Abstract:
A utility flow meter including a valve having a pressure vessel providing a flow path from a meter inlet to a meter outlet through the valve is magnetically driven. The meter includes a valve member positioned within the valve in the pressure vessel for movement between an open position allowing normal flow through the flow meter and a flow restriction position in which flow through the flow meter is limited to less than the normal flow and an electrically operable control device for controlling movement of the valve member including a dry-side magnet assembly and a wet-side magnet assembly. The electrically operable control device receives command signals to rotate the dry-side magnet assembly to move the valve member and thereby increase or decrease flow through the metering chamber.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to utility metering equipment and to shut-off valves for interrupting or limiting the supply of water from a public utility to a customer. More specifically, this application relates to utility metering equipment having a magnetically driven shut-off valve for interrupting or limiting the supply of water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Utility metering equipment is often provided with a radio transmitter or a radio transceiver (receiver/transmitter) for transmitting meter consumption data to a radio receiver in a meter data collection network. Some networks for collection metering data have provided the ability to control devices at the metering site by using a two-way communication through a site transceiver. In recent years, utilities and equipment providers have been considering alternatives for shut-off of service in emergency events, for conservation purposes, or in the event of non-payment of utility bills. Therefore, various methods for remote shut-off of the utility water supply are being investigated. 
         [0003]    One type of shut off apparatus that is currently offered on the market to perform a water supply shut-off uses a valve external to the water meter or a radio requiring an external source of power for operation. This apparatus requires the customer to run an additional power source to the meter and to modify their plumbing to accommodate the additional lay length of the external valve. 
         [0004]    According to another alternative in which a shut off valve is integrated into a meter housing, Marchesi, U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,144, discloses a manually operable shut-off valve having a housing that is integrated with a water meter housing. The purpose of this construction is to prevent removal of the valve without also removing the meter and thereby causing an inconvenience to the owner of flooding of the establishment (col. 5, lines 5-8). It is thus a tamper-resistance measure. 
         [0005]    The type of shut off apparatus described in the Marehesi reference and other examples in the prior art are water meters having an integral shut off valve that uses a mechanical coupling to provide the valve actuation forces. Mechanical couplings require use of a dynamical seal, such as an  0 -ring or diaphragm, which are prone to failure/leakage. Dynamic seals degrade over time and develop cracks, tears, and/or increased rigidity, for example. These failures can require replacement of the entire water meter where the shut off valve is integral to the meter. 
         [0006]    Some types of meters, particularly in the gas industry to deal with hazards of leaking gases in emergency situations, contemplate the use of magnetically actuated shut off valves. However, these meters typically are unsuitable for use in water metering, applications because of the unique constraints that exist in water metering applications, such as maximizing power efficiency, factoring in pressure differentials, maximizing valve life, etc. The constructions known in the art do not provide the convenience and functionality desired in controlling or limiting supply of a utility, particularly a water meter to a customer while avoiding the use of dynamic seals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention houses a water meter and a magnetically driven valve, wherein the magnetically driven valve is a flow restriction valve. The invention may include the valve and water meter integrated in a common pressure vessel. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a utility flow meter including a magnetically driven valve, the meter having a pressure vessel providing a flow path from a meter inlet to a meter outlet. The meter includes a valve member positioned within the valve in the pressure vessel for movement, between an open position allowing normal flow through the flow meter and a flow restriction position in which flow through the flow meter is limited to less than the normal flow and an electrically operable control device for controlling, movement of the valve member including a dry-side magnet assembly and a wet-side magnet assembly. The electrically operable control device receives command signals to rotate the dry-sick magnet assembly to move the valve member and thereby increase or decrease flow through the metering chamber. 
         [0009]    In another more detailed aspect, the electrical control device receives power from a self-contained power source. The utility flow meter is further configurable such that rotation of the dry-side magnet assembly causes rotation of a wet-side magnet assembly based on a magnetic coupling between the assemblies through a static seal. The rotation of a wet-side magnet assembly causes movement of the gate from a full open position towards a closed position to restrict flow. 
         [0010]    In another more detailed aspect, to interrupt flow, the gate is positioned in front of a valve outlet in a closed position and forced in the direction of the valve outlet when there is flow within the utility flow meter. The gate may be configured for movement along a lead screw substantially perpendicular to the path of flow through the utility meter. 
         [0011]    In another more detailed aspect, the utility flow meter is configured such that the flow through the utility flow meter is not completely interrupted or shut-off. When the gate is in the full closed position, flow through the utility flow meter is less than the normal flow, but is a measureable flow sufficient for basic human needs. 
         [0012]    In another more detailed aspect, the utility flow meter includes a utility measurement system positioned upstream from the integral valve, such that flow passes from the utility measurement system to the integral valve. The utility measurement system may be an ultrasonic measurement system. 
         [0013]    In another more detailed aspect, the utility flow meter is configured such that the electrically operated control device includes a motor selected to overcome frictional force in the valve and a calculated, pressure differential for the valve to minimize electrical power needed to actuate the flow control valve in the pressure vessel. To work against frictional force the electrically operated control device may be in communication with the utility measurement system to control the gate based on a detected zero or minimal flow. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a magnetically driven valve for controlling movement of a valve member in a flow path. The valve includes a valve member positioned within the flow path for movement between an open position allowing normal flow and a flow restriction position in which flow is limited to less than the normal flow and an electrically operable control device for controlling movement of the valve member including a dry-side magnet assembly and a wet-side magnet assembly. The electrically operable control device receives command signals to rotate the dry-side magnet assembly to move the valve member and thereby increase or decrease flow along the flow path. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a utility flow meter including a valve having a pressure vessel providing a flow path from a meter inlet to a meter outlet through the, valve. The meter includes a pressure vessel formed to contain the valve positioned downstream from a flow measurement system in a pressure vessel having a same length as a standard water meter, a valve member positioned within the valve in the pressure vessel for movement between an open position allowing normal flow through the flow meter and a flow restriction position in which flow through the flow meter is limited to less than the normal flow, and an electrically operable control device for controlling movement of the valve member including a dry-side magnet assembly and a wet-side magnet assembly. The electrically operable control device receives command signals to rotate the dry-side magnet assembly to move the valve member and thereby increase or decrease flow through the metering chamber. 
         [0016]    Other aspects of the invention, besides those discussed above, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the preferred embodiments which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate examples of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a metering assembly including an integral magnetically driven valve with the control circuit being shown schematically, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are front and side cut away views of the integral magnetically driven valve of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top and bottom perspective views of a bonnet of the integral magnetically driven valve of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a top perspective views of a dry-side magnet assembly of the integral magnetically driven valve of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom perspective views of a wet-side magnet assembly of the integral magnetically driven valve of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5A-C  are front views of the gate of the magnetically driven valve of  FIG. 2 , according to alternative embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a utility metering system  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment. An ultrasonic water meter  110  includes a meter housing  111 , an integral magnetically driven gate valve  200 , and a pressure vessel  112  having an upstream spud end  113  and a downstream spud end  115 . The spud ends  113 ,  115  of the pressure vessel  112 , although shown as threaded pipe ends, can be replaced by coupling flanges in larger sized meters. Meter housing  111  may be configured to be totally encapsulated, weatherproof and UV-resistant. The meter housing  111  includes a display  114  that may be configured as a 9-digit LCD display for displaying a measured rate of flow, a reverse-flow indication, alarms, etc. to complete the enclosure as is known in the art. 
         [0024]    Ultrasonic water meter  110  may be configured with a solid state, ultrasonic measurement system  116 . As water flows into the measuring tube, pressure vessel  112 , through the upstream spud end  113 , ultrasonic signals are sent consecutively in forward and reverse directions of flow prior to the water exiting the pressure vessel  112  at a valve inlet  256  into magnetically driven valve  200 , further described below with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , before exiting the water meter  110  through downstream spud end  115 . Velocity of the water is then determined by measuring the time difference between the measurement in the forward and reverse directions. Total flow volume is calculated from the measured flow velocity using water temperature and pipe diameter. The LCD display  114  shows the total volume and alarm conditions and can toggle to display rate of flow. 
         [0025]    Although not shown, additional elements and electronic components of the ultrasonic measurement system  116  are positioned within the pressure vessel  112 , such as a polymer/stainless steel metering insert and the transducers generating and receiving the ultrasonic signals. The metering insert holds the stainless steel ultrasonic reflectors in the center of the flow area of the pressure vessel  112 , facilitating minimally turbulent or non-turbulent water flow through the pressure vessel  112  and around the ultrasonic signal reflectors. According to an exemplary embodiment, the valve  200  is formed within the meter  110  such that the valve  200  is implemented within the pressure vessel  112 . 
         [0026]    The measured and calculated values, including the flow value, may be converted to electrical pukes which are counted as units of consumption of water. These signals  122  are transmitted through a cable to a radio transceiver  125  in the case of a separate assembly. In alternative embodiments, these signals  122  can also be transmitted through an internal electrical connection to a radio transceiver  125  that is assembled with the ultrasonic measurement system  116  in a single housing or an integrated housing, such as meter housing  111 . 
         [0027]    The radio transceiver  125  includes a radio transmitter portion and a radio receiver portion. The radio transmitter portion converts the measurement system signals to a radio frequency signaling protocol for transmission back to a network data collector  128  through a wireless network. Although, this embodiment includes an electronic type of meter register, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced with electromechanical types of meter registers. As long as some type of electric signal generating meter is used, it will typically be used with a radio transceiver  125  to receive command signals  148  to operate a flow restriction valve  200 . Alternatively, valve  200  may be operated through an infrared (IR) port on the valve housing as needed, such as based on an issue with the transceiver  125 . 
         [0028]    Although an ultrasonic type water meter  110  is shown and described, the invention in its broadest scope can also be applied to other types of water meters, including turbine type meters, mag meters and disc-type meters. Ultrasonic type water meter  110  is configured to include both the ultrasonic measurement system  116  and the magnetically driven gate valve  200  inclusive to the lay length of a standard water meter such that additional retrofits to install the meter and valve aren&#39;t required. 
         [0029]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , cut away front and side views, respectively, of a magnetically driven valve  200  are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Although valve  200  is shown and described herein as a gate valve, the magnetically driven valve described may be implemented using any of a variety of valve types in a variety of configurations. Further, although valve  200  is shown and described herein as being formed integrally within water meter  110 , the valve  200  may alternatively be implemented as a standalone or external valve. 
         [0030]    The magnetically driven gate valve  200  includes a dry-side top portion  210 , a wet-side bottom portion  250 , and a bonnet  202  separating the two portions. Dry-side top portion  210  includes at least a drive motor assembly  215 , a control component  220 , and a dry-side magnet assembly  230 . Wet-side bottom portion  250  includes at least a valve housing  252 , a valve flow cavity  254 , a valve inlet  256 , a valve outlet  258 , a lead screw  260 , a gate  270 , and a wet-side magnet assembly  280 . 
         [0031]    Gate valve  200  does not have a dynamic seal between the dry-side  210  and the wet side  250 . Communication of actuating forces between the dry-side  210  and the wet side  250  is provided by a magnetic coupling between the dry-side magnet assembly  240  and the wet-side magnet assembly  280  through the bonnet  202 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B , bonnet  202  is shown in  FIG. 3A  in a top-down perspective view  300  and in  FIG. 3B  in a bottom-up perspective view  350 . In the physical coupling between the dry-side  210  and the wet side  250 , bonnet  202  provides a static seal using by a radial o-ring seal  310  on the wet-side of the bonnet  202 . When physically coupled, the pressure vessel  212  and the valve flow opening cavity  254  are rated to an operating pressure of 175 psi and a burst pressure of at least 600 PSI. 
         [0033]    Bonnet  202  may be a component of the valve casing  252  configured to seal the pressure vessel  112 . Bonnet  202  is a solid piece that does not provide any opening between dry-side  210  and wet side  250  to avoid the need for a dynamic seal. The wet-side of bonnet  202  includes a recess  304  configured to receive wet-side magnet assembly  280 . Recess  304  includes a lead screw seating  306  configured to receive atop end  262  of the lead screw  260 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , wet-side magnet assembly  280  is shown in a perspective view, according to an exemplary embodiment. Wet-side magnet assembly  230  includes a press fit aperture  282 , a plurality of coupling magnets  284  on the top side of, assembly  280  that is positioned proximate to the bonnet  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, the wet-side magnet assembly  280  may be press fit over the top end  262  of the lead screw  260  such that the lead screw  260  and the wet-side magnet assembly  280  are held in position by the top end  262  in the lead screw seating  306 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4B , the dry side of bonnet  202  includes a dry-side magnet assembly seating post  308 , set within a dry-side recess  312 , and configured to seat within the bushing  232 . The depth of the bushing  232  and the height of the dry-side seating post  308  are configured such that the bottom side of the dry-side magnet assembly  230  is positioned close to the bonnet  202  to maximize the magnetic coupling between dry-side magnet assembly  230  and dry-side magnet assembly  280 , while avoiding contact with the bonnet  202  to avoid wear. Accordingly, the depth of recess  312  and recess  304  are configured to minimize the distance between the dry-side magnet assembly  230  and the wet-side magnet assembly  280 , to maximize the magnetic coupling strength between the two assemblies, while also maintaining the pressure integrity of the pressure vessel  212 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , dry-side magnet assembly  230  is shown in a perspective view, according to an exemplary embodiment. Dry side magnet assembly  230  includes a bushing  232  and a plurality of coupling magnets  234  on the bottom side of assembly  230  that is positioned proximate to the bonnet  202 . Bushing  232  may be any low friction bushing configured to receive and allow rotation of the dry-side magnet assembly  230  on the dry-side magnet assembly seating post  308 , such as a sapphire bushing, a graphite bushing, a Kynar bushing, etc. An outer edge  236  of the dry-side magnet assembly  230  includes gearing teeth configured to interact with corresponding gearing teeth on drive gear  216  such that rotation of the drive gear  216  causes rotation of the dry-side magnet assembly  230 . 
         [0037]    Coupling magnets  234 ,  284  may be neodymium magnets. Coupling magnets  234 ,  284  further may be coated to prevent the individual magnets from degrading over time. Although dry-side magnet assembly  230  is shown and described as having a particular type of coupling magnets and a 6-pole configuration of the coupling magnets  234 ,  284 , one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that a variety of types and configurations of magnets may be used to implement the magnetic coupling. For example, coupling magnets  234 ,  284  may be Sumerian cobalt magnets; single coupling magnets  234 ,  284  may be utilized, etc. in alternative embodiments. 
         [0038]    Wet-side magnet assembly  280  includes, the plurality of coupling magnets  284  inserted in a top side on the assembly  280  proximate to the bonnet  202  when wet-side magnet assembly  280  is in situ within recess  304 . Wet-side magnet assembly  280  may be rotationally fixed to the lead screw  260  such that rotation of the wet-side magnet assembly  280  causes rotation of the lead screw  260 . Wet-side magnet assembly  280  may be configured without gearing teeth  236  since, rotation of the wet-side magnet assembly  280  is driven by rotation of the wet-side magnet assembly  280  based on a magnetic coupling of the, coupling magnets  234  in a hetero-polar configuration between the two assemblies  230 ,  280 . 
         [0039]    Although a particular size and configuration of assemblies  230 ,  280  is shown, the diameter, configuration, etc. of magnet assemblies  230 ,  280  may be reconfigured to maximize magnetic coupling, torque applied to the lead screw  260  to close the gate  270 , and overcome, for example, a 150 PSI pressure drop across the gate  270 , while also meeting lay length requirements for the meter  110 . 
         [0040]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2A  and drive motor  215  may be a battery operated DC motor configured to rotate a drive shaft  214  coupled to a drive gear  216 . In operation, the flow restriction valve  200  can be actuated based on a received control signal  48  from the network data collector  128  or a related system. Actuation of the restriction valve  200  will cause motor  215  to rotate drive shaft  214  and drive gear  216  which will in turn dry-side magnet assembly  230  and based on the magnetic coupling, wet-side magnet assembly  280 . Rotation of the wet-side magnet assembly  280  rotates the lead screw  260 , moving the gate  270  along the lead screw  260  to allow or impede the flow through cavity  254 . The drive motor  215  only needs to overcome frictional forces between the gate  270  and the lead screw  260  when the system isn&#39;t under pressure, such that drive motor  215  requires very electrical energy, and can therefore be powered by a small-capacity battery source. 
         [0041]    Lead screw  260  includes atop end  262  and a bottom end  264  with a threaded portion  266  having a standard ACME thread between the portions  262   264 . Top end  262  is configured to seat within lead screw seating  306  and bottom end  264  is configured to seat within a seating in the bottom portion of valve casing  252 . 
         [0042]    Gate  270  is a Teflon block including a threaded aperture for receiving and riding along the threaded portion  266  of lead screw  260 . According to an exemplary embodiment, gate  270  may have a clearance fit within valve casing  252  between valve inlet  256  and valve outlet  258 . Gate  270  may further be sized such that, when the gate  270  is in a full open position, the cross section of the flow area of cavity  254  corresponds to the cross section of the pressure vessel  212  to avoid creation of pressure differentials in the flow path when the valve is fully open. Gate  270  may further be sized such that, when the gate  270  is in a full closed position, the gate covers the valve outlet  258  when pressed by system pressure against the valve casing  252 . 
         [0043]    Gate  270  may yet further be configured to allow free travel within casing  252  when the system isn&#39;t under significant pressure (i.e., there is no or minimal flow through meter assembly  100 ). Advantageously, allowing gate  270  to have free travel along lead screw  270  when the system isn&#39;t under significant pressure, reducing the need to overcome frictional forces between the gate  270  and the casing  252  when moving the gate along the lead screw  260  as further discussed below. 
         [0044]    In operation, the gate  270  may be positioned at any position along the lead screw  260  between a full open position and a full closed position. The position of the gate  270  may be calculated by the control component  220  by measuring revolutions of the rotations of the dry-side magnet assembly  230 , for example using a Hall sensor, and determining the position of gate  270  based on a known correlation between the revolutions and a position of the gate  270  on lead screw  260 . Alternatively, in an alternative embodiment, gate position may he determined by directly sensing the position of the gate  270 . Determining gate  270  positioning allows the control component  220  to position,gate  270  to control flow volume, from between a maximum flow, with the gate  270  in the full open position near the top of the lead screw  260  and a minimum flow, with the gate  270  in the full closed position near the bottom of the lead screw  260 . 
         [0045]    When the gate  270  is positioned in a full closed position within the cavity  254 , proximate to the bottom end  264  of lead screw  260 , water flows through the inlet  256  pressing the gate  270  in closer proximity to the outlet  258  covering the outlet  258  such that the flow through assembly  100  is restricted, as explained in detail below. 
         [0046]    When in the open position, inlet  256  and the outlet  258  are roughly in line through the cavity  254 , allowing unimpeded flow of water through the valve  200 . In the closed position, the gate  270  blocks the fluid pressure at inlet  256  from being applied to outlet  258 . This pressure differential results in a net force that presses the gate  270  against the casing  252  blocking unimpeded now to outlet  258 . 
         [0047]    Further in operation, gate  270  may be configured to allow a minimal flow even when the gate  270  is in the full closed position, i.e., the fit between the gate  270  and the exit opening from the, valve  200  is not a compression fit. The minimal flow may he based on seepage around die gate  270  based on a position of the gate  270  and lead screw  260  at a defined distance from an “exit face” from the cavity  254 . For example, the gate may be configured to allow up to 0.01 gallons per minute. Advantageously, not having a compression fit in this embodiment eliminates a need for the motor and drive mechanism to be configured to drive the gate  270  into a compression fit, which would require greater torque requirement and battery drain. Alternatively, control board  220  may be configured such that the full closed position is less than a complete restriction of the flow, such that, for example, the closed valve will allow a required sustenance minimum of, for example, 0.25-1.0 gallons per minute even in the full closed gate position. Alternatively, control board  220  may be configured such that the full closed, position can be set, to any desired minimum flow. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , gate  270  is shown according to alternative configurations. Specifically, gate  500  is shown in  FIG. 5A  as a rectangular gate having an aperture  502  configured based on the desired minimum flow. Gate  510  is shown in  FIG. 5B  as a rectangular gate having a roughly semi-circular cutout  512  along a bottom edge  514  of the gate  510 , where the cutout is configured based on the desired minimum flow. Gate  520  is shown in  FIG. 5C  as a rectangular gate having a rectangular cutout  522  along a bottom edge  524  of the gate  520 , where the cutout is configured based on the desired minimum flow. Advantageously, gates having an aperture and/or cutout portion further allow resolution to tune a flow restriction. For example, a gate  270 , as shown in  FIG. 2  may have a flow profile, determined based on a distance between the gate  270  and the full closed position, that features a very sharp rise in the flow rate starting at 11/6 of a turn of a magnet assembly from full closed position. Using a gate having an aperture and/or cutout portion will provide a different flow profile, allowing finer control over the flow restriction value. 
         [0049]    Further, although the valve member is shown and described herein as a rectangular gate, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that alternatives may be implemented within the boundaries of the invention described herein. For example, the gate may be shaped based on the corresponding shape of the valve housing (e.g, having a bowed bottom edge to mate with a curve in the valve housing). Alternatively, the valve member may be a diaphragm, a ball, etc. 
         [0050]    Magnetically driven gate valve  200  takes advantage of the mechanical advantage of the lead screw. Further, control board  220  may be configured to communication with meter  116  such that the control board  220  can control the operation of the valve  200  based on a detected flow. Specifically, control board  220  may be configured to open or close the gate  270  during times of minimal or zero flow to avoid having to overcome system pressure in operating, the gate  270 . Avoiding having to overcome system pressure reduces load on the motor  210 , reduces system wear, and further conserves battery power. 
         [0051]    Advantageously, using a gate valve  200  as Shown in the exemplary embodiment, it isn&#39;t necessary to shut off the flow prior to closing the valve. Gate valves, in order to open or close, primarily work against frictional forces as opposed to working directly against the system pressure forces caused by the flow of liquid through the gate. This configuration conserves power and further allows flexibility in closing the valve  200 . For example, using a standard check valve, it may be necessary to interrupt flow in order to lock the valve into position, which is not the case with the gate valve  200 . 
         [0052]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , gate valve  200  may be electronically connected to an automatic meter reading (AMR) system of a utility meter monitoring and communication system for sending and receiving control information for the valve  200 . Gate valve  200  may be connected to the automatic meter reading Of system through a communication connection to ultrasonic type water meter  110 . Accordingly, to one exemplary embodiment, communication with control board  220  of valve  200  may be implemented using an ORION cellular endpoint, using a single daily cellular communication. 
         [0053]    Advantageously, as shown in  FIG. 1 , integral utility valve  200  may be positioned downstream from the measuring system  116  such that utility flow is measured without undue interference to a uniform flow that may be caused by the valve  200 . Specifically, valve  200 , even in a full open position may introduce changes to a flow pattern, such as vortices, that can affect flow measurement using an ultrasonic flow measurement system. 
         [0054]    According to an exemplary embodiment valve  200  may be powered using power from a battery of the flow meter  110 . It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, that in the future, other numbers, and types of small, relatively low voltage and long-life batteries can he used. 
         [0055]    Although the gate  270  in this disclosure is shown to be rectangular, it should also be understood that gate valves of other shapes, such as flat plates or semi-circles can be shown to work as well. There may be molding or packaging advantages for valve shapes other than rectangular. It is also contemplated that the casing  252  of valve  200  can be integrated with pressure vessel  200  to save space and simplify the manufacture of the water meter/valve combination. 
         [0056]    It should also be understood that the water meter  110  with restriction valve  200  and the radio receiver  125  are all located at a customer site, which in some cases is a pit enclosure located in the ground. It should also be understood the that the network data collector  48  and radio transceiver  125  can be parts, of a fixed network, or can be parts of a mobile network, where the network data collector  148  is carried in a vehicle or is carried by a person engaged in meter data collection. 
         [0057]    This has been a description of the preferred embodiments, bin it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be made in the details of these specific embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.