Patent Application
20170287259
A smart meter can include a plurality of relays for providing power to corresponding power lines, each of the plurality of relays associated with a customer's account and a management system storing customer account information and controlling and tracking a power usage for each of the plurality of relays, and based on the power usage and the corresponding customer account information turning on or off power to the corresponding power line.
Electricity smart meters (“meters”) and electricity distribution systems are described. The described meters can enable multiple consumers to be connected to an electric grid through a single meter with certain local level control. A distributor can connect multiple consumers to an electrical grid through a single meter while providing local, independent control of the power supply at the meter level to each of the multiple consumers.
A smart meter can include a plurality of relays for providing power to corresponding power lines, each relay associated with a customer's account; and a management system controlling each relay of the plurality of relays independently. The management system can store customer account information and track, for each of the plurality of relays, a power usage for the customer's account and, based on the power consumption and the corresponding customer account information, turn on or off power to the corresponding power line.
A method facilitating distribution can include monitoring power usage of each of a plurality of power lines connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of relays at the meter, each power line corresponding to a customer account, checking a credit level of a customer account, wherein the credit level is an amount of money or resources present in the specific customer's account, and responsive to the credit level turning on or off a relay at the meter associated with the specific customer account.
Electricity smart meters 100 (“meters”) and electricity distribution systems 1 are described. The meter 100 can include a management system 101 and a plurality of relays 105 associated with specific customer accounts 203. The plurality of relays 105 can provide power 2 to corresponding power lines 3 (e.g., 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h) controlled by the management system 101. The management system 101 can determine power usage 4 of each power line 3 by, in particular embodiments, using current sensors 5 and voltage sensors 6. The management system 101 locally tracks a value of a customer account 203 and, based on the value of the customer account 203, the account type, and the determined power usage 4 of the power line 3 for the customer account 203, allows access to electricity for that customer via the corresponding one of the plurality of relays 105 at the meter 100.
The management system 101 can control each relay 105 independently. The management system 101 can manage multiple customer accounts 203 and automatically shut off one of the plurality of relays 105 associated with a specific customer account 203 without necessitating a shutdown of the whole meter 100. The management system 101 can also maintain control of each of the plurality of relays 105 in the event of an interruption of communication with a central system 7.
The installation and implementation of both the described meter 100 and management system 101 can provide wireless Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) infrastructure with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) features.
In particular embodiments, the management system 101 can include a processing system 9 and a storage system 10. The management system 101 can further include a plurality of counters 11 (one for each customer account 203) and at least one current sensor 5 and at least one voltage sensor 6 to facilitate detection of power usage 4 for each power line 3.
By way of illustration only, a meter 100 can have one voltage sensor 6 and a plurality of current sensors 5 (one for each of the plurality of relays 105). The current sensors 5 can be units that may be bundled into a single removable unit along with the plurality of relays 105. A “counter” 11 (counters, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h) in the meter 100 can include a current sensor 5 for the customer account 203, or just use an output of the current sensor 5 to multiply that current value 12 by a voltage value 13 received from the output of the one voltage sensor 6 of the meter 100.
Referring to
The storage system 10 can include any storage media 17 readable by the processing system 9 and capable of storing software and data. More than one storage medium 17 can be included as part of the management system 101. Storage media 17 can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable storage media 17 implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The storage system 10 can include additional elements, such as a controller, capable of communicating with the processing system 9.
The meter 100 can further include a communication system 110 (e.g., antenna(s) 18 and transceiver(s) 19) to permit the management system 101 to wirelessly communicate with at least a central system 7 of a distributor. The communication module 110 may provide cellular (e.g., GSM), radio frequency, BLUETOOTH, and/or WI-FI communication.
The management system 101 can receive customer account payment information 20, via the communication system 110, from a central system 7. The management system 101 can store the customer account payment information 20 for all users in the storage system 10 of the management system 101. The customer account payment information 20 can include, but is not limited to, a customer account identifier 21 and values including: a relay address, a current sensor address, an instantaneous power usage 4, an accumulated power usage 4, a remaining credit 21, and any other meter-level related information. Once the customer account payment information 20 is received, the management system 101 can manage the connections 8 without interference from the central system 7.
In particular embodiments, the meter 100 can use a microcontroller as the processing system 9 of the management system 101, which can be connected to a wireless transmitter of the communication system 110 that receives payment information when a customer adds credit 21 to their account. Using a customer code, the microcontroller can store the customer account information 20 and allows access to power 2 by controlling a one-way electronic relay (e.g., the plurality of relays 105) corresponding to that customer account 203. Since there can be a plurality of relays 105 connected to the microcontroller's logic board 16, many connections can be made available to access points through the use of a single meter 100.
By way of illustration, the management system 101 can locally track and monitor the power usage 4 for each customer via the power line 3 associated with the customer account 203. A 1:1 ratio of relays 105 to customer accounts 203 can enable the management system 101 to have independent control of each of the plurality of relays 105 even in the event of an interruption of communication with the central system 7. In particular embodiments, the management system 101 can track, for each of the plurality of relays 105, a power usage 4 for a customer account 203 through the use of the voltage sensor 6 and current sensor 5. The management system 101 can calculate the power 2 consumed by a customer by using the voltage value 13 and current value 12 of the power line 3 over time. The amount of power 2 used can be permitted based on the value indicated as part of the customer account payment information 20. By way of example only, at each sampling of the power 2 off the line, the power 2 used can be multiplied by a rate per unit of power 2 that can be assigned to the customer. That value can be subtracted from the value stored and associated with the customer account 203. Then, should the outcome of that subtraction be zero or below, the relay 105 associated with the customer account 203 can be disabled (turned off).
Now referring to
In further particular embodiments, an accelerometer 22 can be included in the meter 100 to enable the management system 101 to check for movement or tilt and send an alert 23. The alert 23 may allow the distributor to become aware of any cases of tampering in the meter 100.
In one particular method of use, multiple connections 8 to customers can be accomplished through a single meter 100 located near the customers. Multiple economic sectors (e.g., residential, business, industrial) can have connections 8 to a single meter 100. The meter 100 (e.g., via a logic board 16/processing system 9) can further be programmed to include multiple electricity rates, where the appropriate rate can be associated with the one of the plurality of relays 105 connected to the individual customer.
In particular embodiments, the management system 101 can disable certain customer account 203s at certain times of the day in order to prevent system overload or surges. The management system 101 can check the specific account type, or other information pertinent to the customer account 203. in order to determine which customer account 203 to disable. The management system 101 can select a customer account 203 and disable their electricity during certain times related to distributor use restrictions, i.e. high power usage 4 activities.
By way of illustration only, the management system 101 can disable certain customer account 203s in one of two ways. The first disabling can be based on time, in anticipation of load peaks and the second disabling can be an instantaneous response turning off power 2 when the load begins to spike towards the current production capacity. The specific account types that can be disabled can be medium-voltage to high-voltage, high consumption commercial accounts although the invention is not so limited. The management system 101 can identify and disable accounts locally and is able to independently control each of the plurality of relays 105. The management system 101 can carry out the turning on and off power 2 in the instance of a loss of communication with the central system 7 or a loss of the power supply. Indeed, the management system 101 can carry out process flow 200 whether or not there is communication between the central system 7 and the meter 100.
Now referring to
The management system 101 can perform a credit level check 307. The credit level, or amount of credit 21, can be checked by comparing a customer's remaining credit based on how much power 2 the customer has consumed or the customer's accumulated power usage 4. A customer's credit level, or amount of credit 21, refers to the amount of money or resources present in their account. A customer can cause an alert 26 to be sent to the customer's device 27 if a customer's credit level decreases below a certain amount that can, but need not necessarily, be determined by the customer. The alert 26 can be sent to the customer at the credit check if the management system 101 is GSM enabled. However, if the management system 101 is not GSM enabled, the alert 26 can be sent when a customer database update occurs at the central system 7.
In response to the credit check, the management system 101 can perform a relay check 308. If the customer's credit 21 is at or below zero, the management system 101 can turn the relay 105 off If the customer's credit 21 is above zero, the management system 101 can turn the relay 105 on, or keep the relay 105 on, and start reading measurements from the beginning of the following cycle. Further, the management system 101 can check for any incoming messages 309. For example, if the management system 101 is GSM enabled, the management system 101 can check for any received SMS messages or other type of messages that serve as instructions to the management system. Then the process flow can loop back to the time synchronization step.
Now referring to
The central system 7 can maintain a database 29 with the customer's information. The central system 7 can receive and verify the mobile payment 28 and associate the payment 28 with a particular customer account 203. The customer account 203 can be identified by a unique account ID or phone number. The central system 7 sends the information related to the payment 28, via a wireless transmission, to the meter 100.
The central system 7 can monitor sectors and corresponding power usage 4. A display 30, a graphical user interface 401 generated by software running at the central system 7, can present a map of meters 100 and power sources 412. If a distributor selects a meter 100, the distributor can view the customer accounts 203 and corresponding information associated with that particular meter 100. The sectors 31 can be arranged according to a power grid 32 and the various power resources 412 and meters 100 forming the grid. The meter 100 can communicate with the central system 7 and can be controlled using a user database control software used by the grid operator from the central system 7. By interconnecting the meters 100 across a city and separating the access points as sectors 31, energy theft can be detected by determining the physical distance between two meters 100 and their relative distance from the power source.
The meter 100 can be capable of revenue-grade and near revenue grade metering and storing of customer information. The meter 100 can store the account information received from the central system 7 (e.g., regarding payment) and can track the power usage 4 on the lines for each customer account 203.
The electronic smart meter 100 and electricity distribution system 1 includes:
500—Input from transmission lines, +, −, GND.
501—Hinge mechanism for opening the meter 100.
502—Utility pole.
503—Latching mechanism for closing, locking and securing the meter 100.
504—Rubber, waterproof gasket.
505—Fastening screws to the utility pole.
506—Wireless transmission antenna.
600—High-voltage transmission lines.
601—Utility pole.
602—Waterproof, securing mechanism for attaching the transmission lines to the meter 100.
603—Latching mechanism for closing, locking and securing the meter 100.
604—Waterproof, securing mechanism for attaching the output lines to the customer.
605—Fastening mechanism to secure the meter 100 to the utility pole.
606—Wireless transmission antenna.
607—Cable fastener to the utility pole for transmission to consumers.
700—Waterproof, securing mechanism for attaching the transmission lines to the meter 100.
701—Wired input attachments to transformer, and subsequent relay 105 and counting modules via the rail.
702—Wired rail for mounting relay 105s and power unit counting modules.
703—A relay 105 and power unit counting module connected to customer output.
704—Output transmission lines from the relay 105 and power unit counting module to the customer.
The elements of
800—Transmission line attachment to utility pole.
801—Waterproof, securing mechanism for attaching the transmission lines to the meter 100.
802—Data control connections from the relay 105 and power unit counting module to the logic board 16, these will be wired for each logic board 16 along or underneath the inside rail attaching the relay 105.
803—Wired rail for mounting relay 105 and power unit counting modules.
804—Relay/power unit counting module.
805—Wired input attachments to transformer, and subsequent relay 105 and counting modules via the rail.
806—Output transmission lines from the relay 105 and power unit counting module to the customer.
807—Fastening mechanism to secure the meter 100 to the utility pole.
808—Output transmission lines from the relay 105 and power unit counting module to the customer.
900—Copper pins as data control connections from the relay 105 and power unit counting module to the logic board 16, these will be wired for each logic board 16 along or underneath the inside rail attaching the relay 105s.
901—Integrated circuit and microchip configuration including:
All aforementioned components can be assembled on, connected to, or centered around the logic board 16 and can controlled through control software.
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of electricity smart meters and electricity distribution systems and methods for making and using such electricity smart meters and electricity distribution systems including the best mode.
As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.
It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “credit check” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “checking credit”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “checking credit”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “credit check” and even a “means for checking credit.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.
All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term in “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.
Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the electricity smart meters and electricity distribution systems herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/316,904, filed Apr. 1, 2016, hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62316904 | Apr 2016 | US |
