Systems and methods for remote utility metering and meter monitoring

• US 8,994,551 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pitchford, Barth Robins, Pitchford, William Dudley, Simon, Robert Paul, Binning, C. David, Rasmussen, David Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): GIRMA, FEKADESELASS
• Application Number:
  US13/585,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20130207815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.07, 731/95, 738/617.7
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/12 Meters with nutating members, e.g. discs
• 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 remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.

Claims

1. A remote water meter monitoring system comprising:

a water meter body coupling a water supply source to a water customer;

a flow meter contained within the water body that is configured to measure a flow rate of water through the water meter;

a power supply system disposed within the water meter body, the power supply system including at least one battery and a power generator, wherein the power generator is powered by a flow of water through the water meter body;

a controller disposed within the water meter body and communicatively coupled to the water meter body and power supply system; and

at least one antenna connected to the controller; and

wherein the controller is coupled to the flow meter and configured to calculate water consumption based on signals received from the flow meter; and

wherein the controller is configured to perform steps comprising;

awaking from a sleep state;

checking battery charge levels and adjusting a charging cycle in response to available power;

preparing a data packet for transmitting water consumption data to a collector;

listening for a communication from a collector;

transmitting the prepared data packet; and

returning to a sleep state.

2. The system of claim 1, the communication in the form of a routing beacon.

3. The system of claim 1, the controller is configured to perform further steps comprising resetting a timer subsequent to sending the data packet.

4. The system of claim 1, the flow meter contained within the water meter body configured to measure a bidirectional flow rate of water through the water meter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a microcontroller within a wireless mote.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller and antenna are configured to transmit and receive information from and send information to the system.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller and antenna are configured to send water usage information wirelessly to a bridge device.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein sending water usage information comprises sending information either directly or through one or more other water meter monitoring systems.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the system is configured to receive at least one command from the wireless bridge device.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one command is a command selected from the group consisting of a meter reading transmission request, a status request, and a water shutoff request.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the water meter body further comprises a shut off valve.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the shut off valve may be remotely activated by a wireless signal received by the system.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the flow sensor is adapted to detect reverse water flow and to cause the shut off valve to trigger when reverse water flow exceeds a predetermined volume.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the water meter further comprises at least one water quality sensor.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to send periodic water usage information wirelessly to the water customer.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is remotely addressable via a communications network with a network content browser.