Forward throw antenna utility meter with antenna mounting bracket
First Claim
1. A utility meter assembly comprising:
- an exterior cover including an open end for receiving and enclosing a plurality of meter components of the utility meter assembly and a closed end, the closed end defining an inner surface and an outer surface;
the plurality of meter components housed within the exterior cover and operative for measuring and collecting data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network and a metering information component;
a faceplate providing a surface for the metering information component and disposed a distance from the inner surface of the exterior cover, thereby defining a space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and the faceplate, and further the surface of the faceplate containing an opening;
an internal dipole antenna comprising a center-fed driven element further comprising a pair of flexible, oppositely disposed, elongate, metallic, radiating elements deformed into a shape that conforms to an internal shape of the exterior cover and positioned such that the metallic elements extend into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the radiating elements of the dipole antenna being operatively coupled to the transceiver; and
a mounting bracket comprising an arcuate-shaped element defining a segment of a cylindrical surface for supporting the internal dipole antenna and positioned such that the mounting bracket extends into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the bracket comprising at least at least one downwardly extending member of a length that is received by the opening on the surface of the faceplate thereby attaching the bracket to the surface of the faceplate.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A utility meter assembly comprising: a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, the meter components including a transceiver operative for communications over a network; a faceplate, configured such that meter reading information is displayed on the front of the faceplate; an exterior cover configured to enclose the meter components and the faceplate, wherein the faceplate is forward of the plurality of meter components; an internal dipole antenna that is situated in a space defined between the faceplate and the exterior cover toward the front of the utility meter assembly; and a mounting bracket that supports the internal dipole antenna. The combined sub-assembly of the mounting bracket and the internal dipole antenna is typically situated away from the meter components, so as to minimize interference by the meter components, and thus achieve improved communications properties measured in isotropic sensitivity and radiated power.
19 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A utility meter assembly comprising:
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an exterior cover including an open end for receiving and enclosing a plurality of meter components of the utility meter assembly and a closed end, the closed end defining an inner surface and an outer surface; the plurality of meter components housed within the exterior cover and operative for measuring and collecting data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network and a metering information component; a faceplate providing a surface for the metering information component and disposed a distance from the inner surface of the exterior cover, thereby defining a space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and the faceplate, and further the surface of the faceplate containing an opening; an internal dipole antenna comprising a center-fed driven element further comprising a pair of flexible, oppositely disposed, elongate, metallic, radiating elements deformed into a shape that conforms to an internal shape of the exterior cover and positioned such that the metallic elements extend into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the radiating elements of the dipole antenna being operatively coupled to the transceiver; and a mounting bracket comprising an arcuate-shaped element defining a segment of a cylindrical surface for supporting the internal dipole antenna and positioned such that the mounting bracket extends into the space defined between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and forward of the surface of the faceplate, the bracket comprising at least at least one downwardly extending member of a length that is received by the opening on the surface of the faceplate thereby attaching the bracket to the surface of the faceplate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A utility meter assembly comprising:
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an exterior cover including an open end for receiving and enclosing a plurality of meter components of the utility meter assembly and a closed end, the closed end defining an inner surface and an outer surface; the plurality of meter components housed within the exterior cover; a faceplate providing a surface for a metering information component and disposed a distance from the inner surface of the exterior cover, thereby defining a space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and the surface of the faceplate, the surface of the faceplate further supporting a mounting bracket via a first supporting element; a mounting bracket having an inner surface and an outer surface and positioned such that the mounting bracket extends into the space, the bracket attaching to the surface of the faceplate via the first supporting element; and an internal dipole antenna comprising a center-fed driven element further comprising a pair of flexible, deformable, metallic, radiating elements and positioned such that the metallic elements extend into the space, the dipole antenna being held in position by the mounting bracket via a second supporting element. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A mounting bracket for supporting an internal dipole antenna for use in connection with a utility meter assembly that includes a faceplate for displaying meter reading information, the faceplate disposed a distance from an inner surface of an exterior cover of the utility meter assembly, thereby defining a space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and a first surface of the faceplate, the faceplate further including an opening on the first surface, the mounting bracket comprising:
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an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface supporting the internal dipole antenna by a supporting element; and at least one attachment member of a length extending from the inner surface of the mounting bracket that is received by the opening on the first surface of the faceplate, thereby attaching the mounting bracket to the first surface of the faceplate, whereby the internal dipole antenna is positioned in the space between the inner surface of the exterior cover of the utility meter assembly and the first surface of the faceplate. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification