公开(公告)号：US09005423B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US13693497

申请日：2012-12-04

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien

IPC: C23F13/00 ,  C23F13/04 ,  C23F13/22 ,  G01N17/02

CPC classification number: C23F13/04 ,  C23F13/22 ,  C23F2213/32 ,  G01N17/02

Abstract: Communications systems are provided for use with an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system having single or multiple ICCP components. A pipeline may be provided by connecting multiple pipeline sections together as an integrated pipeline where each section has an associated ICCP system. A communications signal comprising an AC signal is impressed on the pipeline and received by receivers associated with power supplies associated with each ICCP system. Upon reception of the AC signal, a controllable switch is operated within the power supplies to synchronously disconnect them from their power source and thereby enable accurate testing of the ICCP system.

Abstract translation: 提供通信系统用于具有单个或多个ICCP组件的外加阴极保护（ICCP）系统。 可以通过将多个管道段连接在一起作为集成管道来提供管道，其中每个部分具有相关联的ICCP系统。 包括AC信号的通信信号被施加在流水线上并由与每个ICCP系统相关联的电源相关联的接收器接收。 在接收到AC信号时，在电源内操作可控开关以使它们与其电源同步地断开，从而能够对ICCP系统进行准确的测试。

公开(公告)号：US20140281624A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13839223

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F1/3234 ,  H02J7/007 ,  H02J9/005

Abstract: A power management device is adapted to reduce power consumption, particularly in battery-powered applications such as within a node in a utility network (e.g., in a gas, water, or other utility application). In one example, a low-current voltage regulator provides power to a processor during low-power “sleep” states. A high-current voltage regulator provides power to the processor, metrology devices and/or a radio during “awake” states. A buck-boost device may provide power to a transmitter during radio frequency (RF) transmissions. A max device may determine a greater of voltages output by a battery and the buck-boost device, and use the higher to power the high-current voltage regulator. The power management device may include a state machine, which may include several states and operations to perform within each state. In one state, the processor enters a sleep state prior to recovery of battery voltage after a transmission state.

Abstract translation: 电力管理装置适于降低功率消耗，特别是在电池供电的应用中，例如在公用事业网络（例如在气体，水或其他实用应用中）的节点内。 在一个示例中，低电流电压调节器在低功率“睡眠”状态期间向处理器供电。 高电流电压调节器在“清醒”状态下为处理器，计量设备和/或无线电提供电力。 降压 - 升压装置可以在射频（RF）传输期间向发射机提供电力。 最大装置可以确定由电池和降压 - 升压装置输出的较大的电压，并且使用较高的电压为高电流电压调节器供电。 电源管理设备可以包括状态机，其可以包括在每个状态内执行的几种状态和操作。 在一种状态下，在传输状态之后，处理器在恢复电池电压之前进入睡眠状态。

公开(公告)号：US11234137B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-25

申请号：US16159577

申请日：2018-10-12

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Bruce Edwards

IPC: H04W4/00 ,  H04W16/24 ,  H04L1/18 ,  H04W40/04

Abstract: Nodes included in a hybrid network establish cellular links infrequently and at staggered intervals. When a node establishes a cellular link, other nodes can transmit and receive data to a back office using that cellular link. In addition, the node can receive a request from the back office across the cellular link indicating that another node should respond to an on-demand read request. The node can then signal the other node via a wireless mesh network to establish a cellular link in order to respond to the on-demand read request. An advantage of the disclosed approach is that a battery powered node can communicate as often as needed with the back office without frequently establishing a cellular link and without maintaining a continuously active cellular link.

公开(公告)号：US20140151241A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US13693497

申请日：2012-12-04

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien

IPC: C23F13/04

CPC classification number: C23F13/04 ,  C23F13/22 ,  C23F2213/32 ,  G01N17/02

Abstract: Communications systems are provided for use with an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system having single or multiple ICCP components. A pipeline may be provided by connecting multiple pipeline sections together as an integrated pipeline where each section has an associated ICCP system. A communications signal comprising an AC signal is impressed on the pipeline and received by receivers associated with power supplies associated with each ICCP system. Upon reception of the AC signal, a controllable switch is operated within the power supplies to synchronously disconnect them from their power source and thereby enable accurate testing of the ICCP system.

Abstract translation: 提供通信系统用于具有单个或多个ICCP组件的外加阴极保护（ICCP）系统。 可以通过将多个管道段连接在一起作为集成管道来提供管道，其中每个部分具有相关联的ICCP系统。 包括AC信号的通信信号被施加在流水线上并由与每个ICCP系统相关联的电源相关联的接收器接收。 在接收到AC信号时，在电源内操作可控开关以使它们与其电源同步地断开，从而能够对ICCP系统进行准确的测试。

公开(公告)号：US10959154B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-23

申请号：US16159587

申请日：2018-10-12

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Bruce Edwards

IPC: H04W56/00 ,  H04W40/08 ,  H04W40/10 ,  H04W74/02

Abstract: Nodes included in a hybrid network establish cellular links infrequently and at staggered intervals. When a node establishes a cellular link, other nodes can transmit and receive data to a back office using that cellular link. In addition, the node can receive a request from the back office across the cellular link indicating that another node should respond to an on-demand read request. The node can then signal the other node via a wireless mesh network to establish a cellular link in order to respond to the on-demand read request. An advantage of the disclosed approach is that a battery powered node can communicate as often as needed with the back office without frequently establishing a cellular link and without maintaining a continuously active cellular link.

公开(公告)号：US09268391B2

公开(公告)日：2016-02-23

申请号：US13839223

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: Itron, Inc.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Johann de Jager

IPC: G06F1/32 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J9/00

CPC classification number: G06F1/3234 ,  H02J7/007 ,  H02J9/005

Abstract: A power management device is adapted to reduce power consumption, particularly in battery-powered applications such as within a node in a utility network (e.g., in a gas, water, or other utility application). In one example, a low-current voltage regulator provides power to a processor during low-power “sleep” states. A high-current voltage regulator provides power to the processor, metrology devices and/or a radio during “awake” states. A buck-boost device may provide power to a transmitter during radio frequency (RF) transmissions. A max device may determine a greater of voltages output by a battery and the buck-boost device, and use the higher to power the high-current voltage regulator. The power management device may include a state machine, which may include several states and operations to perform within each state. In one state, the processor enters a sleep state prior to recovery of battery voltage after a transmission state.

Abstract translation: 电力管理装置适于降低功率消耗，特别是在电池供电的应用中，例如在公用事业网络（例如在气体，水或其他实用应用中）的节点内。 在一个示例中，低电流电压调节器在低功率“睡眠”状态期间向处理器供电。 高电流电压调节器在“清醒”状态下为处理器，计量设备和/或无线电提供电力。 升压装置可以在射频（RF）传输期间向发射机提供电力。 最大装置可以确定由电池和降压 - 升压装置输出的较大的电压，并且使用较高的电压为高电流电压调节器供电。 电源管理设备可以包括状态机，其可以包括在每个状态内执行的几种状态和操作。 在一种状态下，在传输状态之后，处理器在恢复电池电压之前进入睡眠状态。

公开(公告)号：US20130188746A1

公开(公告)日：2013-07-25

申请号：US13793230

申请日：2013-03-11

Applicant: ITRON, INC.

Inventor： Barry Cahill-O'Brien ,  Mark K. Cornwall

IPC: H04L1/00

CPC classification number: H04L1/0036 ,  G01D4/002 ,  H04L27/14 ,  H04L2027/0065 ,  Y02B90/241 ,  Y04S20/32

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computing the carrier frequency of a transmitter using frequency modulated digital data to compensate for frequency shifting of the transmitter and the receiver local oscillators and for bandwidth adjustment of the receiver's filter. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed for binary systems transmitting “1” and “0” data using decoded or undecoded received signals.

Abstract translation: 用于使用调频数字数据计算发射机的载波频率以补偿发射机和接收机本地振荡器的频移以及接收机滤波器的带宽调整的方法和装置。 具体地，公开了使用解码或未解码的接收信号来传输“1”和“0”数据的二进制系统的方法和装置。