Abstract: A system and method for communicating energy or water consumption related information from a plurality of RF enabled peripheral devices in a home, such as utility meters, thermostats, appliances and load controllers. The system includes a home gateway that enables wireless RF peripheral devices in a home to communicate to a WAN network, such as the internet. The home gateway contains a RF multi-band software defined radio that is fully programmable and configurable so that it is capable of emulating, transmitting, and receiving any of a plurality of RF protocols over multiple RF channels. The home gateway supports commonly used interfaces for communicating to the public WAN network. The system also supports future peripherals that do not exist today due to the flexibility of the home gateway.

Abstract: A remote endpoint monitor device includes a remote endpoint device including a meter, a position locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The meter is configured to measure a service parameter to provide a measured service parameter value. The position locator is configured to determine a position of the remote endpoint device. The frequency selector is configured to select a transmission frequency device based on the determined position. The transmitter is configured to transmit service information data including the service parameter value at the transmission frequency selected by the frequency selector. A method of a remote endpoint monitor device includes measuring a service parameter, determining a position of the remote endpoint device, selecting a transmission frequency of the remote end point device, and transmitting service information data at the transmission frequency.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a gas meter that includes an expansion section having a series of convolutions. During repeated use of the diaphragm, the expansion section flexes to allow the center section of the diaphragm and the attached diaphragm disk to move between a retracted position and extended position. The convolutions formed in the expansion section include a series of curved peaks and curved troughs joined by web sections. The multiple convolutions in the expansion section allows for more consistent and repeatable movement and volume displacement of the diaphragm between the extended and retracted positions. The action of the convolutions also contributes to extended life by eliminating wrinkling of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: At least one electrical contactor is provided that includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact includes a center leg and first and second arms that extend in opposite directions from the center leg. The movable contact associated with each fixed contact includes first and second blades positioned on opposite sides of the center leg. The first and second blades extend parallel to the center leg of the fixed contact such that when current flows through the electrical contactor, the current flow creates a force to push the first and second blades into the first and second arms of the fixed contact. The electrical contactor includes an actuating arrangement having a pair of cam members. The movement of the cam members causes pegs on each of the first and second blades to travel within the cam channel, thus opening and closing the contactor arrangement.

Abstract: A method that determines a physical location of an unknown position device (UPD) in a communication network including a plurality of known position devices (KDPs), in which a message transmitted by the UPD is received by plural KDPs. The method includes measuring a signal quality of each received message received by the plural KDPs from the UPD, and computing the likely physical location of the UPD based on the physical location of the plural KPDs receiving the message from the UPD and the respective signal quality measured at each KPD.

Abstract: A one-way direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications wide-area network is the data collection channel (uplink) of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, and a paging network, or other suitable communication channel is the optional forward (downlink) channel. The communications network may include one-way meter modules (transmitters) each communicatively coupled to a corresponding electric, gas or water utility meter, and may include two-way meter modules (transceivers) each coupled to such a corresponding utility meter. The meter modules monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages) in an appropriate RF channel. Metering data air messages are collected by a network of receiver Base Stations (BS) and forwarded to a Data Operations Center (DOC), which acts as a metering data gateway.

Abstract: At least one electrical contactor is provided that includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact includes a center leg and first and second arms that extend in opposite directions from the center leg. The movable contact associated with each fixed contact includes first and second blades positioned on opposite sides of the center leg. The first and second blades extend parallel to the center leg of the fixed contact such that when current flows through the electrical contactor, the current flow creates a force to push the first and second blades into the first and second arms of the fixed contact. The electrical contactor includes an actuating arrangement having a pair of cam members. The movement of the cam members causes pegs on each of the first and second blades to travel within the cam channel, thus opening and closing the contactor arrangement.

Abstract: A magnetic latching actuator operable to control the movement of at least a first contact and second contact between a closed position in which the contacts physically engage each other and an open position in which the contacts are spaced from each other. The magnetic latching actuator includes first and second stationary permanent magnets oriented such that the first magnetic field created by the first magnet and the second magnetic field created by the second magnet are in opposite directions. An actuation coil surrounds both the first and second magnets. Current is supplied to the actuation coil in a first direction to create a first magnetic field or a second direction to create a second actuation magnetic field opposite the first actuation magnetic field. A yoke is movable relative to the first and second magnets to cause the first and second contacts to move between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A scalable and modular fixed-base wireless network system for wide-area metering data collection, composed of at least one of each of the following components: meter modules, which monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages). The network may contain both one-way (transmit only) and two-way (transmit and receive) meter modules; Receiver Base Stations, which receive, decode, store and forward metering data to a central database and metering data gateway, referred to here as the Data Operation Center (DOC). Base Stations do not perform any meter data processing, but simply transfer decoded air messages to the DOC; and a Data Operations Center, which communicates with all of the network's Base Stations and receives decoded air messages from the Base Stations. The DOC processes, validates and stores metering data in a meter database that it maintains for the entire meter population operating in the network.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for relaying packet information from an Out of Range Device (ORD) to a communications tower. The method includes transmitting a message from the ORD. The message is recognizable by a transceiver device as a message to be repeated. The message is stored in the transceiver device which also measures a received signal quality of the message, and relays the message after delaying for a time interval inversely proportional to received signal quality.

Abstract: A mobile multifrequency transmitter includes a self-locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The self-locator is configured to determine a current self location without transmitting an outgoing signal, and to provide the self location to the multifrequency transmitter. The frequency selector is configured to select a usable frequency based on the current self location. The communication unit is configured to transmit on said selected usable frequency. A mobile communication method includes the steps of obtaining a current self location from a self-locator without transmitting an outgoing signal, looking up in a database an allowable frequency band corresponding to the current self location, and transmitting on the allowable frequency band. Thus, the mobile multi-frequency transmitter is capable of handling an automatic frequency switchover without the need for higher level cellular direction.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a gas meter that includes an expansion section having a series of convolutions. During repeated use of the diaphragm, the expansion section flexes to allow the center section of the diaphragm and the attached diaphragm disk to move between a retracted position and extended position. The convolutions formed in the expansion section include a series of curved peaks and curved troughs joined by web sections. The multiple convolutions in the expansion section allows for more consistent and repeatable movement and volume displacement of the diaphragm between the extended and retracted positions. The action of the convolutions also contributes to extended life by eliminating wrinkling of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turbine flowmeter for measuring the consumption of fluids, particularly water. The turbine flowmeter comprises a housing (1) with an inflow (2), and outflow (3) and a flow channel (4). The turbine flowmeter also comprises a measuring unit (5) for measuring and indicating the consumption. A turbine (10) with a hub (11) and a number of radial vanes (12.1, 12.2) is located inside the channel (4). A holding insert (20) is also located inside the channel (4) and is comprised of a water guide cross (20.1) and of an insert base body (20.2). The water guide cross (20.1) comprises a hub (21), radial struts (22) extending from the hub (21) to the wall of the channel (4), a nozzle body (23), which surrounds the front (14) of the turbine (10), however, a gap (17) remains through which the fluid flows, and comprises a central opening (24) in the nozzle body (23). The vanes (12.1. 12.2) of the turbine (10) are positioned near the nozzle body (23). A nozzle ring (16) connects the vanes (12.1, 12.

Abstract: An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating energy or water consumption related information from a plurality of RF enabled peripheral devices in a home, such as utility meters, thermostats, appliances and load controllers. The system includes a home gateway that enables wireless RF peripheral devices in a home to communicate to a WAN network, such as the internet. The home gateway contains a RF multi-band software defined radio that is fully programmable and configurable so that it is capable of emulating, transmitting, and receiving any of a plurality of RF protocols over multiple RF channels. The home gateway supports commonly used interfaces for communicating to the public WAN network. The system also supports future peripherals that do not exist today due to the flexibility of the home gateway.

Abstract: An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.

Abstract: A system for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection, such as an electrical meter socket connection, includes at least one deterioration sensing device that includes an apparatus for detecting, at a remote location, a deterioration in an electrical connection; at least one fixed or portable receiving communication device, each configured to receive temperature information from the at least one deterioration sensing device and to transmit the temperature information via a communication network; and a back end connected to the communication network and configured to receive temperature information from the at least one fixed or portable sensing communication device. Upon exceeding a predetermined condition, the back-end may forward an alarm warning to a utility.

Abstract: An electronic meter tamper detection system and method for sensing the removal of an electricity meter from a meter socket and generating a tamper signal when such removal is detected. The tamper detection circuit includes a control unit having an energy storage device that is charged during normal operation of the electricity meter. When power is interrupted to the electricity meter, the control unit applies a charging voltage to a voltage regulating device within the electricity meter. The voltage regulating device can be charged only when the electricity meter is installed within the meter socket. After applying the charging voltage to the voltage regulating device, the control unit senses whether the voltage regulating device has been charged. If the voltage regulating device has not been charged, the control unit indicates that the meter has been removed from the meter socket.

Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a meter register to a communication device such that output data signals from the meter register can be transmitted to a remote location. The coupling arrangement includes a data transfer wire that is connected to the meter register and is inductively coupled to the communication device such that the data transfer wire does not need to be conductively connected to the communication device. During installation of the communication device, the inductive coupling between the data transfer wire and the communication device eliminates the requirement of a conductive connection.