Fluid meter with modular automatic meter reading unit
First Claim
1. A fluid meter adapted to have an automatic meter reader coupled to an exterior thereof, comprising:
- a casing having an attachment mechanism adapted to accept the automatic meter reader;
a lever that moves in response to a fluid flow in the fluid meter; and
means for creating an electromagnetic field external to the casing coupled to and moving with the lever so that the electromagnetic field is detected by the automatic meter reader when the automatic meter reader is coupled to the fluid meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid meter includes a casing, a lever within the casing that oscillates in response to the flow of fluid through the meter and an attachment mechanism that mounts an automatic meter reader to the casing in proximity to the lever. A magnet is attached to the lever so that movement of the lever creates a changing electromagnetic field external to the casing. The changing electromagnetic field is detected by and operates to actuate the automatic meter reader. As a result, the automatic meter reader detects fluid flow in the fluid meter without being directly connected to, or interfering with the operation of, a mechanical meter index associated with the fluid meter.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fluid meter adapted to have an automatic meter reader coupled to an exterior thereof, comprising:
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a casing having an attachment mechanism adapted to accept the automatic meter reader; a lever that moves in response to a fluid flow in the fluid meter; and means for creating an electromagnetic field external to the casing coupled to and moving with the lever so that the electromagnetic field is detected by the automatic meter reader when the automatic meter reader is coupled to the fluid meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fluid meter comprising:
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a casing having a first attachment mechanism thereon; a lever having a moving portion that moves in response to fluid flow in the fluid meter; means coupled to the moving portion of the lever for creating an electromagnetic field external to the casing; and an automatic meter reader including a second attachment mechanism that engages the first attachment mechanism such that, when the first and second attachment mechanisms are engaged, the automatic meter reader detects movement of the creating means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of detecting a flow of a fluid in a fluid meter using an automatic meter reader, comprising the steps of:
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generating an electromagnetic field in proximity to a fluid meter casing of the fluid meter; changing the electromagnetic field in response to the flow of the fluid in the fluid meter; and providing an attachment mechanism on the fluid meter casing for accepting the automatic meter reader at a predetermined position so that the automatic meter reader detects the changing electromagnetic field and thereby detects the flow of the fluid in the fluid meter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification