Contactless electric meter reading devices
OwnerHampden Kuhnsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This application concerns devices and methods for measuring power flow through an electric meter without a direct electrical connection to the current-carrying conductors of the electric meter. In one representative embodiment, a contactless electric meter sensor comprises an annular member configured to be disposed around an electric meter, and one or more magnetic field sensors mounted on the annular member. The one or more magnetic field sensors can be configured to sense one or more magnetic fields generated by one or more current-carrying conductors passing through the electric meter.
Claims20
A contactless electric meter sensor, comprising:
- an annular member configured to be disposed around an electric meter;
- and
- one or more magnetic field sensors mounted on the annular member;
- wherein
- the one or more magnetic field sensors are configured to sense one or more magnetic fields generated by one or more current-carrying conductors passing through the electric meter.
A method of measuring electric power usage, comprising:
- positioning a contactless electric meter sensor around the exterior of an electric meter, the contactless electric meter sensor comprising one or more magnetic field sensors mounted on an annular member;
- sensing the strength of one or more magnetic fields generated by one or more current-carrying conductors located within the electric meter;
- calculating the electric power flowing through the electric meter based at least in part on the strength of the one or more magnetic fields.
A system for measuring power usage at an electric meter, comprising:
- an annular member disposed around the electric meter;
- one or more magnetic field sensors mounted on the annular member;
- and
- a signal processing module in communication with the one or more magnetic field sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.