System for use with a utility meter for recording time of energy use
AssigneeDomestic Automation Company, Inc.
InventorsCree A. Edwards, Larsh M. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for use with standard electric meters having a rotatable disc for recording time of energy use. The system includes a housing securable within a meter below the disc. The system also includes sensor means within the housing for detecting rotation of the disc and generating a signal in response thereto. Circuit means are included within the housing to process and store the signal for calculating time of energy use information. The housing also includes a communication circuit means for transmitting the time of energy use information to a location external of the meter.
Claims18
A system for use with a watt-hour meter having a rotatable disc for recording energy use, comprising:
- a housing configured to fit within the meter below the disc and securable therein;
- sensor means located within said housing for detecting rotation of the disc and generating a signal in response thereto;
- an optical sensor port in the top surface of said housing through which said sensor means may detect rotation of the disc;
- circuit means within said housing for processing and storing said signal for calculating time of energy use information;
- and
- communication circuit means within said housing for optically transmitting said time of energy use information to a location external of the meter.
A system for recording time of energy use for use with standard electric meters having a rotatable disc and a substantially optically transparent cup-shaped cover securable to a base to provide an enclosure, comprising:
- a housing configured to fit within the cover of any standard electric meter below the disc and securable therein;
- sensor means located within said housing for detecting rotation of the disc and generating a signal in response thereto, said housing including an optical port in the top surface thereof through which said sensor means detects said rotation;
- circuit means including a microprocessor in said housing for receiving said signal for counting rotations of the disc during an interval of time, determining time of energy use information and storing the same;
- a display means on a front face of said housing and visible through the cover for displaying time of energy use information;
- communication circuit means included in said housing and connected in circuit with said circuit means for optically transmitting said time of energy use information through the cover to a location external thereof;
- an optical data port in the front face of said housing for establishing optical communication between said communication circuit means and said external location;
- and
- power supply circuit means within said housing for supplying power to said circuit means and said communication circuit means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.