US5608646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power distribution system control network
Assignee: IMPERIAL BANK
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Filing: 1996-02-20
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2016-02-20
Abstract
Abstract The power distribution control system of the present invention provides a distributed intelligence, data acquisition and control system which collects and analyzes large amounts of data representing power usage from a power distribution substation and remote control units spread throughout a power distribution network. The system also provides the capability of various control functions for the substation and remote locations such as capacitor banks and pole switches along a distribution line. The system provides communications capabilities between local devices and also with remote control units. The system provides real time monitoring of power usage and real time control of various functions in the power distribution network.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Pomatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:15
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/13; H02J13/1311; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1323; H02J13/18; H02J13/333; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/16; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/121; Y04S40/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A control network for a power distribution system which has at least one distribution subsystem, said control network comprising: a phase monitoring unit which monitors phases of A.C. signals in power equipment within said power distribution system and which generates data indicative of said phases; a plurality of control units distributed at control locations throughout said power distribution network, at least some of said plurality of control units including processing circuitry which provides direct communication with others of said control units and which provides coordinated control of said power distribution system, said control units configured to receive said data from said phase monitoring unit indicative of said phases of said A.C. signals, said control units generating control signals which cause changes in said phases of said A.C. signals; and a system controller in communication with said plurality of control units to provide coordinated control of said power distribution system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A control network for a power distribution system which has at least one distribution subsystem, said control network comprising: a phase monitoring unit which monitors phases of A.C. signals in power equipment within said power distribution system and which generates data indicative of said phases; a plurality of control units distributed at control locations throughout said power distribution network, at least some of said plurality of control units including processing circuitry which provides direct communication with others of said control units and which provides coordinated control of said power distribution system, said control units configured to receive said data from said phase monitoring unit indicative of said phases of said A.C. signals, said control units generating control signals which cause changes in said phases of said A.C. signals; and a system controller in communication with said plurality of control units to provide coordinated control of said power distribution system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control system of claim 1, further comprising: a central computer in communication with said system controller, said central computer collecting data from said system controller representing information collected by said system controller from said plurality of control units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of control units comprise: a substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system; and a pole switch controller located at a distribution pole, said pole switch controller responsive to and in communication with said substation data acquisition controller and said system controller to control a switch on said distribution pole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of control units comprise at least one substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of control units comprise: a substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system; and at least one capacitor controller in communication with and responsive to one or more of said at least one substation data acquisition controller and said at least one system controller to control at least one capacitor in a capacitor bank in the power distribution system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of control units comprise: a substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system; a pole switch controller located at a distribution pole, said pole switch controller responsive to and in communication with said substation data acquisition controller and said system controller to control a switch on said distribution pole; and at least one capacitor controller in communication with and responsive to one or more of said at least one substation data acquisition controller and said at least one system controller to control at least one capacitor in a capacitor bank in the power distribution system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The control network of claim 1, wherein said system controller comprises a first pole switch controller located at a first distribution pole which monitors the power equipment at said first distribution pole, and wherein said plurality of control units comprise a second pole switch controller located at a second distribution pole separate from said first distribution pole, said second pole switch controller responsive to and in communication with said first pole switch controller to control a switch on said second distribution pole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control network of claim 1, wherein said system controller and said plurality of control units comprise: a first capacitor controller which monitors power equipment in said power distribution network; and a second capacitor controller responsive to and in communication with said first capacitor controller to control at least one capacitor in said power distribution system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control network of claim 1, wherein said system controller and said plurality of control units communicate over a communications network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control network of claim 9, wherein said system controller communicates with a remote computer via a radio transceiver interface and a radio transceiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control system of claim 1, wherein said system controller further comprises a serial communications modem to communicate with a remote computer via a telephone line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
A control network for use in a power distribution system comprising: a current and voltage waveform sensor which produces signals on an output replicative of a current waveform and a voltage waveform propagating within a power line of said power distribution system; at least one system controller for said power distribution system; at least one data acquisition unit coupled to a power supply and comprising a controller having a plurality of inputs, said data acquisition unit distributed at a location in the power distribution system, said at least one data acquisition unit in communication with said system controller, said data acquisition unit coupled by at least one of said inputs to the output of said current and waveform sensor to receive said signals replicative of said current and voltage waveforms from said waveform sensor to determine the phase between said current and voltage waveforms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
A control network for use in a power distribution system comprising: a current and voltage waveform sensor which produces signals on an output replicative of a current waveform and a voltage waveform propagating within a power line of said power distribution system; at least one system controller for said power distribution system; at least one data acquisition unit coupled to a power supply and comprising a controller having a plurality of inputs, said data acquisition unit distributed at a location in the power distribution system, said at least one data acquisition unit in communication with said system controller, said data acquisition unit coupled by at least one of said inputs to the output of said current and waveform sensor to receive said signals replicative of said current and voltage waveforms from said waveform sensor to determine the phase between said current and voltage waveforms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control network of claim 12, wherein said at least one data acquisition unit comprises a substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The control network of claim 12, wherein said data acquisition unit is a computer based data acquisition unit and said system controller is a computer based system controller, further comprising a computer communications network coupled to said data acquisition unit and to said at least one system controller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control network of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of data acquisition units coupled to said computer communications network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control network of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of system controllers coupled to said computer communications network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
149 words
A control network for use in a power distribution system comprising: a current and voltage waveform sensor which produces signals on an output replicative of a current waveform and a voltage waveform propagating within a power line of said power distribution system; at least one system controller for said power distribution system; a communications network coupled to said system controller; and at least one data acquisition unit coupled to a power supply and to said communications network and comprising a controller having a plurality of inputs, said at least one data acquisition unit in communication with said system controller via said network, said data acquisition unit coupled by at least one of said inputs to the output of said current and voltage waveform sensor to receive such signals replicative of said current and voltage waveforms from said waveform sensor to determine the phase between said current and voltage waveforms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
149 words
A control network for use in a power distribution system comprising: a current and voltage waveform sensor which produces signals on an output replicative of a current waveform and a voltage waveform propagating within a power line of said power distribution system; at least one system controller for said power distribution system; a communications network coupled to said system controller; and at least one data acquisition unit coupled to a power supply and to said communications network and comprising a controller having a plurality of inputs, said at least one data acquisition unit in communication with said system controller via said network, said data acquisition unit coupled by at least one of said inputs to the output of said current and voltage waveform sensor to receive such signals replicative of said current and voltage waveforms from said waveform sensor to determine the phase between said current and voltage waveforms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control network of claim 17, wherein said at least one data acquisition unit comprises a substation data acquisition controller which monitors power equipment at a substation within the power distribution system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control network of claim 17, wherein said data acquisition unit is a computer based data acquisition unit and said system controller is a computer based system controller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control network of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of data acquisition units coupled to said computer communications network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control network of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of system controllers coupled to said computer communications network.
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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) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |