Patent GB-1286539-A (GB)
Title: Remotely monitoring a plurality of variables
Inventor: LAURENT JEAN-JOEL
IPC: G06M1/27
Filed: 1969-10-08
Abstract: 1286539 Monitoring variables COMPAGNIE DES COMPTEURS 8 Oct 1969 [8 Oct 1968] 49379/69 Heading G4H In an apparatus for remotely monitoring a number a variables, a number of pick-ups each responsive to a particular variable and having a two-state output which is a cyclic function of the magnitude of the respective variable, are connected to a scanning means which in each scanning cycle passes a signal from successive pick-ups indicative of their state to a means for registering the magnitudes of each of the variables, the scanning cycles being repeated at intervals less than the shortest time for which any of the pick-ups can remain in one of their two states during normal operation. The pick-ups may have outputs responsive to marked positions of a number wheel of, e.g., an electricity meter, each unit being divided into two differently marked halves corresponding to the two output states. The scanning means may comprises a number of scanners each connected to an individual meter and to each other so that each scanner, having completed its scan, triggers the next. One embodiment of a series of scanners is shown in Fig. 2, each scanner comprising a relay R and a switch C movable between two positions in response to the state of its associated pick-up. The clock 5 momentarily closes the switch H which activates the relay R 1  which in turn closes the switches ra and r<SP>1</SP>a. The switch ra maintains the relay in its energized state and the witch r<SP>1</SP>a connects the A.C. source to the switch C 1 . The diodes 14 and 15 rectifie the A.C. and a pulse of either positive or negative polarity depending on the position of the switch C 1  is passed to the recorder. The clock 5 then switches the contact 12 over and the diode D<SP>1</SP> 1  blocks the relay's self-activating circuit . The relay remains energized during the time when the capacitor # 1  is discharging and the relay R 2  is energized via the conductor 10, diode D 2  and switch r<SP>1</SP>a. The operation of the successive scan elements 4a, 4b etc is identical to that described above. The clock repeats the whole scan cycle at intervals less than the shortest time for which the pick-up outputs can remain in one state. In further embodiments (not shown), resistive heaters and bimetal strips, flip-flops, thyristors, and one revolution motors replace the relays. The pick-ups may comprise any known two state switch. A third state, e.g. no signal, may be used to signify a fault. The recorder may have a reference track for supplying timing pulses in place of the clock and may also contain information relating to the time at which the signals were recorded which may be utilized by a computer to calculate the cost of the electricity registered by the meter at multiple tariffs. The amount registered by any meter is calculated by counting the number of charges of state of the pick-up associated with that meter. Resistors, inductances or capacitors may be used in place of the diodes 14 and 15 and the source A.C. source 9 may be replaced by a D.C. source depending on the devices used in the scanners.