Patent classifications
G01D2204/14
System, method, and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by one or more electric power grid operators
A server manages consumption of power supplied by utility or electric power grid operator(s) to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the consuming devices is enabled and disabled by controllable devices controlled by one or more client devices. The server includes a command processor, event manager, database, and client device manager. The command processor receives commands from the operator(s) and issues event messages responsive thereto. The event manager maintains a power management status for each client device and issues event instructions responsive to event messages. The database stores information relating to power consumed by the consuming devices. The client device manager selects from the database, responsive to receipt of a power reduction event instruction, client device(s) to which to issue a message indicating a power reduction amount and/or identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable power flow to associated consuming devices.
System, method, and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by one or more electric power grid operators
Systems, methods and apparatus for power management in an electric power grid are disclosed. A power flow to a plurality of power consuming devices in the electric power grid is enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices under the control of one or more client devices. An apparatus receives a power control command and select at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message. The power reduction message comprises an amount of electric power to be reduced to at least one of the plurality of power consuming devices for a predetermined time. A database stores information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices based on measurement and verification.
WATER METER SYSTEM AND METHOD
A water meter system and method may provide inline flow monitoring and leak detection that may track real-time water usage. The water meter system and method may utilize one or more dual pressure sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors to detect leaks quickly and automatically turn off a valve. A spool may be utilized that may provide the dual pressure sensors on opposite sides of a ball valve to separate upstream and downstream pressure zones when the valve is closed.
GAS METER ARCHITECTURE
Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas meter connectable to a gas line, where the gas meter may have a metrology unit in communication with a flow of gas through the gas line and an index unit in communication with and releasably coupled to the metrology unit. The metrology unit may be configured to generate flow rate data of the flow through the gas line based on outputs from a flow rate sensor, generate gas temperature data based on outputs from a temperature sensor, compensate the flow rate data based on the temperature data, generate an average flow rate, and output the average flow rate data to the index unit. The index unit may generate gas volume data based on flow rate data received from the metrology unit.
System, method, and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power supplied by one or more electric power grid operators
Systems, methods and apparatus for power management in an electric power grid are disclosed. A power flow to a plurality of power consuming devices in the electric power grid is enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices under the control of one or more client devices. An apparatus receives a power control command and select at least one client device to which to issue a power reduction message. The power reduction message comprises an amount of electric power to be reduced to at least one of the plurality of power consuming devices for a predetermined time. A database stores information relating to power consumed by the plurality of power consuming devices based on measurement and verification.
Systems and Methods for Resource Consumption Analytics
The systems and methods described herein are directed to resource monitoring and resource consumption analytics. Resource usage is tracked through a gateway device monitoring resources using remote input sensors, and usage data is transmitted to a central processing unit whereby the data is interpreted and compared with usage over time and site conditions such as weather. For example, incoming usage data is compared with resource signatures in a signature library representing an ideal usage or historical usage for given site condition. This data is interpreted into simple command displays with alerts, alarms, thereby reporting and alerting to an end-user via multiple delivery mechanisms, of potential sources of resource waste or loss. Further, the alerts or alarms can include easily interpreted recommendations to allow a non-skilled worker to take corrective procedures to maximize efficient use of the consumable resources.
Gas meter architecture
Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas meter connectable to a gas line, where the gas meter may have a metrology unit in communication with a flow of gas through the gas line and an index unit in communication with and releasably coupled to the metrology unit. The metrology unit may be configured to generate flow rate data of the flow through the gas line based on outputs from a flow rate sensor, generate gas temperature data based on outputs from a temperature sensor, compensate the flow rate data based on the temperature data, generate an average flow rate, and output the average flow rate data to the index unit. The index unit may generate gas volume data based on flow rate data received from the metrology unit.
Systems and methods for resource consumption analytics
The systems and methods described herein are directed to resource monitoring and resource consumption analytics. Resource usage is tracked through a gateway device monitoring resources using remote input sensors, and usage data is transmitted to a central processing unit whereby the data is interpreted and compared with usage over time and site conditions such as weather. For example, incoming usage data is compared with resource signatures in a signature library representing an ideal usage or historical usage for given site condition. This data is interpreted into simple command displays with alerts, alarms, thereby reporting and alerting to an end-user via multiple delivery mechanisms, of potential sources of resource waste or loss. Further, the alerts or alarms can include easily interpreted recommendations to allow a non-skilled worker to take corrective procedures to maximize efficient use of the consumable resources.
Method and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power over an electric power grid
A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. The power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the one or more controllable devices to disable a flow of electric power to the one or more associated power consuming device.
Interfacing to resource consumption management devices
The subject disclosure provides a communications architecture for managing/relaying utility information, such as energy, water or gas information. In one aspect, the system includes a hub having a first communications interface for receiving consumption data of a predetermined energy load and a second communications interface for communicating with a metering device. The second communications interface is configured to transmit the consumption data to the metering device and to receive control signals from the metering device where the consumption data is communicated using a first protocol and wherein the control signals are communicated using a second protocol.