Fluid-metering system and method of powering a fluid-metering system

Abstract

A fluid-metering system is disclosed. The system comprises a conduit for a fluid, the conduit comprising a first portion having an inner surface profile, size, shape and / or dimension that periodically varies in cross-section. The system also comprises a charge-generating device configured to generate an electrical charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the conduit. A method of powering a fluid-metering system is also disclosed, the method comprising configuring a charge-generating device to generate an electrical charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along a first portion of a conduit of the fluid-metering system, wherein the first portion comprises an inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section.

Description

[0001] FLUID-METERING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POWERING A FLUID-METERING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure is in the field of fluid-metering systems, and relates in particular to a system configured to induce acoustic vibrations from a flow of fluid, and generate power from said acoustic vibrations. The present disclosure also more generally relates to a method of powering a fluid-metering system.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

[0005] Metering devices may be deployed at businesses, homes, and other premises for measuring consumption of resources, such as water or gas.

[0006] It is desirable that such metering devices are robust, reliable and may require minimal (if any) maintenance after installation.

[0007] For example, it may be desirable that water meters last in the field twenty years without requiring any maintenance.

[0008] Furthermore, while some metering devices may provide only basic metering functions, other metering devices, known in the art as “smart meters”, may provide more advanced functionality, such as control and communications functionality.

[0009] In an example, some metering devices may be configured to communicate information relating to consumption of resources. In another example, some metering devices may be configured to receive information such as billing information and control signals, such as service disconnect control signals or the like. In examples, transmission of information relating to consumption of metered resources may simplify automated billing, reduce operational costs, and may enable advanced analytics of resource consumption.

[0010] With such communication capabilities, a need to physically visit to read a meter in situ may be completely mitigated. As such, after installation, it is desirable that a meter may be reliably operational for twenty years, or more, without requiring any visiting.

[0011] Such meters require a power supply to operate internal electronics and / or communications circuitry. For example, some metering devices may operate a radio to transmit to a cellular or mesh network to notify the utility of consumption. In order to

[0012] 14141083-1 last 20 years in the field, careful power management, PCB / Sensor design, userexperience, feature set, and battery size must be examined to ensure the life of the product in the field meets the requirements of the customer without sacrificing cost.

[0013] Many such meters comprise a charge-storage device, such as a battery, to provide a power supply to operate internal electronics and / or communications circuitry. However, such a battery may require a significant Amp-Hour capacity to be capable of supply sufficient electrical power to operate the internal electronics and / or communications circuitry, resulting in implementation of expensive and / or bulky charge-storage devices.

[0014] It is therefore desirable that the Amp-Hour battery capacity be reduced to save cost, without sacrificing the features and user-experience for the customer.

[0015] It is therefore an aim of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present disclosure to obviate or at least mitigate at least one of the above identified shortcomings of the prior art.

[0016] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0017] The present disclosure is in the field of fluid-metering systems, and relates in particular to a system configured to induce acoustic vibrations from a flow of fluid. According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a fluid-metering system comprising: a conduit for a fluid, the conduit comprising a first portion having an inner surface (e.g. an inner surface profile, size, shape and / or dimension) that periodically varies in cross-section; and a charge-generating device configured to generate an electrical charge from a vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the conduit.

[0018] The vibration may be an acoustic vibration. The vibration may be an ultrasonic vibration, e.g. having a frequency component above an acoustic range of nominal human hearing.

[0019] The first portion may induce hammers, e.g. a knocking effect, and / or cavitation. Said knocking, hammers and / or cavitation may induce the vibrations in the fluid that may generate the electrical charge from the charge-generating device.

[0020] Advantageously, generating a charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the conduit may enable a capacity of a battery within the fluid-metering system for operating metering and / or communication circuitry to be reduced, thereby potentially reducing costs and size, without sacrificing functionality or performance.

[0021] 14141083-1 The inner surface of the first portion may comprise a plurality of alternating cavities.

[0022] Advantageously, a plurality of alternating cavities may induce the vibrations. Said vibrations may be acoustic vibrations, e.g. vibrations having a frequency components in the range of 20Hz to 20kHz.

[0023] The inner surface of the first portion may comprises a plurality of corrugations.

[0024] That is, the first portion may comprise a length of corrugated pipe or tube.

[0025] The plurality of corrugations may comprise alternating cavities and flat and / or curved regions that may be symmetric about an axis of the conduit. Said axis may correspond to a flow-path of the fluid.

[0026] Relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduit, an upstream edge of each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations may comprise a rounded and / or curved edge.

[0027] Advantageously, a rounded and / or curved edge upstream edge may increase the amplitude of pressure fluctuations induced in the fluid in comparison to sharp edges, thereby increasing an amplitude of the vibrations.

[0028] The fluid-metering system may comprise a charge storage device. The chargestorage device may be configured to store a charge generated by the chargegenerating device.

[0029] Advantageously, the charge-storage device may comprise a battery, such as a re-chargeable battery. The charge-storage device may comprise a capacitor.

[0030] The charge-storage device may comprise a plurality of charge storage devices, for example a capacitor configured to store a charge generated by the chargegenerating device, which may supplement a charge stored in a battery, such as a non- rechargeable battery.

[0031] The fluid-metering system may comprise a metering apparatus for metering the flow of the fluid along the conduit. The metering apparatus may comprise a circuit for storing and / or communicating data corresponding to a metered amount of fluid.

[0032] The metering device may be configured as an above-described “smart meter”, and may provide advanced functionality, such as control and communications functionality.

[0033] The circuit may be, at least in part, powered by the charge storage device. In some examples, the circuit may be (at least in part) powered directly by a charge generated by the charge-generating device.

[0034] 14141083-1 The charge-generating device may comprise a piezo-electric device. In some examples, the charge-generating device may comprises a piezo-electric strip and / or foil.

[0035] The charge-generating device may be coupled to a surface of the first portion. The charge-generating device may be coupled to the inner surface of the first portion.

[0036] In use, the charge-generating device may be disposed within a flow of the fluid in close proximity to an area of unsteadiness in the flow of the fluid induced by the periodically varying cross-section of the inner surface.

[0037] The conduit may comprise at least one further portion, the at least one further portion being upstream and / or downstream of the first portion relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduit.

[0038] The at least one further portion may comprises an inner surface having a substantially constant cross section, i.e. a relatively smooth inner surface compared to the inner surface profile (e.g. a shape, size, cross-sectional dimension) that periodically varies in cross-section.

[0039] The charge-generating device may be coupled to the inner surface(s) of the at least one further portion.

[0040] For example, in some instances the charge-generating device maybe downstream of the inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section, yet sufficiently close to the first portion to still be capable of generating a charge from the induced vibrations.

[0041] The conduit may be formed from a plastics or other (non-metallic) material.

[0042] Advantageously, a conduit from a plastics or other (non-metallic) material may be relatively flexible, thereby more prone to induced vibrations than a relatively rigid conduit formed from a metallic material or the like.

[0043] The fluid-metering system may comprise a housing, wherein the first portion of the conduit is provided in the housing.

[0044] Advantageously, by having the first portion provided within the housing, a complete metering unit may be provided that both induces the vibrations and generates charge, and thereby is not dependent upon an upstream source of vibrations.

[0045] The fluid-metering system may be configured as a water meter.

[0046] The first portion of the conduit may be configured to generate a vibration (or acoustic tone) that varies in intensity and / or frequency in relation to a flow rate of the fluid within the conduit.

[0047] 14141083-1 The charge-generating device may be operable as a sensor, such as an acoustic sensor.

[0048] Advantageously, in addition to generating power for supplying the electrical circuit, the charge-generating device may be operable to provide a signal indicative of a consumption of a metered resource. That is, the charge-generating device may be operable to provide a signal indicative of a flow rate of a fluid within the conduit. As such, a signal from the charge-generating device may be used to supplement (or in some instances even replace) one or more components of the metering apparatus.

[0049] The metering system may operate in a plurality of modes.

[0050] In a first mode, the charge-generating device may be operable to provide the signal indicative of a consumption of a metered resource. In the first mode, the metering system may determine an amount of a resource, e.g. an amount of the resource consumed, based on the signal.

[0051] In a second mode, the charge-generating device may be operable to power the circuit for storing and / or communicating data corresponding to a metered amount of fluid.

[0052] The metering system may be configured to transition between the first mode and second mode periodically, and / or based upon a level of charge stored in the charge-storage device.

[0053] The metering apparatus may be configured to meter the flow of the fluid along the conduit based, at least in part, upon an intensity and / or frequency of the acoustic vibration sensed by the charge-generating device.

[0054] In examples, vibrations (which may be detectable as an acoustic tone) generated by the flow of fluid in the conduit may increase in intensity with increasing flow velocity. Similarly, vibrations generated by the flow of fluid in the conduit may additionally and / or alternatively increase in frequency with increasing flow velocity. As such, a variation in an intensity and / or frequency of the vibrations may advantageously be used as an indicator of a flow rate of fluid, and therefore as an additional, alternative or supplemental means of metering a consumption of the fluid.

[0055] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of powering a fluid-metering system, the method comprising configuring a chargegenerating device to generate an electrical charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along a first portion of a conduit of the fluid-metering system, wherein the first portion comprises an inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section.

[0056] 14141083-1 According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a fluidmetering system comprising: a conduit for a fluid, the conduit comprising a first portion having an inner surface (e.g. an inner surface profile, size, shape and / or dimension) that induces a vibration in a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the conduit, and a charge-generating device configured to generate an electrical charge from the induced vibration.

[0057] The first portion may comprise an inner surface that periodically varies in crosssection, e.g. in a cross-sectional diameter, profile, size, shape, etc.

[0058] The first portion may be configured to induce hammers, e.g. a knocking effect, and / or cavitation. The first portion may one or more bends. Said bends may induce any or all of: a knocking effect, hammers, cavitation.

[0059] Said knocking, hammers and / or cavitation may induce vibrations in the fluid that may generate an electrical charge from the charge-generating device. Said chargegenerating device may comprise a piezo-electric device, as described above.

[0060] The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting. The disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation. It should be understood that features defined above in accordance with any aspect of the present disclosure or below relating to any specific embodiment of the disclosure may be utilized, either alone or in combination with any other defined feature, in any other aspect or embodiment or to form a further aspect or embodiment of the disclosure.

[0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0063] Figure 1 depicts an example of a fluid-metering system, according to an aspect of the invention;

[0064] Figure 2 depicts a further example of a fluid-metering system, according to an aspect of the invention; and

[0065] Figure s depicts another example of a fluid-metering system, according to an aspect of the invention.

[0066] 14141083-1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0067] Figure 1 depicts an example of a fluid-metering system, according to an aspect of the invention. The system comprises a fluid-meter 100. The fluid-meter 100 comprises a conduit 105 for a fluid. In examples, the fluid may be a liquid such as water.

[0068] The conduit 105 may be, at least in part, in the form of a pipe or hose. For purposes of illustration, the conduit 105 is depicted in cross-section.

[0069] The conduit 105 comprises a first portion 110 having an inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section, e.g., in a cross-sectional size and / or diameter.

[0070] In the depicted example, both an inner and outer surface of the first portion 110 of the conduit 105 periodically varies in cross-section, but it will be appreciated that in other examples falling within the scope of the disclosure an outer surface of the first portion 110 of the conduit 105 may be substantially smooth and without periodic variations.

[0071] In the depicted example, the inner surface of the first portion 110 comprises a plurality of corrugations. That is, the first portion 110 comprises a length of corrugated pipe or tube.

[0072] The fluid-meter 100 comprises an inlet 115 and an outlet 120. In use, a direction of a flow of fluid may be in the direction depicted by the arrow 155, and may flow from the inlet 115 to the outlet 120 via the first portion 110 having the periodically varying cross-section.

[0073] The depicted plurality of corrugations may, in some examples, comprise alternating cavities and / or flat and / or curved regions that may be symmetric about an axis A of the conduit 105. Said axis A may generally correspond to a flow-path of the fluid.

[0074] The depicted plurality of corrugations may induce a vibration in a flow of fluid along the conduit 105. Said vibrations may comprise acoustic vibrations, e.g. vibrations having a frequency components in the range of 20Hz to 20kHz. Said vibrations may comprise ultrasonic vibration, e.g. having a frequency component above an acoustic range of nominal human hearing.

[0075] Also depicted in Figure 1 is a charge-generating device 125.

[0076] The charge-generating device 125 is configured to generate an electrical charge from a vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the

[0077] 14141083-1 conduit 105, e.g. induced by the periodically varying inner surface of the first potion 110 of the conduit 105.

[0078] The charge-generating device 125 may be coupled to the conduit 105. In some examples the charge-generating device 125 may be upstream or downstream of the fluid-meter 100. In the depicted example, the charge-generating device 125 is coupled to the first portion 110 of the conduit 105, e.g. within the fluid-meter 100. In the particular example, the charge-generating device 125 is coupled to an outer surface of the first portion 110 of the conduit 105, but it will be appreciated that in other examples falling within the scope of the disclosure, the charge-generating device 125 may be coupled to an inner surface of the first portion 110 of the conduit 105.

[0079] Advantageously, generating a charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion 110 of the conduit 105 may enable a capacity of a battery within the fluid-meter 100 for operating a metering apparatus 130 and / or communication / storage circuit 135 (described below) to be reduced, thereby potentially reducing costs and size, without sacrificing functionality or performance.

[0080] Also depicted in Figure 1 is a charge-storage device 140. The charge-storage device 140 may be configured to store a charge generated by the charge-generating device 125. In examples, the charge-storage device 140 may comprise a battery, such as a re-chargeable battery. In examples, the charge-storage device 140 may comprise a capacitor. In further examples, the charge-storage device 140 may comprise a plurality of charge-storage devices, for example a capacitor configured to store a charge generated by the charge-generating device 125, which may supplement a charge stored in a battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery.

[0081] Also depicted is the metering apparatus 130. The metering apparatus 130 may comprise, for example, one or more sensors or the like for sensing a rate of a flow of a fluid along the conduit 105. Although the metering apparatus 130 is depicted as disposed within the fluid flow, this is for purposes of illustration only and in other embodiments may be, for example, coupled to a sidewall of the conduit 105. In some examples the metering apparatus 130 may comprise an ultrasonic sensor.

[0082] Also depicted is the circuit 135 for storing and / or communicating data corresponding to a metered amount of fluid. In use, the circuit 135 may receive a signal from the metering apparatus 130. The circuit 135 may comprise communication means 145 for communicating the data corresponding to the metered amount of fluid. As such, the fluid-meter 100 may be configured as a “smart meter”, and may provide advanced

[0083] 14141083-1 functionality, such as control and communications functionality. Communication means 145 may comprise wireless or wired or optical communication means.

[0084] The circuit 135 and / or the metering apparatus 130 may receive a supply of power from the charge-storage device 140. That is, the circuit 135 may be, at least in part, powered by the charge-storage device 140. In some examples, the circuit 135 may be (at least in part) powered directly by a charge generated by the chargegenerating device 125.

[0085] The charge-generating device 125 may comprise a piezo-electric device. In some examples, the charge-generating device 125 may comprises a piezo-electric strip and / or foil. Further examples of configurations of the charge generating device 125 are described below with reference to figures 2 and 3.

[0086] The conduit 105 may be formed from a plastics or other non-metallic material. That is, the conduit 105 may be formed from a relatively flexible material. Advantageously, an increased flexibility of the conduit 105 may make the conduit 105 more prone to induced vibrations than a relatively rigid conduit formed from a metallic material or other relatively rigid material. In some examples, the first portion 110 may be more flexible than adjoining / adjacent portions of the conduit 105.

[0087] The fluid-meter 100 also may comprise a housing 150. In the example of Figure 1 , the first portion 110 of the conduit 105 is provided within the housing 150.

[0088] Advantageously, by having the first portion 110 provided within the housing 150, a complete fluid-meter 100 may be provided that induces the vibrations and also generates the charge, and thereby is not dependent upon an upstream source of vibrations. An upstream source of vibrations may be an unwanted source of noise pollution.

[0089] The fluid-meter 100 may be configured as a water meter.

[0090] The first portion 110 of the conduit 105 may be configured to generate a vibration (or acoustic tone) that varies in intensity and / or frequency in relation to a flow rate of the fluid within the conduit 105. The charge-generating device 125 may be operable as a sensor, such as an acoustic sensor.

[0091] In such examples in addition to generating power for supplying the electrical circuit 135, the charge-generating device 125 may be operable to provide a signal to the circuit 135 that is indicative of a consumption of a metered resource, e.g. water. That is, the charge-generating device 125 may be operable to provide a signal indicative of a flow rate of the fluid within the conduit 105. As such, the signal from the

[0092] 14141083-1 charge-generating device 125 may be used to supplement (or in some instances even replace) one or more components of the metering apparatus 130.

[0093] In the above described example wherein the charge-generating device 125 may be operable to provide a signal indicative of a flow rate of the fluid within the conduit 105, the fluid-meter 100 may operate in a plurality of modes.

[0094] In a first mode, the charge-generating device 125 may be operable to provide the signal indicative of a consumption of a metered resource, such that the fluid-meter 100 may determine an amount of a resource, e.g. an amount of the resource consumed, based on the signal. In yet further examples, the fluid-meter 100 may communicate data corresponding to the signal, such that a determination of the amount of the resource consumed may be made remotely.

[0095] In said example, the metering apparatus 130 may be configured to meter the flow of the fluid along the conduit based, at least in part, upon an intensity and / or frequency of the acoustic vibration sensed by the charge-generating device 125.

[0096] In a second mode, the charge-generating device 125 may be operable to power the circuit 135 for storing and / or communicating data corresponding to a metered amount of fluid. The fluid-meter 100 may be configured to transition between the first mode and second mode periodically, and / or based upon a level of charge stored in the charge-storage device 140.

[0097] Turning now to Figure 2, there is depicted a further example of a fluid-metering system, according to an aspect of the invention. The system comprises a fluid-meter 200. The fluid-meter 200 comprises a conduit 105 for a fluid. In examples, the fluid may be a liquid such as water.

[0098] For purposes of brevity, features of the fluid-meter 200 generally corresponding to like features of the fluid-meter 100 of Figure 1 are marked by reference numerals incremented by 100. For example, the fluid-meter comprises: a conduit 205; the conduit 205 comprises a first portion 210; an inlet 215 and an outlet 220, wherein in use a direction of a flow of fluid may be in the direction depicted by the arrow 255; a charge-generating device 225; a metering apparatus 230; a charge-storage device 240; a circuit 235; a communication means 245; and a housing 250.

[0099] In the depicted example of Figure 2, the inner surface of the first portion 210 comprises a plurality of corrugations. That is, the first portion 210 comprises a length of corrugated pipe or tube.

[0100] Relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduit 205, an upstream edge of each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations comprises a rounded and / or curved edge.

[0101] 14141083-1 Advantageously, a rounded and / or curved edge upstream edge may increase the amplitude of pressure fluctuations induced in the fluid in comparison to sharp edges, thereby increasing an amplitude of the vibrations.

[0102] In the example of Figure 2, the charge-generating device 225 is coupled to a to an inner surface of the first portion 210. As such, in use the charge-generating device 225 is disposed within a flow of the fluid in close proximity to an area of unsteadiness in the flow of the fluid induced by the periodically varying cross-section of the inner surface.

[0103] In the example of Figure 2, the charge-generating device 225 comprises a piezo-electric strip and / or foil. In the example, the piezo-electric strip and / or foil conforms to a shape of the inner surface of the first portion 210.

[0104] Figure 3 depicts an example of a fluid-metering system 300, according to an aspect of the invention.

[0105] The example fluid-metering system 300, comprises a plurality of fluid-meters. In the example, a first fluid-meter 395a and a second fluid-meter 395b are depicted, but it will be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only, and that fewer than or greater than two fluid-meters may be implemented.

[0106] In the example system 300 of figure 3, each fluid-meter 395a, 395b comprises similar features to the above described fluid-meters 100, 200 of Figures 1 and 2. For purposes of brevity, features of the fluid-meters 395a, 395b generally corresponding to like features of the fluid-meters 100, 200 are marked by reference numerals incremented by a further 100. For example, the fluid-meters 395a, 395b comprise: a conduit 305a, 305b; an inlet 315a, 305b and an outlet 320a, 320b, a charge-generating device 325a, 325b; a metering apparatus 330a, 330b; a charge-storage device 340a, 340b; a circuit 335a, 335b; a communication means 345a, 345b; and a housing 350a, 350b.

[0107] A direction of a flow of fluid through the system 300 is depicted by arrows 390a, 390b, 390c 390d.

[0108] In contrast to the fluid-meters 100, 200, the fluid-meters 395a, 395b have a relatively smooth / straight portion comprising the charge-generating devices 325a, 325b. That is, the conduit 305 comprises a substantially constant cross section, i.e. a relatively smooth inner surface, compared to the inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section of Figures 1 and 2.

[0109] 14141083-1 In this system, each conduit 305a, 305b is coupled to a further portion 310 of the conduit. In this example, the further portion is provided upstream of the fluid-meters 395a, 395b relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduits 305a, 305b.

[0110] In this example, a further portion 310 of the conduit that is upstream of the conduits 305a, 305b comprises an inner surface profile that periodically varies in crosssection, e.g., in a cross-sectional size and / or diameter. That is, in the depicted example, the inner surface of the further portion 310 comprises a plurality of corrugations. That is, the further portion 310 comprises a length of corrugated pipe or tube.

[0111] Each charge-generating device 325a, 325b is configured to generate an electrical charge from a vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion 310 of the conduit 305, e.g. induced by the periodically varying inner surface of the first potion 310 of the conduit.

[0112] That is, in this example, the vibrations are generated by a portion of the conduit that is external to a housing 350a, 350b or each fluid-meter 395a, 395b. Advantageously, this may enable a single portion of corrugated conduit to induce vibrations for powering a plurality of fluid-meters coupled to the corrugated conduit, reducing overall system costs and providing a simplified and centralised means for inducing the vibrations.

[0113] Although the disclosure has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosure, which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or illustrated in the present specification may be incorporated in any embodiments, whether alone or in any appropriate combination with any other feature disclosed or illustrated herein.

[0114] 14141083-1 REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0115] 100 fluid-meter 235 circuit

[0116] 105 conduit 240 charge-storage device

[0117] 110 first portion 245 communications means

[0118] 115 inlet 25 250 housing

[0119] 120 outlet 255 arrow

[0120] 125 charge-generating device 300 system

[0121] 130 metering apparatus 305a, 305b conduit

[0122] 135 circuit 310 first portion

[0123] 140 charge-storage device 30 315a, 315b inlet

[0124] 145 communications means 320a, 320b outlet

[0125] 150 housing 325a, 325b charge-generating

[0126] 155 arrow device

[0127] 200 fluid-meter 330a, 330b metering apparatus

[0128] 205 conduit 35 335a, 335b circuit

[0129] 210 first portion 340a, 340b charge-storage device

[0130] 215 inlet 345a, 345b communications means

[0131] 220 outlet 350a, 350b housing

[0132] 225 charge-generating device 390a-d arrow

[0133] 230 metering apparatus 40 395a, 395b fluid-meter

[0134] 14141083-1

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A fluid-metering system comprising: a conduit for a fluid, the conduit comprising a first portion having an inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section; and a charge-generating device configured to generate an electrical charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along the first portion of the conduit.

2. The fluid-metering system of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of alternating cavities.

3. The fluid-metering system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of corrugations.

4. The fluid-metering system of claim 3 wherein, relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduit, an upstream edge of each corrugation of the plurality of corrugations comprises a rounded and / or curved edge.

5. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, comprising a charge storage device, and wherein the charge-storage device is configured to store a charge generated by the charge-generating device.

6. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, comprising a metering apparatus for metering the flow of the fluid along the conduit, wherein the metering apparatus comprises a circuit for storing and / or communicating data corresponding to a metered amount of fluid.

7. The fluid-metering system of claim 6, when dependent upon claim 5, wherein the circuit is, at least in part, powered by the charge storage device.

8. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein the chargegenerating device comprises a piezo-electric device, and optionally wherein the piezo-electric device comprises a piezo-electric strip and / or foil.14141083-19. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein the chargegenerating device is coupled to the inner surface of the first portion.

10. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein: the conduit comprises at least one further portion, the at least one further portion being upstream and / or downstream of the first portion relative to the flow of the fluid along the conduit, wherein the at least one further portion comprises an inner surface having a substantially constant cross section.11 . The fluid-metering system of claim 1 , when dependent upon any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the charge-generating device is coupled to the inner surface(s) of the at least one further portion.

12. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein the conduit is formed from a plastics or another non-metallic material.

13. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim comprising a housing, wherein the first portion of the conduit is provided in the housing.

14. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, configured as a water meter.

15. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the conduit is configured to generate an acoustic vibration (or tone) that varies in intensity and / or frequency in relation to a flow rate of the fluid within the conduit.

16. The fluid-metering system of any preceding claim, wherein the chargegenerating device is operable as an acoustic sensor.

17. The fluid-metering system of claim 16, when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the metering apparatus is configured to meter the flow of the fluid along the conduit based, at least in part, upon an intensity and / or frequency of the acoustic vibration sensed by the charge-generating device.14141083-118. A method of powering a fluid-metering system, the method comprising configuring a charge-generating device to generate an electrical charge from an acoustic vibration induced by a flow of the fluid along a first portion of a conduit of the fluid-metering system, wherein the first portion comprises an inner surface profile that periodically varies in cross-section.14141083-1

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