Integrated flow meter and control valve

1. An integrated flow meter and control valve comprising:

a flow tube providing a flow channel extending between an inlet and an outlet opening;

a substantially watertight meter housing providing a compartment, extending from the flow tube;

a metering unit arranged inside the compartment for measuring the flow of a medium flowing though the flow channel,

an electrical valve actuator arranged inside the compartment and adapted to control a flow control element arranged inside the flow channel;

a control module including a wireless communication device arranged inside the compartment; and

a self-contained power supply arranged inside the compartment;

wherein the meter housing is formed as an integrated part of the flow tube with the compartment having a primary opening for insertion of the metering unit and a secondary sealable opening for insertion of the electrical valve actuator.

2. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the control module is communicatively coupled to the metering unit and the valve actuator and the control module is configured to transmit commands to the meter unit and/or the valve actuator to control the position of the flow control element.

3. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the primary opening and the secondary opening face in opposite directions.

4. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the meter housing provides a primary compartment housing the metering unit, the primary compartment being accessible through the primary opening; and a secondary compartment housing the electrical valve actuator, the secondary compartment being accessible through the secondary opening.

5. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the primary and secondary sealable openings are arranged on opposite sides of the flow tube.

6. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical valve actuator is electrically connected to the metering unit by an electrical connecting element.

7. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the metering unit and the electrical valve actuator are powered by the common self-contained power supply.

8. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical valve actuator includes a valve stem connected with the flow control element, the valve stem being arranged in a stem bore extending from the secondary compartment into the flow channel to engage.

9. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 8 , wherein the valve stem is kept in place by the valve actuator being secured to the meter housing.

10. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 8 , wherein the stem bore and the valve stem are tapered towards the flow channel.

11. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 8 , wherein a drain space is provided along the stem bore between first and second barrier gaskets, the drain space being connected to a drain channel in fluid communication with a drain outlet provided in an exterior wall of the flow meter housing.

12. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical valve actuator includes an electric motor connected to a valve stem via a gear train.

13. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 12 , wherein the gear train including a plurality of compound gears providing multiple stages of reduction.

14. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet- or outlet opening is configured for insertion of the flow control element into the flow tube and wherein a fixation element is arranged in the inlet- or outlet opening to fixate the flow control element inside the flow tube.

15. An integrated flow meter and control valve according to claim 1 , wherein the flow control element is arranged downstream from a measurement section of the flow channel wherein fluid flow is measured.