US 5,659,300 AGranted

Meter for measuring volumetric consumption of a commodity

AssigneeInnovatec, Inc.

InventorsDonn R. Dresselhuys, Kimbel Nap, Lance A. Ehrke

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Disclosed is a meter for mounting in flow-sensing relationship to a pipeline conductor or electrical line having a commodity such as water, natural gas or electricity flowing through it. In one embodiment, the meter has a transceiver inductively-coupled to a remote signal-radiating device such as a repeater antenna for sending an encoded signal to a remote receiver. Another embodiment of the meter includes a rechargeable device such as a nickel-cadmium battery for storing meter-powering electricity and a charging generator coupled to such device. The generator has a turbine driven "bootstrap fashion" by the commodity flowing through the conductor. Preferably, solid state digital technology is used for minimizing power consumption during meter operation.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use with a meter measuring the flow of a commodity through a conductor, said apparatus providing radio frequency data communication to and from the antenna of a remote data transmitter/receiver, said apparatus being suitable for use with a meter located in a subsurface pit enclosure having an exposed pit lid and comprising:

a meter sensing unit couplable to the meter and positionable in the pit enclosure, said meter sensing unit having;
a pick up unit in signal sensing relationship with the meter for obtaining a signal indicative of commodity flow through the conductor;
a radio transceiver in communication with said pick up unit, said radio transceiver generating and receiving radio frequency signals;
a first antenna coupled to said radio transceiver for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals;
and a housing containing said pick up unit, said radio transceiver, and said first antenna, such that the exterior of said housing is free of conductors carrying electricity;
and
a second antenna mountable in the pit lid, said second antenna serving as a meter sensing unit relay antenna link, said second antenna having a first portion extending into the pit enclosure when said second antenna is mounted in the pit lid, said first portion being proximate to, but spaced from, said meter sensing unit for being inductively coupled to said meter sensing unit first antenna, said second antenna having a second portion positioned on the exterior of the pit lid when said second antenna is mounted in the pit lid, said second portion being coupled to said first portion for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals to and from the antenna of the remote data transmitter/receiver,
wherein said second antenna comprising the relay antenna link provides a communication path between the meter sensing unit for the commodity flow measuring meter when positioned in the pit enclosure and the remote transmitter/receiver.

5 more elements

Metering apparatus for measuring the flow of a commodity through a conductor and for providing radio frequency data communication to and from the antenna of a remote data transmitter/receiver, said metering apparatus being suitable for being located in a subsurface pit enclosure having an exposed pit lid and comprising:

a meter locatable in the pit enclosure and interposable in the conductor for measuring the flow of a commodity through the conductor;
a meter sensing unit coupled to said meter and positionable in the pit enclosure, said meter sensing unit having;
a pick up unit in signal sensing relationship with said meter for obtaining a signal indicative of commodity flow through the conductor;
a radio transceiver in communication with said pick up unit, said radio transceiver generating and receiving radio frequency signals;
a first antenna coupled to said radio transceiver for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals;
and a housing containing said pick up unit, said radio transceiver, and said first antenna, such that the exterior of said housing is free of conductors carrying electricity;
and
a second antenna mountable in the pit lid, said second antenna serving as a meter sensing unit relay antenna link, said second antenna having a first portion extending into the pit enclosure when said second antenna is mounted in the pit lid, said first portion being proximate to, but spaced from, said meter sensing unit for being inductively coupled to said meter sensing unit first antenna, said second antenna having a second portion positioned on the exterior of the pit lid when said second antenna is mounted in the pit lid, said second portion being coupled to said first portion for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals to and from the antenna of the remote data transmitter/receiver,
wherein said second antenna comprising the relay antenna link provides a communication path between the meter sensing unit for the commodity flow measuring meter when located in the pit enclosure and the remote transmitter/receiver.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/707,945Filed 10 Sep 1996 · continuation
Priority: 30 Jan 1995
Granted: 19 Aug 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01F 15/063
For remote indication: using electrical means
G01D 4/006
Remote reading of utility meters: remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
G01F 15/0755
Using electrically-operated integrating means: involving digital counting
H01Q 1/2233
Associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a…:…