Walter L Probert

US Patent:

48667617, Sep 12, 1989

Filed:

Jun 19, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/109446

Inventors:

Raymond J. Thornborough - Menomonee Falls WI
Walter L. Probert - Shorewood WI
Dennis L. Wachs - West Bend WI
Donald H. Strobel - Cedarburg WI
William L. Kidder - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Badger Meter, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H04M 1100

US Classification:

379107

Abstract:

Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call. An operator at the utility control center can control and receive data from a very large number of meter readers and readily obtain, display and print out a variety of types of data including cumulative consumption, peak rate and time-of-day data and data with respect to leakage conditions and tampering with a reader.

US Patent:

48171310, Mar 28, 1989

Filed:

Jun 20, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/876896

Inventors:

Raymond J. Thornborough - Menomonee Falls WI
Walter L. Probert - Shorewood WI
Dennis L. Wachs - West Bend WI
Donald H. Strobel - Cedarburg WI
William L. Kidder - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Badger Meter, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H04M 1100

US Classification:

379107

Abstract:

Automatic meter readers are arranged for connection to customers' telephone lines and for automatic dialing for transmission of meter data to a computer of a utility control center, communications being effected through a call collection module which includes a plurality of call collection units connected to separate telephone lines for handling of a large number of calls. Each meter reader is battery-operated and includes a microprocessor which is powered up periodically for a short time interval to store data, to determine whether the number of power-ups since the last meter data transmission is such that a call to the utility control center should be instituted, and to determine whether leakage, tamper or other conditions require an immediate call. An operator at the utility control center can control and receive data from a very large number of meter readers and readily obtain, display and print out a variety of types of data including cumulative consumption, peak rate and time-of-day data and data with respect to leakage conditions and tampering with a reader.

US Patent:

54519373, Sep 19, 1995

Filed:

Aug 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/107403

Inventors:

John A. Olson - Brookfield WI
Donald H. Strobel - Brookfield WI
Walter L. Probert - Glendale WI

Assignee:

Badger Meter, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H04Q 100

US Classification:

3408703

Abstract:

A module for interfacing a variety of metering pulse generators converts an analog pulse from a generator into a digital pulse which can be counted by automatic meter reading equipment. A charging circuit is connected across the inputs to receive, and be charged by, an input waveform from the metering pulse generator. A solid state switch responds to accumulated charge in the charging circuit to switch from an "off" state to an "on" state. A logic pulse generator is connected between the solid state switch and the outputs, for physical and electrical isolation of the metering pulse generator from the pulse counter. The logic pulse generator responds to the "on" state of the solid state switch to generate a logic pulse to the pulse counter.