Abstract:
A utility distribution pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles can be entirely separated and removed from its base without disturbing the service connections. Pedestals with different selections of receptacles can be quickly exchanged to change the service provided by any given pedestal location. Individual receptacle panels in the pedestal offering different combinations of receptacles can easily be added or exchanged after initial installation as utility needs change or for maintenance without any screw terminal wire removal. A metering system using four current transformers is controlled by an integrated mechanical jumper for switching the system into single or two phase configurations for one or two user readouts or a three-phase configuration for a one user readout. No pedestal disassembly or assembly is required to change these configurations. Remote monitoring for wireless metering and electromechanical counters may also be employed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to utility services distribution centers and more particularly concerns pedestals supplying utility services for marine and recreational vehicles and the metering associated therewith. 
   Known utility pedestals supplying electrical power, telephone, cable TV and water service for marine and recreational vehicles hard wire their supply lines to the receptacles into which the users plugs are inserted. This includes individual conductors which sequentially connect to the supply line termination, the circuit breakers and the receptacles and return to the supply line termination. Similar hard wiring is also used to connect receptacles for TV/cable and telephones to their respective supply lines. While some of these units are constructed of separate base and upper pedestal housings, their hard wiring makes them monolithic or inseparable. 
   This monolithic construction has many drawbacks. For example, in bad weather it is not uncommon for a marine or recreational vehicle to move away from its supply pedestal sufficiently that connecting cables pull the pedestal from its base, damaging the service wiring and plumbing. Furthermore, since the pedestal components cannot be disassociated from the base without disassembly, they are generally left continuously exposed to weather damage during the off-season. And, if maintenance is required, the pedestal is typically out-of-service until the hard-wired changes can be completed. Then, too, the utility services provided at a given pedestal are unchangeable without disassembly and rewiring, so that each pedestal is essentially permanently dedicated to vehicles having a specific maximum utility service demand. 
   The problem of permanent dedication is further compounded by the conformation of presently known metering systems. Such meters use conventional current transformers as their source of current input with the transformers permanently configured for their particular application. The elements are either built into the meter or are connected externally by screw terminals or other splicing methods. Readouts are provided digitally by built in LCD or LED display modules or electromechanically by counters using stepper motor driven or pulse driven displays. Different meters are required for single, two and three phase applications and for each output associated therewith. In order to change from one meter function to another, the hard-wired meter must be replaced in the system. For example, assume that a marina has a shore power 30 A 120V three-wire receptacle with a single current transformer/single output meter unit housed in a box on a deck beside a transient slip. If a boat waiting to dock in the slip requires a 50 A 120/240V four-wire receptacle, the marine operator must completely remove the old meter and install a meter having two current transformers and a single output in order to accommodate the boat. 
   It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which is not hard-wired to incoming utility supply lines. Another object of this invention is to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which has an outgoing utility supply line pedestal which is adapted for quick connect/disconnect to/from an incoming utility supply line base. A further object of this invention is to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which has an outgoing utility supply line pedestal which disconnects from an incoming utility supply line base in response to displacement of the attached marine or recreational vehicle. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which has an outgoing utility supply line pedestal which can be quickly disconnected from an incoming utility supply line base for off-season storage and maintenance. It is also an object of this invention to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which has interchangeable receptacle panels to permit changes in utility service capability of the pedestal. Still another object of this invention is to provide a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles which has a single metering system adaptable to accommodate a variety of phase/user applications. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the invention, a utility distribution pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles can be entirely separated and removed from its base without disturbing the service connections. Pedestals with different selections of receptacles can be quickly exchanged to change the service provided by any given pedestal location. Individual receptacle panels in the pedestal offering different combinations of receptacles can easily be added or exchanged after initial installation as utility needs change or for maintenance without any screw terminal wire removal. 
   A base for the pedestal is securely attached to a marine dock or ground based concrete slab or platform. AC power supply wires connect to terminals mounted in the base. A first mating component of a stab-type connector is connected to the terminals and extends the supply wires to a second mating component of the connector mounted at the bottom of the pedestal. The connector components are automatically disconnected when the pedestal is removed, intentionally or inadvertently, from the base. Receptacle panels containing circuit breakers and their associated power receptacles are mounted in the upper portion of the pedestal. A distribution buss and/or hard wired conductors transmit the AC power from the second mating component of the connector to other sets of stab-type connectors mounted behind each receptacle panel. All of the AC power passing through these panels is also transmitted through stab-type connectors. This allows the different configurations of receptacle panels to be interchangeably plug connected to the pedestal. 
   Incoming telephone and TV cables extend to first mating components of plugs mounted on the base. The second mating components of the plugs are connected to wires disposed on and extending through the pedestal for ultimate connection to the user&#39;s telephone and cable lines. The pedestal wires are sufficiently long to permit the telephone and TV cable connections to be manually mated before the pedestal is seated on the base. 
   The pedestal may incorporate a metering system, preferably having four current transformers controlled by an integrated mechanical jumperfor switching the current transformer circuits into single or two phase configurations for one or two user readouts or a three-phase configuration for a one user readout. No pedestal disassembly or assembly is required to change these configurations. The jumper is built into a circuit board on the interior of the meter in the pedestal so as to eliminate inadvertent reconfiguration of the system. In a single user application, the sum of usage measured by all four transformers is displayed. For a two-user application, the sum of usage measured by two transformers is indicated on one display and the sum of usage measured by the other two transformers is indicated on a second display. Remote monitoring for wireless metering and electro-mechanical counters may also be employed. 
   The pedestal can be rapidly installed and/or removed for storm conditions, end-of-season storage and repairs. The pedestal is readily adaptable for changes in utility requirements without rewiring. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a one line/block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the marine and recreational vehicle utility pedestal and base; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the control circuit power supply of a metering system for use with the utility pedestal of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic diagrams of a preferred embodiment of the programmable metering circuit of a metering system for use with the utility pedestal of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a typical power calculation subcircuit of the programmable metering circuit of FIG.  3 A. 
   

   While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a breakaway utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles is illustrated. A base  10  is fixed on a dock, slab, platform or the like  11 . An AC power supply terminal  13  mounted in the base  10  is hard wired to an incoming AC power supply  15 . A first mating component  17  of a stab connector mounted in the base  10  is electrically connected to the supply terminal  13 . 
   A telephone terminal  21  can also be mounted in the base  10 . The telephone terminal  21  is connected to an incoming telephone line  23 . A first mating component  25  of a telephone connector mounted in the base  10  is electrically connected to the telephone terminal  21 . In addition, a television cable terminal  31  can be mounted in the base  10 . The cable terminal  31  is connected to an incoming television cable  33 . A first mating component  35  of a television cable connector is mounted in the base  10  and electrically connected to the television cable terminal  31 . Finally, the base  10  may also include an incoming water line  37  and faucet  39 . 
   A pedestal  40  is adapted to be seated on the base  10 . An AC power outlet terminal  41  is mounted in the pedestal  40 . A second mating component  43  of the power stab connector is mounted in the pedestal  40  and hard wired to a main power outlet terminal  41 . The mating components  17  and  43  of the stab connector are oriented for automatic mating engagement when the pedestal  40  is seated on the base  10 . The main power outlet terminal  41  is connected by lines  45 ,  47 ,  49  and  51  to the first mating components  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  of several blade-type stab connectors. Each line  45 ,  47 ,  49  and  51  represents a harness of wires consisting of three-phase wires, a ground wire and a neutral wire. 
   If telephone service is desirable, telephone outlet lines  61  and  63  are disposed in the pedestal  40 . A second mating component  65  of the telephone connector is connected to one end of the telephone outlet lines  61  and  63  for disposition in the pedestal  40 . The telephone outlet lines  61  and  63  are at least sufficiently long as to permit manual mating engagement of the telephone connector components  25  and  65  before the pedestal  40  is seated on the base  10 . If television service is desired, television cable outlet lines  71  and  73  are disposed in the pedestal  40 . A second mating component  75  of the television cable connector is connected to one end of the cable outlet lines  71  and  73  for disposition in the pedestal  40 . The television cable outlet lines  71  and  73  are at least sufficiently long as to permit manual mating engagement of the television cable connector components  35  and  75  before the pedestal  40  is seated on the base  10 . 
   The prototype base  10  and pedestal  40  were made of polycarbonate but other materials can be used as well. The prototype base  10  was approximately 9.5″W×11.5″L× 16 ″H and the prototype pedestal was approximately 19″W×22.5″L×27″H. 
   The mating stab-type connector components  53 ,  55 ,  57  and  59  allow different configurations of receptacle and circuit breaker panels  81 ,  83 ,  85  and  87  to be interchanged by use of mating stab-type connector components  89 ,  91 ,  93  and  95 . As shown, for example, two of the panels  85  and  87  have been provided with plugs  96 ,  97 ,  98  and  99  for connection of the telephone lines  61  and  73  and television cables  71  and  73 , respectively. 
   Turning next to  FIGS. 2-4 , a preferred embodiment of a metering system for measuring power usage by users of the pedestal  40  is illustrated. Shown in  FIG. 4  is a typical circuit  100  for deriving an analog voltage signal in response to current in a wire  101  carrying one phase of the AC power supply in lines  45 ,  47 ,  49  or  51  of the pedestal  40 . Preferably, and as seen in  FIG. 3A , four such signal deriving circuits  100  are employed. Preferably, at least one of these signal deriving circuits  100  will correspond to each phase in use in a pedestal  40 . The outputs  100  a-d are fed to the power calculation circuits. Thus, the current carrying wire  101  of  FIG. 4  may correspond to any phase wire of the power supply lines  45 ,  47 ,  49  and  51  in the pedestal. Each circuit  100  includes a power calculation chip  103  or other circuit components suitable for converting the analog voltage signal into a digital signal of frequency proportional to the product of the analog voltage signal and a reference current signal derived from the phase wire  101  from which the voltage signal is derived. As best seen in  FIG. 3A , a programmable micro controller  105  or other suitable circuit components counts the pulses output from the power calculation chips  103 . A jumper  107  enables the user to switch the programmable micro-controller  105  between a first configuration in which all of the pulses of all of the digital signals are summed and a second configuration in which all of the pulses of some of the digital signals are summed and all of the pulses of the remainder of the digital signals are summed. The first configuration is used when the meter serves a single user and the second configuration when the meter serves two users. The system also includes a receptacle  109  for connection to a display screen providing a visual indication of kilowatt hours of power usage in response to the pulse counts by the programmable micro-controller  105 . A plurality of indicator lights  111   a-d  usually confirm whetherthe analog signal deriving circuits  100   a-d  from which the programmable micro-controller  105  is receiving pulses are operating. 
   Considering the metering system in greater detail, we turn to  FIG. 2  illustrating the system power source  120 . A junction box  121  receives the incoming power lines. For meters to be used in the United States, pins  1 ,  2  and  3  of the box  121  receive hot, neutral and ground wires, respectively. For European usage, pins  1 ,  2  and  3  of junction box  121  receive hot, hot and ground wires, respectively. The system is protected by surge protectors  122 ,  123  and  124 . A connector  125  can be configured for 120 or 220 volt systems at 50 or 60 Hz. For European use in 220 volt AC systems, pins  2  and  3  are commonly connected. For U.S. use in 120 volt AC systems, pins  1  and  2  are commonly connected and pins  3  and  4  are commonly connected. A step-down transformer  126  reduces the system output voltage to 12 volts AC and a circuit  127  fully rectifies the output of the transformer  126 . A converter  128  in conjunction with capacitors  129  and  131 , resistors  133  and  135  and diode  137  converts the rectified signal into a DC signal and regulates the output at 12 volts DC. A second converter  139  in conjunction with capacitors  141 ,  143  and  145 , resistors  147  and  149  and diode  151  further regulates the output to 5 volts DC. A light emitting diode  153  connected to the 5 volt output via a resistor  155  confirms that the power circuit is operable. The 12 volt DC output of the power circuit  120  serves the counter circuits of the meter while the 5 volt DC output serves the power calculation chips  103  and the programmable micro-controller  105 , as will be hereinafter more fully explained. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the counting circuit  160  of the metering system is illustrated. As earlier explained, the programmable micro-controller  105  receives inputs  100   a-d  from several analog voltage signal deriving circuits  100  which will be hereinafter explained in greater detail. Based on the status of the selector  107 , the programmable micro-controller  105  will operate in either the first configuration in which it will count all pulses of all digital signals and the second configuration in which it will provide a count of all pulses of some of the digital signals and another count of all the pulses of the remainder of the digital signals. In the embodiment shown, if points  1  and  2  of the selector  107  are commonly connected, the programmable micro-controller  105  will operate in the first configuration and if the points  2  and  3  of the selector  107  are commonly connected the programmable micro-controller  105  will operate in the second configuration giving separate read-outs for two users. Capacitors  161  and  162  isolate the programmable micro-controller  105  and capacitor  163  isolates the selector  107  from the 5 VDC power circuit  120 . A conversion chip  165  connected through interfaces  166  and  167  and across a resistor  168  to a remote monitoring jack  169  which allows external equipment to be connected for remote monitoring via a wireless network. A reset chip  171  ties the power calculation chips  103  to the programmable micro-controller  105 . Capacitors  172  and  173  and crystal oscillator  174  are the timing circuitry for the programmable controller  105 . 
   The outputs of the programmable micro-controller  105  are connected to resistors  182 - 189  and a transistor array  191  in the event that a 12 volt display is to be used. Resistors  192  and  193  are connected between the 12 volt source and the inputs to the receptacle  109  and the outputs of the transistor array  191 . The arrangement of each of the transistor circuits in the array  191  is illustrated with respect to the first such transistor circuit of the array  191 . Light emitting diodes  111  a-d are connected via resistors  194 ,  195 ,  196  and  197  between the transistor array  191  and the 12 VDC power source to indicate the operation of the analog voltage signal deriving circuits  100  as hereinbefore noted. If a 5 volt counter display is used, the transistor array  191  and associated 12 volt circuits are unnecessary. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the typical circuit  100  for deriving an analog voltage signal can be explained in greater detail. A current transformer  201  monitors a selected wire  101  which may be any of the phase wires in the power supply lines  45 ,  47 ,  49  and  51  in the pedestal  40 . Another wire  202  is connected directly to the wire  101  monitored by the current transformer  201 . The output of the current transformer  201  is connected via the junction box  203  to a network of resistors  204 ,  205 ,  206 ,  207 ,  208 ,  209 ,  211  and  212  and capacitors  213  and  214 . Resistors  204  and  205  convert the output of the current transformer  201  to a voltage signal. Resistors  206  and  207  and  208  and  209  knock the voltage down and resistors  211  and  212  and their associated capacitors  213  and  214  limit the resulting signal to protect the power calculation chip  103 . Resistors  221  and  222  are connected to the lead wire  202  via the junction box  203  and along with capacitor  223  provide a reference voltage to the power calculation chip  103 . Resistor  224  and capacitor  225  are connected to the neutral point on the power calculation chip  103 . Capacitors  226  and  227  connected to the power calculation chip  103  are configured to set the internal circuitry of the chip  103 . The chip reset circuit  228  connects the power calculation chip  103  to the programmable micro-controller  105 . A resistor  231  and capacitors  232  and  233  and  234  and  235  are configured as power isolation circuits from the 5 volt DC power circuit  120 . Capacitors  241  and  242  and crystal oscillator  243  form the clock circuit for the power calculation chip  103 . 
   The prototype meter enclosure was approximately 3″W×4″L×1.5″H and was fastened to the pedestal with screws. 
   The following table specifies the components in relation to the element numbers referenced herein. The components specified have been used in a successful prototype of the pedestal and the metering system: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Element No. 
               Component 
               Spec 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               13 
               AC power terminal 
               Ilsco AU-350; 
             
             
                 
                 
               Ilsco AU-2/0 lugs 
             
             
               17 
               stab connector component 
               Ilsco C24 fuse 
             
             
                 
                 
               clip 
             
             
               21 
               telephone terminal 
               Leviton 40274-1 
             
             
               25 
               telephone connector component 
               Leviton 40274-1 
             
             
               31 
               TV cable terminal 
               Leviton 409872 
             
             
               35 
               TV cable connector component 
               Leviton 409872 
             
             
               41 
               AC power terminal 
               stab 
             
             
               43, 53, 55, 57, 59 
               stab connector component 
               stab 
             
             
               65 
               telephone connector component 
               RJ11 
             
             
               75 
               TV cable connector component 
               male type 
             
             
                 
                 
               F RG59 coax 
             
             
                 
                 
               connector 
             
             
               89, 91, 93, 95 
               stab connector component 
               Ilsco C17; circuit 
             
             
                 
                 
               breakers such as 
             
             
                 
                 
               Seimens Q130 
             
             
               96, 97 
               telephone plug 
               Hubbell PH6624 
             
             
               98, 99 
               TV cable plug 
               male type 
             
             
                 
                 
               F RG59 coax 
             
             
                 
                 
               connector 
             
             
               103 
               power calculation chip 
               ADE 7755 
             
             
               105 
               programmable micro-controller 
               87 C51-PLC44 
             
             
               107 
               jumper/selector 
               5PDT 
             
             
               109, 121, 203 
               junction box 
               amp connector 
             
             
               111 a-d 
               LED&#39;s 
               RED 
             
             
               122, 123, 124 
               surge protector 
               V 270 LA20 
             
             
               125 
               junction box 
               CON 4/D.156 
             
             
               126 
               current transformer 
               SPW-354D; 
             
             
                 
                 
               12 V 90 mA 
             
             
               127 
               rectifier circuit diodes 
               4C DB1 RB14Y 
             
             
               128 
               pulse to DC signal converter 
               LM 317T REG1 
             
             
               129 
               capacitor 
               2200 μF 25 V 
             
             
               131 
               capacitor 
               0.1 μF 
             
             
               133 
               resistor 
               3.01 K 1% 
             
             
               135 
               resistor 
               432 1% 
             
             
               137 
               diode 
               IN 4007 
             
             
               139 
               pulse to DC signal converter 
               LM317T REG2 
             
             
               141 
               capacitor 
               470 μF 16 V 
             
             
               143 
               capacitor 
               100 μF 10 V 
             
             
               145 
               capacitor 
               2.2 μF 25 V 
             
             
               147 
               resistor 
               499 1% 
             
             
               149 
               resistor 
               1.5 K 1% 
             
             
               151 
               diode 
               IN 4007 
             
             
               153 
               LED 
               red 
             
             
               155 
               resistor 
               470 
             
             
               161 
               capacitor 
               .1 μF 
             
             
               162 
               capacitor 
               2.2 μF 10 V 
             
             
               163 
               capacitor 
               0.1 μF 
             
             
               165 
               wireless converter chip 
               MAX 483ECPA 
             
             
               166 
               mating jack 
               RS485-1 
             
             
               167 
               mating jack 
               RS485 
             
             
               168 
               resistor 
               120 
             
             
               169 
               jack 
               CN RJ45-8R 
             
             
               171, 228 
               reset 
               ADM1232AN 
             
             
               172 
               capacitor 
               27PF 
             
             
               173 
               capacitor 
               27PF 
             
             
               174 
               crystal oscillator 
               11.592 Mhz 
             
             
               182, 183, 184, 185, 
               resistor 
               1 OK 
             
             
               186, 187, 188, 189 
             
             
               191 
               transistor array 
               ULN2004A 
             
             
               192, 193, 194, 195, 
               resistor 
               1 K 
             
             
               196, 197 
             
             
               201 
               current transformer 
               1 Kturn 
             
             
               204, 205 
               resistor 
               4.7 
             
             
               206 
               resistor 
               2.2 K 
             
             
               207 
               resistor 
               1 K 
             
             
               208 
               resistor 
               2.2 K 
             
             
               209, 211, 212 
               resistor 
               1 K 
             
             
               213, 214 
               capacitor 
               0.033 μF 
             
             
               221 
               resistor 
               1 M 
             
             
               222 
               resistor 
               1 K 
             
             
               223 
               capacitor 
               0.033 μF 
             
             
               224 
               resistor 
               1 K 
             
             
               225 
               capacitor 
               0.033 μF 
             
             
               226 
               capacitor 
               10 μF 16 V 
             
             
               227 
               capacitor 
               0.1 μF 
             
             
               231 
               resistor 
               10 
             
             
               232 
               capacitor 
               2.2 μFT 
             
             
               233 
               capacitor 
               0.1 μF 
             
             
               234 
               capacitor 
               10 μF 6.3 V 
             
             
               235 
               capacitor 
               0.1 μF 
             
             
               241 
               capacitor 
               27 pF 
             
             
               242 
               capacitor 
               27 pF 
             
             
               243 
               crystal oscillator 
               1 Mhz 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The protoype metering system using the above identified components was found to be accurate within 0.3%. 
   While the preferred embodiment of the pedestal incorporates the metering system herein disclosed, the pedestal need not necessarily include the metering system. Conversely, while the preferred embodiment of the metering system has been described in relation to its application in the utility pedestal, the metering system may be used in a variety of applications apart from the pedestal. Such applications may include, for example, apartment complexes, construction sites, industrial plants and the like. 
   Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a utility pedestal for marine and recreational vehicles that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.