Abstract: Bidirectional addressable repeaters of a power line carrier communication system each include an address recognition and a receive and transmit control logic circuit having programmable zone and address identifying states for connection in plural repeating levels defining branch paths linking a central control terminal with multiple remote terminals via a distribution line network. Each repeater retransmits an interrogation message, provides its own repeater address modification, and remains in a response-wait status. The alerted repeaters define the predetermined route of branch paths for being sequentially activated by a response message. Simplified repeater response address formats are used and each repeater modified its address data upon response message retransmission. The desired sequentially occurring repeating transmissions are assured upon retransmission of both the interrogation and response messages.

Abstract: A magnetic damping system for induction devices having electroconductive disk armatures includes a low induction, high coercive force magnet that is vertically elongated and has a horizontal direction of magnetization parallel to the disk. Flux concentrating pole pieces adjoin the magnet pole faces for vertically directing two closely spaced braking magnetic fields from a pair of pole tips and into the disk. A temperature compensating arrangement covers the sides of the permanent magnet between the edges of the pole pieces to efficiently compensate for higher reversible temperature coefficients of magnet remanence.

Abstract: A current transformer is encapsulated in an injection molded layer of insulating material. The current transformer includes a secondary terminal assembly having individual terminals mounted on a terminal board. The terminal board is formed of a material that softens within the normal processing temperature range of the encapsulating material and forms an amalgamation therewith without a distinct interface between the terminal board and the encapsulating material which thereby provides a fluid-tight seal around the terminal assembly. The individual terminals have an intermediate shoulder disposed adjacent the top surface of the terminal board to prevent the molding material from covering the terminal assembly during the injection molding operation and, further, to provide a sealing surface for the molding material around the terminal assembly. A shorting bar is rotatably mounted between the terminals and rotates between a closed position shorting the terminals and an open non-shorting position.

Abstract: A voltage magnetic section of a watthour meter includes a voltage flux lagging loop formed integrally with a platform part directly attached to the voltage magnetic core. Light load adjustment members are movably mounted on the platform which also carries a manual operator for shifting the light load members to a predetermined position for proper operation in the meter.

Abstract: A distribution network power line communication system divided into addressable communication zones defined by signal repeaters located at spaced intervals along the distribution network. The signal repeaters are switchably disposed in signal communication between the primary and grounded neutral conductors of the primary distribution network. Each repeater, when uniquely addressed by an interrogation signal from a central communication terminal, transfers the interrogation signal from the primary conductor to the primary grounded neutral conductor whereon it is transmitted to a uniquely addressed remote communication terminal coupled to a secondary neutral conductor within the communication zone of the signal repeater. A timely response signal from the remote communication terminal on the grounded neutral conductor is transferred by the repeater to the primary conductor and then to the central communication terminal.

Abstract: A protective load disconnect unit is remotely controlled at a single control input terminal from a master controller and monitoring unit. A power switching circuit is actuated to switch a load to be controlled from on to off by a control signal from the master unit. The input terminal is maintained electrically isolated from the switching circuit. A load status response circuit senses the on-off conditions of the power switching circuit. A variable impedance circuit included in the load status response circuit is isolated from the power switching circuit and is connected to the input terminal. The on and off conditions of the power switching circuit changes the variable impedance circuit so that an electrical condition at the input terminal is varied to indicate the load status while the control signal concurrently actuates the switching circuit.

Abstract: An automated electric power distribution network includes a radio communication system for transmitting multipurpose, multitone signals in one or more signaling channels over the auxiliary channel or channels of one or more commercial broadcast stations. Energy management terminals receive the signals at remote locations served by the distribution network. Radio receivers at the terminals have frequency selective detectors responsive to different multitone signals. The selective allocation of the multitone signals at different remote locations provides different communication links for effecting common or different electric energy usage related responses at grouped or separate locations. Complex address and/or function encoded signal information is reduced by providing the frequency selective reception of the several multitone signaling channels available in a radio or television station auxiliary channel.

Abstract: A current transformer encapsulated in an injection molded layer of insulating material. The current transformer includes a secondary winding which is disposed around a winding spool having side flanges thereon. Permanent spacers extend across the length of the winding spool and rest on the side flanges such that the permanent spacers are spaced from the secondary winding. A primary winding is wound around the spacers so as to be spaced from the secondary winding before the encapsulating material is injection molded around the magnetic core and windings and into the space between the primary and secondary windings. The winding spool and permanent spacers are formed of a material which softens within the processing temperature range of the encapsulating material to form an amalgamation without a distinct interface between the encapsulating material and the winding spool and spacers.

Abstract: A time based measuring system for electric energy meters includes a non-volatile data memory for processing time related data. The system further includes a main DC supply energized from an AC source and an auxiliary DC supply energized by a primary battery source. The data memory and a low power secondary timer circuit are energized from the auxiliary DC supply in response to failure of the main DC supply. A low power circuit arrangement including the secondary circuit continues current time and calendar registrations during a power outage.

Abstract: A repulsion-type permanent magnet bearing system for watthour meters includes identical upper and lower permanent magnet assemblies. Each assembly includes a hollow cylindrical magnet including a temperature compensating sleeve extending through each magnet center opening. Soft magnetic shielding cups are attached to the rotor and stator parts of the meter to carry the permanent magnet assemblies in facing relationships. The permanent magnet size and orientation with respect to each other and the cups provides an optimumly maintained bearing gap spacing.

Abstract: A watthour meter damping assembly includes a U-shaped magnetic yoke and a pair of highly coercive and anisotropic permanent magnets projecting in facing relationship from the ends of the yoke. Opposing pole faces of the magnets form an air gap receiving a meter disc to be magnetically retarded. A single temperature compensator extends over the pole faces of the permanent magnets to form a compensating shunt flux path around the air gap. The compensator and magnetic yoke extend substantially parallel to each other from the inner and outer pole faces, respectively, of the magnet pair.

Abstract: A current sensing transducer includes a conductive current divider including a branch path for conducting a fractional current proportional to a current to be sensed and being applied through the divider. A compensated transformer includes a primary circuit responsive to the fractional current and two secondary windings. An amplifier circuit controls the current input to one secondary winding in response to the output of the other secondary winding so that the flux of the primary circuit is virtually compensated in the core and the secondary winding current is a measure of the current to be sensed.

Abstract: An electronic AC electric energy measuring circuit converts a di/dt analog input signal into a pulse width modulated signal responsive to the amplitude of a current component of an alternating current energy quantity to be measured. The pulse width modulated signal is produced by a first modulator circuit including an integrator circuit deriving both a modulating frequency signal and a current analog signal proportional to the current component. A multiplying circuit receives a voltage analog input signal and applies it to a reference input of a second modulator circuit. The modulating control of the second modulator circuit receives the pulse width modulated signal so that the multiplying circuit produces a variable amplitude and pulse width modulated signal having an average value equal to an average power measurement.

Abstract: A rotatable shaft has an extended vertical length radially supported by a lubricant impervious bearing. Lubricant is transferred upward to the shaft bearing surface by capillary attraction from an absorbent washer surrounding the bottom of the bearing. A wick conveys the lubricant to the washer from a lower lubricant reservoir. A seepage barrier is further included having a wick extending across the open end of an upright support column and against the shaft at the outer end. The wick returns any lubricant discharged from the end of the support column to an absorbent retainer.

Abstract: An electric utility meter includes a detachable anti-static plastic cover having an electroconductive layer on the cover front face. The conductive layer extends between the cover and a dial pointer of the meter. An electric contact projects into the interior of the cover so as to make contact with the meter chassis when the cover is assembled to the meter.

Abstract: A load survey tape recorder has a tape transport assembly including a supply spindle assembly having a magnetic brake and a take-up spindle assembly having a magnetic clutch. Substantially constant tensions are maintained in a recording tape as it is driven between supply and take-up reels by the magnetic retarding forces of the magnetic brake and by a variable magnetic drive coupling of the magnetic clutch. A non-magnetic spacer is placed in one or both of the magnetic coupling gaps of the brake and clutch for improved operation.

Abstract: A timing motor of an on-peak demand meter is turned on only during maximum demand metering times. Torque aiding effects of the timing motor stray flux augment the meter disc torque to compensate for the intermittent demand gearing load.

Abstract: A sealing ring for clamping a watthour meter to a meter socket box includes a permanent locking mechanism mounted on the ends of a clamping band. A catch assembly includes a detent carried within a shielding enclosure on one band end. A latching assembly carried on the second band end has an extending latching member insertable into the enclosure for fixed and irremovable engagement by the detent within the enclosure.

Abstract: A remote meter reading maximum KW demand meter includes a register having an integral pulse initiator. The register drives the pulse initiator in response to maximum demand measuring movement of the meter. In one mode of operation, demand indicating pulses are generated incrementally as the increments of measured KW demand increases. In another mode, the pulse initiator generates a continuous pulse stream responsive to the total maximum KW demand measured during a predetermined billing period when the register is reset by a remotely actuated solenoid.

Abstract: Encoding photocells are positioned in a circuit array for sensing lighted and unlighted variations produced by changes in an optical code pattern. Corresponding signal output changes of the encloding photocells are detected by being sequentially connected to a sensing network including a reference photocell circuit array. The encoding photocell output changes are sensed at a voltage comparator having inputs connected to the sensing network and a fixed voltage reference to produce a binary signal output. A comparator inhibiting circuit deactivates the comparator in response to a malfunction condition to protect against erroneous operation.