A flow meter is disclosed. The flow meter can include a housing that has a cavity. The flow meter can also include a deformable tube that is disposed in the cavity. The deformable tube can comprise a portion of a flow path of a fluid substance. The flow meter can further include a cam that is rotatably coupled to the housing. A portion of the cam is configured to press against a portion of the collapsible tube so as to deform the portion of the collapsible tube. The cam can be configured to rotate in response to a flow of the fluid substance in the flow path.

A volume fraction meter that includes a flow meter coupled to a flow line. The flow line includes a turned portion and the flow meter is positioned upstream from the turned portion with respect to a flow direction. The flow meter is configured to measure a volumetric flow rate of a multiphase fluid flowing in the flow direction through the flow line. The flow line includes a nozzle opening downstream the turned portion. The volume fraction meter also includes a strain gauge coupled to the flow line between the flow meter and the turned portion of the flow line. The strain gauge is configured to measure a bending strain on the flow line upon discharge of the multiphase fluid through the nozzle opening, such that the bending strain and the volumetric flow-rate provide inputs for determining a mixture density of the multiphase fluid.

A method for controlling a device using a shape-memory alloy wire is disclosed. The method includes determining an ontime for the shape-memory alloy wire based on a target volume to be pumped by a pump plunger, determining the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire and adjusting the ontime based on the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire.

A method for controlling a device using a shape-memory alloy wire is disclosed. The method includes determining an ontime for the shape-memory alloy wire based on a target volume to be pumped by a pump plunger, determining the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire and adjusting the ontime based on the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire.

A system for monitoring flow conditions of fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump. The system includes at least one solenoid pump comprising a solenoid coil, which, when energized, produces a stroke of the solenoid pump, at least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump wherein the at least one solenoid pump pumps fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke, at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump, at least one current sensor for sensing the current flow through the solenoid coil and producing an output of the sensed current flow, and a control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluids through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and for monitoring the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor, wherein the control logic subsystem uses the measured current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.

A system for estimating fluid flow in a system including a pump and a fluid vessel operatively coupled to the pump via a conduit is described herein. The system comprises an accelerometer affixed to an exterior surface of the conduit, wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate signals representing physical movement of the conduit, and wherein the signals are suitable for estimating fluid flow in the conduit.

The invention relates to a device and method for measuring the flow rate of a liquid flowing in a flow duct, from upstream to downstream, in which: a shutter member (4) is able to close/open said flow duct (3), a deformable membrane (5) obstructs an opening (6) made through the wall of said flow duct and situated upstream of said shutter member, and an electronic device (100) comprises a detection means (101) that detects deformations of said deformable membrane (5) and is able to deliver deformation signals, a means (112) that controls said shutter member (4), a means (112) that takes readings of the values of at least two deformation signals that are separated by a predetermined time period, established when the solenoid valve (4) is closed, and a calculation means that calculates a liquid volume depending on the read deformation signals and in order to calculate a flow rate depending on said calculated volume and the predetermined time period.

A system for monitoring flow conditions of fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump. The system includes at least one solenoid pump comprising a solenoid coil, which, when energized, produces a stroke of the solenoid pump, at least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump wherein the at least one solenoid pump pumps fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke, at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump, at least one current sensor for sensing the current flow through the solenoid coil and producing an output of the sensed current flow, and a control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluids through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and for monitoring the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor, wherein the control logic subsystem uses the measured current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.

A flow computing apparatus includes: a first computation controller; a second computation controller; and an access controller, wherein the first computation controller: computes a flow rate of a fluid from sensor data indicating a state of the fluid; and generates transaction information indicating the flow rate of the fluid, the second computation controller computes a management index related to supply of the fluid based on at least a part of the sensor data or index values computed during the computation of the flow rate of the fluid by the first computation controller, and the access controller restricts at least a change in a function of the first computation controller.

A flow computing apparatus includes: a first computation controller; a second computation controller; and an access controller, wherein the first computation controller: computes a flow rate of a fluid from sensor data indicating a state of the fluid; and generates transaction information indicating the flow rate of the fluid, the second computation controller computes a management index related to supply of the fluid based on at least a part of the sensor data or index values computed during the computation of the flow rate of the fluid by the first computation controller, and the access controller restricts at least a change in a function of the first computation controller.