US5574653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchboard
Assignee: South East Queensland Electricity Board
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Filing: 1995-01-13
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2015-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A switchboard having a mains power input circuit (A,N) and a plurality of output circuits (HOT WATER, OFF PEAK, OVEN, LIGHT, POWER2, POWER1) and including a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling a plurality of controllable circuit breakers (BREAKER1 to BREAKER6). The breakers are controllable by the CPU. Sensing means (J14, T2, T4) provide the CPU with instantaneous voltage and current magnitudes to enable the CPU to determine power consumed by the output circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald J. Coomer
- 👤 Graeme J. Wightman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:22
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/18; H02J13/333; H02J13/14; H02J13/34; H02J13/36; H02J13/12; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/18; Y04S10/30; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A switchboard containing one single phase or multi-phase power input circuit and a plurality of associated single or multi-phase power output circuits and including: a central processing unit (CPU) having an input for receiving control information from a source external to said switchboard, a plurality of controllable circuit breakers capable of tripping and closing independently of each other, each for controlling the flow of power to an associated one of the power output circuits, each said circuit breaker being closable and trippable manually or under the control of the CPU and with independent tripping means for automatically tripping the circuit breaker when a magnitude of the current flowing through it exceeds a preset value and each said circuit breaker including interlocking means to prevent closing of the circuit breaker by the CPU when the circuit breaker has tripped independently of the CPU and to prevent manual closing of the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker has been tripped by the CPU as a function of said control information, sensing means for providing said CPU with an instantaneous value of the voltage of the one or more of the said power circuits, and sensing means for providing said CPU with an instantaneous value of the current flowing in one or more of the said power circuits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A switchboard containing one single phase or multi-phase power input circuit and a plurality of associated single or multi-phase power output circuits and including: a central processing unit (CPU) having an input for receiving control information from a source external to said switchboard, a plurality of controllable circuit breakers capable of tripping and closing independently of each other, each for controlling the flow of power to an associated one of the power output circuits, each said circuit breaker being closable and trippable manually or under the control of the CPU and with independent tripping means for automatically tripping the circuit breaker when a magnitude of the current flowing through it exceeds a preset value and each said circuit breaker including interlocking means to prevent closing of the circuit breaker by the CPU when the circuit breaker has tripped independently of the CPU and to prevent manual closing of the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker has been tripped by the CPU as a function of said control information, sensing means for providing said CPU with an instantaneous value of the voltage of the one or more of the said power circuits, and sensing means for providing said CPU with an instantaneous value of the current flowing in one or more of the said power circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including earth leakage sensing means for providing said CPU with an indication of a magnitude of earth leakage current in the one or more of the output circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switchboard of claim 2 including output means to enable the CPU to inject a test current into the earth leakage sensing means for testing the operation of the earth leakage sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchboard of claim 1, including a display and a keypad for displaying and inputting user information at the switchboard or remotely therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switchboard of claim 4 wherein said tripping means is adjustable for enabling the preset value to be varied.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said switchboard is modular in construction and said circuit breakers removably coupled to the switchboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including breaker sensing means for providing the CPU with an indication of the state of the circuit breakers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including a voltage regulator for enabling the CPU to regulate a magnitude of the voltage on the one or more said output circuits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switchboard of claim 8 wherein said voltage regulator includes a phase controlled transformer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The switchboard of claim 8 in which said voltage regulator includes a transient limiting device operating independently of the CPU for limiting the level of transient voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including two way communication means for enabling the CPU to communicate with equipment remote from the consumer installation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including two way communication means for transmitting signals on the active power line for enabling the CPU to communicate with equipment remote from the consumer installation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switchboard of claim 12 in which the two way communication means uses amplitude modulation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including inbound communication means for enabling the CPU to communicate with equipment inside the consumer installation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switchboard of claim 14 including high frequency blocking means for preventing communication signals from passing into the mains circuits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including one or more service communication means for enabling the CPU to access local or external devices for programming, interrogation, control or other services.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switchboard of claim 16 including isolation between the switchboard and the external devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including input/output expansion means for enabling the CPU to access additional local or external input/output devices.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including input sensing means to enable the CPU to detect pulses or alarms from local or external devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including a real time clock for enabling the CPU to determine, log and control timing of events and calculate energy consumption during various time periods.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including a temperature sensor for enabling the CPU to determine the temperature of local or external equipment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including a tamper sensing means for enabling the CPU to detect interference with the switchboard.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switchboard of claim 1 including audible output means for enabling the CPU to indicate alarm conditions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchboard of claim 1 in which the CPU calculates watt and watt hour consumption to determine energy consumption by the output circuits.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said CPU includes audio frequency detection means for detecting the magnitude and coding of audio frequency or ripple control signals impressed on the active power input circuits.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said CPU includes mains frequency detection means for determining the frequency of the voltage on the active power input circuits.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The switchboard of claim 1 in which the CPU includes non-volatile memory for enabling data and program information to be retained when the active power input is removed from the switchboard.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said CPU contains program means for controlling outputs in response to inputs for controlling the power to the output circuits.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system including a plurality of consumer installations and a supply installation and having a switchboard of claim 1 associated with each said installation in which one said switchboard operates as a master to poll and/or control the other said switchboards as slaves.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 29 wherein said CPU's include detection means for enabling the detection of power theft and meter inaccuracies.
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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) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |