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Method and network for operating a distribution network

  • US 5,432,507 A
  • Filed: 10/21/1993
  • Issued: 07/11/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a distribution system having a multiplicity of meters indicating flow of a distributed medium and a central station at which distribution is controlled, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) in response to a first command transmitted from said central station to a multiplicity of peripheral units assigned to the meters of the distribution system over a communications network interconnecting said peripheral units with said central station, at a first predetermined instant of time simultaneously reading all of the meters of said multiplicity of peripheral units by said multiplicity of peripheral units to acquire respective first data representing respective measures of flow at said meters of said multiplicity of peripheral units and at said first predetermined instant of time;

    (b) thereafter at a second predetermined instant of time simultaneously reading all of the,meters of said multiplicity of peripheral units by said multiplicity of peripheral units to acquire respective second data representing respective measures of flow at said meters of-said multiplicity of peripheral units at said second predetermined instant of time;

    (c) storing said first and second data at each of said peripheral units at least until said first and second data is transmitted to said central station;

    (d) telemetrically transmitting said data via said network from said multiplicity of peripheral units in succession and in response to interrogation signals from said central station, thereby acquiring at said central station successively from said multiplicity of peripheral units, information as to utilization of said medium in a time interval between said instants; and

    (e) comparing at said central station said information with data representing measurement of distribution of said medium to an area of said distribution system encompassing the meters of said multiplicity of peripheral units, thereby ascertaining losses in said system.

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