Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for providing a mechanical bond and an improved water vapor seal between a lens (11, 41) and a base (17, 47) in an instrument housing (10, 40), includes heating the components and a hot butyl rubber sealant (18, 58) prior to assembly, maintaining a level of heating for the assembly during assembly, dispensing the heated sealant (18, 58) into a channel (25, 65) to form a ring-shaped body of sealant (18, 58), assembling the lens (11, 41) to the base (17, 47) and pressing a lower edge (11a, 41a) of the lens (11, 41) into the ring of sealant (18, 58) and bending an upper edge (17b, 47b) of the side wall (17a, 47a) over a portion (11b, 41b) of the lens (11, 41). The method is applied in a second embodiment to an instrument having at least two signal conductors (55) entering the base (47) at two entry points. Apparatuses manufactured with the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water meter housing assembly (10) comprises a cylindrical, plastic housing body (11), a non-cast housing bottom (13) of hydroformable or stamped brass, a single-piece strainer and sealing member (40) that is disposed in the housing bottom (13) and portions of non-cast hydroformable or stamped brass tubing (15) with spud ends (16, 17) for connection in a water supply line. The brass consists essentially of lead-free material. The assembly (10) is designed to provide a lower cost alternative to foundry cast meter housings. The assembly (10) also provides advantages in a method of vertical assembly that saves manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for providing a mechanical bond and an improved water vapor seal between a lens (11, 41) and a base (17, 47) in an instrument housing (10, 40), includes heating the components and a hot butyl rubber sealant (18, 58) prior to assembly, maintaining a level of heating for the assembly during assembly, dispensing the heated sealant (18, 58) into a channel (25, 65) to form a ring-shaped body of sealant (18, 58), assembling the lens (11, 41) to the base (17, 47) and pressing a lower edge (11a, 41a) of the lens (11, 41) into the ring of sealant (18, 48) and bending an upper edge (17b, 47b) of the side wall (17a, 47a) over a portion (11b, 41b) of the lens (11, 41). The method is applied in a second embodiment to an instrument having at least two signal conductors (55) entering the base (47) at two entry points. Apparatuses manufactured with the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna assembly (10) for RF communication of signals representing utility meter data. The antenna assembly (10) comprises a first conductor (30) forming at least a portion of an antenna radiating element, a second conductor (28), and a dielectric (34) disposed between the first conductor (30) and the second conductor (28), such that the first conductor (30), the second conductor (28) and the dielectric (34) form a capacitor. The antenna assembly (10) further comprises an inductance (36) in cascade with the capacitor to provide a selected L-C circuit impedance in relation to the antenna radiating element. The second conductor (28) is disposed opposite to the first conductor (30) and at least one of the first and second conductors (28, 30) is movable from a first to a second position to adjust the capacitance of the L-C circuit to a selected frequency of operation.

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: 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: 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 remote meter reading arrangement in which utility consumption data accumulated in an electronic metering unit located within an underground enclosure is transmitted via radio frequency signals to a handheld data collection unit or to a mobile data collection unit carried in a vehicle. An assembly for installation in the underground enclosure includes an antenna enclosure, a transponder enclosure and means for enclosing and protecting an antenna within the antenna enclosure and a transponder within the transponder enclosure. Two embodiments are disclosed.

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.