Itron Gmbh

Itron Global Sarl

George Iliev

Kenneth Charles Rigdon

Johann De Jager

Cost effective pressure sensors for gas meters are described herein. In an example, responsive to an abnormal condition at an ultrasonic metrology unit of a gas meter, rates of pressure sensor operation are increased. In the example, the operations may include: measuring gas-environment pressure values; measuring contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; calculating pressure difference values of the gas-environment pressure values minus the contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; and comparing pressure difference values to one or more threshold values.

Cost effective pressure sensors for gas meters

A gas meter control system is adapted for use in gas meters having a plurality of different sizes (e.g., ability to measure different flowrates and/or different gas volumes per billing cycle) and different functional capabilities. In an example, the gas meter control system is configured to recognize and identify a metrology unit, sensor(s), switch(es), valve(s), valve motor(s), and/or other device(s) within a gas meter. Having identified devices present within a gas-environment and an air-environment of the meter, the control system selects and executes appropriate software to operate the identified devices. Addition of an additional component to the meter (e.g., an earthquake sensor or a tamper sensor) results in identification of the added component and execution of appropriate control software. Accordingly, the gas meter control system replaces a number of control systems configured to operate a single specific meter and/or configuration.

Metrology module adaptable for use in multiple gas meters

Techniques for the design and operation of an efficient battery-powered meter are described herein. A metrology unit of the meter may be at least partially located in the gas flow of a pipe, and measures gas flow rate data according to a static flow sensor. The metrology unit calculates raw gas-volume data using at least the flow rate data as input. The metrology unit measures gas temperature to produce gas temperature data, and adjusts the raw gas-volume data, based at least in part on the gas temperature data, to produce corrected gas-volume data. The metrology unit accumulates the corrected gas-volume data over multiple minutes, hours or even days, and then sends the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to an index unit of the meter. By accumulating the data over time, fewer data transmissions are required. The index unit may send the accumulated the accumulated corrected gas-volume data to a utility server.

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Wissembourg, France

George Iliev