Remotely accessed electrical metering system

• US 20040239522A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Todd John Gallagher
• Original Assignee: Todd John Gallagher
• Inventors: Gallagher, Todd John
• Application Number:
  US10/449,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving metering data from one or more induction electricity meters coupled to an electrical load and/or source of supply and for communicating said metering data to a remote location. The apparatus fits within the existing mechanical package of the induction electricity meter and includes an optical sensing device operably connected to detect the velocity and direction of the induction meter disk. A controller means is coupled to the optical sensing device. The modem transmits metering data to a remotely located receiver upon receipt of a command to transmit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving metering data from one induction type electricity meter coupled to an electrical load and/or source of supply and for communicating said metering data to a remote location. Said apparatus to fit within the existing mechanical package of said induction electricity meter, the apparatus comprising:

an optical sensing device operably connected to detect the velocity and direction of the induction meter disk;

a controller means coupled to said optical sensing device;

a modem means wherein metering data is transmitted to a remotely located receiver upon receipt of a command to transmit said data.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical sensing device utilises an infra- red light emitting diode and optically tuned receiver.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the controller means comprises a microcomputer device

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the controller means comprises a microprocessor device.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the modem means comprises a power line carrier device.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the modem means comprises a radio interface means.

7. An apparatus for receiving metering data from one or more induction electricity meters coupled to an electrical load and/or source of supply and communicating said metering data to a remote location. Said apparatus to fit within the existing mechanical package of said induction electricity meter, the apparatus comprising:

an optical sensing device operably connected to detect the velocity and direction of the first induction meter disk;

a controller means coupled to said optical sensing device;

a first modem means wherein metering data is received from a second induction meter

a second modem means wherein metering data is transmitted to a remotely located receiver upon receipt of a command to transmit said data.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first modem means is a power line carrier device and the second modem means is a power line carrier device.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first modem means is a power line carrier device and the second modem means is a radio communication link.

10. A method of communicating electrical energy metering data from one or more remotely located induction electrical meters 76 arranged within a coverage 135 or connection 80 area, wherein said metering data is communicated to a central controller 130 or relay station 135, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting the rotational velocity and direction of the induction disk of an induction electrical meter;

(b) co-relating said rotational data to energy consumption or production;

(c) waiting for a request to transmit command from a node controller 5(n);

(d) transmitting said metering data to node controller 5(n); and

(e) node controller 5(n) re-transmitting said metering data and meter address to relay station 135 or central controller 130.