Telemetry antenna system

• US 6,218,995 B1
• Filed: 06/12/1998
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Hovelsrud, Neil, Higgins, Sidney A., Welch, Eugene E., Jager, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US09/097,248
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.104, 343/719, 343/700.MS, 343/872, 343/873, 340/870.01, 340/870.02
• US Class Current: 343/719
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/04 Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2233 used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A telemetry antenna system for transmitting data from underground utility meters includes a telemetry board, a radiator assembly connected to the telemetry board and a housing assembly for housing both the telemetry board and the radiator assembly. The radiator assembly preferably includes two metallic plates separated by an air gap dielectric and connected by a plurality of inductive shunts. Capacitive tuning pads are also included on the plates and are connected by shunts. The housing assembly preferably includes a cylindrical base having an integral annular ring. The base houses the telemetry board. The radiator assembly is operably connected to the telemetry board and is housed and located within a radome which sealingly engages the annular ring. The radome is sealingly secured to the annular ring of the base by a retaining ring which is tightly, releasably fastened to the annular ring of the base. The housing assembly may include additional elements such as an end cap, base lock, spine and/or bulkhead.

Claims

1. A radiator assembly for radiating a signal from a telemetry device, the radiator assembly comprising:

a first plate having a conductive surface, the first plate being operably connected to the telemetry device;

a second plate having a conductive surface, wherein the second plate is separated from the first plate by an air gap dielectric; and

at least one inductive shunt connecting the conductive surface of the first plate and the conductive surface of the second plate.

2. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the telemetry device is connected to a meter that is located underground.

3. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate are in substantially parallel disposition.

4. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate further each include a respective trimming capacitor.

5. The radiator assembly of claim 4, wherein the trimming capacitors on the first and second plates are connected together by at least one inductive shunt.

6. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one inductive shunt is located on a shunt board positioned between the first plate and the second plate.

7. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate are separated by a shunt board, and wherein the at least one inductive shunt comprises a plurality of inductive shunts that are placed in a symmetrical pattern across the shunt board.

8. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate has a center and wherein the telemetry device has an antenna feed point connection, the antenna feed point connection being connected to the first plate at a location spaced apart from the center.

9. A container assembly for housing a telemetry device and a radiator assembly operably connected to the telemetry device, wherein the telemetry device is operably connected to a utility meter located below a ground level surface, the container assembly comprising:

a housing having a top end, a bottom end, and a chamber defined between the top and bottom ends, the housing further having an integral plate extending outward from the periphery of the top end, wherein the integral plate has a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the bottom surface is designed to rest atop the ground level surface, the chamber extending below the bottom surface of the integral plate;

a cover lying atop the top surface; and

a cover retainer, wherein the cover retainer releasably secures the cover to the top surface of the integral plate whereby the cover effects a substantially water-tight seal with the top surface of the integral plate.

10. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover retainer surrounds the periphery of the cover.

11. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing is made from a metal or metallized material.

12. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing shields a portion of radio frequency emissions.

13. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the integral plate operates as a ground plane for the radiator assembly.

14. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover includes tabs for support against compressive loads.

15. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing further includes a lip edge and the cover further includes a seating edge and wherein the seating edge and the lip edge combine to prevent the cover from sliding atop the integral plate.

16. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising an end cap, wherein the end cap is releasably secured to the bottom end of the housing.

17. The container assembly of claim 16, further comprising a housing lock, wherein the housing lock is secured about the end cap.

18. The container assembly of claim 17, wherein the housing lock operates to make the container assembly substantially tamper proof.

19. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising a spine housed within the chamber.

20. The container assembly of claim 19, wherein the telemetry device is mounted to the spine.

21. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising a bulkhead housed within the chamber.

22. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover together with the cover retainer present a substantially smooth profile above the ground level surface.

23. A telemetry antenna system for transmitting data from an apparatus, the telemetry antenna system comprising:

a telemetry device operably connected to the apparatus;

a radiator assembly comprising;

a first plate having a conductive surface, the first plate operably connected to the telemetry device;

a second plate having a conductive surface, wherein the second plate is separated from the first plate by an air gap dielectric; and

at least one inductive shunt connecting the conductive surface of the first plate and the conductive surface of the second plate; and

a housing assembly wherein the housing assembly houses the telemetry device and the radiator assembly.

24. The telemetry antenna system of claim 23, wherein the first plate and the second plate further each include a respective trimming capacitor.

25. The telemetry antenna system of claim 23, wherein the first plate and the second plate are separated by a shunt board and wherein the at least one inductive shunt comprises a plurality of inductive shunts that are placed in a symmetrical pattern across the shunt board.

26. The telemetry antenna system of claim 23, wherein the housing assembly comprises a base portion for housing the telemetry device, a cover for housing the radiator assembly, the cover resting atop the base portion, and a cover retainer, wherein the cover retainer is releasably secured to the base portion whereby the cover effects a substantially water-tight seal with the base portion.

27. The telemetry antenna system of claim 26, wherein the base portion operates to shield a portion of radio frequency emissions.

28. The telemetry antenna system of claim 26, wherein the base portion operates as a ground plane for the radiator assembly.