Patent ID: 6960017

Claim:
A non-invasive energy metering method for liquid flow systems comprising first and second segments of one or more conduits through which a liquid flows, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a first temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the first conduit segment; attaching a second temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the second conduit segment; a user estimating a flow rate of the liquid without use of a flow meter; a providing programmable control unit for receiving data from the sensors and the estimated flow rate from the user, said programmable control unit calculating energy data based on the sensor data and the estimated flow rate; determining with a motor sensor when to begin the receiving step; and communicating data to and from the control unit to an external source through the use of one or more digital input/output ports, namely the energy data is communicated from the control unit and programming data is communicated to the control unit from the external source; whereby the method operates without need to temporarily disconnect or alter the first or second conduit segments.