US6404348B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular power quality monitoring device
Assignee: Power Quality Consultants Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-23
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2019-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A modular power quality monitoring device, adaptable to an electrical anomaly detection circuit, such as a surge protection device, comprises an electrical connection to an AC power line, voltage surge detection circuitry, a neuron microprocessor, a DC power source and a transmission circuit. The modular device is capable of detecting a plurality of electrical anomalies, such as voltage levels, current draw, power surges, phase outages, phase shifting, power factor, harmonic distortion and panel load. A plurality of the modular devices can be employed about a facility to create a power quality control network. A user interface permits data stored by the modular device to be retrieved and viewed on the display. Various ways of transmission can be employed, such as modulated power line transmission or free topology—twisted pair, RS485, fiber optics, RF carrier or computer modem connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Scott Wilfong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/25; G01R19/2513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A power quality monitoring circuit adaptable to an electrical anomaly detection circuit for creating a single node on a control network, the power quality monitoring circuit capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit to which the electrical anomaly detection circuit is coupled, the power quality monitoring circuit further capable of transmitting the data to a central location, the power quality monitoring circuit comprising: a) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, b) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, c) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the power quality monitoring circuit on the control network, d) a regulated DC power supply, e) transmission means for transmitting the electrical anomaly data detected and stored by the power quality monitoring circuit over the control network to the central location, and f) display means for displaying numeric and alphanumeric data relating to electrical anomalies detected by the power quality monitoring circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A power quality monitoring circuit adaptable to an electrical anomaly detection circuit for creating a single node on a control network, the power quality monitoring circuit capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit to which the electrical anomaly detection circuit is coupled, the power quality monitoring circuit further capable of transmitting the data to a central location, the power quality monitoring circuit comprising: a) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, b) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, c) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the power quality monitoring circuit on the control network, d) a regulated DC power supply, e) transmission means for transmitting the electrical anomaly data detected and stored by the power quality monitoring circuit over the control network to the central location, and f) display means for displaying numeric and alphanumeric data relating to electrical anomalies detected by the power quality monitoring circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 1 , wherein the power line circuit is an AC circuit chosen from the group consisting of a single, two and three phase AC circuit, the electrical connection to the AC power line circuit established by coupling the power quality monitoring circuit to the one, two or three phases, respectively, and ground of the AC circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 2 , further comprising phase loss indication means for indicating the loss of any of the phases of the AC power line circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 3 , wherein the phase loss indication means employs a single LED for each phase of the AC power line circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 1 , wherein the voltage surge detection circuitry comprises a low voltage indicator and a voltage comparator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is a neuron chip comprising: a) memory, b) a transceiver port, and c) embedded firmware.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 6 , wherein the transmission means is a transmission circuit capable of interfacing with a communication medium of the control network, the transmission circuit coupled to the neuron chip transceiver port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 7 , wherein the communication medium is chosen from the group comprising modulated power line transmission, free topology—twisted pair, RS-485, fiber optic, RF carrier and computer modem communication.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power quality monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the display means comprises an LCD display and a driver circuit coupled to the microprocessor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 1 , further comprising: a) user interface means for permitting a user to extract electrical anomaly data stored by the power quality monitoring circuit and for setting network parameters associated with the node location of the power quality monitoring circuit on the control network, and b) alarm means for providing signals to a user that certain electrical anomalies have occurred on the power line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 10 , wherein the user interface means comprises a function and an enter push button, each push button electrically coupled to the microprocessor and capable of being actuated, permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the control network through the transmission means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 10 , wherein the user interface means comprises a computer interface connection to the circuit, the computer interface connection permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the control network through the transmission means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 12 , wherein the display means is a monitor connected to a computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 10 , wherein the alarm means comprises a speaker and a driver circuit electrically coupled to the microprocessor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
A modular power quality monitoring device adaptable to an electrical anomaly detection circuit for creating a single node on a power quality control network, the modular power quality monitoring device capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit to which the electrical anomaly detection circuit is coupled, the modular power quality monitoring device further capable of transmitting the data to a central location, the modular power quality monitoring device comprising: a) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, b) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, c) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the modular power quality monitoring device on the power quality control network, d) a regulated DC power supply, and e) a transmission circuit coupled to the microprocessor capable of interfacing with a communication medium of the power quality control network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
163 words
A modular power quality monitoring device adaptable to an electrical anomaly detection circuit for creating a single node on a power quality control network, the modular power quality monitoring device capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit to which the electrical anomaly detection circuit is coupled, the modular power quality monitoring device further capable of transmitting the data to a central location, the modular power quality monitoring device comprising: a) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, b) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, c) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the modular power quality monitoring device on the power quality control network, d) a regulated DC power supply, and e) a transmission circuit coupled to the microprocessor capable of interfacing with a communication medium of the power quality control network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of electrical anomalies is chosen from the group including voltage levels, current draw, power surges, phase outages, phase shifting, power factor, harmonic distortion and panel load.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the power line circuit is an AC circuit chosen from the group consisting of a single, two and three phase AC circuit, the electrical connection to the AC power line circuit established by coupling the modular power quality monitoring device to the one, two or three phases, respectively, and ground of the AC circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 17 , further comprising a single LED for each phase of the AC power line circuit, each LED indicating whether the modular power quality monitoring device has detected a phase loss to the respective AC phase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the microprocessor is a neuron chip comprising: a) memory, b) a transceiver port, and c) embedded firmware.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 19 , wherein the neuron chip utilizes the LONWORKS® protocol over the power quality control network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the communication medium is chosen from the group comprising modulated power line transmission, free topology—twisted pair, RS-485, fiber optic, RF carrier and computer modem communication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the display means comprises an LCD display and a driver circuit coupled to the microprocessor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 15 , further comprising: a) user interface means for permitting a user to extract electrical anomaly data stored by the modular power quality monitoring device and for setting network parameters associated with the node location of the modular power quality monitoring device on the power quality control network, and b) alarm means for providing signals to a user that certain electrical anomalies have occurred on the power line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
71 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 23 , wherein the user interface means comprises a function and an enter push button, each push button electrically coupled to the microprocessor and capable of being actuated, permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the power quality control network through the transmission circuit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
The modular power quality monitoring device of claim 23 , wherein the user interface means comprises a computer interface connection to the device, the computer interface connection permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the power quality control network through the transmission circuit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 23 , wherein the alarm means comprises a speaker and a driver circuit electrically coupled to the microprocessor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
166 words
A power quality monitoring system capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit, the system comprising at least two modular power quality monitoring devices, each modular device adaptable to a separate electrical anomaly detection circuit for forming a power quality control network, each modular device comprising: i) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, ii) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, iii) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the modular power quality monitoring device on the power quality control network, iv) a regulated DC power supply, v) transmission means for transmitting the electrical anomaly data detected and stored by the power quality monitoring system over the power quality control network to a central location, and vi) display means for displaying numeric and alphanumeric data relating to electrical anomalies detected by the power quality monitoring system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
166 words
A power quality monitoring system capable of detecting and storing data relating to a plurality of electrical anomalies occurring on a power line circuit, the system comprising at least two modular power quality monitoring devices, each modular device adaptable to a separate electrical anomaly detection circuit for forming a power quality control network, each modular device comprising: i) an electrical connection to the power line circuit, ii) voltage surge detection circuitry coupled to the electrical connection, iii) a microprocessor electrically coupled to the voltage surge detection circuitry, the microprocessor having a unique identification number representing the node location of the modular power quality monitoring device on the power quality control network, iv) a regulated DC power supply, v) transmission means for transmitting the electrical anomaly data detected and stored by the power quality monitoring system over the power quality control network to a central location, and vi) display means for displaying numeric and alphanumeric data relating to electrical anomalies detected by the power quality monitoring system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 27 , wherein the power line circuit is an AC circuit chosen from the group comprising of a single, two and three phase AC circuit, each modular device electrical connection to the AC power line circuit established by coupling each modular device to the one, two or three phases, respectively, and ground of the AC circuit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 28 , each modular power quality monitoring device further comprising a single LED for each phase of the AC power line circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 27 , wherein the microprocessor of each modular power quality monitoring device is a neuron chip comprising: a) memory, b) a transceiver port, and c) embedded firmware.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 30 , wherein the transmission means is a transmitting circuit capable of interfacing with a communication medium of the power quality control network, the transmitting circuit coupled to the neuron chip transceiver port.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 31 , wherein the communication medium is chosen from the group comprising modulated power line transmission, free topology—twisted pair, RS-485, fiber optic, RF carrier and computer modem communication.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 32 , wherein the neuron chip utilizes LONWORKS® as the protocol over the power quality control network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 27 , wherein the display means of each modular power quality monitoring device comprises an LCD display and a driver circuit coupled to the microprocessor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
81 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 27 , each modular power quality monitoring device further comprising: a) user interface means for permitting a user to extract electrical anomaly data stored by each power quality monitoring device and for setting network parameters associated with the node location of each power quality monitoring device on the control network, and b) a speaker and a driver circuit electrically coupled to the microprocessor for providing an audible signal that an electrical anomaly has occurred.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
75 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 35 , wherein the user interface means of each modular device comprises a function and an enter push button, each push button electrically coupled to the microprocessor and capable of being actuated, permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the power quality control network through the transmission means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
66 words
The power quality monitoring circuit of claim 35 , wherein the user interface means of each modular device comprises a computer interface connection to each device, the computer interface connection permitting the user to access a series of menus for setting network parameters, displaying electrical anomaly data on the display means and initiating a data transmission along the power quality control network through the transmission means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power quality monitoring system of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of electrical anomalies is chosen from the group including voltage levels, current draw, power surges, phase outages, phase shifting, power factor, harmonic distortion and panel load.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |