Abstract: A communication device includes a battery, a communication module, a first charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, a fast charge signal, a second charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, and a control module configured to route power from the battery to the communication module via the second charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being enabled and to route the power via the first charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being disabled.

Abstract: A communication device includes a battery, a communication module, a first charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, a fast charge signal, a second charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, and a control module configured to route power from the battery to the communication module via the second charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being enabled and to route the power via the first charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being disabled.

Abstract: An implementation is for a two-phase shutoff of a device having a sensor coupled to an integral shutoff system. One example includes a metering system with a sensor coupled to an integral shutoff system, wherein the sensor is used to perform a measurement which indicates that a first threshold has been met, a first response system configured to perform at least one action with respect to receiving the indication that the first threshold was met, the at least one action occurring while the integral shutoff system remains inactivated, a second response system configured to receive an indication from the metering system, wherein the sensor is used to perform a second measurement which indicates that a second threshold has been met, and a second response system configured to perform at least one additional action.

Abstract: A system includes a gas detector to detect a gas leak and notify a gas meter of a gas level of the gas leak. The gas meter receives the notification about the gas leak from the gas detector, and compares the gas level detected by the gas detector with a threshold level. The gas meter determines if the detected gas level is greater than the threshold level to determine whether to turn off a gas valve due to the detected gas level. The system also includes a head end system configured to receive notification of the detected gas level and status of the gas valve from the gas meter.

Abstract: A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.

Abstract: A meter case used with a utility meter is disclosed. The meter shell includes a plurality of snap fit joints assembled on the meter case arranged to engage a module cover to mount the module cover to the meter shell. The module cover further includes wire housing formed along an inner periphery of the module cover that houses a wire having a first end and a second end therein. A metal shield placed behind the meter shell is electrically coupled to a first connector. A terminal electrically connected to the metal shield is arranged to discharge current to ground. An electrical contact electrically coupled to the second end of the wire is arranged to engage the first connector to establish an electrical connection to the metal shield for the discharge to ground of electrostatic currents sensed by wire.

Abstract: A meter case used with a utility meter is disclosed. The meter shell includes a plurality of snap fit joints assembled on the meter case arranged to engage a module cover to mount the module cover to the meter shell. The module cover further includes wire housing formed along an inner periphery of the module cover that houses a wire having a first end and a second end therein. A metal shield placed behind the meter shell is electrically coupled to a first connector. A terminal electrically connected to the metal shield is arranged to discharge current to ground. An electrical contact electrically coupled to the second end of the wire is arranged to engage the first connector to establish an electrical connection to the metal shield for the discharge to ground of electrostatic currents sensed by wire.

Abstract: A utility meter includes a metrology core, a short-range radio configured to communicate wirelessly over a local area mesh network, a long-range radio configured to communicate wirelessly over a wide area network and a controller that checks a performance of the local area mesh network against one or more predetermined performance criteria. When the performance of the local area mesh network meets a set of one or more predetermined performance criteria, the utility meter communicates a first set of the information to the head-end system using the short-range radio. When the performance of the local area mesh network does not meet the set of one or more predetermined performance criteria, the utility meter communicates a second set of information to the head-end system using the long-range radio.

Abstract: A communication device includes a battery, a communication module, a first charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, a fast charge signal, a second charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, and a control module configured to route power from the battery to the communication module via the second charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being enabled and to route the power via the first charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being disabled.

Abstract: An implementation is for a two-phase shutoff of a device having a sensor coupled to an integral shutoff system. One example includes a metering system with a sensor coupled to an integral shutoff system, wherein the sensor is used to perform a measurement which indicates that a first threshold has been met, a first response system configured to perform at least one action with respect to receiving the indication that the first threshold was met, the at least one action occurring while the integral shutoff system remains inactivated, a second response system configured to receive an indication from the metering system, wherein the sensor is used to perform a second measurement which indicates that a second threshold has been met, and a second response system configured to perform at least one additional action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that includes first and second hardware components. The first component includes at least one first input configured to receive at least one first data or power signal, at least one voltage clamping circuit configured to limit a voltage of the at least one first data or power signal, and at least one first output configured to provide the at least one voltage-limited first data or power signal. The second component includes at least one second input configured to receive at least one second data or power signal, at least one limiter circuit configured to limit an amount of energy in the at least one second data or power signal, and at least one second output configured to provide the at least one energy-limited second data or power signal.

Abstract: A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.

Abstract: A system includes a back plane having at least one primary module and at least one secondary module that is redundant to the at least one primary module. The back plane is configured to limit energy from the at least one primary module and the at least one secondary module to a field device. The at least one primary module includes a first plurality of channels and is configured to provide channel to channel isolation among the first plurality of channels. The at least one secondary module includes a second plurality of channels and is configured to provide channel to channel isolation among the second plurality of channels.

Abstract: A power conditioning circuit includes at least one power storage device having electrodes coupled for receiving power from a DC power source. At least one active current limit (ACL) circuit coupled to the electrodes of the power storage device is for limiting a maximum power output from the power storage device under fault conditions. A DC-to-DC converter has its inputs coupled to the ACL circuit. At least one crowbar circuit has a first terminal and a second terminal and a shorting device coupled to an output of the DC-to-DC converter for providing output terminals for the power conditioning circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second hardware components. The first component includes at least one first input configured to receive at least one first data or power signal, at least one voltage clamping circuit configured to limit a voltage of the at least one first data or power signal, and at least one first output configured to provide the at least one voltage-limited first data or power signal. The second component includes at least one second input configured to receive at least one second data or power signal, at least one limiter circuit configured to limit an amount of energy in the at least one second data or power signal, and at least one second output configured to provide the at least one energy-limited second data or power signal. The at least one second data or power signal comprises or is based on the at least one voltage-limited first data or power signal.

Abstract: An interface device for providing Intrinsic Safety to a Smart Identity Module (SIM) card includes a buffer circuit including a voltage regulator and a voltage level translator including drivers. Baseband processor side pins include at least an input/output (IO) pin for receiving data signals, first SIM reset (RST) pin, core power supply (VCC) pin, a clock (CLK) pin, a battery power supply (VBAT) pin, and SIM side pins include at least a VCC pin, a SIM CLK pin, second SIM RST pin, and a SIM IO pin. There is at least one series resistor (R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5) in series with each of the baseband processor side pins.

Abstract: A system includes a back plane having at least one primary module and at least one secondary module that is redundant to the at least one primary module. The back plane is configured to limit energy from the at least one primary module and the at least one secondary module to a field device. The at least one primary module includes a first plurality of channels and is configured to provide channel to channel isolation among the first plurality of channels. The at least one secondary module includes a second plurality of channels and is configured to provide channel to channel isolation among the second plurality of channels.

Abstract: A packaged cellular modem system includes a capacitor for receiving power from a DC power source, a DC-to-DC converter coupled to capacitor electrodes, a cellular modem coupled to the converter output and to an antenna, and an IS barrier circuit coupled to a modem output. A microcontroller coupled to a boost regulator has its output coupled to electrodes. A metrology jumper is between the microcontroller and ground. An encapsulation material provides a potted area for the capacitor, converter, modem, IS barrier circuit and microcontroller. A SIM card is coupled to the modem by the IS barrier circuit. LED's are coupled to the microcontroller. The SIM card and LEDs are in a non-potted area. A transparent SIM card access cover over the SIM card and LEDs enables exposing the SIM card.

Abstract: A system and method for updating industrial cellular communications devices. A supercapacitor and a cellular modem are connected electronically to one another. A host can communicate bidirectionally and wirelessly with the cellular modem. A microcontroller is connected electronically with the cellular modem, such that the microcontroller facilitates monitoring with the cellular modem of a voltage and temperature associated with the super capacitor. When the voltage of the super capacitor attains a lower voltage limit, the cellular modem stops receiving data from the host and sends a status code to the host and disconnects a data call and data transfer and enters into a sleep mode during which time the super capacitor is recharged. The cellular modem can reestablish the data call with the host after the super capacitor has been recharged.

Abstract: A system and method for updating industrial cellular communications devices. A supercapacitor and a cellular modem are connected electronically to one another. A host can communicate bidirectionally and wirelessly with the cellular modem. A microcontroller is connected electronically with the cellular modem, such that the microcontroller facilitates monitoring with the cellular modem of a voltage and temperature associated with the super capacitor. When the voltage of the super capacitor attains a lower voltage limit, the cellular modem stops receiving data from the host and sends a status code to the host and disconnects a data call and data transfer and enters into a sleep mode during which time the super capacitor is recharged. The cellular modem can reestablish the data call with the host after the super capacitor has been recharged.