Sub-meter Interrupter for Utility Flow Meter Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility flow meters often require manual reading by personnel, and existing automatic meter reading systems do not allow third-parties to access granular data without interfering with the utility's ability to collect data, leading to limitations in data accessibility and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A sub-meter monitoring system with an interrupter that switches between states to allow either the utility or a third-party flow monitor to read the utility flow meter, ensuring the utility's default ability to read the meter is maintained while allowing third-party data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an automatic meter reading system is implemented to allow third-party data access, then data accessibility is improved, but the utility's ability to accurately collect data for billing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the meter connection state between utility-access mode and third-party access mode based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors utility reading activities and automatically transitions the meter to utility-access mode when a utility reading is detected, ensuring billing accuracy while allowing third-party access during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The interrupter acts as an intermediary device between the meter and external access points. It controls and mediates all access requests to the meter, filtering and managing traffic to ensure that third-party access does not interfere with utility billing operations while still providing granular data access to authorized parties.
2Loss of information
If third-parties are allowed to read the utility flow meter directly, then granular data access is improved, but interference with the utility's data collection process occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic state switching where the meter alternates between being accessible to third parties and being reserved for utility reading operations. The controller continuously monitors for utility reading attempts and automatically transitions the meter state to prevent interference, ensuring that granular data is available when needed while protecting billing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks to detect incoming utility reading requests before third-party access attempts. By anticipating and preemptively switching to utility-access mode when a utility reading is detected or about to occur, the system prevents potential interference before it can affect billing accuracy.
3Reliability
If the meter maintains default connection to the utility, then billing reliability is improved, but third-party data collection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a dynamic balance by defaulting to utility connection while enabling third-party access during non-billing periods. The controller automatically transitions between states based on operational context, ensuring billing reliability is preserved as the primary function while accommodating third-party data collection needs when they do not conflict with utility operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure allow third-parties to collect data at a utility flow meter without substantial interference with the utility's ability to collect data for its own purposes. In an exemplary embodiment, a sub-meter interrupter is included that has a default position to allow for utility reading of a utility flow meter and a second position that allows for third-party reading of the utility flow meter. A third-party flow monitor or interrupter can also monitor attempted “reads” by the utility while the third-party flow monitor is reading the utility flow meter and can switch to the default (e.g., utility read setting) so as to allow the utility to conduct its read.