Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Elster Electricity, LLC

Abb Automation Gmbh

Albert H Maxwell, Jr

Rodney C Hemminger

Michael A Murphy

Todd Kelsey

Richard L Tenor

Thomas J Van Heuklon

Charles A Peterson

Clive W Kimblin

Joseph R Rostron

Paul M Johnston

Fred F Schleifer

David Robert Smith

Randall N Avery

Scott J Weikel

William H South

Michael W Thomas

Philip F Locke, Jr

Thomas D Poyser

Clyde A Booker, Jr

David W McElroy

John D Borst

John W Bankoske

Herman Q Wilson

A method and apparatus for detecting a power outage within an energy meter and alerting a remote central computer about the outage using call-in reporting via modem ( ) within the meter to a telephone number designated for outage reporting. A primary battery cell or pack ( ) is placed inside the meter ( ) to operate the modem ( ) when line power is lost. The modem ( ) switches from a line power source in the meter ( ) to the battery source ( ) when an outage is detected and is to be reported to the remote central computer as an outage call. The battery source ( ) is switched off when the outage is completed or aborted. The number of retries to call to report the power outage and the time period between retries is programmable.

Method and apparatus for detecting and reporting a power outage

A method and apparatus to detect off-hook and intrusion conditions on a telephone line. A voltage to frequency converter is used to convert the voltage measured between the TIP and RING terminals of a telephone line to a frequency. The voltage is continuously monitored, once during each sample period. The measured frequency is compared to predetermined threshold values to determine the state of the telephone line. The predetermined threshold values are updated in each sample period.

Telecommunications off-hook and intrusion detection method and apparatus

A microprocessor-based transformer monitoring system to provide continuous on-line monitoring and analysis of transformer operation. The transformer monitoring system periodically monitors various parameters related to transformer load and condition. Maximum, minimum, and instantaneous values of the parameters are stored and analzyed. To perform the analysis, a hierarchy of thresholds is associated with each parameter. When a parameter exceeds any one of the thresholds, a response is produced by the transformer monitoring system. The type of response depends on the level of the exceeded threshold in the hierarchy. The range of response produced by the transformer monitoring system includes: continuing normal periodic data collection and analysis, increasing the rate of data collection and analysis, recommending an on-site physical check of the monitored transformer, reducing transformer load, and taking the transformer off line.

Method and apparatus for monitoring transformers

A solid-state event-logging system records the occurrence of specified events in a removable, solid-state, memory cartridge. Counters continuously count pulses produced by a plurality of electrical energy measuring devices. Sample values of the continuous counts are produced and input to a microprocessor wherein each sample value has the previous sample value subtracted therefrom. The difference is added to an interval sum stored in a random access memory. The interval sums, together with real time information produced by a clock, are input to the memory cartridge according to a predetermined format. The clock is maintained in synchronization with the frequency of the line voltage by the microprocessor.

Event-logging system

A time based measuring system for electric energy meters includes a non-volatile data memory for processing time related data. The system further includes a main DC supply energized from an AC source and an auxiliary DC supply energized by a primary battery source. The data memory and a low power secondary timer circuit are energized from the auxiliary DC supply in response to failure of the main DC supply. A low power circuit arrangement including the secondary circuit continues current time and calendar registrations during a power outage.

Auxiliary power supply and timer arrangement for time registering

A translator system which includes circuitry for differentiating between normal interval timing pulses and power loss pulses on meter telemetry recordings. The pulses are recorded with a different waveform and are applied to wave-shaping circuitry which produces pulses corresponding to the time interval pulses which are longer than the pulses produced which correspond to the power loss pulses. A pulse duration recognizing circuit distinguishes between the pulses of different duration and provides a pulse output at one of two terminals depending on which pulse type is recognized. Pulses corresponding to the time interval pulses are transferred to the analyzing circuits of the translator. A masking circuit prevents recognition of a power loss pulse except during a predetermined time interval which corresponds to the only time such a pulse may correctly exist on the recording. Circuitry is included which informs the analyzing circuits of the translator when a power loss pulse is properly recognized. Means is also included for manually or automatically programming the translator to correctly read meter readings made with or without the capability of including power loss pulses on the recording.

Translator for processing meter telemetry recording containing power

Yieldable retainer assemblies are symmetrically positioned on a tape deck and include rounded contact surfaces for engaging the outer side of a tape cartridge and clamping it against a base plate. A pair of locating posts extend from the plate through locator holes in the bottom side of the cartridge to retain the cartridge in a predetermined playing position. A pair of driving hubs of a reel driver assembly have resiliently shiftable pins carried by the hubs for self-adjusting fitting into holes of driven hubs of the cartridge reels when slight misalignment occurs between the driving and reel hubs.

Releasable tape cartridge mounting

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Albert H Maxwell, Jr