A positive displacement metering system measures the rate of travel of a free piston in a cylinder of known volume to determine the flow rate of a fluid out of the cylinder. The system may also measure and record the inlet and outlet pressures or the differential pressure between the fluid inlet and outlet. The control program positions a four-way valve which may function as an adjustable metering orifice in response to the measured flow rate and/or changes in the inlet and outlet pressures to achieve the desired flow rate. At the end of each stroke, the four-way valve is repositioned to reverse fluid flow through the metering cylinder. The system may revise the valve position settings for both forward and reverse strokes based on the measured time required for a full stroke of the piston within the cylinder at a certain valve position or a measured rate of movement of the free piston.

Gas meter and center device are provided. Gas meter includes flow rate measurer that measures a flow rate of gas in time series. Center device receives and analyzes flow rate data from gas meter, and monitors states of use of gas appliances. Gas meter detects the start of operation of gas appliances, and transmits flow rate data during predetermined periods before and after the start of operation in accordance with a request from center device. Center device monitors the states of use of gas appliances based on the received flow rate data.

A water consumption meter for animals allowing a precise measurement of fluids entering an attached water vessel. The materials and design of the meter allow the meter to endure freezing events and function properly after such freezing events. The meter has internal vanes set at a particular angle that contribute to a more accurate measurement of the liquid being consumed by the animal. The water consumption meter can include a rotational member with angled vanes that assist in a more accurate measurement of the water entering and exiting the meter.

A method for operating a flowmeter having at least one diagnostic unit, a counter unit and a storage unit with at least one memory for carrying out a plurality of time-limited measuring operations during which the counter unit determines at least the overall volume of a fluid passing through the flowmeter during one measuring operation. The counter unit is operated for the duration of a time-limited measuring operation, and the diagnostic unit recognizes at least one erroneous or error-free state of the flowmeter. The method ensures a particularly high reliability of the measured values determined during an individual measuring operation by the diagnostic unit generating at least one status message based on the state that is transmitted to the storage unit and stored in the memory, and by several status messages being transmitted and cumulatively stored in the memory at least for the duration of the measuring operation.

Present embodiments include steps and system components for establishing geographic zones determined by population, terrain, terrain composition, water table, and other factors, in terms of the propensity within the zone for generating wastewater and the effect of the generated wastewater on combined sewer system capacity. Such steps and system components include the application of an algorithm for generating and transmitting permissions packets to consumer and industrial users of wastewater-generating appliances and machines, whereby a permission packet notifies such users of the need to discontinue wastewater-generating activities.

Present embodiments include steps and system components for establishing geographic zones determined by population, terrain, terrain composition, water table, and other factors, in terms of the propensity within the zone for generating wastewater and the effect of the generated wastewater on combined sewer system capacity. Such steps and system components include the application of an algorithm for generating and transmitting permissions packets to consumer and industrial users of wastewater-generating appliances and machines, whereby a permission packet notifies such users of the need to discontinue wastewater-generating activities.

The invention relates to a counter for coupling to a measuring mechanism of a fluid meter, wherein an output of measuring mechanism gear is in operative engagement with a gear on the side of the counter, the gear on the counter being designed to adapt to the rotational direction of the measuring mechanism by means of a change wheel. The invention also relates to a counter, which can be connected to a modular base plate system via a mechanical interface, wherein the base plates of this system can be designed having differently arranged detent or engagement elements.

A water usage monitor can include a housing having a fluid flow path, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path, and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. The housing can include a dry housing interior fluidly isolated from the fluid flow path. The monitor preferably includes a power generator configured to generate a voltage when fluid flows through the fluid flow path and at least one sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. The monitor can include a signal generator configured transmit signals from the power generator and from the at least one sensor to a remote processor. The power generator can be configured to power both the at least one sensor and the signal generator in response to fluid flow through the fluid flow path.

A water usage monitor can include a housing having a fluid flow path, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path, and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. The housing can include a dry housing interior fluidly isolated from the fluid flow path. The monitor preferably includes a power generator configured to generate a voltage when fluid flows through the fluid flow path and at least one sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. The monitor can include a signal generator configured transmit signals from the power generator and from the at least one sensor to a remote processor. The power generator can be configured to power both the at least one sensor and the signal generator in response to fluid flow through the fluid flow path.

A water usage monitor can include a housing having a fluid flow path, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path, and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. The housing can include a dry housing interior fluidly isolated from the fluid flow path. The monitor preferably includes a power generator configured to generate a voltage when fluid flows through the fluid flow path and at least one sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. The monitor can include a signal generator configured transmit signals from the power generator and from the at least one sensor to a remote processor. The power generator can be configured to power both the at least one sensor and the signal generator in response to fluid flow through the fluid flow path.