US 2014/0338467 A1 · MULTI-CHANNEL FLOW SENSING

Abstract

A multi-channel flow sensing system typically includes first and second flow-sensing transducers arranged in each channel. A data acquisition system is coupled to the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The data acquisition system is arranged to transmit and/or receive a sensing signal from at least one of the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The received sensing signals are sequentially converted and accumulated as data for billing in accordance with the measured flow within each channel. Using common components within the data acquisition system for measuring the various channels reduces costs and increases affordability in cost-sensitive areas.

Claims21

Dependent claims

1-20. (canceled)

A system for multi-channel flow sensing, the system comprising:

control circuitry for generating at least one control signal to select at least one channel of which a flow rate is to be measured, wherein the selected channel is selected from a group of channels branching from a conduit;
a driver for generating at least one stimulus signal;
a receiver for receiving at least one response signal;
a switch for coupling at least one sensor of the selected channel to the driver and the receiver in response to the control signal from the control circuitry, wherein the coupled sensor is for:
propagating the stimulus signal from the driver through a flowing medium of the selected channel, and
generating the response signal to the receiver in response to the propagated stimulus signal;
and
a converter for:
periodically sampling the response signal from the receiver at a sampling rate that is sufficient to determine consumption of the flowing medium of the selected channel, and
providing an indication of the periodic sampling to a processor for proportional billing in accordance with the indication.

7 more elements

A method of multi-channel flow sensing, the method comprising:

generating at least one control signal to select at least one channel of which a flow rate is to be measured, wherein the selected channel is selected from a group of channels branching from a conduit;
generating at least one stimulus signal from a driver;
receiving at least one response signal with a receiver;
with a switch, coupling at least one sensor of the selected channel to the driver and the receiver in response to the control signal;
with the coupled sensor, propagating the stimulus signal from the driver through a flowing medium of the selected channel, and generating the response signal to the receiver in response to the propagated stimulus signal;
and
with a converter, periodically sampling the response signal from the receiver at a sampling rate that is sufficient to determine consumption of the flowing medium of the selected channel, and providing an indication of the periodic sampling to a processor for proportional billing in accordance with the indication.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/895,269Filed 15 May 2013

Published

20 Nov 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G01F 1/66
Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow: by…
G01F 1/663
By measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters: by measuring Doppler…
G01F 15/063
For remote indication: using electrical means
G01F 15/0755
Using electrically-operated integrating means: involving digital counting

Multi-channel flow sensing

Life of this patent

Multi-channel flow sensing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21