A flowmeter system that includes a flowmeter body defining a central bore. A plurality of flanges couple to the flowmeter body. The flowmeter body and the plurality of flanges form a one-piece structure without welded joints. A rotor within the central bore of the flowmeter body. A first vane within the central bore of the flowmeter body. The first vane couples to and supports the rotor within the flowmeter body. The flowmeter body, the flanges, the rotor, and the first vane comprise additive structures.

The present invention is a water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring displaying the water and water energy (hot vs. ambient) use within a residential or commercial building. The water use monitor apparatus includes a power generation, a microprocessor, temperature and water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, timing circuits, wireless circuitry, and a display means. A wired or wireless means is designed to electronically communicate water use, water energy use and/or water quality information to a remotely located display apparatus or typical cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus for convenient observation by a commercial, operator or occupier, resident, municipal or government agency.

An apparatus having an impeller for measuring a property of a fluid in a wellbore, wherein an effective density of the impeller is substantially not greater than a density of the fluid. The apparatus is operable within a fluid flowing in a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, thereby measuring a property of the flowing fluid.

In accordance with one embodiment, a machine for generating electrical energy comprises a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing. An impeller has blades for rotation with the shaft in response to receipt of material from a chute. A first generator assembly comprises first stator windings associated with the housing and a first magnet affixed to the shaft, such that if the impeller rotates an electromagnetic signal energizes the first stator windings based on the flow of material through the chute.

In accordance with one embodiment, a machine for generating electrical energy comprises a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing. An impeller has blades for rotation with the shaft in response to receipt of material from a chute. A first generator assembly comprises first stator windings associated with the housing and a first magnet affixed to the shaft, such that if the impeller rotates an electromagnetic signal energizes the first stator windings based on the flow of material through the chute.

Embodiments of systems and methods are provided to monitor operation of a compound water meter comprising a low flow meter and a high flow meter. In the disclosed embodiments, a first sensor package is coupled to the low flow meter to generate a first set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the low flow meter, and a second sensor package is coupled to the high flow meter to generate a second set of sensor data for monitoring operation of the high flow meter. The first and second sensor packages may each include, e.g., an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and a vibration sensor. In the disclosed embodiments, the first and second sets of sensor data are analyzed to detect various potential problems within the compound water meter, such as a register failure, a crossover failure, a measurement failure, a bypass open condition and/or an incorrect flow meter size.

The present invention provides an apparatus adapted to survey a predetermined characteristic within a body of fluid adjacent an axis that transects the body of fluid, the apparatus comprising: a survey member interposed between first and second position defining arrangements; and at least one instrumentality associated with the survey member, each instrumentality adapted to survey the predetermined characteristic of the body of fluid adjacent the axis, wherein a survey of the predetermined characteristic is conducted over a predetermined time period. The present invention provides a method of surveying a predetermined characteristic within a body of fluid adjacent an axis that transects the body of fluid, the method comprising the steps of: deploying into a body of fluid at least one apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; and obtaining survey data of the predetermined characteristic from one or more of the instrumentalities over the predetermined time period. The present invention also provides methods of determining whether a potentially suitable site is a suitable site for operative location of a fluid-based electricity generator, and other related methods.

A flow meter system and method are provided for monitoring gas flow in a conduit. The flow meter system includes a plurality of components including: a sensor for sensing a flow rate of the gas flow; a communication device for transmitting information corresponding to the sensed flow rate to a remote device; an energy harvesting device for producing electrical energy from the gas flow to power operation of the communication device or other component of the flow meter system; and an energy storage device for storing electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting device.

A system for measuring a flow rate of a fluid containing liquid includes a body in which the fluid flows, at least one rotor configured to be rotated by the fluid, and a device for measuring a rotation speed of the rotor. The measuring device includes an optical module configured to transmit an incident light radiation on vanes of the rotor, in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor and receive a reflected light radiation coming from the vanes. The measuring device further includes a conversion module configured to determine the rotation speed of the rotor according to the reflected light radiation and determine the flow rate of the fluid.

A system includes sensors for monitoring signals, and a processing system executes one or more methods for identification of system events, from the signals, corresponding to state changes and performance of the system and/or its subcomponents. Event identification is performed with classification and/or other machine learning algorithms, with generation of novel training data sets. The sensor(s) can also be used to determine power consumption information about the system and/or its subcomponents. The system processes event-associated outputs for execution of actions for improving system performance, along with other downstream applications.