Badger Meter, Inc.

John A Olson

Mark M Lazar

Ronald D Benson

Kelly Laughlin-Parker

Ryan M Beverung

Michele R B Malinowski

Michele R Malinowski

Donald H Strobel

H Paul Walding, Jr

Eric M Metzger

Theresa Saadeh

Dennis W Schwartz

Walter L Probert

Randy Schultz

Jeffrey Schreiner

Eric Tabaska

Syed Mateen

Christopher D Hielsberg

Christpher T Niemuth

A utility metering system configured to provide flow rate information is described that includes a utility meter and a utility metering endpoint. The utility meter is configured to generate and report a flow rate as a percentage of the maximum flow rate of the meter.

System and method for providing flow rate information

The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message () having meter data () representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (), and a second message () having meter reverse flow data (-) and meter diagnostic data () particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving, said first message () and said second message () and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals () and transmitting said radio frequency signals () to a receiver ().

AMR transmitter and method using multiple radio messages

A method and apparatus is disclosed for prioritizing the processing of messages sent between site transceivers () at utility meter data origination sites () and gateway transceivers () in a fixed meter data collection network. To reduce message processing time, priorities are assigned for processing messages destined for mobile gateways, messages sent to assigned gateways, and messages sent to any gateway after not receiving an acknowledge signal from an assigned gateway. The gateway transceiver also has four receivers for processing four respective messages on four different frequency channels to further reduce processing time and to conserve power usage at the site transceivers.

Apparatus and method for priority addressing and message handling in a fixed meter reading network

The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message () having meter data () representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (), and a second message () having meter reverse flow data (-) and meter diagnostic data () particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving said first message () and said second message () and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals () and transmitting said radio frequency signals () to a receiver ().

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.

Electronic meter register and method having a bottom formed by sealing material

A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver () at a utility meter data origination site (). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver () is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway () in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (), the site transceiver () can receive commands from the gateway () that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites () within a geographical area served by the gateway (). The gateway () communicates utility metering data through a wireless network (), such as WIFI, GPRS, POE or CDMA to a data collection center () for data processing and billing operations.

Apparatus and method for establishing communication from remote sites in a fixed meter reading network

A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a metering site transceiver (or) with the ability to operate in a mobile back-up network () to signal utility consumption data that would otherwise be transmitted to a fixed receiver () in a fixed network AMR system. A mobile collection back-up capability allows a vehicle collection system () to be used to read the remote meters () in the fixed network, when a gateway () is detected as not communicating with the site transceiver (or).

Mobile network back-up for fixed meter reading networks

The invention provides a method and circuitry for programming an AMR transmitter to operate in different modes. The device can be programmed as to any one or all of the following parameters: transmission power according to the physical environment of the installation; power level and modulation type for drive-by or fixed network application; and frequency of data transmission to conserve battery life. A laptop computer or other type of programming device communicates through an optical IR port to enter these parameters.

AMR transmitter with programmable operating mode parameters

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.

Transparent meter register cover with integral light pipe

An electronic, programmable meter register ( ) includes an input section ( ) for generating pulses in response to units of flow in a water meter, a stored control program ( ), a microelectronic CPU ( ) for executing the program ( ) to read input pulses and to transmit output data representing units of flow volume. An output device ( ) is responsive to output data from the CPU ( ) to display units of flow volume, and the CPU ( ) stores a programmable meter input resolution factor for a corresponding one of several meters that scales the output data that is transmitted to the output device ( ). A magnet ( ) is held outside the register unit ( ), but in proximity to a reed switch ( ) inside the sealed unit ( ) to sequence the display ( ) through a series of totalization, rate of flow and other screen displays. A magnetic pulse pickup ( ) is provided to signal both forward and reverse flows.

Meter register with programming and data port and meter input resolution factor

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

Tunable antenna for RF metering networks

A summing module ( ) and method for interfacing a compound meter with two metering signals to a plurality of different output devices for displaying or retransmitting meter data includes an enclosure ( ), a summing circuit ( ), networks ( ) for setting a ratio between the two metering signals before they are summed, and a ratio between one of the input signals and an output signal, and output subcircuits ( ) for providing signals compatible with at least two meter data output devices. The module ( ) also provides for testing of the inputs for short circuits and open circuits and passing the result on to the output.

Method and circuit for summing utility metering signals

A module for interfacing a variety of metering pulse generators converts an analog pulse from a generator into a digital pulse which can be counted by automatic meter reading equipment. A charging circuit is connected across the inputs to receive, and be charged by, an input waveform from the metering pulse generator. A solid state switch responds to accumulated charge in the charging circuit to switch from an 'off' state to an 'on' state. A logic pulse generator is connected between the solid state switch and the outputs, for physical and electrical isolation of the metering pulse generator from the pulse counter. The logic pulse generator responds to the 'on' state of the solid state switch to generate a logic pulse to the pulse counter.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

John A Olson