Generating power from pressurized fuel gas for use on a gas meter
US10790429B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/6845
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include a body with ends connectable to a pipe, a fluid circuit disposed in the body and coupled to the ends, the fluid circuit comprising, a flow unit configured to convert a single stream of fuel gas into a pair of streams at different temperatures, and a power unit responsive to a temperature differential between the two streams to generate an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to operate the flow device or, when necessary, replace, supplement, or recharge a power source on the flow device that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.