AC electric energy meter having shielded radiation responsive data interface

• US 4,584,527 A
• Filed: 03/25/1983
• Issued: 04/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Resource Management Services Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amigo, Jorge L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Snow, Walter E.
• Application Number:
  US06/479,065
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 324/96, 324/157, 350/266, 350/269, 340/870.02, 346/14 MR, 364/713, 365/64
• US Class Current: 324/157
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/065 related to mechanical aspects

Abstract

A watt-hour metering system includes a meter enclosed in a transparent cover and having an electronic register with a multichannel infra-red responsive data I/O port, and a portable electronic programmer/reader having a complementary infra-red data I/O port. The meter includes a pivoting shutter inside the cover having a pair of magnets affixed thereto and held by gravity in a position to shield at least one channel of the I/O port from radiation entering the cover. An activating magnet is affixed to the programmer/reader such that when the programmer/reader is placed against the meter cover, magnetic flux is coupled to the shutter magnets to cause the shutter to pivot and permit the transmission of infra-red radiation between the I/O port and the programmer/reader. Alternatively, a shutter is pivotally secured to the cover and manually operable from outside the cover to selectively permit and prevent transmission of radiation between the I/O port and programmer/reader.

Claims

1. Electric power distribution apparatus, comprising:

a fixed data processing component coupled to an electric utility power distribution circuit for processing data related to said circuit, said fixed component comprising radiation responsive input means for receiving external data transmitted to said fixed component;

a cover attached to said fixed component, said cover providing protection for said fixed component while permitting transmission of radiation therethrough;

a portable data processing component for generating radiation modulated with data to be transmitted to said fixed component; and

shutter means attached to said fixed component interiorly of said cover for preventing radiation transmitted through said cover from reaching said input means, said shutter means comprising means responsive to magnetic flux for selectively permitting transmission of radiation through said cover to said input means.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

activating means attached to said portable component for coupling magnetic flux through said cover to said magnetic flux responsive means, whereby said magnetic flux responsive means is activated to permit transmission of radiation between said fixed component and said portable component.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said shutter means is maintained in a first position by gravity, said first position preventing transmission of radiation to said input means.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said cover comprises means for aligning said portable component with said input means.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said responsive means comprises a movable plate maintained in a first position shielding said input means from radiation transmitted through said cover;

and

wherein said portable component comprises a permanent magnet secured thereto in a position such that magnetic flux is coupled to said movable plate when said fixed component is aligned with said portable component by said aligning means, said magnetic flux being operable to move said movable plate to a second position whereby radiation can be transmitted through said cover between said portable component and said fixed component.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said movable plate is constructed of ferromagnetic material.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said fixed component comprises multiple-channel input means and wherein said movable plate permits transmission of radiation at all times through said cover to at least one channel of said input means.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said responsive means comprises a movable plate maintained in a first position shielding said input means from radiation transmitted through said cover, said plate comprising a permanent magnet affixed thereto, and wherein

said portable component comprises means for coupling magnetic flux to said permanent magnet when said portable component is aligned with said fixed component such that sufficient force is generated to move said movable plate to a second position permitting transmission or radiation between said portable and fixed components.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said movable plate comprises two permanent magnets.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said two permanent magnets are positioned with opposite polarities with respect to said cover.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said movable plate is pivotally supported and wherein said two permanent magnets are positioned on either side of the pivot axis of said movable plate.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said portable component magnetic flux coupling means comprises a permanent magnet.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said fixed component comprises multiple-channel input means and wherein said movable plate permits transmission of radiation through said cover to at least one channel of said input means at all times.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said shutter means comprises a shutter plate movably secured to said fixed component and operating means connected to said shutter plate and extending through said cover for moving said shutter plate to selectively permit transmission of radiation through said cover to said input means.

15. Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said operating means comprises a pin extending through said cover and rotatably mounted thereon.

16. Apparatus as recited in claim 14 comprising locking means secured to said cover and cooperating with said pin to prevent rotation thereof.

17. Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said operating means further comprises a key lever secured to said pin exteriorly of said cover to facilitate rotation of said pin.

18. Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said key lever is connected to said pin and is operable between a first position interacting with said locking means to prevent rotation of said pin and a second position free of said locking means to permit rotation of said pin.