Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a device and method of verifying electrical pulses, and in particular to a device and method for verifying electrical utility meter pulses in parallel with a load monitoring system. 
     Many applications use pulse generators to transmit a pulse signal that indicates a unit of measurement. In an exemplary application, an electrical utility meter uses a relay to generate a pulse each time a dial on the utility meter rotates. By accumulating the number of pulses transmitted during a given time period, a usage parameter (e.g. kilowatt-hours) may be determined. The use of a pulse generator provides advantages in extending older technologies that may lack communications capability. The pulse generator further provides advantages by allowing a third party access to information from a metering device without having to provide a connection to the processing or communication circuitry of the meter. It should be appreciated that providing access to the communication circuitry of a meter may weaken security or create the risk of unauthorized access. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of an electrical utility meter, the pulse generator may be relay having two dry contacts (form C) or a single dry contact (form A), sometimes referred to as a KYZ or KY, KZ pulse output relay. Each time the meter disk or disk emulator (on digital meters) rotates a full turn, the relay changes state between the dry contacts. This change in state creates what can be considered a pulse signal on the relay output. By knowing the scaling of the disk rotation, the amount of electrical power consumed may be determined by counting the number of pulses generated over a period of time. The relay output for electrical meters is often used to provide the customer with a way to monitor their electrical usage in near real-time. It is common for electrical meters to have the pulse generating relay built in and connected with an external terminal block or wiring harness that allows the customer access to the pulses. 
     Another application is in energy usage consulting. Devices are commercially available that connect to the front of a utility meter and optically determine the rotation of the meter disk (on mechanical meters) or disk emulator/calibration pulses (on digital meters). The device then generates a pulse each time that a disk or disk emulator/calibration pulses completes a rotation. The energy consultant may then use this information to determine the impact of various changes that are made to the connected facility rather than waiting for the monthly utility account statement. 
     One problem that arises in these applications is when there is a discrepancy between the meter and the system that accumulates the pulses. It is difficult to trace the source of the error to determine if the error originates in the utility meter, or in the customer system. 
     Accordingly, while existing pulse systems are suitable for their intended purpose, there remains a need for improvements particularly in systems and methods for verifying the accuracy of the pulse system. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a device is provided having a first input. A pulse splitting relay having a second input is electrically coupled to the first input. The pulse splitting relay further includes a first output and a second output electrically coupled to the second input. A recorder is electrically coupled to the first output, the recorder further has a processor responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor for receiving a first signal from the first output and storing data in memory in response to the first signal. The data may include a date and time when the first signal was received. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a pulse verifying system is provided. The system includes a pulse source. A demark device is operably coupled to the pulse source, the demark device being adapted to receive a pulse signal from the pulse source and inhibit electrical power from transmitted from the demark device to the pulse source. A verifying device is operably disposed between the pulse source and the demark device. The verifying device includes a pulse splitting relay having a first input operably coupled to the pulse source, a first output and a second output, wherein the second output is operably coupled to the demark device. The verifying device further includes a recorder operably coupled to the first output, the recorder has a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor for storing data in memory in response to receiving a first signal from the first output, wherein the data includes a date and a time when the first signal was received. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of verifying electrical pulses is provided. The method includes generating a first series of pulses with a pulse source, wherein each of the first series of pulses corresponds to a unit of measurement. The first series of pulses is transmitted to an input of a pulse splitting relay. A second series of pulses is generated with the pulse splitting relay in response to the pulse splitting relay receiving the first series of pulses. A third series of pulses is generated with the pulse splitting relay in response to the pulse splitting relay receiving the first series of pulses. The second series of pulses is transmitted to a recorder. A first data is stored with the recorder in response to receiving the second series of pulses, the first data includes a date and time when each of the second series of pulses was received by the recorder. The third series of pulses is transmitted to a first output. 
     These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a pulse verifier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustration of a pulse verifier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the pulse verifier of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a pulse verifier in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a pulse verifier in accordance with another embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a pulse verifier in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide advantages in allowing personnel to verify the accuracy or precision of pulse signals from a pulse generation source. Embodiments of the invention provide further advantages in monitoring pulse signals in parallel with an external system. Yet further embodiments of the present invention provide further advantages in locating the sources of error in a system using pulse signals. Still further embodiments of the invention provide advantages in being portable and transportable by a single person. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary pulse verifier device  20  is illustrated. The device  20  includes an input  22  that is received from a pulse generation source, such as a dry contact relay  24  ( FIG. 4 ) for example, that generates a series of signal pulses. The input  22  is connected to a pulse splitting relay  26 . In the exemplary embodiment, the pulse splitting relay  26  is an isolation relay model “Sentry 30” produced by Austin International. The pulse splitting relay  26  accepts the signal from input  22  provides a first bistable output  28  and a second bistable output  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, the pulse splitting relay  26  receives input electrical power  32  from an external source. The pulse splitting relay  26  isolates the output signals  28 ,  30  from the input  22  and creates a pair of output pulse signals that are substantially identical to the input pulse signal received from input  22 . 
     The first output signal  28  is transmitted to a recorder  34 . The recorder  34  includes a controller having a processor  36  and memory  38 . In the exemplary embodiment, the recorder  34  is a utility grade data recorder, such as Model SSR-660 data recorder manufactured by Transdata, Inc. The recorder  34  is a suitable electronic device capable of accepting data and instructions, executing the instructions to process data and storing the results. The recorder  34  may accept instructions and data through a user interface, or other means such as by not limited to electronic data card, voice activation means, manually operable selection and control means, radiated wavelength and electronic or electrical transfer. In the exemplary embodiment, the recorder  34  includes an optical interface  40  that provides a connection with an external device, such as a laptop computer for example. 
     The recorder  34  is capable of converting the pulse signal from pulse splitting relay  26  into a digital record. In general, the recorder  34  accepts the data from the pulse splitting relay  26  and is given certain instructions for the purpose of associating the pulse signal data with one or more data, such as but not limited to time data and date data for example. The recorder  34  stores data in memory  38  so that it may be later received by an external device (not shown). In one embodiment, the recorder  34  includes, or is connected to a communications device, such as a cellular (CDMA, GSM) modem, a telephone modem, or a local area network for example. The memory  38  may include one or more types of memory, including random access memory (RAM), non-voltile memory (NVM) or read-only memory (ROM). The recorder  34  may further include one or more input/output (I/O) controllers or (not shown). 
     The recorder  34  includes operation control methods embodied in application code. These methods are embodied in computer instructions written to be executed by processor  36 , typically in the form of software. The software can be encoded in any language, including, but not limited to, assembly language, VHDL (Verilog Hardware Description Language), VHSIC HDL (Very High Speed IC Hardware Description Language), Fortran (formula translation), C, C++, Visual C++, Java, ALGOL (algorithmic language), BASIC (beginners all-purpose symbolic instruction code), visual BASIC, ActiveX, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and any combination or derivative of at least one of the foregoing. Additionally, an operator can use an existing software application such as a spreadsheet or database and correlate various cells with the variables enumerated in the algorithms. In one embodiment, the recorder  34  includes an imbedded web server that allows service personnel to communicate with the recorder  34  from remote locations. Furthermore, the software can be independent of other software or dependent upon other software, such as in the form of integrated software. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the device  20  receives a pulse signal from input  22 . The pulse splitting relay  26  receives the pulse signal and generates a first output signal  28  and a second output signal  30 . The second output signal  30  is transmitted to an external device or system, such as but not limited to another recorder, a building management system, an accumulator and the like. The first output signal is transmitted to the recorder  34 . The pulse signal data is combined with a date and time data for when the pulse signal was received. The pulse signal data, and or the date and time data are stored in memory  38 . Periodically, service personnel visit the device  20  and connect an external data collection device (not shown), such as a laptop computer for example, to the device  20 . In the exemplary embodiment the external data collection device transmits a signal via the optical interface  40  to the recorder  34 . When the signal is received via the optical interface  40 , the processor  36  retrieves the pulse signal data and date and time data from memory  38  and transmits the data to the external data collection device via optical interface  40 . In one embodiment, the data includes an accumulated pulse signal data. In another embodiment, the processor  36  converts the pulse data into a unit of measurement, such as kilowatt-hours for example. 
     Another embodiment of a portable pulse verifier device  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the device  20  includes a housing  42 . The housing  42  includes a plurality of walls  44  that define rectangular parallelepiped box having a substantially hollow interior portion  46 . One side of the housing is a movable lid or cover  48  that is coupled to the walls  44  by one or more hinges  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cover  48  may include a lock to prevent unauthorized access to the recorder  34 . In one embodiment, the housing  42  is the substantially the size of a briefcase and of a weight such that the device  20  may be carried by a single person. In one embodiment, the housing  42  includes a handle  45  on one wall. It should be appreciated that having a portable pulse verifier device  20  provides advantages in allowing service personnel to quickly deploy the device  20  to a desired location and allows the device  20  to remain at the installation site to collect data until the service personnel return. 
     Arranged within the interior portion  46  is the recorder  34  and pulse splitting relay  26 . The recorder  34  and pulse splitting relay  26  are electrically coupled as illustrated in  FIG. 3  to a terminal block  52  having post terminals for connection to the pulse source generator. Adjacent the input terminal block  52  is an electrical power inlet  54 . In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical power inlet  54  is coupled to provide 120 Volt electrical power to the “K” line input terminal  56  on the pulse splitting relay  26  and on the “K” output post  60  of output terminal block  58 . Since external power is provided to the pulse splitting relay  26 , the received pulse signals may be replicated and transmitted without loss of signal quality or strength. 
     An exemplary embodiment of an application using the device  20  with a utility meter  60  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Utility meters  60  are commonly used to measure and report the consumption of electrical power delivered to a customer. These meters  60  commonly provide a pulse signal output that allows an end customer or other third party to receive a signal that may be used for monitoring electrical consumption without waiting for a monthly statement from the utility or power provider. This pulse signal output is typically generated by a dry contact relay  24  that is connected with a terminal block or other wired connection that allows the customer to connect with the meter  60 . The pulse signal may be used by the customer in a number of ways, such as during energy audits to determine to effect of different changes being made to the facility, or it may be used in conjunction with a building management system to allow monitoring of energy usage, or it may be used with a demand response program to monitor compliance during peak demand periods for example. 
     A connection  62 , such as a three-wire connection for example, transmits the pulse signal from the dry contact relay  24  to the device  20 . The device  20  receives the pulse signal as discussed herein above and generates a first output pulse signal that is transmitted to the recorder  34  and a second output pulse signal that is transmitted over connection  64  to a demark box  66 . A demark box  66  is a standard device used in connection with utility meters that allows the pulse signal to pass into the customers system, such as to a building management system  68  for example. The demark box  66  provides a level of protection by allowing the pulse signal to pass into the system  68  but prevents or inhibits excess electrical current or voltage from being transmitted into the utility owned equipment. In essence, the demark box  66  keeps the customers system from impacting the operation (or damaging) the utility meter  60 . 
     When arranged in the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the device  20  records the pulse signal in parallel with the transmission of the pulse signal to the demark box  66 . If the data recorded by the system  68  is different from the device  20 , then any errors in the pulse signal recorded by the customer would be originating on the customer&#39;s side of the demark box  66 . Conversely, if the data recorded by the device  20  and that system  68  match, then the service personnel may have to examine the utility meter  60  as a possible source of error. It should be appreciated that it is undesirable to remove the utility meter  60  or replace it unnecessarily since once the utility meter  60  is removed, the utility meter  60  will typically need to be recertified before being redeployed to another installation. The recertification process for the utility meter is costly and time consuming unless justified with some indication that the utility meter  60  is faulty. 
     Another embodiment of an application utilizing the device  20  with a utility meter  60  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the pulse signal is transmitted over connection  62  to the demark box  66 . The pulse signal passes through the demark box  66  over a connection  70  to the device  20 . The device  20  receives the pulse signal and generates a first output pulse signal that is transmitted to the recorder  34  and a second output pulse signal that is transmitted to a downstream receiving system, such as building management system  68  for example. When arranged in this configuration, the data recorded by the recorder  34  and by the downstream system may be compared. If the data matches, then the component that is inducing an error may be the demark box  66  for example. If the data does not match, then the error may be introduced somewhere in the downstream system. 
     Yet another embodiment of an application utilizing the device  20  with multiple utility meters  60 ,  72  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the application utilizes two utility meters to measure electrical consumption. This type of arrangement may be used in a building having multiple leaseholders for example where each meter is connected to an electrical service associated with each leased space. The embodiment further uses an external recorder  74  that aggregates the measurements from the utility meters  60 ,  72  and transmits the data to the utility, such as via a telephone connection  76  for example. The external recorder  74  then transmits the signal to the demark box  66  and to the system  68 . In this embodiment, the device  20  is arranged between the utility meter  60  and the external recorder  74 . The pulse signal from utility meter  60  is transmitted to the device  20  that transmits a first output pulse signal to recorder  34  and a second output pulse signal to the external recorder  74 . In this configuration, any issue in the connection between the utility meter  60  and the external recorder  74  may be isolated and identified even though a second utility meter  72  is arranged in parallel. 
     An embodiment of the invention may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention may also be embodied in the form of a computer program product having computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, USB (universal serial bus) drives, or any other computer readable storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), for example, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. A technical effect of the executable instructions is to record pulse signals in parallel with a system for verifying the accuracy or precision of a pulse source. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 4