IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0901292
(2007-09-14)
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등록번호 |
US-8212687
(2012-07-03)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Makinson, David N.
- Lancaster, Andrew
- Swanson, Scott
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
107 |
초록
▼
Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side
Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side voltage sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. The present subject matter provides enhanced capabilities resulting in improved functionality, increased safety, and greater economy vis-à-vis fraud detection for individual metrology components in an open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, which is situated generally downstream of a remote disconnect functionality. Such detection circuit is able to sense whether voltage exists or doesn't exist at such relatively downstream, or load side location. Providing such functionality allows for: (a) verification that a remote disconnect switch did open subsequent to an instruction or command to do so, (b) identification of possible user fraud, as would possibly be reflected by the presence of voltage at a time when the remote disconnect switch is open, (c) verification that the remote disconnect switch did re-close after having been given an instruction or command to close, and (d) verification of lack of voltage present before re-closing such remote disconnect switch, which serves an important safety feature.
대표청구항
▼
1. An electricity meter for use within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, other meters, user interfaces, and central collection functionality, comprising: a line side which receives electrical service when connected to said meter;a load side, downstream from said
1. An electricity meter for use within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, other meters, user interfaces, and central collection functionality, comprising: a line side which receives electrical service when connected to said meter;a load side, downstream from said meter line side, which electrically connects with an electrical load when connected to said meter;a detection circuit, upstream from said meter load side and downstream from said meter line side, for detecting the presence of electricity at said meter load side;a remote disconnect switch, upstream from said detection circuit and downstream from said meter line side, controllably actuated for electrically connecting and disconnecting said meter line side relative to said meter load side, so that electrical service when present at said meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at said meter load side;metrology, downstream from said meter line side and upstream from said meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-a-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with said meter; anda bidirectional communications link, linking said meter and a network operating relative to an advanced metering system, such that data may be communicated regarding actuation of said remote disconnect switch and presence of electricity at said meter load side;wherein said detection circuit is configured to determine whether the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side after actuation of the remote disconnect to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; and if the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side, to determine whether the phase angle of the line side voltage is the same as that of the load side voltage, so as to determine whether the source of electricity detected at the meter load side is different from that for the electrical service connected to the meter line side. 2. An electricity meter as in claim 1, wherein: said detection circuit comprises a voltage sensor electrically in parallel with said meter load side; andsaid metrology includes current acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service current signals, and voltage acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service voltage signals. 3. An electricity meter as in claim 2, wherein: said detection circuit includes a filtering capacitor, an over-current protection resistor, an opto-isolator, and a transient voltage suppressor for setting the turn-on voltage of said voltage sensor; andsaid current acquisition circuitry and said voltage acquisition circuitry are configured for receiving multi-phase electrical service current and voltage signals, respectively. 4. An electricity meter as in claim 1, wherein said bidirectional communications link includes at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between said meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol, and said at least one communications module includes one of an additional circuit board dedicated to WAN connectivity and one or more of GPRS, Ethernet, and RF LAN communications modules. 5. An electricity meter as in claim 4, further including a pair of terminals, integrated into the bus work on said line side, and connected to said metrology, for monitoring of the line side voltage. 6. An electricity meter as in claim 1, wherein said metrology is configured for correction of any monitoring offset relative to electrical service caused by the presence of said detection circuit. 7. A methodology for improved functionality of an electricity meter used within an advanced metering system having and operating relative to a network, other meters, user interfaces, and central collection functionality, comprising: providing an electricity meter having:a line side for receiving electrical service;a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load;a detection circuit, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for detecting the presence of electricity at the meter load side;a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the detection circuit and downstream from the meter line side, for controllably actuating for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side;metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-a-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter; anda bidirectional communications link, linking the meter and a network operating relative to an advanced metering system;connecting electrical service to the meter line side; andconnecting an electrical load to the meter load side, such that data may be communicated across the network regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch and presence of electricity at the meter load side;wherein the methodology further comprises actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; subsequently determining whether the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side; and if the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side, determining whether the phase angle of the line side voltage is the same as that of the load side voltage, so as to determine whether the source of electricity detected at the meter load side is different from that for the electrical service connected to the meter line side. 8. A methodology as in claim 7, further comprising: actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; andsubsequently verifying that the remote disconnect switch electrically disconnected the meter line side relative to the meter load side. 9. A methodology as in claim 8, further comprising: subsequent to verifying that the remote disconnect switch electrically disconnected the meter line side relative to the meter load side, actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically re-connect the meter line side relative to the meter load side. 10. A methodology as in claim 7, further comprising: actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically connect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; andsubsequently verifying that the remote disconnect switch electrically connected the meter line side relative to the meter load side. 11. A methodology as in claim 7, further comprising: actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; andsubsequently identifying possible user fraud by verifying the presence of electricity at the meter load side. 12. A methodology as in claim 7, wherein the detection circuit comprises a voltage sensor electrically in parallel with the meter load side, such detection circuit including a filtering capacitor, an over-current protection resistor, an opto-isolator, and a transient voltage suppressor for setting the turn-on voltage of the voltage sensor. 13. A methodology as in claim 7, wherein the metrology includes current acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service current signals, and voltage acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service voltage signals, with such current acquisition circuitry and voltage acquisition circuitry configured for receiving multi-phase electrical service current and voltage signals, respectively. 14. A methodology as in claim 7, wherein the bidirectional communications link includes at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between the meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol, with such at least one communications module including an additional circuit board dedicated to WAN connectivity, or one or more of GPRS, Ethernet, and RF LAN communications modules. 15. A methodology as in claim 7, wherein the metrology is configured for correction of any monitoring offset relative to electrical service caused by the presence of the detection circuit. 16. Methodology for an advanced metering system with added functionality based on meter load side sensing, comprising: providing a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise electricity meters, each of such electricity meters having a line side for receiving electrical service; a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load; a detection circuit, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for detecting the presence of electricity at the meter load side; a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the detection circuit and downstream from the meter line side, for controllably actuating for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side; and metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-a-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter;providing a network including central collection functionality;configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and each of the plurality of end devices;connecting electrical service to the meter line side of at least one of such electricity meters; and connecting an electrical load to the meter load side of such at least one electricity meter, such that data may be communicated across the network regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch thereof and presence of electricity at the meter load side thereof;wherein the methodology further comprises actuating the remote disconnect switch so as to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; subsequently determining whether the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side; and if the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side, determining whether the phase angle of the line side voltage is the same as that of the load side voltage, so as to determine whether the source of electricity detected at the meter load side is different from that for the electrical service connected to the meter line side. 17. Methodology as in claim 16, said method further comprises: configuring selected of the plurality of end devices to relay bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and others of the plurality of end devices; andwherein establishing a network further includes:providing at least one cell relay; andconfiguring the network such that bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and selected of the plurality of end devices passes through the at least one cell relay; whereby bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and selected of the plurality of end devices is conducted by way of the cell relaywhile bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and others of the plurality of end devices is conducted directly; andwherein configuring the network for bidirectional communications includes using an open standard meter communication protocol. 18. Methodology as in claim 16, further comprising: actuating the remote disconnect switch of an electricity meter so as to electrically disconnect or connect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; andsubsequently verifying, respectively, that the remote disconnect switch electrically disconnected or connected the meter line side relative to the meter load side. 19. Methodology as in claim 16, wherein: each detection circuit of an electricity meter comprises a voltage sensor electrically in parallel with the meter load side, such detection circuit including a filtering capacitor, an over-current protection resistor, an opto-isolator, and a transient voltage suppressor for setting the turn-on voltage of the voltage sensor;the metrology of each electricity meter includes current acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service current signals, and voltage acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service voltage signals, with such current acquisition circuitry and voltage acquisition circuitry configured for receiving multi-phase electrical service current and voltage signals, respectively, and such metrology is configured for correction of any monitoring offset relative to electrical service caused by the presence of the detection circuit in such electricity meter; andeach electricity meter includes at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between the meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol, with such at least one communications module including an additional circuit board dedicated to WAN connectivity, or one or more of GPRS, Ethernet, and RF LAN communications modules. 20. An advanced metering system with added functionality based on meter load side sensing, comprising: a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise electricity meters, each of such electricity meters having a line side for receiving electrical service; a load side, downstream from the meter line side, for electrically connecting with an electrical load; a detection circuit, upstream from the meter load side and downstream from the meter line side, for detecting the presence of electricity at the meter load side; a remote disconnect switch, upstream from the detection circuit and downstream from the meter line side, for controllably actuating for electrically connecting and disconnecting the meter line side relative to the meter load side, so that electrical service when present at the meter line side is, respectively, electrically connected with, and disconnected from, an electrical load when present at the meter load side; and metrology, downstream from the meter line side and upstream from the meter load side, for monitoring the consumption or production of electricity vis-a-vis electrical service and electrical load associated with the meter;a network including central collection functionality, and configured for bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and each of said plurality of end devices, such that data may be communicated across said network regarding actuation of the remote disconnect switch of an electricity meter and presence of electricity at the meter load side thereof;wherein said detection circuit is configured to determine whether the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side after actuation of the remote disconnect to electrically disconnect the meter line side relative to the meter load side; and if the presence of electricity has been detected at the meter load side, to determine whether the phase angle of the line side voltage is the same as that of the load side voltage, so as to determine whether the source of electricity detected at the meter load side is different from that for the electrical service connected to the meter line side. 21. An advanced metering system as in claim 20, wherein: selected of said plurality of end devices are configured to relay bi-directional communications between the central collection functionality and others of said plurality of end devices; and wherein said network further includes at least one cell relay, with said bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and selected of said plurality of end devices passing through the at least one cell relay, whereby bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and selected of said plurality of end devices is conducted by way of the cell relay while bi-directional communication between the central collection functionality and others of the plurality of end devices is conducted directly; andwherein said network is configured for bi-directional communications includes using an open standard meter communication protocol. 22. An advanced metering system as in claim 20, wherein: each detection circuit of an electricity meter comprises a voltage sensor electrically in parallel with the meter load side, said detection circuit including a filtering capacitor, an over-current protection resistor, an opto-isolator, and a transient voltage suppressor for setting the turn-on voltage of the voltage sensor;the metrology of each electricity meter includes current acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service current signals, and voltage acquisition circuitry for receiving electrical service voltage signals, with such current acquisition circuitry and voltage acquisition circuitry configured for receiving multi-phase electrical service current and voltage signals, respectively, and such metrology is configured for correction of any monitoring offset relative to electrical service caused by the presence of the detection circuit in such electricity meter; andeach electricity meter includes at least one communications module configured to effect bi-directional communications between the meter and other networked devices using an open standard meter communication protocol, with such at least one communications module including an additional circuit board dedicated to WAN connectivity, or one or more of GPRS, Ethernet, and RF LAN communications modules.
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