MEMS utility meters with exchangeable metrology unit
US8994552B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2209/60
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An all-electronic utility gas meter using with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas metrology data for custody transfer or tariff in city gas metering application is disclosed in the present invention. The meter has two separate metrology units. One of the units is located in the main flow channel with the insertion probing configuration while the other is configured as a bypass unit assembly with the main metrology unit. The bypass metrology unit can perform independent metrology tasks and can be exchanged onsite during service, maintenance or repair without dismantle the meter from the service pipeline. The bypass metrology unit also can be used to compare the measured data from time to time and performance self-diagnosis that shall help the performance and data authentication during the meter field service. Both of the units can be powered by battery or external sources. The units can be connected to network as well as provide internal plural storages for data transmission and safety.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.