Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring the status of utility boxes at the time of installation and while in service including a battery orientation of batteries in the utility boxes.

In utility boxes, electrical connections may deteriorate for a variety of reasons, such as aging, harsh treatment, removal and insertion of a meter or operation in poor environments. A deteriorated electrical connection may exhibit increased temperature prior to catastrophic failure of the electrical connection. For example, if an electrical connection is oxidized or corroded, or if a mechanical deterioration (e.g., reduced spring force in the meter socket jaws) results in poor connection between contacts in an electrical connection, a resistance of the electrical connection may increase. When the resistance of an electrical connection increases, power dissipation and a corresponding thermal temperature of the electrical connection may likewise increase.

Besides these environmental factors, tampering and improper installation can adversely affect the lifetime and longevity of utility boxes in service.

The following patent documents (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) describe techniques used prior to the present invention for monitoring the status of utility boxes at the time of installation and while in service.

<CIT> entitled "Tamper detection device for utility meter" describes a system for detection of tampering with a utility meter provides not only an indication that tampering has occurred but also sufficient information to enable an estimation of actual consumption to be made as opposed to the tampered metered consumption. The device in the '<NUM> patent includes a plurality of tampering sensors sensing tilt, electric field, magnetic field, temperature, sound, reverse rotation of a moving element and excessive difference between metered consumption and an approximate actual consumption.

<CIT> entitled "Utility meter transmitter assembly for subsurface installations" describes an improved assembly for housing electronics for remote reading of meter reading data in a subsurface enclosure includes a first inner enclosure of metal for housing the receiver/transmitter circuitry, a second inner enclosure for housing a battery and an outer enclosure of plastic which encloses both of the inner enclosures and additionally provides a sealed compartment for an antenna.

<CIT> entitled "Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters" describes a tamper detection apparatus for an electric meter installed at a facility supplied power through an electrical distribution system. A sensor of the '<NUM> patent senses movement of the meter more than a predetermined amount with respect to the receptacle, whether or not electricity is flowing through the meter, and produces a tampering signal when this occurs. Generation of a tampering signal results in a tamper alert signal being transmitted to the system through a two-way communications path established between the facility and the system.

<CIT> entitled "Seismic detection in electricity meters" describes an arrangement for recording seismic events includes an electricity meter sensor circuit, a digital processing circuit, and an accelerometer operably connected to the digital processing circuit. The accelerometer in the ` <NUM> patent is configured to provide signals representative of seismic information to the digital processing circuit. A memory in the ` <NUM> patent is configured to store data records relating to at least some of the seismic information.

<CIT> entitled "System and method for tamper detection in a utility meter" describes systems and methods for detecting the removal of a meter cover are provided. For example, a tamper-detect energy meter may include metering circuitry, a processor, a tamper detect switch, and a cover with a switch interface surface. In the '<NUM> patent, the tamper detect switch may be triggered from an open circuit state to a closed circuit state as the switch interface surface of the cover contacts the tamper detect switch during removal.

<CIT> entitled "Systems and methods for sensing and indicating orientation of electrical equipment with passive cooling" describes a system for sensing and indicating orientation of electrical equipment comprises an orientation sensor and control logic. The control logic in the ` <NUM> patent is configured to compare predefined data with an orientation of the electrical equipment sensed by the orientation sensor in order to determine whether the sensed orientation of the equipment is within an acceptable range such that sufficient cooling by a cooling system is likely to occur. If the sensed orientation of the equipment is not within the acceptable range, the control logic in the ` <NUM> patent transmits a notification signal so that corrective action can occur.

<CIT> entitled "Shock detection in a utility meter having reporting capability" describes an arrangement for use in a utility meter which includes an accelerometer, a processing circuit, and a source of power. The accelerometer in the '<NUM> patent is configured to detect impact force on a utility meter housing. The processing circuit in the '<NUM> patent is operably coupled to receive information representative of detected shock events from the accelerometer, and is configured to store information regarding detected shock events in a non-volatile memory.

<CIT> entitled "Tamper Detection In Utility Meters" describes devices to detect utility theft, as well as methods of their use. The devices in the '<NUM> publication are utility meters that have a positioning detector; a microprocessor connected to receive readings from the positioning detector; a memory storage device in communication with the microprocessor, and at least one power source to provide power to the microprocessor and the memory storage device. Combining positioning readings with theft detection algorithms allows increased accuracy in the automated detection of theft, even when grid power is not available to power the accelerometer or compass.

<CIT> discloses a system for detecting gravitational orientation of a battery, comprising an accelerometer fixed relative to a battery and a battery housing including the battery, a processor programmed to receive one or more signals from the accelerometer and compute a gravity direction from the one or more signals and determine if the battery or the battery housing is in a storage mode orientation or operation mode orientation based at least on the gravity direction computed from the one or more signals from the accelerometer.

<CIT> describes a network of gravitational orientation detectors, comprising a plurality of sensors with each sensor having a battery (cf. <NUM>), an accelerometer fixed relative to the battery and a processor programmed to receive one or more signals from the accelerometer, and compute a gravity direction from the one or more signals.

<CIT> discloses a system for detecting gravitational orientation of a battery using an electronic gyroscope and a gravitational accelerometer delivering signals to a processor for determining the orientation of the battery with respect to gravity.

<CIT> discloses also a system for detecting gravitational orientation of a battery using an accelerometer fixed relative to the battery and delivering signals to a processor for determining the orientation of the battery with respect to gravity, for determining in particular whether the orientation is abnormal.

In one embodiment, there is provided a system for battery gravitational orientation detection, according to independent claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for battery gravitational orientation detection, according to independent claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, there is provided a network of gravitational orientation detectors, according to claim <NUM>.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive of the invention.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:.

One problem that is faced by a utility is that of knowing the status of utility boxes at installation and after installation.

A particular problem addressed by this invention is knowing the gravitational orientation of batteries installed in electronic equipment in positions underground or otherwise not accessible for long periods of time or else when having to access the installed positions would cause a significant downtime or expense to the gas, water, or electric utility. In this case, the electronic equipment installed in these remote (or otherwise inaccessible) positions has to operate as long as possible on the available battery life. In some cases, the battery life can be supplemented by an axillary power source such as <NUM> volts on an electric line or perhaps a solar cell or photoelectric converter. However, in many situations, the remote box is underground and not accessible to other power sources. Even if the batteries have access to other sources of power, a battery lifetime is dependent on the number of charge cycles. Therefore, having one cycle of battery discharge last as long as possible is advantageous.

To extend battery life, electronic equipment is often designed to run on duty cycles and/or to run only after wake-up calls, which can conserve a battery's charge and prolong the battery lifetime. However, these measures do not serve to extend a battery's life in actual use charging or discharging. Rather, these measures merely extend the time before the battery dies.

The inventors have realized that, since the battery life can be adversely affected by the gravitation-orientation of the battery, it was important to detect the battery orientation especially at the time of installation.

According to the invention, a battery in the utility box contains a liquid (or fluid-type) electrolyte and because of its internal construction is sensitive to orientation. It is preferred to keep the positive terminal of the battery in an upright or horizontal position. If the positive terminal of the battery is pointing downward, the life of the battery can be greatly reduced.

Accordingly, in one illustration example, there is provided a battery housing for example which can uniquely fix a direction of one or more batteries relative to the battery housing, an accelerometer attached to the battery or the battery housing, and a processor programmed to receive one or more signals from the accelerometer, compute a gravity direction (e.g., from a gravity vector) from the one or more signals, and determine if battery is in a sub-optimum orientation for battery life based on the gravity direction and a relative alignment of the gravity direction to the battery or the battery housing.

<FIG> is a schematic of an acceptable battery gravitational orientation in which the positive terminal of the battery is located on the top side of the battery in a vertical plane. <FIG> is a schematic of another acceptable battery gravitational orientation in which the positive terminal of the battery is located in a horizontal plane. <FIG> is a schematic of a problematic battery gravitational orientation in which the positive terminal of the battery is tilted down from a horizontal plane, causing a reduced battery life. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is preferable to design a utility box where the battery installation is maintained in one of the preferred the directions and is not held or maintained in the adverse position with a cathode pointing in a downward direction.

While the present invention is not limited to any theory as to the degradation of a battery lifetime upon its orientation relative to gravity being held or maintained under a sub-optimum orientation, the origin of the degradation is related to the cathode's location in a fixed area whereas the electrolyte (e.g., a mixture of zinc chloride and water or potassium hydroxide and water or thionyl chloride with an electrolyte salt) may fall or drain away from the cathode (the positive terminal) under the influence of gravity. In a sub-optimum orientation, at the top of a battery cell, there is a space having an area of the anode and cathode not covered by the electrolyte. Under this arrangement, the lifetime of the battery with the uncovered electrode(s) is reduced because of the lack of the same available electrode area as compared to when the battery had the entire area of the electrodes covered. This problem of electrode(s) being uncovered under in the sub-optimum orientation typically is more severe with larger batteries which have larger empty spaces for the electrolyte to fall into. In general, because of this problem, one can expect the battery lifetimes to be reduced up to <NUM>% in some battery designs upon improper gravitational alignment of the battery. Accordingly, it is preferable that the battery orientation not result in an electrolyte disposition therein where the electrolyte uncovers a part of the electrodes.

While it may seem straightforward to ensure that the battery is in the proper orientation, because of the hidden aspect of the battery orientation inside the utility box being installed, there is no guarantee that the installer in the field has placed the utility itself in an orientation which preserves the battery orientation. For example, if the utility box is opaque, then the installer will not know the battery orientation inside the utility box. Furthermore, the battery housing may also be opaque.

As noted above, an accelerometer is fixed to the battery or the battery housing (or to the utility box). A processor in communication with the accelerometer (typically but not necessarily a three-axis accelerometer) determines if battery is in a sub-optimum orientation for battery life based on the gravity direction and a relative alignment of the gravity direction to the battery housing.

In one embodiment of the invention, the gravity direction is derived from a gravity vector calculated from measurements received from a three-axis accelerometer. <FIG> illustrate how the three acceleration components yield a gravity vector, from which a direction of the gravity vector relative to the battery can be derived. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the accelerometer is fixed to the battery housing, a direction of the gravity vector relative to the housing can be derived, from which the gravity direction relative to the battery can be derived. See <FIG> and <FIG> and the description below.

In one example, not part of the invention, the gravity direction is derived from a single axis accelerometer that is aligned with the anode-cathode axis of the battery. A positive gravitation direction would mean that the positive side of the battery is pointed upwards, therefore acceptable. Conversely, a negative gravitation direction would mean that the negative side of the battery is pointed upwards, therefore unacceptable.

<FIG> is a schematic of an in-line multiple battery housing of the invention with a three-axis accelerometer disposed thereon. The battery housing <NUM> is similar to that described in <CIT> (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety). Battery housing <NUM> in this embodiment includes a U-shaped rigid plastic trough <NUM> of an electrically insulating material having a curved bottom wall portion for conforming generally to the configuration of cylindrical battery cells <NUM>. Trough <NUM> can have a pair of strengthening edge flanges extending along the side wall lips. Extending inwardly and upwardly from the inner surface of the trough side walls are optional opposing pairs of fingers <NUM> having lower curved surfaces for engaging and blocking the cylindrical battery cells <NUM> against removal from trough <NUM>. While shown holding multiple battery cells <NUM>, the battery housing of this type could be made such that it holds only one battery cell <NUM>.

Each end wall <NUM>, <NUM> as shown can have a rectangular recess at <NUM> which is open to the interior of trough <NUM> and which extends to form a slot-like opening <NUM> at the top inner edge of wall <NUM>, <NUM> forming the trough end lip <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> can have a pair of opposing lip flanges <NUM> and <NUM> along the sides of the recess <NUM> defining opposing parallel grooves <NUM> and <NUM> extending to the opening <NUM>.

The recess <NUM> in end plate <NUM> can have a fixed contact in the form of an electrically conductive plate <NUM> having parallel edges snug fit in grooves <NUM> and <NUM> to secure plate <NUM> in a position for electrical contact with a top button contact of the battery cell <NUM>. At the other end of the holder, the recess <NUM> in end plate <NUM> can have an opposing electrical contact providing a snug fit in the grooves <NUM> and <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> may also be provided with a bottom port <NUM> through which an extension or lead of the electrical contact <NUM> or <NUM> can project as seen at <NUM> for connection to external circuitry. In one embodiment of the invention, the three-axis accelerometer is a part of processor <NUM> attached to the battery housing <NUM>, although the accelerometer could be merely in communication with processor <NUM> and disposed on another part of the battery housing or fixed to the utility box.

In this embodiment of the invention, the sub-optimal orientation would exist when the cathode (button) of the battery cell <NUM> is pointed downward. Thus, in one embodiment of this invention, a processor (such as processor <NUM> noted above) is programmed to receive one or more signals from a accelerometer, compute a gravity vector from the one or more signals, derive a gravity direction from the gravity vector, and determine if battery is in a sub-optimum orientation for battery life based on a) the gravity direction and a relative alignment of the gravity direction to the battery housing, and b) knowledge of the battery deployment inside the housing <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the battery housing of this invention can be different from the in-line configuration shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic of a paired battery housing of the invention upon which an accelerometer could be disposed thereon. The battery housing <NUM> shown in <FIG> is similar to that described in <CIT> (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety). The battery housing <NUM> may be formed of molded plastic, for example. As shown, battery housing <NUM> holds four conventional C-size battery cells <NUM>. As is well known, such battery cells are generally cylindrical and have terminals of the polarities of each battery pointed in the same direction. The positive terminals <NUM> are buttons protruding from one end of the dry cells, and the negative terminals <NUM> are part of the opposite end of the dry cells. A pin and flange mechanism <NUM> secures the batteries once the batteries are placed in compartments <NUM> and <NUM>.

Each compartment <NUM> and <NUM> is provided with appropriate contacts for engaging adjacent battery terminals. A contact <NUM> is provided at one end of compartment <NUM> and a contact <NUM> is provided at the opposite end of compartment <NUM>. A straight extension <NUM> of contact <NUM> may pass through a notch at one end of common side wall <NUM> and be electrically connected to the contacts. Contacts may be springs as shown or other metal posts or plates which make electrical contact to the battery posts. Contacts <NUM> and <NUM> ensure that the batteries are urged into engagement with one another and that electrical continuity between the contacts of the batteries is established. External lead structures, flange <NUM> and center tap <NUM> provide for an electrical connection through the housing <NUM>. In this embodiment of the invention, the sub-optimal orientation would exist when any one of the cathodes of the batteries are pointed downward.

In one embodiment, a three-axis accelerometer is attached to side wall <NUM>. In another embodiment, a single-axis accelerometer is attached to side wall <NUM> and aligned parallel the longitudinal axis of the batteries. Here, as noted above, a positive gravitation direction would mean that the positive side of the battery is pointed upwards, therefore acceptable. Conversely, a negative gravitation direction would mean that the negative side of the battery is pointed upwards, therefore unacceptable.

As used herein, gravitation-orientation refers to the orientation of battery's cathode or anode relative to the direction of gravity.

<FIG> is a simplified schematic of a three-axis accelerometer <NUM> installed for example on a battery housing (not shown). The three-axis accelerometer <NUM> is represented schematically by the x-, y-, and z-axis vectors, with the z-axis enumerated as <NUM>. A three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect acceleration in any direction. When the device is at rest, the only acceleration detected is that of gravity. Regardless of the orientation of the three-axis accelerometer <NUM>, the gravity vector is <NUM> (<NUM>/s<NUM>. ) The gravity vector can be determined by looking at the magnitudes and polarities of the acceleration in each of the three axes, and optionally summing them through vector addition. In this manner, the exact orientation of the battery housing (or utility box if connected thereto in a fixed orientation) relative to gravity can be determined.

<FIG> is a schematic showing the resolving of the gravity vector along the three-axes of the three-axis accelerometer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment of the invention, the three-axis accelerometer provides a processor such as for example processor <NUM> in <FIG> with the acceleration magnitudes along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. The processor through vector addition (noted above) can determine the direction of gravity. Assuming that the three-axis accelerometer <NUM> has a known orientation when mounted to the utility box, then the gravitational orientation of the utility box is known. Assuming that the battery housing and battery orientation relative to the utility box is known, then the gravitational orientation of the batteries can be calculated. A similar calculation would follow if the three-axis accelerometer <NUM> were mounted with the z-axis off-normal to the utility box.

<FIG> is a schematic of a utility service line <NUM> (water, gas, fluid, electricity) with two gravitation-orientations of the batteries in utility box <NUM>, one with the positive side terminal uphill of its negative side terminal (preferred) and one with the negative side terminal uphill of its positive side terminal (sub-optimum). Here, the installer has another dilemma to resolve with regard to the proper installation of a utility box. That is for installation along a utility service line that is tilted, rotation of the utility box can change the battery's gravitation-orientation from preferred to non-preferred.

<FIG> is schematic perspective of utility service <NUM>, a register <NUM>, and an electronic counter <NUM> of a coupled to each other. The orientation of the batteries inside counter <NUM> is denoted by the "+" and "-" symbols thereon. Register <NUM> typically measures water, fluid, gas, or electrical flow and communicates with the electronic counter <NUM>. In one embodiment of the invention, a flow meter is attached to water register <NUM>. A piezoelectric counter in the water register <NUM> produces output pulses from water flow through. The electronic counter <NUM> contain circuitry therein powered at least by batteries (not shown). In one embodiment of the invention, the orientation of the batteries in electronic counter <NUM> is determined at the time of installation to see if the batteries are in an acceptable orientation. As seen in the depictions in <FIG>, there is a degree of freedom in rotating the electronic counter and register around the utility service <NUM>. If the batteries inside the electronic counter <NUM> are horizontally aligned, then the rotation around the utility service <NUM> presents no circumstance where the battery orientation is unacceptable. However, if the utility service <NUM> is mounted vertically as shown, then rotation of the electronic counter would in one circumstance have the cathodes pointed up (acceptable on right hand side) and in another circumstance have the cathodes pointed down (unacceptable on left hand side).

In one example, installation of utility service <NUM>, a register <NUM>, and an electronic counter <NUM> may occur without the batteries being installed at that time. The installer uses the gravitational orientation of the battery housing as the guide for proper installation. Late, when the batteries are installed, the gravitational orientation information can be verified.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, processor <NUM> provides a signal outside of the utility box <NUM> which is an indication of the battery's gravitation-orientation (or the battery housing's gravitational orientation), including whether the battery is in a sub-optimum gravitation-orientation or an acceptable gravitation orientation. In a problematic installation, that is when it turns out that the positive-side terminal is tilted downward, the installation can be halted, and the installer instructed to re-orient the utility box containing the battery. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, when processor <NUM> determines that the battery is oriented in a sub-optimum orientation, a message is broadcast to either the installer or to a central server or both alerting personnel to the improper battery orientation. Alternatively, the message can be stored for later retrieval.

More specifically, in the case where the utility box has been mounted, the magnitude and polarity of the vectors are first captured. Processor <NUM> is programmed with a conversion, given the uniquely fixed position of the three-axis accelerometer to the battery housing and/or the fixed orientation of the battery inside the battery housing (depending on the type of battery housing: in-line or paired). The measured gravity vector reveals the gravity direction and thus the battery gravitation orientation. If it is found that the battery is in a non-ideal orientation, processor <NUM> can send a message that the installation can be halted, and the installer instructed to re-orient the unit, as noted above. In one embodiment of the invention, after installation and confirmation of an acceptable battery gravitation orientation, processor <NUM> can send a signal is transmitted to the utility server (or otherwise to another party) as validation of proper installation.

<FIG> is a schematic of a battery sleeve <NUM> (containing therein an accelerometer and a processor) in which the unit is directly attached to battery <NUM>. The processor of battery sleeve <NUM> functions as the processors described above. In this embodiment, the processor only needs to be programmed with the relative orientation of the accelerometer to the longitudinal axis of the battery <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the invention, by capturing the magnitude and polarity of the gravitational vectors when the device is first installed, a change in the orientation of the battery housing inside the utility box (and likewise a change in the orientation of the utility box) can be determined by comparing the current state of the three vectors with the originally captured state. In this embodiment, if the difference between the current state and the starting state exceeds a certain threshold, the unit can be considered tilted, and an alarm is triggered or a notification sent to the utility server.

Because only the difference between initial and current state is used in this calculation, the starting orientation of the utility box is not needed. In other words, a tilt event can be detected regardless of the initial orientation of the utility box or the battery housing. This provides an advantage over mechanical sensors which are designed to be installed in a given orientation.

Meters are frequently installed and mounted in meter pans which are in turn mounted in fixed and rigid positions on utility poles or the sides of buildings. Several types of events can dislodge the meters or pans from their intended installation positions. Some of these events include vehicle collision, storms, earthquakes, and drought induced soil subsidence. Disturbance of the meters and their attached electrical wiring can result in electrical shorts, high temperature connections, and fires. Tampering with the meter by its removal from the socket by unauthorized personnel will also cause movement of the meter from its installation position. Remedial action taken based upon detection of this dislodging can mitigate further damage or loss of property. By adding a multiple axis accelerometer to the internal circuitry of a meter (or in general to a utility box), an internal processor can monitor the accelerometer for changes in position (translation in one or more of the three physical directions) or orientation (rotation in one or more of the three physical axis). In this embodiment, the battery or battery housing gravitational orientation becomes a flag or status indicative of an untampered or a tampered state.

If the internal processor detects a change in position or orientation that exceeds a fixed or programmable threshold, the processor can take multiple actions. The processor could declare an alarm state. In this alarm state, the processor could cause the alarm to be reported on the meter's display if one is available, or if a communication channel is available if could report the alarm via the communication channel. It the meter has an internal service disconnect switch, the processor could disconnect service in the event of an alarm.

In one example, the installation of the three axis accelerometer with the battery housing provides the capability to detect tampering or an environmental impact on a utility box. For example, by removing a register from a meter body, water could continue to flow but the register would no longer detect it. Accordingly, in one example, the three-axis accelerometer with the battery housing is installed in the register. Removal of the register would generate a change in the orientation vectors and alert the utility to the tampering event.

In parts of Canada recently, drought induced soil subsidence has placed stress on utility meters attached to buildings, in particular stress at the electrical joints/connections connecting the utility lines to the meter. Fires at these stressed electrical joints/connections are possible.

The movement of the ground relative to the utility meter pulls the utility meter and typically twists the meter box gradually as the soil or ground subsides.

Here, in the present example, processor <NUM> would detect a slow and gradual change in position or orientation of the accelerometer, the battery, the battery housing, or the utility box that exceeds a fixed or programmable threshold. The movement would distinguish from higher frequency tamper events or seismic shaking or weather conditions. Essentially, the processor would be programmed to track the average position per day (or other preprogrammed time period) and monitor the change in the average position. As before, the processor can take multiple actions. The processor could declare an alarm state. In this alarm state, the processor could cause the alarm to be reported on the meter's display if one is available, or if a communication channel is available if could report the alarm via the communication channel. It the meter has an internal service disconnect switch, the processor could disconnect service in the event of an alarm.

In accordance with an example, <FIG> depicts a communication system <NUM> by which for example the utility boxes <NUM> can communicate to a utility server <NUM> or to the installer via a controller <NUM>. Utility server <NUM> can be coupled to a data center <NUM> that includes databases where acquired data from the three axis accelerometer or externally acquired data can be stored and optionally time-stamped.

System <NUM> may be coupled via a firewall <NUM> to a wired or wireless network <NUM> which communicates to utility boxes <NUM>. System <NUM> can also be accessed via protective firewalls <NUM> protecting a utility company's virtual private network <NUM>. Bi-directional communication may occur between each utility box113 and system <NUM> via point of presence (POP) <NUM>. In addition, Internet communication devices such as personal computer <NUM> (or smart phone) may access utility boxes <NUM> and system <NUM>.

The hardware design is not limiting of this invention, and may comprise the controller <NUM> with program memory, a liquid crystal display or other known displays; a directional sensing infra-red disk interface, an infrared data association (IrDA) communications port for diagnostics; non-volatile memory for data reading/ storage; a real-time clock for time stamping of data measurements; and a serial port to interface with various wired or wireless communication modules. Controller <NUM> which may be a mobile controller can include processor <NUM> or a functional equivalent thereof, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and/or at least one application specific processor (ASP). Controller <NUM> (or processor <NUM>) may include one or more circuits or be a circuit that utilizes a computer readable medium, such as a memory circuit (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, static memory, DRAM, SDRAM, and their equivalents), configured to control the processor to perform and/or control the processes and systems of this disclosure. The computer readable medium can include the methods and algorithms discussed therein as well as gravitation-orientation log files.

In one embodiment of the invention, instructions from processor <NUM> regarding the battery gravitational orientation is transmitted to mobile controller <NUM> for communication to an installer or service technicians. In a complex where there are multiple utility boxes of the present invention, controller <NUM> may be a stationary work station monitored or monitorable by site personnel or remotely monitored by the utility provider.

Each utility box <NUM> is capable of monitoring the gravitation-orientation in real time. Additionally, data such as utility usage readings, or high frequency vibrations, or long term orientation drifts can be taken at programmed predetermined intervals and can be stored in a non-volatile memory at the box <NUM> or the utility server <NUM>. Each box <NUM> can periodically establish a link to system <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the invention, the presence of the three-axis accelerometer in the utility box <NUM> permits the installer or utility provider to be provided with gravitation-orientation at the time of installation and at programmed report times or query times thereafter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the utility box <NUM> senses the gravitation-orientation and sends a signal to the installer's phone (or other network) that the utility box has been placed in an orientation with the battery in one of the preferred directions. In one embodiment of the invention, the utility box having determined that its battery is placed in the proper direction sends a notification to the installer and then ceases communication with the installer or the utility server <NUM>, unless the box is subsequently moved beyond some threshold value. An alert can be sent if the gravitation-orientation changes more than a preprogrammed amount, as a possible indication of tampering.

In one embodiment of the invention, utility box <NUM> transmits a signal over a network to a central server that its battery position is not in the preferred orientation. At that point the utility can contact a service technician to correct the problem.

In one embodiment of the invention, utility box <NUM> senses that there is been substantial movement of the utility overtime. This movement might suggest that the installation placed the utility box <NUM> in an unstable situation, in which case the installer will be notified of the problem.

In one embodiment of the invention, the presence of the three-axis accelerometer in utility box <NUM> permits a recording over time of a change in the gravity vector. If this change is repetitive and indicative of excessive environmental vibrations, then the lifetime of the electronic equipment inside the utility box could be adversely affected. In this case, an alert can be provided to service personnel or a central server that the environmental conditions are not the most appropriate for the longevity of the utility box. Situations where this attribute may be most important is where the utility box is attached to a machine whose components are rotating at a significant speed. That is the utility box may be associated with an electric motor turning a reciprocating device or revolving device. Should the reciprocating device or the revolving device become unbalanced, vibrations will be transmitted to the utility box the utility box sensing the excessive vibration it can then alert a service person or a central router as to the vibrational disturbance.

In another example, the network of utility boxes <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be above ground on utility poles. Weather conditions such as wind and ice storms would result in the gravitation-orientation vectors changing over time. By tracking the amount of displacements during those adverse environmental conditions, planned service interruptions could be implemented prior to catastrophic interruption of service. By contrast, in one embodiment of the invention, a processor in the utility box or the utility server measures a long-term drift in the orientation such as from the ground subsidence noted above. Alert conditions can be programmed when the long-term drift exceeds a threshold. Due the presence of short-term variations such as noted above, the average orientation is calculated for example on a weekly basis, and the averaged positions per week are then compared to a threshold to ascertain a long term change in orientation. In one embodiment of the invention, a processor in utility box <NUM> (or utility server <NUM>) is programmed to recognize and differentiate between at least one of seismic events or soil subsidence or weather events based on a temporal period of the disturbances.

In another example, the network of utility boxes <NUM> shown in <FIG> could sense and report seismic activity. In one embodiment of the invention, in earthquake zones, the widespread adoption of utility boxes <NUM> with the three axis-axis accelerometers would result in a sensor network capable of monitoring the degree of movement of "standard" fixtures (telephone poles, building walls, underground walls). These sensors would then represent more accurate/direct measures of the effect of seismic activity than distributed Richter scale sensors measuring the strength of the earthquake from which the impact of which would be surmised.

<FIG> is a flowchart depicting a computerized method example.

At step <NUM>, measure a gravitation-orientation of a battery (or a battery housing) in a utility box. At step <NUM>, determine if the gravitation-orientation of the battery in the utility box is acceptable. At step <NUM>, issue an alert if the gravitation-orientation of the battery (or the battery housing) in the utility box is unacceptable. Optionally, at step <NUM>, issue a validation if the gravitation-orientation of the battery (or the battery housing) in the utility box is acceptable.

The computerized method embodied for example in processor <NUM> can provide the installer or utility provider with gravitation-orientation at the time of installation and at programmed report times or query times thereafter. The computerized method can sense the gravitation-orientation and sends a signal to the installer's phone that the utility box has been placed in an orientation with the battery in one of the preferred directions or in a sub-optimum orientation.

The computerized method embodied for example in processor <NUM> can store acquired data from the three axis accelerometer or externally acquired data. Regardless, the acquired data can be time-stamped. The computerized method can monitor the gravitation-orientation in real time. The computerized method can distinguish between high frequency vibrations or long term orientation drifts and provide appropriate alerts.

The computerized method embodied for example in processor <NUM> can record over time of a change in the gravity vector. The computerized method can assess if this change is repetitive and indicative of excessive environmental vibrations. In that case, the computerized method can send an alert to service personnel or a central server that the environmental conditions are not the most appropriate for the longevity of the utility box.

The computerized method can track the amount of displacements during adverse environmental conditions and alert the utility if a planned service interruption should be implemented prior to a catastrophic interruption of service. The computerized method can sense and report seismic activity.

Claim 1:
A system for battery gravitational orientation detection, comprising:
an accelerometer (<NUM>) fixed relative to a battery (<NUM>) or a battery housing (<NUM>) including the battery (<NUM>), wherein the battery (<NUM>) contains a liquid or fluid-type electrolyte;
wherein the accelerometer (<NUM>) is attached to a utility box (<NUM>) having therein the battery (<NUM>) or battery housing (<NUM>) and is oriented in a fixed direction relative to the battery (<NUM>) or the battery housing (<NUM>); a processor (<NUM>) programmed to
receive, from the accelerometer (<NUM>), one or more signals at a time of installation of the utility box (<NUM>) and at a subsequent report time that each indicate a direction of gravity vector,
compute a change of gravity direction between the time of installation and the subsequent report time based on each of the indicated direction of gravity vector, and
determine whether the battery (<NUM>) or the battery housing (<NUM>) is moved to a sub-optimum battery life orientation with the cathode of the battery tilted downward from a horizontal plane based on the computed change of gravity direction being more than a preprogrammed amount and on the fixed orientation of the accelerometer (<NUM>) relative to the battery (<NUM>) or battery housing (<NUM>).