Neptune Technology Group Inc.

Schlumberger Industries

Other

Neptune Water Meter Company

William James Brennan, Jr

David Paul Hamilton

Michael Allen Wilson

Warren C Wynn, Jr

David R Hamilton

Joseph Quentin Easterling

Burt Carter

Joe Cely

Warren Wynn

Ed Poorbaugh

Richard Kynard

David Pettit

Dan White

Quentin Easterling

Mohammed Ali

John Bilodeau

Charles A Cottle

Wyatt Edward Northrup

Joseph Quentin

The use of ultrasonic transducers installed in utility meters is provided for the detection of fluid leaks in a conduit. Such transducers are normally used to transmit acoustic waves in order to measure the velocity of fluid flow, but it is disclosed that such transducers are also capable of detecting leak noises in addition to such transmitted acoustic waves.

Ultrasonic flow meter leak detection system and method

A method of reporting information from a meter interface unit to a receiving device in which a data packet is transferred from the meter interface unit containing meter readings, which are associated with an indicator of the elapsed time since the reading was taken. The receiving device compares this elapsed time value with the actual elapsed time, based upon the internal clock of the receiving device, in order to determine any inaccuracies in the clock of the meter interface unit. In another embodiment, the data packet includes at least two nonsequential meter readings, separated by a multiplicity of reading intervals, on a rolling basis, such that data will not be lost as a result of a temporary obstruction that interferes with the transmission or receipt of meter readings.

Time diversified packet protocol

A method of accounting for the quantity of water or other distributed resource in a distribution system utilizing automated meter reading and reporting. Missing readings are identified and estimated to allow the quantity of unaccounted for water always to be computed.

Method of computing quantity of unaccounted for water in water distribution

A meter interface unit (MIU) is provided for a utility meter that uses RFID technology as both a source of backup power and as a means of transmitting utility usage data. Usage data is stored in non-volatile memory that will persist even if the main power source of the MIU is lost. Because an RFID generates electric current when it receives an electromagnetic signal from an interrogator, the RFID can provide power to the memory, read the usage data from the memory, and wirelessly transmit the usage data back to the interrogator without any other source of power. This can prevent data loss when the MIU runs out of power; for example, when its battery is expended. RFID technology can also provide many other benefits and uses when coupled with an MIU, in addition to serving as backup power and communication.

Utility device interface

A fixed network for automatically reading a utility meter system has been developed. The network includes multiple meter interface units (MIUs) that each collect data from a designated utility meter. The collected data is transmitted to a primary data collector. The network includes multiple data collectors and each MIU identifies its own primary data collector based on signal quality between the collector and the MIU. The network includes a central host computer that is used to receive the collected data from the primary data collectors.

Fixed network for an automatic utility meter reading system

A frequency hopping spread spectrum wireless transmission system includes a transmitter and a receiver system. The transmitter is configured to transmit radio frequency data signals in sequential time periods on respective transmit channels according to a pre-determined sequence. The data signal in each time period includes information relating the data signal to its position within the pre-determined sequence. The receiver system is configured to monitor a plurality of receive channels over a frequency range that includes the transmit channels and to receive the data signals on the receive channels. The receiver system is also configured to determine, upon reception of a first data signal on a first receive channel, a next receive channel based on the first receive channel so that the next receive channel differs from the first receive channel an amount equal to the interval between the data signal's position and the next position in the sequence, and to monitor the next receive channel for a next data signal.

Spread spectrum frequency hopping system and method

The RF meter reading system includes a transmitter having an encoder. Meter data is encoded and modulated using a bi-phase modulating scheme. In order to uniquely identify the start of a data transmission, a super start field, which is an 'illegal' bi-phase signal is used. The super start field is selected such that it cannot be recognized if transmissions from more than one transmitter are being received by the receiver.

RF meter reading system

A two wire/three wire utility data communications system for remotely reading utility meter registers. In the two wire version, a hand-held reading unit is inductively coupled over two wires via a port located remotely from a meter register. Alternatively, a meter interface unit (MIU) may be connected directly to the register via three wires. Each register includes one or more wheel position encoders. An AC interrogation signal is applied by the reading unit to encoder circuitry at the meter which powers the circuitry and causes the position of each encoder wheel to be read. In the two wire mode, register display information (e.g. the current meter reading) is transmitted back to the reading unit by varying the load (impedance) presented by the register side of the circuit. This causes a corresponding variation of the amount of current drawn from the reading unit. The current-modulated signal is decoded by the reading unit and converted into a register reading. The system can also operate in a three wire mode and read older fourteen wire encoded registers. Other features include remote programmability of register characteristics, the ability to interrogate multiple registers which share a common data bus, verification of encoder wheel positions before accepting a reading, real-time flow rate/leak detection, pulse output, and the capability of reading compound meters (i.e. meters having two registers to separately measure high/low flow rates).

Two and three wire utility data communications system

There is disclosed a system for reading a meter, e.g., a utility meter, over a telephone line. The system includes circuitry for detecting when an input signal within a predetermined frequency range is present. The input signal is fed to two timing devices. One of the timing devices is set to produce a constant output when the input frequency is above the higher limit of the predetermined frequency range. The other device is set to produce a constant output when the frequency is above the lower limit of the same range. The outputs of both timing devices are connected to logic circuitry. The two timing devices are connected to the telephone line. When a signal in the selected frequency range is received from the telephone exchange, the frequency detector acknowledges to the exchange the receipt of that signal, and activates a recorder in a meter reading apparatus at the subscriber's location to transmit the recorded reading of the meter over the telephone line to the exchange, where it is suitably recorded. When the first timing device has a periodic output and the second does not, the logic circuitry produces an output indicating that the input signal is within the predetermined range of frequencies.

Growing community of inventors

Montgomery, AL, United States of America

William James Brennan, Jr