Capturing data on a flow meter

Abstract

A flow meter is configured for use on a distribution line. These configurations incorporate a backup counter that can record data in absence of power. This counter may supplement a primary indexer that generates a value for corrected volume. In one implementation, the flow meter may include components to foreclose the need for the primary indexer. These components may include a processing unit and power source, for example, an energy harvester that can generate power from the localized area around the device. In this way, the flow meter can operate independent of any fixed power source to generate values for corrected volume, which utilities can use to bill customer for consumption of resources.

Description

13436.06104CAPTURING DATA ON A FLOW METERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 19 / 339,642, filed on September 25, 2025, and entitled “CAPTURING DATA ON A FLOW METER,” which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 63 / 698,682, filed on September 25, 2024, and entitled “GAS METER.” The content of these applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Utility companies deliver a wide range of resources to customers. These resources include fuel gas for heat, hot water, and cooking. It is normal for the utility to install its own equipment, like flow meters, on site or at various locations along distribution lines to generate data that corresponds with flow of the resource. This data may, in turn, find use to calculate values that the utility can leverage to bill customers for consumption of the resource or to manage inventory.

[0003] Gas meters are a type of flow meter with a design meant to measure or “meter” flow of fuel gas. The design is often subject to certain “legal metrology” standards that regulatory bodies promulgate under authority or legal framework of a given country or territory. These standards are in place to ensure the gas meter provides accurate and repeatable values, essentially to protect consumers from inappropriate billing practices.

[0004] Designs for gas meters may make use of mechanical mechanisms to quantify flow of fuel gas. These mechanisms, or “indexers,” may include magnets, for example, a magnet that couples to an impeller that rotates in response to flow and a magnet that couples to a shaft on the indexer. Dials on the indexer tally the volume of gas that flows through the gas meter, typically cubic feet or cubic meters. Magnetic coupling between the magnets converts rotation of the impeller to rotation of the indexer shaft. In one implementation, the indexer may include a set of gears that couple the indexer shaft to the dials. The gear ratio for the gears is set to rotate the dials to give an accurate readout of flow.10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104

[0005] Many standards require these gas meter to account for variables that may impact flow of fuel gas. These variables may include gas temperature, gas pressure, and gas composition, among others. Utilities often measure gas composition at so-called “city gates” found on their gas distribution networks. They may also install a pressure regulator directly upstream of (and in proximity to) the gas meter to ensure the gas flows into the device at a constant pressure. Gas temperature, though, is much less predictable or controllable. As a result, gas meters may include additional parts to measure and account for gas temperature in the field. These parts may embody a bimetal thermometer, for example, that measures temperature of fuel gas on or in proximity to the gas meter. This feature may generate temperature-compensated values of flow because it accounts for mechanical deformation or temperature-related changes to the gear ratio on the indexer. It follows that, as long gas flows at pressure sufficient to rotate the impeller, the gas meter will measure volume of the flow through the meter, creating an essentially “immutable” or “infallible” measure of consumption.

[0006] Advances in technology have led manufacturers to replace the bimetal thermometer with electronics. In some devices, the electronics take the place of the mechanical counter. But while this “electronic” indexer may improve data collection and analysis, it is not without its drawbacks. The device often requires a battery or other power source to energize the working electronic components on the indexer. This feature results in a system that is not “immutable” or “infallible” because many things can disrupt operation of the electronics, including battery failure, removing the battery, or other malfunction that may disrupt power and, thus, prevent proper function of the indexer to properly meter gas flow to the customer.SUMMARY

[0007] The subject matter of this disclosure relates to improvements to flow meters. Of particular interest are embodiments that can record and maintain data even during power loss on the gas meter. These embodiments may employ a “backup” counter that may ensure that data the device collects is complete, even if the device experiences a disruption in power. The backup counter may find use in combination with a mechanical indexer. In this configuration, the mechanical indexer operates as the “main” register of data that, when in use with a bimetal thermometer, can provide “corrected” volume for purposes of billing customers. The backup 10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 counter may also serve to store data on an electronic indexer. In one implementation, the embodiments may employ an energy harvesting loop that does not require an independent power source, like a battery. This loop may generate power intrinsically with the “system,” for example, from pressure of moving fluid, vibrations, thermal gradients and the like. This feature provides a somewhat “infallible” volumetric flow measurement system because both the primary and backup data collection modalities do not depend on any power source that subject to possible disruptions.DRAWINGS

[0008] This specification refers to the following drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram for an exemplary embodiment of flow meter;

[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of flow meter of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of flow meter of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of flow meter of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of flow meter of FIG. 4; and

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of flow meter of FIG. 4.

[0015] These drawings and any description herein represent examples that may disclose or explain the invention. The examples include the best mode and enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The drawings are not to scale unless the discussion indicates otherwise. Elements in the examples may appear in one or more of the several views or in combinations of the several views. The drawings may use like reference characters to designate identical or corresponding elements. Methods are exemplary only and may be modified by, for example, reordering, adding, removing, and / or altering individual steps or stages. The specification may identify such stages, as well as any parts, components, elements, or functions, in the singular with the word “a” or “an;” however, this should not exclude plural of any such designation, unless the specification explicitly recites or explains such exclusion. Likewise, any references to “one10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 embodiment” or “one implementation” does not exclude the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features.DESCRIPTION

[0016] The discussion now turns to describe features of the examples shown in the drawings noted above. These examples may embody mechanical or electronic flow meters that are configured to generate flow measurement data. The proposed designs, though, may leverage energy found at its localized system to maintain power on the device. These features may alleviate concerns that operators (like utilities) may have that loss of power on the flow meter will disrupt data collection consistent with flow of material through the device. Other embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of a flow meter 100. This example is shown as part of a gas distribution network 102 that transfers material 104 through conduits 106. A pressure regulator 108 may regulate pressure upstream of the flow meter 100. The flow meter 100 may include a gas metering unit 110, shown here with a meter body 112 that couples with the conduit 104. The meter body 112 may enclose a moveable element 114, like impellers or a diaphragm. An indexer 116 may couple with the moveable element 114. In one implementation, the flow meter 100 may include a backup counter 118.

[0018] The flow meter 100 may be configured to measure or “meter” flow of fluid. These configurations may embody rotary meters or positive displacement meters. These types of meters often find use in residential and commercial settings to quantify use of resources, like water or fuel gas. As noted herein, it is important for the meter to accurately record and store data that corresponds with flow.

[0019] The distribution network 102 may be configured to disseminate resources from one point to another. These configurations are useful to supply material 104, for example, to customers within a location, or also simply to allow for “custody” transfer of material 104 from one storage tank to another. The material 104 may be fuel gas (like natural gas); but the flow meter 100 may also find use with water or other fluids, solids, or solid-fluid mixes. The conduit 106 may embody 10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 pipes or pipelines that are compatible with the material 104. These pipes may form parts of a system that covers vast areas of towns or cities with hundreds or thousands of customers.

[0020] The pressure regulator 108 may be configured to control pressure of flow of the material 104. These configurations may include mechanics that responds to changes in pressure downstream of the device. These mechanics are arranged for the device to maintain flow into the flow meter 100 at a constant or consistent pressure, regardless of variations in pressure of flow upstream of the device or demand downstream of the device.

[0021] The gas metering unit 110 may be configured to attach to the distribution network 102. These configurations may generate data that defines consumption of material 106. The meter body 112 may comprise machined or cast metals often with an interior cavity (or flow path) that terminates at flanged openings. The conduits 106 can secure to these flanged openings. The moveable element 114 may reside in the interior cavity. In use, flow of material 106 may impinge on the moveable element 114, causing it to move. Example of moveable element 114 may include rotating impellers or a translating diaphragm.

[0022] The indexer 116 may be configured to record this movement. These configurations may embody devices that couple with the moveable element 114, typically by way of non-contact modalities, like magnets, ultrasonics, or piezoelectric elements. These devices may include mechanics, like gears and dials, that can convert rotation of impellers or translation of the diaphragm into a value for volumetric flow. In one implementation, the device may leverage electronics in place of these mechanics. This type of device, or “electronic” indexer, may include hardware that can generate electrical signals, or pulses, consistent with movement of the moveable element 114. Computing hardware on the electronic indexer may, in turn, record these pulses into memory and, where applicable, include processing to generate the value for volumetric flow.

[0023] The back-up counter 118 may be configured to concurrently record information that corresponds with movement of the moveable element 114. These configurations may embody devices that can generate their own power or energy, for example, in the form of electronic or electrical signals. As a result, the devices can record (or store) information without external power or any additional external energy stimulation. This feature is important because the back-up10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 counter 118 can maintain a record of data that might be lost due to mechanical failures or in absence of power at the “primary” indexer 116, which may use TMR sensor technology. Utilities may then provide customers with a precise accounting of consumption in lieu of problems that may arise in the field that are outside of their control.

[0024] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of another example of the flow meter 100 of FIG. 1. The backup counter 118 may include a non-contact sensor 120, for example, a Weigand sensor. A count recorder may couple with the non-contact sensor 120. The count recorder may comprise a counter 122 and a memory 124. These components are useful to record (and store) a signal Si from the non-contact sensor 120. The signal Si may embody electronic “pulses” consistent with rotation of magnets or other techniques of the type in use for non-contact sensor 120. These techniques register movement of moveable element 114 in response to flow of material 104. Of note is that the count recorder 122, 124 can maintain data on memory 124 using only power from the signal Si. In one implementation, a connection 126 may couple a count reader 128 to the counter recorder 122, 124. The connection 126 may leverage wired or wireless technology that allow for signals to transmit or exchange between devices, and particularly those devices noted herein. The count reader 128 may embody a portable device or may integrate into a computing device like a laptop or computer. In one implementation, the count reader 128 may generate a signal S2 that transits the connection 126 to the count recorder 122, 124. The signal S2 may stimulate or energize the count recorder 122, 124 for it to transmit a data signal C that corresponds with pulses Si that are stored in memory 124. The count reader 128 may process the incoming data signal C, for example, to generate an output O. Examples of the output O may correspond with a value for volumetric flow of material 106 that transits the meter body 112. This value may define an “uncorrected volume” that does not account for external variables or other gas flow dynamics.

[0025] FIG. 3 also depicts a schematic diagram an example of the flow meter 100 of FIG. 2. The count reader 128 may include hardware for wireless communication with the count recorder 122, 124. This hardware may leverage short-range wireless communication protocols, like near field communication (NFC) technology. This technology may require a stationary NFC tag (NFCi) that is part of or couples with the count recorder 122, 124. A separate NFC reader (NFC2) 10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 my reside on a mobile device MD, like a smart phone or tablet. The combination of the NFC devices NFCi, NFC2 in proximity to one another can generate the signal S2 that may energize the count recorder 122, 124 to transmit the data signal C. The mobile device Momay include software that can process this data and generate values for the uncorrected volume noted above.

[0026] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of another example of the flow meter 100 of FIG. 1. The count reader 128 may include a processing unit 130 with computing components, like a processor 132 and memory 134. The computing components 132, 134 may integrate into a single, integrated circuit (IC), as desired. As shown, the processing unit 130 may couple with a sensor 136, which can provide data about parameter(s) in proximity to the flow meter 100. These parameters may include gas temperature, gas pressure, and the like. In one implementation, the processing unit 132, 134 may generate signals S2, S3. The first signal S2may stimulate or energize the count recorder 122, 124 to transmit the data signal C as noted above. A second signal S3 may stimulate or energize the sensor 136 to generate the parameter P, for example, a temperature for material 104 in proximity to the meter body 112. The processing unit 130 can use the parameter P to generate a value for volumetric flow, which in this case may define “corrected” volume because it accounts for temperature (or other parameters). This feature may supplant the need for any “primary” counter (for example indexer 116 in FIGS. 1, 2, or 3) in the design. In one implementation, an energy source 138 may provide a signal S4 to the processing unit 130 as necessary for it to perform its functions. Examples of the energy source 138 may embody a battery, although this disclosure contemplates that a power generating source, including renewable modalities like wind or solar, may prevail as well. In use, the signal S4 may be sufficient to energize a display D or a communication unit COM, like an antenna, modem, data port, among others. The display D may provide end users with access to data, functions, and other features of the flow meter 100. The communication unit COM may find use to transmit the output O, for example, over a network or via an insertable cable that connects to an ancillary device (e.g., a laptop). However, use of the energy source 138 makes the flow meter 100 only partially “infallible” because, if power from the energy source 138 is absent, the device cannot stimulate sensor 136 for data that is necessary to generate values for corrected volume. The count recorder10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104122, 124 maintains a backup set of data, however, that utilities can access for purposes of understanding consumption during the absence of power from the energy source 138.

[0027] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of the flow meter 100 of FIG. 4 with details of an exemplary alternative power generating feature. The power source 138 may include an energy harvester 140 that may extract energy from various sources, for example, flow, vibration, parameter gradients, and the like. This example is somewhat “infallible” to the extent that it can extract power from the localized “system” and does not rely on potentially volatile power sources, like batteries that may become fully discharged or damaged at some time. In one implementation, the energy harvester 140 may embody a turbine that resides in the flow, or other devices that operate on pressure loss at the pressure regulator 108, that operate on temperature difference (like a vortex tube), that operate as a fluid “generator” (like a dynamo), that operate in response to vibration of parts or pipes, among others. Notably, it is important that the energy harvester 140 not disturb the nominal functions of the gas meter 100. This feature may require the energy harvester 140 to take or remove energy directly from components of the gas meter 100 in a way that the gas meter 100 continues to meet industry requirements, for example, requirements for allowed differential pressure across the meter body 112. In one implementation, an energy condenser 142 may receive electrical signals from the energy harvester 140. This device may include energy “stores,” like batteries, capacitors, super capacitors, or like energy storage devices. The stores may accumulate energy over time, for example, as the energy harvester 140 generates power in response to flow of material 104. In use, initial demand for material 104 will cause flow through the meter body 112 that will stimulate both the back-up counter 118 (through the W eigand sensor 120) and the energy harvester 140 to generate signals Si, Ss. The back-up counter 118 will, in turn, store data in memory 124. The energy condenser 142 will accumulate “charge” until it reaches a threshold power level for it generate and to transmit the signal S4. At that point, the signal S4 will energize the processing unit 130 to transmit power signals S2, S3 to gather data C, P from the backup counter 118 and the temperature sensor 136, respectively. The processing unit 130 may then process the data C, P to generate the values for corrected volume (at output O).

[0028] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of another example of the flow meter 100 of FIG. 4. This example includes a second processing unit 144 that may couple with the first processing10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 unit 130. The second processing unit 144 may include computing components (e.g., processor 146 and memory 148). The display D may help to visualize data or provide an end user with access to functions on the device. The second processing unit 144 may require a second energy source 150 that can provide a signal Se to energize the computing components 146, 148, as well as the display D. In one implementation, the first processing unit 130 may generate the signals S2, S3 at or around the same time. This feature is useful to gather counts C and parameter P (e.g., temperature or pressure) for use to calculate values for corrected volumetric flow. The second processing unit 144 may, on the other hand, generate the signal Svless frequently than the power signals S2, S3. Rather, the first processing unit 130 can store the values for corrected volumetric flow in memory 134, for example, every 30 seconds or 1 minute. The second processing unit 144 may then generate the signal S7 every 60 minutes (or longer) to stimulate or energize the first processing unit 130 to transmit the values for “corrected” volume (as output O).

[0029] This specification may include and contemplate other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. These other examples fall within the scope of the claims, for example, if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.10517707 1 : 13436-06103

Claims

13436.06104CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A gas meter, comprising: a meter body having a moveable element therein; a primary counter coupled to the moveable element, the primary counter configured to provide a value for volumetric flow of fluid that transits the meter body; and a secondary counter coupled to the moveable element, the secondary counter configured to generate and store data that corresponds with movement of the moveable element.

2. The gas meter of claim 1, wherein the secondary counter comprises a Weigand sensor.

3. The gas meter of claim 1, wherein the wherein the secondary counter comprises a Weigand sensor and a count recorder that is energized by pulses from the Weigand sensor to store data that corresponds with the pulses.

4. The gas meter of claim 1, further comprising: a count reader coupled to the count recorder, wherein the count reader generates a power signal that energizes the count recorder to transmit data.

5. A gas meter, comprising: a meter body having a moveable element therein; a count recorder coupled the moveable element; and a first processing unit coupled to the count recorder,10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 wherein the first processing unit is configured to transmit a first power signal to the count recorder that causes the count recorder to transmit a count to the first processing unit that corresponds with movement of the moveable element therein.

6. The gas meter of claim 5, wherein the first processing unit is configured to calculate a value for corrected volumetric flow.

7. The gas meter of claim 5, further comprising: a sensor coupled to the first processing unit, wherein the first processing unit is configured to transmit a second power signal to the sensor that causes the sensor to transmit a parameter to the first processing unit that corresponds with flow of fluid through the meter body.

8. The gas meter of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

9. The gas meter of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor and wherein the first processing unit is configured to use temperature from the temperature sensor to calculate a value for corrected volumetric flow.

10. The gas meter of claim 5, further comprising: an energy source coupled to the first processing unit, wherein the energy source is configured to transmit a third power signal to the first processing unit, and wherein the third power signal stimulates the first processing unit to generate both the first power signal and the second power signal.10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.0610411 . The gas meter of claim 5, further comprising: an energy source coupled to the first processing unit, the energy source comprising an energy harvester, wherein the energy harvester is configured to transmit a third power signal to the first processing unit in response to flow of fluid, and wherein the third power signal stimulates the first processing unit to generate both the first power signal and the second power signal.

12. The gas meter of claim 5, further comprising: an energy source coupled to the first processing unit, the energy source comprising an energy harvester and an energy condenser coupled with the energy source, wherein the energy harvester is configured to transmit a third power signal to the energy harvester in response to flow of fluid, wherein the energy condenser is configured to store the third power signal in an energy store, and wherein the energy condenser is configured to transmit a fourth power signal in response to the store reaching a threshold energy value.

13. A system, comprising: a gas meter coupled to a pipe that carries material; a counter coupled to the gas meter, the counter configured to store data that corresponds to flow of fluid through the gas meter; a processing unit coupled to the counter; and an energy source coupled to the processing unit,10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.06104 wherein the energy source is configured to generate power in response to energy present in said system, and wherein power from the energy source stimulates the processing unit to provide power to the counter and, in response, the counter transmits a count to the first processing unit that corresponds with flow of fluid through the gas meter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the energy source comprises an energy harvester that generate power concomitantly with flow through the gas meter.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the energy source accumulates charge in response to flow through the gas meter and generates power in response to charge above a threshold energy level.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a sensor coupled to the processing unit, where the processing unit uses data from the sensor to calculate a value for corrected volumetric flow through the gas meter.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a sensor coupled to the processing unit, where the processing unit uses temperature from the sensor to calculate a value for corrected volumetric flow through the gas meter, and wherein power the processing unit provides power to the sensor and, in response, the sensor transmits data to the processing unit.10517707 1 : 13436-0610313436.0610418. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a temperature sensor coupled to the processing unit, where the processing unit uses temperature from the temperature sensor to calculate a value for corrected volumetric flow through the gas meter, and wherein power the processing unit provides power to the temperature sensor and, in response, the temperature sensor transmits temperature to the processing unit.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the gas meter comprises a rotary gas meter.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the gas meter comprises a positive displacement meter.10517707 1 : 13436-06103

Images