GAS METER READING SYSTEM

• US 20100199747A1
• Filed: 02/10/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York Incorporated (Consolidated Edison Incorporated), Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York Incorporated (Consolidated Edison Incorporated), SmartSynch Incorporated (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barna, Anthony F., Nardo, Lawrence P., Walton, Jason P., Melvin, Charles W. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,127,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.7
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/26 by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors

Abstract

A gas meter reading system is provided that allows automated meter reading capability to be incorporated with sealed mechanical type gas meters. The reading system is mounted to the window of the meter adjacent to the measurement dial. The reading system senses the rotation of the dial and provides data, such as a pulse, that may be recorded by an external source. A method of detecting for leaks with a gas meter having a reading system is also provided.

Claims

1. A gas meter comprising:

a sealed housing;

a dial mounted in said housing, said dial indicating an amount of gas that flowed through said housing;

a window mounted to said housing and adjacent said dial, wherein said window is arranged to allow viewing of said dial;

a removable sensor coupled to said window opposite said dial.

2. The gas meter of claim 1 further comprising a base mounted to said window, said base having a wall that forms an enclosed area, wherein said sensor is mounted within said enclosed area.

3. The gas meter of claim 2 wherein said sensor comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, wherein said LED is arranged to direct light at said dial and said CMOS optical sensor is arranged to obtain images of said dial.

4. The gas meter of claim 2 wherein said sensor includes a cap member having a fastener for removably coupling said sensor to said wall.

5. The gas meter of claim 4 wherein said base is made from a translucent material.

6. The gas meter of claim 5 further comprising a tamper lock coupled to said wall and said cap member.

7. A sensing system for a sealed gas meter having a dial viewable through a window, said sensing system comprising:

a base sized to fit over said window, said base having an opening therethrough and a wall projecting from the perimeter of said opening, said wall forming an enclosed area, said base being made from a translucent material;

a sensor removably coupled to said wall, said sensor having an optical sensor arranged to record the motion of said dial.

8. The sensing system of claim 7 wherein said sensor includes an LED and said optical sensor is a CMOS optical sensor positioned within said enclosed area.

9. The sensing system of claim 8 wherein said LED is arranged to direct light through said window into an area occupied by said dial.

10. The sensing system of claim 9 wherein said CMOS optical sensor provides images of said area.

11. The sensing system of claim 8 wherein said sensor further includes a cap member positioned to removably couple said sensor to said wall.

12. The sensing system of claim 11 further comprising a tamper lock coupled to said wall and said cap member.

13. A method of checking for leaks in a gas system having a sealed gas meter with a sensor arranged on a meter window adjacent a dial, said method comprising:

a) turning off gas to said meter;

b) removing said sensor;

c) making an indicia designating a position of said dial;

d) turning on said gas to said meter;

e) waiting a predetermined amount of time; and

,

f) comparing said dial position to said indicia.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of coupling said sensor to said gas meter.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of performing repairs if said dial moves relative to said indicia.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of repeating steps c)-f) once said repairs have been completed.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said sensor is removably coupled to a wall extending from said meter window.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said indicia is made on said wall.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said predetermined amount of time is 5-15 minutes.