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:
Jun. 29, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2001
Erwin Holowick, Manitoba, CA;
Datamatic Ltd, Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a device, system, and method for detecting and measuring the bi-directional flow of a fluid through a fluid meter, such as a household or business water meter. In one device embodiment the invention comprises a logical switch collar ( ) disposed over an analog fluid meter ( ) having a sweep-hand ( ) with a magnet ( ) coupled thereto. In operation, the logical switch collar ( ) consists of at least two magnetic switches that are triggered to open or close in response to the rotational movement of the sweep-hand ( ) as fluid flows through a fluid meter ( ) in both the forward and reverse directions. These switching events are detected and recording by an electronic module ( ). Advantageously, the present invention accurately monitors and records fluid consumption at predetermined intervals when the fluid flows through the meter in either direction ( ).