EP2307862A1 - Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide - Google Patents

Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide

Info

Publication number
EP2307862A1
EP2307862A1 EP09772239A EP09772239A EP2307862A1 EP 2307862 A1 EP2307862 A1 EP 2307862A1 EP 09772239 A EP09772239 A EP 09772239A EP 09772239 A EP09772239 A EP 09772239A EP 2307862 A1 EP2307862 A1 EP 2307862A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
module
magnet
seal device
visual
meter
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09772239A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Serge Bulteau
Denis Guillot-Jerome
Shawn Showcatally
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.)
Itron Global SARL
Original Assignee
Itron France SAS
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 Itron France SAS filed Critical Itron France SAS
Priority to EP09772239A priority Critical patent/EP2307862A1/fr
Publication of EP2307862A1 publication Critical patent/EP2307862A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/007—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus comprising means to prevent fraud
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
    • G01F15/061—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication
    • G01F15/063—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication using electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
    • G09F3/0305—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used
    • G09F3/0317—Forms or constructions of security seals characterised by the type of seal used having bolt like sealing means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a remote-reader module for fastening on the cap of a fluid meter, in particular a water meter.
  • a remote-reader module serves to read consumption remotely and it is installed on meters that might already themselves be installed. For this purpose, it is applied to the top face of the cap of the meter's register so as to ensure that the reader arrangement of the module is positioned accurately relative to an arrangement internal to the register and thus enable consumption to be detected, e.g. by detecting an indicator disk. This detection may be performed optically, capacitively, inductively, etc., e.g. by observing the movement of the indicator disk.
  • a visual-effect seal device said tamper seal device may be inserted by force into a cavity formed in the cap of the module and surrounding the head of the screw.
  • the seal device is for example a part of substantially oblong shape that is made of flexible plastics material, which part is received tightly in the cavity, thereby covering the head and not being removable from the cavity without being destroyed at least in part, e.g. by using a screwdriver, thereby making it possible to detect visually that the module has been removed or that fraud has been perpetuated. That arrangement enables fraud to be visually detected only by an inspector going to the site and observing the meter together with its module. It does not enable the removal of a remote-reader module to be detected remotely.
  • Patent document EP 1 590 633 describes a remote- reader module for monitoring consumption by optically detecting an indicator disk, and for this purpose it proposes equipping the module with a light emitter that forms a trace on the indicator disk, which trace is centered on its axis of symmetry and faces a reflecting surface. The absence of the reflected beam indicates that the module is not in position on the meter.
  • That presence detection performs two functions. Firstly, it makes it possible to detect automatically that the module has been installed on the meter and thus to begin reading consumption automatically. Secondly, it enables fraudulent removal of the module to be detected and to actuate an alarm that is transmitted remotely.
  • remote-reader module for fastening on the cap of a fluid meter and including a fastener element for fastening the module on the meter together with an associated visual-effect seal device, the module being characterized in that said seal device includes a detection arrangement enabling its position on said module and its removal from said module to be detected remotely.
  • the positioning of the module is detected via the seal device associated with the fastener element of the module.
  • the seal device associated with the fastener element of the module.
  • the invention also ensures that the installer does not forget to install the visual-effect seal device on the module. This can be done merely by ensuring that the module operates only if the remote detection arrangement confirms that the device is in place, otherwise a corresponding alarm is actuated or unit remains in non-operating mode.
  • said detection arrangement comprises a sensor disposed in the module and an associated target disposed in said visual-effect seal device .
  • the sensor is thus protected inside the remote- reader module, with the target being detected through plastics material cap of the module. Since the target has no electrical connection, it can be placed in the fastener element, without any requirement for leak- proofing.
  • Said detection is preferably based on the electromagnetic effect.
  • said sensor is a Hall effect sensor and said target is a magnet.
  • a reed switch as sensor and a magnet as target
  • an electromagnetic coil as sensor and a metal plate as target
  • a capacitive sensor and a metal plate as target .
  • said sensor is a reed switch and said target is a first magnet.
  • a second magnet is disposed in the module facing said first magnet, said second magnet presenting a magnetic field opposite to the field from the first magnet and of absolute value equal to that of the magnetic field of the first magnet.
  • said visual-effect seal device is a piece of plastics material and said target is embedded in said piece.
  • Said fastener element may be secured to said visual- effect seal device forming part of said detection arrangement .
  • the fastener element may be constituted by a snap-fastener rod and may include a head of specific shape constituting said visual-seal device.
  • the target may thus be included directly in the fastener element including the seal device.
  • said fastener element is a screw passing through the module and screwed into a tapped female insert embedded in the cap of the meter, the head of said screw being placed on the outside face of said module.
  • the visual-effect seal device is inserted by force into a cavity surrounding the head of said screw.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a remote-reader module in accordance with the invention together with a meter.
  • Figure 2 is a section view showing a remote-reader module in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention and mounted on a meter.
  • Figures 3 and 4 are section views showing a remote- reader module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and mounted on a meter.
  • Figure 1 shows a fluid meter 1, more precisely a water meter, comprising a casing referred to as a vessel 2 that is provided with a water inlet pipe 2A and a water outlet pipe 2B and that is surmounted by a register 3 containing a mechanism for transmitting and gearing down rotation of the shaft of a measuring element, such as a spinner or a volume-measuring chamber, that is contained in the vessel 2, which transmission is applied to a device 3A for displaying consumption and a rotary indicator disk 3B.
  • a fluid meter 1 more precisely a water meter, comprising a casing referred to as a vessel 2 that is provided with a water inlet pipe 2A and a water outlet pipe 2B and that is surmounted by a register 3 containing a mechanism for transmitting and gearing down rotation of the shaft of a measuring element, such as a spinner or a volume-measuring chamber, that is contained in the vessel 2, which transmission is applied to a device 3A for displaying consumption and a
  • a remote-reader detector module 5 is placed on the top wall of the meter 1 in order to enable water consumption and also water flow direction to be detected remotely.
  • the module 5 includes a through orifice 6 having a screw 7 inserted therein with the end of the screw being screwed into a tapped metal insert 8 that is embedded in the molding of the cap of the register 3.
  • the fastener element constituted by the screw 7 is associated with a visible-effect seal device 9 constituted by a piece of flexible plastics material inserted by force into a cavity 10 arranged in the cover of the module 5 and surrounding the head 7A of the screw 7.
  • this arrangement for fastening a remote-reader module 5 on the cover of a fluid meter 1 thus includes a fastener element associated with the module and comprising a screw 7, together with a visual-effect seal device 9, the seal device including an arrangement enabling its position and its removal to be detected remotely.
  • this detection relies on an electromagnetic effect and a Hall effect sensor 12 is placed in the module 5 on its electronics card 13, while the associated target constituted by a magnet 11 is embedded in the visual- effect seal element 9.
  • the visual-effect seal device 9 is substantially oblong in shape, corresponding to the shape of the cavity 10, thereby ensuring that the visual seal device is positioned in a unique relative position.
  • the voltage from the Hall effect sensor 12 is measured by the microcontroller already present in the remote-reader module 5 and a voltage threshold is defined in order to detect the presence of the magnet 11 in the seal device 9.
  • the module 5 When the module 5 is installed on the meter 3, the module is fastened by screwing the screw 7 into the tapped insert 8 of the meter, and then the visual-effect seal device 9 is inserted by force into the corresponding cavity 10, thereby placing the magnet 11 close to the
  • Hall effect sensor 12 and actuating a signal indicating that the module has been put into place and causing the remote reader to be put into operation.
  • the visual-effect seal device 9 In a fraudulent attempt to disassemble the module, the visual-effect seal device 9 needs to be removed in order to be able to unscrew the screw 7, and as a result the magnet 11 is moved away from the Hall effect sensor 12, thereby causing an alarm signal to be activated that indicates the attempted fraud.
  • the Hall effect sensor 12 detects variation in the level of the electromagnetic field, its reference value being the value for the magnet 11. An alarm is then actuated electronically and the fraud is detected remotely.
  • detection is by the electromagnetic effect, and a reed switch 22 is placed in the module 5 on its electronics card 13, and an associated target constituted by a first magnet 21, referred to as an opening magnet, is embedded in the visual-effect seal element 9.
  • the visual seal device 9 is likewise of substantially oblong shape corresponding to the shape of the cavity 10, thereby ensuring that the visual seal device is positioned in a unique relative position.
  • This closing magnet 23 delivers a magnetic field opposite to that of the opening magnet 21, and of the same absolute value.
  • the module 5 When the module 5 is installed on the meter 3, the module is fastened by screwing the screw 7 into the tapped insert 8 of the meter, and then the visual-effect seal device 9 is inserted by force into the corresponding cavity 10, thereby placing the opening magnet 21 close to the reed switch 22, and the reed switch, while it is subjected to a zero magnetic field opens and initiates the operation of the remote reader module.
  • visual-effect seal device 9 needs to be removed in order to unscrew the screw 7, and as a result the opening magnet 21 is moved away from the reed switch 22, which is then subjected to the magnetic field of the closing magnet 23, thereby actuating an alarm signal indicating the attempt at fraud.
  • the reed switch 22 is subjected to the magnetic field of the external magnet adding to or subtracting from the magnetic field of the closing magnet 23, thereby closing the reed switch and actuating an alarm and causing the fraud to be detected remotely.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un module de lecture à distance pour fixation sur le capuchon d'un compteur de fluide, et comprenant un élément de fixation destiné à fixer le module sur le compteur, en même temps qu'un dispositif de scellement associé à effet visuel. Selon l'invention, ledit dispositif de scellement comprend un arrangement de détection permettant de détecter à distance sa position sur ledit module et le fait qu'il ait été enlevé dudit module.
EP09772239A 2008-07-01 2009-05-15 Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide Withdrawn EP2307862A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09772239A EP2307862A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2009-05-15 Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08305369A EP2141465A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2008-07-01 Agencement de fixation d'un module de tele releve sur le capot d'un compteur de fluide
PCT/EP2009/055936 WO2010000539A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2009-05-15 Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide
EP09772239A EP2307862A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2009-05-15 Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2307862A1 true EP2307862A1 (fr) 2011-04-13

Family

ID=40019423

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08305369A Withdrawn EP2141465A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2008-07-01 Agencement de fixation d'un module de tele releve sur le capot d'un compteur de fluide
EP09772239A Withdrawn EP2307862A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2009-05-15 Module de lecture à distance pour fixation au capuchon d'un compteur de fluide

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08305369A Withdrawn EP2141465A1 (fr) 2008-07-01 2008-07-01 Agencement de fixation d'un module de tele releve sur le capot d'un compteur de fluide

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP2141465A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102084227B (fr)
AU (1) AU2009265988B2 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0915281A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010000539A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5370473B2 (ja) 2009-02-27 2013-12-18 パナソニック株式会社 無線機ケース取付け具
EP2609404B1 (fr) 2010-08-23 2020-09-23 Itron Global SARL Compteur de fluide, en particulier d'eau, equipe d'un module de tele-releve
DE202011108935U1 (de) * 2011-12-13 2012-02-22 Techem Energy Services Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Erkennung von Manipulationen an Verbrauchserfassungsgeräten
CN104048724A (zh) * 2014-06-30 2014-09-17 江苏赛达电子科技有限公司 上采样分离式远传水表
CN110231067A (zh) * 2019-07-12 2019-09-13 厦门市诺特科技发展有限公司 一种智能水表釆样发讯基表

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ZA892671B (en) * 1989-02-28 1989-12-27 City Communications Ltd Meters
FR2670285A1 (fr) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-12 Schlumberger Ind Sa Procede et dispositif pour la detection d'un deplacement.
NL9300283A (nl) * 1993-02-12 1994-09-01 Kema Nv Zegelsysteem voor een object, en een zegel daarvoor.
US6774807B1 (en) * 1999-03-02 2004-08-10 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Tamper detection mechanism
FR2849186B1 (fr) * 2002-12-23 2005-02-04 Actaris Sas Dispositif de detection du positionnement d'un module de mesure sur un compteur de fluide
FR2850748B1 (fr) * 2003-02-05 2005-12-30 Actaris Sas Dispositif de detection optique pour compteur
CN2662209Y (zh) * 2003-12-09 2004-12-08 潘柯 一种远传燃气表
FR2868530B1 (fr) 2004-03-30 2006-05-26 Actaris Agencement destine a la fixation d'un dispositif sur le capot d'un compteur de fluide.
DE102004052993B4 (de) * 2004-11-03 2020-06-25 Elster Meßtechnik GmbH Vorrichtung zur Erkennung von Gehäusemanipulationen
EP1924826A1 (fr) * 2005-09-12 2008-05-28 Sauro Bianchelli Dispositif et procede permettant de mesurer automatiquement la quantite de gaz consommee par calcul de mouvement periodique de mecanisme de fonctionnement interne de compteurs
DE202007003276U1 (de) * 2007-03-02 2007-05-03 Zenner International Gmbh & Co. Kg Wasserzähler

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2010000539A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010000539A1 (fr) 2010-01-07
AU2009265988A1 (en) 2010-01-07
BRPI0915281A2 (pt) 2016-02-16
CN102084227A (zh) 2011-06-01
CN102084227B (zh) 2012-11-07
EP2141465A1 (fr) 2010-01-06
AU2009265988B2 (en) 2014-08-28

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