Patent ID: 12235330

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “phase”, “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more non-transitory computer readable (storage) medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

FIG.1is a block diagram of a hot point system (GESHP)100, which may be used to detect loose connections and other faults in electric power circuits, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The GESHP100includes a power supply101, a voltage comparator102, a voltage sampling interface103, a current sampling interface104, and a processor105. Optionally, the GESHP100includes at least one voltage and/or at least one current sensor.

In some embodiments, a GESHP100may be connected to a breaker box and collect data from the breaker box, for example values of current, relative voltage levels, and/or electric wave phase angles. The term “breaker box” used herein refers to any electrical connection device that receives voltage and/or current from an external source, for example power lines of an electric supply company, and supplies the voltage and/or current to a local consumer. For example a breaker box may be an installation at an industrial site with numerous electric motors and other electric devices that are connected to output points of the breaker box. Optionally a breaker box may receive and distribute three phase electricity.

In some embodiments, input voltage supplied to GESHP100, for example 220-240 volt AC, may be rectified and/or converted by power supply101to a suitable voltage for operation of all components described herein.

In some embodiments voltage sampling interface103may comprise sensors and/or connections to sensors for sampling voltage levels of a plurality of voltage lines and may transmit the voltage values to voltage comparator102, as described inFIG.2.

Optionally, the voltage value may be relative to a reference point. Optionally the voltage values may include meta-data identifying the specific source of the samples, a time stamp of each sample, phase, phase angle, and/or other data.

In some embodiments current sampling interface104may comprise sensors and/or connections to sensors for sampling current levels of input lines and may transmit the values of current to processor105, as described inFIG.2.

Optionally, the current value may include phase identification, phase angle, source of the samples, a time stamp of each sample, phase, phase angle, and/or other data.

Optionally, the current sensors comprise ring current sensors. Optionally, separate sensors may be dedicated to collecting data from each of three phases entering a breaker box.

In some embodiments voltage comparator102may comprise a mechanism for receiving multiple voltage signals and computing a voltage delta between two signal sources. Optionally the voltage signals may be voltages, digital encoded signals, and/or any type of signal representing a voltage level. For example, voltage comparator102may calculate a delta voltage between an entry point and exit point of circuits within a breaker box, as described inFIG.2.

Optionally voltage comparator102may comprise communication devices for transmitting data to processor105. Optionally, the data may comprise the calculated delta voltages, time stamps, voltage source identity, phase, phase angles, and/or any other data. Optionally the interface between voltage comparator102and processor105may be digital, analog, and/or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments processor105may comprise a computing platform, including communication interface106, memory122, a CPU120, and/or other computing facilities as described inFIG.2.

FIG.2is a schematic illustration of a GESHP connected to a breaker box, according to some embodiments of the current invention.

In some embodiments breaker box200may comprise input lines201,202, and203, connected optionally via circuit breakers22to breaker bars201b,202b, and203brespectively. Circuits203,204, and205may each connect to each of breaker bars201b,202b, and203b. In some embodiments some or all circuits may be three phase or single phase. Optionally circuit breaker23may be connected between breaker bars201b,202b, and203b, and circuits203,204, and205. Optionally breaker box200may comprise 3-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-40, 40-100 or any other number of circuits.

In some embodiments current sensors201a,202a, and203amay be attached to input points either within or outside of breaker box200. Current sensors201a,202a, and203amay be part of and/or attached to current sampling interface104of GESHP100, and may sample current of electric supply wires, for example in a three phase system, input lines201,202, and203. Those familiar with the art, may refer to the three phase wires as “R”, “S”, and “T”.

Sampling

As used herein, the term “sampling” refers to a device generating a data parameter representative of a measured phenomenon, for example voltage, phase angle, and/or current. The data parameter may be generated at regular time intervals, for example once per Pico second, micro second, fraction of a second, 1-10 seconds, 10-20 seconds, 20-30 seconds, 30-60 seconds, 1-5 minutes, 5-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 1-2 hours, 2-24 hours, 1-2 days, and/or any other time interval and/or range.

In some embodiments voltage sampling interface103may comprise or be connected to input voltage sensors207. Input voltage sensors207may comprise separate sensors for each input lines201,202, and203.

In some embodiments, voltage sampling interface103may comprise or be connected to voltage sensors206, wherein voltage sensor206may comprise a separate voltage sensor for each of a plurality of circuits at an output point of breaker box200.

Processor105

The GESHP100may comprise processor105comprising a central processing unit (CPU)120linked to memory122. The CPU120is in turn, linked to components such as voltage comparator102, and current sampling interface104. While these components are the most germane to processor105, other components are permissible.

The CPU102is formed of one or more processors, including hardware processors, and performs the processes (methods) of the invention, for example, the process ofFIG.3, which is detailed below. For example, CPU120may include x86 Processors from AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and/or any other CPU.

Memory122may store machine-executable instructions executed by the CPU120for performing the processes of the invention. Memory122, for example, may also provide temporary storage for intermediate computations.

Communications Interface106

Communications interface106may facilitate communication links, including communication between components of GESHP, and communications between GESHP and other communicating platforms. Communications interface may comprise cellular, wired and/or wireless links, for example Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and may support communications protocols, for example TCP/IP.

For example, communications interface106may sends alarms and/or alerts generated by the processes of GESHP to designated destinations to inform of possible increased resistance of one or more circuits within breaker box200.

Communications interface106may also receive communications, such as when processor105is being programmed. For example, communications interface106may allow a user of a computing platform to input configuration data. Configuration data may also be loaded into memory122along with program instructions.

Configuration Data

Configuration data may include for example associating current sensors201awith input line201, current sensor202awith input line202, and input sensor203awith input line203, and/or associating each of breaker bars201a,201b, and201cwith one of input lines201,202, and203, and associating individual output voltage sensors206with circuits203,204, or205. Configuration data may further comprise a maximum and/or threshold current value of circuit breakers22and/or26, a threshold for generating alarms, and the like. The association of the various components may enable processor105to identify specific circuits with loose or problematic connections.

Definition of Terms

Any reference to calculations, detections, recordings, sampling, actions, methods, and/or process performed by processor MESHP100, processor105, and or CPU126refer to instructions stored in memory122executing on CPU.

“Linked” as used herein, includes both wired and/or wireless links, either direct or indirect. As used herein, a “module”, for example, includes a component for storing instructions (e.g., machine readable instructions), for example memory122, and for performing one or more processes, and including or associated with processors, e.g., the CPU120, for executing the instructions.

The term “corresponding” and/or “correlating”, when applied to voltage and/or current parameters refers to a change occurring in both parameters within a window of time from each other, for example within 1-1000 Pico seconds, 1-1000 micro seconds, a fraction of a second, 1-2 seconds, and/or between 1,2, 3, or more sampled values. Corresponding parameter values may also that display about the same phase shift, the term “about” referring to within a range of plus or minus 0.1-1%, 1-2%, 2-4%, 4-6%, 6-8%, 8-10%, or any fraction of the stated ranges.

The term “associate” may be applied to components of breaker box200, and may indicate a connection to a common circuit and/or phase.

The terms “steady state” and “threshold” when applied to parameters of voltage and/or current refers to a value calculated by processor105wherein a time series of values for a parameter are stored and a steady state or threshold value is calculated based on a mathematical operation, for example an average, mean, or other mathematical operations or combinations thereof, on a series of values, for example when it is known that no load is applied to a circuit, for example during a time period when load drawing equipment is not in use, e.g. during the night, or for example choosing a series of values that are within a range of each other and of lower value than other series.

The term “threshold” may refer to a value that is calculated by processor105, a default value stored in memory122, a percentage or a multiple of a value for example loaded resistance, and/or a parameter input by a user.

The term “loaded resistance” refers to the calculated resistance between an input point of a circuit and an output point of the same circuit when a load that draws current, for example an electric motor or any other electric device, is applied to the output point of the circuit.

The term “fault threshold” refers to a resistance parameter for each circuit that may be calculated by processor105, input by a user, and/or an initial default parameter loaded into memory122. For example, the fault threshold may be a percentage of the maximum current rating of a circuit breaker in the circuit, a percentage of the loaded resistance, and/or any other calculated or determined value. The term may also refer to a level of power, calculated using Ohm's law, by multiplying voltage drop by current.

Calculating Loaded Resistance

By way of example, loaded resistance of circuit203is calculated. The same process may be applicable to any other circuit within breaker box200.

For example, to calculate the loaded resistance of circuit203, an increase in voltage drop is detected by voltage comparator102based on input from voltage sampling interface103receiving input from voltage sensors206and207. Voltage drop is a value calculated by processor105and/or by voltage comparator102by calculating for circuit203the difference between voltage parameters recorded by input voltage sensors207and the associated output voltage sensors206. For example, the increased voltage drop may be detected in input line201.

Processor105then searches values of sampled current from current sensor with the same phase as the increased voltage drop, for example in our case current sensor201a, and detects whether a corresponding increase in current with the same phase angle and time synchronization as the increased voltage drop occurred.

When a corresponding voltage drop and current increase is detected, the loaded resistance is calculated by dividing the increased current by the voltage drop, according to Ohm's law. The calculation may be performed multiple times, and a mathematical operation may be performed on the series of values of loaded resistance to calculate referenced value of loaded resistance, which may be stored for use in detecting increased resistance due to loose connection and/or other faults.

The loaded resistance of each circuit may be calculated automatically by processor105, for example numerous times, for example at initial start-up of GESHP100, and may be automatically recalculated if and/or when a change in value is detected. In some embodiments, an initial and/or default value of loaded resistance for some or all circuits may be input to the GESHP.

Identifying Increased Circuit Resistance

GESHP100may detect within a circuit increased resistance and/or increased power consumption, which may be an indication of a loose or otherwise malfunctioning connection, fuse, breaker, component, and/or section of the circuit.

The process of identifying increased resistance within a circuit may begin after the process of calculating referenced loaded resistance and continue with the steps listed below. Optionally, identifying increased resistance within a circuit may comprise similar and/or identical steps in the process of calculating loaded resistance, with the following added steps.

The voltage drop is calculated for each circuit continuously, for example with each set of corresponding voltage measurement, or once every period of time, for example every second, every minute, every hour, every day, and/or any other time interval. If an increased voltage drop is detected where no corresponding current increase is detected, or if calculation of load resistance rises above a threshold, actions may be taken to alert that a fault may be present in the circuit.

The actions may include transmitting an alert to user computing device(s), sounding an audible alarm at or near breaker box200or any other location, recording relevant parameters in a log file, and/or any other action.

The detection of increased circuit resistance may further comprise real time and/or continuous reporting of power consumption of at least one circuit in breaker box200. For example, once the reference loaded resistance is known, power can be calculated by the formula:
P=U∧2*RL

Where:

P=power

U=increased current

RL=referenced loaded resistance

Optionally, the power consumption of a circuit may also be calculated by the formula:
P=U*V

Where:

V=voltage drop.

U=increased current

FIG.3is a flow diagram detailing processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, the process begins at a block301, where input current is sampled by current sampling interface104, and an increase in the input current above a threshold is detected and recorded by processor105

The process continues with block302, where voltage drop of the same phase for a plurality of circuits is recorded and examined by processor105, and a voltage drop corresponding to the increased current is detected.

The process continues with block303, where a loaded resistance is calculated by processor105by dividing the increase in current by the corresponding voltage drop.

Optionally, blocks301-303may be repeated at least twice for the same circuit, and a referenced loaded resistance value is calculated by processor105in block304by performing a mathematical operation of the series of loaded resistance values.

Optionally the mathematical function may be any linear or non-linear function or algorithm, for example classifier, regression, machine learning, artificial intelligence, average, mean weighted average, weighted mean, median, ignoring outliers.

In some embodiments, the process further comprises the blocks305and306.

In block305, a new value of loaded resistance is calculated and compared to a threshold value. The threshold value may be a fraction and/or a multiple of the referenced loaded resistance value, a user input parameter, a default value stored in memory122, and/or a combination thereof. If the new value exceeds the threshold value, continue to block306, otherwise return to block305. The loop of repeating block305may be exited when processor105detects a change in input current and/or voltage drop and calculates returns to block300to calculate a new loaded resistance value.

In block306an alarm and/or alert is generated by processor105and transmitted by communications interface106as described above.

HARDWARE EMBODIMENTS

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit, or a virtual machine or virtual hardware. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, non-transitory storage media such as a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

For example, any combination of one or more non-transitory computer readable (storage) medium(s) may be utilized in accordance with the above-listed embodiments of the present invention. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable non-transitory storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

As will be understood with reference to the paragraphs and the referenced drawings, provided above, various embodiments of computer-implemented methods are provided herein, some of which can be performed by various embodiments of apparatuses and systems described herein and some of which can be performed according to instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable storage media described herein. Still, some embodiments of computer-implemented methods provided herein can be performed by other apparatuses or systems and can be performed according to instructions stored in computer-readable storage media other than that described herein, as will become apparent to those having skill in the art with reference to the embodiments described herein. Any reference to systems and computer-readable storage media with respect to the following computer-implemented methods is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such systems and any of such non-transitory computer-readable storage media with regard to embodiments of computer-implemented methods described above. Likewise, any reference to the following computer-implemented methods with respect to systems and computer-readable storage media is provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to limit any of such computer-implemented methods disclosed herein.

Explanations of Figures

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Clarifications

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

The above-described processes including portions thereof can be performed by software, hardware and combinations thereof. These processes and portions thereof can be performed by computers, computer-type devices, workstations, processors, micro-processors, other electronic searching tools and memory and other non-transitory storage-type devices associated therewith. The processes and portions thereof can also be embodied in programmable non-transitory storage media, for example, compact discs (CDs) or other discs including magnetic, optical, etc., readable by a machine or the like, or other computer usable storage media, including magnetic, optical, or semiconductor storage, or other source of electronic signals.

The processes (methods) and systems, including components thereof, herein have been described with exemplary reference to specific hardware and software. The processes (methods) have been described as exemplary, whereby specific steps and their order can be omitted and/or changed by persons of ordinary skill in the art to reduce these embodiments to practice without undue experimentation. The processes (methods) and systems have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to readily adapt other hardware and software as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice without undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.