A gas-flow indicator has an elongate housing defining a gas flow chamber between first and second ends, with an annular indicator within the chamber from the first end over part of the length enabling gas to pass along a bore through the indicator. The indicator is spaced from a sidewall of the housing, defining an annular space. A concealment member is movable from the first end by gas flow through the chamber, against a biasing towards the first end and has a skirt receivable into the space to seal at the first end, while the other end of the concealment member defines an opening resisting gas flow. The skirt is hold-able to conceal the indicator at a housing window. Increasing gas flow achieves pressure to overcome the bias, and the concealment member moves towards the second end, exposing the indicator member through the window, to indicate gas flow.

A water meter reading device having a piston (503) or a membrane (527) that moves with the pressure changes of the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network is disclosed. The movement charges a capacitor (704) with electric energy released for reading the water meter. This makes it possible to realize the system without a battery, as the electricity needed for reading the water meter, and communicating the water meter reading to the water company, is used at the same moment that the electricity is generated. This also has the consequence that the water meter readings occur at the same time as the pressure changes in the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network.

A gas-flow indicator has an elongate housing defining a gas flow chamber between first and second ends, with an annular indicator within the chamber from the first end over part of the length enabling gas to pass along a bore through the indicator. The indicator is spaced from a sidewall of the housing, defining an annular space. A concealment member is movable from the first end by gas flow through the chamber, against a biasing towards the first end and has a skirt receivable into the space to seal at the first end, while the other end of the concealment member defines an opening resisting gas flow. The skirt is hold-able to conceal the indicator at a housing window. Increasing gas flow achieves pressure to overcome the bias, and the concealment member moves towards the second end, exposing the indicator member through the window, to indicate gas flow.

A vortex flow includes a flowtube configured to receive a flow of process fluid. A shedder bar is disposed within the flowtube and is configured to generate vortices in the flow of process fluid. A vortex sensor is disposed to sense vortices in the flow of process fluid generated by the shedder bar. Measurement electronics are operably coupled to the vortex sensor and are configured to detect an analog signal of the vortex sensor and provide a digital indication relative to the analog signal of the vortex sensor. A processor is configured to receive the digital indication and calculate velocity of the process fluid flow based on a frequency of the digital indication. The processor is also configured to measure an amplitude of the digital indication and estimate density of the process fluid based on the measured amplitude. The processor is further configured to determine a fluid type based on the measured amplitude and assign a unit of flow corresponding to the calculated velocity to a fluid totalizer corresponding to the detected fluid type.

Apparatus for determining a measurement error of a displacement volumetric meter, the meter having bellows which in use expand and contract to transmit a fluid. The apparatus including a transducer operable to detect movement of the bellows and to generate a signal which varies in accordance with the movement of the bellows; and a computing device in communication with the transducer so as to receive the signal therefrom, the computing device being operable to determine a flow rate of fluid through the meter based on the signal, and to determine a measurement error of the meter based on the determined flow rate. A corresponding method, meter monitoring device and meter measurement error determining device are also disclosed.

A water meter reading device having a piston (503) or a membrane (527) that moves with the pressure changes of the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network. The movement charges a capacitor (704) with electric energy released for reading the water meter. This makes it possible to realize the system without a battery, as the electricity needed for reading the water meter, and communicating the water meter reading to the water company, is used at the same moment that the electricity is generated. This also has the consequence that the water meter readings occur at the same time as the pressure changes in the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network.

A wheel, in particular a counting wheel for a meter, includes a bearing bush and a wheel rim. The bearing bush and the wheel rim are produced from different materials. The bearing bush and the wheel rim can move relative to one another in the rotational direction through a guide having complementarily corresponding guide elements on the bearing bush and the wheel rim extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the counting wheel.

A gas flow indicator device (10) has an elongate housing (12) defining a chamber (20) enabling gas flow from an inlet (22) at a first end (16) to an outlet (24) at a second end (18). An indicator member (26) within the chamber (20) extends from adjacent the first end (16) over part of the length of the chamber (20) and is of annular form enabling gas to enter the chamber along a bore (28) through the indicator member (26). The indicator member (26) is spaced from an inner surface (30) of a peripheral sidewall (14) of the housing (12) to define an annular space (32) within the chamber (20). A concealment member (34) is movable from the first end (16) by a sufficient pressure generated by gas flow through the chamber (20), against a biasing member (36) acting to bias the concealment member (34) to the first end (16). An annular skirt (38) of the concealment member (34) is receivable into the annular space (32) so one end (40) of the skirt (38) provides a seal against an annular surface (42) at an end wall (44) at the first end (16), while a transverse wall (48) at the other end (46) of the concealment member (34) defines an opening (50) providing resistance to gas flow. The one end (40) of the skirt (38) can be held in sealing engagement at the annular surface (42) to conceal the indicator member (26) from view through an adjacent window (52) of the housing (12). Increasing gas flow rate to achieve the sufficient pressure overcomes the bias, enabling the concealment member (34) to move towards the second end (18), exposing the indicator member (26) to view through the window (52), and thereby providing a visual indication of gas flow.

The present invention relates to a non-contact continuous type sensing device for a flowmeter and a sensing method thereof. The flowmeter includes a movable member that is connected to an operating member and that is driven by a fluid to move, thereby moving the operating member. A projector is mounted above the operating member and projects signals onto the operating member. At least two regions are defined in a side of the operating member facing the projector. At least one of the at least two regions includes metal material to reflect the signals projected thereon. A signal density in a space between the projector and the operating member is changed when the operating member is passing through the space, such that the projection power of the projector is affected to thereby sense a movement condition of the operating member and to thereby continuously know a flowing condition of the fluid.

A system and an associated method for monitoring a flowing utility. A transducer, located at a utility flow location, senses data indicative of a utility flow characteristic and outputs a signal conveying the sensed data. A meter device, at the utility flow location, executes at least one program instruction and outputs a signal that conveys at least the sensed data but not a determination of a utility flow characteristic. A remote server, located remote from the utility flow location, receives the signal from the meter device that conveys at least the sensed data but not a determination of the utility flow characteristic, processes the sensed data to determine the utility flow characteristic, processes the sensed data to determine, based at least in part on the sensed data, a program instruction to be executed by the meter device, and transmits a control signal to the meter device.