METER REGISTER TRANSMITTING FLOW RATE WARNING
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring a fluid and determining a leak comprising the steps of providing a meter and a meter register coacting with the meter. When a leak is detected, a signal is transmitted from the meter register regarding fluid consumption. The transmitted signal indicates a leak either when the measured flow rate remains a fixed volume over a fixed period of time, or the measured flow rate exceeds a threshold value.
20 Citations
85 Claims
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1-65. -65. (canceled)
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66. A method of detecting a leak in a liquid consumption system, comprising the following steps:
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providing a meter housing having a liquid inlet opening, a liquid outlet opening, a measuring chamber between, and in fluid communication with, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet openings, and a cavity having an access opening; providing a meter register in the access opening of the meter housing, wherein the meter register comprises a microprocessor and the meter register is magnetically coupled with the measuring chamber to coact with the measuring chamber to receive liquid flow information from the measuring chamber, wherein the microprocessor of the meter register receives the liquid flow information and measures the amount of liquid flowing through the measuring chamber as a function of time defined as a measured flow rate; passing a liquid from a liquid source, through the liquid inlet opening of the meter, through the measuring chamber of the meter and through the liquid outlet opening of the meter to the liquid consumption system, wherein as the liquid moves though the measuring chamber, the measuring chamber generates the liquid flow information, and the microprocessor provides the measured flow rate; and generating a signal indicating a leak when the measured flow rate is greater than zero and when at least one of the following events occurs; (i) the measured flow rate remains constant over a fixed period of time, or (ii) the measured flow rate exceeds a threshold flow rate value. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69)
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70. A utility meter, comprising:
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a meter body having a chamber through which material passes; a measuring unit contained within said chamber, said chamber comprising a rotating member, said rotating member having a magnetic member; and a register attached to said chamber, said register comprising; a register body having a rotatable drive shaft coupled thereto; a magnet attached to said drive shaft and coacting with said magnetic member; a drive gear attached to said drive shaft, at least one follower gear rotatably attached to said register body and coupled with said drive gear; an antenna, comprising a first electrically conductive sheet, a second electrically conductive sheet, and an axially extending leg electrically connected to said first electrically conductive sheet, said first electrically conductive sheet spaced an axial distance away from said second electrically conductive sheet, wherein at least a portion of said register body is sandwiched between said first electrically conductive sheet and said second electrically conductive sheet; and a metallic body attached to a clear face to form an internal chamber, said internal chamber receiving said register body. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
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74. A meter register, comprising:
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a register body having a face portion and a body defining an internal cavity;
a rotatable follower magnetic member provided in said internal cavity, said follower magnetic member adapted to be rotated by a driving magnetic member external of said meter register, said follower magnetic member provided within said internal cavity;an antenna provided within said internal cavity, and a visual display provided within said internal cavity and visible through said face portion; and a microprocessor coacting with said antenna, wherein said rotatable member coacts with said microprocessor to determine a volume of flow and/or a flow rate through a meter and wherein said antenna is adapted to transmit a signal identifying the flow rate and/or the volume of flow measured by said register, and wherein said visual display displays a volume of flow measured by the register that corresponds to a number of rotations of said rotatable member. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A utility meter, comprising:
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a meter body having a chamber through which material passes; a measuring unit contained within said chamber, said chamber comprising a rotating magnetic drive; and a register attached to said chamber, said register comprising; a register body having a face portion and a body defining an internal cavity;
a rotatable follower magnetic member provided in said internal cavity, said follower magnetic member adapted to be rotated by said rotating magnetic drive of said measuring unit, said follower magnetic member provided within said internal cavity;an antenna provided within said internal cavity, and a visual display provided within said internal cavity and visible through said face portion; and a microprocessor coacting with said antenna, wherein said rotatable member coacts with said microprocessor to determine a volume of flow and/or a flow rate through a meter and wherein said antenna is adapted to transmit a signal identifying the flow rate and/or volume of flow measured by said register, and wherein said visual display displays a volume of flow measured by the register that corresponds to a number of rotations of said rotatable member. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85)
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Specification