Utility Meter Display During Power Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters cannot display energy consumption information during power outages, making it difficult to access meter data when utility power is absent, which is inconvenient for periodic readings and situations where power is intentionally disconnected.
Innovation Solution
A utility meter with a processing circuit that enters a sleep mode to conserve energy when power is absent, and uses a magnetically-actuated switch to generate a pulse signal to display stored metering values temporarily, allowing data access even without primary power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the meter uses a secondary power source to enable display during power outages, then data accessibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The meter uses periodic wake-up cycles where the processing circuit activates at predetermined intervals to display stored metering values, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation allows data access during power outages while minimizing secondary power source consumption by keeping the system dormant between display cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter pre-stores metering values in memory before power outages occur. When powered by the secondary power source during an outage, the system retrieves and displays these pre-stored values rather than performing real-time measurements, reducing energy consumption while maintaining data accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the processing circuit remains active to display values during power outages, then data accessibility is improved, but the duration of power source operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuit operates in periodic wake-up cycles, activating briefly to display stored values then returning to sleep mode. This extends the secondary power source operation duration by minimizing active processing time while still providing periodic data access during power outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs only the minimum necessary processing to display stored metering values during power outages, rather than maintaining full operational capability. This partial action approach extends power source duration while providing sufficient data accessibility.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the meter enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect and respond to power restoration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetically-actuated switch enables the meter to self-wake from sleep mode when a magnet is presented to it, triggering the processing circuit to activate and check for power restoration. This self-service mechanism allows energy-efficient sleep operation while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to power restoration events.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetically-actuated switch serves as an intermediary trigger mechanism that bridges the sleep mode and active mode. When activated by a magnetic field, it signals the processing circuit to wake up and assess power status, enabling passive sleep operation with on-demand activation for power restoration detection.
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
Enables the display of metering values during power outages, facilitating data access and reducing the need for restarting the meter, while conserving secondary power source energy by limiting display operations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetically-actuated switch, and a first circuit. The processing circuit has a first mode and a second mode... The magnetically-actuated switch has a first state and a second state and is coupled to provide a first output signal to the second input of the processing circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a processing circuit, a magnetically-actuated switch, and a first circuit. The processing circuit has a first mode and a second mode. The processing circuit performs a first set of metering operations related to energy metering in the first mode, and a second set of operations in the second mode or sleep mode. The second set of operations has fewer operations than the first set of operation, and requires less energy. The switch has is coupled to provide a first output signal to the processing circuit. The first circuit is configured to generate a pulse signal responsive to the switch transitioning states, and is operably coupled to provide the pulse signal to the processing circuit. The processing circuit causes display of stored values responsive to receiving the pulse and receiving the first output signal.