초록 ▼

An arrangement for radio utility meter reading processing of data acquisition for use with an automatic billing system involves a water meter transmitter antenna system installed at or near ground level in an outdoor environment. A radio frequency utility meter communication apparatus transmits util

An arrangement for radio utility meter reading processing of data acquisition for use with an automatic billing system involves a water meter transmitter antenna system installed at or near ground level in an outdoor environment. A radio frequency utility meter communication apparatus transmits utility meter data to a remote utility meter data collection unit from an underground pit box. The pit box receives a utility meter and has a generally ground level pit lid with an opening therethrough. An antenna element has an upper member extending at least partly through the pit lid opening and received thereabove. A depending base of the antenna element extends from the upper element and passes through the pit lid opening into the underground pit box. The antenna element is at least partly exposed to its surrounding environment. An RF transmitter inside the underground pit box is associated with the antenna element depending base so that RF signals output by the RF transmitter are propagated by the antenna element. A utility meter also located within the underground pit box is arranged for outputting its data to the RF transmitter, so that the upper portion of the antenna element at least partly situated above an exterior, above ground portion of the pit box lid, propagates utility meter data from the utility meter within the pit box to a remote utility meter data collection unit.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A radio frequency utility meter communication apparatus for transmitting utility meter data to a remote utility meter data collection unit from an underground pit box receiving a utility meter and having a generally ground level pit lid with an opening therethrough, said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A radio frequency utility meter communication apparatus for transmitting utility meter data to a remote utility meter data collection unit from an underground pit box receiving a utility meter and having a generally ground level pit lid with an opening therethrough, said communication apparatus comprising:an antenna element having a top cap extending at least partly through the pit lid opening and received thereabove, and having a depending base extending from said top cap and passing through the pit lid opening into the underground pit box, said antenna element at least partly being exposed to its surrounding environment;an RF transmitter situated inside the underground pit box and associated with said antenna element depending base such that RF signals transmitted by said RF transmitter are propagated by said antenna element;utility meter interconnection means for interconnecting data from a utility meter within an underground pit box to said RF transmitter situated inside such underground pit box;whereby said antenna element top cap, at least partly situated above an exterior, above ground portion of the pit box lid, propagates utility meter data from the utility meter within the pit box to a remote utility meter data collection unit.