The present disclosure relates to a system and method for evaluating the adequacy of a connection between a utility line and a utility meter. In one embodiment, a force sensing unit is disposed between a first half and a second half of a first terminal of the utility meter and is configured to measure a contact force between the first terminal and a socket jaw.
H02J 13/00 - Circuits pour pourvoir à l'indication à distance des conditions d'un réseau, p.ex. un enregistrement instantané des conditions d'ouverture ou de fermeture de chaque sectionneur du réseau; Circuits pour pourvoir à la commande à distance des moyens de commutation dans un réseau de distribution d'énergie, p.ex. mise en ou hors circuit de consommateurs de courant par l'utilisation de signaux d'impulsion codés transmis par le réseau
G01L 5/00 - Appareils ou procédés pour la mesure des forces, du travail, de la puissance mécanique ou du couple, spécialement adaptés à des fins spécifiques
G01R 35/04 - Test ou étalonnage des appareils couverts par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe des instruments pour mesurer l'intégrale dans le temps d'une puissance ou d'une intensité
H02B 1/03 - TABLEAUX, POSTES DE TRANSFORMATION OU DISPOSITIONS DE COMMUTATION POUR L'ALIMENTATION OU LA DISTRIBUTION D'ÉNERGIE ÉLECTRIQUE - Détails de postes de transformation ou de dispositions de commutation - Parties constitutives ou accessoires pour compteurs d'énergie
G01L 1/18 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en utilisant des propriétés des matériaux piézo-résistants, c. à d. des matériaux dont la résistance ohmique varie suivant les modifications de la grandeur ou de la direction de la force appliquée au matériau
2.
SENSOR DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE IN SENSING CURRENT THROUGH A CONDUCTOR
A sensor device for use in detecting current in a conductor is provided. The sensor includes a non-magnetic substrate defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about at least a portion of the substrate, and a housing for enclosing the substrate and coil. The housing includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned adjacent to the coil and at least partially within the aperture such that the dielectric material is disposed between the coil and the conductor when the conductor is received through the aperture and at least one spacer coupled to the aperture to facilitate maintaining a position of the coil relative to the conductor, wherein each of the spacers is positioned offset from the dielectric material such that each of the spacers does not radially extend between the coil and the conductor.
A utility meter and related methods are disclosed. The utility meter includes a sensor device positioned around a conductor to sense current flowing through the conductor. The sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about the substrate, and a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned between the coil and the conductor. The utility meter also includes a meter control board in communication with the sensor device to determine an amount of electricity transmitted through the conductor from the power source to the user over time. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material is selected to reduce a capacitive coupling between the coil and the conductor and to reduce a sensitivity of the sensor device such that the meter control board comprises only one calibration coefficient for calibrating the sensor device over a current range.
G01R 35/04 - Test ou étalonnage des appareils couverts par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe des instruments pour mesurer l'intégrale dans le temps d'une puissance ou d'une intensité
G01R 15/18 - Adaptations fournissant une isolation en tension ou en courant, p.ex. adaptations pour les réseaux à haute tension ou à courant fort utilisant des dispositifs inductifs, p.ex. des transformateurs
4.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAMPER DETECTION IN A UTILITY METER
A tamper detection system for a utility meter includes an emitter configured to emit light and a detector configured to receive light. The tamper detection system also includes a light modifying feature coupled to an interior surface of a meter cover. An end portion of the light modifying feature is configured to be positioned proximate to the emitter and the detector while the meter cover is in a closed position relative to the utility meter. The light modifying feature is also configured to alter a direction of travel of the emitted light and to direct the emitted light toward the detector while the meter cover is in the closed position relative to the utility meter.
Provided is an arbitrary automation system for secure communications. The system includes a utility device configured for processing critical data associated with the arbitrary automation system, the critical data being structured in accordance with utility device access levels. Also included is a key management module for (i) providing a data protection key (DPK) for protecting the critical data in accordance with each of the utility device access levels and (ii) generating a user key encryption key (UKEK) for encrypting the DPK based upon the device access levels. The system additionally includes a software module configured for masking an execution state of software within the utility device and the key management module via principles of evasion and resistance.
H04L 9/14 - Dispositions pour les communications secrètes ou protégées; Protocoles réseaux de sécurité utilisant plusieurs clés ou algorithmes
G06F 21/10 - Protection de programmes ou contenus distribués, p.ex. vente ou concession de licence de matériel soumis à droit de reproduction
H04L 67/12 - Protocoles spécialement adaptés aux environnements propriétaires ou de mise en réseau pour un usage spécial, p.ex. les réseaux médicaux, les réseaux de capteurs, les réseaux dans les véhicules ou les réseaux de mesure à distance
One embodiment describes a utility metering system that includes metering infrastructure that facilitates data communication within the utility metering system in accordance with an expected metering platform, and a utility meter communicatively coupled to the metering infrastructure. The utility meter operates in a native mode when a native metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a first manner in accordance with the native metering platform. The utility meter operates in an emulation mode when the native metering platform is not compatible with the expected metering platform and an emulation metering platform is compatible with the expected metering platform, in which the utility meter operates in a second manner in accordance with the emulation metering.
Embodiments of the disclosure can provide systems and methods for implementation of a smart energy profile using data-interchange encoding. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a system can be provided. The system can include at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. The system can include at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to receive, by the at least one processor, a control instruction for a home area network (HAN) device. The at least one processor can be configured to convert the control instruction to a JSON object and transmit the JSON object to the HAN device.
H04L 12/28 - Réseaux de données à commutation caractérisés par la configuration des liaisons, p.ex. réseaux locaux [LAN Local Area Networks] ou réseaux étendus [WAN Wide Area Networks]
8.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ROUTING HOME AREA NETWORK (HAN) MESSAGES
Embodiments of the disclosure can provide systems and methods for routing home area network (HAN) messages. In one embodiment, a system can be provided. The system can include at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions; at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions can receive, by the at least one processor, an instruction for a HAN gateway; send the instruction to a transmission agent for routing to the HAN gateway; and transmit, by the transmission agent, the instruction to the HAN gateway.
H04L 67/125 - Protocoles spécialement adaptés aux environnements propriétaires ou de mise en réseau pour un usage spécial, p.ex. les réseaux médicaux, les réseaux de capteurs, les réseaux dans les véhicules ou les réseaux de mesure à distance en impliquant la commande des applications des terminaux par un réseau
H04L 12/28 - Réseaux de données à commutation caractérisés par la configuration des liaisons, p.ex. réseaux locaux [LAN Local Area Networks] ou réseaux étendus [WAN Wide Area Networks]
In one aspect, a meter disconnect relay is described that is comprised of a base, an actuator, a shuttle and one or more disconnect switches. The actuator can be situated within the base, wherein the base maintains a portion of the actuator stationary and allows a plunger of the actuator to move within the base. The shuttle can be at least partially comprised of non-conductive material and having one or more windows, wherein the shuttle is operably connected to and moved by the plunger of the actuator and wherein the shuttle can be moved within the base and at least a portion of the base provides a stop for movement of the shuttle. The one or more disconnect switches can be opened or closed by movement of the shuttle, wherein each disconnect switch is comprised of a rigid, conductive bridging section pivotally connected to a first face of one of the one or more windows in the shuttle, wherein the bridging section comprises at least two contacts; a leaf spring pivotally connected to a second face of the one of the one or more windows of the shuttle, wherein the second face of the window is opposite the first face of the window and the leaf spring applies force to the bridging section; and a conductive source portion having a source contact and a conductive load portion having a load contact, wherein a first and second contact of the at least two contacts of the bridging portion are caused to substantially simultaneously come in contact with and disconnect from the source contact and the load contact by movement of the shuttle.
G01R 1/20 - Modifications des éléments électriques fondamentaux en vue de leur utilisation dans des appareils de mesures électriques; Combinaisons structurelles de ces éléments avec ces appareils
G01R 1/36 - Aménagements ou circuits de protection contre les surcharges, pour appareils de mesures électriques
H01H 50/58 - Dispositions d'entraînement associés structuralement; Montage du dispositif d'entraînement sur l'armature
H01H 50/68 - Dispositions d'entraînement entre en élément mobile de circuit magnétique et un contact à rupture brusque
10.
ROGOWSKI COIL ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING THE SAME
Rogowski coil assemblies and methods for providing or forming Rogowski coil assemblies are provided. A Rogowski coil assembly may include a printed circuit board and a plurality of Rogowski coil sections mounted to an external surface of the printed circuit board by one or more respective circuit traces. The circuit traces may retain and connect the plurality of Rogowski coil sections.
G01R 15/18 - Adaptations fournissant une isolation en tension ou en courant, p.ex. adaptations pour les réseaux à haute tension ou à courant fort utilisant des dispositifs inductifs, p.ex. des transformateurs
Aspects of the invention provide for qualifying a new meter with specific power supply requirements. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a system, including: an electric meter having a housing; and a voltage-modifying device connected to the electric meter for modifying a received voltage, such that the electric meter operates in accordance with a predetermined power supply requirement, wherein the voltage- modifying device is located within the electric meter housing or external to the electric meter housing.
G01R 15/00 - MESURE DES VARIABLES ÉLECTRIQUES; MESURE DES VARIABLES MAGNÉTIQUES - Détails des dispositions pour procéder aux mesures des types prévus dans les groupes , ou
H02M 5/00 - Transformation d'une puissance d'entrée en courant alternatif en une puissance de sortie en courant alternatif, p.ex. pour changement de la tension, pour changement de la fréquence, pour changement du nombre de phases
12.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TABLE DEFINITION LANGUAGE GENERATION
A non-transitory computer readable medium is provided that includes instructions to interpret a table definition language fragment, that includes modifications of attributes and functionalities defined in a first table definition language. The non- transitory computer readable medium also includes instructions to generate a second table definition language with the subsequent modifications based at least upon applying the modifications in the table definition language fragment to the first table definition language.
G01R 35/04 - Test ou étalonnage des appareils couverts par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe des instruments pour mesurer l'intégrale dans le temps d'une puissance ou d'une intensité
13.
UTILITY METER WITH TEMPERATURE BASED ACTUATION OF A REMOTE DISCONNECT SWITCH
The present application provides a utility meter (100). The utility meter (100) may include a processor (120) with a predetermined temperature range (260), a remote disconnect switch (200) in communication with the processor (120), and a temperature sensor (210) in communication with the processor (120). The processor (120) opens the remote disconnect switch (200) when the temperature sensor (210) senses a temperature (235) that exceeds the predetermined temperature range (260).
H02H 5/04 - Circuits de protection de sécurité pour déconnexion automatique due directement à un changement indésirable des conditions non électriques normales de travail avec ou sans reconnexion sensibles à une température anormale
14.
METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE OF PHASE IDENTIFICATION USING A SMART METER
Described herein are embodiments of methods, devices and systems of phase identification for a meter. One aspect comprises a method of phase identification for a smart meter. One embodiment of the method comprises connecting a device to at least a first phase of a poly-phase electrical system; metering at least the first phase of the poly-phase electrical system that the device is connected to for electrical consumption information using a meter; storing a first phase identifier for the first phase of the poly-phase electrical system that the device is connected to in a memory associated with the meter; and transmitting at least the first phase identifier over a network operably connected with the meter.
A metering infrastructure having smart devices that utilize smart cards. An infrastructure having a plurality of smart devices is disclosed wherein each smart device is adapted to be controlled by a removable smart card, and wherein each removable smart card includes a computational platform capable of storing and executing program code and a set of application programs capable of being executed on the computational platform, wherein each of the set of application programs is implemented to control an aspect of an associated smart device into which the removable smart card is inserted.
G06K 7/10 - Méthodes ou dispositions pour la lecture de supports d'enregistrement par radiation corpusculaire
G06K 19/07 - Supports d'enregistrement avec des marques conductrices, des circuits imprimés ou des éléments de circuit à semi-conducteurs, p.ex. cartes d'identité ou cartes de crédit avec des puces à circuit intégré
16.
ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) CARTRIDGE FOR AN ENERGY METER
An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) cartridge includes an AMI cartridge housing having an interior zone, and an AMI module system supported within the interior zone of the AMI cartridge module housing. The AMI module system includes an AMI module and an energy meter interface configured and disposed to detachably connect to an energy meter.
Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing energy management (148) utilizing a power meter (105) are provided. A request for a graphical user interface (120) may be received by a power meter (105) in communication with an external device. The requested graphical user interface may be associated with at least one of (i) operation of the power meter (105) or (ii) provision of electrical power to one or more loads. Based at least in part on the received request, information associated with the graphical user interface may be generated by the power meter (105) and communicated to the external device (120).
H02J 13/00 - Circuits pour pourvoir à l'indication à distance des conditions d'un réseau, p.ex. un enregistrement instantané des conditions d'ouverture ou de fermeture de chaque sectionneur du réseau; Circuits pour pourvoir à la commande à distance des moyens de commutation dans un réseau de distribution d'énergie, p.ex. mise en ou hors circuit de consommateurs de courant par l'utilisation de signaux d'impulsion codés transmis par le réseau
H02B 15/00 - Pupitres ou panneaux de surveillance pour commandes ou vues d'ensemble centralisées
18.
METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MAGNETIC TAMPER DETECTION IN A METER
Described herein are embodiments of methods, devices and computer program products for tamper detection in a meter. One aspect of the method comprises using a magnetic field strength sensor to continuously detect magnetic field strength proximate to a meter. In one aspect, the magnetic field strength sensor produces an analog voltage signal proportional to the detected magnetic field strength. The analog voltage signal of the senor is continuously converted to a digital voltage signal. The digital voltage signal is stored in a memory on an intermittent basis, and the digital voltage signal is monitored for an aberration that indicates tampering of the meter. If tampering is detected, then an alarm is triggered to indicate the tampering.
G01F 15/00 - MESURE DES VOLUMES, DES DÉBITS VOLUMÉTRIQUES, DES DÉBITS MASSIQUES OU DU NIVEAU DES LIQUIDES; COMPTAGE VOLUMÉTRIQUE - Détails des appareils des groupes ou accessoires pour ces derniers, dans la mesure où de tels accessoires ou détails ne sont pas adaptés à ces types particuliers d'appareils, p.ex. pour l'indication à distance
G01R 21/00 - Dispositions pour procéder aux mesures de la puissance ou du facteur de puissance
G01R 33/07 - Mesure de la direction ou de l'intensité de champs magnétiques ou de flux magnétiques en utilisant des dispositifs galvano-magnétiques des dispositifs à effet Hall
19.
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR COMPONENTS IN AMI ENERGY METERS
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing components in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) energy meters. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for accessing electrical meter components, the method includes providing an energy meter enclosure having one or more service accessible compartments operable for housing AMI components, manipulating one or more compartment covers associated with the one or more service accessible compartments, installing one or more AMI components in the one or more service accessible compartments, and closing the one or more compartment covers. The energy meter enclosure protects the AMI components from at least one external element.