Method for monitoring the operation of a fluid meter and fluid meter
AssigneeDiehl Metering GmbH
InventorHarald Kroemer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method monitors an operation of a fluid meter mounted in a fluid-supplying fluid distribution system. Wherein, by use of an ultrasonic transducer, an event, in the form of a noise generated during the operation of the fluid meter or a pressure surge generated in the distribution system, which is not attributable to the flow measurement and which mechanically excites the ultrasonic transducer, is selectively detected and evaluated and, by reference to a result of the evaluation, at least one fluid meter-specific operating property is generated.
Claims14
A method for monitoring an operation of a fluid meter mounted in a fluid-supplying fluid distribution system, the fluid meter having at least one ultrasonic transducer, which comprises the steps of:
- selectively detecting and evaluating, by means of the at least one ultrasonic transducer, an event which mechanically excites the at least one ultrasonic transducer and is not attributable to a flow measurement, in a form of a noise generated and associated with the operation of the fluid meter and/or a pressure surge originating from the fluid distribution system;
- generating at least one fluid meter-specific operating property by reference to a result of an evaluation;
- recording the event which mechanically excites the at least one ultrasonic transducer over a time t;
- identifying the event with a time stamp;
- recording a total event duration and/or a total event intensity of the selectively detected events over the time t;
- and
- generating a device-specific event history by reference to detected events which mechanically excite the at least one ultrasonic transducer over time.
A fluid meter for a flow measurement in a fluid-supplying fluid distribution system, the fluid meter comprising:
- an ultrasonic transducer assembly for transit time measurement and containing ultrasonic transducers for a transmission and/or reception of ultrasonic waves to a fluid or from the fluid;
- an electronic module having a controller and an operating system for actuation, signal detection and signal evaluation of said ultrasonic transducers;
- an electrical energy source;
- the operating system, in addition to flow measurement, incorporates an additional functional mode;
- and
- the flow meter, via said ultrasonic transducers, selectively detects and evaluates an event which mechanically excites said ultrasonic transducers and is not attributable to a flow measurement, in a form of a noise generated and associated with the fluid meter and/or a pressure surge originating from the fluid distribution system;
- said controller configured for:
- generating at least one fluid meter-specific operating property with reference to a result of an evaluation;
- recording the event which mechanically excites the at least one ultrasonic transducer over a time t;
- identifying the event with a time stamp;
- recording a total event duration and/or a total event intensity of the selectively detected events over the time t;
- and
- generating a device-specific event history by reference to detected events which mechanically excite the at least one ultrasonic transducer over time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.