The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 1990
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1988
Constantine S Gastouniotis, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Nuno Bandeira, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Kitchener C Wilson, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Utilicom Inc., Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Abstract
An automated multi-purpose utility water meter readout system. The disclosed system obtains water usage information from an existing water meter without any modifications or attachments to the meter. The device needs only to be located in proximity to the water meter and obtains water flow information by sensing the magnetic flux lines generated by the internal rotating coupling magnets of the water meter. The varying magnetic flux is converted to a periodic electrical signal whose frequency is proportional to the flow rate. The instantaneous flow is continually totalized and stored in a solid-state counter, from which the totalized flow information is periodically transmitted to a remote receiver by a standard, well-proven radio frequency telemetry link. The remote receiver stores data from multiple meters (up to 10,000) and periodically sends the data to the data processing office by means of telephone lines, CATV cable, or RF link. As an option, the system offers a feature that can provide direct benefits to the water user, i.e. an interface unit located in the user's residence receives water use data from the meter and displays this data to aid in water conservation and provide warnings of water leaks. The disclosed system is optionally powered by a novel solid-state thermoelectric generator which converts ambient thermal energy to electrical energy and provides an operational life that far exceeds the economic life of the device.