Dual magnetic register for a utility meter
First Claim
1. A remote monitoring device adapted to couple to and read visual indicator device of a fluid meter having at least one rotating member indicating a quantity of fluid passing through the fluid meter, the remote monitoring device comprising:
- an electronic module accessory adapted to externally couple to and read the fluid meter indicator device, the electronic module distinguishing when the indicator device rotating member is rotating in the forward direction and the reverse direction, the electronic module accessory providing an electronic output indicative of the indicator device rotating member position and direction of rotation, wherein the electronic module accessory further includes a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch, wherein the rotating member triggers the first switch operating as an event detector at predetermined intervals in response to fluid flowing through the fluid meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a device, system, and method for detecting and measuring the bi-directional flow of a fluid through a fluid meter, such as a household or business water meter. In one device embodiment the invention comprises a logical switch collar (12) disposed over an analog fluid meter (14) having a sweep-hand (18) with a magnet (16) coupled thereto. In operation, the logical switch collar (12) consists of at least two magnetic switches that are triggered to open or close in response to the rotational movement of the sweep-hand (18) as fluid flows through a fluid meter (14) in both the forward and reverse directions. These switching events are detected and recording by an electronic module (19). Advantageously, the present invention accurately monitors and records fluid consumption at predetermined intervals when the fluid flows through the meter in either direction (14).
29 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A remote monitoring device adapted to couple to and read visual indicator device of a fluid meter having at least one rotating member indicating a quantity of fluid passing through the fluid meter, the remote monitoring device comprising:
an electronic module accessory adapted to externally couple to and read the fluid meter indicator device, the electronic module distinguishing when the indicator device rotating member is rotating in the forward direction and the reverse direction, the electronic module accessory providing an electronic output indicative of the indicator device rotating member position and direction of rotation, wherein the electronic module accessory further includes a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch, wherein the rotating member triggers the first switch operating as an event detector at predetermined intervals in response to fluid flowing through the fluid meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In combination:
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a fluid meter having a visual indicator device having at least one rotating member indicating a quantity of fluid passing through the fluid meter in a forward direction and a reverse direction; and
an electronic module accessory externally coupled to and reading the fluid meter indicator device, the electronic module distinguishing when the indicator device rotating member is rotating in the forward direction and the reverse direction, the electronic module accessory providing an electronic output indicative of the indicator device rotating member position and direction of rotation, wherein the electronic module accessory further includes a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch, wherein the rotating member triggers the first switch operating as an event detector at predetermined intervals in response to fluid flowing through the fluid meter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of using an electronic module external to a fluid meter to ascertain a reading of the fluid meter having a visual indicator device having at least one rotating member indicating a quantity of fluid passing through the fluid meter in a forward and reverse direction, the electronic module further including a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch, wherein the rotating member triggers the first switch operating as an event detector at predetermined intervals in response to fluid flowing through the fluid meter, comprising the step of:
using the electronic module to externally detect the position of the fluid meter rotating member rotating in a forward and reverse direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A device for ascertaining product delivery adapted to externally couple to a fluid meter, wherein the fluid meter includes a visual rotating sweeping hand indicative of product flow, the device comprising:
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a first switch adapted to generate a first signal in response to the sweeping hand passing a predetermined location;
a second switch adapted to generate a second signal indicative of a direction the sweeping hand is rotating while the first signal is generated; and
a recording module having at least two inputs, wherein the recording module, in response to the first and second signals, monitors and records product flowing in both a forward and a reverse direction through the fluid meter. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification