Patent Application
20130158972
Power lines may fail for variety of reasons, such as, for example, power station faults, damage to electric transmission lines, damage to the distribution system, a short circuit, electricity overloads, and/or other causes of electrical power loss. As a result of a power failure, outages may last a few seconds or a few days. Even a momentary power failure can result in monetary loss, loss of life, loss of communication, and/or other losses. Due to the interconnectivity of power systems, failures in one location may often result in failures at other locations thousands of miles away.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present disclosure relates to the simulation of electric utility distribution circuits containing simulated software intelligent electronic devices. Various embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate creation of distribution circuit models containing simulated software intelligent electronic devices. For example, in some embodiments, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application may be executed by a computing device. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application may be implemented as a stand-alone software application that permits a user to create distribution electric circuit models that contain user-created simulated software intelligent electronic devices. Profiles corresponding to the simulated software intelligent electronic devices may be created and modified by a user and stored to a database for access by the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application.
The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application may use a configuration file to load the filenames and file locations of the user-created software intelligent electronic device databases. Once the simulated software intelligent electronic devices have been created and stored to a database, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application accesses the database and facilitates creation of circuit models containing the simulated software intelligent electronic devices. In one embodiment, the simulated software intelligent electronic devices are recognized by the automated recovery system as actual field (rather than simulated) intelligent electronic devices. The automated recovery system responds to the distribution circuit model by sending distributed network protocol (DNP) poll requests and/or DNP command messages to the simulated software intelligent electronic devices when the simulated circuit models are representative of a problem on a power line. Subsequently, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application updates the simulated software intelligent electronic devices in response to the command messages from the automated recovery system. In the following discussion, a general description of the system and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same.
With reference to
The computing device 103 may comprise, for example, a server computer or any other system providing computing capability. Alternatively, a plurality of computing devices 103 may be employed that are arranged, for example, in one or more server banks or computer banks or other arrangements. For example, a plurality of computing devices 103 together may comprise a cloud computing resource, a grid computing resource, and/or any other distributed computing arrangement. Such computing devices 103 may be located in a single installation or may be distributed among many different geographical locations. For purposes of convenience, the computing device 103 is referred to herein in the singular. Even though the computing device is referred to in the singular, it is understood that a plurality of computing devices 103 may be employed in the various arrangements as described above.
Various applications and/or other functionality may be executed in the computing device 103 according to various embodiments. Also, various data is stored in a data store 113 that is accessible to the computing device 103. The data store 113 may be representative of a plurality of data stores as can be appreciated. The data stored in the data store 113, for example, is associated with the operation of the various applications and/or functional entities described below.
The components executed on the computing device 103, for example, include a distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126, and/or other applications, services, processes, systems, engines, or functionality not discussed in detail herein. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 is executed to simulate electronic circuit models containing software intelligent electronic devices created by a user. Additionally, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic simulator application 126 utilizes a configuration file 129. The configuration file 129 is executed to load the filenames and file locations of the user-created simulated software intelligent electronic device databases 119. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may communicate with the automated recovery system 131, over various protocols, such as, for example, distributed network protocol (DNP) and/or other protocols for communicating data over the network 109.
The data stored in the data store 113 includes, for example, user data 116, intelligent electronic device (“IED”) databases 119, circuit model(s) 123, port(s) 125 and potentially other data. User data 116 includes various data associated with a user that employs computing device 103 to interact with the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126. User data 116 may include user information such as, usernames, passwords, security credentials, authorized applications, and/or other data. IED databases 119 may include information such as, for example, status, analog, pulse, command, command rules, and/or other information associated with each IED. Circuit model(s) 123 may include distribution electronic circuit models created by a user employing a computing device 103 that contain user created simulated software IEDs. Port(s) 125 may include the ports that are available for use by the simulated software IEDs.
The computing device 103 is representative of a plurality of client devices that may be coupled to the network 109. The computing device 103 may comprise, for example, a processor-based system such as a computer system. Such a computer system may be embodied in the form of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, tablet computer systems, and/or other devices with like capability.
In addition, the automated recovery system 131 includes a plurality of automatic electric circuit restoration devices that may be coupled to a network 109. The automated recovery system 131 may be configured to communicate with the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic simulator application 126 executed in the computing device 103 over a network 109. For example, the automatic recovery system 131 may send DNP poll requests that cause the simulated software IEDs to respond with a poll response. A poll response is a message that usually contains status and analog data describing the simulated software IED. Additionally, the automatic recovery system may send DNP command messages to the simulated software IED that may cause the simulated software IED to modify internal status points based on the command rules associated with IED databases 119. In another embodiment, a user employing the distribution circuit and electronic device simulator application 126 may modify the status values of a simulated software IED that would result in other actions by the automated recovery system 131.
Next, a general description of the operation of the various components of the networked environment 100 is provided. To begin, a user at a computing device 103 may send a request to a computing device 103 to launch the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126. The computing device 103 executes the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 in response to the appropriate input. On first access, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may facilitate the creation of user data 116 by providing one or more interfaces 130 for establishing the user data 116 if the user data 116 has not already been established. For instance, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may prompt the user to indicate a name for the user data 116, a password for the user data 116, and/or any other parameter or user information for establishing the user data 116.
Additionally, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may facilitate the creation of simulated software intelligent electronic devices. For instance, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may prompt the user to input information relating IED databases 119. In one embodiment, a user employing a computing device 103 may indicate IED status values, IED analog values, IED pulse values, IED command data, IED command rule data, and/or any other parameter or IED information for establishing IED database 119. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may then access the configuration file 129 to load the filenames and file locations associated with the IED databases 119. In one embodiment, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may prompt a user employing a computing device 103 to modify the configuration file 129 by providing the filenames and file locations associated with IED databases 119 through use of an input device such as, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, and/or any other devices that can provide user input.
Next, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may facilitate the creation of at least one circuit model 123 by a user employing a computing device 103. In one embodiment, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may have two modes of operation: a first mode and a second mode. For instance, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may be executed in a first mode to enable a user employing a computing device 103 to create, edit, and/or otherwise modify at least one circuit model 123. Each circuit model 123 may be stored for later access by the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126. Each circuit model may contain at least one of the simulated software IEDs that may be retrieved from IED databases 119. Each of the simulated software IEDs may be configured to mimic the operation of actual IEDs on a power line. In one embodiment, a user employing a computing device 103 defines at least one port 125 and selects at least one of the simulated software IEDs from IED databases 119. As a non-limiting example, each port 125 may be associated with a respective one of the simulated software IEDs. In another embodiment, the automated recovery system 131 sends at least one DNP poll request or DNP command message to the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 when at least one circuit model is representative of an outage, a power failure, and/or other loss of power on at least one power line.
In another embodiment, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 publishes a real time communications trace between the automated recovery system 131 and at least one of simulated software IEDs to a computing device 103 over a network 109. The real time communications trace may display DNP Protocol messages transmitted between the automated recovery system 131 and the at least one of the simulated software IEDs in the form of a user interface 130 to a computing device 103 over a network 109. Additionally, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 may permit a user employing a computing device 103 to suspend the publication of the real time communications trace. In another embodiment, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 permits a user employing computing device 103 to disable communication over the network 109 between the automated recovery system 131 and the simulated software IED.
Referring next to
As shown, the view depicts the main window of the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 in the form of the user interface 130. Various screenshots and other descriptive information may also be provided in the user interface 130. The graphical components, such as circuit models 123 and ports 125, comprising information shown in
Turning now to
Moving on to
Referring next to
Beginning with step 306, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulation application 126 determines which mode of operation has been selected by a user employing a computing device 103. If the mode of operation does not correspond to a first mode, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 moves to step 313 as will be discussed herein. Assuming a first mode has been selected, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 proceeds to step 309. In step 309, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 facilitates the creation of circuit models 123 (
Next, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 proceeds to step 313. In step 313, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 receives DNP poll requests and/or DNP command messages from the automated recovery system 131. The distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 then proceeds to step 316. In step 316, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 responds with a poll response which may contain status and analog data describing the simulated software IED. In box 319, the distribution circuit and electronic device simulator application 126 determines whether an input to cancel the distribution circuit and electronic device simulator application is received. If the distribution circuit and electronic device simulator application 126 has not received an input to cancel then the distribution circuit and electronic device simulator application 126 proceeds to box 306 as described above. Otherwise, the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulation applicator 126 ends.
With reference to
Stored in the memory 406 are both data and several components that are executable by the processor 403. In particular, stored in the memory 406 and executable by the processor 403 are the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic simulator application 126, and potentially other applications. Also stored in the memory 406 may be a data store 113 and other data. In addition, an operating system may be stored in the memory 406 and executable by the processor 403.
It is understood that there may be other applications that are stored in the memory 406 and are executable by the processors 403 as can be appreciated. Where any component discussed herein is implemented in the form of software, any one of a number of programming languages may be employed such as, for example, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Java, Javascript, Perl, PHP, Visual Basic, Python, Ruby, Delphi, Flash, or other programming languages.
A number of software components are stored in the memory 406 and are executable by the processor 403. In this respect, the term “executable” means a program file that is in a form that can ultimately be run by the processor 403. Examples of executable programs may be, for example, a compiled program that can be translated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into a random access portion of the memory 406 and run by the processor 403, source code that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random access portion of the memory 406 and executed by the processor 403, or source code that may be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of the memory 406 to be executed by the processor 403, etc. An executable program may be stored in any portion or component of the memory 406 including, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive, solid-state drive, USB flash drive, memory card, optical disc such as compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, magnetic tape, or other memory components.
The memory 406 is defined herein as including both volatile and nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, the memory 406 may comprise, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical discs accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components. In addition, the RAM may comprise, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices. The ROM may comprise, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other like memory device.
Also, the processor 403 may represent multiple processors 403 and the memory 406 may represent multiple memories 406 that operate in parallel processing circuits, respectively. In such a case, the local interface 409 may be an appropriate network 109 (
Although the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126, and other various systems described herein may be embodied in software or code executed by general purpose hardware as discussed above, as an alternative the same may also be embodied in dedicated hardware or a combination of software/general purpose hardware and dedicated hardware. If embodied in dedicated hardware, each can be implemented as a circuit or state machine that employs any one of or a combination of a number of technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing various logic functions upon an application of one or more data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate logic gates, or other components, etc. Such technologies are generally well known by those skilled in the art and, consequently, are not described in detail herein.
The flowchart of
Although the flowchart of
Also, any logic or application described herein, including the distribution circuit and intelligent electronic device simulator application 126 that comprises software or code can be embodied in any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as, for example, a processor 403 in a computer system or other system. In this sense, the logic may comprise, for example, statements including instructions and declarations that can be fetched from the computer-readable medium and executed by the instruction execution system. In the context of the present disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any medium that can contain, store, or maintain the logic or application described herein for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system. The computer-readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of a suitable computer-readable medium would include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, magnetic floppy diskettes, magnetic hard drives, memory cards, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, or optical discs. Also, the computer-readable medium may be a random access memory (RAM) including, for example, static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM). In addition, the computer-readable medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory device.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
