Meter Collar Powering Gas Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility companies face high costs and resource expenditure due to the frequent replacement of battery-powered gas sensors, which limits their operational life and efficiency in detecting combustible gases near electric meters.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a collar with connectors for electricity phases, allowing a gas sensor to be powered by the electric meter's source side, avoiding metering of the sensor's energy consumption and enabling extended operation by utilizing utility electric power, with the sensor being partially housed within the collar and connected to the meter's conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a battery is used to power the gas sensor, then the sensor can operate independently, but the operating life is limited and requires frequent battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the battery-powered system and connects it directly to the utility power source through the collar, removing the battery component entirely. This allows the sensor to draw power continuously from the utility company's electrical infrastructure, eliminating the need for battery replacement and extending operational life indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the meter, establishes electrical connections for power and data, and houses the sensor. By making the collar multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate battery-powered sensor units, allowing continuous operation through utility power while reducing maintenance requirements.
2Reliability
If a battery-powered sensor is installed, then gas detection can be performed, but resource expenditure and costs increase due to frequent battery changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system becomes self-sustaining by drawing power directly from the utility's electrical infrastructure through the collar. The utility company's existing power infrastructure serves the sensor automatically without requiring external intervention for battery replacement, making the system self-maintaining and reducing resource expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensor power supply with the utility's electrical infrastructure by connecting the sensor through the collar to the meter's electrical contacts. This consolidation eliminates the separate battery power source and integrates the sensor into the existing utility-powered system, reducing overall resource requirements and maintenance costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is connected to the load side of the meter, then the setup is simple, but the sensor's energy consumption is attributed to the end customer
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as an intermediary device between the meter and the sensor, providing a dedicated electrical connection path. By routing power through the collar's electrical contacts rather than through the load side, the system establishes a separate power delivery path that allows the utility to control and track energy consumption independently from customer billing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor operates on battery power, then installation is independent of utility infrastructure, but continuous monitoring capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is pre-installed on the meter during utility infrastructure setup, establishing the power and data connection pathways in advance. This preliminary installation of the collar with its electrical contacts allows the sensor to be easily connected later without requiring independent power sourcing, enabling continuous operation while maintaining installation simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for measuring a parameter level is provided. The system including an electricity meter, the meter having an electricity measurement sensor having a source side and a load side. A socket and a collar are provided. The collar being electrically connected between the socket and the electricity meter, the collar having at least one first connector for a first phase of electricity and at least one second connector for a second phase of electricity, the first connector and second connector being electrically coupled to the load side, and a sensor electrically connected to at least one of the at least one first connector and the at least one second connector.