Method and apparatus for capturing energy from a meter reading device
US9151654B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Electronic circuits in a register associated with a commodity usage meter capture energy from a meter reading device when the device is coupled to the register (e.g., either electrically or inductively coupled) for the purpose of reading metered quantity data from the register. Electrical charge obtained from the reading device may be stored in a high-capacity storage capacitor. When the capacitor is sufficiently charged, it provides power to at least part of the register circuits, such as a controller, for at least the duration of the communication session with the reading device. In some embodiments, the capacitor may additionally supply sufficient power to operate the register until a subsequent reading device coupling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.