Multisensory Meter System

• US 20120001768A1
• Filed: 04/28/2011
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne FLIR LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Radosavljevic, Dejan, Mavrides, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,615,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/065 related to mechanical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• 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

A multisensory meter system is disclosed. The system comprises one main unit and a plurality of remote units. Each remote unit has at least a sensor to measure a physical parameter and wirelessly transmit the measured parameter as a signal to the main unit. The main unit and the remote units have an interface that allows at least one the remote units to be attached to the main unit. When attached, the main unit and the remote unit function as a single meter, and the main unit is capable of receiving signals from the other remote units. In one embodiment, the main unit and the remote units form a mesh network to transmit and receive signals, wherein each remote unit receives signals and transmits said signals. The mesh network may also contain relays. The remote units may measure a number of physical parameters such as relative humidity, temperature, vibration, moisture, electrical current, air speed, voltage and rotational speed. The signals may contain a unique identifier or code, and may be broadcast in unique frequencies.

Claims

1. A multisensory meter system comprising at least one main unit and a plurality of remote units

wherein each remote unit comprises at least a sensor to measure a physical parameter and wirelessly transmit the measured parameter as a signal to the main unit,

wherein the main unit and the remote units comprise an interface that allows at least one the remote units to be attached to the main unit,

wherein the main unit and the attached remote unit function as a single meter and the main unit is capable of receiving signals from the other remote units while being attached.

2. The multisensory meter system of claim 1, wherein the main unit and the remote units form a mesh network to transmit and receive signals, wherein each remote unit receives signals and transmits said signals.

3. The multisensory meter system of claim 2, wherein the mesh network further comprises at least one relay to receive and transmit signals.

4. The multisensory meter system of claim 1, wherein the measured parameter is selected from a group consisting of relative humidity, temperature, vibration, moisture, electrical current, air speed, voltage and rotational speed.

5. The multisensory meter system of claim 2, wherein the signals are encrypted.

6. The multisensory meter system of claim 1, wherein each remote unit comprises a unique identifier or code in its signal.

7. The multisensory meter system of claim 1, wherein each remote unit transmit the signal in a unique frequency.

8. The multisensory meter system of claim 1, wherein the signal is digital.

9. A measuring system comprising

a meter device and at least one wireless sensor connectable to the meter device, wherein the wireless sensor measures a physical parameter and wirelessly transmits the physical parameter to the meter device;

wherein when the wireless sensor is connected to the meter device the wireless sensor is connected to the meter device by a physical electrical path and the meter device comprises an adaptor to process the signal from the wireless sensor to the meter device.

10. The measuring system of claim 9, wherein the at least one wireless sensor is a clamp-on jaw adapted to measure an electrical current.

11. The measuring system of claim 10, wherein when the clamp-on jaw is connected to the meter device, the clamp-on jaw is AC-coupled to the meter device.

12. The measuring system of claim 11, wherein the adaptor comprises a high-pass filter.

13. The measuring system of claim 10, wherein the meter device comprises an electrical line splitter.

14. The measuring system of claim 9 wherein wireless sensor measures at least one of the following physical parameters:

moisture, humidity, pressure, air velocity, vibration, battery capacity, distance, current, or voltage.

15. The measuring system of claim 9, wherein the meter device further comprises a central processing unit and a display.

16. The measuring system of claim 9, wherein the meter device further comprises a transmitter.

17. A measuring system comprising

a meter device and at least one sensor connecting to the meter device by an extension pole, wherein the sensor measures a physical parameter and transmits wirelessly or through a wire the physical parameter to the meter device;

wherein the extension pole extends to space the sensor from the meter device to measure the physical parameter.

18. The measuring system of claim 17, wherein the sensor is a moisture meter.

19. The measuring system further comprises an IR camera or a borescope camera, wherein the main unit can wirelessly transmits and receives information to and from the IR camera or the borescope camera.