Showing papers on "Electricity meter published in 2005"

System and method for reading power meters

Abstract: A power meter reader system for automatically reading an indication on a power meter unit having a cyclical property that varies at a rate indicative of power consumption. The system comprises a detection unit that includes a sensor unit for monitoring the cyclical property of the indication and generating a consumption detection signal, a processing unit for generating an information signal based on data related to the consumption detection signal, and a transmitter for transmitting a transmission signal based on the information signal. The processing unit also generates a sensor enable signal to enable the sensor unit for only a portion of the cyclical property of the indication. The system further includes a display unit located remotely with respect to the detection unit for receiving the transmission signal and displaying the power consumption. The detection unit may also employ a prediction model for reducing power consumption in the detection unit.

System and methods for wirelessly transmitting data from a utility meter

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data from a utility meter, such as a power meter, is disclosed. A microprocessor housed inside the power meter obtains readings of various power indicia, stores the readings in memory, and determines an efficient means of formatting the data for transmission to a remote host computer for further processing and use. The data is selectively compressed to minimize the amount and size of data that needs to be transmitted. The microprocessor is mounted on a circuit board assembly within the power meter housing and interfaces between the meter board of the power meter and a transmitter. The transmitter communicates the formatted and potentially compressed data from the power meter to the remote host computer wirelessly or via hard-wired communication lines. The various power indicia include power usage or power quality information.

Method and Apparatus for an Electric Meter

Abstract: A meter can be part of a larger automated meter reading process that allows for remote reading of the meter through power line communication. Using a microcomputer core (301), the meter processes incoming analog data (307) and can calculate several relevant data values needed by utility providers. The meter can also be used to monitor and detect tampering (311) dry connect/voltage free devices, such as gas and water meters, connected to the meter.

Method and system for monitoring and transmitting utility status via universal communications interface

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring utility meter status, and transmitting a status message via an output device connected to a universal communications interface in the event that the utility meter status meets a predetermined condition. Typically, the predetermined condition is a power loss, signified by a drop in voltage or current. The system is connected to a utility meter, such as an electric meter. The voltage level of the electric meter is monitored through a voltage input interface. An analog-to-digital converter transforms the voltage waveform into a series of digital is data packets, which are then transmitted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor monitors the digital signal for a power loss indication, or other predetermined condition. Once a predetermined condition is met, the microprocessor transmits a status message across a universal serial bus to a universal communications interface. The universal communications interface is connected to at least one slot, which contains at least one output device. The universal communications interface is further able to determine the proper signal format employed by the output device for information transmission. Upon receipt of the status message, the universal communications interface converts the status message to the signal format employed by the output device, and passes the converted status message to the output device via the slot. The output device may then transmit the status message to a remote receiver in order to quickly and accurately update distant locations regarding the utility meter.

Domestic power consumption measurement and automatic home appliance detection

Abstract: There is an increasing concern for the intelligent management of domestic power consumption based on intelligent sensors and actuators (attached to domestic appliances). This paper describes the electronic power meter sensor module of an intelligent management system being developed which is based on a network of functionally independent intelligent sensor and actuator modules. The actuator architecture has different modules to interface and read values from sensors and to communicate with other actuators. The electronic power meter sensor module is responsible for measuring energy and instantaneous and average power. Its functionalities allow it to be used for simple domestic electric power measurement applications. Moreover, it can store power consumption profiles and automatically identify and detect malfunctions of home appliance connected to the network at a given moment. The communication with external devices is implemented using standard serial interfaces.

Electricity metering with a current transformer

Abstract: The data storage and processing resources required for an electric meter are reduced by basing the selection and application of phase error correction on a root mean square load current flowing through the meter.

Research on Remote Meter Automatic Reading Based on Computer Vision

Abstract: A novel method is put forward, which the power meter can be read based on compute vision, and the architecture of remote meter auto reading system is designed. Different with the normal automatic meter reading system that must obtain the value from digital communication interface, the new method recognizes the meter reading utilizing the computer vision technique, it is a kind of non-contact measurement. In the meter automatic reading, the computer vision discrimination, incorporate human's ability of visual and apprehensive models. Not only the digital display power meter can be read, but also the direct-reading instrument can be fetched. In this paper, the scheme of remote automatic reading is introduced, the local meter reading information of distributed substation can be transmitted to center using computer network and then the pretreatment, segmentation and pattern matching, are detailed description in the meter image recognition process. Via energy meter automatic recognition experiment, the results based computer vision is accurate enough to monitor the remote substation running parameters

Auxiliary power supply for supplying power to additional functions within a meter

Abstract: An electronic meter for measuring electricity consumption is provided that includes extra functionality without significantly increasing cost or complexity of the meter. The meter includes a capacitor for storing energy during normal operation of the meter. The output voltage of the capacitor is used as the input to an auxiliary power supply that is used to power the meter during a power outage. The auxiliary power supply may provide sufficient power to enable the meter to transmit a power outage signal to alert a utility of the power outage. Service disconnect circuitry is also included within the meter to disconnect or reconnect service to the load when desired. The energy stored on the capacitor can be used to energize a relay within the service disconnect circuitry to open or re-close the line to the load. Thus, the single capacitor is used to provide power to two different meter functions.

Smart disconnect switch interbase

Abstract: Apparatus ( 10 ) for controlling supply of electricity through an electrical distribution network to a customer. An electrical meter ( 12 ) is plugged into an electrical socket ( 14 ) at a customer's premises. Electricity flows from a power line through the socket into the premises, the amount of electricity used being measured by the meter. The apparatus is interposed between the meter and the socket and includes a switch ( 18 ) to interrupt flow of electricity into the premises. The switch is controlled by the utility, preferably through programming of the apparatus or through a TWACS® communication system. This enables the utility to selectively control supply of electricity to the premises apart from the flow of electricity to any other premises connected to the same power line (L).

Embedded antenna and filter apparatus and methodology

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology are disclosed for providing effective transmission of data to and/or from an electricity meter by providing embedded radio frequency components. An antenna and stripline or microline filter arrangement are provided as embedded components in association with a transmitter or transceiver portion of the electricity meter's metrology circuitry so as to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation and to provide enhanced signal transmission to and/or from the electricity meter, to accomplish automated meter reading communications or similar. The antenna element is configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself can be used as part of a radiating element. An overall resulting integrated design can achieve greater economy utilizing printed circuit board approaches with no additional parts, and with less uncontrolled surface radiation because of the otherwise buried or embedded structure.

Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters

Abstract: Tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter (M) installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system, the meter being connected to the facility using a receptacle (K) and monitoring electricity usage at the facility for electricity delivered to the facility flowing through the meter. A sensor (RR) senses movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle, whether or not electricity is flowing through the meter, and produces a tampering signal when this occurs. A second and optional sensor (Z) senses the proximity of the meter to its receptacle with removal of meter from its receptacle producing a tampering signal representative thereof. Generation of a tampering signal results in a tamper alert signal being transmitted to the system through a two-way communications path established between the facility and the system.

Automated Topology Discovery and Management for Electric Meters

Abstract: A method for automated topology discovery and management of meter nodes in a power grid is described. In the discovery mode any of the meter nodes is able to act as a proxy for a data concentrator to sort out the topology, and to determine the best path for communicating between a concentrator and each of the meter nodes.

Remote access energy meter system and method

Abstract: A remote energy meter system and method is provided having a meter server and a client module located remotely from the meter server. The meter server communicates with the client via a wireless communications link to recover energy production parameter values. The remote energy meter system preferably provides real-time and automated monitoring of, at least, energy production and system failure parameters.

Energy meter device and calibration method

Abstract: It relates to an energy meter device with two inputs ( 1,2 ), whereto signals are fed in, which depend on electrical voltage (V) and an electrical current (I). These are digitized in analog/digital transformers ( 3,4 ) and linked to one another. A phase evaluation block ( 9 ) is coupled with outputs of the analog/digital transformers for the correction of phase deviations, which can be caused by means of coupling the signals ( 14,16 ). Phase evaluation block ( 9 ) controls a phase correction block ( 6 ) at the output of an analog/digital transformer ( 4 ). The phase evaluation can take place in digital signal processing. As a result, a cost-favorable compensation of phase errors is possible with limited expenditure, so that a galvanic isolation is possible at the input when avoiding measurement errors. The described energy meter device is particularly suitable for the implementation in integrated circuitry.

Firmware power cycle routine

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology (entire Fig. 4) ensure reliable electricity meter data recordation and maintenance during ongoing operation and any power failure. During normal operations, data committed to memory is immediately read to determine write success. Upon detection of any power failure while monitoring operating power, a reset procedure is entered that ensures provision of reliable initialization data upon restart of the metering operation. Power failure detection may be based on decreases in a voltage associated with the meter metrology board or a storage capacitor, while clearance for normal mode (i.e., after a power failure, Figure 4, step 98) depends on both such voltages passing testing for minimum values. Such combined approach provides a hysteresis effect, for less sensitivity to noise and some adverse AC line conditions. So-called dynamic data (energy flow and amount) is collected for storage by monitoring an interface between the metrology components of the meter and a meter register.

A Reliable and Economically Feasible Automatic Meter Reading System Using Power Line Distribution Network (TECHNICAL NOTE)

Abstract: Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is the remote collection of consumption data from customer’s utility meters over telecommunications, radio, power line and other links. AMR provides water, electric and gas utility−service companies the opportunities to streamline metering, billing and collection activities, increase operational efficiency and improve customer service. Utility company uses technologies that were developed several decades ago with the majority of the meters being read visually. With manual readings, considerable time is used to physically check out each unit. AMR becomes a viable option to overcome this problem of time wastage to obtain the meter readings. There are many different forms of communication links that can be utilized as the communication medium in an AMR system. One such link is the power line carrier or PLC. The advantages of using the PLC as the communication medium are readily apparent since the power line network is the property of the utility company and its infrastructure is already there. However, power lines are never meant for communication and creates much noise and therefore, various modifications has to be made to make the PLC suitable to be the AMR communication channel. The AMR system consists of three major components: the meter interface module, communications system, and data concentrator. This paper details a feasibility study on the creation of a robust bi-directional/two-way communication system between an electricity meter and a distant control unit (data concentrator) over the low voltage (LV) distribution grid. Basic functions of the AMR system include the provision for remote connection and disconnection of meter and fraud detection features at both the meter interface and the data concentrator. As a support system to the entire AMR, batteries are utilized. They are especially important in the cases of power failures. Lithium-ion batteries are the type of batteries that are used as these batteries tend to last longer than most other batteries. The main advantage of this system is that it is a low cost system that produces very encouraging results and it can be implemented upon existing electro-mechanical meters without the need of purchasing new meters. With many existing meters being the electromechanical meters, the need for a high-cost, large-scale implementation of new electronic device meters to enable implementation of the AMR system is unnecessary. The cost of implementation is low and the benefits, especially economically, that it brings to the utility company are immense.

Intelligent power monitoring system

Abstract: The invention consists of network monitoring system, networking equipment and intelligent power system. The network monitoring system is composed of front-end processor, server, working station and monitor unit. The intelligent power system is composed of power system, multi measuring units and multi control units. The measuring unit is composed of voltage transformer, fuse, current transformer and power meter. The measuring unit can measure and display all the messages about the power system. The control unit has switch value remote input and output port. The communication port of power meter and control unit in the intelligence power system access the network system by using shield twisted pair or optical fiber through networking equipment. The monitor unit implements the collection, processing and storage of data, and monitors the running state of power system.

A reliable and economically feasible automatic meter reading system using power line distribution network

Abstract: Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is the remote collection of consumption data from customer's utility meters over telecommunications, radio, power line and other links. AMR provides water, electric and gas utility-service companies the opportunities to streamline metering, billing and collection activities, increase operational efficiency and improve customer service. Utility company uses technologies that were developed several decades ago with the majority of the meters being read visually. With manual readings, considerable time is used to physically check out each unit. AMR becomes a viable option to overcome this problem of time wastage to obtain the meter readings. There are many different forms of communication links that can be utilized as the communication medium in an AMR system. One such link is the power line carrier or PLC. The advantages of using the PLC as the communication medium are readily apparent since the power line network is the property of the utility company and its infrastructure is already there. However, power lines are never meant for communication and creates much noise and therefore, various modifications has to be made to make the PLC suitable to be the AMR communication channel. The AMR system consists of three major components: the meter interface module, communications system, and data concentrator. This paper details a feasibility study on the creation of a robust bi-directional/two-way communication system between an electricity meter and a distant control unit (data concentrator) over the low voltage (LV) distribution grid. Basic functions of the AMR system include the provision for remote connection and disconnection of meter and fraud detection features at both the meter interface and the data concentrator. As a support system to the entire AMR, batteries are utilized. They are especially important in the cases of power failures. Lithium-ion batteries are the type of batteries that are used as these batteries tend to last longer than most other batteries. The main advantage of this system is that it is a low cost system that produces very encouraging results and it can be implemented upon existing electro-mechanical meters without the need of purchasing new meters. With many existing meters being the electro-mechanical meters, the need for a high-cost, large-scale implementation of new electronic device meters to enable implementation of the AMR system is unnecessary. The cost of implementation is low and the benefits, especially economically, that it brings to the utility company are immense.

Electronic electricity meter

Abstract: The electronic electricity meter has the guide sections formed on a base, which is provided in the housing part, where the arms of the conductor loop (30) are guided and limited on the facing side almost vertically to the base. A lower arrester (20) is provided for the bar of the conductor loop and a halt section is formed on a guide section, which overlaps the bar of the conductor loop from above.

Meter display device, its method and hybrid automobile

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter display device capable of displaying a condition of variation of a plurality of parameters related to a hybrid automobile; to provide its method; and to provide a hybrid automobile with the display device mounted thereon. SOLUTION: A meter ECU determines whether a shift position SP is set in an S-range, that is, a sequential range or not, and displays a power meter 92 showing a condition of variation of an engine output power Pe outputted from an engine on a meter display panel 90 when it is not set in the S-range. When it is set in the S-range, the electronic control unit for a hybrid executes rendering control of engine revolutions for once decreasing engine revolutions as if upshift were actually executed when an upshift operation is carried out, and for once increasing the revolutions of the engine 22 as if downshift were actually executed when a downshift operation is carried out, whereby a tachometer 94 showing the condition of variation of the engine revolutions is displayed on the meter display panel 90. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Gas energy meter for inferential determination of thermophysical properties of a gas mixture at multiple states of the gas

Abstract: A gas energy meter that acquires the data and performs the processing for an inferential determination of one or more gas properties, such as heating value, molecular weight, or density. The meter has a sensor module that acquires temperature, pressure, CO2, and speed of sound data. Data is acquired at two different states of the gas, which eliminates the need to determine the concentration of nitrogen in the gas. A processing module receives this data and uses it to perform a “two- state” inferential algorithm.

Power demand information processing system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the actual power usage of a consumer close to a scheduled power usage. SOLUTION: The electric energy actually used by each consumer 20 is measured by a power meter 22, and transmitted to a demand management server 11 through a communication line 32. Information on the scheduled power usage is also transmitted from an information terminal 21 to the demand management server 11 through the communication line 32. In the demand management server 11, the actual power usage of each consumer 20 is compared with the scheduled power usage, and a discount of power rate is determined when the actual power usage does not exceed the scheduled power usage, on condition that the scheduled power usage is received from the consumer 20 in advance, and information according to this determination is transferred to the information terminal 21. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Extremely fast polling method for determining the presence of individual electric meters on a power line

Abstract: A “super-fast” polling method for electrical meters for outage detection. In response to a query, a large group of electric meters (M) all simultaneously transmit reply signals over an electrical distribution network using TWACS®. The signals are separated by an inbound detector (IB) at a receiving end of the network. This allows a very large number of meters to be polled in a very short period of time to determine whether or not an outage has occurred at the location of each meter. Each meter transmits a bit pattern, and bit patterns are designed so a group of meter units can transmit their patterns simultaneously over a power line (L) to the inbound detector. The presence or absence of a bit pattern in the received signal conveys the presence or absence of the associated meter in the system. The ability to transmit multiple bit patterns in parallel requires that they be orthogonal to each other. The Hadamard matrices are a class of matrices whose rows could be used as a set of bit patterns. In addition to super-fast polling for outage detection, the method of the invention can also be used to poll meters for the presence of an alarm condition, as well as for both outage detection and an alarm condition.

Energy Consumption analysis for use with a storage system

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for analyzing energy consumption of at least one storage system capable of being used by multiple users. The storage system comprises a plurality of electric energy consuming components which further comprise at least a plurality of storage devices adapted to cooperate with storage media for storing data. The storage system comprises a total user storage capacity for the storage system. At least one component energy meter is capable of measuring component energy consumption of at least one of the electric energy consuming components while the storage system is in operational use. At least one storage system energy meter is adapted to cooperate with the storage system to measure total energy consumption of the storage system while the storage system is in operational use.

Point service system and method in flat electrical rate system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide point service of a flat electricity rate by which an electrical rate is established while giving a power consumer incentive of power saving SOLUTION: For a flat electrical rate point service system 1 connected to an automatic meter reading power meter 71 installed in every house of the power consumer 70, an input device 62 of a contract condition, etc and an output device 61 through a power communication line, it is provided with: a contract data base 21 which accepts input of information regarding electrical energy scheduled to be used by the power consumer 70 and records scheduled power accepts consumption; a power consumption data base 22 which results by performing automatic meter reading of the power consumption of the power consumer by the power meter installed in every house of the power consumer and records the results and a point data base 23 which calculates points equivalent to the power consumption by subtracting the power consumption from the scheduled power consumption to record grant of the points to the power consumer when the power consumption does not come up to the scheduled power consumption COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Energy meter system and method for calibration

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy meter system with two inputs (1, 2) to which signals are supplied that depend on an electrical voltage (V) and an electric current (I). These signals are digitized and interlinked in A/D converters (3, 4). In order to correct phase deviations which can be caused by means for coupling in the signals (14, 16), a phase evaluation block (9) is connected to the outputs of the A/D converters. The phase evaluation bloc (9) controls a phase correction block (6) on the output of an A/D converter (4). Phase evaluation can be carried out in the digital signal processing unit, thereby making it possible to easily carry out a cost-effective compensation of phase errors in such a way that is possible to carry out a galvanic separation while avoiding errors of measurement at the input. The inventive energy meter system is especially suited for implementation into integrated circuit technology.

Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses for Determining Demand Usage with Electricity Meters Utilized With Rolling Billing Periods

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed in which an electricity meter may determine demand peaks for a rolling billing period. The daily peaks for a plurality of quantities for a plurality of TOU tiers may be stored in entries in a queue. The peak demand information for a billing period may then be presented on a display or transmitted to an automatic meter reading system.

Intelligent power supplying and electricity stolen proofing network management system

Abstract: The utility model relates to an intelligent power supplying and electricity stolen proofing network management system, comprising a public switched telephone network, a computer system and a DTMF signal generator which consists of fixed telephones or moving handsets. The utility model is characterized in that: the public switched telephone network is connected with a plurality of concentrate supervisor. Each supervisor is connected with an automatic switch in series by a power line. A plurality of intelligent carrier wave electric meters are connected with the rear face of the switch in parallel. The electric meter is formed by adding circuits including a SSC communication module, an electrical leaking collection, a load condition collection, an electrical energy data collection, a power utilization application, a control, etc. In existing electric meters. The concentrate supervisor is mainly in charge of carrying and receiving data, counting and storing the total electric quantity of the power distribution network, circularly counting electric energy pulse, duly querying, controlling the operating conditions of the distributing network layers, etc. The system adopts the project of interconnecting the SSC communication net and a wide area networks (WAN) so that a multilayered, intellectualized and networking power supply controlling management of modern distributed system, a remote meter reading and a long-range control management can be realized. The utility model can also effectively avoid the behavior of electric larceny. So the utility model is suitable for intelligent power supply and anti-theft electrical network management system, including the usage of the high and medium pressure distributed systems in our country.

Electronic meter supporting added functionality

Abstract: An electronic meter for measuring electricity consumption is provided that includes extra functionality without significantly increasing cost or complexity of the meter. The meter includes a capacitor for storing energy during normal operation of the meter. The output voltage of the capacitor is used as the input to an auxiliary power supply that is used to power the meter during a power outage. The auxiliary power supply may provide sufficient power to enable the meter to transmit a power outage signal to alert a utility of the power outage. Service disconnect circuitry is also included within the meter to disconnect or reconnect service to the load when desired. The energy stored on the capacitor can be used to energize a relay within the service disconnect circuitry to open or re-close the line to the load. Thus, the single capacitor is used to provide power to two different meter functions.

Power meter bypass device and method for a power line communications system

Abstract: A passive bypass device for providing a data path around a power meter is provided The device may be communicatively connected to two low voltage power line energized conductors on a first and a second side of a power meter The energized power line conductors conduct both the data signals and the power The bypass device includes a filter that causes the power to pass through the power meter while allowing the data signal to pass around the power meter thereby providing a substantially non-attenuated data signal path The bypass device may include a first and second data path for the first and second energized conductors and with each path having a high pass filter and a fuse communicatively connected to its respective energized conductor on each side of the power meter