Badger Meter, Inc.

Walter L Probert

Donald H Strobel

Raymond J Thornborough

William L Kidder

Dennis L Wachs

John A Olson

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.

Universal generator interface module

Automatic meter reading system

Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call. An operator at the utility control center can control and receive data from a very large number of meter readers and readily obtain, display and print out a variety of types of data including cumulative consumption, peak rate and time-of-day data and data with respect to leakage conditions and tampering with a reader.

Growing community of inventors

Shorewood, WI, United States of America

Walter L Probert