Patent Application
20230146778
This disclosure generally relates to sensor devices and networks of sensor devices.
Failure of an electrical power line can create a loss of service or even an emergency situation, such as a fire or other hazard. It is desirable to detect a failure of an electrical power line before a major loss of service or emergency occurs.
A wireless tracking device is disclosed which is attached to an electrical power line and detects failure states of the electrical power line. The wireless tracking device, for example, may detect when an electrical power line falls from a utility structure (e.g., a utility pole or transmission tower) using one or more sensors of the wireless tracking device. In some embodiments, the wireless tracking device is an embodiment of an adhesive tape platform. The wireless tracking device detects failure states of the electrical power lien and wirelessly reports the failure states to a tracking system with low latency.
A wireless tracking device includes circuit components, a battery, and a circuit connecting the circuit components and the battery. The circuit components include a first wireless communication system, a processor, a memory or storage, and a first sensor operable to measure conditions of the wireless tracking device. The wireless tracking device is configured to attach to an overhead electrical line and detect failure events that are experienced by the overhead electrical line based on sensor data monitored by the wireless tracking device.
A system for failure detection in infrastructure components of an electrical grid include a first plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices each attached to a respective overhead electrical line of an electrical grid, a second plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices each attached to a respective transmission tower or electrical pole of the electrical grid, a third plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices each attached to a transformer of the electrical grid, and a server which executes a server application that communicates with and collects data from the first, second, and third plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices, wherein the server maintains a database storing data for the system.
Each of the first plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices is configured to detect failure events of the respective overhead electrical lines based on sensor data collected by the first plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices. Each of the second plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices is configured to detect failure events of the respective transmission tower or electrical pole based on sensor data collected by the second plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices. Each of the third plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices is configured to detect failure events of the respective transformer based on sensor data collected by the third plurality of failure detecting wireless tracking devices.
Failure of an electrical power line can create a loss of service or even an emergency situation, such as a fire or other hazard. It is desirable to detect a failure of an electrical power line before a major loss of service or emergency occurs.
Failure detecting tape nodes are attached to electrical power line (e.g., overhead power line). Failure detecting tape nodes are configured to detect a failure state of the electrical power line. An example failure state would be a state where an overhead power line has fallen down or fallen off of an electrical pole, tower (e.g., transmission tower), utility pole, or some other structure. Failure detection for electrical or overhead lines using the failure detecting tape node is not limited to detecting failure in electrical power lines. In some embodiments, failure detection may be used to detect failure in any line or object that is suspended in the air or hung overhead.
The failure detecting tape nodes are part of a failure detection system which enables low latency, continuous detection of failure states and failure events. The failure detection system includes the tracking system 400 or components of the tracking system 400. Failure events are events that may results in a potential failure state of the line. The failure detection system may be coupled to a controlling system of the electrical grid that allows the electrical grid to disable or deenergize a transformer when a nearby or associated power line falls or experiences a failure state.
In some embodiments, the wireless IOT device is an adhesive tape platform or a segment thereof. The adhesive tape platform includes wireless transducing components and circuitry that perform communication and/or sensing. The adhesive tape platform has a flexible adhesive tape form-factor that allows it to function as both an adhesive tape for adhering to and/or sealing objects and a wireless sensing device.
In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale.
As used herein, the term “or” refers to an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in the specification and claims mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to refer the singular form.
The term “tape node” refers to an adhesive tape platform or a segment thereof that is equipped with sensor, processor, memory, energy source/harvesting mechanism, and wireless communications functionality, where the adhesive tape platform (also referred to herein as an “adhesive product” or an “adhesive tape product”) has a variety of different form factors, including a multilayer roll or a sheet that includes a plurality of divisible adhesive segments. Once deployed, each tape node can function, for example, as an adhesive tape, label, sticker, decal, or the like, and as a wireless communications device.
The terms “adhesive tape node,” “wireless node,” or “tape node” may be used interchangeably in certain contexts, and refer to an adhesive tape platform or a segment thereof that is equipped with sensor, processor, memory, energy source/harvesting mechanism, and wireless communications functionality, where the adhesive product has a variety of different form factors, including a multilayer roll or a sheet that includes a plurality of divisible adhesive segments. Once deployed, each tape node or wireless node can function, for example, as an adhesive tape, label, sticker, decal, or the like, and as a wireless communications device. A “peripheral” tape node or “peripheral” wireless node, also referred to as an outer node, leaf node, or terminal node, refers to a node that does not have any child nodes.
In some instances, a “wireless node” may refer to a node or wireless device of the wireless tracking system that is not an adhesive tape platform. For example, a wireless node, in some embodiments, may have a form factor that is not flexible or may not include an adhesive.
In certain contexts, the terms “parcel,” “envelope,” “box,” “package,” “container,” “pallet,” “carton,” “wrapping,” and the like are used interchangeably herein to refer to a packaged item or items.
In certain contexts, the terms “wireless tracking system,” “hierarchical communications network,” “distributed agent operating system,” and the like are used interchangeably herein to refer to a system or network of wireless nodes.
This specification describes a low-cost, multi-function adhesive tape platform with a form factor that unobtrusively integrates the components useful for implementing a combination of different asset tracking and management functions and also is able to perform a useful ancillary function that otherwise would have to be performed with the attendant need for additional materials, labor, and expense. In an aspect, the adhesive tape platform is implemented as a collection of adhesive products that integrate wireless communications and sensing components within a flexible adhesive structure in a way that not only provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting, optimizing, and protecting the components of the tracking system but also maintains the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive product that can be deployed seamlessly and unobtrusively into various asset management and tracking applications and workflows, including person and object tracking applications, and asset management workflows such as manufacturing, storage, shipping, delivery, and other logistics associated with moving products and other physical objects, including logistics, sensing, tracking, locationing, warehousing, parking, safety, construction, event detection, road management and infrastructure, security, and healthcare. In some examples, the adhesive tape platforms are used in various aspects of asset management, including sealing assets, transporting assets, tracking assets, monitoring the conditions of assets, inventorying assets, and verifying asset security. In these examples, the assets typically are transported from one location to another by truck, train, ship, or aircraft or within premises, e.g., warehouses by forklift, trolleys etc.
In disclosed examples, an adhesive tape platform includes a plurality of segments that can be separated from the adhesive product (e.g., by cutting, tearing, peeling, or the like) and adhesively attached to a variety of different surfaces to inconspicuously implement any of a wide variety of different wireless communications based network communications and transducing (e.g., sensing, actuating, etc.) applications. Examples of such applications include: event detection applications, monitoring applications, security applications, notification applications, and tracking applications, including inventory tracking, asset tracking, person tracking, animal (e.g., pet) tracking, manufactured parts tracking, and vehicle tracking. In example embodiments, each segment of an adhesive tape platform is equipped with an energy source, wireless communication functionality, transducing functionality, and processing functionality that enable the segment to perform one or more transducing functions and report the results to a remote server or other computer system directly or through a network of tapes. The components of the adhesive tape platform are encapsulated within a flexible adhesive structure that protects the components from damage while maintaining the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive tape (e.g., duct tape or a label) for use in various applications and workflows. In addition to single function applications, example embodiments also include multiple transducers (e.g., sensing and/or actuating transducers) that extend the utility of the platform by, for example, providing supplemental information and functionality relating characteristics of the state and or environment of, for example, an article, object, vehicle, or person, over time.
Systems and processes for fabricating flexible multifunction adhesive tape platforms in efficient and low-cost ways also are described. In addition to using roll-to-roll and/or sheet-to-sheet manufacturing techniques, the fabrication systems and processes are configured to optimize the placement and integration of components within the flexible adhesive structure to achieve high flexibility and ruggedness. These fabrication systems and processes are able to create useful and reliable adhesive tape platforms that can provide local sensing, wireless transmitting, and locationing functionalities. Such functionality together with the low cost of production is expected to encourage the ubiquitous deployment of adhesive tape platform segments and thereby alleviate at least some of the problems arising from gaps in conventional infrastructure coverage that prevent continuous monitoring, event detection, security, tracking, and other asset tracking and management applications across heterogeneous environments.
Referring to
In order to avoid damage to the functionality of the segments of the adhesive tape platform 12, the cut lines 26 typically demarcate the boundaries between adjacent segments at locations that are free of any active components of the wireless transducing circuit 14. The spacing between the wireless transducing circuit components 14 and the cut lines 26 may vary depending on the intended communication, transducing and/or adhesive taping application. In the example illustrated in
In some examples, the transducing components 14 that are embedded in one or more segments 13 of the adhesive tape platform 12 are activated when the adhesive tape platform 12 is cut along the cut line 26. In these examples, the adhesive tape platform 12 includes one or more embedded energy sources (e.g., thin film batteries, which may be printed, or conventional cell batteries, such as conventional watch style batteries, rechargeable batteries, or other energy storage device, such as a super capacitor or charge pump) that supply power to the transducing components 14 in one or more segments of the adhesive tape platform 12 in response to being separated from the adhesive tape platform 12 (e.g., along the cut line 26).
In some examples, each segment 13 of the adhesive tape platform 12 includes its own respective energy source including energy harvesting elements that can harvest energy from the environment. In some of these examples, each energy source is configured to only supply power to the components in its respective adhesive tape platform segment regardless of the number of contiguous segments 13 that are in a given length of the adhesive tape platform 12. In other examples, when a given length of the adhesive tape platform 12 includes multiple segments 13, the energy sources in the respective segments 13 are configured to supply power to the transducing components 14 in all of the segments 13 in the given length of the adhesive tape platform 12. In some of these examples, the energy sources are connected in parallel and concurrently activated to power the transducing components 14 in all of the segments 13 at the same time. In other examples, the energy sources are connected in parallel and alternately activated to power the transducing components 14 in respective ones of the adhesive tape platform segments 13 at different time periods, which may or may not overlap.
In some examples, segments of the adhesive tape platform 12 are deployed by a human operator. The human operator may be equipped with a mobile phone or other device that allows the operator to authenticate and initialize the adhesive tape platform 12. In addition, the operator can take a picture of a asset including the adhesive tape platform and any barcodes associated with the asset and, thereby, create a persistent record that links the adhesive tape platform 12 to the asset. In addition, the human operator typically will send the picture to a network service and/or transmit the picture to the adhesive tape platform 12 for storage in a memory component of the adhesive tape platform 12.
In some examples, the wireless transducing circuit components 34 that are embedded in a segment 32 of the adhesive tape platform 12 are activated when the segment 32 is removed from the backing sheet 32. In some of these examples, each segment 32 includes an embedded capacitive sensing system that can sense a change in capacitance when the segment 32 is removed from the backing sheet 36. As explained in detail below, a segment 32 of the adhesive tape platform 30 includes one or more embedded energy sources (e.g., thin film batteries, common disk-shaped cell batteries, or rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices, such as a super capacitor or charge pump) that can be configured to supply power to the wireless transducing circuit components 34 in the segment 32 in response to the detection of a change in capacitance between the segment 32 and the backing sheet 36 as a result of removing the segment 32 from the backing sheet 36.
Examples of sensing transducers 94 include a capacitive sensor, an altimeter, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a strain sensor, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a weight sensor, an optical or light sensor (e.g., a photodiode or a camera), an acoustic or sound sensor (e.g., a microphone), a smoke detector, a radioactivity sensor, a chemical sensor (e.g., an explosives detector), a biosensor (e.g., a blood glucose biosensor, odor detectors, antibody based pathogen, food, and water contaminant and toxin detectors, DNA detectors, microbial detectors, pregnancy detectors, and ozone detectors), a magnetic sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, and a humidity sensor. Examples of actuating (e.g., energy emitting) transducers 94 include light emitting components (e.g., light emitting diodes and displays), electro-acoustic transducers (e.g., audio speakers), electric motors, and thermal radiators (e.g., an electrical resistor or a thermoelectric cooler).
In some examples, the wireless transducing circuit 70 includes a memory 96 for storing data, including, e.g., profile data, state data, event data, sensor data, localization data, security data, and one or more unique identifiers (ID) 98 associated with the wireless transducing circuit 70, such as a product ID, a type ID, and a media access control (MAC) ID, and control code 99. In some examples, the memory 96 may be incorporated into one or more of the processor 90 or transducers 94, or may be a separate component that is integrated in the wireless transducing circuit 70 as shown in
An example method of fabricating the adhesive tape platform 100 (see
The instant specification describes an example system of adhesive tape platforms (also referred to herein as “tape nodes”) that can be used to implement a low-cost wireless network infrastructure for performing monitoring, tracking, and other asset management functions relating to, for example, parcels, persons, tools, equipment and other physical assets and objects. The example system includes a set of three different types of tape nodes that have different respective functionalities and different respective cover markings that visually distinguish the different tape node types from one another. In one non-limiting example, the covers of the different tape node types are marked with different colors (e.g., white, green, and black). In the illustrated examples, the different tape node types are distinguishable from one another by their respective wireless communications capabilities and their respective sensing capabilities.
In some examples, a flexible polymer layer 124 encapsulates the device layer 122 and thereby reduces the risk of damage that may result from the intrusion of contaminants and/or liquids (e.g., water) into the device layer 122. The flexible polymer layer 124 also planarizes the device layer 122. This facilitates optional stacking of additional layers on the device layer 122 and also distributes forces generated in, on, or across the adhesive tape platform segment 102 so as to reduce potentially damaging asymmetric stresses that might be caused by the application of bending, torqueing, pressing, or other forces that may be applied to the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 102 during use. In the illustrated example, a flexible cover 128 is bonded to the planarizing polymer 124 by an adhesive layer (not shown).
The flexible cover 128 and the flexible substrate 110 may have the same or different compositions depending on the intended application. In some examples, one or both of the flexible cover 128 and the flexible substrate 110 include flexible film layers and/or paper substrates, where the film layers may have reflective surfaces or reflective surface coatings. Example compositions for the flexible film layers include polymer films, such as polyester, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other plastics. The optional adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the flexible cover 128 and the adhesive layers 112, 114 on the top and bottom surfaces of the flexible substrate 110 typically include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., a silicon-based adhesive). In some examples, the adhesive layers are applied to the flexible cover 128 and the flexible substrate 110 during manufacture of the adhesive tape platform 100 (e.g., during a roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet fabrication process). In other examples, the flexible cover 128 may be implemented by a prefabricated single-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and the flexible substrate 110 may be implemented by a prefabricated double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape; both kinds of tape may be readily incorporated into a roll-to-roll or sheet-to-sheet fabrication process. In some examples, the flexible polymer layer 124 is composed of a flexible epoxy (e.g., silicone).
In some examples, the energy storage device 92 is a flexible battery that includes a printed electrochemical cell, which includes a planar arrangement of an anode and a cathode and battery contact pads. In some examples, the flexible battery may include lithium-ion cells or nickel-cadmium electro-chemical cells. The flexible battery typically is formed by a process that includes printing or laminating the electro-chemical cells on a flexible substrate (e.g., a polymer film layer). In some examples, other components may be integrated on the same substrate as the flexible battery. For example, the low power wireless communication interface 81 and/or the processor(s) 90 may be integrated on the flexible battery substrate. In some examples, one or more of such components also (e.g., the flexible antennas and the flexible interconnect circuits) may be printed on the flexible battery substrate.
In some examples, the flexible circuit 116 is formed on a flexible substrate by printing, etching, or laminating circuit patterns on the flexible substrate. In some examples, the flexible circuit 116 is implemented by one or more of a single-sided flex circuit, a double access or back bared flex circuit, a sculpted flex circuit, a double-sided flex circuit, a multi-layer flex circuit, a rigid flex circuit, and a polymer thick film flex circuit. A single-sided flexible circuit has a single conductor layer made of, for example, a metal or conductive (e.g., metal filled) polymer on a flexible dielectric film. A double access or back bared flexible circuit has a single conductor layer but is processed so as to allow access to selected features of the conductor pattern from both sides. A sculpted flex circuit is formed using a multistep etching process that produces a flex circuit that has finished copper conductors that vary in thickness along their respective lengths. A multilayer flex circuit has three of more layers of conductors, where the layers typically are interconnected using plated through holes. Rigid flex circuits are a hybrid construction of flex circuit consisting of rigid and flexible substrates that are laminated together into a single structure, where the layers typically are electrically interconnected via plated through holes. In polymer thick film (PTF) flex circuits, the circuit conductors are printed onto a polymer base film, where there may be a single conductor layer or multiple conductor layers that are insulated from one another by respective printed insulating layers.
In the example flexible adhesive tape platform segments 102 shown in
Depending on the target application, the wireless transducing circuits 70 are distributed across the flexible adhesive tape platform 100 according to a specified sampling density, which is the number of wireless transducing circuits 70 for a given unit size (e.g., length or area) of the flexible adhesive tape platform 100. In some examples, a set of multiple flexible adhesive tape platforms 100 are provided that include different respective sampling densities in order to seal different asset sizes with a desired number of wireless transducing circuits 70. In particular, the number of wireless transducing circuits per asset size is given by the product of the sampling density specified for the adhesive tape platform and the respective size of the adhesive tape platform 100 needed to seal the asset. This allows an automated packaging system to select the appropriate type of flexible adhesive tape platform 100 to use for sealing a given asset with the desired redundancy (if any) in the number of wireless transducer circuits 70. In some example applications (e.g., shipping low value goods), only one wireless transducing circuit 70 is used per asset, whereas in other applications (e.g., shipping high value goods) multiple wireless transducing circuits 70 are used per asset. Thus, a flexible adhesive tape platform 100 with a lower sampling density of wireless transducing circuits 70 can be used for the former application, and a flexible adhesive tape platform 100 with a higher sampling density of wireless transducing circuits 70 can be used for the latter application. In some examples, the flexible adhesive tape platforms 100 are color-coded or otherwise marked to indicate the respective sampling densities with which the wireless transducing circuits 70 are distributed across the different types of adhesive tape platforms 100.
Referring to
In some examples, each of one or more of the segments of an adhesive tape platform includes a respective sensor and a respective wake circuit that delivers power from the respective energy source to the respective one or more of the respective wireless circuit components 278 in response to an output of the sensor. In some examples, the respective sensor is a strain sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in strain in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the strain sensor is affixed to a adhesive tape platform and configured to detect the stretching of the tracking adhesive tape platform segment as the segment is being peeled off a roll or a sheet of the adhesive tape platform. In some examples, the respective sensor is a capacitive sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in capacitance in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the capacitive sensor is affixed to an adhesive tape platform and configured to detect the separation of the tracking adhesive tape platform segment from a roll or a sheet of the adhesive tape platform. In some examples, the respective sensor is a flex sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in curvature in the respective segment. In some of these examples, the flex sensor is affixed to a adhesive tape platform and configured to detect bending of the tracking adhesive tape platform segment as the segment is being peeled off a roll or a sheet of the adhesive tape platform. In some examples, the respective sensor is a near field communications sensor that produces a wake signal based on a change in inductance in the respective segment.
In some examples, after a tape node is turned on, it will communicate with the network service to confirm that the user/operator who is associated with the tape node is an authorized user who has authenticated himself or herself to the network service 54. In these examples, if the tape node cannot confirm that the user/operator is an authorized user, the tape node will turn itself off.
In some examples, the one or more network service applications 406 leverage the above-mentioned communications technologies to create a hierarchical wireless network of tape nodes that improves asset management operations by reducing costs and improving efficiency in a wide range of processes, from asset packaging, asset transporting, asset tracking, asset condition monitoring, asset inventorying, and asset security verification. Communication across the network is secured by a variety of different security mechanisms. In the case of existing infrastructure, a communication link the communication uses the infrastructure security mechanisms. In case of communications among tapes nodes, the communication is secured through a custom security mechanism. In certain cases, tape nodes can also be configured to support block chain to protect the transmitted and stored data.
A set of tape nodes can be configured by the network service 408 to create hierarchical communications network. The hierarchy can be defined in terms of one or more factors, including functionality (e.g., wireless transmission range or power), role (e.g., master tape node vs. peripheral tape node), or cost (e.g., a tape node equipped with a cellular transceiver vs. a peripheral tape node equipped with a Bluetooth LE transceiver). Tape nodes can be assigned to different levels of a hierarchical network according to one or more of the above-mentioned factors. For example, the hierarchy can be defined in terms of communication range or power, where tape nodes with higher power or longer communication range transceivers are arranged at a higher level of the hierarchy than tape nodes with lower power or lower range transceivers. In another example, the hierarchy is defined in terms of role, where, e.g., a master tape node is programmed to bridge communications between a designated group of peripheral tape nodes and a gateway node or server node. The problem of finding an optimal hierarchical structure can be formulated as an optimization problem with battery capacity of nodes, power consumption in various modes of operation, desired latency, external environment, etc. and can be solved using modern optimization methods e.g. neural networks, artificial intelligence, and other machine learning computing systems that take expected and historical data to create an optimal solution and can create algorithms for modifying the system’s behavior adaptively in the field.
The tape nodes may be deployed by automated equipment or manually. In this process, a tape node typically is separated from a roll or sheet and adhered to a asset, or other stationary or mobile object (e.g., a structural element of a warehouse, or a vehicle, such as a delivery truck) or stationary object (e.g., a structural element of a building). This process activates the tape node and causes the tape node to communicate with a server 404 of the network service 408. In this process, the tape node may communicate through one or more other tape nodes in the communication hierarchy. In this process, the network server 404 executes the network service application 406 to programmatically configure tape nodes that are deployed in the environment 400. In some examples, there are multiple classes or types of tape nodes, where each tape node class has a different respective set of functionalities and/or capacities.
In some examples, the one or more network service servers 404 communicate over the network 402 with one or more gateways that are configured to send, transmit, forward, or relay messages to the network 402 and activated tape nodes that are associated with respective assets and within communication range. Example gateways include mobile gateways 410, 412 and a stationary gateway 414. In some examples, the mobile gateways 410, 412, and the stationary gateway 414 are able to communicate with the network 402 and with designated sets or groups of tape nodes.
In some examples, the mobile gateway 412 is a vehicle (e.g., a delivery truck or other mobile hub) that includes a wireless communications unit 416 that is configured by the network service 408 to communicate with a designated set of tape nodes, including a peripheral tape node 418 in the form of a label that is adhered to an asset 420 contained within a parcel 421 (e.g., an envelope), and is further configured to communicate with the network service 408 over the network 402. In some examples, the peripheral tape node 418 includes a lower power wireless communications interface of the type used in, e.g., tape node 102 (shown in
In some examples, the mobile gateway 410 is a mobile phone that is operated by a human operator and executes a client application 422 that is configured by the network service 408 to communicate with a designated set of tape nodes, including a master tape node 424 that is adhered to a parcel 426 (e.g., a box), and is further configured to communicate with the network service 408 over the network 402. In the illustrated example, the parcel 426 contains a first parcel labeled or sealed by a tape node 428 and containing a first asset 430, and a second parcel labeled or sealed by a tape node 432 and containing a second asset 434. As explained in detail below, the master tape node 424 communicates with each of the peripheral tape nodes 428, 432 and communicates with the mobile gateway 408 in accordance with a hierarchical wireless network of tape nodes. In some examples, each of the peripheral tape nodes 428, 432 includes a lower power wireless communications interface of the type used in, e.g., tape node 102 (shown in
In some examples, the stationary gateway 414 is implemented by a server executing a server application that is configured by the network service 408 to communicate with a designated set 440 of tape nodes 442, 444, 446, 448 that are adhered to respective parcels containing respective assets 450, 452, 454, 456 on a pallet 458. In other examples, the stationary gateway 414 is implemented by a tape node (e.g., one of tape node 103 or tape node 105, respectively shown in
In the illustrated example, the stationary gateway 414 also is configured by the network service 408 to communicate with a designated set of tape nodes, including a master tape node 460 that is adhered to the inside of a door 462 of a shipping container 464, and is further configured to communicate with the network service 408 over the network 402. In the illustrated example, the shipping container 464 contains a number of parcels labeled or sealed by respective peripheral tape nodes 466 and containing respective assets. The master tape node 416 communicates with each of the peripheral tape nodes 466 and communicates with the stationary gateway 415 in accordance with a hierarchical wireless network of tape nodes. In some examples, each of the peripheral tape nodes 466 includes a lower power wireless communications interface of the type used in, e.g., tape node 102 (shown in
In some examples, when the doors of the shipping container 464 are closed, the master tape node 460 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the peripheral tape nodes 466 contained within the shipping container 464. In an example, the master tape node 460 is configured to collect sensor data from the peripheral tape nodes and, in some embodiments, process the collected data to generate, for example, one or more histograms from the collected data. When the doors of the shipping container 464 are open, the master tape node 460 is programmed to detect the door opening (e.g., with an accelerometer component of the master tape node 460) and, in addition to reporting the door opening event to the network service 408, the master tape node 460 is further programmed to transmit the collected data and/or the processed data in one or more wireless messages to the stationary gateway 414. The stationary gateway 414, in turn, is operable to transmit the wireless messages received from the master tape node 460 to the network service 408 over the wireless network 402. Alternatively, in some examples, the stationary gateway 414 also is operable to perform operations on the data received from the master tape node 460 with the same type of data produced by the master node 459 based on sensor data collected from the tape nodes 442-448. In this way, the master tape node 460 and the peripheral tape nodes 466 create a hierarchical wireless network of nodes for transmitting, forwarding, relaying, or otherwise communicating wireless messages to, between, or on behalf of the peripheral tape nodes 466 and the network service 408 in a power-efficient and cost-effective way.
In an example of the embodiment shown in
In some examples, the different types of tape nodes are deployed at different levels in the communications hierarchy according to their respective communications ranges, with the long range tape nodes generally at the top of the hierarchy, the medium range tape nodes generally in the middle of the hierarchy, and the short range tape nodes generally at the bottom of the hierarchy. In some examples, the different types of tape nodes are implemented with different feature sets that are associated with component costs and operational costs that vary according to their respective levels in the hierarchy. This allows system administrators flexibility to optimize the deployment of the tape nodes to achieve various objectives, including cost minimization, asset tracking, asset localization, and power conservation.
In some examples, a server 404 of the network service 408 designates a tape node at a higher level in a hierarchical communications network as a master node of a designated set of tape nodes at a lower level in the hierarchical communications network. For example, the designated master tape node may be adhered to a parcel (e.g., a box, pallet, or shipping container) that contains one or more tape nodes that are adhered to one or more assets containing respective assets. In order to conserve power, the tape nodes typically communicate according to a schedule promulgated by the server 404 of the network service 408. The schedule usually dictates all aspects of the communication, including the times when particular tape nodes should communicate, the mode of communication, and the contents of the communication. In one example, the server 404 transmits programmatic Global Scheduling Description Language (GSDL) code to the master tape node and each of the lower-level tape nodes in the designated set. In this example, execution of the GSDL code causes each of the tape nodes in the designated set to connect to the master tape node at a different respective time that is specified in the GSDL code, and to communicate a respective set of one or more data packets of one or more specified types of information over the respective connection. In some examples, the master tape node simply forwards the data packets to the server network node 404, either directly or indirectly through a gateway tape node (e.g., the long range tape node 416 adhered to the mobile vehicle 412 or the long range tape node 414 adhered to an infrastructure component of the environment 400). In other examples, the master tape node processes the information contained in the received data packets and transmits the processed information to the server network node 404.
In other embodiments, the second tape node is assigned the role of the master node of the first tape node.
As used herein, the term “node” refers to both a tape node and a non-tape node (i.e., a node or wireless device that is not an adhesive tape platform) unless the node is explicitly designated as a “tape node” or a “non-tape node.” In some embodiments, a non-tape node may have the same or similar communication, sensing, processing and other functionalities and capabilities as the tape nodes described herein, except without being integrated into a tape platform. In some embodiments, non-tape nodes can interact seamlessly with tape nodes. Each node may be assigned a respective unique identifier, according to some embodiments.
The following disclosure describes a distributed software operating system that is implemented by distributed hardware nodes executing intelligent agent software to perform various tasks or algorithms. In some embodiments, the operating system distributes functionalities (e.g., performing analytics on data or statistics collected or generated by nodes) geographically across multiple intelligent agents that are bound to items (e.g., parcels, containers, packages, boxes, pallets, a loading dock, a door, a light switch, a vehicle such as a delivery truck, a shipping facility, a port, a hub, etc.). In addition, the operating system dynamically allocates the hierarchical roles (e.g., master and slave roles) that nodes perform over time in order to improve system performance, such as optimizing battery life across nodes, improving responsiveness, and achieving overall objectives. In some embodiments, optimization is achieved using a simulation environment for optimizing key performance indicators (PKIs).
In some embodiments, the nodes are programmed to operate individually or collectively as autonomous intelligent agents. In some embodiments, nodes are configured to communicate and coordinate actions and respond to events. In some embodiments, a node is characterized by its identity, its mission, and the services that it can provide to other nodes. A node’s identity is defined by its capabilities (e.g., battery life, sensing capabilities, and communications interfaces). A node’s mission (or objective) is defined by the respective program code, instructions, or directives it receives from another node (e.g., a server or a master node) and the actions or tasks that it performs in accordance with that program code, instructions, or directives (e.g., sense temperature every hour and send temperature data to a master node to upload to a server). A node’s services define the functions or tasks that it is permitted to perform for other nodes (e.g., retrieve temperature data from a peripheral node and send the received temperature data to the server). At least for certain tasks, once programmed and configured with their identities, missions, and services, nodes can communicate with one another and request services from and provide services to one another independently of the server.
Thus, in accordance with the runtime operating system every agent knows its objectives (programmed). Every agent knows which capabilities/resources it needs to fulfill objective. Every agent communicates with every other node in proximity to see if it can offer the capability. Examples include communicate data to the server, authorize going to lower power level, temperature reading, send an alert to local hub, send location data, triangulate location, any boxes in same group that already completed group objectives.
Nodes can be associated with items. Examples of an item includes, but are not limited to for example, a package, a box, pallet, a container, a truck or other conveyance, infrastructure such as a door, a conveyor belt, a light switch, a road, or any other thing that can be tracked, monitored, sensed, etc. or that can transmit data concerning its state or environment. In some examples, a server or a master node may associate the unique node identifiers with the items.
Communication paths between tape and/or non-tape nodes may be represented by a graph of edges between the corresponding assets (e.g., a storage unit, truck, or hub). In some embodiments, each node in the graph has a unique identifier. A set of connected edges between nodes is represented by a sequence of the node identifiers that defines a communication path between a set of nodes.
Referring to
In an example scenario, in accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, node 526 (Node B) requires a connection to node 520 (Node A) to perform a task that involves checking the battery life of Node A. Initially, Node B is unconnected to any other nodes. In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node B periodically broadcasts advertising packets into the surrounding area. When the other node 520 (Node A) is within range of Node B and is operating in a listening mode, Node A will extract the address of Node B and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from an advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, Node A determines that it is authorized to connect to Node B, Node A will attempt to pair with Node B. In this process, Node A and Node B determine each other’s identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path 532 with Node A (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path), Node B determines Node A’s identity information (e.g., master node), Node A’s capabilities include reporting its current battery life, and Node A’s services include transmitting its current battery life to other nodes. In response to a request from Node B, Node A transmits an indication of its current battery life to Node B.
Referring to
In an example scenario, in accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node D requires a connection to Node C to perform a task that involves checking the temperature in the vicinity of Node C. Initially, Node D is unconnected to any other nodes. In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, Node D periodically broadcasts advertising packets in the surrounding area. When Node C is within range of Node D and is operating in a listening mode, Node C will extract the address of Node D and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, Node C determines that it is authorized to connect to Node D, Node C will attempt to pair with Node D. In this process, Node C and Node D determine each other’s identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path 544 with Node C (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path), Node D determines Node C’s identity information (e.g., a peripheral node), Node C’s capabilities include retrieving temperature data, and Node C’s services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes. In response to a request from Node D, Node C transmits its measured and/or locally processed temperature data to Node D.
Referring to
The pallet 550 provides a structure for grouping and containing assets 559, 561, 563 each of which is associated with a respective peripheral node 558, 560, 562 (Node E, Node F, and Node G). Each of the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562 includes a respective low power communications interface 564, 566, 568 (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy communications interface). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the nodes E, F, G and the master node 551 are connected to each of the other nodes over a respective low power communications path (shown by dashed lines).
In some embodiments, the assets 559, 561, 563 are grouped together because they are related. For example, the assets 559, 561, 563 may share the same shipping itinerary or a portion thereof. In an example scenario, the master pallet node 550 scans for advertising packets that are broadcasted from the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562. In some examples, the peripheral nodes broadcast advertising packets during respective scheduled broadcast intervals. The master node 551 can determine the presence of the assets 559, 561, 563 in the vicinity of the pallet 550 based on receipt of one or more advertising packets from each of the nodes E, F, and G. In some embodiments, in response to receipt of advertising packets broadcasted by the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562, the master node 551 transmits respective requests to the server to associate the master node 551 and the respective peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562. In some examples, the master tape node requests authorization from the server to associate the master tape node and the peripheral tape nodes. If the corresponding assets 559, 561, 563 are intended to be grouped together (e.g., they share the same itinerary or certain segments of the same itinerary), the server authorizes the master node 551 to associate the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562 with one another as a grouped set of assets. In some embodiments, the server registers the master node and peripheral tape node identifiers with a group identifier. The server also may associate each node ID with a respective physical label ID that is affixed to the respective asset.
In some embodiments, after an initial set of assets is assigned to a multi-asset group, the master node 551 may identify another asset arrives in the vicinity of the multi-asset group. The master node may request authorization from the server to associate the other asset with the existing multi-asset group. If the server determines that the other asset is intended to ship with the multi-asset group, the server instructs the master node to merge one or more other assets with currently grouped set of assets. After all assets are grouped together, the server authorizes the multi-asset group to ship. In some embodiments, this process may involve releasing the multi-asset group from a containment area (e.g., customs holding area) in a shipment facility.
In some embodiments, the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562 include environmental sensors for obtaining information regarding environmental conditions in the vicinity of the associated assets 559, 561, 563. Examples of such environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, acceleration sensors, vibration sensors, shock sensors, pressure sensors, altitude sensors, light sensors, and orientation sensors.
In the illustrated embodiment, the master node 551 can determine its own location based on geolocation data transmitted by a satellite-based radio navigation system 570 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR) and received by the GPS receiver 554 component of the master node 551. In an alternative embodiment, the location of the master pallet node 551 can be determined using cellular based navigation techniques that use mobile communication technologies (e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.) to implement one or more cell-based localization techniques. After the master node 551 has ascertained its location, the distance of each of the assets 559, 561, 563 from the master node 551 can be estimated based on the average signal strength of the advertising packets that the master node 551 receives from the respective peripheral node. The master node 551 can then transmit its own location and the locations of the asset nodes E, F, and G to a server over a cellular interface connection with a cell tower 572. Other methods of determining the distance of each of the assets 559, 561, 563 from the master node 551, such as Received Signal-Strength Index (RSSI) based indoor localization techniques, also may be used.
In some embodiments, after determining its own location and the locations of the peripheral nodes, the master node 551 reports the location data and the collected and optionally processed (e.g., either by the peripheral nodes peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562 or the master node 551) sensor data to a server over a cellular communication path 571 on a cellular network 572.
In some examples, nodes are able to autonomously detect logistics execution errors if assets that suppose to travel together no longer travel together, and raise an alert. For example, a node (e.g., the master node 551 or one of the peripheral nodes 558, 560, 562) alerts the server when the node determines that a particular asset 559 is being or has already been improperly separated from the group of assets. The node may determine that there has been an improper separation of the particular asset 559 in a variety of ways. For example, the associated node 558 that is bound to the particular asset 559 may include an accelerometer that generates a signal in response to movement of the asset from the pallet. In accordance with its intelligent agent program code, the associated node 558 determines that the master node 551 has not disassociated the particular asset 559 from the group and therefore broadcasts advertising packets to the master node, which causes the master node 551 to monitor the average signal strength of the advertising packets and, if the master node 551 determines that the signal strength is decreasing over time, the master node 551 will issue an alert either locally (e.g., through a speaker component of the master node 551) or to the server.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the communications interfaces 584 and 586 (e.g., a LoRa communications interface and a Bluetooth Low Energy communications interface) on the node on the truck 580 is programmed to broadcast advertisement packets to establish connections with other network nodes within range of the truck node. A warehouse 588 includes medium range nodes 590, 592, 594 that are associated with respective containers 591, 593, 595 (e.g., assets, boxes, pallets, and the like). When the truck node’s low power interface 586 is within range of any of the medium range nodes 590, 592, 594 and one or more of the medium range nodes is operating in a listening mode, the medium range node will extract the address of truck node and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packet. If, according to its programmatic code, the truck node determines that it is authorized to connect to one of the medium range nodes 590, 592, 594, the truck node will attempt to pair with the medium range node. In this process, the truck node and the medium range node determine each other’s identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a communication path with the truck node (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy formatted communication path 614 or a LoRa formatted communication path 617), the truck node determines the identity information for the medium range node 590 (e.g., a peripheral node), the medium range node’s capabilities include retrieving temperature data, and the medium range node’s services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes. Depending of the size of the warehouse 588, the truck 580 initially may communicate with the nodes 590, 592, 594 using a low power communications interface (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy interface). If any of the anticipated nodes fails to respond to repeated broadcasts of advertising packets by the truck 580, the truck 580 will try to communicate with the non-responsive nodes using a medium power communications interface (e.g., LoRa interface). In response to a request from the truck node 584, the medium range node 590 transmits an indication of its measured temperature data to the truck node. The truck node repeats the process for each of the other medium range nodes 592, 594 that generate temperature measurement data in the warehouse 588. The truck node reports the collected (and optionally processed, either by the medium range nodes 590, 592, 594 or the truck node) temperature data to a server over a cellular communication path 616 with a cellular network 618.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the master and peripheral nodes 638, 638, 640 include environmental sensors for obtaining information regarding environmental conditions in the vicinity of the associated assets 632, 634, 636. Examples of such environmental sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, acceleration sensors, vibration sensors, shock sensors, pressure sensors, altitude sensors, light sensors, and orientation sensors.
In accordance with the programmatic code stored in its memory, the master node 630 periodically broadcasts advertising packets in the surrounding area. When the peripheral nodes 638, 640 are within range of master node 630, and are operating in a listening mode, the peripheral nodes 638, 640 will extract the address of master node 630 and potentially other information (e.g., security information) from the advertising packets. If, according to their respective programmatic code, the peripheral nodes 638, 640 determine that hey are authorized to connect to the master node 630, the peripheral nodes 638, 640 will attempt to pair with the master node 630. In this process, the peripheral nodes 638, 640 and the master node and the peripheral nodes determine each other’s identities, capabilities, and services. For example, after successfully establishing a respective communication path 658, 660 with each of the peripheral nodes 638, 640 (e.g., a LoRa formatted communication path), the master node 630 determines certain information about the peripheral nodes 638, 640, such as their identity information (e.g., peripheral nodes), their capabilities (e.g., measuring temperature data), and their services include transmitting temperature data to other nodes.
After establishing LoRa formatted communications paths 658, 660 with the peripheral nodes 638, 640, the master node 630 transmits requests for the peripheral nodes 638, 640 to transmit their measured and/or locally processed temperature data to the master node 630.
In the illustrated embodiment, the master node 630 can determine its own location based on geolocation data transmitted by a satellite-based radio navigation system 666 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR) and received by the GPS receiver 642 component of the master node 630. In an alternative embodiment, the location of the master node 630 can be determined using cellular based navigation techniques that use mobile communication technologies (e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.) to implement one or more cell-based localization techniques. After the master node 630 has ascertained its location, the distance of each of the assets 634, 636 from the master node 630 can be estimated based on the average signal strength of the advertising packets that the master node 630 receives from the respective peripheral node. The master node 630 can then transmit its own location and the locations of the asset nodes E, F, and G to a server over a cellular interface connection with a cell tower 672. Other methods of determining the distance of each of the assets 634, 636 from the master node 630, such as Received Signal-Strength Index (RSSI) based indoor localization techniques, also may be used.
In some embodiments, after determining its own location and the locations of the peripheral nodes, the master node 630 reports the location data the collected and optionally processed (e.g., either by the peripheral nodes peripheral nodes 634, 636 or the master node 630) sensor data to a server over a cellular communication path 670 on a cellular network 672.
A failure detecting tape node, as discussed herein, is an embodiment of the adhesive tape platform shown in
Each of the failure detecting tape nodes includes one or more sensors for collecting sensor data on the ambient conditions and events of the power liens 1210A, 1210B. The failure detecting tape nodes 1220A, 1220B are configured to determine if the respective power line is in a failure state, based on sensor data collected by the failure detecting tape nodes. In some embodiments, the failure detecting tape nodes wirelessly communicate with each other to determine the failure states and to validate the determinations. When a failure state is detected, the failure detecting tape nodes wirelessly communicate alerts to other nodes of the tracking system 400, and the tracking system 400 performs follow-up actions to resolve the failure states, emergencies, and other issues in the power lines 1220A, 1220B.
In some embodiments, the tracking system 400 is integrated with a controlling system for an electrical grid. For example, the tracking system 400 may provide data to a utility service provider’s control system for the electrical grid through apps, APIs, and direct communication with the tracking system 400. In response to receiving an alert, the follow-up action performed may include actions performed by the controlling system of the electrical grid. The follow-up action may be performed automatically by the controlling system software, according to some embodiments, or it may be performed manually by a utilities operator user who has access to the controlling system and data from the tracking system 400. For example, the follow-up action may include cutting off transmission of power to a section of an electrical grid. In another example, the follow-up action may include disabling or enabling functions at an electrical substation or transformer.
In
The inductive loop of the energy harvesting circuit 1230 may also be part of an induction sensing circuit used to measure changes in the electromagnetic field around the overhead power line 1210 for detecting failure events. For example, if current stops flowing through the overhead power line at a portion near or at the location of the failure detecting tape node 1220D, the failure detecting tape node 1220D will detect a corresponding change in the electromagnetic fields due to inductance using the inductive loop and induction sensing circuit. The failure detecting tape node 1220D may then determine that a change in the current flow of the power line 1210A has occurred and report the event to the tracking system 400 as a potential failure event. Similarly, if the electrical power line 1210A falls from a utility structure, the motion of the electrical power line may cause changes in the electromagnetic fields near the failure detecting tape node 1220D, which is detected by the induction sensing circuit. The failure detecting tape node 1220D may determine a potential failure event corresponding to the power line 1210A falling has occurred based on the measured changes in the electromagnetic fields and report it to the tracking system 400.
Changes in the current flowing through the line may be used to detect a fault current or risk of a future fault current. A fault current wis a current that flows through a circuit or an electrical grid during an electrical fault or failure. Changes in the current can be detected by an inductive current sensor, a current transducer, a hall sensor, or an electromagnetic field sensor that is integrated with the failure detecting tape node and can be used to detect the occurrence or the future risk of a fault current that may result in or be resultant from failure of the electrical grid.
The foldable adhesive tape node 1260 is folded around the overhead power line 1210A, such that a portion of the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 on the adhesive side is adhered to another portion of the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 on the adhesive side. Portions of the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 on the adhesive side may also be adhered to the overhead power line 1210A itself. Optionally, a weight may be included in, on, or separately attached to the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 at one or more of the ends of the foldable adhesive tape node to aid the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 in maintaining a vertical orientation when hanging on the overhead power line 1210A, under normal operating conditions for the overhead power line 1210A. This may be used to differentiate measured changes in orientation of the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 due to environmental factors such as slight winds that are not related to failure events from measured changes in orientation that correspond to failure events.
In some embodiments, the aperture 1280 is made by a user puncturing the puncturable tape node 1270 in a puncture region of the tape node 1270 at a time of installation or before installing the tape node 1270 on the overhead power line 1210A. In other embodiments, the aperture 1280 may be pre-made in the tape node 1270 before the user receives the tape node 1270 or at a time of manufacturing the tape node 1270. For example, the aperture 1280 may be made by a hole punch, a drill, a cutting tool, or some other tool. In some embodiments, the aperture 1280 may be made by pushing or moving a sharp portion of a fastener through the puncture region of the tape node 1270. In other embodiments, a perforation in the tape node 1270 may be made in the a shape of the aperture 1280 that aids the user in creating the aperture with a tool or by hand at a time of installation, by cutting or tearing along the perforation.
For example, if one of the failure detecting tape nodes in the array 1250A detects a potential failure event based on its sensor readings corresponding to the overhead power line 1210A falling off of the utility structure 1205, the one failure detecting tape node may communicate with the other tape nodes in the array 1250A to determine if the other tape nodes also have sensor readings that correspond to the same or a similar event. If more than a threshold number of the tape nodes in the array 1250A report back to the one failure detecting tape node that a same or similar event has been detected, the one failure detecting tape node may then validate its own detection of the failure event without having to communicate with a server or other remote entity in the tracking system 400. This allow for low latency validation of failure event detection. The one failure detecting tape node may then respond by reporting the detected failure event to another wireless node of the tracking system 400. The other wireless node may be a tape node attached to the utility structure 1205 or a tape node or gateway located elsewhere. In some embodiments, a failure detecting tape node may include cellular or satellite communication systems and may directly transmit a notification of the detected event to the tracking system 400 using a cellular network connection.
For critical use cases, such as monitoring high voltage electrical power lines, redundant monitoring may be beneficial for accurate detection of failure events. Redundant monitoring may also decrease the risk of failure to detect events. For example, if only a single failure detecting tape node is used, a malfunctioning of the failure detecting tape node may result in the tracking system 400 may result in a failure event not being detected or not being detected quickly by the tracking system 400. Failure to detect a catastrophic event in time may result in undesirable or dangerous conditions, property damage, power outage, and other risks. The arrays of failure detecting tape nodes 1250 allow for higher assurance that a failure event will not be missed by tracking system 400.
In the case that a failure event is detected, a server of the tracking system may receive the alert and perform a follow-up action. The follow-up action may include notifying a user of the tracking system 400 or an operator of a utility service provider, making changes to the operation of a utility service, such as cutting off power to a region of the electrical grid surrounding the wireless tracking device, notifying emergency services, dispatching service people for a repair or intervention, or by broadcasting alarms and messages to people near the wireless tracking device. For example, in the event of a fallen overhead power line, the tracking system 400 and the operator of the utility service provider may transmit audio (over a phone call) and text messages to the phones of users known to be located in an area near where the overhead power line has fallen, to warn them to evacuate in case of a potential catastrophic fire.
Responsive to determining that the electrical line is in the failure state, the wireless tracking device wirelessly transmits 1440 an alert to another node of a tracking system. The same discussion above with respect to step 1330 in
Optionally, the foldable adhesive tape node 1260 may include a weight that is located at one of the ends of the foldable adhesive tape node 1260, away from the center of the tape node 1260. The tape node 1260 may include weights at both ends. The weight may be positioned inside the tape node or on the outside of the tape node attached to the exterior of the substrate or cover layer. In other embodiments, a weight is not included in or on the tape node 1260, but the components of the tape node 1260 are arranged such that the weight of the tape node 1260 is distributed not at the center, but at the ends.
When a user provides an input corresponding to a selection of one of the pins 1720, the map viewing interface displays additional details on the failure detecting tape node represented by the selected pin. The additional detail may include an identifier of the tape node, data on the electrical grid infrastructure object being monitored by the tape node, a current status of the tape node, a current status of the electrical grid infrastructure object being monitored, sensor data, a log of events detected by the tape nod, other data, or some combination thereof. The additional detail may be displayed in another window or in a popup that is overlaid in the map viewing interface 1710.
The failure detecting tape nodes 2030 on the transmission tower 2020 may monitor conditions of the electrical grid that differ from those monitored by the failure detecting tape nodes 2010 installed on the overhead electrical lines 2005. Similarly, the tape node 2050 on the ground infrastructure may monitor conditions of the electrical grid that differ from those monitored by the failure detecting tape nodes 2010 installed on the overhead electrical lines 2005 and the tower tape nodes 2030 installed on the transmission tower 2020. For example, the tower tape nodes 2030 may measure a tilt of the transmission tower 2020 to detect if a transmission tower is leaning or about to fall over. In another example, the ground tape node 2050 may monitor temperature for detecting failure of the ground infrastructure equipment 2040 caused by heat or temperature.
In some embodiments, the ground infrastructure nodes are capable of controlling functions and change configurations of the ground infrastructure equipment that they are associated with. For example, the ground infrastructure nodes may instruct the associated ground infrastructure equipment perform an intervention action, such as deenergizing the ground infrastructure equipment or deenergizing a portion of the electrical grid affected by a failure event. In some examples, the ground infrastructure equipment may be equipment configured to control the transmission of electricity through portions of the electrical grid, such as lengths of overhead power lines. This may be done to avoid a dangerous scenario or prevent a hazardous condition such as a fire. In embodiments, the ground infrastructure nodes can intervene with the ground infrastructure equipment without needing to communicate with the server 2140, in order to reduce latency between the detection of a failure event and the implementation of an intervention action. In an example, a failure detecting tape node 2010 detects that a overhead power line has fallen from a utility structure towards the ground and transmits an alert of the fall event to the ground infrastructure node 2110. In response, the ground infrastructure node instructs the ground infrastructure equipment to deenergize the overhead power line that has fallen.
The ground tape node then transmits 2230, data corresponding to the detected event to another wireless node of the tracking system 400. The other wireless node may be another tape node, a gateway device, another communication device, a user client device, or a server of the tracking system 400. The data may be relayed through the tracking system 400 until it is received by a server of the tracking system 400, according to some embodiments. Based on the data received by the tracking system, one or more locations for potential points of failure in an electrical grid are determined 2240. For example, other ground tape nodes may report similar failure events and the tracking system may determine multiple points of failure. Further, the tracking system may determine an origin point of the failure where an event that has caused the failure occurred. The tracking system responds by transmitting 2250 a notification corresponding to the detected event to a user. The user may be an operator of the utility service associated with the electrical grid being monitored by the system for failure detection. Additionally, the determined locations are displayed 2260 in a map viewing interface of a client device app associated with the system for failure detection. For example, the locations may be shown in the map viewing interface 1710 shown in
The computer apparatus 320 includes a processing unit 322, a system memory 324, and a system bus 326 that couples the processing unit 322 to the various components of the computer apparatus 320. The processing unit 322 may include one or more data processors, each of which may be in the form of any one of various commercially available computer processors. The system memory 324 includes one or more computer-readable media that typically are associated with a software application addressing space that defines the addresses that are available to software applications. The system memory 324 may include a read only memory (ROM) that stores a basic input/output system (BIOS) that contains start-up routines for the computer apparatus 320, and a random access memory (RAM). The system bus 326 may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus or a local bus, and may be compatible with any of a variety of bus protocols, including PCI, VESA, Microchannel, ISA, and EISA. The computer apparatus 320 also includes a persistent storage memory 328 (e.g., a hard drive, a floppy drive, a CD ROM drive, magnetic tape drives, flash memory devices, and digital video disks) that is connected to the system bus 326 and contains one or more computer-readable media disks that provide non-volatile or persistent storage for data, data structures and computer-executable instructions.
A user may interact (e.g., input commands or data) with the computer apparatus 320 using one or more input devices 330 (e.g. one or more keyboards, computer mice, microphones, cameras, joysticks, physical motion sensors, and touch pads). Information may be presented through a graphical user interface (GUI) that is presented to the user on a display monitor 332, which is controlled by a display controller 334. The computer apparatus 320 also may include other input/output hardware (e.g., peripheral output devices, such as speakers and a printer). The computer apparatus 320 connects to other network nodes through a network adapter 336 (also referred to as a “network interface card” or NIC).
A number of program modules may be stored in the system memory 324, including application programming interfaces 338 (APIs), an operating system (OS) 340 (e.g., the Windows® operating system available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington U.S.A.), software applications 341 including one or more software applications programming the computer apparatus 320 to perform one or more of the steps, tasks, operations, or processes of the locationing and/or tracking systems described herein, drivers 342 (e.g., a GUI driver), network transport protocols 344, and data 346 (e.g., input data, output data, program data, a registry, and configuration settings).
Examples of the subject matter described herein, including the disclosed systems, methods, processes, functional operations, and logic flows, can be implemented in data processing apparatus (e.g., computer hardware and digital electronic circuitry) operable to perform functions by operating on input and generating output. Examples of the subject matter described herein also can be tangibly embodied in software or firmware, as one or more sets of computer instructions encoded on one or more tangible non-transitory carrier media (e.g., a machine readable storage device, substrate, or sequential access memory device) for execution by data processing apparatus.
The details of specific implementations described herein may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any claimed invention. For example, features that are described in connection with separate embodiments may also be incorporated into a single embodiment, and features that are described in connection with a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple separate embodiments. In addition, the disclosure of steps, tasks, operations, or processes being performed in a particular order does not necessarily require that those steps, tasks, operations, or processes be performed in the particular order; instead, in some cases, one or more of the disclosed steps, tasks, operations, and processes may be performed in a different order or in accordance with a multi-tasking schedule or in parallel.
Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.
Failure detecting tape nodes are attached to electrical power line (e.g., overhead power line). Failure detecting tape nodes are configured to detect a failure state of the electrical power line. An example failure state would be a state where an overhead power line has fallen down or fallen off of an electrical pole, tower (e.g., transmission tower), utility pole, or some other structure. Failure detection for electrical or overhead lines using the failure detecting tape node is not limited to detecting failure in electrical power lines. In some embodiments, failure detection may be used to detect failure in any line or object that is suspended in the air or hung overhead.
The failure detecting tape nodes are part of a failure detection system which enables low latency, continuous detection of failure states and failure events. The failure detection system includes the tracking system 400 or components of the tracking system 400. Failure events are events that may results in a potential failure state of the line. The failure detection system may be coupled to a controlling system of the electrical grid that allows the electrical grid to disable or deenergize a transformer when a nearby or associated power line falls or experiences a failure state.
The failure detection system uses low latency communication between local wireless nodes to quickly detect failure states and perform responsive actions. Failure states may be detected by failure detecting tape nodes using vibration sensing, accelerometers for detecting motion of the power lines corresponding to the lines falling down, becoming twisted or tangled, or other mechanical failure, inductive sensing for detecting excursions of electromagnetic waves that correspond to power line failure.
If failure detecting tape node detects a failure state, the tape nodes wirelessly report to a wireless node of the tracking system. Some failure detecting tape nodes may be equipped with cellular or satellite communications systems and may report directly to a server of the tracking system.
In response to detecting failure, the failure detection system may perform response actions. When the tape node reports the failure state of an electrical power line, the power line operator (e.g., utility service operator) may de-power, de-energize, or deactivate the power line, in response. This may be to avoid an emergency situation like a fire outbreak. The failure detecting tape nodes may report the failure state of the electrical power line falling off a utility structure (e.g., utility pole, transmission tower, etc.) before the electrical power line hits the ground or hits structures below the power line (e.g., trees, buildings, etc.). In response, the electrical power line is deenergized before the electrical power line hits the ground, buildings, or other structures, avoiding risk of an emergency situation or hazard.
Before a fault current is detected or an electrical line falls to ground, a failure detecting tape node or other tracking device sends signal to an associated transformer to deenergize the line. This in essence makes the electrical line a “Smart Wire” by attaching the failure detecting tape node to the electrical line. Edge computing is performed at the failure detecting tape nodes for immediate decision and support. Additionally, the network of failure detecting tape nodes tracked by the failure detection system allow the system to pinpoint exactly where the issue causing failure is located for repair and diagnosis.
Gateways or tape nodes local to the power line perform computations to determine failure states of the electrical power line. Low latency achieved by computing and communicating locally to the electrical power line, minimizing the need for wireless communications which add latency to the overall system.
The failure detecting system may detect emergencies that are related to or affect the electrical grid. For example, failure detecting tape node may include one or more temperature sensors. The failure detecting tape node may determine risk of wild fire based on detected temperature and transmit alerts based on determined risk.
If an emergency situation is detected, the failure detecting tape node may make a call (using a cellular communication system) to an emergency service (e.g., fire department or 911). Additionally or alternatively, the failure detecting tape node may report directly to the server of the tracking system or to an operator of the tracking system.
In embodiments, a failure detecting tape node is wrapped around an electrical line/conductor. The tape node may include an inductive loop and an inductive sensor circuit coupled to the inductive loop for detecting changes in electromagnetic fields induced by changes in the current in the electrical line/conductor. In some embodiments, a failure detecting tape node is attached to the side of a transformer to measure temperature, vibration, tilt of the transformer. The senso data is reported to the tracking system and failure detection system.
Raise alerts based on excursions of the tracked sensor data from baseline readings. Failure detecting tape node may charge off induction, in some embodiments, thus never needing to replace sensors, according to some embodiments. Alternatively, failure detecting tape node may include a solar panel which charges the tape node.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
Some portions of this description describe the embodiments of the disclosure in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits, microcode, or the like. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules, without loss of generality. The described operations and their associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combinations thereof.
Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, and/or it may comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, which may be coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, any computing systems referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
Embodiments of the disclosure may also relate to a product that is produced by a computing process described herein. Such a product may comprise information resulting from a computing process, where the information is stored on a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium and may include any embodiment of a computer program product or other data combination described herein.
Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63276785 | Nov 2021 | US | |
| 63338029 | May 2022 | US |
