Meter register and remote meter reader utilizing a stepper motor
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G06M-001/12
F15C-001/00
F15C-004/00
F42C-015/22
B67D-007/22
G01F-015/02
G01F-015/06
G01F-001/00
G01C-022/00
G06F-017/00
G06K-007/00
G01R-011/56
출원번호
US-0366502
(2012-02-06)
등록번호
US-8448845
(2013-05-28)
발명자
/ 주소
Winter, Dan
Koch, Ronald N.
출원인 / 주소
Arad Measuring Technologies Ltd.
대리인 / 주소
The Webb Law Firm
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
77
초록▼
A meter for flowing material, e.g., water, has a meter register having an electronic display, e.g., an LED or LCD display, and a mechanical read-out display driven by a stepper motor to record units of water that flowed through the meter. In the event of an electrical power failure, the LED or LCD r
A meter for flowing material, e.g., water, has a meter register having an electronic display, e.g., an LED or LCD display, and a mechanical read-out display driven by a stepper motor to record units of water that flowed through the meter. In the event of an electrical power failure, the LED or LCD readout values are lost, however, the mechanical read-out values remain. Further, signals are transmitted to a microprocessor of a meter register to change the rotation of the stepper motor so that the meter register can be used with different types of meters. Still further, a meter generator co-acting with a meter register forwards an electrical pulse signal after a quantity of material or utility passes through a water meter to a microprocessor of a remote reader. The remote reader includes an odometer coupled to a stepper motor.
대표청구항▼
1. A retrofit meter register mounted in a sealed unit, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system capable of being operatively connected to a moveable measuring element mounted in a flow chamber of a body of a utility meter, the measuring system generating a signal defined as a first
1. A retrofit meter register mounted in a sealed unit, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system capable of being operatively connected to a moveable measuring element mounted in a flow chamber of a body of a utility meter, the measuring system generating a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding a volume of utility passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, wherein the body of the utility meter and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics that are used in determining the volume flow of utility through the flow chamber of the utility meter;a signal receiver to receive transmitted signals from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signals identifying the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected; anda microprocessor to receive the transmitted signal from the signal receiver and the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different models of utility meters, including the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, wherein the microprocessor is configured to analyze the transmitted signal to identify the model of the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, and act on the first signal using the physical and performance characteristics stored in the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter to which the register is connected, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter. 2. The retrofit meter register of claim 1, comprising a display system to receive a signal defined as a third signal from the microprocessor and to operate in response to the third signal to display the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter. 3. The retrofit meter register of claim 2, wherein the display system comprises a numerical display to visually present flow information of the utility meter. 4. The retrofit meter register of claim 3, wherein the third signal energizes a stepper motor to move a wheel of a bank of wheels of an odometer. 5. The retrofit meter register of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor comprises means to make a measured flow rate of the utility moving through the flow chamber available, and the microprocessor converts the measured flow rate to a flow rate signal and forwards the flow rate signal to a transmitting antenna. 6. The retrofit meter register according to claim 1, wherein the measuring element comprises a drive magnet and a magnetic force of the drive magnet is acted on by the measuring system to generate the first signal. 7. A retrofit meter register mounted in a sealed unit, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system capable of being operatively connected to a moveable measuring element mounted in a flow chamber of a body of a utility meter, the measuring system generating a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding a volume of utility passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, wherein the body of the utility meter and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics that are used in determining the volume flow of utility through the flow chamber of the utility meter;a signal receiver to receive transmitted signals from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signals identifying the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected; anda microprocessor to receive the transmitted signal from the signal receiver and the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different models of utility meters, including the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, wherein the microprocessor is configured to analyze the transmitted signal to identify the model of the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, and act on the first signal using the physical and performance characteristics stored in the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter to which the register is connected, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter,wherein the signal receiver is a bank of switches which, when set in a particular position, sends the second signal to the microprocessor to configure the microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the data of the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the meter. 8. A retrofit meter register mounted in a sealed unit, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system capable of being operatively connected to a moveable measuring element mounted in a flow chamber of a body of a utility meter, the measuring system generating a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding a volume of utility passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, wherein the body of the utility meter and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics that are used in determining the volume flow of utility through the flow chamber of the utility meter;a signal receiver to receive transmitted signals from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signals identifying the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected; anda microprocessor to receive the transmitted signal from the signal receiver and the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different models of utility meters, including the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, wherein the physical and performance characteristics comprise a performance curve which is a measure of accuracy for each flow rate, magnetic pulses per minute that correspond to flow rate, and inside diameter of conduits flowing the utility into and out of the flow chamber, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to analyze the transmitted signal to identify the model of the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, and act on the first signal using the physical and performance characteristics stored in the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter to which the register is connected and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter, wherein the utility meter comprises a display system to receive a signal defined as a third signal from the microprocessor and to operate in response to the third signal to display the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter. 9. A utility meter and retrofit meter register system, comprising: a meter body comprising a flow chamber through which a utility passes, and a moveable measuring element mounted in the flow chamber, the moveable measuring element moves in response to the utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the meter body and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics defined as first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda retrofit meter register, wherein the retrofit meter register is in a sealed unit and the unit is mounted on the meter body, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system operatively connected to the moveable measuring element in the flow chamber to generate a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding the volume of utility passing through the flow chamber;a microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different types of utility meters including the first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda signal receiver to receive a transmitted signal from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signal identifying the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, the signal receiver passing a signal defined as a second signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to analyze the second signal to identify the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter. 10. The utility meter and retrofit meter register system of claim 9, comprising a display system to receive a signal defined as a third signal from the microprocessor and to operate in response to the third signal to display the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter. 11. The utility meter and retrofit meter register system of claim 10, wherein the display system comprises a numerical display to visually present flow information of the utility meter. 12. The utility meter and retrofit meter register system of claim 11, wherein the third signal energizes a stepper motor to move a wheel of a bank of wheels of an odometer. 13. The utility meter and retrofit meter register system of claim 9, wherein the microprocessor comprises means to make a measured flow rate of the utility moving through the flow chamber available and the microprocessor converts the measured flow rate to a flow rate signal and forwards the flow rate signal to a transmitting antenna. 14. The retrofit meter register according to claim 9, wherein the moveable measuring element comprises a drive magnet and a magnetic force of the drive magnet is acted on by the measuring system to generate the first signal. 15. A utility meter and retrofit meter register system, comprising: a meter body comprising a flow chamber through which a utility passes and a moveable measuring element mounted in the flow chamber, the moveable measuring element moves in response to the utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the meter body and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics defined as first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda retrofit meter register, wherein the retrofit meter register is in a sealed unit and the unit is mounted on the meter body, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system operatively connected to the moveable measuring element in the flow chamber to generate a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding the volume of utility passing through the flow chamber;a microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different types of utility meters including the first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda signal receiver to receive a transmitted signal from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signal identifying the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, the signal receiver passing a signal defined as a second signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to analyze the second signal to identify the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter,wherein the signal receiver is a bank of switches which, when set in a particular position, sends the second signal to the microprocessor to configure the microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the data of the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the meter. 16. A utility meter and retrofit meter register system, comprising: a meter body comprising a flow chamber through which a utility passes and a moveable measuring element mounted in the flow chamber, the moveable measuring element moves in response to the utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the meter body and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics defined as first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda retrofit meter register, wherein the retrofit meter register is in a sealed unit and the unit is mounted on the meter body, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system operatively connected to the moveable measuring element in the flow chamber to generate a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding the volume of utility passing through the flow chamber;a microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different types of utility meters including the first identifying physical and performance characteristics;a signal receiver to receive a transmitted signal from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signal identifying the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the first identifying physical and performance characteristics comprise a performance curve which is a measure of accuracy for each flow rate, magnetic pulses per minute that correspond to flow rate, and an inside diameter of conduits flowing the utility into and out of the flow chamber, and wherein the signal receiver passing a signal defined as a second signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to analyze the second signal to identify the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter; anda display system to receive a signal defined as a third signal from the microprocessor and to operate in response to the third signal to display the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter. 17. A method of making a retrofit meter, comprising: providing a meter body comprising a flow chamber through which a utility passes, and a moveable measuring element mounted in the flow chamber, the moveable measuring element moves in response to the utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the meter body and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics defined as first identifying physical and performance characteristics; andproviding a retrofit meter register in a sealed unitmounting the sealed unit on the meter body, wherein the retrofit meter register mounted in the sealed body comprises: a measuring system operatively connected to the moveable measuring element in the flow chamber to generate a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding the volume of utility passing through the flow chamber;a microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising data that identifies physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different types of utility meters, wherein the data includes the first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda signal receiver to receive a transmitted signal from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signal identifying the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, the signal receiver passing a signal defined as a second signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor analyzes the second signal to identify the data of the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the data of the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility and the retrofit meter register is physically connected to said existing utility meter and said retrofit meter register measures the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter. 18. The method of claim 17, providing a display system in the sealed unit, wherein the display system receives a signal defined as a third signal from the microprocessor and operates in response to the third signal to display the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter. 19. The method of making a retrofit meter register according to claim 17, wherein the measuring system comprises a drive magnet and a magnetic force of the drive magnet is acted on by the measuring system to generate the first signal. 20. A retrofit meter register mounted in a sealed unit, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system capable of being operatively connected to a moveable measuring element mounted in a flow chamber of a body of a utility meter, the measuring system generating a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding a volume of utility passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, wherein the body of the utility meter and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics that are used in determining the volume flow of utility through the flow chamber of the utility meter, wherein the first signal is a magnetic force from a drive magnet of the utility meter that coacts with a follower magnet provided within the retrofit meter register;a signal receiver to receive transmitted signals from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signals identifying the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected; anda microprocessor to receive the transmitted signal from the signal receiver and the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different models of utility meters, including the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, wherein the microprocessor is configured to analyze the transmitted signal to identify the model of the utility meter to which the retrofit meter register is to be connected, and act on the first signal using the physical and performance characteristics stored in the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter to which the register is connected, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter, and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter. 21. A utility meter and retrofit meter register system, comprising: a meter body comprising a flow chamber through which a utility passes and a moveable measuring element mounted in the flow chamber, the moveable measuring element moves in response to the utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the meter body and the moveable measuring element have identifying physical and performance characteristics defined as first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda retrofit meter register, wherein the retrofit meter register is in a sealed unit and the unit is mounted on the meter body, the retrofit meter register comprising: a measuring system operatively connected to the moveable measuring element in the flow chamber to generate a signal defined as a first signal having information regarding the volume of utility passing through the flow chamber, wherein the first signal is a magnetic force from a drive magnet of a utility meter that coacts with a follower magnet provided within the retrofit register;a microprocessor to receive the first signal from the measuring system, the microprocessor comprising physical and performance characteristics for a plurality of different types of utility meters including the first identifying physical and performance characteristics; anda signal receiver to receive a transmitted signal from a source external of the sealed unit, the transmitted signal identifying the utility meter having the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, the signal receiver passing a signal defined as a second signal to the microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to analyze the second signal to identify the first identifying physical and performance characteristics, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal from the measuring system and operate on the first signal using the first identifying physical and performance characteristics of the microprocessor to measure the volume of material passing through the flow chamber of the utility meter, and wherein the utility meter is an existing utility meter operable to measure a volume of utility, the retrofit meter register is operable to be connected to said existing utility meter and said retrofit meter register is operable to measure the volume of utility via the microprocessor when connected to the utility meter.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (77)
Engel Joseph C. (Monroeville Boro PA) Elms Robert T. (Monroeville PA), AC electric energy meter having drive circuit including stepper motor for driving mechanical register.
Michael J. Tracy ; Robert L. Hinze, Apparatus and method for collecting and transmitting utility meter data and other information via a wireless network.
Atherton Kenneth W. (Saco ME) Dastous Susan D. (Milford NH) Lavoie Gregory P. (Lee NH), Method and apparatus for disposing a meter register in a default mode.
Plisson Fran.cedilla.ois,FRX ; Janet Philippe,FRX ; Puybaret Frederic,FRX, Method and apparatus for monitoring variation in the current value of a rate of fluid flow through a flow meter.
Budike, Jr., Lothar E. S., Multi-utility energy control and facility automation control system with dashboard having a plurality of interface gateways.
Brennan Jr. William J. (Montgomery AL) Hamilton David R. (Auburn AL) Wynn ; Jr. Warren C. (Montgomery AL), Reader/programmer for two and three wire utility data communications system.
Basham Edward R. (4125 Driskell Fort Worth TX 76107) Cmelik Helmut R. M. (9008 Ridglea Country Club Dr. ; #301 Fort Worth TX 76126), Rotary flow meter.
Bloss ; Jr. Kenneth R. ; Lazar Mark M. ; Stewart Brenda K. ; Strobel Donald H., Sealed housing and method of sealing for apparatus in meter pit enclosures.
Brennan ; Jr. William J. (Montgomery AL) Hamilton David R. (Auburn AL) Wynn ; Jr. Warren C. (Montgomery AL), Two and three wire utility data communications system.
Brennan ; Jr. William J. (Montgomery AL) Hamilton David R. (Auburn AL) Wynn ; Jr. Warren C. (Montgomery AL), Two and three wire utility data communications system.
Besier Emil (Prospect Heights IL) Corsatea Liviu (Des Plaines IL) Wrzesinski Stanley (Arlington Heights IL), Utility meter assembly and remote module and mounting apparatus and assembly.
Jennetti Anthony G. ; Davis Richard J. ; Larson Steven H. ; Rucker Donald L. ; Walden Brent ; DaSilva Ivan P., Utility meter transponder exposed ground level antenna assembly.
Cerny David L. (Milwaukee WI) Stewart Brenda (Milwaukee WI) Karsten Lee (Thiensville WI) Walding ; Jr. H. Paul (West Bend WI) Ziino Joseph A. (Wales WI), Utility meter transponder/antenna assembly for underground installations.
Giordano Edward C. ; Graves Thomas W. ; Jennings James M. ; Vander Berg Mark ; Storer William James A. ; Gibbs Douglas R. ; Lonsinger Douglas A., Water treatment device with volumetric and time monitoring features.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.