Elster Electricity, LLC

Elster Electrically, LLC

Lars A Lindqvist

Kenneth C Shuey

Garry M Loy

Scott J Weikel

Waymon A Melvin, Jr

Charles Cunningham, Jr

Michael A Murphy

An example embodiment of an electrical-energy meter comprises a transformer for producing an electrical output proportional to an electrical current in a conductor of electrical energy, a circuit board electrically coupled to the transformer for facilitating the calculation and displaying of a cumulative amount of electrical energy passing through the conductor of electrical energy, a first optical transmitter, a second optical transmitter, and an optical receiver. The first and second optical transmitters and the optical receiver are coupled to the circuit board. The first optical transmitter and the receiver facilitate optical communications between the electrical-energy meter and a first type of external device. The second optical transmitter and the receiver facilitate optical communications between the electrical-energy meter and a second type of external device.

Electrical-energy meter adaptable for optical communication with various external devices

An electronic meter that is capable of handling an analog cellular phone or radio modem under the meter cover provides significant improvements in the thermal management and power handling that is associated with a circuit switched wireless device. The electronic meter comprises a power supply capable of delivering the transmitter power plus the associated losses due to transmitter efficiency. It is desirable to deliver the high power over a wide range of AC input voltages (typically from about 90 to 530 VAC). The meter packaging allows the power supply and the analog cellular modem to operate in an enclosed metering package without exceeding the operating temperatures of the electronic components. The packaging adapts to increased steady state (idle) conditions as well as increased transmit conditions.

Electronic meter with enhanced thermally managed communications systems and methods

A preferred process comprises providing a pre-formed, substantially transparent window for a cover of an electrical-energy meter, and molding the cover from a molten resin that, when solidified, is substantially opaque. Molding the cover from a molten resin comprises causing a portion of the molten resin to contact a periphery of the window and allowing the portion of the molten resin to cool and thereby solidify so that the portion of the molten resin, upon solidifying, is molded over the periphery of the window and thereby seals and secures the window to the cover.

Process for the manufacture of a cover system for an electrical-energy meter

A mold assembly accepts a flexible inserted decoration sheet and molds a cylindrical component to include the inserted decoration sheet. The mold assembly has a female part a male part insertable thereinto such that the component is molded therebetween from an introduced mold material. The female part includes a circular wall, a cylindrical wall, and a pair of demarcating ridges on the cylindrical wall. The pair of ridges accept the inserted decoration therebetween and hold the inserted decoration against the cylindrical wall such that the introduced mold material stays substantially on a side of the inserted decoration opposite the cylindrical wall of the female part.

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Apex, NC, United States of America

Lars A Lindqvist