Automated meter reading system and energy conservation method using same
First Claim
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1. An energy conservation method utilizing a meter transducer retrofit on a meter, the meter including a rotating shaft that drives a meter reading dial, the method comprising:
- measuring, by an encoder device, a volume supplied through the meter, by detecting rotation of the rotating shaft;
obtaining, from the encoder device, a plurality of overall usage profiles of a plurality of appliances supplied by the meter, for sequential time intervals;
comparing the plurality of overall usage profiles to historical usage profiles of each of the plurality of appliances;
identifying each specific appliance of the plurality of appliances receiving the volume at each time interval; and
comparing the plurality of overall usage profiles to historical usage profiles for each of the identified specific appliances,wherein a volume received by a specific appliance of the plurality of appliances is identified by a consumption signature or the specific appliance.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a meter retrofit and method for use thereof, utilizing a transducer with an encoder driven by a rotating shaft of a meter reading dial, the transducer including a plurality of encoder contacts surrounding a rotation axis, with each encoder contact connected to a magnetic switch. A wiper connects to the shaft and rotates around the rotation axis, sequentially contacting the plurality of encoder contacts, providing a variable signal to a monitoring device.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An energy conservation method utilizing a meter transducer retrofit on a meter, the meter including a rotating shaft that drives a meter reading dial, the method comprising:
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measuring, by an encoder device, a volume supplied through the meter, by detecting rotation of the rotating shaft; obtaining, from the encoder device, a plurality of overall usage profiles of a plurality of appliances supplied by the meter, for sequential time intervals; comparing the plurality of overall usage profiles to historical usage profiles of each of the plurality of appliances; identifying each specific appliance of the plurality of appliances receiving the volume at each time interval; and comparing the plurality of overall usage profiles to historical usage profiles for each of the identified specific appliances, wherein a volume received by a specific appliance of the plurality of appliances is identified by a consumption signature or the specific appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A transducer comprising:
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an encoder device including a plurality of encoder contacts forming a circle with a center at a rotation axis of a shaft of a meter, wherein a usage monitoring prompt is provided based on measurement of a volume of gas, water or steam supplied through the meter, wherein the plurality of encoder contacts is configured to provide an output signal based on rotation of the shaft, wherein a plurality of overall usage profiles are stored for sequential time intervals, wherein each of the plurality of stored overall usage profiles are compared to a respective historical appliance usage profile of each of a plurality of appliances supplied by the meter, wherein each appliance of the plurality of appliances operating during each time interval is identified based on the comparison, and wherein the usage monitoring prompt is provided when a usage profile exceeds a corresponding historical usage profile during a predetermined time interval. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification