Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power monitors that, in operation, monitor parameters of power in an automation system at points between loads and/or power sources. Each of the power monitors includes sensing circuitry to sense the power parameters, peer-to-peer communications circuitry to communicate with other power monitors via peer-to-peer communication, network communications circuitry to communicate with automation devices via a network, and functional circuits to perform analysis of monitored power parameters in a cooperative manner based upon the power parameters monitored by the respective power monitor and power parameters monitored by other power monitors communicated via peer-to-peer communication.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power monitors that, in operation, monitor parameters of power in an automation system at points between loads and/or power sources. Each of the power monitors includes sensing circuitry to sense the power parameters, peer-to-peer communications circuitry to communicate with other power monitors via peer-to-peer communication, network communications circuitry to communicate with automation devices via a network, and functional circuits to perform analysis of monitored power parameters in a cooperative manner based upon the power parameters monitored by the respective power monitor and power parameters monitored by other power monitors communicated via peer-to-peer communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods self-organize a multifunctional power and energy control and management system by integrating multiple backplane based modules through module descriptions, the module descriptions including control logic and parameters associated with the modules. Dynamic data table structures may be configured based on information provides with the module descriptions and provide for improved data accessing, storing, and updating.

Abstract: An energy monitoring and management system and method are provided herein. The system and method centralize load metering by utilizing at least one sensor for observing load characteristics (e.g., Volts, Amperes, Watts, active energy . . . ) communicatively coupled via a backplane to a waveform analyzer component of a control component. The waveform analyzer component generates metered data values after receiving input from the at least one sensor. Subsequently and if so desired, the control component can send a control signal to the load to alter the state of the load or simply reduce the power to a load. Such input, output, and processing functionality, according to an aspect of the present invention, are employed using a backplane to facilitate high-speed communication among components and to allow metered data to be centrally stored, manipulated, analyzed or communicated to other components or sub-components.

Abstract: Systems and methods self-organize a multifunctional power and energy control and management system by integrating multiple backplane based modules through module descriptions. Dynamic data table structures may be configured based on information provides with the module descriptions and provide for improved data accessing, storing, and updating.

Abstract: Networked meters in a distribution system are enabled to detect a trigger event, record its time-stamped local data, and to issue a capture command via the network. The capture command includes timing data of the trigger event so the networked meters receiving the command are able to go back into their time-stamped and recorded local data and extract a precisely time-coordinated capture of their local data associated with the timing data of the trigger event. A complete set of distribution system event data is captured that may be time-synchronized for analysis.

Abstract: An energy monitoring and management system and method are provided herein. The system and method centralize load metering by utilizing at least one sensor for observing load characteristics (e.g., Volts, Amperes, Watts, active energy . . . ) communicatively coupled via a backplane to a waveform analyzer component of a control component. The waveform analyzer component generates metered data values after receiving input from the at least one sensor. Subsequently and if so desired, the control component can send a control signal to the load to alter the state of the load or simply reduce the power to a load. Such input, output, and processing functionality, according to an aspect of the present invention, are employed using a backplane to facilitate high-speed communication among components and to allow metered data to be centrally stored, manipulated, analyzed or communicated to other components or sub-components.

Abstract: A decentralized load management and control system and method are provided herein. A plurality of loads in a system are associated with a multitude of respective networked load controllers. If energy demand exceeds optimum limits in operation then the networked load controllers collaborate to determine which load(s) will be shed based on an optimization algorithm that considers, inter alia, variable load priority and business objectives. Additionally and/or alternatively, if the metered energy demand is less than optimum, the load controllers can determine which loads to reconnect again based at least upon load priority and business objectives.

Abstract: An energy monitoring and management system and method are provided herein. The system and method centralize load metering by utilizing at least one sensor for observing load characteristics (e.g., Volts, Amperes, Watts, active energy . . . ) communicatively coupled via a backplane to a waveform analyzer component of a control component. The waveform analyzer component generates metered data values after receiving input from the at least one sensor. Subsequently and if so desired, the control component can send a control signal to the load to alter the state of the load or simply reduce the power to a load. Such input, output, and processing functionality, according to an aspect of the present invention, are employed using a backplane to facilitate high-speed communication among components and to allow metered data to be centrally stored, manipulated, analyzed or communicated to other components or sub-components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for approximation of integral and RMS values for waveforms of uncertain or unknown period. The technique employed processes values of the waveform sampled at fixed sampling intervals, monitors the actual period of the waveform, and calculates the number of fixed sampling intervals in the period. The sampled data is then used as a basis for mapping the waveform onto a desired number of sampling points. Interpolation techniques are used to assign values to desired sampling points lying between fixed interval sampled points. The desired number of sample points is selected to permit use of Simpson's rule for approximating the integral value (an odd number of points for application of Simpson's 1/3 rule, and a number equal to a multiple of 3 plus 1 for application of Simpson's 3/8 rule). Once the desired sampling points are determined, Simpson's rule is applied to calculate the integral, and the RMS value may be determined based on this integral value.

Abstract: A real time three-phase analyzer stores digitized values of the signals of the three-phase circuits in memory so that they may be addressed according to circuit and sample number. Positive, negative and zero phase sequences are developed without the need for trigonometric calculation by combining samples offset in memory by a number of samples approximating 120.degree.. That number of samples may be determined for an arbitrary frequency of the three-phase system by identifying zero-crossing points of one such signal and assuming the number of samples equates to 360.degree. of phase of that circuit. The phase sequence of the three circuits necessary for the calculation of the positive, negative and zero phase sequences may be determined by comparing the relative position of positive going zero-crossings for each of the three circuits.

Abstract: A motor controller includes a set of thyristors which couple the motor to a source of alternating electricity. A detector senses when the voltage of the source makes a zero crossing. A mechanism is provided to vary the frequency of a clock signal at a rate determined by a user selectable input which represents the rate at which the motor speed is to change during starting or stopping. The clock signal is applied to a counter which produces an active trigger signal when a given number of clock signal cycles have been counted following a zero crossing of the source voltage. The active trigger signal causes a brief trigger pulse to be applied to gate electrodes of the thyristors. The varying frequency of the clock signal alters the relative times at which the thyristors are triggered to vary the amount of voltage applied to the motor. Different frequency variation functions can be stored in a memory for the starting and stopping modes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fault detect and signal routing device that may be used to monitor and control redundant signals. The invention includes an input/output unit (11) for receiving the redundant signals and an output for outputting one of the signals. The input/output unit (11) also provides logic signals that relate to the received signals. A fault inhibit unit (12) receives the logic signals and provides outputs that relate thereto to a time delay unit (13), a fault detect unit (14), and a signal route control unit (16). The fault detect unit (14) serves to compare signals from the time delay unit (13) and the fault inhibit unit (12) to determine if certain kinds of signal faults have occurred. If one has, the fault detect unit (14) provides fault signal. The signal route control unit (16) receives the input signals and the signals from the fault inhibit unit (12) and provides a control signal to the input/output unit (11) to control which input signal is provided to the output.

Abstract: A power distribution device having a first input that can be operably connected to a power source, a second input that can be operably connected to an operator controlled switch, and an output for connection to peripheral devices to be powered. The device further includes a first comparator unit for sensing when the operator controlled switch has been closed and for providing an output signal in response thereto, and a second comparator unit that can respond to the output signal created by the first comparator unit to provide a control signal. A power switch unit responds to the control signal and can connect and disconnect the output of the device to the power source input. A delay unit serves to delay the response of the second comparator unit to a change in the output signal state of the first comparator unit.

Abstract: A programmable motor protector includes a protect module which connects through one serial link to a programmer module and through a second serial link to an RTD module. The protect module is a microprocessor which is programmed to monitor the values of various motor operating parameters and compare them against alarm limits and trip limits which are entered through the programmer module. In addition to indicating a trip or alarm condition, the system saves in a diagnostic table an image of the motor operating conditions at the moment a trip is detected. This diagnostic table may be examined using the programmer module.