G01F15/0755

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING VIRTUAL FLOW SENSING MEASUREMENTS

A method may include obtaining first pressure data regarding a first pressure sensor upstream from a restricted orifice and second pressure data regarding a second pressure sensor downstream from the restricted orifice. The method may further include obtaining temperature data regarding a temperature sensor coupled to the restricted orifice. The method may further include obtaining various gas parameters regarding a predetermined gas flowing through the restricted orifice and various orifice parameters regarding the restricted orifice. The method may further include determining a first gas flow rate of the predetermined gas based on a gas flow model, the first pressure data, the second pressure data, the temperature data, the gas parameters, and the orifice parameters.

Methods and systems for measuring energy of natural gas in a full cycle

The present disclosure provides a method for measuring energy of natural gas in a full cycle, including obtaining a metering value of the natural gas used by a user in a time period based on a metering device, and determining a consumption amount of natural gas based on the metering value and a pricing scheme.

Sensing events affecting liquid flow in a liquid distribution system

By monitoring pressure transients in a liquid within a liquid distribution system using only a single sensor, events such as the opening and closing of valves at specific fixtures are readily detected. The sensor, which can readily be coupled to a faucet bib, transmits an output signal to a computing device. Each such event can be identified by the device based by comparing characteristic features of the pressure transient waveform with previously observed characteristic features for events in the system. These characteristic features, which can include the varying pressure, derivative, and real Cepstrum of the pressure transient waveform, can be used to select a specific fixture where a valve open or close event has occurred. Flow to each fixture and leaks in the system can also be determined from the pressure transient signal. A second sensor disposed at a point disparate from the first sensor provides further event information.

Dosing device for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid, in particular a predetermined amount of water
11573112 · 2023-02-07 · ·

A dosing device for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid, in particular a predetermined amount of water, has a housing with a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. A valve element in the flow path can be opened and closed. A measuring device measures the flow rate through the flow channel in the direction of the liquid outlet. A controller has an operating unit or is coupled to an operating unit for signal transmission. The dosing device is actuatable by the operating unit. The controller is further coupled in terms of control technology to the valve element and to the measuring device, the controller holding the valve element in an open position or moving it to an open position when the dosing device is actuated.

Mobile fuel measurement system

A mobile fuel monitoring system (MMU) is disclosed. The fuel monitoring system may be skid mounted and is configured to monitor fuel transfers between a fuel source and a vessel, such as a ship. The disclosed MMU is a stand-alone, self-contained unit that can be easily moved from place to place. The MMU is configured to monitor and remotely report custody transfers of fuel performed at any location. Parameters of the fuel transfer operation, such as the amount of fuel transferred, the flow rate, the fuel density, and fuel temperature can be monitored and alarms may be issued if any of the parameters are out of specification. The parameter values may be transmitted to a remote location, for example, via a satellite link.

Method for registering and locating water resources
11486731 · 2022-11-01 ·

A method of registering and locating a water resource includes incentivizing an owner for registering the water resource and associating owner contact information and coordinate location data of the water resource to the water resource. An online database stores the coordinate location data of the water resource, the owner of the water resource, and the owner contact information received from the first electronic device. A second electronic device displays on an electronic map the coordinate location data of the water resource within an area of the electronic map. The user of the second electronic device is informed, after selection of the water resource, the name of the owner of the water resource, the owner contact information of the water resource, the coordinate location data of the water resource, and an account of the owner is credited if the water resource is used.

Disaggregation of gas load to determine gas appliance performance

Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Water meter with water management capabilities
11629977 · 2023-04-18 · ·

A water utility meter configured for dynamic throttling and arranged to register and manage the amount of water delivered to a consumption site from a distribution network is disclosed. The water utility meter comprises a flow sensor for measuring a flow rate through the water utility meter, a valve for limiting the flow rate from the distribution network to the consumption site, an actuator for changing a valve position so that the valve may be in an open position or a closed position or a variable throttling position and a controller unit arranged to control the actuator. The controller unit is further configured to monitor the flow rate using the flow sensor, to verify if the flow rate exceeds a maximum flow rate limit or does not exceed a minimum flow rate limit and if the limits are exceeded adjust the valve position to change the maximum flowrate.

Appliance based tariff
11662748 · 2023-05-30 · ·

An electronic sensing and allocation system is provided for a distributed water infrastructure containing a plurality of differing appliances. The system may receive, from at least one sensor upstream of the plurality of differing appliances, a plurality of signals indicative of water usage within the distributed water infrastructure. The system may output a first indication of a first volume of water together with an indicator attributing the first volume of water to a first rate schedule, and output a second indication of a second volume of water together with an indicator attributing the second volume of water to a second rate schedule. The system may enable billing of the first and second volumes of water to a consumer at differing rates based on differing uses.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INTELLIGENT METERING OF NATRURAL GAS

The present disclosure provides a method for intelligent metering of natural gas, including obtaining a metering value of the natural gas used by a user in a time period from a metering device via a network, the metering device being located at a gas supply terminal of a transmission pipe network, and determining a consumption amount of natural gas based on the metering value and a pricing scheme. The pricing scheme includes a volume-based pricing scheme and an energy-based pricing scheme. Volume unit prices of the natural gas in different component types are different, and are determined based on an adjustment model.