Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive and RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Tightening or loosening a threaded connector is performed by providing a tool with first and second tool parts, the second tool part being arranged coaxially around an outside circumference of the first tool part, engaging with a thread of a bolt a nut member provided with a plurality of screw members coaxial with the tool parts and screwable in the nut member and having gear-shaped portions jointly defining an inner gear ring and an outer gear ring, providing first connecting means for connecting the first tool part with the inner gear ring of the gear-shaped portions, providing second connecting means for connecting the second tool part with said outer gear ring of said gear shaped portions, with said first and second tool parts being arranged so as to provide equal and opposite turning forces, and operating the tool so that the first tool part applies a turning force in one direction to turn the gear-shaped portions of the screw members in a given turning direction while the second tool part applies a turn

Abstract: A method of assembling a utility meter having a plurality of components on a subassembly is disclosed herein. The method comprises associating an identification code, such as a barcode, with the subassembly and then entering the barcode associated with the subassembly into a first memory. Next, a lot identification code for each of a plurality of components of the subassembly is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the first memory. The subassembly is then placed in the utility meter having an associated utility meter identification code. The utility meter identification code is then entered in a second memory and the utility meter identification code is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the second memory. The first and second memory may be searched to determine lot identification codes for each of the plurality of components in the utility meter.

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A method of tightening and loosening a fastener in an object includes applying a fastener having a rod with one end connectable toward one side of the object to be tightened or loosened and with another end extendable to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut; applying to said another end of the rod a washer having a body with an axis and at least one inner surface, and an inner segment arranged to cooperate with the rod such that the body is arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment of the washer and said another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod; connecting the nut with the at least one thread portion on the another end of the rod so as to cooperate with a first outer surface of the body, located at one axial side of the washer; providing a cooperation of the washer with the object to be tightened and loosened by

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener and enhancing a cooperation between the inner segment and another end of a rod underneath at least one thread portion to create a friction between the inner segment and another end of the rod, the body also having an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overcome a thread friction with the rod, and the rod wants to turn along while a holding force holds the body stationary, the inner segment stops the rod from turning so that any further turning of the nut elongates or relaxes the rod in an axial direction to tighten or loosen the rod by elongating or relaxing the rod. Also, a method and a power tool for tightening and loosening with the use of the washer is proposed.

Abstract: A washer has a body having at least one inner segment arranged to cooperate with a fastener which has a rod with one end connectable toward one side of an object to be tightened or loosened and another end to extend to another side of the object and having at least one thread portion for engagement by a nut, the body being arranged to enhance a cooperation between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod underneath the at least one thread portion to create a friction between the at least one inner segment and the another end of the rod, the body having an axis and being provided with a first outer surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with the nut threadingly connected with the rod on the another end, with a second outer surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with the object, and with at least one inner surface adapted to cooperate with the at least one inner segment, so that when a tool is applied and the nut is turned by the tool to overc

Abstract: A utility meter implementing the ANSI C12.19 standard is able to bypass security processing using Decade4 security tables for a single data access operation. The meter includes a procedure that is executed by a processor in the meter to process requests for security keys. Data internal to the meter is used to generate a security key. The security key is used by the requesting external device and the procedure to generate an access key. The external device sends its access key to the procedure so it may be compared to the internally generated access key. If both access keys are the same, a data access operation performed by the external device is allowed without reference to the Decade4 security tables. Once a timeout or data access operation is performed, subsequent data access operations are subject to processing in accordance with the Decade4 security tables unless another security key is requested for repetition of the process.

Abstract: A washer has a body having an axis and provided with a first bearing face surface located at one axial side and adapted to cooperate with a nut, a second bearing face surface located at an opposite axial side and adapted to cooperate with an object, at least one third turning resistant surface adapted to cooperate with a thread of the bolt, the body having at least one resistive point arranged so that when the nut is turned and turns the bolt the body of the washer stops the bolt from turning and thereby the nut creates a pull on the bolt which elongates the bolt in an axial direction and applies to the body of the washer an axial force which overcomes the at least one resistive point so that a portion of the body of the washer is allowed to be pulled axially when the bolt elongates. Also, a fastener with the washer is provided, as well as a method of and a tool for fastening objects with the use of the washer.

Abstract: A socket for tightening, loosening or holding a hexagonal part underneath a substantially equally sized hexagonal nut has a socket body having an axial portion to be applied on the hexagonal part, the axial portion having an inner opening provided with six radially outwardly extending recesses each having, as considered in a circumferential direction, at least one flank adapted to interact with at least one side of the hexagonal part, the recesses being formed so that the portion of the socket body can be axially fitted over the hexagonal nut not only when sides of the hexagonal part coincide with sides of the hexagonal nut, but also when the sides of the hexagonal part are circumferentially offset from the sides of the hexagonal nut.

Abstract: A socket for tightening or loosening threaded connectors has a socket body having an axial portion to be applied on a part of a threaded connector, the axial portion having an inner opening provided with six radially outwardly extending recesses each having, as considered in a circumferential direction, at least one flank adapted to interact with at least one side of a hexagonal part of the threaded connector, the recesses being formed so that the portion of the socket body can be axially fitted over the hexagonal part of the threaded connector not only when the flanks of the recesses coincide with the sides of the hexagonal part of the threaded connector, but also when the flanks of the recesses are circumferentially offset from the sides of the hexagonal part of the threaded connector.

Abstract: A fluid-operated cylinder-piston unit has a cylinder forming an inner space, a piston unit movable in the inner space and including a first piston and a second piston movable relative to one another and each having a displacement area at one end and a force applying area at another opposite end. The pistons are arranged so as to form a smaller displacement area associated with one of the pistons and a larger displacement area associated with both of the pistons. A fluid supply to the piston unit is performed so that first only one of the pistons moves and another of the pistons remains stationary during an advance stroke, and during a return stroke fluid has to be applied only to the displacement area of the one piston, while thereafter another of the pistons is moved as well under the action of fluid and both pistons move to apply a larger force due the larger total displacement area and during a return stroke fluid is applied to the larger displacement area.