US5767790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic utility meter monitor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1996-03-07
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2016-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained automated meter reader system for monitoring a plurality of channels for gas, electricity and water utilities, has additional channels dedicated to normally closed alarm signals for monitoring the integrity of the system. The system is installed at the site of a standard utility meter and is configured for monitoring and operation by a user via keyword command programming on a data terminal or personal computer. Externally entered programming communicates with a compiler in the automated meter reader unit. Pulse data is accepted from digital meter reader devices for gas and water systems and a photoelectric sensor reads the watt-hour electricity usage. Utility office communication is via telephone modem link to a computer and a lap-top computer for field setup and systems analysis. Computing electronics hardware is within the watt-hour meter housing and interfaces with utility service meters, DC power supply and telephone service through a connector on a weatherproof polycarbonate meter enclosure on a utility electric service box.
Inventors
- 👤 Bartolome D. Jovellana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G01D4/008; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor comprising: a photoelectric sensor circuit and mechanism including an infrared LED-modulated light source, said light being emitted by a diode laser, a light sensitive phototransistor, and an amplifier circuit to amplify reflective signals from said disk to operate a relay, and means defining a non-reflective area on a bottom side of the disk interrupting a reflective surface area of the disk, whereby infrared light in a watt-hour meter is reflected by the reflective surface of the disk and sensed by the light sensitive phototransistor until the non-reflective area is encountered to actuate the relay and transmit a pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor comprising: a photoelectric sensor circuit and mechanism including an infrared LED-modulated light source, said light being emitted by a diode laser, a light sensitive phototransistor, and an amplifier circuit to amplify reflective signals from said disk to operate a relay, and means defining a non-reflective area on a bottom side of the disk interrupting a reflective surface area of the disk, whereby infrared light in a watt-hour meter is reflected by the reflective surface of the disk and sensed by the light sensitive phototransistor until the non-reflective area is encountered to actuate the relay and transmit a pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 wherein the sensing distance between the disk surface and the phototransistor is no more than about 50 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 wherein the reflective surface of the disk is white.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 wherein the reflective surface of the disk is metallic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 wherein the non-reflective mark is an aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An eddy current disk rotation photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, and further comprising: a pulse divider to accumulate pulses from successive rotations of the disk to produce a digital number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electric power usage measuring instrument for producing a pulsed output, said instrument comprising: a frame for mounting the instrument, an eddy current disk rotor, said disk rotor having a reflecting surface and a non-reflecting surface interrupting an optical coupling at least every revolution of said disk rotor, means for generating eddy currents in the disk rotor, mounting clip means on the frame and adapted to hold said photoelectric sensor in optically coupled relationship with said disk, photoelectric sensor means comprising a diode laser light source and a phototransistor on the frame and optically coupled to said disk rotor, and memory means to receive pulses from said optical coupling, whereby pulses accumulated in a memory in a predetermined time indicate power usage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electric power usage measuring instrument for producing a pulsed output, said instrument comprising: a frame for mounting the instrument, an eddy current disk rotor, said disk rotor having a reflecting surface and a non-reflecting surface interrupting an optical coupling at least every revolution of said disk rotor, means for generating eddy currents in the disk rotor, mounting clip means on the frame and adapted to hold said photoelectric sensor in optically coupled relationship with said disk, photoelectric sensor means comprising a diode laser light source and a phototransistor on the frame and optically coupled to said disk rotor, and memory means to receive pulses from said optical coupling, whereby pulses accumulated in a memory in a predetermined time indicate power usage.
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) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |