Device and process for installation of encoder receiver transmitter on a gas meter

• US 6,435,042 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado Incorporated, Tru-Check Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado Incorporated, Tru-Check Incorporated
• Inventors: Brunmeier, Steven D, Puseman, Paul D
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, HARSHAD R
• Application Number:
  US09/617,066
• Time in Patent Office: 765 Days
• Field of Search: 738/617, 732/72.A, 384/281, 248/595, 248/37.6, 248/65, 248/220.2
• US Class Current: 73/861.78
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/07 Integration to give total flow, e.g. using mechanically-operated integrating mechanism
• 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 process and device for installing an encoder receiver transmitter (ERT) (30) onto a gas meter (20) prevents incorrect installation that otherwise requires meter (20) replacement. The device is a guide bracket (10) having a slot (14) for guiding an input gear (32) of an ERT (30) into engagement with a drive mechanism gear (22) of a gas meter (20). During installation, the customary index and lens are removed so that the drive mechanism gear (22) is exposed; next, the guide bracket (10) is mounted to the meter (20) by placing fasteners (16) through the mounting holes (12) in guide bracket (10) and into the index holes (24) in meter. Once the guide bracket (10) is secured, the input gear (32) is slipped through the slot (14) and a screw (36) is loosely threaded into the upper-right installation hole (34) in the ERT (30) and through the upper-right casing hole (26) in the meter (20) so that the ERT (30) pivots about this point. Next, the ERT (30) is pivoted so that the movement of the input gear (32) follows the slot (14) in the guide bracket (10). The ERT (30) is allowed to pivot until all casing holes (36) align with the installation holes (26) in the meter (20) and secure the ERT (30) to the meter. As this point, the teeth of input gear (32) have meshed correctly and completely with the teeth of drive mechanism (22).

Claims

1. A meter, comprising:

a housing;

a drive mechanism gear carried by said housing;

measuring means carried by said housing for rotating said drive mechanism gear at a rate related to a quantity being measured;

an encoder receiver transmitter having an input gear;

guiding means carried by said housing for meshing said drive mechanism gear with said input gear so that said drive mechanism gear is brought into engagement with and rotates with said input gear when said encoder receiver transmitter is coupled to said measuring means;

means for securing said encoder receiver transmitter to said housing so that said drive mechanism gear remains in engagement with said input gear.

2. The meter as recited in claim 1, wherein said guiding means has a slot formed therein defining a path.

3. The meter as recited in claim 2, wherein said path is arcuate.

4. The meter as recited in claim 2, wherein said slot has a first end and a second end, said input gear being restricted to traveling between said first end and said second end as said encoder receiver transmitter is coupled to said measuring means.

5. The meter as recited in claim 1, wherein said input gear and said drive mechanism gear have teeth.

6. A gas meter, comprising:

a drive mechanism gear;

measuring means for rotating said drive mechanism gear at a rate related to a flow of gas;

an encoder receiver transmitter having an input gear;

guiding means for meshing said drive mechanism gear with said input gear so that said drive mechanism gear is brought into engagement with and rotates with said input gear when said encoder receiver transmitter is coupled to said measuring means; and

means for securing said encoder receiver transmitter to said measuring means so that said drive mechanism gear remains in engagement with said input gear.

7. A device for remotely measuring gas usage, said device comprising:

a gas meter having a drive mechanism gear, said drive mechanism gear rotating at a rate dependent on a rate of flow of gas;

an encoder receiver transmitter having an input gear;

guiding means for meshing said drive mechanism gear with said input gear so that, when said encoder receiver transmitter is coupled to said gas meter, said drive mechanism gear is brought into engagement with and rotates with said input gear; and

means for securing said encoder receiver transmitter to said housing so that said drive mechanism gear remains in engagement with said input gear.