An autonomous, low-power turbine flow meter and an assembly of at least one flow meter and at least one signal receiving device configured to receive signals, preferably in a wireless manner, produced and transmitted by the flow meter. The invention further relates to a method for measuring at least one flow characteristic, in particular the flow rate, of a fluid flowing through a flow meter.

An autonomous, low-power turbine flow meter and an assembly of at least one flow meter and at least one signal receiving device configured to receive signals, preferably in a wireless manner, produced and transmitted by the flow meter. The invention further relates to a method for measuring at least one flow characteristic, in particular the flow rate, of a fluid flowing through a flow meter.

A sensor device includes an excitation magnet which generates an alternating excitation magnetic field, an energy generator having a pulse wire module in which electric energy pulses are generatable via the alternating excitation magnetic field, at least one sensor element which senses a physical variable and which provides a sensor signal, an evaluation unit which evaluates the sensor signal, and a wireless data interface which is connected to the evaluation unit via a data connection. The at least one sensor element and the evaluation unit are each electrically connected to the energy generator and are suppliable with an electric energy thereby.

A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.

A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.

An energy harvester for use in-line with a pipe to harness potential and kinetic energy of fluids flowing therein. Structure for the energy harvester may include a shaft and a blade extending radially therefrom. The shaft can penetrate a housing that operates as a pipe section to install the device in-line with pipe. The shaft can couple with an electrical generator. A load may connect with voltage terminals on the generator so that fluid impinging on the blades will rotate the generator to power the load, effectively harvesting power from the flowing fluid. In one implementation, a load control device that couples with the generator voltage terminals controls a pressure characteristic of the fluid, such as pressure drop, by applying an electrical load on the generator and controllably impeding rotation of the shaft.

An energy harvester for use in-line with a pipe to harness potential and kinetic energy of fluids flowing therein. Structure for the energy harvester may include a shaft and a blade extending radially therefrom. The shaft can penetrate a housing that operates as a pipe section to install the device in-line with pipe. The shaft can couple with an electrical generator. A load may connect with voltage terminals on the generator so that fluid impinging on the blades will rotate the generator to power the load, effectively harvesting power from the flowing fluid. In one implementation, a load control device that couples with the generator voltage terminals controls a pressure characteristic of the fluid, such as pressure drop, by applying an electrical load on the generator and controllably impeding rotation of the shaft.

A device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, including a bladed impeller mounted in the conduit to be driven in rotation by the flow of the fluid, and to which at least one magnet is fixed, and a magnetic field sensor arranged near the conduit to generate a signal each time the magnet of the impeller, passes thereby. The number of signals generated by the sensor in a period of time is representative of the flow rate of the fluid.

A device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, including a bladed impeller mounted in the conduit to be driven in rotation by the flow of the fluid, and to which at least one magnet is fixed, and a magnetic field sensor arranged near the conduit to generate a signal each time the magnet of the impeller, passes thereby. The number of signals generated by the sensor in a period of time is representative of the flow rate of the fluid.

A system and method of automatically zeroing a target flowmeter wherein a lack of variation in the raw flow signal is taken as an indication of lack of turbulence, and thus of an extremely low-flow condition under which automatic zeroing may be performed.