Meter Transmission Coupler With Stable Near-Field RF Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters installed in humid or flooded environments face inefficient radio communication due to galvanic radio frequency connectors, which are undesirable for water intrusion risks, and existing non-galvanic transmission couplers are affected by varying media surrounding the coupler, leading to unstable near field coupling.
Innovation Solution
A transmission coupler with a displacement element that occupies a volume near the coupling antenna, reducing the influence of surrounding media on near field coupling, ensuring stable and efficient radio signal transfer without a galvanic connection to the utility meter's electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a galvanic radio frequency connector is used to connect an external antenna to the transceiver, then efficient radio signal transfer is achieved, but water intrusion risk increases due to the galvanic connection through the meter housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-galvanic transmission coupler as an intermediary device between the internal antenna and external transmission line. This coupler uses near-field electromagnetic coupling instead of direct galvanic connection, thereby maintaining efficient radio signal transfer while eliminating the water intrusion pathway through the meter housing.
2Reliability
If a non-galvanic transmission coupler is used to avoid water intrusion, then water protection is improved, but coupling efficiency becomes unstable due to varying surrounding media (water, sand, mud)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a displacement element that actively modifies the electromagnetic environment around the coupling antenna. By displacing the surrounding medium (water, sand, mud) from the immediate vicinity of the antenna, the element stabilizes the electromagnetic parameters (permittivity, permeability) in the coupling region, thereby maintaining consistent near-field coupling efficiency despite external media variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement element creates an inert electromagnetic environment around the coupling antenna by excluding variable external media. This stable electromagnetic 'atmosphere' ensures that the coupling characteristics remain consistent regardless of whether the meter is surrounded by air, water, or other materials.
3Loss of energy
If the transmission coupler is tuned for optimal coupling in air, then coupling efficiency is maximized in air conditions, but performance degrades when surrounded by water or other media
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement element dynamically adjusts the electromagnetic parameters in the vicinity of the coupling antenna to maintain optimal coupling conditions. By displacing variable external media and replacing them with a stable electromagnetic environment, the element ensures that the antenna operates at its designed resonance frequency and coupling characteristics regardless of external media conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable and efficient non-galvanic transfer of radio signals, maintaining high coupling efficiency even in poor radio communication conditions, such as flooded meter pits, by creating a consistent electromagnetic environment around the coupling antenna.
Implementation Method 1
a near field coupling is provided between the meter antenna and the coupling antenna through the meter housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a transmission coupler for receiving radio signals carrying consumption data from a utility meter. The utility meter comprises a meter housing wherein a radio frequency transmitter circuit and a meter antenna is arranged. The transmission coupler comprises a coupling antenna, a transmission line or a radio frequency connector for connection of a transmission line and a mechanical connection element. The mechanical connection element is arranged for mechanically connection of the transmission coupler to an outer surface of the meter housing whereby a near field coupling is provided between the meter antenna and the coupling antenna through the meter housing. The transmission line or radio frequency connector is electrically connected to the coupling antenna. The transmission coupler further comprises a displacement element arranged to occupy a volume in the proximity of the coupling antenna, whereby a volume of a medium surrounding the transmission coupler is displaced away from the coupling antenna by the displacement element, such that the influence on the near field coupling by the medium surrounding the coupling antenna is reduced.