US3733493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state radiometric pulse initiator for remote meter reading systems
Assignee: ABB Inc USA
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Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A solid state radiometric pulse initiator for a remote meter reading system includes a sensing head having two combined source-pickup pairs mounted in a meter for initiating pulses in response to movement of a pattern disc. The source-pickup pairs control an output pulse generator to produce pulses over a three wire telemetering circuit. Each source-pickup pair includes a solid state radiation emitter and a cooperatively arranged radiation responsive solid state switch. The source-pickup pairs are connected to a source of alternating current so as to be alternately energized in an out-of-phase relationship to prevent false triggering due to cross-radiation between the pairs. A radiation filter is provided on a sensing head carrying the source-pickup pairs so as to concurrently increase the triggering sensitivity of the source-pickup pairs and permit operation with reduced current levels when the pulse initiator is operated under strong ambient light conditions typical in certain meter applications.
Inventors
- 👤 T Mcclelland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/244; G01D5/245; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a system for transmitting information from a meter having a meter movement including a rotating shaft, the combination comprising: a pattern disc drivenly connected to said shaft, said pattern disc including first and second indicia markings rotatable through separate circular paths; a pulse initiator including first and second radiation sourcepickup pairs, each of said first and second pairs including a solid state radiation emitter source and radiation responsive pickup located so that each pair is periodically aligned with a separate one of said first and second markings for directing radiations of a source to an associated pickup when said pattern disc is rotated; an alternating current power source; first circuit means connecting said radiation emitter sources of each pair in separate circuit paths across said power source such that current flows alternately in opposite directions through each path for alternately energizing said sources; and second circuit means connecting said pickups of each pair in separate circuit paths across said power source such that current is applied alternately in opposite directions to each of the last-named circuit paths when current is applied to an associated emitter source in the same pair for selectively enabling one source-pickup pair when the other is disabled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a system for transmitting information from a meter having a meter movement including a rotating shaft, the combination comprising: a pattern disc drivenly connected to said shaft, said pattern disc including first and second indicia markings rotatable through separate circular paths; a pulse initiator including first and second radiation sourcepickup pairs, each of said first and second pairs including a solid state radiation emitter source and radiation responsive pickup located so that each pair is periodically aligned with a separate one of said first and second markings for directing radiations of a source to an associated pickup when said pattern disc is rotated; an alternating current power source; first circuit means connecting said radiation emitter sources of each pair in separate circuit paths across said power source such that current flows alternately in opposite directions through each path for alternately energizing said sources; and second circuit means connecting said pickups of each pair in separate circuit paths across said power source such that current is applied alternately in opposite directions to each of the last-named circuit paths when current is applied to an associated emitter source in the same pair for selectively enabling one source-pickup pair when the other is disabled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said radiation source-pickup pairs includes a unidirectionally conducting solid state emitter source connected in opposing parallel relationship to the other source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 2 wherein each radiation responsive pickup includes a solid state switching device operative between non-conducting and conducting states and is connected with said power supply so as to be poled in a forward conducting direction concurrently with energization of the associated solid state emitter source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 3 wherein a three wire output generator is connected between said second circuit means and said power source for generating two different signals in response to the conducting state of each switching device, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system of claim 3 wherein a common sensing head package exposed to a high level of ambient light radiations supports said solid state emitter source and said solid state switching device of each source-pickup pair, said package including a cavity receiving each pair with the cavity opening facing said disc; and a filter means covering the cavity opening, said filter means having a predetermined frequency range for substantially limiting all effective radiations between a source and a pickup except for the source emitted radiations and the responsive radiations of the pickup.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ambient radiation condition predominantly includes radiations of the sun and said predetermined frequency range is principally within the infrared frequency spectrum; and further wherein said indicia markings are defined by radiation reflective areas of said disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein each source-pickup pair includes an infrared light emitting diode and a silicon phototransistor having a radiation frequency response over a slightly greater frequency range than the frequency range of radiations of each light emitting diode and wherein a radiation limiting characteristic of said filter means includes a frequency range partially within said radiation frequency response of each phototransistor and a radiation transmitting characteristic including substantially all of the radiation frequency range of said diode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |