Integrated remote electricity meter transponder and combination

• US 4,904,995 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 02/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aclara Software, Inc. (ESCO Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Smith, Douglas W., Bonner, Mark N., Moore, Thomas G. Jr., Hamlin, Ronald K., Tsals, Izrail, Carmen, Ralph H., Ringle, Geoffrey F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brigance, Gerald
• Assistant Examiner(s): FATAHI YAR, MAHMOUD
• Application Number:
  US06/820,071
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.28, 340/310 A, 340/310 R, 340/825.54, 324/157, 179/2 AM, 346/14 MR, 361/364, 361/369, 361/370, 361/371
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2233 used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters

Abstract

A remote transponder unit is secured to the front of an electricity meter which, in turn, is electrically connected to an electric distribution system. The remote transponder unit is adjacent the power measuring disk of the electricity meter without obscuring the analog display of the meter. The transponder transmits data over the electric distribution system, including data representing the energy used by a user. The transponder unit includes a housing which is secured to the base of the meter and is electrically connected through the electricity meter through the electric distribution system.

Claims

1. In combination, an electricity meter for connection to an electric distribution system having a base on which meter components are mounted, said components including means for measuring the energy from the electric distribution system used by a user and a display mounted on the front of the meter for visually displaying data representing the energy used, remote transponder means secured to the front of the meter adjacent the measuring means without obscuring the display for transmitting data over the electric distribution system, said transponder means extending substantially outwardly from the front of the meter, said data including data representing the energy used by a user, said transponder means including a closed housing extending substantially outwardly from the front of the meter, means for securing the housing to the meter without obscuring the meter display, means for obtaining information represented by the data from the measuring means, means for electrically connecting the remote transponder means through the electricity meter to the electric distribution system, a sleeve secured to the meter base which encircles and supports the transponder housing, a generally annular inductor mounted at the end of the sleeve opposite the meter face and means for electrically connecting the inductor to the transponder circuitry, said inductor being a heat source and being held separate from the transponder circuitry by the sleeve.

2. A kit for modifying an electricity meter to transmit information over an electric distribution system comprising:

a mounting sleeve;

remote transponder means for transmitting data over an electric distribution system, said data representing energy consumed, said transponder means including a closed housing and being mountable inside the mounting sleeve adjacent the face of the electricity meter;

a pair of arms extending from the closed housing of the transponder means, said arms being securable to the meter to secure the transponder means to the electricity meter;

said sleeve being securable to the meter base and to the pair of arms, said sleeve encircling and supporting said transponder means;

a protective cover mountable to said electricity meter, said cover being of sufficient size to cover and protect the mounting sleeve and the transponder means; and

a generally annular inductor mountable on the sleeve at the proximal end thereof and being electrically connectable to the transponder circuitry, said inductor being a heat source and being held separate from the transponder circuitry by the sleeve.