 53, 54 provided through the bottom 5 of the main receptacle 6, and an outlet orifice 55 (as can be seen in figure 1 ) arranged through the bottom 33 of the first housing 30.

[0054] The flow meter 1 according to the first embodiment further comprises at least one first electrical cable (not shown) extending in said first conduit 50 so as to electrically connect the ultrasonic transducers 36, 37 of the first housing 30 to the electronic card 65 and at least one second electrical cable (not shown) extending in the second conduit so as to electrically connect the ultrasonic transducers of the second housing 40 to said electronic card 65 arranged in the main receptacle 6.

[0055] The flow meter 1 further comprises a filling material selected from a group consisting of thermosetting resins. Such a filling material at least partially fills the internal receiving volume of the first ultrasonic transducer and the internal receiving volume of the second ultrasonic transducer. The filling material further at least partially fills each conduit and the internal receiving volume of the electronic card 65, i.e. the main receptacle 6. Each conduit 50 is adapted to allow the flow of such a filling material in liquid form.

[0056] A second embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention is shown in figures 8 And 9. The flow meter 101 differs from a flow meter 1 according to the first embodiment in that it comprises four housings 130, 131, each housing 130, 131 delimiting an internal volume for receiving a single ultrasonic transducer 136, 137. In an alternative, the flow meter 101 comprises two housings 130, 131, each housing 130, 131 delimiting an internal volume for receiving a single ultrasonic transducer 136, 137.

[0057] The bottom of each housing 130, 131 has a niche 140, 142 adapted to receive the distal end of each ultrasonic transducer 136, 137.

[0058] The flow meter 101 further comprises lateral covers 138, 139 capable of closing the opening of each housing 130, 131, the cover 138 closing the opening of the housing 130 and the lateral cover 139 closing the opening of the housing 131.

[0059] The flow meter 101 also has two conduits connecting the main receptacle 106, and more particularly the internal volume for receiving the electronic card 65 of the main receptacle 106, to the internal volume for receiving each ultrasonic transducer, that is to say to each housing 130, 131. The wall of the pipe 102 may have an excess thickness in each zone in which a conduit is arranged, for example so as to form a rib 151 within which a conduit is at least partially arranged. Each conduit opens into a housing 131 via an outlet orifice 155.

[0060] The flow meter 101 further comprises a main cover 108 adapted to be able to close the main opening of the main receptacle 106.

[0061] A secondary conduit may be provided within the adjacent walls of the housings 130, 131 in order to connect the internal volume of the housing 130 to the internal volume of the housing 131, this secondary conduit having an inlet orifice 153 ( figure 8 ).

[0062] The pipe 102 is in the general form of a tube terminated at both ends by annular fittings 173, 174 capable of being assembled to pipes using assembly members such as bolts and nuts. Between the fittings 173, 174, the pipe can be traversed by a fluid from a fluid inlet 170 to a fluid outlet 171.

[0063] Each flow meter may further comprise a display electrically connected to said electronic card. Such a display may be located under the main cover 8 of the main receptacle 6. Furthermore, such a display, comprising for example interface electronics coupled to an LCD screen, allows a user to read the information provided by the flow meter.

[0064] In order to proceed with the assembly of a flow meter 1, 101 according to the invention, all or part of the following steps can be carried out: at least one first ultrasonic transducer 36, 37, 137, 136 is mounted in the internal receiving volume of the first ultrasonic transducer of the first housing 30, 130, 131 and at least one second ultrasonic transducer is mounted in the internal receiving volume of the second ultrasonic transducer of the second housing 40, said electronic card 65 is mounted in the internal receiving volume of said electronic card of said main receptacle 6, said electronic card 65 is electrically connected to the first ultrasonic transducer 36, 37, 137, 136 and to the second ultrasonic transducer.To do this, in particular, at least one first electrical cable is introduced into the first conduit electrically connecting the first ultrasonic transducer 36, 37, 137, 136 to the electronic card 65 and at least one second electrical cable is introduced into the second conduit electrically connecting the second ultrasonic transducer to the electronic card 65, the lateral covers 39, 49, 138, 139 are mounted on the opening 32, 42 of each housing 30, 40, 130, 131, after having electrically connected said electronic card 65 to the first ultrasonic transducer 36, 37, 137, 136 and to the second ultrasonic transducer, a filling material in liquid form is introduced through the main opening of the main receptacle 6, a step of polymerization and / or hardening of said filling material is carried out (for example by heating to a predetermined temperature, in particular depending on the nature of the filling material). .

[0065] More particularly, in the case of the flow meter 1 according to the first embodiment, the side cover 39 is mounted on the opening 32 of the housing 30 and the cover 49 is mounted on the opening 42 of the housing 40.

[0066] It is also possible to subject the main receptacle of the flow meter to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, in particular a pressure between 5 mbar and 20 mbar. To do this, the internal volume of the main receptacle can be connected to a suction source ("vacuum") during the step of introducing the filling material into the flow meter and / or after the step of introducing the filling material into the flow meter. This makes it easier to evacuate the air contained in the flow meter for the benefit of the filling material. It is also possible to place the flow meter in an enclosure in which a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure prevails.

[0067] The arrangement of the elements arranged in the internal space of the housing is adapted so that the filling material can spread in the liquid state from the main receptacle 6, through the conduits 50, to each housing 30, 40. In particular, the housing 61 may have openings in its bottom in order to allow the filling material in liquid form to flow towards the bottom of the main receptacle 6 and the conduits 50.

[0068] The opening 4 of the main receptacle 6 advantageously allows, at the end of a process of mounting the various elements making up the flow meter, the introduction of a filling material in liquid form chosen from a group formed of thermosetting resins. In particular, said filling material is chosen from a group formed of epoxy resins (or more commonly called “epoxy”), polyurethanes, silicones (in particular polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS)), their copolymers and their mixtures.

[0069] After being introduced through the opening 4 of the main receptacle 6, the filling material in liquid form flows towards each conduit 50 via the inlets 53, 54 of each conduit towards each of the housings 30, 40.

[0070] A flow meter 1, 101 obtained at the end of a mounting method according to the invention comprises a filling material at least partially filling the internal receiving volume of each ultrasonic transducer 36, 37, 137, 136 of each housing 30, 130, 131, each conduit 50 and the internal volume of the main receptacle 6, 106 (i.e. the internal receiving volume of the electronic card).

[0071] In a flow meter 101 according to the second embodiment shown in figures 8 And 9 , the filling material in liquid form further flows from each housing 131 to each housing 130 through a secondary channel via the inlet orifice 153.

[0072] A flow meter 1, 101 obtained following the assembly process described above constitutes a measuring body that can be customized. Indeed, at this stage, such a flow meter 1, 101 can measure a flow rate and calculate volumes. Thus, such a flow meter 1, 101 can be calibrated by connecting it to a test bench. However, such a flow meter 1, 101 does not include a user interface for interacting with a user of the flow meter.

[0073] In order to mount such a user interface in the flow meter 1, 101, all or part of the following steps can be carried out: at least one user interface is provided. This may include a display and an electric accumulator as described above. Furthermore, the user interface may include communication means such as a transceiver. In a particular implementation, the user interface is mounted behind a transparent sealing cover so as to protect the user interface. For this, a transparent resin may be used to cover the user interface when it is mounted in the transparent sealing cover. In this case, care will be taken to choose a resin having optical properties to prevent condensation at the level of the display of the user interface, the main cover 8 is removed from the main receptacle 6, a filling material is introduced in liquid form through the main opening of the main receptacle 6,in order to fill all or part of the remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptacle 6, the user interface is electrically connected to the electronic card 65 and the user interface is positioned in a remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptacle 6, the flow meter 1, 101 is turned over so that the filling material coats the user interface, a step of polymerization and / or hardening of said filling material is carried out (for example by heating to a predetermined temperature, in particular depending on the nature of the filling material), and the main cover 8 is placed on the main receptacle 6. In a particular implementation, the cover 8 is replaced by a finalization cover. Such a finalization cover may include necessary signaling information and / or information for customizing the flow meter 1, 101. ,

[0074] Thus, the flow meter 1, 101 obtained at the end of this assembly process is complete. That is to say, capable of measuring and communicating its measurements in a way without the use of a proprietary system.

[0075] A flow meter according to the invention makes it possible to facilitate the step of filling using a filling material of a method of manufacturing a flow meter and to reduce the time required for such manufacturing since a single step of introducing said filling material is sufficient, the introduction of the filling material into the main receptacle 6 being sufficient to allow distribution and filling with the filling material of each housing 30, 130, 131, of each conduit 50 and of the main receptacle.

[0076] Furthermore, transparent side covers 39, 49, 138, 139 make it possible to check that the housings 30, 40, 130, 131 are correctly filled with the filling material during the introduction of the latter in the liquid state, i.e. the progressive increase in the level of filling material in liquid form as the latter flows from the main receptacle through the conduits 5.

[0077] Such a filling material has the advantage of ensuring the sealing of said flow meter, in particular with respect to the fluid circulating in the pipe, and also makes it possible to consolidate the assembly of all the elements of the flow meter, the filling material hardening in contact with the pipe inside each of the conduits, each housing 30, 40 and the main receptacle 6. The filling material therefore makes it possible to protect the electrical contacts and the electrical cables of the transducers and the electronic card arranged inside the main receptacle and connecting them via the conduits 50.

[0078] A flow meter according to the invention further exhibits reliability, durability and resistance in aggressive environments, particularly in liquid media, allowing its use for commercial or regulatory purposes.

[0079] The invention may be the subject of numerous variants and applications other than those described above. In particular, it goes without saying that unless otherwise indicated the different structural and functional characteristics of each of the embodiments described above should not be considered as combined and / or closely and / or inextricably linked to each other, but on the contrary as simple juxtapositions. Furthermore, the structural and / or functional characteristics of the different embodiments described above may be the subject in whole or in part of any different juxtaposition or any different combination.For example, it is also possible to arrange the electronic card differently, in particular horizontally and to possibly provide one or more holes passing through the thickness of the electronic card in order to facilitate the passage of the filling material inside the main receptacle 6 and / or the housing 61. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a method of mounting a flow meter according to the invention in which the filling material would be introduced through the opening of one of the housings 30, 40, 130, 131, the conduits allowing the flow of a filling material in liquid form towards the other housing(s) for receiving ultrasonic transducers and / or towards said main receptacle.

Claims

1. A flowmeter including: - a pipe (2) for measuring the flowrate of a fluid, said pipe extending along a longitudinal axis (10, 110), - at least one first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) and at least one second ultrasound transducer, said ultrasound transducers being mounted facing one another relative to a wall of said pipe, - at least one first housing (30, 130, 131) delimiting an internal volume to receive said first ultrasound transducer and at least one second housing (40) delimiting an internal volume to receive said second ultrasound transducer, - lateral covers (39, 49, 138, 139) adapted to block the opening (32, 42) of each housing (30, 40, 130, 131), - at least one electronic circuit card (65) electrically connected to the first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) and to the second ultrasound transducer, - a main receptacle (6, 106) including a main opening (4) and a bottom (5), the concavity of said main receptacle being oriented away from a longitudinal axis of the pipe, said main receptacle delimiting an internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card, characterized in that it includes: - at least one first duct (50) connecting the internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card of said receptacle to the internal volume to receive said first ultrasound transducer, the first duct being formed within the wall of said pipe, - at least one second duct connecting the internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card of said receptacle to the internal volume to receive said second ultrasound transducer, the second duct being formed within the wall of said pipe, - a packing material chosen in a group formed of thermoset resins, said packing material filling at least in part said internal volume to receive said first ultrasound transducer, said internal volume to receive said second ultrasound transducer, said first duct (50) and said second duct, said packing material further filling at least in part said internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card (65).

2. The flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it further includes at least one first electric cable extending in said first duct so as electrically to connect said first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) to said electronic circuit card (65) and at least one second electric cable extending in said second duct so as electrically to connect said second ultrasound transducer to said electronic circuit card (65).

3. The flowmeter as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall of the pipe (2) has an increased thickness in each zone in which there is formed a duct (50) so as to form a rib (51, 151) within which a duct (50) is at least in part formed.

4. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it includes a main cover adapted to block the main opening of said main receptacle.

5. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each housing (30, 40) includes an opening (32, 42) and a bottom (33, 43), the concavity of each housing being oriented away from the longitudinal axis of said pipe.

6. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said lateral covers (39, 49) are transparent.

7. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further includes a casing (61) containing said electronic circuit card (65), said casing being disposed in the internal volume of said main receptacle (6).

8. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) and said second ultrasound transducer extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said pipe.

9. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes four ultrasound transducers, the receiving internal volume of each of said first and second housings receiving two ultrasound transducers.

10. The flowmeter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further includes a third housing to receive at least one ultrasound transducer and a fourth housing to receive at least one ultrasound transducer.

11. A method of assembling a flowmeter as claimed in claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it includes the following steps: - said first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) is mounted in the internal volume to receive said first ultrasound transducer of said first housing (30, 130, 131) and said second ultrasound transducer is mounted in the internal volume to receive said second ultrasound transducer of said second housing (40), - said electronic circuit card (65) is mounted in the internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card of said main receptacle (6, 106), - said electronic circuit card is electrically connected to the first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) and to the second ultrasound transducer, - after electrically connecting said electronic circuit card (65) to the first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) and to the second ultrasound transducer a packing material is introduced in liquid form via the main opening (4) of the main receptacle (6, 106), - a step is carried out of polymerizing and / or hardening said packing material, and - before introducing said packing material in liquid form, the openings of each housing (30, 40, 130, 131) are blocked by lateral covers (39, 49, 138, 139).

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that at least one first electric cable is introduced into the first duct electrically connecting the first ultrasound transducer (36, 37, 137, 136) to the electronic circuit card (65) and at least one second electric cable is introduced into the second duct electrically connecting the second ultrasound transducer to the electronic circuit card (65).

13. The method as claimed in either one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it includes the following steps: - at least one user interface is procured including a display, an electrical accumulator and communication means, - the main cover (8) is removed from the main receptacle 6, - a packing material in liquid form is introduced via the main opening of the main receptacle (6) so as to fill all or part of the remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptable 6, - the user interface is electrically connected to the electronic circuit card (65) and the user interface is positioned in a remaining empty volume of the internal volume of the main receptacle (6), - the flowmeter (1, 101) is turned over so that the packing material coats the user interface, - a step is carried out of polymerizing and / or hardening said packing material, - the main cover (8) is placed on the main receptacle (6).