Abstract: A method of identifying consumption of a utility by devices in a group of devices, wherein each device in the group of devices has a plurality of device-states and is arranged to consume the utility, the method comprising, for a given measurement period in a supply of the utility to the group of devices: obtaining a time-based vector of total levels of consumption of the utility by the group of devices during the given measurement period; for each of a plurality of group-states, wherein each group-state corresponds to each device in the group of devices being in a corresponding device-state, calculating a score representing a likelihood that the group of devices is in the group-state during the given measurement period, wherein said score is based on a likelihood of the obtained vector occurring based on a multivariate statistical model, corresponding to the group-state, of the total level of consumption of the utility by the group of devices during a measurement period in the supply of the utility to the gro

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator regulates a pressure of a gas system. The gas pressure regulator includes a first chamber, a first diaphragm which separates the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, a second chamber, with a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber. A movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm, and a change in the volume of the fourth compartment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.

Abstract: A communication system that relays data messages from or to a plurality of remote endpoints via RF gateways to a data accumulation site over one of a series of communication channels. The communication system monitors the signal-to-noise ratio of communication from each individual endpoint, which can be utility meters and related control or monitoring points, to a gateway. Based upon a quality of service and/or the signal-to-noise ratio of the communication of the endpoints to the gateways, the system assigns a desired communication channel to the endpoint. Each of the desired communication channels have varying data transmission rate and required SNR and each channel is selected based upon the signal-to-noise ratio of the transmissions from the endpoint to the gateways. If the signal-to-noise ratio changes for an endpoint, the system dynamically reassigns a different channel to the meter based upon the updated signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator regulates a pressure of a gas system. The gas pressure regulator includes a first chamber, a first diaphragm which separates the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, a second chamber, with a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber. A movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm, and a change in the volume of the fourth compartment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.

Abstract: Electronic circuits in a register associated with a commodity usage meter capture energy from a meter reading device when the device is coupled to the register (e.g., either electrically or inductively coupled) for the purpose of reading metered quantity data from the register. Electrical charge obtained from the reading device may be stored in a high-capacity storage capacitor. When the capacitor is sufficiently charged, it provides power to at least part of the register circuits, such as a controller, for at least the duration of the communication session with the reading device. In some embodiments, the capacitor may additionally supply sufficient power to operate the register until a subsequent reading device coupling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors and controls an operation of an electricity meter. A potential failure condition of an electrical connection between an electricity meter and a meter socket in an electrical line that provides power from a power supply to an electrical load through the electricity meter, is detected. A correction time may be determined based on a temperature in a vicinity of and a current through the electrical connection, and may indicate an amount of time before a predicted failure of the electrical connection will occur. The method determines whether the electricity meter is in an imminent failure condition based on the correction time or the information used to detect the potential failure condition of the electrical connection. The method may provide either, or both, notification of the imminent failure condition and disconnection of power to the electrical load by operating a disconnection switch.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides control for a distributed lighting network, for selectively reducing an aggregate electrical load of the distributed lighting network according to a defined lighting reduction pattern. Among the several advantages of the provided control is the ability to define via the pattern which lamps are involved in load shedding, and how they are controlled to shed load. In another aspect, the present invention provides control for a distributed lighting network, for visibly signaling persons within sight of one or more lamps within the distributed lighting network. Among the several advantages of the provided control is the ability to provide emergency or other public safety signaling to persons that might not otherwise be alerted to an existing or impending danger.

Abstract: The teachings herein disclose a method and apparatus for preventing excessive battery passivation in an electronic meter-reading module. The module operates in a low-power state most of the time. The low-power state is interrupted at defined transmit times, wherein the module temporarily turns on or otherwise activates an included communication transmitter, for the transmission of data to a remote node reachable through a wireless communication network. Because of its low current draw during the times between data transmissions, the module's battery is vulnerable to passivation layer buildup. Advantageously, however, the module is configured to perform dummy activations of its transmitter at times other than the defined transmit times, e.g., in the intervals between data transmissions. These dummy activations are not for data transmission, but rather are temporary activations of the relatively high-power transmitter, for reducing passivation layer buildup on the battery in advance of a next data transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter, and modifies at least one temperature threshold for determining when an alarm message should be transmitted or an electrical connection in the meter should be disconnected. The method and apparatus includes a plurality of sensors that detect temperatures in various locations within the electricity meter. The method and apparatus compares at least one detected temperature to at least one threshold, and operates an alarm or a switch when the detected temperature exceeds the threshold. The method and apparatus determines an average rate of change for at least one temperature according to a short-term temperature average over a first number of samples of the temperature, and a long term-term temperature average over a second number of samples of the temperature. The second number of samples is different from the first number of samples.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors and controls the operation of an electricity meter and prevents a failure of and/or damage to the electricity meter. A potential failure condition of an electrical connection between an electricity meter and a meter socket in an electrical line that provides power from a power supply to an electrical load through the electricity meter, is detected. A correction time may be determined based on a temperature in the vicinity of the electrical connection and a current through the electrical connection. The correction time indicates an amount of time that is available before a predicted failure of the electrical connection will occur. The method determines whether the electricity meter is in an imminent failure condition based on the correction time or the information used to detect the potential failure condition of the electrical connection.

Abstract: A Gaussian Frequency Shift Key (GFSK) receiver includes a receiver front end to receive a GFSK-modulated signal and convert the received GFSK-modulated signal to a baseband frequency modulated signal, a channel filter to reduce channel interference which is adjacent to a desired channel of the baseband frequency modulated signal, a demodulator to demodulate the channel filtered baseband modulated signal and to recover a sequence of symbols, a digital filter to reduce inter-symbol interference (ISI) from the sequence of symbols, a slicer to produce symbol decisions based on the filtered sequence of symbols, and a symbol-to-bit mapper to map the symbol decisions to data bits.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the relative phase of each of a plurality of load meters connected to a three-phase power distribution system. The system includes a gateway that communicates information to and from each of the individual load meters. The gateway generates a timing pulse that is received by each of the load meters. Based upon the delay from the receipt of the timing pulse to the next zero crossing of the single phase power supply received by the meter, the utility can determine the phase of the individual meter. The system can include a feeder meter connected to each phase of the electrical supply system to determine the energy consumption for each of the meters connected to a specific phase. The utility can compare the energy consumption information from the feeder meter to all of the load meters connected to the same phase to determine whether any energy theft is occurring.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and an annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap, which is spanned by an armor positioned in the gap to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion engaging the gasket during compression. The gasket includes a pressure assist slot configured to receive pressurized fluid leaking from the pipes and a plurality of cross grooves ensuring continued fluid communication with the pressure assist slot. The gasket also includes ribs engaging the split-ring gland and the armor to reduce or eliminate added lubrication necessary.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and an annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap, which is spanned by an armor positioned in the gap to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion engaging the gasket during compression. The gasket includes a pressure assist slot configured to receive pressurized fluid leaking from the pipes and a plurality of cross grooves ensuring continued fluid communication with the pressure assist slot. The gasket also includes ribs engaging the split-ring gland and the armor to reduce or eliminate added lubrication necessary.

Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flow meter is provided that includes a pressure-resistant plastic housing that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an intermediate measuring unit that has a duct wall and a measurement duct through which the fluid to be measured flows. Two opposite measuring electrodes are arranged in the duct wall and are oriented perpendicular to the magnet poles. Taking into account the maximum admissible pressure for the selected plastic, the duct wall is reduced to a minimum admissible thickness in the region of the magnet poles. An internal reinforcement cage that includes at least two internal transverse bulkheads and at least two internal longitudinal ribs stabilizes the duct wall. An external reinforcement cage that includes at least two first external longitudinal ribs retains and stabilizes the internal reinforcement cage and connects the measuring unit in a tension-proof manner to the inlet port and the outlet port.