G01D2204/22

Metrology Module Adaptable for Use in Multiple Gas Meters
20230019356 · 2023-01-19 ·

A gas meter control system is adapted for use in gas meters having a plurality of different sizes (e.g., ability to measure different flowrates and/or different gas volumes per billing cycle) and different functional capabilities. In an example, the gas meter control system is configured to recognize and identify a metrology unit, sensor(s), switch(es), valve(s), valve motor(s), and/or other device(s) within a gas meter. Having identified devices present within a gas-environment and an air-environment of the meter, the control system selects and executes appropriate software to operate the identified devices. Addition of an additional component to the meter (e.g., an earthquake sensor or a tamper sensor) results in identification of the added component and execution of appropriate control software. Accordingly, the gas meter control system replaces a number of control systems configured to operate a single specific meter and/or configuration.

Disaggregation of Gas Load to Determine Gas Appliance Performance
20230224367 · 2023-07-13 ·

Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Interval data for a utility meter during a power outage without a battery

A utility meter includes a consumption measurement unit for generating consumption data, a meter processor, and a RTC for time stamping the consumption data to provide interval meter data during interval meter operation. A memory stores the interval meter data. The meter processor implements/initiates responsive to a power loss that suspends RTC operation, switching from interval to relative time operation where consumption data is stored as relative consumption data together with a relative time as relative meter data. Responsive power restoration and receiving a current time, the meter switches from relative time to interval meter operation. The restoration time is calculated using the current and an elapsed time since the restoration. The time of restoration and current time is used to generate calculated times. The consumption data from relative time operation is time stamped with the calculated times to provide time-corrected relative meter data that is stored to the memory.

NETWORK EDGE DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF GAS PRESSURE SITUATION
20220412787 · 2022-12-29 ·

Techniques for detecting and remediating a low gas pressure situation within a gas delivery system are described. In one example, a smart gas metering device measures gas pressure. The first device determines that the gas pressure value is less than a first threshold value, indicating a low gas pressure condition. The first smart metering device reports this condition to a second smart metering device, which may be nearby. In response, the first smart metering device receives gas pressure information from the second smart gas metering device. The first smart gas metering device then reports one of two conditions to a headend device, such as a main office server. In a first possibility, the report indicates a low gas pressure event confined to the first device. Alternatively, the report indicates a low gas pressure event within a distribution area comprising the first device and the second device.

Disaggregation of gas load to determine gas appliance performance

Techniques determine if an appliance having a fixed-rate of gas-consumption is degrading over time. In one example, a flowrate of gas at a service site is obtained. The flowrate of gas is disaggregated to obtain a flowrate of gas corresponding to an appliance having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption. The flowrate of gas of the appliance is compared to historical gas consumption by the appliance. Based at least in part on the comparing, it may be determined that performance of the appliance has changed over time. For example, the gas consumption of a hot water tank may increase due to mineral build-up in the bottom of the tank. Responsive to the determined degradation of the appliance, warnings may be sent, repairs may be made, and/or appliance(s) may be replaced.

Collecting and transmitting utility meter data
11631149 · 2023-04-18 · ·

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for collecting utility meter data are described. An example system may include a flow controller and a server. The flow controller is configured to communicate with a water meter for a property and connected to at least one water outlet of a plurality of water outlets. The server is coupled to one or more infrastructure databases and the flow controller. The server includes a non-transitory computer readable media and is configured to execute instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media. The instructions include receiving water usage data from the flow controller and transmitting the water usage data from the water meter for the property to a water utility company.

Smart water valve

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for water monitoring are disclosed. A system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include determining with a leak sensor that a water leak is occurring at a property; after determining that the water leak is occurring at the property, determining that a water usage profile of a particular water consuming device matches characteristics of the water leak; based on determining that the water usage profile of a particular water consuming device matches characteristics of the water leak, identifying a water consuming device that is likely leaking; and in response to identifying the water consuming device that is likely leaking, performing a system action.

Device, arrangement and method for verifying the operation of electricity meter
09797935 · 2017-10-24 · ·

An electronic electricity meter (102) for monitoring electrical power consumption due to a plurality of loads, comprising electric power sensor (506A, 506, 502, 504, 508) configured to register, optionally in a substantially real-time fashion, data indicative of aggregate power demand (202) of a number of loads coupled to a common electrical power source, such as one or more phases of a polyphase system, load tracker (506B, 506, 502, 504) configured to detect the effect of individual loads on the basis of distinctive load patterns in said data, wherein the tracker is configured to utilize a distinctive load pattern detected in said data as at least a basis for a reference pattern (304, 306, 308) for subsequent detections (304a, 306a, 308a) of the effect of the same load in the data, accuracy analyzer (506C, 506, 502, 504) configured to, on the basis of comparisons of subsequent detections with the corresponding references, determine (312, 314, 316) whether the comparisons relating to at least two, preferably three, loads each indicate the difference between the subsequently detected pattern and the corresponding reference exceeding a predetermined threshold, and notifier (506D, 506, 502, 504, 508) configured to send, provided that positive determination has taken place (318), a notification signal indicative of potential fault with the electricity meter towards an external entity (106, 108). Corresponding arrangement and method are presented.

Forensic analysis of resource consumption data
09794655 · 2017-10-17 · ·

Following an explosion, fire, flood, water damage, or other event, consumption data of utility resources such as gas and water may be used to determine a cause of the event. For example, an interrogation may be used to read data logging data from a data collection device. The data logging data may include a record of consumption data for a resource spanning a time of an event. The data logging data may be analyzed to determine whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event.

Correlating meter data to detect mismappings
09816836 · 2017-11-14 · ·

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with identifying mismappings of electric meters using voltage data are described. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting an electric meter from a plurality of electric meters represented in a connectivity model. The connectivity model is an electronic data structure that specifies information about connections between the plurality of electric meters and transformers in an electric distribution grid. The example method may also include analyzing mismapping metrics that characterize voltage data about the selected electric meter in relation to a set of electric meters that are geographically related to the selected electric meter to determine whether the connectivity model includes a mismapping of the selected electric meter.