Patent Description:
Certain flow meters may measure fluid flow containing a significant quantity of liquid as well as gas (e.g., as opposed to single-phase gaseous material) within the fluid stream. Ultrasonic meters can be applied to such scenarios, but may obtain signals with significant noise when the liquid interferes with the ultrasonic measurement (e.g., as the liquid can accumulate on or around the ultrasonic transducer housing, etc.). Certain attempts to solve this problem have involved making larger gaps around transducer housings or installing ports designed to drain liquid from around the housings. These methods have only limited success and do not aid the quantificaton of the liquid fraction.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for determining a characteristic of a fluid flow within a pipe, including: a separator portion for separating the fluid into a gas component and a liquid component and directing the gas component to flow within a gas leg portion of the pipe and the liquid component to flow within a liquid leg portion of the pipe; a gas leg portion metering device that generates gas component data responsive to a gas component characteristic, and a liquid leg portion metering device that generates liquid component data responsive to a liquid component characteristic; and a processing device communicated with at least one of the gas leg portion metering device and the liquid leg portion metering device, the processing device being configured to receive and process at least one of the gas component data and the liquid component data to generate fluid flow data responsive to a fluid flow characteristic.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

One implementation of the present disclosure is a flow meter according to claim <NUM>. The flow meter includes a housing extending along an axis and defining an interior volume, the interior volume extending between an inlet port and an outlet port. The flow meter includes an insert positioned within the interior volume and spaced apart from the housing, the insert extending along the axis. In some embodiments, a first region between at least part of the insert and the housing along the axis defines a first flow pathway, and a second region within the insert and along the axis defines a second flow pathway.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the first flow pathway varies as the first flow pathway extends along the axis.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the second flow pathway varies as the second flow pathway extends along the axis.

In some embodiments, a surface of the insert perpendicular to the axis is at least one of a tapered surface or a contoured surface.

In some embodiments, the inlet port and the outlet port are disposed along the axis.

In some embodiments, the insert is coupled to the hosing using a coupling element, the coupling element includes a plurality of apertures that can facilitate flow through the coupling element.

In some embodiments, the flow meter is an ultrasonic flow meter. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic flow meter further includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed at least partially within at least one of the housing or the housing and the insert.

In some embodiments, the flow meter further includes a pressure sensor configured to obtain differential pressure measurements within the interior volume.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a system for monitoring flow of a fluid. The system includes a flow meter according to claim <NUM>. The flow meter includes a housing extending along an axis and an interior volume, the interior volume including an inlet port and an outlet port. The flow meter further includes an annular insert positioned within the interior volume and radially spaced apart from the housing, the annular insert extending along the axis. In some embodiments, the annular insert includes a first surface along the axis and a second surface perpendicular to the axis. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the first surface perpendicular to the axis varies as the first surface extends along the axis.

In some embodiments, the first surface of the annular insert is at least one of a tapered surface extending along the axis or a contoured surface extending along the axis.

In some embodiments, the second surface of the annular insert is at least one of a tapered surface or a contoured surface.

In some embodiments, the annular insert is coupled to the housing using an annular coupling element, the annular coupling element including a plurality of apertures that can facilitate flow through the annular coupling element.

In some embodiments, the flow meter is an ultrasonic flow meter and the system further includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed at least partially within at least one of the housing or the housing and the annular insert.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for obtaining flow measurements according to claim <NUM>. The method includes receiving fluid via an inlet port of a flow meter. The method further includes separating the fluid using an annular insert disposed within an interior volume of the flow meter, the annular insert radially spaced apart from a housing of the flow meter and aligned with the housing on an axis.

In some embodiments, the second separated portion of the fluid includes a greater proportion of fluid by volume than the first separated portion of the fluid. In some embodiments, the second portion is the central portion will typically take a larger proportion of the fluid flow rate in volumetric terms. In some embodiments, in a two-phase (liquid and gas) flow, the bulk of the total fluid flow goes though the center section (e.g., the second separated portion) but the bulk of the liquid goes though the annulus. In some embodiments, the flow through the center section is at a higher total volumetric rate and is mainly gas with very little liquid. The flow through the annulus is a lower total flowrate but contains a higher fraction of liquid (e.g. of total flow that is <NUM> units of gas and <NUM> units of liquid, <NUM> units of gas and <NUM> units of liquid are provided through the center section (<NUM>% liquid volume fraction) and <NUM> units of gas and <NUM> units of liquid are provided through the annulus. (~<NUM>% liquid volume fraction).

In some embodiments, obtaining the flow measurements of the second separated portion of the fluid includes using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers to obtain the flow measurements, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are disposed at least partially within at least one of the housing or the housing and the annular insert.

In some embodiments, separating the fluid using the annular insert includes separating the fluid using a first surface of the annular insert, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first surface perpendicular to the axis varies as the first surface extends along the axis.

In some embodiments, in response to the fluid contacting the first surface, the fluid is separated into the first separated portion of the fluid and the second separated portion of the fluid.

Referring generally to the FIGURES, embodiments of an apparatus (e.g., flow meter, ultrasonic flow meter, etc.) that can separate fluid into at least two portions. In some embodiments, this is implemented for two purposes: <NUM>) to provide a separate path for some of the fluid to take such the ultrasonic signals are improved; <NUM>) to generate an increased resistance to flow that can be used in combination with additional sensors obtaining a differential pressure measurement.

In one non-limiting example, a wet-gas flow (e.g., a volume of fluid including at least a portion of gaseous fluid and a portion of liquid fluid, etc.) can be separated by a dividing element (e.g., an insert within the flow meter, an insert within the fluid pathway, etc.) such that the wet-gas flow can be separated into two main channels (e.g., flow pathways, etc.): an outer channel (e.g., between the housing of the flow meter and the dividing element, etc.) and an inner channel (e.g., the pathway within the dividing element, etc.). Transducer housings can extend from the meter body through the outer flow channel and the dividing element such that they are positioned with one end near the end of the central channel. The transducers within the transducer housings can obtain measurements of the fluid flow within the inner channel. In some embodiments, the transducers are arranged in pairs such that the transmission from one transducer and reception on another forms a transit time measurement path through the central channel.

In some embodiments, the dividing element is generally positioned within the center of the housing of the flow meter (e.g., concentrically, etc.). The dividing element may be an annular element that is placed within the flow meter. The dividing element may be extended along the axis of the flow meter, and may include any number of end formations (e.g., tapered end(s), contoured ends, etc.). In some embodiments, in a wet-gas application, at least a portion of the liquid portion of the flow can adhere to the pipe walls, and the majority of the liquid would be expected to pass through the outer passage, while the fluid passing through the central passage would have a higher gas volume fraction than the overall flow. This may then permit the ultrasonic measurements to be performed in the central passage where there is less liquid, which can reduce the problem of liquid affecting the ultrasonic measurements. In some embodiments, this invention can be applicable to laminar flow applications (e.g. in single-phase liquid flow), where a thermal boundary layer can be separated from the main flow.

Referring now to <FIG>, a block diagram of flow control system ("system") <NUM> is shown, according to some embodiments. System <NUM> may be or include mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling fluid flow within a piping subsystem. In some embodiments, the systems (e.g., system <NUM>) and methods disclosed herein can be implemented within a variety of different industries and/or implementations, such as hydrocarbon systems, well sites, storage systems, mixing systems, oil refinery systems, and building systems. System <NUM> is shown to include flow meter <NUM>, controller <NUM>, and supervisory device <NUM>.

Flow meter <NUM> can be or include measuring devices that employ a range of technologies designed to quantify the rate or volume of a moving fluid (e.g., liquid fluid, gas fluid, liquid-gas combination fluid, etc.) in the conduit. Flow meter <NUM> can be or include a variety of sensor technologies, such as but not limited todifferential pressure, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, flow meter <NUM> includes one or more wired or wireless transmission devices (e.g., wireless sensors, transducers, etc.) configured to provide sensor data to controller <NUM> for processing.

In some embodiments, flow meter <NUM> is an ultrasonic flow meter. Ultrasonic flow meters may be configured to measure the velocity of a fluid using ultrasound to calculate volume flow. Using ultrasonic transducers, an ultrasonic flow meter may be able to measure the average velocity along the path of an emitted beam of ultrasound, by determining the difference in measured transit time between the pulses of ultrasound propagating into and against the direction of the flow and/or by measuring the frequency shift from the Doppler effect. In some embodiments, ultrasonic flow meters are affected by the acoustic properties of the fluid and can be impacted by a variety of fluid parameters (e.g., temperature, density, viscosity, suspended particulates, etc.) depending on the exact flow meter.

Controller <NUM> may be configured to control, monitor, and/or adjust system <NUM> based at least in part on sensor data received from flow meter <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is coupled to flow meter by a a two interface so that data or information can be provided to and from flow meter <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is shown to include processing circuit <NUM> including processor <NUM> and memory <NUM>. Processing circuit <NUM> can be communicably connected to communications interface <NUM> such that processing circuit <NUM> and the various components thereof can send and receive data via communications interface <NUM>. Processor <NUM> can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components.

Communications interface <NUM> can b or include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications. In various embodiments, communications via communications interface <NUM> can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.). For example, communications interface can include an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications link or network. In another example, communications interface <NUM> can include a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network. In another example, communications interface <NUM> can include cellular or mobile phone communications transceivers.

Memory <NUM> (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) can include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. Memory <NUM> can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory <NUM> can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an example embodiment, memory <NUM> is communicably connected to processor <NUM> via processing circuit <NUM> and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by processing circuit <NUM> and/or processor <NUM>) one or more processes described herein.

In some embodiments, controller <NUM> is implemented within a single computer (e.g., one server, one housing, etc.). Further, while <FIG> supervisory device <NUM> can be outside of controller <NUM>, in some embodiments, the functionality of supervisory device <NUM> may be performed partially or entirely within controller <NUM> (e.g., within memory <NUM>). Memory <NUM> is shown to include data collector <NUM>, flow rate manager <NUM>, pressure manager <NUM>, and fluid phase type manager <NUM>.

Data collector <NUM> may be configured to receive several different types of sensor data from any number of flow meters, including flow meter <NUM>, such as flow rate data, characterization data (e.g., meter geometry, fluid properties, etc.), differential pressure data, and temperature data. Data collector <NUM> is configured to provide the data to flow rate manager <NUM> and pressure manager <NUM>.

Flow rate manager <NUM> may be configured to calculate a flow rate based on the measurements obtained by the sensors (e.g., ultrasonic transducers, etc.). In some embodiments, flow rate manager receives pulse information from ultrasonic transducers coupled with flow meter <NUM> and converts the pulse information into readable flow rate values. Flow rate manager may provide the calculate flow rate to supervisory device <NUM>. Pressure manager <NUM> may be configured to determine pressure values from any point along the piping in which flow meter <NUM> is measuring. For example, flow meter <NUM> may include two pressure sensors: one located upstream of flow meter <NUM> and downstream of flow meter <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sensors can be placed at positions that measure the differential pressure between points within flow meter <NUM>, such as upstream of an annular insert placed within the interior of flow meter <NUM> and in the centre or downstream of the annular insert. This example and others are discussed in greater detail below.

Fluid phase type manager <NUM> may be configured to detect or determine the composition of the fluid as it relates to its phase. For example, fluid phase type manager <NUM> may be configured to determine that the fluid passing through flow meter <NUM> is substantially (e.g., over <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% etc.) liquid, substantially gaseous, or any variation therebetween. The phase makeup of the fluid can be provided to a user interface (e.g., on supervisory device <NUM>, on a mobile device, on a workstation, etc.). For example, results may be transmitted as a total flowrate and phase fractions, or as flow rates of individual phases.

Supervisory device <NUM> may be any device that can communicate with controller <NUM> to make adjustments to the control techniques of system <NUM>. For IF or example, supervisory device <NUM> is integrated within controller <NUM> and controller <NUM> automatically updates and manages the control techniques.

Referring now to <FIG>, a diagram of flow meter <NUM> is shown, according to some embodiments. Flow meter <NUM> may be identical or substantially similar to flow meter <NUM> and Controller <NUM> as described above with reference to <FIG>. Flow meter <NUM> is shown to include meter electronics <NUM>, which may be substantially similar to controller <NUM> of <FIG>, fluid inlet and outlet ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and transducer ports <NUM>. While the systems and methods disclosed herein generally refer to ultrasonic flow meters - such as flow meter <NUM> as shown in <FIG> - but this is merely meant to be exemplary and should not be considered limiting, as other types of flow meters or sensors may be further included. Additionally, ports <NUM>, <NUM> may act as an inlet port or an outlet port respectively, and/or vice versa.

In some embodiments, meter electronics <NUM> includes a processing circuit including one or more processors and memory (not shown). The processor can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components.

The memory (e.g., memory unit, storage device, etc.) can include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an example embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via the processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit and/or the processor) one or more processes described herein. In some embodiments, meter electronics <NUM> is implemented within a single computer (e.g., one server, one housing, etc.). Further, while <FIG> controller <NUM> outside of meter electronics <NUM>, in some embodiments, the functionality of controller <NUM> may be performed partially or entirely within meter electronics <NUM>.

Meter electronics <NUM> may be configured to control the excitation and detection of ultrasonic signals. Meter electronics <NUM> may be supplied with configuration parameters from the controller <NUM>, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a variety of sensing devices (e.g., ultrasonic transducers, temperature sensors, etc.) may supply sensor data to meter electronics <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> for processing. Meter electronics <NUM> may process and convert flow measurement results using configuration data (e.g. geometry information and calibration coefficients, etc.) which may or may not include fluid property information. In some embodiments, the functionality of meter electronics <NUM> may be performed partially or entirely within controller <NUM>. The functionality of controller <NUM> is described above in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

Similarly, the functionality of controller <NUM> may be performed partially or entirely within meter electronics <NUM>, in some embodiments. For example, the flow rate would derive from the ultrasonic measurements only. With the addition of pressure, temperature or differential pressure measurements, corrections and/or supplementary calculations may be performed (e.g., in a wet-gas application, the supplementary sensors could be used to improve the estimation of the gas rate and/or estimate the liquid rate, etc.). In some embodiments, although conceived as an ultrasonic meter, in principle a combination of differential pressure measurements could be used without the ultrasonic transducers (e.g., a differential pressure measurement from inlet port <NUM> to an insert, plus a measurement along the length of outer passageway, etc.). This is described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a diagram <NUM> showing a cross-sectional view of the interior of flow meter <NUM> is shown, according to some embodiments. Diagram <NUM> shows a perspective view with the downstream of the fluid going into the page. Diagram <NUM> shows flow meter housing ("housing") <NUM>, insert <NUM>, transducer housing(s) <NUM>, coupling element <NUM>, flow meter outer passageway ("passageway") <NUM> and flow meter inner passageway ("passageway") <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the insert <NUM> is an annular piece of material (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) that is placed within the interior of flow meter <NUM> such that the fluid coming downstream may come into contact with insert <NUM> and separate into at least two paths. Insert <NUM> can be or include any number of shapes and sizes. For example, the end of insert <NUM> that initially makes contact with the flowing fluid (i.e., the upstream end of insert <NUM>, etc.) may be curved, tapered, pointed, or any other shape not presently disclosed. The shape of the upstream end of insert <NUM> may be shaped in such a way that facilitates the fluid flow to separate into a first portion that flows through passageway <NUM> and a second portion that flows through passageway <NUM>.

Insert <NUM> may also be any length that can extend along the axis of flow meter <NUM>. For example, insert <NUM> can be a substantially short ring, a long cylindrical tube that extends along the entire length of flow meter <NUM>, or any length therebetween. Insert <NUM> may also be any thickness, and is not limited to the ring-shaped thickness as shown in <FIG>. For example, insert <NUM> may be substantially thick such that passageway <NUM> has a significantly smaller cross-sectional area than is shown in <FIG>. While insert <NUM> is generally shown to be uniform along its length (e.g., as shown in <FIG>), this is merely meant to be exemplary and should not be considered limiting. The thickness (Y-Z plane) and/or the general shape of insert <NUM> can vary across the length (X-Y plane) of insert <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, transducer housing(s) <NUM> are shown to extend from the outside of housing <NUM>, through housing <NUM>, across passageway <NUM>, through insert <NUM>, and into passageway <NUM>. Transducer housing(s) <NUM> may be implemented as shown in <FIG> such that the transducers within transducer housing(s) <NUM> can provide ultrasonic pulses to the fluid flowing through passageway <NUM>. While not shown, transducer housing(s) <NUM> can also be configured to provide ultrasonic pules to the fluid flowing through passageway <NUM>.

While not shown in detail in <FIG>, the actual transducer can be located inside transducer housing(s) <NUM>. In some embodiments, the transducer housing(s) <NUM> is attached to housing <NUM>, forming a seal that keeps the fluid from exiting. Of course, the method of attachment of housing <NUM> and transducer housing(s) <NUM> and sealing can vary (e.g., a flange on the outside of the meter body, use of O-rings, use of retaining rings, use of threaded seal(s), etc.), and should not be considered limiting.

In some embodiments, insert <NUM> is configured to separate the fluid into portions that allow for the majority of liquid volume of the fluid (e.g., of a wet-gas mixture, etc.) to pass through passageway <NUM>, with a majority of the gaseous fluid volume to pass through passageway <NUM>. As such, the separated portion of the liquid fluid flowing in passageway <NUM> may contain a greater proportion of the liquid fluid by volume than the liquid fluid flowing in passageway <NUM> in some embodiments. In some embodiments, almost all the liquid fluid flows through passageway <NUM> as opposed to passageway <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, another cross-sectional view of the interior of flow meter <NUM> is shown, according to some embodiments. <FIG> shows a view of transducer housing(s) being installed through housing <NUM> and insert <NUM>. The larger arrow shows passageway <NUM>, while the smaller arrow shows the flow path for taking passageway <NUM>. <FIG> also shows housing portion(s) <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actual transducer modules that perform the ultrasonic transduction are located within the housing portion(s) <NUM> (e.g., near the end at passageway <NUM>, etc.).

Referring now to <FIG>, several sectional views of flow meter <NUM> are shown, according to some embodiments. <FIG> shows different implementations of insert <NUM>, shown as insert <NUM> and insert <NUM> in the different embodiments depicted in <FIG>. In some embodiments, insert <NUM> and/or insert <NUM> are substantially similar or identical to insert <NUM>. In other embodiments, insert <NUM> and/or insert <NUM> have similar functionality as insert <NUM> but may at least be partially a different shape (e.g., a different end contour, etc.).

For example, the left side of <FIG> shows insert <NUM> with a pointed shape, indicating that - assuming insert <NUM> is an annular shape that creates a ring-like structure - the upstream end is slanted to create an edge. This may be done to allow the fluid to more easily separate into its respective portions (e.g., into passageways <NUM> and <NUM>, etc.). In another example, the right side of <FIG> shows insert <NUM> with a varying cross-sectional area throughout passageway <NUM> (i.e., where the arrow is pointing), along with an opposing edge on the upstream side of the insert when compared to insert <NUM>.

Overall, any shape, length, thickness, or end formations can be considered for insert <NUM> (e.g., and insert <NUM>, <NUM>). In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area for passageway <NUM> and/or passageway <NUM> varies (e.g., continually decreases, continually increases, increases and decreases at varied intervals, etc.). Additionally, one or both ends of insert <NUM> can be flat surfaces, contoured, pointed, slanted, tapered, or a combination thereof, and should not be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.

As shown in <FIG>, insert <NUM> can have pointed ends, rounded ends, curved ends, jagged ends, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the sides (e.g., the surfaces along the same axis as the housing, etc.) can be jagged (e.g., having ebbs and flows along the surface, etc.), smooth, or a varied combination along the length of the surface. Insert <NUM>, as it extends along the axis of housing <NUM>, does not need to be uniform, and can increase in height, decrease in height, or otherwise change shape and/or thickness as it extends along the axis.

Referring now to <FIG>, another cross-sectional view of the interior of flow meter <NUM> with differential pressure measurements is shown, according to some embodiments.

<FIG> is shown to include differential pressure sensors ("sensors") <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, sensors <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially similar or identical. Sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may act as differential pressure sensors, which can be configured to measure the difference between two pressures: one connected to each side of the sensor. In some embodiments, sensors <NUM>, <NUM> measure the difference in pressure between locations within the interior of flow meter <NUM>.

As shown on the left side of <FIG>, sensor <NUM> measures the differential pressure between (i) the pressure immediately entering passageway <NUM> (e.g., the outer passageway between insert <NUM> and housing <NUM>, etc.) and (ii) the pressure immediately leaving passageway <NUM> when the fluid within passageway <NUM> reunites with the other separated portion that flowed through passageway <NUM>. As shown on the right side of <FIG>, sensor <NUM> measures the differential pressure between (i) the pressure prior to contacting insert <NUM> and separating into two portions and (ii) the pressure within passageway <NUM> between the two sets of transducers.

As disclosed herein, sensors <NUM>, <NUM> can include any number of differential pressure sensors (e.g., <NUM> sensor, <NUM> sensors, <NUM> sensors, etc.) and may be configured to measure the difference of two pressures located anywhere within housing <NUM> (e.g., between two points within passageway <NUM>, between two points within passageway <NUM>, between a point within passageway <NUM> and a point within passageway <NUM>, between a point prior to reaching insert <NUM> and a point after fluid rejoins and passes insert <NUM>, between a point prior to reaching insert <NUM> and a point within one of the passageways, between a point within one of the passageways and a point after fluid rejoins and passes insert <NUM>, etc.).

Referring now to <FIG>, another cross-sectional view of the interior of flow meter <NUM> is shown, according to some embodiments. <FIG> is shown to include coupling element ("element") <NUM>. In some embodiments, coupling element <NUM> is configured to mount an insert (e.g., insert <NUM>, insert <NUM>, etc.) to the interior of flow meter <NUM>, but still permit the passage of fluid in/around element <NUM> so as not to completely restrict fluid flow. For example, on the left side of <FIG>, element <NUM> is shown to include a plurality (e.g., two, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) of apertures (e.g., holes, etc.) spaced apart, such that the material of element <NUM> is displaced enough to adequately couple insert <NUM> with housing <NUM>, but includes a sufficient amount of opening space (e.g., via the apertures) to allow fluid to pass through element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, element <NUM> is an annular shaped ring, prismatic with open ends, or tube-shaped structure that encloses insert <NUM>. In other embodiments, element <NUM> is merely a fastening device that couples insert <NUM> with housing <NUM> from a single (or a few) locations. Of course, any number of apertures can be included within element <NUM> and should not be limited to those shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, element <NUM> can be any type of device capable of coupling insert <NUM> with housing <NUM>, and is not limited to a ring-shaped fastener, a tube-shaped fastener (e.g., similar to a ring-shaped fastener but extends along the length of inert <NUM> to create a tube shaped fastener, etc.), or a single fastening point. While the systems and methods disclosed herein generally refer to insert <NUM> (e.g., or any other insert described herein) being coupled with housing <NUM> by means of a separate element <NUM>, a coupling element may not be required and insert <NUM> may be manufactured with housing <NUM> as a single unit (not shown). Although the housing <NUM>, insert <NUM> and coupling element <NUM> are described as if they are three separate parts that are combined as an assembly, the housing, insert and coupling element could be made as a single piece, e.g. machined from a single billet of steel in some embodiments.

As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially", and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

The term "coupled" and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If "coupled" or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of "coupled" provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., "directly coupled" means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of "coupled" provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term "or," as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

Claim 1:
A flow meter comprising a first housing (<NUM>) extending along an axis and defining an interior volume, the interior volume extending between an inlet port (<NUM>) and an outlet port (<NUM>);
an insert (<NUM>; <NUM>) positioned within the interior volume and spaced apart from the first housing (<NUM>), the insert (<NUM>; <NUM>) extending along the axis, wherein a first region between at least part of the insert and the first housing along the axis defines a first flow pathway (<NUM>), and a second region within the insert and along the axis defines a second flow pathway (<NUM>);
a pressure sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to obtain differential pressure measurements between at least one of:
an upstream portion of the first region and a downstream portion of the first region, or
a first location upstream of the insert and a second location within the insert (<NUM>; <NUM>); and
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in a transducer housing (<NUM>), the transducer housing extending from outside the first housing through the first housing (<NUM>), across the first flow pathway (<NUM>), through the insert (<NUM>; <NUM>), and into the second flow pathway (<NUM>).