Metering pulse transducer
First Claim
1. A pulse transducer, comprising:
- a rotor having an axis of rotation and having a plurality of magnetically switchable elements spaced around the axis and movable along a path of travel around the axis, each of said magnetically switchable elements having at least four magnetic states;
a sensor disposed adjacent said rotor for carrying magnetically produced electrical pulses;
two magnets disposed adjacent said sensor to produce magnetic fields of opposite polarity along the path of travel for the plurality of magnetically switchable elements; and
wherein as said rotor is rotated, said two magnets cause each of said magnetic elements to be magnetically switched through the four magnetic states to produce two electrical pulses in the sensor for each of the magnetic elements for each revolution of the rotor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A metering pulse transducer for utility meters, including meters for water, gas and electric service, includes a rotor (20) with five magnetically switchable elements (22-26) spaced around the axis of rotation (21), a sensing coil (27) disposed around the rotor (20), and two permanent magnets (29, 30) disposed diametrically across the rotor (20) and positioned with equal and opposite polarity such that their magnetic fields (51, 52) extend laterally to reach the path of travel (53) of the magnetically switchable elements (22-26), such that when the rotor is rotated, electric pulses are generated as a result of the magnetically switchable elements (22-26) passing the permanent magnets (29, 30). A rotor (20) having five switchable magnetic elements (22-26) disposed seventy-two degrees (72°) apart generates ten pulses per revolution of the rotor (20). The rotor (20) can be used to directly drive a “least significant digit” analog meter dial, or it may be connected to a meter register drive train (36, 37), or may be used in a turbine-type meter (70).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A pulse transducer, comprising:
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a rotor having an axis of rotation and having a plurality of magnetically switchable elements spaced around the axis and movable along a path of travel around the axis, each of said magnetically switchable elements having at least four magnetic states;
a sensor disposed adjacent said rotor for carrying magnetically produced electrical pulses;
two magnets disposed adjacent said sensor to produce magnetic fields of opposite polarity along the path of travel for the plurality of magnetically switchable elements; and
wherein as said rotor is rotated, said two magnets cause each of said magnetic elements to be magnetically switched through the four magnetic states to produce two electrical pulses in the sensor for each of the magnetic elements for each revolution of the rotor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification