Power Parameter Patents (Class 702/60)
  • Publication number: 20140358457
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to receiving an electromagnetic signal by a power detector, converting the received electromagnetic signal into a plurality of digitized samples, continuously acquiring and storing the plurality of digitized samples of into one or more sample memory buffers based upon a plurality of power processing events, simultaneously reading out of the one or more sample memory buffers the stored plurality of digitized samples, linearizing the plurality of digitized samples, wherein linearizing comprises converting the plurality of digitized samples into a plurality of linear power units such that the linear power units represent power measurements based upon the plurality of power processing events, and trace averaging the plurality of linear power units, wherein the simultaneously reading out of the one or more sample memory buffers, linearizing, and trace averaging are pipeline processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald SWANSON
  • Publication number: 20140358456
    Abstract: A system is for a plurality of different electric load types. The system includes a plurality of sensors structured to sense a voltage signal and a current signal for each of the different electric loads; and a processor. The processor acquires a voltage and current waveform from the sensors for a corresponding one of the different electric load types; calculates a power or current RMS profile of the waveform; quantizes the power or current RMS profile into a set of quantized state-values; evaluates a state-duration for each of the quantized state-values; evaluates a plurality of state-types based on the power or current RMS profile and the quantized state-values; generates a state-sequence that describes a corresponding finite state machine model of a generalized load start-up or transient profile for the corresponding electric load type; and identifies the corresponding electric load type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION, EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: LIANG DU, YI YANG, RONALD GORDON HARLEY, THOMAS G. HABETLER, DAWEI HE
  • Patent number: 8903681
    Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source. The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis. Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source. Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel. Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 8903666
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a simple way of measuring the local average absorbed power of a radio device having a plurality of antennas. A local average absorbed power measuring method of the present invention has an individual measurement step and a calculation step. In the calculation step, local average absorbed power candidates are obtained while weights are being varied. In a local average absorbed power candidate calculation sub-step, the absorbed power distribution in three-dimensional space is calculated from the combined electric field or combined magnetic field obtained in the combination sub-step, and a local average absorbed power candidate is obtained. In a local average absorbed power selection step, the highest one of the local average absorbed power candidates is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Iyama, Teruo Onishi
  • Publication number: 20140350872
    Abstract: A transmit power measurement apparatus includes a transmit power detection path, a compensation circuit and a tracking circuit. The compensation circuit includes a programmable filter device and a compensation controller. The programmable filter device generates a filter output. The compensation controller sets the programmable filter device at least based on a frequency response of the transmit power detection path. The tracking circuit generates a transmit power tracking result at least based on the filter output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing Xu, Li-Shin Lai, Chi-Hsueh Wang, Hsiang-Hui Chang
  • Publication number: 20140350873
    Abstract: A method provides the operating personnel of a control center of an electrical energy supply with information about any oscillations that have occurred in an energy supply network. A signal indicating an oscillation of an electrical variable in an electrical energy supply network is generated. A state variable characterizing an oscillation state of the electrical variable is calculated from measured values of current and/or voltage indicators. If an oscillation exists, an amplitude characteristic value indicating the amplitude of the state variable and a damping characteristic value indicating a damping of an oscillation of the state variable are determined. The position of a particular value pair containing an amplitude characteristic value and an associated damping characteristic value is compared with hazard ranges, which are present in a value range and indicate a particular hazard level of the oscillation in the energy supply network. The signal indicating the oscillation is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Litzinger, Stefan Piel
  • Publication number: 20140350871
    Abstract: A method to estimate power dissipation of an inverter configured to control electric energy to an electric machine. The method can estimate both conductive power losses and switched power losses of a transistor or a diode in a power switch or driver stage of the inverter. The estimation includes applying a correction factor (CF) to power dissipation calculations if the modulation index of the inverter is greater than a threshold indicating that the inverter is being over-driven or operated in a non-linear region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: RONALD J. KREFTA
  • Patent number: 8898026
    Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a predetermined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Admmicro Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Donald W. Howell, Mark W. Vinson, Frank O. Blevins, Armand J. Tamagni, Jr., Michael L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8890505
    Abstract: A method for generating a value for available operating reserve for electric utility. Electric power consumption by at least one device is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. Prior to a control event for power reduction and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is determined for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on devices' power consumption behavior. Amount of available operating reserve is determined based on projected energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8892376
    Abstract: A data processing device includes: a data obtaining section obtaining time series data on a total value of current consumed by a plurality of electric apparatuses; and a parameter estimating section obtaining a model parameter when states of operation of the plurality of electric apparatuses are modeled by a factorial HMM on a basis of the obtained time series data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Hidai, Kohtaro Sabe, Takashi Hasuo, Naoki Ide
  • Publication number: 20140336960
    Abstract: A method for modeling power usage within a macrogrid uses data relating to the behavioral patterns and states (“BA”) of the users, data relating to external impacts on power usage and disaggregated power consumption data in at least one premises within the macrogrid (forming “power usage model data”) and thereafter a method of forecasting and predicting future power requirements within the macrogrid uses such power usage model data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ali HAGHIGHAT-KASHANI, Janice Tze-Nee CHEAM, Jonathan Mark HALLAM, Zhenyu GUO
  • Publication number: 20140330532
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated electricity delivery management. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for instantly and electronically determining available electricity, predicting short-term delivery forecasts, evaluating transmission availability, capacity and paths, determining inter-tie availability, capacity and price, and bidding the power into the market. Such systems and methods may occur on a mobile device, and/or web interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: GRIDSPEAK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Karl A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8880365
    Abstract: A system for generating an energy usage profile of an electrical device is provided. The system includes a meter configured to measure electric energy usage; a memory area for storing an energy usage profile corresponding to one or more electrical devices associated with the electric meter, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to receive a request to turn off power to each of the one or more electrical devices associated with the meter, receive a request to turn on a first electrical device of the one or more electrical devices, obtain a ramp up waveform of energy usage of the first electrical device, convert the ramp up waveform to a digital signature, and store the ramp up digital signature of the first electrical device in the memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George William Alexander, John Christopher Boot
  • Patent number: 8880367
    Abstract: A method for accurately performing power estimation on a battery of an electronic device includes: monitoring a charging current of the battery to obtain charging current data of the charging current with respect to time; and performing curve mapping according to the charging current data and according to a plurality of sets of predetermined curve characteristic data, in order to determine an estimation parameter corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined cycle counts, wherein the estimation parameter is utilized for performing power estimation, and the sets of predetermined curve characteristic data respectively correspond to the predetermined cycle counts, which represent estimated ages of the battery, respectively. At least one associated apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Pass Incorporation
    Inventors: Chi-Yu Yang, Ming-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 8874392
    Abstract: A method for determining a power reduction due to ageing of a photovoltaic module includes measuring a variable associated with a performance of the module in one or more time periods within a given year, each time period defining a class, and constructing curves of discrete values, each power curve constructed from the measured electric variable at a plurality of times of a day within each class, and the curves constructed for a plurality of years. The method includes determining energy values based on the constructed curves for at least one class for each of the plurality of years, and determining a power reduction of the photovoltaic module with respect to one or several previous years by calculating a difference between the energy output values of a given class in a particular year and the energy output values of the given class in a year previous to the particular year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Peter Drews
  • Patent number: 8874623
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data regarding parameter values by making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, processing the series of measurements of parameter values made at predetermined time intervals to identify events at different times, generating a further series of measurements of parameter values at each of said different times, and storing each of said further series of measurements of parameter values in association with said respective different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Onzo Limited
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Sanchez Loureda, Adam Richard Westbrooke, Edward Horsford, Brian McGuigan
  • Patent number: 8874393
    Abstract: A battery pack includes: a chargeable and dischargeable battery; and a microcomputer that acquires information on a voltage drop across the battery in a condition equivalent to no load and stores the information therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Nagai, Takayuki Yajima, Tsuyoshi Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 8866467
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide a process independent circuit for measuring output current of low drop out (LDO) regulators as well as buck regulators. The system can also measure the on resistance (RDSon) of the buck power transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Adaptive Digital Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Wile
  • Patent number: 8868361
    Abstract: A hand-held system and method for detecting impaired electric power equipment. An exemplary embodiment may receive electromagnetic radiation and process the resulting signal. For example, signal processing may be used to identify electromagnetic radiation having a particular pattern that is characteristic of electric power equipment. Furthermore, an embodiment may determine the time and/or location during testing. As a result, an exemplary embodiment may be useful for stationary and/or mobile testing of an electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Exacter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason McCullough, Raymond M. Hayes, David A. Klinect, Don K. Killingsworth
  • Publication number: 20140309954
    Abstract: An arrangement includes an A/D converter and a processing circuit. The A/D converter is configured to generate digital samples of voltage and current waveforms in a polyphase electrical system. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive the digital samples from the A/D converter. The processing circuit configured is to obtain contemporaneous phase current and voltage samples IA, IB, IC and/or IN, and VA, VB, VC. The processing circuit is further configured to determine at least ICB sample values based on three of the current samples of IA, IB, IC, and IN, and determine a VA value based at least in part on ICB. The processing circuit is further configured to provide information representative of the VA calculation to one of a group consisting of a display, a communication circuit, a memory and a billing calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Mondot
  • Patent number: 8860248
    Abstract: A demand response unit (DRU) interposed between a utility's electrical power line (PL) and at least one load (L1-Ln) to which power is supplied by the utility over the line. A detector (Fdet or Vdet) measures a characteristic (frequency F, voltage V) of an electrical waveform (W) by which power is transmitted by the utility to the load. The detector determines both when the measured frequency or voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined period of time; and, if the threshold is exceeded, when the frequency or voltage exceeds the second predetermined threshold for a second predetermined period of time. For this purpose, the detector processes a predetermined number of intervals of the waveform and produces an average value of the characteristic which is compared to the threshold. This is done to reduce the effect of extraneous events which may temporarily change the value of the frequency or voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Christopher K. Fleck
  • Patent number: 8862416
    Abstract: A method and device for extending the useful life of an energy storage device, for a mobile computing device is described. The method (150) can include the steps of: running (155) a first application in synchronous communication with a first application server; detecting (160) energy expenditure while running the first application; and synchronizing (165) a subsequent application based on the detected energy expenditure, by: continuing to communicate with the subsequent application if the detected energy expenditure is below a threshold, and discontinuing communication if the detected energy expenditure is above a threshold. Advantageously, this method can provide substantial energy savings in mobile computing device applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Black, Mark J. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8855953
    Abstract: A motor drive device including a battery 10; switching elements 15 and 16 which are connected in series with a condenser C2 having a voltage Vdc resulting from an increase action of battery voltage and which are operated in a chopper control; a reactor L2 whose one end is connected with a common connection point of the switching elements 15 and 16; and an inverter 19 for driving a PM motor 20 which is connected between another end of the reactor L2 and a negative-pole terminal of the battery 10. In such a motor drive device, an electrical power W is determined based on the voltage Vdc of positive-side point P of the condenser C2, a current Idc flowing in the reactor L2, and a switching duty d1 of the switching element 15 which satisfies a condition of 0?d1?1, i.e., is determined by calculating Vdc·d1·Idc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Yugo Tadano, Toru Kakebayashi
  • Publication number: 20140288861
    Abstract: A method and device for performing a sampling methodology for measuring power consumption for a population of power-consuming devices. The device includes a processor configured to perform the method. The method includes determining an energy consumption level for each device in a population of power-consuming devices; clustering the population of power-consuming devices into a plurality of clusters such that each of the plurality of clusters has a similar overall energy consumption; determining an estimated total energy consumption for each cluster; determining an estimated total energy consumed by the population of devices based upon the total energy consumption for each cluster, wherein the estimated total energy consumed by the population is within an acceptable uncertainty; and determining a number of samples to measure in each cluster such that the uncertainty associated with the estimated total energy consumed by the population of devices is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Michael Gross, Lina Fu, Shu Chang, William Kenneth Stumbo, Fritz Francis Ebner
  • Publication number: 20140278164
    Abstract: A device for determining an electrical power parameter of an adjacent electrical wire includes a magnetometer, a display, and a processor. The magnetometer is configured to monitor a magnetic field and to provide an output that is indicative of a magnetic field strength. The processor is in communication with the magnetometer and the display, and is configured to: receive the output from the magnetometer; determine an electrical power parameter from the received output; and provide a visual indication of the determined electrical power parameter via the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vectorform, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph S. Wisniewski, Matthew Tilchen
  • Publication number: 20140278163
    Abstract: A system and method for a distributed solar power generation and communications system that includes one or more solar power generation and communications system units mounted on utility poles and distributed across a region. Each solar power generation and communications system unit includes one or more solar panels, a micro-converter, a meter, and a modem. Each unit is configured to communicate solar power production/consumption data to a remote monitoring and forecast system that estimates the unit's power production/consumption over a future period of time. A system and method is also provided for a solar power generation and communications system unit that includes a protective shroud and installation processes for mounting the unit on a utility pole and electrically coupling the unit to an utility electric grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Gigawatt, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Y. Tan, David Wayne Donaldson, Deep Patel
  • Patent number: 8831072
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, are configured for receiving monitor data from an electric meter. A data stream is created based upon the monitor data. The data stream is spread with a common pseudo-noise (PN) code that is used by a plurality of nodes in communication with an access point. The spread data stream is transmitted at a first time based on a slot start time and a first randomly selected timing offset. The spread data stream is transmitted while at least a portion of a second spread data stream is transmitted at a second time based on the slot start time and a second randomly selected timing offset. The second spread data stream is spread with the common PN code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: On-Ramp Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Sinsuan, Theodore J. Myers, Lewis N. Cohen, Daniel Thomas Werner, Matthew Hughes, Robert W. Boesel, Patrick M. Singler
  • Publication number: 20140244188
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forecasting output power of wind turbine in a wind farm. The present invention provides a method for forecasting output power of a wind turbine in a wind farm, including: generating a corrected data set based on environmental data collected from at least one sensor in the wind farm; correcting a weather forecasting model by using the corrected data set; obtaining a forecast value of wind information at the wind turbine based on the corrected weather forecasting model; and forecasting the output power of the wind turbine based on the forecast value and a power forecasting model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Xin Bai, Jin Dong, Hui Du, Xiao Guang Rui, Hai Feng Wang, Wen Jun Yin, Meng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8818565
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing islanding operations are usable to monitor and collect plant loads and turbine loads of a power plant. Such monitoring and collecting can be used to preemptively determine islanding configurations. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can be operable to receive power generation unit information, receive power plant information of the power plant, determine an islanding configuration for the power plant, transmit the islanding configuration to the at least one power generation unit of the power plant, receive breaker status information of at least one breaker coupled to the at least one power generation unit of the power plant and for all breakers connecting power plant to an external grid, and control at least one power generation unit of the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Erhan Karaca, Gerardo Varillas, Joel Holt, David Fischer
  • Patent number: 8818535
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for updating of schedules to a device controlled by an energy management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael Francis Finch, Jay Andrew Broniak, Christopher Recio, Joseph Mark Brian
  • Publication number: 20140236507
    Abstract: A method determines power consumption of a load in a feeder section of an ungrounded power distribution system. Borders of the feeder section are defined by an importing device connecting the feeder section to an upstream feeder section, and by at least one exporting device connecting the feeder section with a downstream feeder section. A power consumption of each load is represented as a product of a scaling factor and a base power defined by a load profile of the load. A power flow of the feeder section is solved using the power consumptions of the loads to produce an active power for each phase of the importing device. A target active power for each phase of the importing device is determined using measurements at the importing device, and the scaling factors are updated based on a difference between the active power and the target active power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Hongbo Sun
  • Publication number: 20140236501
    Abstract: A method of monitoring performance of an electric motor includes calculating an actual input power and an expected input power of the electric motor. A power difference between the actual input power and the expected input power is recursively calculated over at least one period of an electrical cycle of the electric motor to determine a variance in the power difference during the at least one period of the electrical cycle. The variance in the power difference is compared to a threshold value to determine if the variance in the power difference is greater than the threshold value or less than the threshold value. The control module may signal that the electric motor is not operating within allowable operating parameters when the variance in the power difference is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Lei Hao
  • Publication number: 20140236505
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring power consumption in an appliance is provided. An electrical characteristic of a power signal, such as a voltage component and/or a current component, can be detected at the appliance. The detected electrical characteristic can be processed using a signal processor. During signal processing, the detected electrical characteristic can be shifted based on a predetermined threshold and converted to a digital signal. An electrical characteristic offset can be determined based on an average electrical characteristic value of a plurality of detected electrical characteristics. The difference between the electrical characteristic offset value and an instantaneously detected electrical characteristic value can be used to determine power consumption of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Sung Dong Yang, Dong Soo Shin, Dong Hun Lee, Young Han Choi, Jae Seok Noh, Eun Yeong An
  • Patent number: 8812165
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for optimizing energy use with one or more optimization engine objects. An optimization engine object may have a plurality of dependent objects including at least a dependent optimization engine object, or at least one of a supply-side or demand-side object. The optimization engine object may receive dependent object attribute data from each of the at least one dependent objects; determine an optimal configuration for the plurality of dependent objects over the first time period subject to at least one optimization constraint; and conditioned upon the optimization engine depending from a superior optimization engine, transmit a net energy usage associated with the optimal configuration to the superior optimization engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Duke Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Raiford Smith, Melanie Miller, Pedram Mohseni, David Masters
  • Patent number: 8810170
    Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Brattoli, Guy Bonner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8805552
    Abstract: A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to multiple 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. In one embodiment, 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 or instruction to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8806239
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8806256
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an information handling system determines that a power consumption module of the information handling system is available. If the power consumption module is available, the power supply unit measures input power of the power supply unit and provides a representation of the input power to the power consumption module in response to receiving a power measurement request from the power consumption module. If the power supply unit determines that the power consumption module is not available, the power supply unit measures input power of the power supply unit and stores a representation of the input power at the power supply unit independent of a power measurement request from the power consumption module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Ashish Munjal, Alan Brumley, Jaydev Reddy
  • Publication number: 20140222357
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device IED has enhanced power quality and communications capabilities. The IED can perform energy analysis by waveform capture, detect transient on the front-end voltage input channels and provide revenue measurements. The IED splits and distributes the front-end input channels into separate circuits for scaling and processing by dedicated processors for specific applications by the IED. Front-end voltage input channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for transient detection, waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively. Front-end current channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRO INDUSTRIES/GAUGE TECH
    Inventors: Joseph Spanier, Andrew J. Werner, Frederick B. Slota, Hai Zhu, Wei Wang, Dulciane Siqueira da Silva, Erran Kagan
  • Publication number: 20140214344
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a detecting module, a calculating module, and a display module. The detecting module detects values for parameters of the electronic device. The calculating module calculates current energy efficiency information based on the detected values of the parameters. The displaying module displays a visual interface for indicating the current energy efficiency information of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUAN-AN OU, CHIH-CHUN CHANG, CHEN-AN CHIANG, MIN-HUNG HSU
  • Patent number: 8792217
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide protection to monitored equipment at both a local level and a system level, in order to offer more comprehensive protection. In one particular embodiment, the protected equipment may include one or more generators. The protection system may utilize time-synchronized data in order to analyze data provided by systems having disparate sampling rates, that are monitored by different equipment, and/or equipment that is geographically separated. Various embodiments may be configured to utilize a variety of sampling rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Saurabh B. Shah, Kamal Garg, Scott M. Manson
  • Patent number: 8791704
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for identifying a fault type in an electric power delivery system using an angle difference between a total zero-sequence current and a total negative-sequence current and a comparison of phase-to-phase currents against a threshold. The angle difference falls into one of a number of predetermined angle difference sectors. Each sector is associated with a phase-to-ground fault type and a phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type or two phase-to-phase-to-ground fault types. The phase-to-phase current(s) of the indicated phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type(s) associated with the sector are compared with a threshold to determine which of the fault types of the sector is the actual fault type. The threshold may be a multiple of a maximum phase-to-phase current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, Yanfeng Gong
  • Publication number: 20140207397
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle network integrated in an electric vehicle and a display device disposed in the electric vehicle. The display device is communicatively coupled to the vehicle network. The system also includes a computer processor communicatively coupled to the vehicle network and logic executable by the computer processor. The logic is configured to implement a method. The method includes monitoring, over the vehicle network, components relating to a charging function of the electric vehicle and determining from data resulting from the monitoring factors affecting the charging function. The method also includes processing the data to determine an impact of the factors and displaying results of the processing on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Cooley, William M. Hare, Michael A. Assenmacher, Nicholas J. Hainer
  • Patent number: 8788244
    Abstract: Systems and methods for global voltage security assessment in power systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assessing voltage security in a power system having a number (i) of buses includes capturing a change in bus voltage and a change in line reactive power for at least some of the buses in the power system, for each of the i number of buses, calculating a voltage assessment index) (?i) for as follows: ? i = ? j ? ? ? ? Q ij ? ? ? V i where ?Vi is the change in bus voltage and ?Qij is the change in line reactive power from a connection j over a predetermined period of time. The method further includes assessing a current voltage security status of the power system based on the calculated voltage assessment index (?i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Washington State University
    Inventors: Vaithianathan Venkatasubramanian, Xing Liu
  • Publication number: 20140200839
    Abstract: A power consumption amount estimating apparatus for estimating a power consumption amount of a resource allocated to multiple virtual machines operating on a physical machine, the estimation being made for each virtual machine, includes a power consumption amount measuring unit configured to measure the power consumption amount of the resource; a time identifying unit configured to identify a start and an end time of a duration during which a processor is continuously allocated for one of the virtual machines; a power consumption amount obtaining unit configured to obtain the power consumption amount of the resource during the duration using the power consumption amounts at the start and end times; and a power consumption amount accumulating unit configured to accumulate multiple power consumption amounts of the resource for each virtual machine, the multiple power consumption amounts being obtained during multiple durations, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tsunehisa DOI
  • Publication number: 20140201110
    Abstract: A terminal device that is an electronic apparatus communicates with a server device that communicates with a communication device located at one premises. The terminal device receives, based on obtaining the electricity usage quantity by the one premises from a wireless router, information representing the total quantity of electricity usage quantity and the total figure of the electricity rate by the one premises, and the total quantity of electricity usage quantity and the total figure of the electricity rate by another premises over a predetermined term. The terminal device provides a display based on the received total quantity of electricity usage quantity and the total figure of the electricity rate. Accordingly, the user can readily determine whether electricity is used economically as compared to another premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki SATO
  • Patent number: 8781769
    Abstract: A request for energy usage status is received by a networked device over a network. A set of power usage data is retrieved from a non-volatile memory located within the networked device. The set of power usage data, which includes information related to power usage of the networked device, was previously stored in the non-volatile memory in advance of positioning the networked device for normal use. A best estimate of the energy usage status of the networked device is calculated based, at least in part, on the set of power usage data retrieved from the non-volatile memory without measuring electrical parameters of a power source of the networked device during normal use. The best estimate of the energy usage status is then sent by the networked device over the network as a reply to the energy usage status request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality PTE Ltd
    Inventor: Karl Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8781639
    Abstract: A digital wireless network receptacle has an upper housing, two power sockets formed through the upper housing, a lower housing and a multi-layer mechanism mounted between the upper housing and the lower housing. A single microcontroller unit (MCU) is employed within the multi-layer mechanism so that an intelligent control circuit can be effectively integrated and received in the receptacle with standardized size and limited space. Each power socket of the receptacle is independently monitored and controlled, and power consumed from each power socket can be recorded to ensure a complete understanding of power usage. Besides transmission of power consumption information to a host server through a wireless network, automatic power breaking safety protection upon an overload or standby condition of electrical appliances can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Max Li, Roy Ting
  • Patent number: 8781767
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing data anomaly detection and/or removal are usable to accurately assess baseline power consumption. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can be operable to receive energy consumption data of a location; select, based at least in part on a collection period of the energy consumption data, an algorithm for detecting anomalies in the energy consumption data; perform the algorithm on the energy consumption data to detect the anomalies in the energy consumption data; and determine an energy consumption baseline for the location based at least in part on a result of the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bethany Hoogs, Jason Black, Yi Zhang, Weiwei Chen, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 8768636
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting impaired electric power equipment. An exemplary embodiment may receive electromagnetic radiation and process the resulting signal. For example, signal processing may be used to identify electromagnetic radiation having a particular pattern that is characteristic of electric power equipment. Furthermore, an embodiment may determine the time and/or location during testing. As a result, an exemplary embodiment may be useful for stationary and/or mobile testing of an electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Exacter, Inc
    Inventors: Jason McCullough, Raymond M. Hayes, David A. Klinect