Abstract: A load management terminal for each of remote electric utility customer locations included in a power line communication system is addressable by alternate codes. A combined unique, selected block and universal block address recognition circuit is alternately responsive to received data addressed to a single terminal or either of two groups of terminals also including the single terminal. An internal address generator produces a plurality of different binary coded bit streams for use as authenticating reference addresses at address comparators in the recognition circuit. Different selected block address circuit configurations are available by connecting a predetermined one of the bit streams to an associated selected block address comparator.

Abstract: A multi-dial meter register includes two energy consumption dial gear trains and a maximum power demand gear train that are selectively coupled to the meter movement of an electric utility billing meter. Two shifting control plates produce engagements and disengagements at input gears of the gear trains. A connecting shaft extends between the control plates and provides concurrent movement and further provides a dial status indicator at one end thereof.

Abstract: An electric load research device includes an enclosure having a pulse data recorder and an adjustable meter mounting arrangement for attaching an impulse sending electric meter. The meter is attachable in different rotated positions within the research device enclosure for connecting the device at a utility customer's meter socket in different orientations to avoid adjacent obstructions.

Abstract: An enclosure for watthour meters includes a cover having an opening for connecting a meter data sending unit within the enclosure to an adjacent remote meter reading terminal unit. A cover locking rim has locking tabs for securing the cover to a meter base assembly so that the cover is rotatably positionable relative to the base. The rotated positions of the cover opening permit different orientations of a remote meter reading package at a fixed meter mounting position.

Abstract: A metering system for electric utility power line measurements includes voltage and current signal inputs that are randomly sampled and converted to binary representations. A system sequence controller and calculator provides programmed control for processing digital control and data signals and for producing digital calculations of electric energy parameters from the binary representations of the instantaneous signal values. Memory registers totalize and accumulate digitally calculated values for producing visual displays and output signals that correspond to electric energy parameters to be measured.

Abstract: A meter encoding register includes pointer shaft assemblies associated with each of a plurality of dials provided in the register. The shaft assemblies are rotationally interconnected to each other and to a meter movement drive through friction clutch couplings. Slippage at the clutches permits reorientation of one shaft assembly independently of the other shaft assemblies while maintaining the dial pointer and code pattern in fixed shaft positions.

Abstract: A manual operator for a pushbutton control device includes a cover having protected space surrounding an opening receiving the pushbutton. The cover further includes a raised stop surface adjacent the protected space. A lever actuator is pivotally mounted to the cover so as to concurrently overlie the pushbutton and the stop surface when in a nonoperating position. The actuator is moved into alignment with the protected space and is depressed to assume an operating position.

Abstract: A watthour meter cover is permanently locked to the meter base assembly by an irremovable fastener applied to the base at a concealed location.

Abstract: A translator system which includes circuitry for differentiating between normal interval timing pulses and power loss pulses on meter telemetry recordings. The pulses are recorded with a different waveform and are applied to wave-shaping circuitry which produces pulses corresponding to the time interval pulses which are longer than the pulses produced which correspond to the power loss pulses. A pulse duration recognizing circuit distinguishes between the pulses of different duration and provides a pulse output at one of two terminals depending on which pulse type is recognized. Pulses corresponding to the time interval pulses are transferred to the analyzing circuits of the translator. A masking circuit prevents recognition of a power loss pulse except during a predetermined time interval which corresponds to the only time such a pulse may correctly exist on the recording. Circuitry is included which informs the analyzing circuits of the translator when a power loss pulse is properly recognized.

Abstract: An electric load research device includes an enclosure having a pulse data recorder and an adjustable meter mounting arrangement for attaching an impulse sending electric meter. The meter is attachable in different rotated positions within the research device enclosure for connecting the device at a utility customer's meter socket in different orientations to avoid adjacent obstructions.

Abstract: An electrical energy measuring circuit is responsive to two analog signals proportional to the voltage and current components of an electrical energy quantity to be measured. Voltage-to-frequency converters convert sampled DC voltages into first and second pulse trains having frequencies proportional to the peak voltage levels and the related levels of active or reactive current. A binary counter is incremented at a fixed rate by the sampling pulses. The binary counter is periodically reset by one of the pulse trains. The accumulated counter value is applied to a down binary counter which counts down at the frequency of the second pulse train. Borrow pulses are generated to provide an indication of electrical energy consumption.

Abstract: A photoelectric pulse initiator includes a rotating pattern having a single track of indicia scanned by two optoelectronic sensors. The sensors having different mounting relationships for scanning different indicia patterns. Alternate impulses from the sensors produce opposite polarity pulses in a three wire remote meter reading telemetry system.

Abstract: An anti-tamper watthour meter includes a gravity actuated switch arrangement for reversing the meter voltage winding connections across the meter terminal blades when the meter is installed in an inverted position. An additional penalty metering arrangement includes a gravity actuated magnetic member which drops into a position adjacent a meter damping permanent magnet when the meter is inverted. The inverted meter operates at a faster than normal metering rate.

Abstract: A decoder for converting a frequency coded digital input signal into a binary output signal. The decoder includes circuitry which detects when the input signal consists of the proper tones. When these tones are present, the decoder circuitry converts the tone signals into constant amplitude squarewave signals. The squarewave signals are then attenuated and integrated, and these two signals are offset and applied to a comparator. The resulting signal from the comparator is in the form of a pulse signal having rectangular pulses of constant amplitude and width, with the repetition rate of the pulses being equal to the corresponding tone frequency. The rectangular pulse signal is filtered and converted into a binary signal having binary levels which correspond to the average value of the filtered pulse signal with respect to an adjustable reference value.

Abstract: Hard magnetic bubble domains are propagated in displaced orbits in response to the product of two cyclically varying propagation control fields. The control fields modulate the hard bubble domain diameter and a driving field gradient. Repulsive boundaries establish a restricted propagating channel in a layer of bubble domain material to maintain the net displacement of orbital movements of the bubble domain along a predetermined axis. The axis of the bubble domain net displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the driving field gradient and preferably along a neutral axis of the driving field gradient. The net displacement of the hard bubble domains provide an improved analog multiplication of two alternating current computational input signals controlling the propagation control fields.

Abstract: A meter dial encoder for converting angular dial pointer shaft positions includes a single track code pattern having binary coded arcuate sectors rotated by the shaft. The pattern is rotated adjacent a pattern sensing assembly including a single circular row of sensing positions having associated sensors for producing a multiple bit binary code signal. The code signal is changed by only one bit for each arcuate pattern movement equal to one arcuate sector. Each shaft position is converted from a corresponding dial reading to a binary code signal having error checking capability. In one preferred form of the invention, an opto-electronic encoder includes a single illuminating source and a light guide arrangement to produce plural point light sources for each of plural light responsive sensors associated with each of the sensing positions. An alternative light guide arrangement optically couples each of the sensing positions to light sensors.

Abstract: An electrical meter assembly including a plug-in meter and a meter socket, each having terminals. An adaptor modifies a terminal of the meter socket, enabling the modified and unmodified terminals thereof to engage the terminals of the meter in only one orientation of the meter relative to the meter socket.

Abstract: Carrier current signals are impressed to and detected from grounding conductors connected to the power system and to real earth ground. The communication links provided by the grounded neutral conductors of the power system and by the real earth ground return path transmit the carrier communication signals between a substation communication terminal and remote communication terminals at the premises of utility company customers. The communication signals are coupled to the ground conductors by transformer-type couplers in which the grounding conductor constitutes one winding of the transformer.

Abstract: A distribution power line communication system wherein communication signals are transferred between a communication terminal at a substation and communication terminals at customer locations. The communication signals are transferred between the terminals by using a two-conductor line, with one of the conductors effectively grounded and with the other of the conductors effectively isolated from ground. The conductor which is isolated from ground provides a conduction path which travels along the primary distribution line to a distribution transformer location. At this location, the conduction path is transferred to a messenger wire which supports other transmission lines between various distribution transformer locations. The messenger wire is suitably isolated from ground and the conduction path is transferred to separate secondary distribution lines adjacent to the messenger wire.

Abstract: An arrangement of components for a distribution line communication system. Two or more independent secondary distribution lines are connected, through distribution transformers, to a primary distribution line. Carrier communication signals are transferred between the primary distribution line and one of the secondary distribution lines by a repeater located near one of the transformers. The carrier communication signals are propagated directly along this secondary distribution line and through associated service lines to communications terminals located near the electrical loads. Coupling apparatus is connected between the two independent secondary distribution lines to provide a path for the communication signals between the repeater and the communications terminals associated with the other secondary distribution line. The coupling apparatus provides a low-impedance path for the communication signals and a high-impedance path for signals at conventional electrical power frequencies.