A method for determining fluid consumption that includes: detecting, by a fluid meter mounted on an exterior of a pipe containing fluid, a first time of flight between a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer; detecting, by the fluid meter, a second time of flight between the second ultrasonic transducer and the first ultrasonic transducer; determining a time of flight difference between the first time of flight and the second time of flight; determining a volumetric flow rate based on an environmental correction parameter and the time of flight difference, the first time of flight, and the second time of flight, wherein the environmental correction parameter accounts for installation positioning of the fluid meter relative to the exterior of the pipe and a material of the pipe; and generating a fluid volume consumption total for fluid flowing through the pipe based on the volumetric flow rate.

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 monitor can include a controllable valve and a diverter that can accommodate a plurality of different types of sensors. 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.

Described and shown is a method for operating a flowmeter (1) having a measuring tube (2), wherein the flow (d) of a medium (4) through the measuring tube (2) is measured. A continuous dwell time of the measured flow (d) greater than or equal to a flow threshold (d.sub.s) is assigned to a flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) and a flow volume (V.sub.1, V.sub.2) is determined from the measured flow (d) in the flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2). In each case, a continuous dwell time of the measured flow (d) less than the flow threshold (d.sub.s) is assigned to a zero flow interval (t.sub.N,1). In each case, a deviation volume of the flow volume (V.sub.1, V.sub.2) in one of the flow intervals (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) from a reference flow volume is determined and the deviation volume is compared to a threshold deviation volume. If the deviation volume in one of the flow intervals (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) is less than the threshold deviation volume, a zero flow through the measuring tube (2) is determined and compensated using the measured flow (d) in the zero flow interval (t.sub.N,1) directly preceding the flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2).

Described and shown is a method for operating a flowmeter (1) having a measuring tube (2), wherein the flow (d) of a medium (4) through the measuring tube (2) is measured. A continuous dwell time of the measured flow (d) greater than or equal to a flow threshold (d.sub.s) is assigned to a flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) and a flow volume (V.sub.1, V.sub.2) is determined from the measured flow (d) in the flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2). In each case, a continuous dwell time of the measured flow (d) less than the flow threshold (d.sub.s) is assigned to a zero flow interval (t.sub.N,1). In each case, a deviation volume of the flow volume (V.sub.1, V.sub.2) in one of the flow intervals (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) from a reference flow volume is determined and the deviation volume is compared to a threshold deviation volume. If the deviation volume in one of the flow intervals (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2) is less than the threshold deviation volume, a zero flow through the measuring tube (2) is determined and compensated using the measured flow (d) in the zero flow interval (t.sub.N,1) directly preceding the flow interval (t.sub.D,1, t.sub.D,2).

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 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 meter includes a hermetically encapsulated electronic metering mechanism having a meter unit for the determination of meter readings, the metering mechanism including a data memory for storing the meter readings, and the metering unit including an antenna of a defined shape, and a readout unit arranged outside the metering mechanism for reading the meter readings from the data memory. The meter is operated according to a method for the determination of meter readings and for the wireless transmission of electrical energy. The shape of the readout unit antenna is identical to the shape of the metering unit antenna, wherein the congruent and predefined positioning of the readout unit antenna ensures an effective wireless energy supply to the metering unit by electromagnetic radiation through the readout unit, and, independently thereof, a stable wireless data coupling for the determination of meter readings between the metering unit and the readout unit.

A uni-directional drive gear includes a plurality of teeth each pivotably mounted on a mounting seat to be turned between driving and idle positions so as to permit the gear to rotate in a uni-rotational direction. A gear transmission device having the uni-directional drive gear can be configured to perform different transmissions to suit a wide variety of requirements.

A uni-directional drive gear includes a plurality of teeth each pivotably mounted on a mounting seat to be turned between driving and idle positions so as to permit the gear to rotate in a uni-rotational direction. A gear transmission device having the uni-directional drive gear can be configured to perform different transmissions to suit a wide variety of requirements.

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.