1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmitter/receiver for use with meters for measuring material flows operating in different environments and, more particularly, to a signal transmitter/receiver for receiving a first signal from a water meter having a low power transmission and for transmitting a second signal from a higher power transmitter, the transmitter/receiver operating in dry, moist, and/or wet environments. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the transmitter/receiver to operate in the different environments.
2. Description of Related Art
Meters, such as water meters and gas meters, measure the quantity and, in some cases, the flow rate of material passing through the meter. In general, these meters include meter registers that are coupled to the measuring chamber of the meter body and record the volume of material flowing through the meter. Early designs of the water meters had the meter registers directly coupled to the measuring chambers. This coupling included a drive shaft attached to an element of the drive chamber, which then drove a plurality of gears in the meter register driving an odometer. Although the early design of water meters using the gear arrangements were reliable, there were drawbacks, e.g., they were expensive, the friction caused by the gears affected the accuracy of the measuring chamber, and they required an individual, e.g., a meter reader, to visually read the meter register and record the amount of material that flowed through the meter for a given period.
Subsequently, the meter registers and measuring chambers were redesigned from a gear coupling arrangement to magnetic couplings. The magnetic coupling permitted the use of sealed meter registers. Although the sealed meter register eliminated the expense of, and the inaccuracies caused by, the gear coupling, they did not eliminate the need of a meter reader to visually read the meter register and record the amount of flowed material. After the development of the sealed meter register, automated meter reading systems were developed. One type of system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,407, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The meter reading system described in the above-identified patent eliminated the necessity of the meter reader to visually read the meter register and write down the meter register reading. A meter utilizing this technology is manufactured by Master Meter, Inc. and Arad, Ltd. and sold under the Dialog® D trademark. Although the automated meter reading system eliminated the need to visually read the meter register, it still required a meter reader to go to a vicinity near the water meter where the transmitter or transponder is accessible and take a reading from the meter via a hand-held wand or receiver. The necessity of going to the vicinity near the water meter is due to the short transmitting range of the transmitter or transponder of the meter.
The limitation of using the wand was eliminated by the development of electronic meter registers because electronic meter registers permit a transmission of radio signals a greater distance than that of the prior described automated meter-reading systems. Electronic meter registers are disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 02/073735 (hereinafter also referred to as “WO 02/073735”), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Meters utilizing the radio frequency electronic-type meter register disclosed in WO 02/073735 are manufactured by Master Meter, Inc. and Arad Technologies, Inc. and sold under the Dialog 3G trademark. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to permit conversion of automated meter systems, e.g., Dialog® systems, to meters using radio frequency electronics, e.g., Dialog 3G radio systems, thereby having the automated systems operate under a more modem technology.
The meters using the radio frequency electronics are preferred over the automated meter systems because, among other things, they permit meter register readings from distant locations. However, to convert meters using automated meter systems, e.g., Dialog® systems, to meters using radio frequency electronics, e.g., Dialog 3G radio systems, is a costly endeavor and is usually rejected by most utilities. Another concern is that many of the meters using the automated meter systems are located in water-containing environments, e.g., in pits that are, at times, flooded and/or have high humidity. Such an environment can be detrimental to the electronics used in radio transmitters/receivers. Therefore, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a transmitter/receiver that can operate in dry, moist, and wet environments.
Further, an additional object of the present invention is to combine the previous objects; more particularly, to permit conversion of automated meter systems, e.g., Dialog® systems, to meters using radio frequency electronics, e.g., Dialog 3G radio systems, thereby having the automated systems operate under a more modern technology regardless of the humidity of the environment in which they operate.
The present invention is a clamp-on unit adapted to co-act with a meter that transmits out one type of signal and converts it into a second type of signal.
More particularly, the meter includes a meter body, a meter register registered to the meter body, wherein the meter register transmits an RF signal therefrom, a clamp attached to the meter, and a transmitter/receiver received by the clamp, wherein the transmitter/receiver receives the RF signal transmitted by the meter register and transmits another signal to be read by a meter-reading device.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a clamp for use with a meter has a meter body and a meter register that transmits a radio signal, the clamp includes a body for receipt of the meter register, the body of the clamp having an arrangement to secure the body of the clamp to the meter body, and a transmitter/receiver for communication with the register via a radio signal attached to the clamp.
The invention further relates to an improved meter for measuring material flow, e.g., a water meter, wherein the meter is of the type having a meter body having a cavity through which material can flow, a material displacement arrangement in the cavity, the material displacement arrangement responsive to material moving through the meter, a register, e.g., meter register, acted on by the material displacement arrangement, the register having components to determine the amount of flowed material to generate a signal having information regarding amount of flowed material through the meter, and to transmit the signal, wherein the transmitted signal has a predetermined distance. The improved meter includes a receiver mounting the meter body to receive the transmitted signal from the register, defined as a first signal, and a signal converter connected to the receiver and acting on the first signal to convert the first signal to a second signal, wherein transmission range of the second signal has a predetermined distance greater than the predetermined distance of the first signal.
The invention further relates to an improved meter for measuring material flow, e.g., a water meter, wherein the meter is of the type having a meter body having a cavity through which material can flow, a material displacement arrangement in the cavity responsive to material moving through the meter, a register acted on by the material displacement arrangement to determine the amount of flowed material, the register includes a rotating arm mounted for rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction depending on the direction of the material flow. The improvement includes a magnet on an end portion of the rotating arm, and a pair of reed switches mounted outside the meter body and the register and acted by the magnet as the arm moves past the reed switches.
A further embodiment of the invention relates to an improved transmitter and receiver of the type having a housing and components in the housing to receive a signal, convert the signal and transmit the signal, and a power source. The improvement includes a material selected from the group of moisture-impervious or moisture-resistant material in the housing and covering selected portions of components in the housing. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, silicone gel fills a portion of the interior of the housing and the remainder is filled with different moisture-impervious or moisture-resistant material.
A still further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a transmitter/receiver for use with a water meter in a pit and includes the steps of providing a body having a cavity, attaching electronics to the body within the cavity, partially filling a cavity defined by the body with a silicone gel, attaching a cap to the body, filling the remainder of the body cavity with polyurethane, and permitting the polyurethane to cure.
The present invention is a method of manufacturing a transmitter/receiver device for use with a meter. The method includes the steps of providing an outer casing made of a polymer material, which has strength and moisture resistance, such as an ABS and polycarbonate combination polymer. The casing has a cavity defined therein. The next step is providing electronic hardware for transmitting and receiving RF (radio frequency) signals within the cavity. Then, the next step is providing a silicone gel in the cavity to encase only a portion of the electronics. Then, an end cap is attached to the casing, enclosing the electronic and silicone gel. The end cap includes an inlet port and an outlet port. A sealing material, such as a polyurethane material, is injected into the inlet port of the end cap filling the remaining portion of the cavity. Finally, the materials are permitted to cure, which also securely fastens the end cap to the casing.
In the following discussion of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, spatial or directional terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”; Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the practice of the invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, and all subranges in between, e.g., 1 to 6.3, or 5.5 to 10, or 2.7 to 6.1. Also, as used herein, terms such as “positioned on” or “supported on” mean positioned or supported on but not necessarily in direct contact with the surface.
Further, in the discussion of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular non-limiting embodiments shown and discussed since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation and, unless indicated otherwise, like reference numbers refer to like elements.
The non-limiting embodiments of the invention are discussed for use on a water meter; however, as will be appreciated, the invention is not limited thereto, and the non-limiting embodiments of the invention can be used with any type of signal transmitting device, e.g., but not limiting the invention thereto, any type of signal transmitting meter measuring the movement of materials, e.g., but not limiting the invention thereto, fluids, such as water and gas. Although not limiting to the invention, the water meter in the following discussion is a Dialog Multi-jet Meter Register manufactured by Master Meter, Inc. and Arad, Ltd. and sold under the trademark Dialog®.
Referring now to
The body 12 of the water meter 10 is preferably made of a metallic material, such as bronze, copper, or stainless steel, although it can be made of other materials, e.g., plastic. The measuring chamber 16 can contain any one of the measuring-type arrangements 41 (see
In accordance with the practice of the invention, the signal from the transmitter 46 is received by a receiver and converted to a radio frequency (“RF”) signal, e.g., an RF signal similar to the type transmitted by the Dialog 3G meter register, and the signal transmitted up to several miles. More particularly, and with reference to
Mounted on outer surface 64 of the engaging ring 62 are four equally spaced flexible engaging members 66. Each member 66 has a cut out 68 sized to receive one of the lugs 38 mounted on the circumferential surface 40 of the securing ring 32 when the engaging ring 62 is supported on the upper ledge 34 of the securing ring 32 (see
With continued reference to
The invention is not limited to the material of the transmitter/receiver arrangement 60, e.g., but not limiting to the invention, the transmitter arrangement can be made of plastic and/or fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Preferably, the engaging ring 62 and platform 74 are made of plastic so that it may easily be fitted as previously discussed onto the existing meter 10 and, preferably, the housing 76 transmitter arrangement is made of a polymeric material, which is a combination of ABS and polycarbonate which has strength and moisture resistance. The advantage of making the housing 76 of a moisture-resistant material is discussed below. Further, the invention is not limited to the manner in which the transmitter arrangement is made, e.g., but not limiting to the invention, the transmitter arrangement can be molded as a single part or several pieces which are subsequently joined together. In the practice of the invention, the platform 74, engaging ring 62, block member 70, and flexible engaging members 66 were molded as a unitary piece. The housing 76 was molded separately after which the internal components 78 to receive signals, and to convert and transmit the received signals, were secured in the housing 76, and the housing 76 secured to the platform 74 in any convenient manner, e.g., but not limiting the invention thereto, by an adhesive.
Prior to positioning the engaging ring 62 over the upper portion 30 of the meter register 22, any obstruction is removed, e.g., a lid of the meter, if present. The engaging ring 62 is placed over the upper portion 30 of the meter register 22 and positioned on the upper ledge 34 of the securing ring 32 with the flexible member 66 moved toward the lugs 38 to move the lugs through the cut outs 68 of the flexible members 66. A wire 80 (see
In the present embodiment of the invention, the Dialog-type meter can be converted into a Dialog 3G-type protocol through a field installation of the transmitter/receiver arrangement 60 incorporating features of the invention. More particularly, the transmitter 46 of the meter register 22 (see
The invention contemplates adapting the transmitter/receiver arrangement of the invention to determine flow volume and direction of flow. More particularly and with reference to
The platform 110 or the tower 108 includes two reed switches. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in
The reed switches 126 and 127 are coupled to a microprocessor (not shown) of the internal components 112 housed in the tower 108. When the magnet 122 moving in a clockwise direction, as viewed in
Although not limiting to the invention, the microprocessor (not shown) of the internal components 112 of the tower 108 is programmed to separately read the position of each reed switch 126 and 127 as a “1” when the switch is closed and “0” when the switch is open. In this manner, the microprocessor can determine flow volume (one revolution of the magnet equals a fixed volume) as well as direction of flow, as shown by the representation in
As can be appreciated, the invention contemplates using features of the invention to amplify the radio signals and using reed switches to determine material flow separately or in combination with one another.
In the following non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the transmitter/receiver of the invention is manufactured for use in any type of environment, e.g., a dry, damp, and/or wet environment, e.g., but not limiting to the invention, for use in a pit (not shown). Referring to
Preferably, the housing 160 is made of a polymeric material, which is a combination of ABS and polycarbonate. This material is chosen for its strength and moisture resistance. Internal components shown as 163 and 164 to receive signals, amplify the signals and forward the signals to a receiver (not shown), are mounted on a circuit board 166. The circuit board 166, having the predetermined circuitry to accomplish the desired purpose, and one or more batteries 168 (only one shown in
A moisture-resistant or moisture-absorbing material, such as halogenated polymeric material including polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride or polytrichlorofluoro ethylene, moisture-impervious hot melts and silicone gel is moved through hole 176 in the end cap 162 (clearly shown in
If necessary, the entire circuit board 166 can be covered to make certain that the circuit board circuitry, which needs the waterproofing effects of the silicone gel 178, as well as the improved communication effects for receiving and transmitting electrical signals, is waterproofed. The remainder of the housing can be filled with a polymer sealing material 180, such as polyurethane. The polyurethane 180 can then encapsulate a portion of the circuit board 166 and/or circuitry on the circuit board, which does not need the improved communications enhancement that the silicone gel 178 provides. As the silicone gel 178 and the polyurethane 180 are sequentially flowed into the interior of the housing 160 through the hole 176, air in the interior of the housing exits through hole 182. After the filling of the interior of the housing is completed, screws 184 (shown in
The polyurethane cures resulting in a water-resistant/waterproof protection for the components of the circuit board. Further, the cured polyurethane in the holes 176 and 182 (see
As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the number of cap wires 170 or the number of screws 172 connected to the cap wires, and the number depends on the number of water meter wires to have their communication wires (not shown) connected to the transmitter/receiver.
The resulting transmitter/receiver made by the present invention can be used in any type of environment, e.g., dry, wet, and/or moist environments, and is substantially less expensive to manufacture. Only covering the components of the circuit board with silicone gel and the remainder of the housing with a less expensive material, e.g., polyurethane, reduces the cost of manufacturing the transmitter/receiver.
The form of the invention shown and described above represents illustrative non-limiting embodiments of the invention. It is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention defined by the claimed subject matter that follows.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/478,204, filed Jun. 13, 2003; 60/478,309, filed Jun. 13, 2003; and 60/479,557, filed Jun. 17, 2003, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60478204 | Jun 2003 | US | |
60478309 | Jun 2003 | US | |
60479557 | Jun 2003 | US |