Abstract: An integral electronic meter system diagnostics package including a microprocessor, storage memory, pre-select series of system diagnostic tests, and recording any results which exceed predefined programmable thresholds, and display means for displaying error and/or diagnostic messages identifying selected diagnostic data and/or errors discovered in the meter tests during a predefined period. The system automatically senses the type of electrical service in which the meter is installed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactively tuning a transmitter for use in a monitoring station is described. The monitor includes a voltage controlled oscillator producing a radiowave signal for use as a carrier. The voltage used to control the voltage controlled oscillator is provided by a voltage supply that produces an output voltage corresponding to an input data stream. The tuning station provides test data streams to the voltage supply and monitors the output frequencies of the transmitter to determine when the output frequency of the transmitter is above or below the maximum allowable output frequencies. When data streams corresponding to the maximum and minimum output frequencies are determined, they are stored in a memory in the monitoring station and a complete table of temperature-compensated data is generated based upon typical unit temperature drifts. The entire table is loaded into the monitoring station to provide maximum and minimum data sequences for various operating temperature ranges.

Abstract: A method of controlling a device for producing or removing heat for the purpose of regulating the inside temperature of premises to comply with at least one reference q given in advance, in which, at each time instant that is separated from the following instant by a time interval .DELTA.t, a function J(u) is minimized over a duration T0 where J(u) characterizes the behavior of the inside temperature Ti of the premises, with:J(u)=.intg..sub.t.sup.t+T0 {qe.sup.2 +ru.sup.

Abstract: A radio antenna for mounting in the lid of a water meter box and forming part of a remote meter reading system comprises an annular conductive plate and a circular conductive plate which are coaxial with and parallel to each other and spaced apart to define a slot, the circular plate serving as a ground plate. The antenna has an input in the form of a conductive pillar interconnecting the two members, with a drive input at a selected point along the length of the pillar and a second input on the ground plate. A variable tuning capacitance is disposed between the plates diametrically opposite the conductive pillar. The ground plate also serves for locating the lid in undergrowth or under snow using a metal detector.

Abstract: A unidirectional register apparatus includes an input gear mechanism adapted to receive a rotational input from an external source; and a yoke, operatively coupled to the input gear mechanism, and arranged to pivot between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position in response to a change in direction of the rotational input. Also provided are a first gear mechanism, attached to the yoke, which is arranged to produce a rotational output in the same direction as the rotational input; and a second gear mechanism, also attached to the yoke, which is arranged to produce a rotational output in a direction opposite to the rotational input. An output gear mechanism is provided which is alternately engageable with each of the first and second gear mechanisms. The output gear mechanism engages the first gear mechanism when the yoke is in the first predetermined position, and the output gear mechanism engages the second gear mechanism when the yoke is in the second predetermined position.

Abstract: A gas meter includes a cam for driving first and second valve covers associated with respective diaphragms. Gas flowing into the gas meter is selectively directed by the first and second valve covers to reciprocate respective diaphragms. First and second cam rotation assemblies are coupled to respective diaphragms and continuously drive a cam to rotate the cam through a complete revolution, a feature which provides accurate metering of gas flows out of the gas meter, and a relatively steady flow of gas out of the gas meter. Further, the gas meter of this invention requires relatively few parts and so is relatively reliable and easy to manufacture.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for use with an underground tank of fire suppression fluid in which the fluid level within the tank can be visually determined quickly during pumping operations. Also, the fluid in the underground tank is protected from freezing by draining the fluid standing above the top of the tank. Protection against collapse or rapture of the underground tank is provided by a method of ventilating air into and out of the tank.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit, including at least two stages of frequency modulation (25,20; 28, 31, 33) and demodulation of signals applied to or generated within that circuit, characterized in that the modulating and demodulating signal for each stage is an effective square wave and in that the ratio of the frequencies (F1, F2) of the modulating signals for the first and second stages corresponds substantially to the ratio of an even integer to an odd integer, or vice versa, such that there are substantially no common frequencies or harmonics between the first and second modulating signals.

Abstract: A current measurement circuit comprising a mutual inductance transformer 3, an integration circuit 2, and a dither circuit 1 which adds a square wave to the signal from the transformer 3 before the input of the integration circuit 2 in order that the integration circuit 2 provides a signal representing the measured current perturbed by a triangular dither signal.

Abstract: A system for measuring the frequency of oscillation of the fluid in a fluid oscillator comprising detector means, a peak detector comprising a threshold device receiving a first signal from the detector means, means for storing the signal at the output of the threshold device and comparator means providing an output signal in accordance with the relative values of the first signal and the signal from the memory means.

Abstract: A gas meter installation comprises a gas meter and a regulator which are attached to a manifold. The manifold connects to a utility pipe for supplying gas and includes an orifice and various passageways for routing the gas from the utility pipe to the regulator, from the regulator to the meter, and from the meter to a house or other type of consumer. The manifold preferably has a shut-off valve integrated into the body of the manifold so that the manifold may be connected directly to the ground pipe without requiring a separate connection to a shut-off valve. The manifold greatly simplifies the installation by eliminating a number of pipes and fittings that were previously used to mount the shut-off valve, regulator, and meter together. The manifold also permits attachment and detachment of the meter or regulator independently of each other so that these components may be individually serviced or replaced.

Abstract: A water meter and backflow preventer for use in a water supply system having a meter box includes a housing having water infeed and outfeed openings which are connected to supply water from a main utility pipeline to a water customer domestic system through a pair of infeed and outfeed shut-off valves and a water meter mounted within the housing. A double check valve is installed in the water circuit in the housing to enable use of the double check method of backflow prevention. Test ports are provided through the housing to enable the housing unit to be testable for leaks through the valves. The water meter and backflow preventer combines backflow prevention integrated with an AWWA-approved water meter in one product having the same overall lay length as a current water meter to eliminate the need for re-fitting pipe or using adapters within the meter box.

Abstract: A metering system, for metering a volume V.sub.o of compressed gas supplied under high pressure from a first tank to a second tank, includes a first duct for supplying the compressed gas from the first tank to the second tank, the first duct having a pressure regulator providing a relatively high driving pressure P, and a first nozzle having a section S with an inner diameter located downstream of the pressure regulator and providing a downstream pressure p therefrom, the pressure regulator being controlled by the downstream pressure p to maintain driving pressure P so that the downstream pressure p remains less than 0.95 P. A second duct branches at one end from the first duct between the pressure regulator and the first nozzle and includes a second nozzle having a section s with an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the section S of the first nozzle.

Abstract: An adapter for a meter chamber provides proportional metering of a flow through a maincase that is sufficiently accurate at large flow rates to avoid the unmetered loss of significant quantities of water. An essentially unobstructed passageway is provided under the meter chamber to provide a free flow of water through a path that can be made large enough to avoid flow blockage by debris, even if the path through the meter becomes blocked. Thus, the adapter is particularly useful for installation in residential fire service mains. The adapter includes a chamber housing into which the meter chamber may be inserted, a bypass plate to hold the meter chamber in place, and a bypass to provide the passageway through which the free flow of water flows. The chamber housing includes inlet and outlet apertures, as does the bypass.

Abstract: A device for measurement of electrical energy having current and voltage sensors 1, 2, a multiplexing circuit 8 and an analogue to digital converter 11. A microprocessor 9 controls the multiplexing circuit in order to supply the current and voltage signals alternately to the converter 11, the microprocessor 9 calculating the electrical energy at a moment in time using two values of the voltage situated around a current sample and using three samples of the current. By these means the time delay between samples of the voltage and current can be corrected.

Abstract: An electricity meter and method for measuring VA power consumption. The electricity meter comprises a transducer circuit receiving line current and line voltage and producing a first signal corresponding to active power on the line, and a level shifting circuit responsive to the first signal for producing a second signal corresponding to apparent power.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for indication and prevention of tampering with an electricity meter having control circuitry for automatic remote reading. The control circuitry, provided externally of the meter in a base or base extension, to which the meter is connected, is also used for tamper detection. Embodiments of the invention include use of optical sensing, voltage detection and proximity detection. Ambient light sensing may be performed to detect separation of the meter from the external receptacle. Reflected light to a reflective surface of the meter is sensed to determine if the meter is properly engaged. Presence of a meter connection plug element may be sensed either optically or by position responsive switch. Voltage of the utility supply and meter user output may be monitored to determine tampering.

Abstract: An air-coupled current transformer is provided with a primary current conductor and two secondary coils connected such that the emf induced in each coil by an external disturbing magnetic flux is subtractive, whereas the emf induced by the current in the primary is additive. Two ferromagnetic core pieces enhance the rejection of the emf induced by the disturbing flux. Ceramic spacers are inserted into air gaps between the core pieces for maintaining the gaps fixed to keep the scale factor of the transformer independent of temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a temperature stabilized frequency from a signal generator in a monitoring station is described. The signal generator monitors the voltage response of an RC circuit where the resistive portion is formed by a thermistor, to produce a time-dependent signal. A comparator compares the time-dependent signal to a reference voltage to determine a rise time of the voltage across the capacitor. Based upon a software timer loop, the signal generator determines a temperature range by selecting data from a look-up table based upon the rise time of the RC circuit.

Abstract: A dry (unpressurized) hydrant utilizes a hydrant pipe wherein a submerged end carrying a strainer assembly is placed at a predetermined depth within a body of water, such as a lake or a pond, with the unsubmerged end being located above ground adjacent the water surface. A check valve installed behind the underwater strainer allows the pipe to be filled with water delivered from a tank onboard a pumper truck. Flooding the pipe in this manner allows the pumper truck to then pump water from the lake or pond, through the hydrant, with little or no priming necessary so as to meet fire suppression demands. A vent valve located on the pumper intake connected to the unsubmerged end allows air to escape from the pipe during the filling process.