Landis+gyr, Inc.

Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc.

Warren Thomas Martin

John T Voisine

Gordon R Burns

Byron J Slater

Bruce Everett Randall

David Allan Stenberg

Gregory A Grisham

Randal K Bond

William James Watson

Rongsheng Wang

Michael K Anderson

A utility meter comprises a measurement circuit configured to measure consumption data, a memory configured to store meter data including the consumption data, and a receiver configured to receive a priority message from a source external to the utility meter. A meter display on the meter comprises a plurality of display segments. The meter display is configured to display the meter data according to a standard meter display routine. The meter display is further configured to display the priority message on at least a first portion of the plurality of display segments such that meter data normally displayed during the standard meter display routine is not displayed on the first portion of the plurality of display segments. A meter controller is configured to determine whether the standard meter display routine should be interrupted or overridden in order to display the remote message.

External access to meter display

An arrangement for measuring electrical energy consumption includes an input circuit operable to generate a first signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second signal representative of a line current waveform. The arrangement further includes a processing circuit operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first signal and the second signal. The processing circuit is further operable to generate a first pulse waveform having a plurality of output pulses based on the energy consumption data, each output pulse corresponding to a quantity of energy consumed. The arrangement further includes a wireless transmitter coupled to the processing circuit, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit an RF signal each time the first pulse waveform changes state.

Utility meter with wireless pulse output

An arrangement for measuring electrical energy consumption includes an input circuit operable to generate a first signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second signal representative of a line current waveform. The arrangement further includes a processing circuit operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first signal and the second signal. The processing circuit is further operable to generate a first pulse waveform having a plurality of output pulses based on the energy consumption data, each output pulse corresponding to a quantity of energy consumed. The arrangement further includes a wireless transmitter coupled to the processing circuit, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit an RF signal each time the first pulse waveform changes state. The arrangement also includes an external device positioned remote from the electrical utility meter, the external device including a receiver configured to receive the RF signal.

A method of associating chronological time with energy consumption includes a step of storing in a utility meter a plurality of energy consumption values, each energy consumption value corresponding to a time interval of a first type. The method also includes obtaining from a source external to the utility meter chronological time information regarding at least one of the plurality of energy consumption values. The method further includes associating each of the energy consumption values with a time interval of the second type, each time interval of the second type associated with at least one chronological time value.

Method of timing demand and time-of-use functionality with external clock source

A utility meter comprises a measurement circuit configured to measure commodity consumption and provide consumption data. A memory in the meter is configured to store meter data including the consumption data. The memory includes a plurality of memory segments, each of the plurality of memory segments protected by a different password. The meter further comprises a receiver configured to receive a memory request and an associated password from a source external to the utility meter. A controller in the meter is configured to grant or deny the memory request depending upon the associated password received from the source external to the utility meter.

Utility meter with communication system displays

An arrangement for use in connection with an electricity meter includes an electricity meter housing and at least one connection between a first conductor and a second conductor carrying line voltage. The arrangement further includes a processing circuit that is configured to obtain a first voltage measurement within the meter housing on a first side of the at least one connection, and to obtain a second voltage measurement on a second side of the at least one connection. The processing circuit is further configured to determine a value corresponding to an impedance across the at least one connection.

Apparatus and method for metering contact integrity

An apparatus for controlling the connection of a customer to a plurality of utilities includes a utility meter housing, a measurement device, and a control circuit. The measurement device is supported by the housing and is operable to measure a consumed commodity. The control circuit is also supported by the housing and is configured to provide control signals to a plurality of connection devices. Each of the plurality of connection devices is operable to selectively connect and disconnect the customer to one of the plurality of utilities responsive to the control signals.

Utility disconnect controller

An electricity meter performs a self-calibration operation. According to an exemplary embodiment, the meter includes a measurement circuit for generating power information representative of measured power. A controller is operably coupled to the measurement circuit and includes an input for receiving reference standard information. The controller compares the power information generated by the measurement circuit to the reference standard information and generates a compensation signal in dependence upon the comparison. The compensation signal is used to calibrate the measurement circuit. Preferably, the meter is capable of being electrically connected to, and calibrated concurrently with at least one other meter.

Self-calibrating electricity meter

An electrical utility meter includes measurement error diagnostic capabilities with intelligent communication capabilities. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an electrical utility meter for measuring energy consumption by a load. The electrical utility meter includes, sensor circuitry, a conversion circuit, a communication circuit, and a controller. The sensor circuitry connects to a meter socket. The meter socket connects to a plurality of power lines that, in turn, connect the load to a source of electrical power. The source of electrical power provides power to the load in a plurality of phases. The sensor circuitry generates voltage and current measurement signals representative of the voltage and current waveforms on the plurality of power lines. The conversion circuit is connected to the sensor circuitry and generates a power consumption measurement, as well as measured phase angle data for the plurality of phases, all of which are generated based on the voltage and current measurement signals. The communication circuit is connected to a remotely located control device. The controller is connected to the memory, the communication circuit, and the conversion circuit. The controller is operable to receive measured phase angle data for the plurality of phases, periodically perform a plurality of diagnostic tests using the measured phase angle data to determine whether a measurement error is present, and provide an alert signal to the communication circuit if a measurement error is present. The communication circuit, upon receiving the alert signal, is operable to obtain information identifying the measurement error and transmit an error signal containing information identifying the measurement error to remotely located control device.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Warren Thomas Martin