Flow meter and heat meter that automatically determines flow direction

A flow meter for recording a flow rate and/or an amount of heat of a flowing fluid for fitting into a supply line containing the fluid, the flow meter comprising:

• a housing subjected to a through flow of the fluid with a direction of flow through the meter when the flow meter is operated in continuous operation;
• a measuring section configured to measure the through flow of fluid to obtain flow rate data;
• a control and evaluation unit configured to automatically ascertain a fitting-dependent direction of through flow as a fitted direction of through flow based on the flow rate data;
• a temperature measuring device including a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor configured for ascertaining a temperature difference between a feed temperature in a feed and a return temperature in a return, wherein said control and evaluation unit automatically ascertains a fitting location of said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor in the feed or the return on a basis of the temperature difference;
• said control and evaluation unit being automatically configured during a first-time installation or re-installation of the flow meter, in the continuous operation following the first-time installation or re-installation, to:
• (a) adapt a direction of flow through the meter to the fitted direction of through flow, so that the direction of flow through the meter and the fitted direction of through flow coincide;
• and/or
• (b) assign the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to the feed and to the return, respectively, depending on the measured temperature difference,
• wherein the housing comprises elements selected from the group consisting of flow directing elements, flow screens, and reflectors disposed in a symmetrical arrangement and/or formation in said housing with respect to flow direction.