GB2494405A

GB2494405A - Automatic meter reading component bracket system

Info

Publication number: GB2494405A
Application number: GB1115356.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Middleton
Original assignee: METERMIMIC Ltd
Current assignee: METERMIMIC Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-06
Filing date: 2011-09-06
Publication date: 2013-03-13
Also published as: GB201115356D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic meter reading (AMR) component bracket system in the utility industry. Implementation of AMR for water meters particularly but not exclusively poses particular problems due to the harsh environmental conditions and severe size constraints that are frequently encountered. The present invention provides an AMR component system comprising a supporting structure 72 having a closing arm74 arranged to extend around and at least partially embrace an AMR component container 10, 12. The arm has a flange or lip 78 for limiting the axial movement of the AMR component container along the container's main axis direction. A later embodiment relates to a back plate 86 comprising at least one relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) linked for engagement and positioning of the bracket system.

Description

Automatic Meter Reading bracket system

Background

In the quest for efficiency and better use of resources, there is currently a trend towards automatic meter reading (AMR) in the utility industry. The implementation of AMR for water meters poses particular problems due to the harsh environmental conditions and severe size constraints that are frequently encountered.

1. Environmental Conditions The majority of water meters are located in external pits. These are prone to flooding due to rainfall, rising groundwater or water supply leaks. The AMR equipment must therefore be able to survive the extremes of outdoor temperatures and be capable of operating even when submerged. Most AMR equipment enclosures must be waterproof, ideally to standard 1P68, to enable operation in conditions of permanent flooding.

2. Size Constraints A significant proportion of water meters in the UK are housed in external boundary boxes and this type of installation is becoming more common. A boundary box consists of a circular plastic tube sunk into the ground covered by a hinged plastic lid lying flush with the pavement or external surface. The meter is mounted in the bottom of the tube next to a stop valve. Boundary box depths vary from over a meter to as little as 300mm and their diameter is around 1 80mm.

3. External Connections External connections to meters, sensors, antennas and power sources must satisfy the requirements of points 1 and 2 described above.

4. Servicing Requirements There is usually no external electrical power source for water meter AMR equipment so in the majority of cases power must be derived from batteries.

Replacing batteries in units distributed over a wide geographical area is a time consuming manual process and the travelling involved has an energy cost which to some extent negates the benefit of installing the AMR in the first place. To bring costs to an acceptable level service intervals should be no more frequent than once every few years. The enclosure must therefore be able to accommodate a battery pack with sufficient capacity to satisfy this requirement and still comply with the requirements described in points 1 and 2 described above.

The battery changing process should not involve a reconnection that is difficult to perform in an outdoor environment or which compromises the integrity of the enclosure in any way. Any exposure of internal electronic components in an outdoor environment is unacceptable.

The time taken to change batteries should be minimised as far as possible and should not involve the use of specialist tools or materials.

5. Operational requirements To comply with the requirements it is not acceptable for AMR equipment to be mounted an top of the water meter or stop tap or to obstruct them in any way so positioning of the equipment is restricted to the spaces between the meter, stop tap and boundary box wall.

This imposes severe limitations on cross sectional dimensions. Height is restricted to no more than 300mm to allow for shallow meter installations. The space occupied by external connectors and cables must be included within these size limits.

If a substantially circular cross section is used for the enclosure, which presents practical advantages in order to seal against water ingress, practical tests to evaluate constraints on size have demonstrated that ideally a diameter of no more than 58mm would be the optimum for boundary box AMR applications.

Servicing of AMR units should be minimal and ideally a unit should provide battery capacity for a few years continuous operation. Larger batteries, such as D size can be specified, but these take up too much of the allowable enclosure diameter to enable the circuit board to fit alongside and placing the circuit board in line with the batteries would make the equipment too long.

The inventors have therefore devised that the circuit board and batteries could therefore housed in separate enclosures and connected via an external cable.

This provides an advantage in that batteries can be changed without the need to open the enclosing container. This also allows the connection and disconnection of the batteries to be intrinsically safe within safety critical zones and explosive atmosphere environments (i.e. ATEX Directive Zone 0 compliant).

In order to support the enclosures, which in the preferred embodiment are of substantially cylindrical or prismatic shape, the inventors have developed a bracket system specifically adapted to support and secure the AMR equipment enclosures.

The enclosures may have the following features: Ideally to improve transmission capabilities an outlet for an antenna or antenna cable is required, and generally to improve the sensing capabilities an outlet for a meter sensor or meter sensor cable is further required.

This means that the enclosure will require at least one outlet is a separate battery pack is used and ideally three or more outlets will be required overall.

The external cables and connectors for connection to the meter (or meter sensor), battery and antenna must advantageously be waterproof, ideally to 1P68 standard.

In the preferred embodiment, an enclosure cap is provided having three outlets arranged at an angle to each other, and so they mutually diverge in the direction away from the enclosure. The angled design of the enclosure cap allows 3 connectors to be accommodated within a cross sectional area not large enough to accommodate them on a flat surface and with the axis of the outlets parallel to each other. The angle is ideally made small enough that it does not cause splaying out of the external connectors beyond the limits of the enclosure outside diameter.

Statement of invention

What is provided is an Automatic Meter Reading component bracket system according to claims 1 to 38.

What is provided is a back plate according to claims 39 to 41.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig.1 shows front and top views of the bracket assembly for securing AMR device container(s).

Fig.2 shows a perspective view of the bracket assembly for securing AMR device container(s), from an upper right point of view.

Fig.3 shows a perspective view of the bracket assembly for securing AMR device container(s), from a lower-left point of view.

Fig.4 shows a perspective view of the bracket assembly securing two AMR device containers, from an upper right point of view.

Fig.5 shows a perspective view of the bracket assembly securing three AMR device containers, from an upper point of view.

Fig.6 shows a drawing with the assembly components for an AMR device container arranged to be secured with the bracket system of the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Figure 5 shows the main container part 10 wherein the circuit board and other electronic components of the AMR can be inserted into the body. The enclosure cylindrical shape which then tapers to a narrower section at the closed end 14. The narrower section makes the unit easier to manage and to locate in tight spaces. Another enclosure of cylindrical shape 11 can be used to house the batteries and a further enclosure 12 can be used as an interconnector for daisy chaining with other devices or sensors, or for housing smaller components.

The bracket system comprises three interlocking C-shaped supporting structures 72 for supporting the main container parts 10 to 12, and each structure 72 is provided with a closing arm 74, which can be provided with locking features to limit the axial movement of the enclosures.

Figure 1 shows the construction of a supporting and securing bracket or bracket system 70 for the AMR component(s).

Each bracket comprises a C-shaped structure 72 arranged, in use, to embrace, preferably with a close fit, the cylindrical portion of the AMR component main container 10. An enclosing member or arm 74 is hinged at 76 in order to swing towards, or away from, the container. The arm 74 is preferably provided with a flange or lip 78, which in use extends towards the main axis of the container 10 (or the centre of the C-shape structure). In practice this flange 78 abuts against a relative protrusion of the container in order to secure it in place and limit the axial movement of the supported container. tn the preferred embodiment the relative protrusion is provided by the annular member (60, Fig.6) however in alternative embodiments, it may also be provided by a protruding ring, or by a circumferential groove or channel on the AMR container body. In further alternative embodiments this flange may be provided instead, or also, on the C-shaped structure 72. In yet further alternative embodiments these limiting elements need not be necessarily be continuous or linear (they may be intermittent or dotted elements). In the simplest form, they can even be reduced to a single protrusion or depression, which interlocks or abuts against a matching depression or protrusion, either on the C-shaped structure 72, or on the arm 74, or both.

In the preferred embodiment the arm 74 is hinged on one side at 76 and it may have a hole 80 to allow a padlock or security tag or loop to pass there through to lock the arm in place.

In other embodiments the arm may just be secured in place via an engagement, or a snap-fit engagement, at one end when the other is hinged, or indeed at both ends if a hinge was not used.

The C-shaped members 72 may have interlocking features 82 arranged to interlock with another member 72 placed on the side, as is shown in Fig.1.

Members 72 are provided with a hole or holes (100, Fig.3) on the back surface 88 in order to allow the passage of fasteners or screws. In the preferred embodiment, the members 72 are provided with holes extending from the central portion of the C shape to the rear wall 88. Holes or slots (102, Fig.3) may also be provided to allow the passage of cable ties, jubilee clips or similar type of fasteners The central portion of the rear wall 88 may also be provided with a cut-out or groove 84, extending in the drawing in the same direction as the axis hinge 76. It may also have another cut-out or groove (not shown) on the rear wall 88 and along a direction substantially normal to the said groove 84. The groove 84 facilitates the attachment of a single bracket to a substantially vertical tubular surface or beam (eg via cable ties), and the other groove facilitates the attachment of one or more linked brackets to a substantially horizontal tubular surface or beam. In the preferred embodiment the groove has a curved cross section, but in alternative embodiments it may have substantially triangular, square, rectangular or polygonal cross-sections, or indeed any cross section. The surface of the groove may also be serrated or rubberised in order to increase friction with the supporting structure.

On substantially flat surfaces, the brackets can be attached directly via screw or bolt type fasteners, and/or they may be attached to a securing plate 86.

The securing plate may be provided with engagement prongs or structures 92 to 98 in order to secure the bracket parts 72 to the plate.

The securing plate may be provided with reinforcement ribs 90 to improve rigidity.

The plate 86 itself can be fastened to the wall via screw fasteners or via adhesive (eg contact type) on the back wall of the plate.

Figure 2 shows the structures 72 with enclosing arms 74 mounted on the securing plate 86.

The securing plate can be provided with engagement elements to engage the bracket structures 72. In the preferred embodiment these engagement elements engage the upper and lower portions of the structure 72.

The upper engagement elements may consist of a surface 96 extending in a direction normal to the main plane of the supporting plate upper so as to limit the movement of the structures 72 in the direction that, in use, corresponds to the direction of main axis of the supported containers 10 to 12.

The upper engagement elements may comprise also engagement tabs or prongs 98 which extend into recesses provided on the bracket structures 72.

These tabs, lugs or prongs 98 may extend from the surface 96.

Figure 3 shows the same structures 72 with enclosing arms 74 mounted on the securing plate 86.

As seen in the Figure, the lower engagement elements may consist of a surface 92 extending in a direction normal to the main plane of the supporting plate upper so as to limit the movement of the structures 72 in the direction that, in use, corresponds to the direction of main axis of the supported containers 10 to 12.

The lower engagement elements may comprise also engagement tabs or prongs 94 which extend into recesses provided on the bracket structures 72.

These tabs or prongs 94 may extend from the surface 92.

Although shown are engagement elements which interlock the support structures 72 in three directions X, Y, Z, normal to each other, in other embodiments the engagements can be simplified and arranged to only provide locking or abutting action in two directions or indeed only one direction.

The engagement elements in the preferred embodiment are arranged to snap-fit with the supporting structures 72. In other embodiments they can also be arranged to engage by other know friction, slot-in, bayonet or screw-on fastening methods.

Figure 3 also shows the holes provided on supporting structures 72 for facilitating attachment to a supporting structure.

Holes 100 are provided to allow screw fasteners, and a pair of holes 102 is provided to allow for fastening via cable ties, jubilee clips or other type of loop fastener.

Figure 4 shows the main container pad 10 wherein the circuit board and other electronic components of the AMR can be inserted into the body. The enclosure cylindrical shape which then tapers to a narrower section at the closed end 14. The narrower section makes the unit easier to manage and to locate in tight spaces. Another enclosure of cylindrical shape 11 can be used to house the batteries.

The bracket system comprises two interlocking C-shaped supporting structures 72 for supporting the main container parts 10 to 12, and each structure 72 is shown provided with a closing arm 74, which can be provided with locking features to limit the axial movement of the enclosures. The bracket structures 72 are shown here engaged to an optional back plate 86.

Figure 5 shows the main container pad 10 wherein the circuit board and other electronic components of the AMR can be inserted into the body. The enclosure cylindrical shape which then tapers to a narrower section at the closed end 14. The narrower section makes the unit easier to manage and to locate in tight spaces. Another enclosure of cylindrical shape 11 can be used to house the batteries and a further enclosure 12 can be used as an inter-connector for daisy chaining with other devices or sensors, or for housing smaller components.

Figure 6 shows a typical assembly for the AMR device container. It shows an enclosing portion 20 arranged to enclose the main containing pad 10. The enclosing portion 20 is provided with apertures 22 for the reasons described below.

Ideally to improve transmission capabilities an outlet 22 for an antenna or antenna cable is required, and generally to improve the sensing capabilities another outlet 22 for a meter sensor or meter sensor cable is further required.

The enclosure 20 will require yet a further outlet 22 if a separate battery pack is used and hence, ideally, three or more outlets 22 will be required overall.

The external cables and connectors for connection to the meter (or meter sensor), battery and antenna must ideally be waterproof to 1P68 standard.

In the preferred embodiment, an enclosure cap is provided having three outlets arranged at an angle to each other, and so they mutually diverge in the direction away from the enclosure. The angled design of the enclosure cap with three inclined surfaces allows three connectors to be accommodated within a cross sectional area not large enough to accommodate them on a flat surface and with the axis of the outlets parallel to each other. The angle is ideally made small enough that it does not cause splaying out of the external connectors beyond the limits of the enclosure outside diameter of enclosure 20.

Enclosure 20 also has a flange or shoulder 28 which can interact with a third part in order to secure the enclosure to the main body part 10.

Figure 6 shows a portion 20' of the enclosure part 20 which may be moulded or fabricated separately. Portion 20' is ring-shaped with one end being designed with a stepped section arranged to align or interlock with the enclosing part 20, and the other end designed to fit concentrically within or over the open end of the main container part 10.

Figure 6 also shows a circular rubber seal 40 which is pushed onto the lower pad of the portion 20' to form the seal between portion 20 and the main body when the enclosure is assembled. The seal 40 is made of resilient rubber or polyurethane and may have a wedge-shaped cross section at 42. This type of seal forms an excellent barrier to water ingress and is highly tolerant to variation in the amount of compression applied.

Figure 6 shows a third securing part 60. The securing part 60 has an annular shape with two ends: one with a threaded engagement means 64 to engage with a matching thread engagement means 16 on the main part 10, and the other with a radially-extending lip, flange or shoulder 62 arranged to extend inwardly and engage with the engagement portion 28 of the enclosing part 20.

Parts 20 and 20' are joined together and they provide the enclosure portion.

In use, the seal 40 is positioned over the end 32 of portion 20', and then part 20/20' with its end 32 inserted concentrically within the open end portion of the main container 10. The annular securing part 60 is then positioned over the enclosing part 20 and rotated so that both threads 62 and 16 engage together, adjusting parts 10 and 20 axially towards each other, and providing a sealed closure thanks to seal 40 which fills the gap between parts 10 and 20'.

Alternatively, the part with the shoulder or flange could be part 10, and the part with the thread could be part 20.

The thread adjusting mechanism is not essential and other adjusting mechanisms capable of providing axial compression could also be used, such as for example a bayonet mechanism, or a snap fit mechanism.

Both parts 10 and 20 could be secured to each other with matching engagement or securing means between themselves. However the third part allows parts 10 and 20 to be axially compressed and secured without the need of relative rotation between them. This is advantageous given that these devices are used in restricted spaces and have generally between one and three connecting leads (via the connectors, e.g. the 1P68 standard connectors -not shown), which would become entangled or twisted if relative rotation was required.

The skilled person should note that the scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The scope of the invention is given by the claims attached herewith.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. -An Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) component bracket system, said system comprising: a) at least one supporting structure, said structure, in use, having a support portion arranged to extend around and at least partially embrace an AMR component container b) a limiting member for limiting, in use, the axial movement of the AMR component container along the container's main axis direction.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. -The bracket system of claim 1 further comprising a movable member, which, in use, is engaged to, or engageable to, the support portion and arranged to complement it to further embrace the AMR component container.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. -The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the supporting portion comprises the limiting member.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. -The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the movable member comprises the limiting member.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. -The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the movable member has a first end and a second end and the first end is hinged to the support portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>6.-The bracket system of claim 5 wherein the second end of the movable member is engageable with the support portion via a snap fit engagement.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. -The bracket system of claim 5 wherein the second end of the movable member comprises a hole for securing the second end with the support portion via a loop or tie.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. -The bracket system of claims 1-5 wherein the movable member has a first end and a second end and the first end and both ends are engageable with the support portion via a snap fit engagement.</claim-text> <claim-text>9.-The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the limiting member is a relative protrusion extending, in use, into a relative recess, or recessed area, of the supported AMR component container.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. -The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the limiting member is a relative recess, which in use, is engaged by a relative protrusion, protruding area or flange, of the supported AMR component container.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. -The bracket system of claim 9, wherein the recessed area on the AMR component container is defined between a joining annular member (60) and one of enclosing parts (10, 20) of the container engaged by the said joining member.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. -The bracket system of claim 9 or 11, wherein the relative protrusion is formed on the movable member as a flange, tab, lug or finger, extending, in use, towards the main axis of the supported AMR component container.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. -The bracket system of claim 12, wherein the relative protrusion abuts, in use, against the joining annular member.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. -The bracket system of any preceding claim wherein the said at least one supporting structure comprises side inter-engagement or interlocking formations for attachment to a similar supporting structure, in side-by-side fashion.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. -The bracket system of claim 14, wherein such interlocking formations are at least one set of dove and tail formations.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. -The bracket system of claim 14, wherein such interlocking formations are at least one set of male and female formations.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. -The bracket system of claim 16, wherein the male formations have a head and a neck or a shape in the form of a peninsula.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a wall for attachment to a support surface, and wherein such wall is provided with a through hole for a screw fastener, for fastening the support structure to the support surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a wall for attachment to a support surface, and wherein such wall is provided with a at least two holes or slots arranged to allow passage of a cable tie, a jubilee clip or a loop fastener, for fastening the support structure to the support surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, further comprising a back plate, the back plate comprising at least one relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) for positioning the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. -The bracket system of claim 20, wherein the relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) are arranged to interengage the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. -The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) are arranged to detachably mount with the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. -The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) are arranged to snap-fit with the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. -The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) are arranged to interlock with the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. -The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) are arranged to form a non-detachable attachment with the at least one support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. -The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the relative protrusion(s) are formation(s) comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends in a direction normal to the main plane of the support plate and, in use, towards the at least one support structure, and a second portion extends parallel to the direction of the main plane of the support plate, and towards the at least one support structure and into a relative recess within the said support structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>27.-The bracket system of claim 21, wherein the formation(s) have a substantially "[-shaped" section.</claim-text> <claim-text>28.-The bracket system of claim 26, wherein the support structure comprises at least a recess, into which in use, the relative protrusion(s) of the support plate extend into.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a wall for attachment to a support surface, and wherein such wall is provided with a first channel, for facilitating alignment of the support structure to a tubular, cylindrical or prismatic support surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. -The bracket system of claim 29, wherein such wall is provided with a second channel, for facilitating alignment of the support structure to a tubular, cylindrical or prismatic support surface, wherein such second channel is at an angle to the first channel.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. -The bracket system of claim 29 or 30, wherein the first or second channels have a cross section which is bow-shaped.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, when supporting an AMR component container 33. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, wherein the AMR component container comprises a portion of tubular section.34. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, comprising at least two of the said support structures.35. -The bracket system of any preceding claim, comprising at least three of the said support structures.36. -The bracket system of claim 34, wherein each support structure is supporting or securing an AMR component container.37. -The bracket system of claim 36 where the AMR component containers are linked via a cable.38. -A bracket system as herewith described with reference to the drawings.39. -A back plate comprising at least one relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) for releasable attachment to a bracket system as defined in claims 1 to 19.40. -A back plate comprising at least one relative protrusion(s) or recess(es) that are inextricably linked for engagement and positioning of a bracket system as defined in claims ito 19.41. -A back plate as herewith described with reference to the drawings.</claim-text>