US 4,050,020 AGranted

Multiple rate electrical energy metering system and method

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsWarren R. Germer, Ansell W. Palmer

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Abstract

An electronic time-of-day metering system is disclosed for measuring electrical power by at least two different mechanical recording devices depending on the time-of-day and time of week in which the electrical power is being consumed. A conventional kilowatt hour meter includes a set of decade gear driven dials which register the kilowatt hours consumed on a continuous basis. At least one other set of decade gear driven dials is provided for registering the consumption of kilowatt hours during preselected peak power usage intervals. A single MOS integrated circuit controls the operation of the alternate set of decade gear driven dials. This circuit utilizes as its time base the 60 Hz line voltage derived from the energy distribution system being metered. A clock circuit generates timing signals for a clock control circuit which includes a circulatory memory which is preprogrammed to contain the times at which one or more alternate sets of dials are to be actuated. When the clock time equals a stored time a gating signal is generated. At the same time a function command signal, also stored in the circulatory memory, is passed through the enabled gate for engaging or disengaging the alternate set of decade gear drive dials, depending on the value of the function stored. The gated signal controls the energization of a bistable clutch which engages the alternate set of dials. A method for registering total energy consumed by a metered system as well as energy consumed during preselected time intervals is also disclosed.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A multiple rate electrical metering system for registering the total electrical energy consumed by a monitored load and the electrical energy consumed during preselected time intervals including a meter register assembly comprising three sets of rotatably mounted indicating dial pointers, each of said sets of dial pointers being driven by a separate one of three gear trains coupled, respectively, thereto, an input drive gear coupled in continuous meshing engagement with one of said three gear trains and with a first clutch idler gear assembly and a second clutch idler gear assembly, said first clutch idler gear assembly being rotatably mounted in juxtaposition with a first clutch and brake assembly that is mounted for movement relative thereto, a second clutch and brake assembly mounted adjacent said second clutch idler gear assembly for movement relative thereto, said first clutch and brake assembly including a first clutch gear rotatably mounted in continuous meshing engagement with a gear in the second of said three sets of gear trains, said second clutch and brake assembly including a second clutch gear rotatably mounted in continuous meshing engagement with a gear in said third set of gear trains, said first clutch and brake assembly being operable to move from a braked position against a brake member that prevents the gears of said second gear train from rotating to an engaged position that holds it against the first clutch idler gear assembly for rotation therewith, said second clutch and brake assembly being operable to move from a braked position that prevents the gears of said third gear train from rotating to an engaged position that holds it against the second clutch idler gear assembly for rotation therewith, and means for selectively operating said first and second clutch and brake assemblies to move them, respectively, into either their braked or engaged positions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.