Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving, said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving, said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).

Abstract: A water meter (10) and a flow control valve (30) are housed in a common pressure vessel (16), in which the flow control valve (30) restricts flow through a metering chamber (18) to less than the normal flow, while still permitting a flow sufficient for basic human needs, rather than completely interrupting supply of the utility, and in which the flow control valve (30) is controlled electrically through a control valve (40) in an energy efficient manner so as to utilize power from a self-contained power source (27) in another device (25) at the customer site (50).

Abstract: A sealed electronic meter register with no moving parts and no bottom wall or bottom cover includes a casing of plastic with an open bottom. A viewing window is snap fitted into a top wall of the casing. A gasket is placed on top of an electronic numerical display and under the viewing window. The display is placed on top of a frame that is positioned face down into the casing. An electronic circuit board with the processing circuitry of the device is attached to the bottom of the frame. A polyurethane compound sealing material is deposited though a hole in the circuit board and onto the backside of the display. An epoxy-resin sealant is then deposited from the bottom of the housing to seal over everything in the housing to protect the components and provide an exposed bottom surface for the assembly.

Abstract: A sealed electronic meter register with no moving parts and no bottom wall or bottom cover includes a casing of plastic with an open bottom. A viewing window is snap fitted into a top wall of the casing. A gasket is placed on top of an electronic numerical display and under the viewing window. The display is placed on top of a frame that is positioned face down into the casing. An electronic circuit board with the processing circuitry of the device is attached to the bottom of the frame. A polyurethane compound sealing material is deposited though a hole in the circuit board and onto the backside of the display. An epoxy-resin sealant is then deposited from the bottom of the housing to seal over everything in the housing to protect the components and provide an exposed bottom surface for the assembly.

Abstract: A water meter (10) and a flow control valve (30) are housed in a common pressure vessel (16), in which the flow control valve (30) restricts flow through a metering chamber (18) to less than the normal flow, while still permitting a flow sufficient for basic human needs, rather than completely interrupting supply of the utility, and in which the flow control valve (30) is controlled electrically through a control valve (40) in an energy efficient manner so as to utilize power from a self-contained power source (27) in another device (25) at the customer site (50).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a transparent housing cover for a meter index for communicating optical signals through an optical port formed on a front face of the transparent housing cover, for further communicating optical signals in a straight line past one side of the meter index; and for re-directing the optical signals at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to or from an optical transceiver. The cover includes an integrally formed light pipe, the light pipe further forming the optical port near the front of the body and the light pipe extending along one side of the body and behind the meter index; and the light pipe includes a surface at a back end for reflecting light at approximately ninety degrees to and from a light transceiver positioned behind the meter index.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a transparent housing cover for a meter index for communicating optical signals through an optical port formed on a front face of the transparent housing cover, for further communicating optical signals in a straight line past one side of the meter index; and for re-directing the optical signals at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to or from an optical transceiver. The cover includes an integrally formed light pipe, the light pipe further forming the optical port near the front of the body and the light pipe extending along one side of the body and behind the meter index; and the light pipe includes a surface at a back end for reflecting light at approximately ninety degrees to and from a light transceiver positioned behind the meter index.

Abstract: A combined utility meter and meter register assembly (10) is disclosed in which a housing (11, 13, 31) for both a utility metering element and a meter register has no visual readout or display of metering data. Metering data is signaled through a data port (33) or an antenna (36) to external equipment. The meter register is provided by electronic circuitry (29a, 29b) that is placed in an upper cavity (27) in the housing part (13) that is then closed by a cover (31) or a body of sealing material. A label (32) can be placed over the closure informational purposes. An additional embodiment of the housing is 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 fluid meter (10) has a casing (11) providing a measuring chamber (27) and an inlet (18) and outlet (19) communicating with the measuring chamber (27). A partition (20) in the chamber (27) separating said inlet (18) from said outlet (19). A disc (28, 48) is positioned in the chamber (27) and includes projections (36) or niches (57) which are disposed in an arc relative to a center of the disc (28, 48) and the casing is provided with integrally formed depressions (37) or with projections (56) disposed opposite the projections (36) or niches (57) on the disc (28) to be engaged the disc (28) as the disc (28, 48) is nutated with the result of counteracting forces imposed on said disc (28, 48) by fluid flow.

Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation includes a frame, solid bowl, drive device, scraper assembly, slurry spray, and liquid collection trough. The solid bowl includes a centrifuge chamber, and a liquid evacuation chamber. A plurality of openings are formed on the outer wall of the liquid evacuation chamber. The solid bowl is pivotal retained in the frame. The liquid collection trough is disposed around the liquid evacuation chamber. The drive device causes the solid bowl to rotate. Slurry is sprayed on to the wall of the centrifuge chamber while in rotation and eventually scraped-off the wall of the centrifuge chamber. A second embodiment of the solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation utilizes at least three bearing wheels to support an outer perimeter of the solid bowl at a bottom thereof. The liquid evacuation chamber is replaced with a liquid ring attached to a bottom of the centrifuge chamber and a liquid collection trough disposed around the liquid ring.

Abstract: A system for delivering a preset volume of fluid, such as oil, includes a master control station (1) and one or more metering device (8) communicatively linked through a wireless communications network. The master control station (1) provides command signals to enable dispensing of a fluid from the metering device (8) and provides a preset amount of fluid to be dispensed. The metering device (8) is manually activated by a manually-operated lever (14), and is thereafter latched in an open position to dispense lubricant. The amount of lubricant dispensed is metered until the predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed. After the preset amount is dispensed, the metering device (8) is latched in a closed position, preventing further dispensing until the metering device (8) is again enabled by the central control station (1).

Abstract: A system for delivering a preset volume of fluid, such as oil, includes a master control station (1) and one or more metering device (8) communicatively linked through a wireless communications network. The master control station (1) provides command signals to enable dispensing of a fluid from the metering device (8) and provides a preset amount of fluid to be dispensed. The metering device (8) is manually activated by a manually-operated lever (14), and is thereafter latched in an open position to dispense lubricant. The amount of lubricant dispensed is metered until the predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed. After the preset amount is dispensed, the metering device (8) is latched in a closed position, preventing further dispensing until the metering device (8) is again enabled by the central control station (1).

Abstract: A device for delivering a preset volume of fluid, such as oil, includes a casing (10) with an inlet port (16), an outlet port (17) and supply passages (22, 24) for flow of fluid from the inlet port (16) to the outlet port (17). A valve including a valve member (24) is situated to control the flow of the fluid through a valve chamber (23). The valve is manually actuated to an open position and held by momentary energization of a latching solenoid (36). When the fluid volume reaches a preset volume, the latching solenoid (36) is energized again to allow the release the valve member (24) to return to a closed position. In the event of a battery low condition, the latching solenoid (36) can be disabled, so that the valve can only be held open manually, thereby preventing an electrical failure with the valve open. A manual push button (21) is directly connected to the valve member (24) for closing the valve manually. A method for controlling the dispensing of a fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation includes a frame, solid bowl, drive device, scraper assembly, slurry spray, liquid collection trough, and speed control circuitry. The solid bowl includes a centrifuge chamber, and a liquid evacuation chamber. A plurality of openings are formed on the outer wall of the liquid evacuation chamber. The solid bowl is pivotal retained by the frame. The liquid collection trough is disposed around the liquid evacuation chamber. The drive device causes the solid bowl to rotate. The speed control circuit controls the speed of the drive device. Slurry is sprayed on to the wall of the centrifuge chamber while in rotation. The speed of the solid bowl is reduced to allow liquid to exit the centrifuge chamber through the liquid evacuation chamber into the liquid collection trough. The speed of the solid bowl is further reduced and the scraper assembly is activated to remove the solid material from the wall of the centrifuge chamber.