Badger Meter, Inc.

Ryan M Beverung

John A Olson

Mark M Lazar

Kelly Laughlin-Parker

Michele R B Malinowski

Theresa Saadeh

Matthew Stuyvenberg

Jeremy Aderhold

Randy Schultz

Christopher D Hielsberg

Brian E Brandt

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

A transmitter assembly for transmitting data from a utility meter to a remote location for disposition in a subsurface utility enclosure is described. The assembly includes a printed circuit board, including a transmitter portion receiving the data from the utility meter and configured to generate a meter data message for transmission to the remote location, an antenna portion including a board mounted antenna receiving the generated meter data message and using the boarding mounted antenna to propagate the generated meter data message to a remote location, and a seal mount portion configured to receive a seal affixed to the printed circuit board. The transmitter assembly further includes a housing configured to receive the printed circuit board, a seal affixed to the printed circuit board at the seal mount portion, wherein the seal interacts with the housing to form a transmitter housing portion and an antenna housing portion, and a flowable material introduced to the housing, said flowable material filling the transmitter housing portion, wherein the seal prevents the flowable material from entering the antenna portion.

System and method for sealing potting material from an antenna cavity

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 handheld, key-operated programmer device () for transferring data to and from an electronic meter register. Communication between the device () and the electronic register takes place over a wireless optical interface (). The device () is configured through a USB port () using a personal computer. Operations between the device () and the meter register include cycling the meter register display, clearing a totalizer, resetting alarm conditions, and retrieving stored configuration data. A swipe with a magnet is no longer necessary to cycle through the display. The device is battery-powered and can be embodied in a key fob.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Ryan M Beverung