Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – Plural inputs
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-26
2002-11-05
Le, N. (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
Plural inputs
Reexamination Certificate
active
06476595
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic energy meters, and more particularly to packaging for electronic energy meters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Programmable electronic energy meters are rapidly replacing electro-mechanical meters due to the enhanced functionality achieved using programmable logic integrated into solid-state electronic meters. Some of these meters can be used to meter various different electrical services without hardware modification. For example, meters having a voltage operating range between 98 Vrms to 526 Vrms are capable of operation with either 120 V or 480 V services. U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,621, dated Oct. 10, 1995, entitled SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY HAVING VOLTAGE BLOCKING CLAMP, assigned to ABB Automation Inc. discloses examples of such meters. In addition, some meters are constructed for use with any 3-wire or any 4-wire service, also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,621.
However, many meters have complex packages that are difficult to assemble and which make it difficult to test the meter, leading to increased costs and lower reliability. Therefore, there remains a need for an electronic meter package that is easy to assemble, reliable, and permits easy testing of the enclosed meter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an electronic energy meter and its package. The meter package has a reduced number of parts, and the main circuit board assembly has the metering electronics on board, thereby eliminating the need for flying leads and point-to-point wiring within the package. Thus, the meter package is mechanically simplified compared to presently available meter packages, resulting in a lower cost and a more reliable meter contained therein.
According to aspects of the invention, the meter package comprises four primary parts, and eliminates the need for screw or rivet type fasteners. The only interconnections (electrical connections between the circuit board and metal hardware in the meter) are accomplished by the use of a voltage spring between the circuit board and the current bus conductors.
According to one aspect of the invention, current sensing elements are disposed on the circuit board. This allows current conductors to be installed through the current sensors during the mechanical assembly of the enclosure.
According to further aspects of the present invention, instead of a separate component known as a terminal block, the present invention has features molded into the enclosure bottom half, along with a multifunction partial or upper terminal block to provide the desired isolation between metal components.
According to another aspect of the invention, a serialized data label is incorporated into the package, thereby eliminating the need for adhesive and thus reducing overall production costs.
According to further aspects of the present invention, the meter further comprises a binocular that provides an uninterrupted link between the meter and an external device. The binocular comprises two directional guides that are separated by a rib.
According to further aspects of the present invention, the meter further comprises an actuator switch or pushbutton that can actuate or perform two functions with one button.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3334276 (1967-08-01), Bateman et al.
patent: 4959607 (1990-09-01), Coryea et al.
patent: 5001420 (1991-03-01), Germer et al.
patent: 5173657 (1992-12-01), Holdsclaw
patent: 5270639 (1993-12-01), Moore
patent: 5742512 (1998-04-01), Edge et al.
patent: 5966010 (1999-10-01), Loy et al.
Broome Russell C.
Heuell Peter W.
Lindqvist Lars Anders
Loy Garry M.
ABB Automation Inc.
Nguyen Vincent Q.
Woodcock & Washburn LLP
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