WO2021139858A1

WO2021139858A1 - An ultrasonic flow meter

Info

Publication number: WO2021139858A1
Application number: PCT/DK2020/050001
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Edward PRICE
Original assignee: Apator Miitors Aps
Priority date: 2020-01-07
Filing date: 2020-01-07
Publication date: 2021-07-15

Abstract

An ultrasonic flow meter (100) is disclosed, the flow meter comprising a housing (120), a first ultrasonic transducer (130), a second ultrasonic transducer (131), an electronic control arrangement (170) for operating said ultrasonic flow meter (100), and a connection arrangement (140) being arranged between said electronic control arrangement (170) and said ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said connection arrangement (140) comprising an electrically insulating support arrangement (150), and a set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) mechanically fixating said set of connectors (160) and maintaining electrical separation between said set of connectors (160), wherein said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) has a first part (151), a second part(152), and a third part (153) with a first and a second end, the first part (151) being pivotably connected to the first end of the third part (153), and the second part (152) being pivotably connected to the second end of the third part(153). Also, a method for assembling an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed.

Description

AN ULTRASONIC FLOW METER

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid, such as water, district heating or gas.

BACKGROUND Several ultrasonic flow meters exist in the prior art. Advantageously, ultrasonic flow meters should be cost-effective and easy to assemble.

One example of an ultrasonic flow meter is shown in international patent application WO 2011/141167 A2 to Hydrometer GmbH. A housing holds a printed circuit board and ultrasonic transducers of the flow meter, and a connection arrangement therebetween.

EP 2888561 A1 to Apator Miitors shows another example of an ultrasonic flow meter with a connection arrangement.

Still, however, there is a need for an ultrasonic flow meter with a connection arrangement, which is easily assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventor has discovered such flow meter. Thus, in a first aspect, an ultrasonic flow meter is provided, which comprises a housing, a first ultrasonic transducer, a second ultrasonic transducer, an electronic control arrangement for operating said ultrasonic flow meter, and a connection arrangement being arranged between said electronic control arrangement and said ultrasonic transducers, said connection arrangement comprising an electrically insulating support arrangement, and a set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers, said electrically insulating support arrangement mechanically fixating said set of connectors and maintaining electrical separation between said set of connectors, wherein said electrically insulating support arrangement has a first part, a second part, and a third part with a first and a second end, the first part being pivotably connected to the first end of the third part, and the second part being pivotably connected to the second end of the third part.

Thus, the ultrasonic flow meter according to the invention has a connection arrangement for connecting the electronic control arrangement and the ultrasonic transducers, wherein the connection arrangement comprises an electrically insulating support arrangement for holding and separating a set of connectors, which provides electrical contact between the electronic control arrangement and each of the transducers. Thus the connectors are electrically conductive connectors.

Preferably, the connection between the connection arrangement and the electronic control arrangement is substantially free of soldering. Instead, the connectors are preferably elastic or comprises one or more elastic parts, e.g. two opposing, elastic end parts. Thereby, the connection arrangement and the electronic control arrangement remains mechanically separated units, even after assembly of the flow meter, the elastic connectors maintaining the electrical connection to the electronic control arrangement without being fixated to said electronic control arrangement by e.g. adhesives, soldering etc., but by means of an elastic force, such as e.g. a spring force for connectors comprising one or more springs. One advantage of this embodiment may be that a more stable connection, especially over very long time periods, such as many years, may be obtained. While mechanical forces may affect and wear adhesive or soldering based connections, a connection based on an elastic force may remain relatively unaffected by mechanical forces induced, e.g. by movement of the connection arrangement etc.

The electrically insulating support arrangement of the connection arrangement of the ultrasonic flow meter of the invention is three-parted: It has a first part, a second part, and a third part, the first and second parts being connected to a first end and a second end, respectively, of the third part, the third part thus making up a middle part between the first and second parts.

Also, the connections between the third part, and the first and second parts, respectively, are pivot connections, such that the first part is pivotably connected to the first end of the third part, and the second part is pivotably connected to the second end of the third part. Accordingly, the first part may be rotated relative to the third part about a connection point or a connection line between the first part and the first end of the third part. Likewise, the second part may be rotated relative to the third part about a connection point or a connection line between the second part and the second end of the third part.

According to the invention, the electrically insulating support arrangement fixates the set of connectors. Thus, it should be understood, that each of the first, second and third parts of the electrically insulating support arrangement fixate the part the set of connectors arranged with the part. Thus, the first, second and third parts of the electrically insulating support arrangement may fixate a first, second, and third connector, respectively. It should be understood according to the invention that each of the connectors of the set of connectors are electrically separated and insulated from each other.

Also, it should be understood, that whenever the first part is rotated relative to the third part, the part of the set of connectors arranged with the first part is rotated therewith. Thus, in case a first connector is fixated with the first part of the electrically insulating support arrangement, it is rotated therewith. Similar, in case a second connector is fixated with the second part of the electrically insulating support arrangement, it is rotated therewith.

The ultrasonic flow meter with the connection arrangement according to the first aspect allows for easy assembly of the connection arrangement per se and of the ultrasonic flow meter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first part has a first longitudinal axis, the second part has a second longitudinal axis, and the third part has a third longitudinal axis, and, in a first state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the third longitudinal axis, and, in a second state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis.

Thus, according to this embodiment of the invention, the electrically insulating support arrangement may be arranged in two states, a first state and a second state. In the first state, the longitudinal axes of the first part and the third part, and of the second part and the third part, respectively, are parallel. Thus, in the first state, none of the first and second parts are rotated around their connection points or connection axes. In contrast, in the second state, the longitudinal axes of the first part and the third part, and of the second part and of the third part, are angled. Thus, in the second state, each of the first and second parts are rotated around their connection points or connection axes, by a first and second rotation angle, respectively, which optionally may be similar. The above mentioned angled relationship between the longitudinal axes of the first part and the third part and of the second part and of the third part may in an embodiment be obtained by having an angle from 5 to 120 degrees between the longitudinal axes of the first part and the third part and between the longitudinal axes the second part and of the third part, such as an angle from 10 to 110 degrees, such as an angle from 25 to 100 degrees. In one embodiment the angle may be about 90 degrees, such as from 80 to 100 degrees, or from 85 to 95 degrees.

The angling of the first and second parts, relative to the third part, allows for easy connection of the connectors to the ultrasonic transducers of the flow meter, such as to transducers arranged in transducer recesses adjacent to a flow channel with the fluid to be measured.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in the second state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis.

Thus, according to this embodiment, in the second state, each of the first and second parts are rotated 90 degrees clockwise or anticlockwise around their connection points or connection lines, preferably so that the first part is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and the second part is rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise relative to the third part, or the first part is rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise and the second part is rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the third part.

The perpendicular arrangement of the first and second parts, respectively, relatively to the third part allows for easy connection to the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic flow meter, such as ultrasonic transducers arranged in transducer recesses. In particular, with one part of the first and second parts being rotated clockwise and the other part of the first and second parts being rotated anticlockwise, both parts face the same direction such as facing two transducers in two transducer recesses arranged adjacent to a flow channel.

Preferably, the first part, the second part, and the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement are provided as a single, integrated support unit.

Providing the electrically insulating support arrangement as a single, integrated support unit allows for ease of assembly.

Alternatively, the first part, the second part, and the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement are provided as three, individual support parts.

As an alternative to providing the electrically insulating support arrangement as a single support unit, it may be provided as three, individual support parts, corresponding to the first part, the second part and the third part. Providing the electrically insulating support arrangement as individual support parts allows for ease of manufacture of these parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers is provided as a single, integrated connector unit.

Providing the set of connectors as a single, integrated connector unit allows for ease of assembly.

Alternatively, the set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers is provided as three, individual connectors. As an alternative to providing the set of connectors as a single connector unit, it may be provided as three, individual connectors. Providing the set of connectors as individual connectors allows for ease of manufacture of these parts.

According to this embodiment of the invention, it should be understood, that the three, individual connectors relate to the first part, the second part, and the third part, respectively, of the electrically insulating support arrangement, such that a first connector of the three, individual connectors is arranged with the first part, a second connector of the three, individual connectors is arranged with the second part, and a third connector of the three, individual connectors is arranged with the third part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic flow meter is a consumption meter.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of assembling an ultrasonic flow meter, the ultrasonic flow meter comprising a meter housing, a first ultrasonic transducer, a second ultrasonic transducer, an electronic control arrangement for operating said ultrasonic flow meter, and a connection arrangement being arranged between said electronic control arrangement and said ultrasonic transducers, said connection arrangement comprising an electrically insulating support arrangement, and a set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers, said electrically insulating support arrangement mechanically fixating said set of connectors and maintaining electrical separation between said set of connectors, wherein said electrically insulating support arrangement has a first part, a second part, and a third part with a first and a second end, the first part being pivotably connected to the first end of the third part, and the second part being pivotably connected to the second end of the third part, wherein said method comprising the steps of inserting the first and second ultrasonic transducers into the meter housing, inserting the connection arrangement into the meter housing so as to establish electrical contact to the first and second transducers, and inserting the electronic control arrangement so as to establish electrical contact from the electronics control arrangement, through the connection arrangement, to the first and second transducers.

With the second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for assembling of the ultrasonic flow meter according to the first aspect of the invention.

With the connection arrangement, the set of elastic connectors is arranged for electrically connecting the electronic control arrangement, such as a printed circuit board, and the first and second ultrasonic transducers.

With the method, these items, i.e. the transducers, the connection arrangement and the electronic control arrangement, are arranged in the meter housing, in order to establish, first, electrical contact between the transducers and the connectors of the connection arrangement, and, second, electrical contact between the connectors of the connection arrangement and the electronics control arrangement, and, thus, to establish electrical contact from the electronics control arrangement, through the connection arrangement, to the first and second transducers.

Preferably with the method, the first part has a first longitudinal axis, the second part has a second longitudinal axis, and the third part has a third longitudinal axis, and, in a first state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the third longitudinal axis, and, in a second state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis.

Further preferably with the method, in the second state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis, and the second longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis. In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises a step of assembling the connection arrangement, comprising the steps of fixating the set of connectors in the electrically insulating support arrangement in the first state of the connection arrangement, and arranging the first part of the electrically insulating support arrangement relative to the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement, and arranging the second part of the electrically insulating support arrangement relative to the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement, so as to arrange the connection arrangement in its second state.

With the first step of the method according to this embodiment of the invention, the set of connectors is arranged with the electrically insulating support arrangement. This is preferably done with the connection arrangement in its first state, i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the first part, the second part, and the third part being parallel. Thus, in this first state, none of the first part and the second part are rotated, i.e. the first part and second part are parallel.

Upon fixation of the set of connectors with the electrically insulating support arrangement, each of the connectors are separated or at least prepared for being separated, so as to separately connect to, in terms of transducer connection, a first electrode of the first transducer, a first electrode of the second transducer, a second electrode of the first transducer, and a second electrode of the second transducer. In embodiments, the first transducer and the second transducer may have a common second electrode, such as a common second electrode printed onto the housing wall.

With the second step of the method according to this embodiment of the invention, the electrically insulating support arrangement is arranged in its second state, i.e. the first and second parts are rotated relative to the third part, preferably to be arranged so that the longitudinal axes of the third axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the first and second parts. In its second state, the connection arrangement is arranged so that the first and second part of the electrically insulation support arrangement, and, with the first and second connectors, the connection arrangement, are arranged for facing the transducers of the flow meter.

Preferably, with this aspect, the first part, the second part, and the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement are provided as a single, integrated support unit.

Alternatively, with this aspect, the first part, the second part, and the third part of the electrically insulating support arrangement are provided as three, individual support parts.

In an embodiment of the invention, the set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers is provided as a single, integrated connector unit.

Preferably, with this embodiment, the method further comprises a step of separating the set of connectors, comprising the step of separating the set of connectors into three, individual connectors, such as by cutting the set of connectors along cutting lines.

Separating a single, integrated connector unit into three, individual connectors allows for provision of individual connectors for connection to each of the first electrode of the first transducer, the first electrode of the second transducer and a common second electrode of first and second transducers.

Alternatively, the set of connectors for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement with said first and second ultrasonic transducers is provided as three, individual connectors. FIGURES

In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings, where

Fig. 1 A and IB show an ultrasonic flow meter according to the present invention,

Figs. 2a, 2b, and 2c show three states of a connection arrangement of the ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention, and

Fig. 3a and 3b show two embodiments of the set of connectors according to invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Fig. la, an ultrasonic flow meter 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The ultrasonic flow meter 100 is shown in an exploded view showing components thereof.

The ultrasonic flow meter 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to a flow tube 110 (not shown) for the media to be measured, and has a meter housing 120 with a first and a second ultrasonic transducers 130, 131, a connection arrangement 140, and an electronic control arrangement 170. With the electronic control arrangement 170 is a battery 171 for powering the ultrasonic flow meter 100.

The first and second transducers 130, 131 are arranged in the meter housing 120 to pass ultrasound into the flow tube 110 (not shown), designed such that an ultrasonic signal emitted by the first transducer 130 will be reflected in the flow tube 110 (not shown) and guided to the second transducer 131, or vice versa from the second transducer 131 to said first transducer 130.

The connection arrangement 140 is shown in more details in fig. lb. The connection arrangement 140 comprises an electrically insulating support arrangement 150 for fixation of a set of connectors 160.

The connection arrangement 140 is arranged in the meter housing 120 such that the set of connectors 160 engage with the ultrasonic transducers 130, 131. Also, the set of connectors 160 engage with electronic control arrangement 170, thereby establishing electrical connection from the electrical control arrangement 170 to the first and second ultrasonic transducers 130, 131.

Fig. 2a, 2b, and 2c show three states of the connection arrangement 140. Referring to fig. 2a, the connection arrangement 140 is shown in a first state. The electrically insulating support arrangement 150 of the connection arrangement 140 has a first part 151, second part 152, and third part 153, which have corresponding longitudinal axes 151a, 152a, and 153a (shown in fig. 2b and 2c). With this first state of fig. 2a, the first longitudinal axis 151a is parallel to third longitudinal axis 153a, and the second longitudinal axis 152a is parallel to the third longitudinal axis 153a.

For assembly of the connection arrangement 140, the electrically insulating support arrangement 150 is provided as a single, integrated support unit comprising each of the three parts 151, 152, and 153.

In an alternative embodiment of the connection arrangement 140, the electrically insulating support arrangement 150 is provided as three, individual support parts, corresponding to the three parts 151, 152, and 153.

Returning to fig. 2a, the electrically insulating supporting arrangement 150 fixates the set of connectors 160.

For assembly of the connection arrangement 140, the set of connectors 160 is provided as three, individual connectors 161, 162, and 163, as illustrated in fig. 3a. Such three, individual connectors 161, 162, and 163 correspond to the first part 151, the second part 152, and the third part 153, respectively, of the electrically insulating support arrangement 150, such that the first connector 161 of the three, individual connectors 161, 162, and 163 is arranged with the first part 151, the second connector 162 of the three, individual connectors 161, 162, and 163 is arranged with the second part 152, and the third connector 163 of the three, individual connectors 161, 162, and 163 is arranged with the third part 153.

In an alternative embodiment of the connection arrangement 140, the set of connectors 160 is provided as a single, integrated connector unit 160, as illustrated in fig. 3b. When provided as a single, integrated connector unit 160, the set of connectors 160 may subsequently be separated into three parts, corresponding to the first connector 161, the second connector 162, and the third connector 163. The subsequent separation may thus be performed after the set of connectors 160 as a single, integrated connector unit 160 has been fixated to the insulating support arrangement 150, e.g. in a first state as illustrated in fig. 2a. Such separation may be done by e.g. cutting the set of connectors 160 along predefined cutting lines, which in turn may be accessed through openings in the electrically insulating support arrangement 150. It should be understood that, according to the invention, each of the connectors 161, 162, and 163 of the set of connectors 160 are electrically separated and insulated from each other in the final connection arrangement 140.

Returning to fig. 2a, the set of connectors 160 is fixated with the electrically insulating support arrangement 150 of the connection arrangement 140 by means of recesses and/or protrusions on the electrically insulating support arrangement 150. In those cases, where the electrically insulating support arrangement 150 is made up of two or more individual support parts, such as three individual support parts, each of these parts have recesses and/protrusions for fixation of the set of connectors 160. Also, in those cases, where the set of connectors 160 is made up of two or more individual connectors, such as three or four individual connectors, each of these connectors are fixated by recesses and/protrusions of the electrically insulation support arrangement 150.

Referring to fig. 3 a, a part of the set of connectors 160 may be specifically adapted for fixation with the electrically insulation support arrangement 150, i.e. as a fastening part. Thus, the first connector 161 has a fastening part 161c, the second connector 162 has a fastening part 162c, and the third connector 163 has a fastening part 163 c. The fastening parts may e.g. be provided as through hole for being engaged by a locking pin of the corresponding first, second, and third part 151, 152, 153 of the electrically insulating support arrangement 150. Alternatively, the fastening parts may be a protrusion and/or a recess for engaging with a recess and/or a protrusion of the electrically insulating support arrangement 150.

Protrusions 180 on the electrically insulating support arrangement allow for fixation of the connection arrangement 140 to the housing 120 or components therein.

Referring to fig. 2b, the connection arrangement 140 is shown in a second state. With this second state of the connection arrangement 140, the first longitudinal axis 151a is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis 153a, and the second longitudinal axis 152a is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis 153a to more easily approach the transducers 130, 131.

Referring to fig. 2c, the connection arrangement 140 is shown in a third state. With this third state of the connection arrangement 140, the first longitudinal axis 151a is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis 153a, and the second longitudinal axis 152a is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis 153a to even more easily approach the transducers 130, 131.

Referring to fig. 3a, the first connector 161 has a first connector part 161a connecting to the first electrode 130a (not shown) of the first ultrasonic transducer 130 (not shown), and a second connector part 161b connecting to the electronic control arrangement 170 (not shown). Likewise, the second connector 162 has a first connector part 162a connecting to the first electrode 131a (not shown) of the second ultrasonic transducer 131 (not shown), and a second connector part 162b connecting to the electronic control arrangement 170 (not shown).

Likewise, the third connector 163 has a first connector part 163a connecting to a common second electrode 130b, 131b (not shown) of the first and second ultrasonic transducer 130, 131, and a second connector part 163b connecting to the electronic control arrangement 170. In alternative embodiments, the second electrodes 130b, 131b (not shown) of the first and second ultrasonic transducers 130, 131 may be individual second electrodes 130b, 131b (not shown), and the third connector 163 may be divided into two separate connectors, so as to make up a total of four connectors.

LIST OF FIGURE REFERENCES

100. Ultrasonic flow meter 110. Flow tube 120. Meter housing 130. First ultrasonic transducer

131. Second ultrasonic transducer 140. Connection arrangement

150. Electrically insulating support arrangement

151. First part of electrically insulating support arrangement 151a. First longitudinal axis

152. Second part of electrically insulating support arrangement 152a. Second longitudinal axis

153. Third part of electrically insulating support arrangement 153a. Third longitudinal axis 160. Set of connectors

161. First connector

161a. First connector part of first connector 161b. Second connector part of first connector 161c. Fastening part of first connector 162. Second connector

162a. First connector part of second connector 162b. Second connector part of second connector 162c. Fastening part of second connector 163. Third connector 163a. First connector part of third connector

163b. Second connector part of third connector 163 c. Fastening part of third connector

170. Electronic control arrangement

171. Battery 180. Protrusion

Claims

1. An ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprising - a housing (120), a first ultrasonic transducer (130), a second ultrasonic transducer (131), an electronic control arrangement (170) for operating said ultrasonic flow meter (100), and - a connection arrangement (140) being arranged between said electronic control arrangement (170) and said ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said connection arrangement (140) comprising - an electrically insulating support arrangement (150), and a set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) mechanically fixating said set of connectors (160) and maintaining electrical separation between said set of connectors (160), wherein said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) has a first part (151), a second part (152), and a third part (153) with a first and a second end, the first part (151) being pivotably connected to the first end of the third part (153), and the second part (152) being pivotably connected to the second end of the third part (153).

2. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first part (151) has a first longitudinal axis (151a), the second part (152) has a second longitudinal axis (152a), and the third part (153) has a third longitudinal axis (153a), and wherein, in a first state of the connection arrangement (140), the first longitudinal axis (151a) is parallel to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is parallel to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and, in a second state of the connection arrangement (140), the first longitudinal axis (151a) is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis (153a).

3. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to claim 2, wherein, in the second state of the connection arrangement (140), the first longitudinal axis (151a) is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis (153a).

4. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (151), the second part (152), and the third part (153) of the electrically insulating support arrangement (150) are provided as a single, integrated support unit.

5. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first part (151), the second part (152), and the third part (153) of the electrically insulating support arrangement (150) are provided as three, individual support parts.

6. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131) is provided as a single, integrated connector unit.

7. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131) is provided as three, individual connectors (161, 162, 163).

8. A method for assembling an ultrasonic flow meter (100), the ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprising a meter housing (120), a first ultrasonic transducer (130), a second ultrasonic transducer (131), an electronic control arrangement (170) for operating said ultrasonic flow meter (100), and a connection arrangement (140) being arranged between said electronic control arrangement (170) and said ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said connection arrangement (140) comprising an electrically insulating support arrangement (150), and a set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131), said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) mechanically fixating said set of connectors (160) and maintaining electrical separation between said set of connectors (160), wherein said electrically insulating support arrangement (150) has a first part (151), a second part (152), and a third part (153) with a first and a second end, the first part (151) being pivotably connected to the first end of the third part (153), and the second part (152) being pivotably connected to the second end of the third part (153), wherein said method comprising the steps of: inserting the first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131) into the meter housing (120), inserting the connection arrangement (140) into the meter housing (120) so as to establish electrical contact to the first and second transducers (130, 131), and inserting the electronic control arrangement (170) so as to establish electrical contact from the electronics control arrangement (170), through the connection arrangement (140), to the first and second transducers (130, 131).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first part (151) has a first longitudinal axis (151a), the second part (152) has a second longitudinal axis (152a), and the third part (153) has a third longitudinal axis (153a), and wherein, in a first state of the connection arrangement (140), the first longitudinal axis (151a) is parallel to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is parallel to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and, in a second state of the connection arrangement, the first longitudinal axis (151a) is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is angled relative to the third longitudinal axis (153a).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in the second state of the connection support arrangement (140), the first longitudinal axis (151a) is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis (153a), and the second longitudinal axis (152a) is perpendicular to the third longitudinal axis (153a).

11. The method according to any of claim 9 or 10, wherein the method further comprises a step of assembling the connection arrangement (140), comprising the steps of: fixating the set of connectors (160) in the electrically insulating support arrangement (150) in the first state of the connection arrangement (140), and arranging the first part (151) of the electrically insulating support arrangement (150) relative to the third part (153) of the electrically insulating support arrangement

(150), and arranging the second part (152) of the electrically insulating support arrangement (152) relative to the third part (153) of the electrically insulating support arrangement (150), so as to arrange the connection arrangement (140) in its second state.

12. The method according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the first part (151), the second part (152), and the third part (153) of the insulating support arrangement (150) are provided as a single, integrated support unit.

13. The method according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the first part (151), the second part (152), and the third part (153) of the insulating support arrangement (150) are provided as three, individual support parts.

14. The method according to any of claims 8-13, wherein the set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131) is provided as a single, integrated connector unit.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises a step of separating the set of connectors (160), comprising the step of: separating the set of connectors ( 160) into three, individual connectors (161, 162,

163).

16. The method according to any of claims 8-13, wherein the set of connectors (160) for electrically connecting said electronic control arrangement (170) with said first and second ultrasonic transducers (130, 131) is provided as three, individual connectors (161, 162, 163).