Abstract: An improved assembly (10) for housing electronics for remote reading to meter reading data in a subsurface enclosure (11) includes a first inner enclosure (40) of metal for housing the receiver/transmitter circuitry (90), a second inner enclosure (69, 86) for housing a battery (65) and an outer enclosure (24) of plastic which encloses both of the inner enclosures.

Abstract: The relative density of a sample of a supply gas under test is determined by measuring an atmospheric pressure and a pressure differential for the reference gas and the sample gas as each is passed through a small orifice (16) with smooth walls, such as a pore formed in a sapphire jewel. The pressure measurements are made on a time base determined during the reference gas cycle. A microcontroller (15) then computes a relative density for the sample gas based on a known relative density for the reference gas and a ratio of pressure factors for the sample gas and the reference gas in a system operating at in a range from about 1 to about 6 psig.

Abstract: The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller (12) from the heating value of a reference gas, and from flow ratios and power levels determined as the gas is combusted by a flameless combustion process. The combustible gas is mixed with a combustion supporting gas, such as air, and flowed to a body of material (26, 52) which is heated to a temperature sufficient for oxidation of the gas mixture. The size of spaces in a first embodiment of a heater device (9, 11, 25, 26) and in a second embodiment of a heater device (50) are limited to prevent formation of an open flame. In a preferred "lean mixture" embodiment, the gas-air mixture of the reference gas, and the gas-air mixture of the sample gas, respectively, are each adjusted until a selected power level of combustion at a temperature lower than the point of stoichiometric combustion is reached.

Abstract: An improved assembly (10) for housing electronics for remote reading of meter reading data in a subsurface enclosure (11) includes a first inner enclosure (40) of metal for housing the receiver/transmitter circuitry (90), a second inner enclosure (69, 86) for housing a battery (65) and an outer enclosure (24) of plastic which encloses both of the inner enclosures and additionally provides a sealed compartment for an antenna (50).

Abstract: A sealed housing for a transponder unit (10) in a utility meter pit enclosure has a tube (28), approximately 33/4 inches long and 11/2 inches in diameter, in which transponder electronics carried by a circuit board and an antenna are inserted from the bottom and fitted into guide structures (42, 47) and then a body of epoxy sealant (50) is used to seal and form a recessed lower end of the tube (28) which, in use, may be immersed in water within a subsurface pit enclosure (11). The tube (28) is attached to a cap (22) and suspended through a hole (29) in the pit lid (15). A clamping member (38) is threaded onto the lower end of the tube (28) for trapping a portion of the pit lid (15) between said clamping member (38) and the cap (22). A method of assembling and sealing the unit (10) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller (12) from the heating value of a reference gas, and from an oxidation energy ratio determined as the gas is combusted by a flameless combustion process. The combustible gas is mixed with a combustion supporting gas, such as air, in a volume chamber (4) and injected into a combustion device (8, 50) in which a body of inert material (26, 51, 53) is heated above the auto-ignition temperature of the gas mixture. The inert material (26, 51, 53) is arranged to have a void dimension that is small enough to prevent the formation of an open flame during combustion. The process is repeated with a sample gas. During the injection cycle, the microcontroller (12) receives signals which monitor the power of combustion. The microcontroller (12) calculates the heating value of the sample gas and generates an output signal to a visual display or other output device.

Abstract: The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller (12) from the heating value of a reference gas, and from flow ratios and power levels determined as the gas is combusted by a flameless combustion process. The combustible gas is mixed with a combustion supporting gas, such as air, and flowed to a body of material (26, 52) which is heated to a temperature sufficient for oxidation of the gas mixture. The size of spaces in a first embodiment of a heater device (9, 11, 25, 26) and in a second embodiment of a heater device (50) are limited to prevent formation of an open flame. In a preferred "lean mixture" embodiment, the gas-air mixture of the reference gas, and the gas-air mixture of the sample gas, respectively, are each adjusted until a selected power level of combustion at a temperature lower than the point of stoichiometric combustion is reached.

Abstract: The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller from the heating value of a reference gas, and from flow ratios determined as the gas is consumed by catalytic combustion. The combustible gas is mixed with a combustion supporting gas, such as air, and flowed to a catalytic apparatus. In one embodiment, a molar flow meter is connected in the supply line for the combustible gas to measure the molar flow rate of a reference gas and a sample gas. Molar flow rates of the reference gas and the sample gas are determined at maximum temperature of combustion of the gas. In a preferred embodiment, a valve chamber is charged with a gas to a predetermined pressure and then discharged. During the discharge cycle, the apparatus senses the maximum temperature of combustion which corresponds to the point of optimum fuel-to-air ratio for catalytic combustion.

Abstract: A meter reading system is provided in which a plurality of modems are connected to telephone lines and to a single computer which is operated through a stored program to sequentially perform portions of communication activities and portions of servicing activities in time-interleaved relation and in rapid sequence. The communication activities include receiving meter data from and sending of control data to automatic meter readers. The servicing activities include maintenance of customer account records storage of received meter data and various other activities. The system further includes provisions for sending wake-up tone signals to automatic meter readers.

Abstract: The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller (12) from the heating value of a reference gas, and from flow ratios determined as the gas is consumed by catalytic combustion. In a preferred embodiment, chambers (5, 14) of fixed volume are charged to a predetermined pressure with a reference gas and a sample gas, respectively, and flowed to the catalyst at variable, changing flow rates as pressure decays. During the discharge cycle, a pressure transducer (13) senses the decaying pressure and this information is input to the microcontroller (12), which computes molar flow rates and which also senses the power level of combustion through a bridge circuit (24) in the catalytic apparatus (8, 10). Based on a ratio of molar flow rates and a ratio of corresponding power levels, a heating value of the sample gas is calculated by the microcontroller (12) and output to a visual display or other output device.

Abstract: An assembly for electrostatic discharge has a chassis (14, 24) inside the instrument housing (11, 12) with a support for holding wires (21), a pair of insulated wires (21) having portions where the insulation (31) is partially removed and where the wires are mounted to the support (25), a base (12) of a conductive material having a projection (43) extending upward opposite the portions (42) where the insulation (31) has been removed, such that a gap (44) is provided through which charge may be conducted to the base (12) of conductive material for discharge from the interior space (41) of the instrument (10). The instrument (10) contains a volume of a gas for conducting electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A sealed wire entry port for a housing (10) having a base (12) and a top (11), and a body of sealing material (16) joining the top (11) to the base (12) and a pair of insulated wires (21) in which the insulation (31) is removed where the wires (21) run through the body of sealing material (16), a plug (22) disposed in an opening in the base (12), wherein the two wires (21) run through the plug (22) into the sealing material (16) and a vent (23) that runs through the plug (22) into the housing (10), wherein the vent (23) is adapted to be closed after a gas has been either evacuated or introduced into the interior of the housing (10) to reduce moisture within the housing before final sealing. A method of assembling and sealing the unit (10) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A number wheel assembly (10) for a counter mechanism has a plurality of number wheels (13-18), each number wheel (13-18) having a sleeve (48) around its circumference with a plurality of positions representing successive increments in a count, a substrate (26-31) opposite one surface of the number wheel (13-18), the substrate (26-31) carrying an electrode (42) that is spaced from the number wheel (13-18) to form an air gap for a variable capacitor, and wherein the number wheel (13-18) carries at least one dielectric element (46) that is rotated with the number wheel (13-18) to vary the capacitance of the variable capacitor according to the position of the number wheel (13-18). Circuitry for detecting the capacitance and the position of the number wheels (13-18) is provided on a circuit board (39) that is electrically connected to the number wheels (13-18).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring volume correction in a gas pipeline using a variable volume chamber where the gas is sampled at the temperature and pressure of gas in the pipeline. A portion of a known volume of sample gas is released and a change of volume in the sample chamber is measured with respect to time, while maintaining temperature and pressure at pipeline conditions. The sample gas is then measured for molar flow rate at near base conditions, and this is used to calculate the molar density of the gas. Because the molar density of the gas has been measured at pipeline conditions, it can be multiplied by volumetric flow rate in the pipeline to provide base volumetric flow rate of the pipeline gas. A heating analyzer is provided to determine heat content of the gas, and this is multiplied by volumetric flow rate to determine energy flow rate.

Abstract: At least one new battery (60, 61) is added to a transponder unit (10) used in a subsurface pit enclosure (11), by removing a transponder housing (25, 26) from the pit enclosure (11), removing a breakout portion (33) of a top wall (32) of the transponder housing (25, 26) to provide an access opening (52) to access a pair of transponder terminals (50, 51) in the transponder housing (25, 26), mounting a battery (60, 61) sealed in a battery casing (62) to a side of the transponder housing (25, 26), with a pair of battery pack leads (47, 48) extending from the battery casing (62), connecting the battery pack leads (47, 48) to the transponder terminals (50, 51) in the transponder housing (25, 26), and providing a sealed battery pack cover (41) over both a top opening (65) in the battery casing (62) and the access opening (32) in the transponder housing ( 25, 26).

Abstract: A module for interfacing a variety of metering pulse generators converts an analog pulse from a generator into a digital pulse which can be counted by automatic meter reading equipment. A charging circuit is connected across the inputs to receive, and be charged by, an input waveform from the metering pulse generator. A solid state switch responds to accumulated charge in the charging circuit to switch from an "off" state to an "on" state. A logic pulse generator is connected between the solid state switch and the outputs, for physical and electrical isolation of the metering pulse generator from the pulse counter. The logic pulse generator responds to the "on" state of the solid state switch to generate a logic pulse to the pulse counter.

Abstract: A number wheel assembly for a counter mechanism has a plurality of hubs with an eccentrically shaped aperture for slideable assembly and orientation on a shaft and eccentric lobe. Each hub having a recess and a pinion spindle in the recess for receiving an internal pinion gear having narrow teeth alternated with wider teeth that extend outside the hub. The number wheels, which represent successive orders of magnitude, are slipped over the hubs. Each number wheel has a single tooth that engages one of the wider teeth of the pinion gear driving the next higher order number wheel once for each revolution of the number wheel. This moves the pinion which, in turn, moves the next higher order number wheel. The gear ratio is 1:10 for a decimal counter. The lowest order number wheel is a drive wheel which includes means operable by a drive mechanism for advancement in increments of 1/10 revolution for each cycle of operation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for measuring a base condition volumetric flowrate of a pipeline gas flowing through a pipeline in which a pipeline gas flowrate is measured by a pipeline gas flowmeter; a volumetric correction ratio is derived by: measuring a sample gas flowrate of sample gas tapped from the pipeline, measuring an energy flowrate of the sample gas, measuring a heating value of the sample gas, and measuing a base condition density of the sample gas; and the base condition volumetric flowrate of the pipeline gas flowing through the pipeline is determined by adjusting the pipeline gas flowrate as measured by the pipeline gas flowmeter by the volumetric correction ratio. The temperature of the sample gas should be substantially the same as the pipeline gas in the pipeline when the sample gas flowrate is measured.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter includes a body having a flow passage, a vortex generator that generates a standing transverse wave in the flow passage, and first wing and second wings in the passage downstream of the generator. A circuit that utilizes sensors in the two wings is provided for first determining an operational phase difference, .DELTA..phi..sub.m between the signals representing movement of the first and second wings. A microprocessor then determines a corrected vortex frequency, .sup.f corr, in response to a ratio of a predetermined calibration phase difference .DELTA..phi..sub.c to the measured phase difference .DELTA..phi..sub.m.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring in real time the mass and energy flow rate of a gas through a pipeline. The invention determines the mass flow ratio of a pipeline gas flowing through a pipeline compared to sample gas tapped from the pipeline line when the volumetric flow of pipeline gas through the pipeline is measured by a linear flow meter. Sample gas tapped from the pipeline is flowed to a chamber having a section with a fixed volume until the pressure in the chamber section is substantially equal to the pipeline gas pressure. The sample gas is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the gas in the pipeline while the sample gas is in the chamber section. A timer measures the time interval for the sample gas to flow from the chamber section at a selected rate for a calculated pressure drop the selected rate being controlled by a flow controller. The mass flow ratio is computed using the measured time interval and a signal from the linear flow meter.