Abstract: An electrical energy meter for measuring various parameters of electrical energy consumption has a cover-mounted time-of-day multifunction register. Digital signals representative of electrical energy usage are input to the time-of-day multifunction register which measures energy consumption during the on-peak, off-peak, and intermediate-peak periods of each day. The multifunction register communicates by way of light radiations with an external programmer/reader unit having a plurality of fingers at its front face. These fingers engage recesses in the meter cover for accurate alignment of the multifunction register and the programmer/reader unit. Attaching the multifunction register to the meter cover rather than to the meter frame offers improved alignment between the multifunction register and the programmer/reader unit and provides easy retrofitting of present watthour meters lacking the time-of-day feature with a time-of-day multifunction register.

Abstract: A multirate dial register for meters having a rotatable measuring element includes plural sets of dial indicators having at least one set thereof selectively coupled by a clutch mechanism to the measuring element such that the ratio of measuring indications at the one set of dial indicators is controllable at the front of the register for converting between measurements of different parameters of a measured quantity by a solenoid actuated clutch wherein one solenoid plunger end controls the clutch and the opposite plunger end controls an on-off dial indicator.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for time of day watthour meter dial registers includes a clutch mechanism having a driving part continuous driven by a rotating measuring element so that it is freely rotatable when the clutch is open and a clutch driven part which is shiftable between clutch open and clutch closed positions by a lever arm which further arrests rotation of the clutch driving part during the clutch open position.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for watt demand meter registers includes a clutch driving part continuously driven by a rotating measuring element so as to be freely rotatable when the clutch is open. The driving part is mounted between a clutch driven part and a clutch closing part which clamps the clutch parts together when the clutch mechanism is closed.

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 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: A meter encoding register includes pointer shaft assemblies associated with each of a plurality of dials provided in the register. The shaft assemblies are rotationally interconnected to each other and to a meter movement drive through friction clutch couplings. Slippage at the clutches permits reorientation of one shaft assembly independently of the other shaft assemblies while maintaining the dial pointer and code pattern in fixed shaft positions.