High output integrated utility meter reporting system

• US 9,918,145 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2014
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kenig, Yoram
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): LITTLEJOHN JR, MANCIL H
• Application Number:
  US14/497,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20160094897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 34087002, 343719, 343872, 361659, 36167901, 3616794, 24822511, 248200, 24822341, 2482981, 2483091
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/808 in wireless transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A water meter transmission system reads data from a water meter and wirelessly transmits data to a central billing or receiving system. Disclosed transmission systems are fully integrated and contained within pit housings such that electronic components are well protected. A spiral antenna is integrated into a specially configured integrated antenna cover which fits into the top cover of a pit housing. The antenna cover and/or upper lip area of the upper lip of the main housing may comprise a distal barrier and a medial barrier used to exclude water and contaminates. Disclosed transmission systems offer high output and low power consumption and vitiate the need for meter readers to physically access a water meter or other meters.

Claims

1. A meter transmission system comprising:

a main housing comprising an installation nut, the installation nut comprising female threads, the main housing comprising an outer threaded area, the outer threaded area engaging the female threads of the installation nut, an upper lip area comprising a support shelf, the main housing defining a center void extending through the support shelf and the main housing;

an electronics board comprising a battery pack, a horizontal index tab, a cable, and a connector for a spiral antenna;

an upper antenna assembly comprising a support disk and an antenna insulator, the support disk defining a center void, the antenna insulator comprising spiral protrusions and defining an insulator center void, the spiral protrusions defining spiral voids, the upper antenna assembly further comprising the spiral antenna, the spiral antenna configured to comport to the spiral voids of the antenna insulator and an integrated antenna cover, the spiral antenna positioned external to the center void of the main housing, the integrated antenna cover comprising a distal barrier and a medial barrier; and

a water proof seal disposed at a bottom end of the center void, the bottom end defined opposite from the upper lip area, the electronics board extending through the waterproof seal, the waterproof seal disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the electronics board, the first portion of the electronics board disposed within the center void, the second portion of the electronics board disposed external to the center void, the cable attached to the second portion of the electronics board;

wherein the connector for the spiral antenna is disposed through the support disk center void and through the insulator center void and is attached to the spiral antenna;

wherein the upper lip area of the main housing comprises protrusions complementary to the distal barrier and medial barrier of the integrated cover; and

wherein a top cover of a pit housing is attached to the integrated top cover.

2. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the cable is attached to a water meter.

3. The meter transmission system of claim 2, wherein the electronics board is configured to read a value from the water meter and transmit the value through the spiral antenna.

4. The meter transmission system of claim 2, wherein the electronics board is configured to accept a stop transmission message and stop transmission.

5. A meter transmission system comprising:

a main housing, the main housing comprising an upper lip area and an outer threaded area, the upper lip area extending radially outward from the outer threaded area, the upper lip area defining an antenna support shelf, a first center void defined by the main housing, the first center void extending through the antenna support shelf and the main housing, the upper lip defining a medial wall and a lateral wall, the medial wall and the lateral wall extending upwards from the antenna support shelf, the medial wall disposed radially inward from the lateral wall;

a support disc positioned in facing contact with the antenna support shelf, the support disc disposed radially inward from the medial wall, the support disc defining a second center void extending through the support disc;

an antenna insulator defining a first side and a second side, the first side disposed opposite from the second side, the first side in facing contact with the support disc, the second side defining a spiral void, the antenna insulator disposed radially inward from the medial wall;

a spiral antenna shaped complimentary to the spiral void, the spiral antenna positioned within the spiral void of the antenna insulator;

an integrated antenna cover positioned atop the upper lip area, the integrated antenna cover defining a medial barrier extending downwards from the integrated antenna cover, the medial barrier positioned radially inward from the lateral wall and radially outward from the medial wall, the spiral antenna, antenna insulator, and the support disc enclosed between the integrated antenna cover and the upper lip area; and

a waterproof seal disposed at a bottom end of the main housing, the bottom end disposed opposite from the upper lip area, the first center void sealed by the integrated antenna cover and the waterproof seal.

6. The meter transmission system of claim 5, wherein the support disc is substantially planar.

7. The meter transmission system of claim 5, wherein the first center void aligns with the second center void.

8. The meter transmission system of claim 7, further comprising an electronics board, the electronics board disposed within the first center void, the electronics board attached to the spiral antenna through the second center void.

9. The meter transmission system of claim 8, wherein the electronics board attaches directly to the spiral antenna.