Optically coupled gas meter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A meter reading system, comprising:
- a rotating member having angles corresponding to readouts of the meter;
a first sensor for issuing a first indication when the rotating member is passing a first angle;
a second sensor for issuing a second indication when the rotating member is passing a second angle;
a first light source for issuing a first light signal in response to said first indication; and
a second light source for issuing a second light signal in response to said second indication.
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Abstract
A gas meter using optical communication. The meter includes a shaft that is rotated by a flow of gas, a first sensor for sensing a first rotational angle of the shaft, a second sensor for sensing a second rotational angle of the shaft, a first light source operated by the first sensor for issuing a first light signal, and a second light source operated by the second sensor for issuing a second light signal. One or more fiber optic cables carries the light signals to an external meter interface having an optical receiver. A rotation of the shaft is recognizable by the external receiver when first one then the other of the light signals is detected.
15 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A meter reading system, comprising:
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a rotating member having angles corresponding to readouts of the meter; a first sensor for issuing a first indication when the rotating member is passing a first angle; a second sensor for issuing a second indication when the rotating member is passing a second angle; a first light source for issuing a first light signal in response to said first indication; and a second light source for issuing a second light signal in response to said second indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for optically reading a meter, comprising steps of:
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using a flow for rotating a rotating member; generating a first indication when said rotating member is passing a first angle; generating a second indication when said rotating member is passing a second angle; issuing a first light signal from a first light source in response to said first indication; and issuing a second light signal from a second light source in response to said second indication. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification