Y04S20/30

Demand/response mechanism in a wireless sensor network
11617027 · 2023-03-28 · ·

A wireless sensor network at a monitored location can be configured to generate sensor channel(s) of data to assess operational conditions at the monitored location. Inputs based on the sensor channel(s) of data are provided to a host system for analysis of a demand to one or more resources at the monitored location. Response messages can be generated based on the demand analysis and transmitted to actuator(s) at the monitored location to effect an adjustment to the operational conditions.

METHOD FOR PREVENTING THEFT OF ENERGY IN ELECTRICITY METERS THAT ARE INSTALLED INVERTED

A system includes a sensor configured at a first position to sense an orientation of an electricity meter. The electricity meter can be configured at a second position. The electricity meter can be configured at a normal orientation to measure delivered energy sent to one or more locations and received energy received from the one or more locations. The electricity meter can be configured at an inverted orientation to identify and measure the delivered energy sent to the one or more locations and the received energy received from the one or more locations. The sensor is configured to identify when the electricity meter is in the normal orientation, and when the electricity meter is in the inverted orientation. A display is configured within the electricity meter.

Synchronized electric meter having an atomic clock

Smart electric meters configured to perform fast, time-synchronized electrical energy measurements at the consumer-level are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a smart electric meter includes circuitry configured to measure an electrical value at a location of an end user in a power system. The smart electric meter can further include an atomic clock configured to output a timing signal, and a controller configured to receive (a) the measured electrical value from the circuitry and (b) the timing signal from the atomic clock. The controller can further (a) process the electrical value to generate meter data and (b) generate a time tag based on the timing signal. Then, the controller can associate the time tag with the meter data to generate time-tagged meter data.

Data concentration unit and operating method thereof

The present invention relates to a data concentration unit and an operating method thereof. To this end, the data concentration unit of the present invention includes: a substrate; and a data communication unit for collecting meter reading data of a plurality of customers through communications with power metering communication modems respectively connected to watt-hour meters provided for the plurality of customers, wherein the data communication unit includes at least one wired communication module for performing wired communication with power metering wired communication modems, and at least one wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with power metering wireless communication modems, and the wired communication module and the wireless communication module are inserted and provided into the substrate.

System and method for monitoring power consumption of an appliance
11614473 · 2023-03-28 · ·

A method for monitoring power consumption of an appliance within a space is provided. The method includes obtaining a first set of data indicative of power consumption of the appliance during an interval of time and determining a profile indicative of power consumption of the appliance based, at least in part, on the first set of data. The method includes obtaining a second set of data indicative of power consumption of the appliance subsequent to obtaining the first set of data. The method includes determining whether power consumption of the appliance deviates from the profile based, at least in part, on the second set of data. Furthermore, in response to determining power consumption of the appliance deviates from the profile, the method includes providing a notification indicative of power consumption of the appliance deviating from the profile.

Method and system for automatic detection and recognition of a digital image

An automatic measuring system containing configurable integrated circuits is able to process information via captured images. The automatic measuring system includes a metering instrument, a camera, a recognition module, and a localization module. The metering instrument has at least one display for visually displaying a number and measures the amount of measurable substance or resources (i.e., electricity and water) consumed. The camera captures an image of the number representing at least a portion the amount of measurable substance. The recognition module is operable to generate a value in response to the image and the coordinates wherein the coordinates are used to decode the image via restoring captured image to the original readout counter value. The localization module is removably or remotely coupled to the camera and operable to generate the coordinates in accordance with the image captured by the camera.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPORTING PIPELINE PRESSURES
20230090027 · 2023-03-23 ·

An optimized, energy-sensitive system and method for fulfilling various data needs of gas utilities. In particular, the disclosure relates to optimized methods for discovering and reacting to an alarm. In one aspect, when an alarm is triggered a telemetry unit automatically alters its operating mode to begin transmitting live pressure reads every minute instead of every hour, as typically performed. This variance in operation eliminates the need for a user to monitor a pipeline system for an incoming alarm and manually request data by initiating a live communication session.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENERGY HARVESTING AND USE IN SUPPORT OF MONITORED PROCESSES AND DEVICES
20230091658 · 2023-03-23 ·

Methods and system include power harvesting with process and device monitoring. A power management system including a solar cell can be integrated with a display panel into a common housing. A capacitor and a rechargeable battery connected to the power management system can receive power from the solar cell and provide electrical power, first from the capacitor and then second from the rechargeable battery, to electronic components including the display engaged in monitoring processes and devices deployed in isolated locations. Electronics can include a microprocessor programmed to provide collected data display on the display panel and wireless transmission to a remote monitoring station. A rotatable stem operated by a step-motor and connected to the common housing can orient the integrated display and solar cell towards sunlight according to an internal time clock synchronizing movement of the display panel via a step motor and thereby maximize harvesting of electrical energy.

WIRE DOWN DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Some embodiments include a system for metering an electrical grid comprising at least one processor executing instructions from a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of an electrical grid fault detection system. In some embodiments of the system, the instructions cause a processor to calculate a prediction of whether power delivery to at least a portion of the electrical grid is functioning abnormally using voltage sensing devices coupled to at least one feeder, where one or more of the voltage sensing devices are responsive to a determination that the power delivery is functioning abnormally. Further in some embodiments, the determination includes the electrical grid fault detection system receiving at least one signal or voltage reading from the electrical grid based at least in part on a sensed or received voltage level or range of voltage level.

HIGH VOLTAGE POWER USAGE METER
20220345528 · 2022-10-27 · ·

A high power usage meter connects to a high power generator and a load, or splitter, to allow remote data gathering for use within a system that provides improved functionality. The high power usage meter includes a plurality of AC sensors, a main unit, and a battery. It provides actionable real-time AC power data. Usage of the AC data is logged. Data having parameters derived from the measured AC current or AC voltage is generated and provided within the system. Information from the high power usage meter includes location parameters, such as longitude, latitude, and altitude.