Extending contact life in remote disconnect applications
First Claim
1. An electricity meter for use within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, comprising:
- a line side which receives electrical service when connected to said meter;
a load side, downstream from said meter line side, which electrically connects with an electrical load when connected to said meter;
metrology, downstream from said meter line side and upstream from said meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-à
-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with said meter;
a remote disconnect switch, upstream from said load side and downstream from said meter line side, controllably actuated for electrically connecting and disconnecting said meter line side relative to said meter load side and any electrical load present at said meter load side, such that disconnection of said meter load side is effective upon satisfaction of disconnect criteria; and
a communications link, linking said meter and a network operating relative to an advanced metering system, such that data may be communicated regarding actuation of said remote disconnect switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, and separately utilize certain remote disconnect functionality. In particular, disconnect functionality is coupled with consideration of electric load information, such as load current as determined by the metering functionality. Providing such functionality allows for the following, all in accordance with the present subject matter: (a) frequent on/off cycling of the electrical service, (b) disconnection of service while full rated current is being delivered through the switch contacts, (c) preservation of switch contact integrity by selective switch operation based on current load, and (d) providing immediate override functionality if needed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electricity meter for use within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, comprising:
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a line side which receives electrical service when connected to said meter;
a load side, downstream from said meter line side, which electrically connects with an electrical load when connected to said meter;
metrology, downstream from said meter line side and upstream from said meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-à
-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with said meter;
a remote disconnect switch, upstream from said load side and downstream from said meter line side, controllably actuated for electrically connecting and disconnecting said meter line side relative to said meter load side and any electrical load present at said meter load side, such that disconnection of said meter load side is effective upon satisfaction of disconnect criteria; and
a communications link, linking said meter and a network operating relative to an advanced metering system, such that data may be communicated regarding actuation of said remote disconnect switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A methodology for improved functionality of an electricity meter used within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, comprising:
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providing an electricity meter having;
a line side for receiving electrical service;
a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load;
a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for controllable actuation for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side;
metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-à
-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter; and
a communications link, linking the meter and a network operating relative to an advanced metering system;
connecting electrical service to the meter line side;
connecting an electrical load to the meter load side;
communicating data across the network to the electricity meter regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch; and
responsive to data indicating that a disconnect operation of the remote disconnect switch is to be conducted, effecting such disconnect operation once disconnect criteria are satisfied, whereby the disconnect/connect cycle life of the remote disconnect switch is relatively extended. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Methodology for an advanced metering system with added functionality based on improved connect/disconnect cycle life, comprising:
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providing a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise electricity meters, each of such electricity meters having a line side for receiving electrical service;
a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load;
a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for controllable actuation for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side; and
metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-à
-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter;
providing a network including central collection functionality;
configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and each of the plurality of end devices;
connecting electrical service to the meter line side of at least one of such electricity meters; and
connecting an electrical load to the meter load side of such at least one electricity meter;
communicating data across the network to such at least one electricity meter regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch, and regarding consumption of electrical service at such at least one electricity meter;
responsive to data indicating that a disconnect operation of the remote disconnect switch at such at least one electricity meter is to be conducted, effecting such disconnect operation once disconnect criteria are satisfied; and
responsive to data indicating that a connect operation of the remote disconnect switch at such at least one electricity meter is to be conducted, effecting such connect operation;
whereby the disconnect/connect cycle life of the remote disconnect switch is relatively extended. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An advanced metering system with added remote disconnect switch cycle life based on meter disconnect features, comprising:
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a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise electricity meters, each of such electricity meters having a line side for receiving electrical service;
a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load;
a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for controllably actuating for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side; and
metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-à
-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter; and
a network including central collection functionality, and configured for bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and each of said plurality of end devices, such that data may be communicated across said network regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch of an electricity meter and consumption of electricity at the meter load side thereof, with such remote disconnect switch responsive to data indicating that a disconnect operation of the remote disconnect switch is to be conducted, for effecting such disconnect operation once disconnect criteria are satisfied, whereby the disconnect/connect cycle life of the remote disconnect switch is relatively extended. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification