Patent ID: 7921732

Claim:
An apparatus for operating an electromagnetic valve associated with a gas meter, said electromagnetic valve being operable for stopping or allowing a flow of gas to pass through said gas meter ( 1 ) to one or more users, said apparatus being associated with said gas meter ( 1 ) and comprising: an electronic gas consumption measuring device ( 4 ) for generating electrical signals corresponding to a quantity of gas which flows through said meter ( 1 ); a central unit (C) electrically connected to said electronic gas consumption measuring device for receiving and processing said electrical signals generated by said measuring device ( 4 ) for determining a quantity of gas consumed, and having means for transmitting to a remote system, by electromagnetic waves, data relevant to the quantity of gas consumed; a functional electrical connection provided between said central unit (C) and said electromagnetic valve ( 3 ); a protective cover ( 6 ) for protecting at least said central unit (C), said electronic measuring device ( 4 ), electrical connections between the central unit and the electronic measuring device, and said functional electrical connection provided between said electromagnetic valve ( 3 ) and said central unit (C); said electromagnetic valve ( 3 ) being integrated with said gas meter ( 1 ) and operable through a fore wall ( 1 k ) of said gas meter, said central unit (C) and electronic measuring device ( 4 ) being fastened to said fore wall ( 1 k ) of the gas meter ( 1 ); and, wherein the protective cover is removably coupled to the fore wall ( 1 k ) for protecting from outside at least said central unit (C), said electronic measuring device ( 4 ), the electrical connections between the central unit and the electronic measuring device, and said functional electrical connection of said electromagnetic valve ( 3 ) to said central unit (C), the coupling of the protective cover ( 6 ) to the fore wall ( 1 k ) being monitored by sensor means in communication with the central unit (C) such that the central unit detects immediately when the protective cover ( 6 ) is removed.