SYSTEM WITH REPLACEMENT METER COVER

• US 20040246143A1
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henry B. Crichlow
• Original Assignee: Henry B. Crichlow
• Inventors: Crichlow, Henry B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,167,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A system can be used with an existing meter that has a removable cover and a base and measures the usage of a utility commodity, such as electricity. The system replaces the removable cover with a replacement cover that fits onto the base in the same manner as the removable cover. The system has a usage reader inside the replacement cover that obtains information on the amount of the utility commodity that is used. No electrical or mechanical connection between the usage reader and the meter is made to obtain that information. An automatic meter reader, which includes a microprocessor for storing information and calculating charges and a transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver and a way to transfer information from the usage reader to the automatic meter reader is also part of the system.

Claims

1. In a meter that measures the usage of a utility commodity and has a base and a removable cover, a system that replaces said removable cover comprising

(a) a replacement cover that fits onto said base in the same manner as said removable cover;

(b) a usage reader inside said replacement cover that obtains information on the amount of said utility that is used without making an electrical or mechanical connection to said meter;

(c) an automatic meter reader, which comprises a microprocessor for storing information and calculating charges and a transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver; and

(d) means for transferring information from said usage reader to said automatic meter reader;

.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader is outside of said replacement cover.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means is wires that pass through an aperture in said replacement cover.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means is a wireless connection between said usage reader and said automatic meter reader.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader is inside said replacement cover.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said replacement cover is laterally extended to house said automatic meter reader.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter transmits information through a telephone line.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said utility is electric power.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said removable cover is removed by turning it.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said cover is integrally molded from clear plastic or glass.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said meter has a meter wheel, the angular velocity of which is proportional to the usage of said utility commodity.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said usage reader is an optical pulse reader.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the position of said optical pulse reader relative to said meter wheel is adjustable.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein said usage reader has beveled sides.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter transmits information to the internet.

16. A method of obtaining information from a meter that measures usage of a commodity utility use comprising installing a system according to claim 1 on said meter.

17. In an electric power meter that measures the use of electric power and has a base and a removable cover, a system that replaces said removable cover comprising

(A) a transparent replacement cover that fits onto said base in the same manner as said removable cover;

(B) an optical pulse reader inside said replacement cover that obtains information on the amount of said electric power that is used without an electrical or mechanical connection to said meter;

(C) an automatic meter reader, which comprises a microprocessor for storing information and calculating charges and a transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver; and

(D) means for transferring information from said optical pulse reader to said automatic meter reader.

18. A method of obtaining information from a meter that measures electrical power usage comprising installing a system according to claim 17 on said meter.

19. In an electric power meter that measures the use of electric power and has a base and a removable cover, a system that replaces said removable cover comprising

(A) a transparent replacement cover that fits onto said base in the same manner as said removable cover;

(B) an optical pulse reader inside said replacement cover that obtains information on the amount of said electric power that is used without an electrical or mechanical connection to said meter;

(C) an automatic meter reader, which comprises a microprocessor for storing information and calculating charges and a transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver; and

(D) a wireless connection for transferring information from said optical pulse reader to said automatic meter reader.

20. A method of obtaining information from a meter that measures electrical power usage comprising installing a system according to claim 19 on said meter.