Tokyo Keiki first introduced ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters to commercial markets in Japan in 1963. In 1971, Badger Meter first brought clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters to the United States by reselling Tokyo Keiki’s meters. In 1972, Controlotron began manufacturing its clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters in Long Island, New York. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Doppler flowmeters began to be used. Because they were not well understood, they were often misapplied. As a result, many users got a bad impression of ultrasonic flowmeters during this time. In the 1990s, transit-time emerged as the leading ultrasonic technology, and ultrasonic meters began growing significantly in popularity and capabilities.
In the early 1980s, both Panametrics and Ultraflux experimented with ultrasonic meters for gas-flow measurement. In the mid-1990s, a group called Group Europeen de Recherches Gaziers (GERG) published a technical monograph on ultrasonic flowmeters for gas flow measurement. A monograph out of GERG led to increased European ultrasonic flowmeter use from 1996 to 1999.
The GERG monograph laid the groundwork for the publication of AGA-9 by the American Gas Association. AGA-9 lays out criteria for using ultrasonic flowmeters for custody-transfer applications. Since its publication in June 1998, ultrasonic flowmeters have become widely used for custody transfer of natural gas. They are especially suited for measuring gas flow in large pipelines, easily handling flow in those above 20 inches in diameter, as well as smaller pipelines. Its main competitors for custody transfer of natural gas are the differential-pressure (DP) orifice meter and turbine flowmeter.
History since 2001
The history of ultrasonic flowmeters since 2001 can be viewed from multiple perspectives. One way is to look at the product development that has occurred during this time. There have been many advances in custody transfer meters, in developing multipath meters, in gas flow measurement, in developing diagnostic capabilities, and in calibrating ultrasonic meters.
Another way to view the history of this period is by looking at the history of mergers and acquisitions that have occurred in the past 20+ years. Some of this is covered in Chapter Eight, Company Profiles, but it is also instructive to list some of the more notable changes on their own.
In 1998, Emerson bought Daniel Industries, a manufacturer of ultrasonic and turbine flowmeters.
In 2001, Badger Meter’s ultrasonic division was acquired by Eastech Flow Controls
In 2002, Accusonic was acquired by ADS Environmental. Accusonic sells open channel flowmeters for large pipe applications; water, wastewater, and power generation markets; multi-path transit-time.
In 2003, Siemens acquired the flow division of Danfoss. This division is a manufacturer of magnetic, ultrasonic, and Coriolis flowmeters.
In 2005, Siemens bought Controlotron, a manufacturer of clamp-on ultrasonic meters.
In 2012, Badger Meter acquired Racine Federated, including Dynasonics, a manufacturer of ultrasonic flowmeters.
In 2015, Honeywell International bought Melrose Industries’ Elster unit, which included ultrasonic and turbine flowmeters.
In 2016, Schlumberger acquired Cameron International, a supplier of high-end ultrasonic flowmeters for the nuclear industry.
In 2017, Baker Hughes merged with GE Oil and Gas in 2017 to become Baker Hughes, a GE Company (BHGE), then divested from GE in 2019 and became Baker Hughes Company. GE still holds 57.5% of shares. GE acquired Panametrics in 2002.
In 2017, Technip merged with FMC Technologies to form TechnipFMC.
In 2019, Schlumberger and Rockwell formed a joint venture called Sensia.
In 2021, Emerson sold Daniel Industries, a manufacturer of ultrasonic and turbine meters to Turnspire Capital Partners. However, Emerson kept its ultrasonic meters and labeled them Emerson Rosemount, having sold off the Daniel name to Turnspire.
In 2023, Emerson acquired Flexim, a manufacturer of ultrasonic clamp-on meters based in Germany.
In January 2025, Endress+Hauser and SICK formed a joint venture, Endress+Hauser SICK GmbH+Co. KG as a global leader in gas measurement.
In 2025, Baker Hughes sold its Precision, Sensors, & Instrumentation division, including Panametrics, to Crane Company for $1,060 million. The deal is expected to close early in 2026.