US3768008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coulometric metering device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Electric metering device including at least two coulometric cells which experience a sharp voltage rise upon deplating. The current is metered by passing current through one cell until it is deplated, whereupon the sharp voltage rise causes a second cell to become conducting. In a typical application, the cells would then be replaced and recharged for reuse.
Inventors
- 👤 A Goshy
- 👤 R Rehm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R22/00; G01R22/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for metering electric current usage comprising: a current transformer having a primary winding for connection to a power line to be metered, a full-wave rectifier including a center-tap secondary winding on the transformer, at least two electro-plating coulometric cells, each of which initially has a known plating charge and experiences a sharp voltage rise upon deplating, a switching device normally connecting only a first of said coulometric cells across the rectifier, which switching device is responsive to the sharp voltage rise in the first coulometric cell for connecting the second coulometric cell across the rectifier and for providing a perceptible indication thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for metering electric current usage comprising: a current transformer having a primary winding for connection to a power line to be metered, a full-wave rectifier including a center-tap secondary winding on the transformer, at least two electro-plating coulometric cells, each of which initially has a known plating charge and experiences a sharp voltage rise upon deplating, a switching device normally connecting only a first of said coulometric cells across the rectifier, which switching device is responsive to the sharp voltage rise in the first coulometric cell for connecting the second coulometric cell across the rectifier and for providing a perceptible indication thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A metering device as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coulometric cell is normally connected across the rectifier through a first resistance and the second coulometric cell is connected across the rectifier upon actuation of the switching device through a second resistance which is small relative to the first resistance so that the second coulometric cell is deplated at a faster rate than the first.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
sensing for the sharp voltage rise upon deplating of the first cell and upon so sensing,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
sensing for the sharp voltage rise upon deplating of the first cell and upon so sensing,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
shunting current from the power line through a second of the coulometric cells and providing a perceptible indication thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
shunting current from the power line through a second of the coulometric cells and providing a perceptible indication thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A metering device as defined in claim 2 and further including means for sensing the sharp voltage rise in the second coulometric cell and for thereupon interrupting current flow in a power line to which the device is connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A metering device as defined in claim 2 having two coulometric cells of equal capacity wherein the second resistance is at most one-tenth the first resistance so that the rate of deplating the second coulometric cell is at least ten times that of the first.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A metering device as defined in claim 1 wherein each coulometric cell consists of an anode, a cathode and a plating electrolyte, a known mass of which is initially plated on the anode, and each cell experiences a sharp voltage rise when the electrolyte is deplated from the anode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method for metering electric current in a power line employing at least two coulometric cells which experience a sharp voltage rise upon deplating, each of which initially has a known plating charge, comprising the steps of
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method for metering electric current in a power line employing at least two coulometric cells which experience a sharp voltage rise upon deplating, each of which initially has a known plating charge, comprising the steps of
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |