CA2447550A1 - Digital meter for displaying rate of electricity consumption in monetary units - Google Patents
Digital meter for displaying rate of electricity consumption in monetary units Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2447550A1 CA2447550A1 CA002447550A CA2447550A CA2447550A1 CA 2447550 A1 CA2447550 A1 CA 2447550A1 CA 002447550 A CA002447550 A CA 002447550A CA 2447550 A CA2447550 A CA 2447550A CA 2447550 A1 CA2447550 A1 CA 2447550A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sensor
- display
- display unit
- utility
- rate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
- G01D4/008—Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R11/00—Electromechanical arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. of consumption
- G01R11/02—Constructional details
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
- Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
- Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
- Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Indication And Recording Devices For Special Purposes And Tariff Metering Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A digital meter displaying continuous and accurate cost information as it pertains to instantaneous electricity consumption in a household or elsewhere is proposed. The device informs electricity consumers of their instantaneous and cumulative expenditure on electricity thus assisting in the detection of energy wastage and empowering the consumer to make informed choices regarding consumption habits. The unit is comprised of a small sensor that is placed on or near the glass of the utility power meter (usually outdoors), a digital display device placed in a convenient location inside the premises, and a wire connecting the two components. Variations of the concept and proposed device are the use of wireless technology for data transfer between the sensor and display and the use of a personal computer for display in place of a dedicated display unit. The operation of the device is analogous to a digital bicycle speedometer/odometer in that the rate of revolution of a wheel (in this case the disk inside the utility meter) is determined through sensor input and the rate, and "distance" are displayed on an LCD device. In the case of the proposed device the reflective characteristics of the utility meter disk are utilized to detect angular speed, day and night, via a light emitting and receiving sensor. The angular speed and cumulative quantity are then displayed on the LCD device positioned away from the sensor. To obtain and display accurate "cost" readings the user need only calibrate the proposed device once with the utility meter conversion factor (printed on all utility meters), and, with the user's electricity cost rate as printed on power bills.
Description
PATENT APPLICATION FOR:
Digital Meter for Displaying Rate of Electricity Consumption in Monetary Units Inventor and Applicant:
Stephen Bruneau 13 Darcy Street St. John's Newfoundland Canada A1 C 5B9 (709) 722-6542 No of Claims: 11 October 31, 2003 DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic speedometers and odometers, and more particularly to the measurement of rotational frequency of a disk or wheel by means of a small sensor, and the associated calibration and display of frequency data via an LCD display unit that is conveniently positioned away from the moving object. The present invention also relates generally to the reading of electric utility meters and the digital display of energy consumption information. Furthermore, the invention relates to the metering of consumer consumption and subsequent display of actual cost at any instant in time similar to a fuel pump at a gasoline station. And lastly, the invention relates to household indoor/outdoor thermometers in the manner in which it is employed.
Specifically, the purpose of the invention is to inform electricity consumers of their rate of expenditure and cumulative expenditure on electricity at any point in time.
Presently, electricity consumers have no easy or inexpensive means of determining their rates of power consumption and no systematic means of monitoring effectiveness of conservational measures. Reading one's own electric utility meter is not commonplace and involves watching, recording and interpreting readings from the device wherever it may be. Meter readings by utilities take place at varying intervals and bills are often based on averaged or projected consumption so that consumers would find it difficult to correlate lifestyle and consumption habits to energy use. Furthermore, meter reading intervals often span normal seasonal variations in heat and light demand, further complicating the assessment of electricity consumption.
The proposed device allows the user to get instantaneous feedback on electricity consumption in units that most people understand - monetary currency. The device provides the user with instantaneous and/or averaged rates of electrical energy consumption, plus a reading of cumulative expenditure from a given point in time. The user may select the preferred display units using buttons on the display portion of the device. Display units would include but may not be limited to dollars per hour, dollars per day and dollars per month. The cumulative expenditure is simultaneously displayed as dollars over the previous number of hours or days. Optionally, indoor and outdoor temperature, time and date may also be integrated into the display on the device. This additional information further enhances the ability of the user to gauge consumption as a function of lifestyle by exposing some of the background environmental influences on the rate of energy use.
The device is installed and is operated completely independent of the electric system of the premises and does not require of the user any knowledge or understanding of electrical systems in order to be effective. The device is safe and simplistic to install and requires very little effort to read or understand.
The device is comprised of two components, a display unit (1 ) and a sensor (2).
These may be interconnected by an electrical wire (3) or, alternatively, may use remote wireless technology for transferring signal data from the sensor to the display. The display device is intended to be positioned inside the premises, for example, in the kitchen on the wall next to a window, and may be affixed with two-sided foam tape, a Velcro strip, a screw, a picture hook or by some other common method of attachment. The LCD display window (4) and buttons for controlling settings (5) on the display component of the device are positioned and sized for convenient use and interpretation by the user. The sensor (1 ) is positioned by the user on, or adjacent to, the glass immediately in front of the edge of the rotating disk (7) inside the electric utility meter (6). The method of positioning and/or attachment for the sensor may include an adhesive strip for direct attachment, or, a curved support wire anchored to the premises and not in contact with the utility's electric metering device. It is a feature of this device that due to the size and position of the sensor, the device does not interfere in any way with the normal operation or visibility of the electric utility meter.
The device operates in a very similar fashion to a bicycle speedometer/odometer in that a sensor detects wheel revolutions and transmits voltage signals to a digital display where the information is interpreted and displayed as a speed and distance traveled. In the instance of the invention the speed of the rotating disk in the utility meter (directly proportional to instantaneous electricity consumption) is measured and calibrated so that the speed is displayed as a cost per unit time and the distance is displayed as cumulative money spent on electrical energy.
The user must initially, and only once, input the meter calibration factor (printed on the face of all common meters) to obtain the rate of kilowatt-hour consumption, and also must input the cost of electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour (as printed on the utility bill). Via the product of these factors the device internally calibrates signal data to accurately display the rate of money spent on electricity.
The positioning of the device components is analogous to that of a digital indooNoutdoor thermometer in that the user strategically places the small sensor outside, places the display unit in a convenient location inside, and ensures that the interconnecting wire is not at risk nor does it adversely affect the premises.
In the drawings which form part of this specification, Figure 1 illustrates the components of the invention, and Figure 2 illustrates an alternate shape for the invention and conceptually the invention as it would appear installed.
A variation of the device is also claimed herein whereby the light sensor on the electric utility meter relays energy consumption information to a data interpretation device affixed to, or incorporated with, a personal computer.
The result being the display of, and manipulation of, household electricity consumption data on the computer.
Another variation of the device is also claimed herein whereby a light sensor detects the rate of movement of a natural gas and/or water utility meter and transfers the data to a device for display of consumption in monetary units.
Digital Meter for Displaying Rate of Electricity Consumption in Monetary Units Inventor and Applicant:
Stephen Bruneau 13 Darcy Street St. John's Newfoundland Canada A1 C 5B9 (709) 722-6542 No of Claims: 11 October 31, 2003 DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic speedometers and odometers, and more particularly to the measurement of rotational frequency of a disk or wheel by means of a small sensor, and the associated calibration and display of frequency data via an LCD display unit that is conveniently positioned away from the moving object. The present invention also relates generally to the reading of electric utility meters and the digital display of energy consumption information. Furthermore, the invention relates to the metering of consumer consumption and subsequent display of actual cost at any instant in time similar to a fuel pump at a gasoline station. And lastly, the invention relates to household indoor/outdoor thermometers in the manner in which it is employed.
Specifically, the purpose of the invention is to inform electricity consumers of their rate of expenditure and cumulative expenditure on electricity at any point in time.
Presently, electricity consumers have no easy or inexpensive means of determining their rates of power consumption and no systematic means of monitoring effectiveness of conservational measures. Reading one's own electric utility meter is not commonplace and involves watching, recording and interpreting readings from the device wherever it may be. Meter readings by utilities take place at varying intervals and bills are often based on averaged or projected consumption so that consumers would find it difficult to correlate lifestyle and consumption habits to energy use. Furthermore, meter reading intervals often span normal seasonal variations in heat and light demand, further complicating the assessment of electricity consumption.
The proposed device allows the user to get instantaneous feedback on electricity consumption in units that most people understand - monetary currency. The device provides the user with instantaneous and/or averaged rates of electrical energy consumption, plus a reading of cumulative expenditure from a given point in time. The user may select the preferred display units using buttons on the display portion of the device. Display units would include but may not be limited to dollars per hour, dollars per day and dollars per month. The cumulative expenditure is simultaneously displayed as dollars over the previous number of hours or days. Optionally, indoor and outdoor temperature, time and date may also be integrated into the display on the device. This additional information further enhances the ability of the user to gauge consumption as a function of lifestyle by exposing some of the background environmental influences on the rate of energy use.
The device is installed and is operated completely independent of the electric system of the premises and does not require of the user any knowledge or understanding of electrical systems in order to be effective. The device is safe and simplistic to install and requires very little effort to read or understand.
The device is comprised of two components, a display unit (1 ) and a sensor (2).
These may be interconnected by an electrical wire (3) or, alternatively, may use remote wireless technology for transferring signal data from the sensor to the display. The display device is intended to be positioned inside the premises, for example, in the kitchen on the wall next to a window, and may be affixed with two-sided foam tape, a Velcro strip, a screw, a picture hook or by some other common method of attachment. The LCD display window (4) and buttons for controlling settings (5) on the display component of the device are positioned and sized for convenient use and interpretation by the user. The sensor (1 ) is positioned by the user on, or adjacent to, the glass immediately in front of the edge of the rotating disk (7) inside the electric utility meter (6). The method of positioning and/or attachment for the sensor may include an adhesive strip for direct attachment, or, a curved support wire anchored to the premises and not in contact with the utility's electric metering device. It is a feature of this device that due to the size and position of the sensor, the device does not interfere in any way with the normal operation or visibility of the electric utility meter.
The device operates in a very similar fashion to a bicycle speedometer/odometer in that a sensor detects wheel revolutions and transmits voltage signals to a digital display where the information is interpreted and displayed as a speed and distance traveled. In the instance of the invention the speed of the rotating disk in the utility meter (directly proportional to instantaneous electricity consumption) is measured and calibrated so that the speed is displayed as a cost per unit time and the distance is displayed as cumulative money spent on electrical energy.
The user must initially, and only once, input the meter calibration factor (printed on the face of all common meters) to obtain the rate of kilowatt-hour consumption, and also must input the cost of electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour (as printed on the utility bill). Via the product of these factors the device internally calibrates signal data to accurately display the rate of money spent on electricity.
The positioning of the device components is analogous to that of a digital indooNoutdoor thermometer in that the user strategically places the small sensor outside, places the display unit in a convenient location inside, and ensures that the interconnecting wire is not at risk nor does it adversely affect the premises.
In the drawings which form part of this specification, Figure 1 illustrates the components of the invention, and Figure 2 illustrates an alternate shape for the invention and conceptually the invention as it would appear installed.
A variation of the device is also claimed herein whereby the light sensor on the electric utility meter relays energy consumption information to a data interpretation device affixed to, or incorporated with, a personal computer.
The result being the display of, and manipulation of, household electricity consumption data on the computer.
Another variation of the device is also claimed herein whereby a light sensor detects the rate of movement of a natural gas and/or water utility meter and transfers the data to a device for display of consumption in monetary units.
Claims (11)
1. An apparatus for reading standard electric utility meters by indirect means with a light sensor and displaying the interpreted results in terms of monetary units on an LCD digital display unit conveniently located by the user. Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are also defined as follows:
- Means for generating a light emitting and receiving source (sensor) for determining the rate of disk rotation within a utility power meter, - Means of adhering the sensor to the glass cover of a utility power meter, - Means of translating the sensor light reception intensity as a varying voltage signal so that passage of the black, non-reflective stripe on the disk inside the utility meter presents a distinct and measurable voltage deviation from the signal that is otherwise registered during one revolution of the reflective metallic disk. In this manner the angular frequency of the disk is registered and may be communicated from the sensor to the display device, - Means of transmitting the voltage signal from the sensor to the display unit via conductive wire, - Means of providing user input for calibrating the voltage signal cyclic frequency, which is now proportional to the rate of electrical energy consumption past the utility meter, into an accurate displayed rate of money consumed through the purchase of electrical energy from the utility, - Means of user input to change the units of the displayed rate of money consumption, - Means of displaying the cumulative money consumed over a selected period of time, - Means for resetting the displayed cumulative money consumed to a new starting point, - Means of displaying the average rate of money consumption over a specified period of time, - Means of adhering the display unit to a vertical surface via adhesive tape, Velcro strip, picture hook or screw, - Means of installing a battery in the back of the unit to provide power for the display unit and the sensor
- Means for generating a light emitting and receiving source (sensor) for determining the rate of disk rotation within a utility power meter, - Means of adhering the sensor to the glass cover of a utility power meter, - Means of translating the sensor light reception intensity as a varying voltage signal so that passage of the black, non-reflective stripe on the disk inside the utility meter presents a distinct and measurable voltage deviation from the signal that is otherwise registered during one revolution of the reflective metallic disk. In this manner the angular frequency of the disk is registered and may be communicated from the sensor to the display device, - Means of transmitting the voltage signal from the sensor to the display unit via conductive wire, - Means of providing user input for calibrating the voltage signal cyclic frequency, which is now proportional to the rate of electrical energy consumption past the utility meter, into an accurate displayed rate of money consumed through the purchase of electrical energy from the utility, - Means of user input to change the units of the displayed rate of money consumption, - Means of displaying the cumulative money consumed over a selected period of time, - Means for resetting the displayed cumulative money consumed to a new starting point, - Means of displaying the average rate of money consumption over a specified period of time, - Means of adhering the display unit to a vertical surface via adhesive tape, Velcro strip, picture hook or screw, - Means of installing a battery in the back of the unit to provide power for the display unit and the sensor
2. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein the sensor is not attached to the glass of the utility meter but is suspended adjacent to it by means of a stiff wire attached at the base to the premises,
3. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein the sensor is not attached to the display unit by a wire but communicates with the display unit via wireless technology, and therefore the sensor also incorporates a battery unit.
4. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein an additional means of displaying and setting the current time and date is incorporated into the device,
5. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein an additional means of measuring and displaying the indoor and outdoor temperature is incorporated into the device,
6. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein a means of illuminating the display is incorporated into the device
7. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein the display unit is free-standing and is supported upon a horizontal surface
8. The assembly as described in Claim 1 wherein the display unit does not operate with batteries but is plugged in to a standard household outlet via a power adapter providing electric energy for the sensor and display operations
9. The assembly as described in claim 1 but for the use of reading natural gas meters,
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 but for the use of reading water consumption meters,
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 but using a data interpretation card or device and a personal computer for control of settings and display instead of the dedicated LCD display unit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002447550A CA2447550A1 (en) | 2003-11-04 | 2003-11-04 | Digital meter for displaying rate of electricity consumption in monetary units |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002447550A CA2447550A1 (en) | 2003-11-04 | 2003-11-04 | Digital meter for displaying rate of electricity consumption in monetary units |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2447550A1 true CA2447550A1 (en) | 2005-05-04 |
Family
ID=34558286
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002447550A Abandoned CA2447550A1 (en) | 2003-11-04 | 2003-11-04 | Digital meter for displaying rate of electricity consumption in monetary units |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2447550A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106353544A (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2017-01-25 | 黑龙江省电工仪器仪表工程技术研究中心有限公司 | COG (Chip on Glass) single-phase intelligent ammeter |
-
2003
- 2003-11-04 CA CA002447550A patent/CA2447550A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106353544A (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2017-01-25 | 黑龙江省电工仪器仪表工程技术研究中心有限公司 | COG (Chip on Glass) single-phase intelligent ammeter |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |