Encoder device and fluid meter comprised thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10175079-B2
Application number	US-201414646829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2014
Priority date	Jun 6, 2014
Publication date	Jan 8, 2019
Grant date	Jan 8, 2019

Abstract

An encoder device and a fluid meter incorporating the encoder device is disclosed herein, wherein the fluid meter can embody a gas meter that monitors supply of gas to a consumer. The encoder device is configured to generate a signal with information that quantifies the supply of gas, for example, by associating the movement of a moveable element with a volume of fluid that flows through the gas meter The gas meter can include a metrological part with a housing that forms an interior space that wholly encloses the encoder device therein and can also be configured with an input/output member that conducts the signal from inside of the interior space to outside of the housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid meter, comprising:
a metering device configured with a moveable element that moves in response to flow of fluid;
an encoder device coupled with the metering device, the encoder device configured to generate an output that associates the movement of the moveable element with a volume of fluid that flows through the metering device;
an input/output member configured to receive the output from the encoder device; and
a sensor member coupled with the encoder device, wherein the sensor member is configured to generate a signal that reflects one or more environmental operating conditions, and wherein the output generated by the encoder device provides information on an influence of the environmental operating conditions on operation of the fluid meter.

2. The fluid meter of claim 1 , wherein the first housing comprises an opening to receive the input/output member.

3. The fluid meter of claim 2 , wherein the input/output member comprises a connector with a first connective end and a second connective end disposed, respectively, inside a first interior space of the first housing and outside of the first housing, and wherein the connector is configured to conduct the output from the first connective end to the second connective end.

4. The fluid meter of claim 3 , further comprising a second housing that couples with the first housing, wherein the second connective end is disposed inside of a second interior space of the second housing.

5. The fluid meter of claim 1 , wherein the encoder device further comprises an interface member coupled with the metering device, the interface member configured to convert the movement of the moveable element to a signal with properties that relates the mechanical movement of the moveable element with the volume of fluid that flows through the metering device.

6. The fluid meter of claim 5 , wherein the encoder device incorporates the interface member.

7. The fluid meter of claim 1 , wherein the encoder device is configured to store data that relates to the volume of fluid that flows through the metering device.

8. The fluid meter of claim 1 , wherein the encoder device is wholly enclosed in the first housing.

9. The fluid meter of claim 1 , wherein the output from the encoder device associates the volume of fluid that flows through the metering device with the operating condition.

10. The fluid meter of claim 9 , wherein the sensor member is sensitive to temperature.

11. A fluid meter, comprising:
a metering device;
an encoder device coupled with the metering device;
a first housing enclosing the metering device and the encoder device;
an input/output member coupled with the first housing; and
a sensor member coupled with the encoder device, wherein the sensor member is configured to generate a signal that reflects one or more environmental operating conditions in the first housing, and wherein the output generated by the encoder device provides information on an influence of the environmental operating conditions on operation of the fluid meter.

12. The fluid meter of claim 11 , wherein the first housing comprises an opening to receive the input/output member.

13. The fluid meter of claim 12 , wherein the input/output member comprises a connector with a first connective end and a second connective end disposed, respectively, inside a first interior space of the first housing and outside of the first housing, and wherein the connector is configured to conduct the output from the first connective end to the second connective end.

14. The fluid meter of claim 13 , further comprising a second housing that couples with the first housing, wherein the second connective end is disposed inside of a second interior space of the second housing.

15. The fluid meter of claim 11 , wherein the encoder device further comprises an interface member coupled with the metering device, the interface member configured to convert the movement of the moveable element to a signal with properties that relates the mechanical movement of the moveable element with the volume of fluid that flows through the metering device.

16. The fluid meter of claim 15 , wherein the encoder device incorporates the interface member.

17. The fluid meter of claim 11 , wherein the encoder device is configured to store data that relates to the volume of fluid that flows through the metering device.

18. The fluid meter of claim 11 , wherein the encoder device is wholly enclosed in the first housing.

Assignees

• Dresser Inc
• Dresser LLC

Inventors

• Triaca Giuseppe
• Lawlor Gary Martin
• Morosini Franco

Classifications

• G01F15/14

  Casings, e.g. of special material · CPC title

• G01F3/226 Primary

  characterised by features of meter body or housing · CPC title