General Electric Company

William O Rector

Larry A Schmidt

Marjorie J Mancuso

Warren R Germer

Robert E Lee, Jr

Patrick Joseph Horan

Virginia H Zinkowski

Mark E Hoffman

Mark R Arsenault

Donald Naik

Ginger Zinkowski

John J Pazdon, Jr

David Dopp

Melissa J Pazdon

An electronic electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a modem board, or unit, coupled to the meter microcomputer and exchanges information between the meter and a central computer is described. Using signals supplied by the meter microcomputer and the central computer, the modem unit microcomputer can determine whether to exchange information between the meter and the central computer and the proper time at which the information should be exchanged. In an exemplary embodiment, the modem unit detects various conditions within the meter and responds by exchanging information with the central computer at a proper, or pre-defined, time. The modem unit has two different basic modes, or states, of operation. These states of operation are sometimes referred to as the call originate mode and the call answer mode. Call originate refers to the mode of the unit when a condition occurs in meter and information is being transmitted to the central computer from the modem unit utilizing a telephone line. The call is originated upon occurrence, for example of a power outage to the meter. In the call answer mode, the central computer originates a call to the meter. The central computer can then transfer information to the meter, for example a new program can be stored in the modem unit memory.

Electronic electricity meter

An electronic energy meter register which, in one aspect, is configured to perform load profile recording in a manner which eliminates a need for a back-up battery is described. In other aspects, the present invention is a routine of operating a meter register for providing a cost savings and/or productivity gain when a utility customer relocates and for ensuring that load control commands are effectively executed. The register, in one embodiment, is configured to be coupled to a meter including an eddy current disk and shaft which rotate in response to the rate of energy consumption by a load being metered. The register, in the one embodiment, includes a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, and a disk sensing optics assembly.

Methods and apparatus for performing load profile and load control

An electronic energy meter register enclosure which, in one embodiment, includes ribs and snaps configured to engage and snugly hold a printed circuit board in place is described. Openings in a meter frame align with openings in the enclosure, and threaded bolts securely engage the enclosure to the meter frame. The enclosure also includes, in the one embodiment, a snap which snaps on the rear bearing of the meter for facilitating holding the register enclosure in place. The enclosure further includes a shroud, and sidewalls of the shroud are configured to be closely positioned proximate the sides of the meter frame to reduce amount of ambient light allowed in the cavity of the shroud. The combination of the meter disc, the meter mechanical register, the meter frame and the shroud almost completely shields the electrical components of the register circuit board from harmful UV exposure that would create degradation and excessive heat build-up. The shroud further reduces the thermal temperature rise of the electrical components on the printed circuit board because the shroud functions as a solar shield.

Register enclosure for use with a utility meter

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Dover, NH, United States of America

William O Rector