EP0843288B1 - Verbesserungen für und in Bezug auf Gaszähler - Google Patents

Verbesserungen für und in Bezug auf Gaszähler

Info

Publication number
EP0843288B1
EP0843288B1 EP97117727A EP97117727A EP0843288B1 EP 0843288 B1 EP0843288 B1 EP 0843288B1 EP 97117727 A EP97117727 A EP 97117727A EP 97117727 A EP97117727 A EP 97117727A EP 0843288 B1 EP0843288 B1 EP 0843288B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
module
meter unit
add
base meter
base
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97117727A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0843288A2 (de
EP0843288A3 (de
Inventor
Christopher Beadsworth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Landis and Gyr Ltd
Original Assignee
Landis and Gyr AG
Landis and Gyr Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Landis and Gyr AG, Landis and Gyr Ltd filed Critical Landis and Gyr AG
Publication of EP0843288A2 publication Critical patent/EP0843288A2/de
Publication of EP0843288A3 publication Critical patent/EP0843288A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0843288B1 publication Critical patent/EP0843288B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/0866—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means by active credit-cards adapted therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F15/00—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
    • G07F15/001—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity for gas
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/0873—Details of the card reader

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to utility metering apparatus and in particular to gas meters.
  • the original gas meter is a mechanical device arranged to measure the quantity of gas supplied and register that amount on a mechanical display.
  • These types of gas meters are being superseded by electronic meters which use acoustic wave devices to measure the flow of gas through the meter, which generate signals which are interpreted by the processor, conveniently a microprocessor arranged to drive electronic displays to give an indication of the amount used.
  • a typical electronic gas meter is described in the Applicant's co-pending patent application number GB A 2 307 551, which describes a modular gas meter including a base meter unit having a gas valve to control the supply of gas, and an add-on module which changes the functionality of the base meter unit.
  • Such add-on modules may be for prepayment functions or remote meter reading functions.
  • Such meters use an optical communication port to enable the microprocessor to be externally accessed without the need for hard wire electrical connections which could prove a danger in the gas environment.
  • EP A 0 616 201 (Landis & Gyr Bus. Support) provides a heatmeter arrangement having a base meter and optional modules, which optional modules are electrically connected together and are physically connected together to each other and the base meter by side-by-side clip means.
  • An aim of the present invention is to utilise this electronic gas meter and provide means whereby it can be easily be modified in order to easily change its functionality.
  • an electronic gas meter delivering a quantity of gas to a consumer
  • said gas meter comprising a base meter unit having a digital display to visibly indicate the amount of gas a consumer has used and an optical data port via which access to electronic circuitry within the base meter unit is provided for data communication purposes, a battery supply for powering the electronic circuitry within the base meter unit and means of securing the battery supply within the base meter unit, characterised in that the base meter unit is provided with latching means whereby an add-on module, having an optical data port which is operably arranged to be in registry with the optical data port of the base meter unit, can be securely attached to the base meter unit and can permit the add-on module to communicate with the base meter unit via the optical data port.
  • the latching means may comprise three recesses, which are provided towards a front face of the base meter unit at positions close to the centre upper edge and lower edge and at an outer edge of the base meter unit.
  • the add-on module may comprise projections, which are adapted to be accommodated within a respective recess to enable the add-on module to be easily slipped onto the base meter unit and secured therewith.
  • gas meters In the gas meter environment there are different types of gas meters which can be used in different circumstances. For example there can be a basic gas meter whereby the meter registers the amount of gas used and requires a meter reader to physically attend the meter and record the reading thereof in order to bill the customer. There are other types of gas meter such as pre-payment meters whereby coins are deposited in the meter in order to allow the consumer to have access to a quantity of gas. There is a further type of pre-payment meter whereby the consumer purchases a card which is in turn inserted into a slot within the meter in order to allow that meter to deliver the quantity of gas up to the value of the card inserted therein.
  • pre-payment meters whereby the consumer purchases a card which is in turn inserted into a slot within the meter in order to allow that meter to deliver the quantity of gas up to the value of the card inserted therein.
  • the present invention relates to an improved form of modular meter and seeks to make the task of fitting different modules easier.
  • a meter as shown in Figure 1 can be conveniently described as a base meter unit which when connected to the supply in a customer's premises does not need to be removed in order to adapt the base meter unit for other functions.
  • the base meter unit 2 comprises a gas inlet port 4 and a gas outlet port 6 which respectively are connected to the gas mains inlet and outlet supply to a premises.
  • the base meter unit has a front cover 8 secured to the meter module 2 by two retaining means 10, 12.
  • the means 10, also serves to secure a battery cover 14.
  • a window 16 is provided for viewing access to a digital display 18 and for providing access to an optical data port 20.
  • the front cover 8 is provided with latching means in the form of three recesses 22, 24, 26. These recesses may be of any suitable shape and are arranged to receive a corresponding projection which extends from the rearward side of an additional module which is to be connected to the base meter unit 2.
  • FIG 2 there is shown a base meter unit 2 as described with reference to Figure 1 having an additional module 28 connected thereto.
  • the module 28 is of one example and that different modules providing different functions may be connected to the base meter unit 2.
  • the add-on module 28 may be secured by the retaining means 30 which conveniently is in register with the retaining means 10 that would retain the battery cover 14 as shown in Figure 1. Therefore the module 28 and the battery cover 14 (Figure 1) is retained to the base meter unit 2 by virtue of a single retaining means, which may be a screw which passes through an orifice therein. This has the added benefit that the add-on module 28 can be easily removed together with the battery cover 14 to facilitate quick and easy battery replacement.
  • the recesses 22, 24, 26 may conveniently be of any shape that affords strong structural support, and by having the three recesses in the position shown the additional add-on modules 28 can be connected to the base meter unit 2 directly from the front of the meter by partially superimposing the add-on module 28 over the front of the base meter unit 2 and sliding the add-on module from the right of the base meter unit 2, when viewed from the front of the base meter unit, to the left thus providing a quick and easy means facilitating the connection and disconnection of the add-on module 28.
  • This is particularly useful where the base meter unit 2 is fitted in a meter box having limited side access.
  • the add-on module 28 may include a microprocessor and other electronic circuitry depending upon its function and this circuitry will communicate with the electronic circuitry within the base meter unit 2 by way of an optical data port on the reverse side of the add-on module 28, which will be in register with the optical data port 20 on the base meter unit 2 when the add-on module 28 is fitted to the base meter unit 2.
  • the invention has the following advantages.
  • the add-on module fitting and removal requires no changes to wiring or pipe work.
  • the base meter unit 2 can be changed to act like a credit meter or a pre-payment meter for example merely by replacing one add-on module with another which performs a different function. No additional complexity is experienced when changing the battery housed within the base meter unit 2.
  • the use of an optical data port between the base meter unit 2 and the add-on module 28 means that approval of such equipment by the regulatory authorities is greatly simplified, because the use of optical data ports prevent interference effects that could influence the metrology of the base.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Details Of Flowmeters (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Ein elektronischer Gaszähler zur Bereitstellung einer Gasmenge an den Kunden, wobei dieser Gaszähler aus einem Grundzähler (2) mit einer Digitalanzeige (18) zur optischen Anzeige der vom Kunden verbrauchten Gasmenge, und einem optischen Datenport (20), über den Zugriff zur elektronischen Schaltung im Grundzähler zur Datenkommunikationszwecken geschaffen wird, einer Batterieversorgung zur Speisung der elektronischen Schaltung im Grundzähler und einer Methode zur Sicherstellung der Batterieversorgung im Grundzähler besteht, was dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der Grundzähler Befestigungsstellen (22, 24, 26) besitzt, wodurch ein Zusatzmodul (28) mit einem optischen Datenport, der durchführbar so angeordnet ist, dass er mit dem optischen Datenport (20) des Grundzählers übereinstimmt, sicher am Grundzähler angebracht werden kann und bewirkt, dass das Zusatzmodul mit dem Grundzähler über den optischen Datenport kommunizieren kann.
  2. Ein Gaszähler nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Befestigungsstellen aus drei Aussparungen (22, 24, 26) bestehen, die an der Vorderfläche des Grundzählers an Positionen in der Nähe der mittigen oberen Kante und unteren Kante und an der äußeren Kante des Grundzählers vorhanden sind, wobei das besagte Zusatzmodul Vorsprünge enthält, die so angepasst sind, dass sie sich innerhalb einer entsprechenden Aussparung befinden, um zu ermöglichen, dass das Zusatzmodul einfach auf den Grundzähler geschoben und somit sicher befestigt werden kann.
  3. Ein Zähler nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Zusatzmodul eine Öffnung zur Aufnahme eines Befestigungsteils enthält, die so angeordnet ist, dass sie mit einer Öffnung innerhalb eines Batteriefachdeckels (14) am Grundmodul übereinstimmt, um zu ermöglichen, dass das Zusatzmodul und der Batteriefachdeckel durch ein einzelnes Befestigungsteil gesichert werden können.
  4. Ein Gaszähler nach einem Anspruch von 1-3, wobei das Zusatzmodul ein Vorauszahlungsmodul ist.
  5. Ein Gaszähler nach einem Anspruch von 1-3, wobei das Zusatzmodul ein Kreditmodul ist.
  6. Ein Zusatzmodul (28) das nach einem Anspruch von 1-5 betriebsfähig ist, wobei das besagte Zusatzmodul einen optischen Datenport hat, der durchführbar so angeordnet ist, dass er mit dem optischen Datenport (20) des Grundzählers (2) übereinstimmt, was dem Zusatzmodul (28) ermöglicht, mit dem Grundzähler über den optischen Datenport zu kommunizieren, wenn das Zusatzmodul (28) an den am Grundzähler (2) vorhandenen Befestigungsstellen (22, 24, 36) sicher befestigt wird.
EP97117727A 1996-11-15 1997-10-14 Verbesserungen für und in Bezug auf Gaszähler Expired - Lifetime EP0843288B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9623769 1996-11-15
GB9623769A GB2319342B (en) 1996-11-15 1996-11-15 Improvements in or relating to gas meters

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0843288A2 EP0843288A2 (de) 1998-05-20
EP0843288A3 EP0843288A3 (de) 2000-07-05
EP0843288B1 true EP0843288B1 (de) 2006-08-16

Family

ID=10802980

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97117727A Expired - Lifetime EP0843288B1 (de) 1996-11-15 1997-10-14 Verbesserungen für und in Bezug auf Gaszähler

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0843288B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE336769T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69736508D1 (de)
GB (1) GB2319342B (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE252724T1 (de) * 1999-07-03 2003-11-15 Gmt Gaselan Gas Mess Und Regel Vorrichtung zum freigeben oder sperren der abgabe von gas
GB0809126D0 (en) * 2008-05-20 2008-06-25 Pilot Systems London Ltd Metering energy use
CN106781046B (zh) * 2016-12-21 2019-02-22 杨启梁 物联网气表

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE58907586D1 (de) * 1989-12-04 1994-06-01 Siemens Ag Gasverbrauchsmesseinrichtung.
DE4023974A1 (de) * 1990-07-27 1992-01-30 Kromschroeder Ag G Zaehlwerk, insbesondere fuer gasmengenzaehler
EP0616201A1 (de) * 1993-03-19 1994-09-21 Landis & Gyr Business Support AG Gehäuse für einen Wärmezähler
DE29515396U1 (de) * 1994-09-16 1995-11-30 Amic Industries Ltd., Johannesburg Gehäuse für ein Stromabgabegerät

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9623769D0 (en) 1997-01-08
ATE336769T1 (de) 2006-09-15
DE69736508D1 (de) 2006-09-28
GB2319342A (en) 1998-05-20
GB2319342B (en) 2000-12-13
EP0843288A2 (de) 1998-05-20
EP0843288A3 (de) 2000-07-05

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