Badger Meter, Inc.

Johnson Service Company

Mark M Lazar

John A Olson

Kelly Laughlin-Parker

Michele R B Malinowski

Donald H Strobel

H Paul Walding, Jr

Ryan M Beverung

Theresa Saadeh

Kenneth R Bloss, Jr

Randy Schultz

Joseph L Stauber

Ronald D Benson

Eric M Metzger

Eric Bublitz

Yarum Locker

Brenda K Stewart

John Glissman

Noel Marshall

Jacob Graudenz

Marvin A Lucas

Dennis J Webb

Anna Kirgner

Erez Sharabi

Christopher D Hielsberg

Bruce M Bakken

David J Lowe

Syed Mateen

Tienchu Lee

Richard Jensen

Jeffrey Schreiner

Yacov Kirgner

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

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

A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.

Method and system for controlling path redundancy in the acquisition of utility meter data

An out-of-route collection capability is provided for an AMR data collection system of a type that collect readings within a geographic area using a radio. If a transmission is received from an out-of-route transmitter, its location is based on a geographic location of the data collector as the data collector receives data from the out-of-route transmitter. The location can further be determined by evaluating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the transmission. The out-of-route transmitter is identified by association with a transmitter identification number. The out-of-route transmitters can be added to the route through operations at the central office.

Method and system for collecting meter readings in wireless transmissions from unlisted customers

The invention provides a method and circuitry for transmitting signals in both a narrow band, mobile-receiver type of AMR network and also for operation in the frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum, fixed-receiver type of AMR network. Unlike systems provided with multiple transmitters, the invention provides this in a single transmitter operating with common circuitry to transmit in two modes of transmission in a single operational sequence.

AMR transmitter and method for both narrow band and frequency hopping transmissions

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

A combined utility meter and meter register assembly () is disclosed in which a housing () 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 () or an antenna () to external equipment. The meter register is provided by electronic circuitry () that is placed in an upper cavity () in the housing part () that is then closed by a cover () or a body of sealing material. A label () can be placed over the closure informational purposes. An additional embodiment of the housing is also disclosed.

Meter with integral register having no visual display of consumption

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 kit for variably positioning an antenna housing ( ) and a transmitter housing ( ) in a subsurface enclosure ( ) with a utility meter ( ) and a meter register ( ) includes a bracket ( ) which is rotatable with the antenna housing ( ) to a selected position within 360&deg; of rotation, and then secured with fasteners ( ) to the stem ( ) of the antenna housing ( ). The kit also includes a spacer ( ) which is held between the top flange ( ) of the bracket ( ) and an underside of the pit lid ( ). The bracket ( ) also has a depending flange ( ) for mounting the transmitter assembly ( ) in a suspended position from the antenna housing ( ) in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to better utilize available space in the pit enclosure ( ).

Kit and method for mounting a transmitter in subsurface meter pits

An antenna assembly (,) for subsurface utility metering equipment includes a disk-shaped radiating element (,) which is connected through a wire (,) having a self-inductance to a capacitor C and then to a ground plane (,) and a connector (,) for a coaxial cable (,) to provide an LC circuit for impedance matching of the antenna assembly (,) to a transmitter.

Antenna assembly for subsurface meter pits

A sealed housing for a transponder unit (10) in a utility meter pit enclosure has a tube (28), approximately 33/4 inches long and 11/2 inches in diameter, in which transponder electronics carried by a circuit board and an antenna are inserted from the bottom and fitted into guide structures (42, 47) and then a body of epoxy sealant (50) is used to seal and form a recessed lower end of the tube (28) which, in use, may be immersed in water within a subsurface pit enclosure (11). The tube (28) is attached to a cap (22) and suspended through a hole (29) in the pit lid (15). A clamping member (38) is threaded onto the lower end of the tube (28) for trapping a portion of the pit lid (15) between said clamping member (38) and the cap (22). A method of assembling and sealing the unit (10) is also disclosed.

Sealed housing and method of sealing for apparatus in meter pit

An assembly for electrostatic discharge has a chassis (14, 24) inside the instrument housing (11, 12) with a support for holding wires (21), a pair of insulated wires (21) having portions where the insulation (31) is partially removed and where the wires are mounted to the support (25), a base (12) of a conductive material having a projection (43) extending upward opposite the portions (42) where the insulation (31) has been removed, such that a gap (44) is provided through which charge may be conducted to the base (12) of conductive material for discharge from the interior space (41) of the instrument (10). The instrument (10) contains a volume of a gas for conducting electrostatic charge.

Instrument housing with electrical discharge gap

The present invention relates to an intelligent transient eliminator which allows a gas ignition system to prevent gas valves from being turned off by a pressure switch in response to a transient pressure wave. The transient eliminator is preferably provided in a HVAC unit or furnace which burns a fuel such as natural gas. An ignition control system employing an intelligent transient eliminator provides a secondary relay across the pressure switch. The secondary relay is controlled by a signal to an ignitor in the furnace. The secondary switch is tested before energizing the inducer blower in the system.

Growing community of inventors

New Berlin, WI, United States of America

Mark M Lazar