MX2007002149A - Electric power measuring concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is an Electric Power Measuring Concentrator, which comprises a human / machine interface executed by a personal computer for remotely controlling the Concentrator operation and displaying the information regarding the energy consumption of several consumers, and events related to the unauthorized use of the electric power, also automatically sending messages related to the unauthorized use of the electric power to cell phones, and e-mails by means of the human / machine interface, it also having the ability to accurately determine who from the consumers is using the electric power without consent;the concentrator further comprises a Control and Process Electronic Module, which main function is to process and control the different activities thereof, which are subsequently communicated to the electric power company in order to receive the required information to be operated and deliver the information related to the power measurement and events associated with the unauthorized use thereof;an Electric Circuit and Radiofrequency Communication Electronic Module is further included for acquiring from the consumer meters the information related to the electric power consumption and events regarding the unauthorized use thereof, also establishing a communication between the Concentrator and a manual terminal or PC of the electric power company;Parallel measurement electric modules are provided for measuring the power consumption of each consumer in parallel with the meter of the electric power company;a Self-Measurement Electronic Module is included for measuring the electric powe r from the company supplying circuit that supplies energy to a group of consumers and which has the ability to correlate the quality measurements of the company with the events related to the unauthorized use of the electric power;finally the invention comprises a Feeding Source Electronic Module for supplying the different electronic modules that form the Concentrator, which is operated by one, two or three phases from the company supplying electric circuit.

Description

CONCENTRATOR OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY MEASUREMENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND BACKGROUND In remote power measurement schemes, three important subsystems are distinguished: measurement facilities, communication media and control centers. In many of the cases, the communications subsystem is the most critical due to issues of availability and cost / benefit ratio, among others. Various procedures and communication technologies, both physical media and protocols, have been developing or evolving to address this problem. Among the most important in recent times are: the allocation of a particular radio frequency band for these applications, the radio frequencies in the ISM bands, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, iMAX, cellular telephony and, in general, the systems digital satellite and carrier wave by electrical circuit, mainly. A method that means a good complementary solution to the problem, is the one that refers to the use of equipment Concentradores of Measurements. These equipment can be conceptualized in its most basic function as data multiplexers, since its input is made up of multiple data channels, and its output is a of pre-processing and data compaction. All of the above results in a more efficient use of the media. Of the electric power processes, Distribution has been a pioneer in the field of energy measurement, particularly motivated by the quantity and geographical dispersion of consumers of electricity, especially those of residential and commercial type. The individual access to each meter of each consumer for remote reading from the offices of the electricity company would be impractical and not very costly. The state of the practice in this field is the hand-held terminals, or laptops, to access the meters using short-range radio signals, operated by lecturers on foot or with vehicles in transit. These systems are commonly referred to as mobile reading. The state of the art is constituted by the electronic equipment Concentradores de Mediciones, which commonly access to groups of meters by means of a short-range radio signal (100 to 500 meters, approximately) or by the same electric power supply circuit of the consumer, sending the information to the offices of the electricity company, also commonly, through private, public or cellular telephone line, wide local area networks, Internet, by the same electric power distribution circuit or long-range radio signal. These systems are known as fixed reading systems. In relation to the most relevant devices patented in this field, patent No. 5892758 (Concentrated Subscriber Wirelees Remote Telemetry System) reports a remote measurement system based on wireless communication devices that obtain readings of electrical parameters and perform control actions in real time. The system is integrated by a central controller, a wireless remote communication unit and a unit for measuring electrical parameters with communication through the electrical network (such as those used by CEBUS technology). It is applicable in electric service companies to remotely transmit power consumption information and fault conditions of residential and commercial users. The measuring unit obtains the information of the electrical parameters and transmits them through the electrical network to the wireless communication unit, which in turn sends them to the central concentrator by its own means. This system includes communication capabilities through wireless media and the electrical network. Unlike the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator described here, the one mentioned in this patent does not have the ability to measure parameters electric, it does not concentrate information on illicit events, it does not have a remote link by cell phone in the wireless communication units or in the Central Controller. The patent number 6300881 Bl (Data transfer system and method for communicating utility data over power line carriers) reports a data collection system for the consumption of electric power of a consumer from the company supplying the service. The system consists of a communication network composed of: a) a consumer node or module that performs functions of measuring the consumption of electrical energy, connection and disconnection of the consumer's load, controlled remotely by radio frequency links or through the electrical network using PLC MODEM, b) a measurement concentrator called a "local node" with radio frequency or grid connection capability to the consumer modules and to other local nodes or to higher levels by radio frequency, c) a multichannel station with connection to telecommunication equipment for remote links to higher levels through means such as Internet, fiber optics, satellite or radio frequency. The local node or concentrator collects information from consumer nodes and transfers them to other local nodes in the network. or at the immediate top level. Unlike the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator that is described here, the one that mentioned in this patent has no ability to measure, nor to detect abnormal events such as power outages, nor ability to directly establish external remote links, for example to the offices of the electricity company. The patent number 5459459 (Methods and apparatus for transmitting data from an energy meter) reports a system of measuring and transmitting data of electric energy meters, related to energy consumption, time of use and load profiles. It is integrated by electronic meters as elements for measurement and recording of consumption data, by a communication unit based on a microcontroller that includes a PLC MODEM with CEBUS technology and an optical port, and by a data reading device (laptop or terminal) of hand). In this patent an algorithm was registered that is implemented and executed in the energy measurement / recording devices and in the data reader. The system measures user consumption and generates its corresponding load profile in chronological order. This information is accessed from a handheld terminal or a laptop computer which performs the data concentration of all the meters. The communication unit detects only power interruptions and, based on this, performs actions such as stopping the transfer of information and storing the data and operating parameters in non-volatile memory.

Relevant The measurement data is read from a computer, which is a general purpose device configured as a reader and data concentrator. Unlike the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator described here, the one mentioned in this patent only detects the event of electric power interruption, and does not have cellular communication, nor does it have radio frequency data communication. Unlike the patents of the concentrating equipment of the systems mentioned (patents 5 892 758, 6 300 881 Bl, 5 459 459), the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator described here integrates energy measurement functions in the electrical circuit that feeds a concentration of consumers, performs energy balances, detects illicit access to your hardware, generates reports and alarms of abnormal events and discrepancies in your energy balances. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the object of this invention to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator for the remote reading of concentrations of electric energy meters. Another object of this invention is to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator for the measurement of energy electrical circuit that feeds a concentration of consumers. Another object of this invention is also to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator that measures the consumption of energy of each consumer, in parallel with the meter thereof. A further object of this invention is to provide an Energy Measurement Concentrator that performs energy balances based on the measurement information provided by the consumers' meters, the consumption measurement information of each consumer made by the consumer itself. Concentrator of Measurements of Electric Energy and the information of the measurement of the energy of the circuit that feeds to the total of consumers effected also by the own Concentrator of Measurements of Electrical Energy. Still another object of this invention is to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator that precisely detects the consumer who misappropriates electric power. Another object of this invention is to provide a Concentrator of Measurements of Electric Energy that sends the information of measurement and of events related to the misappropriation of electrical energy to the offices of the electricity company, and to a handheld terminal, or laptop , through line private, public or cellular telephone, Internet, short or long-range radio signal or by the same electric power distribution circuit that feeds the concentration of consumers. Still another object of this invention is to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator that has the ability to instantly send messages related to the misappropriation of energy to cell phones, as well as to emails through its Human / Machine Interface. Another object of this invention is to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator with a mechanical enclosure to be installed indoors or outdoors, on walls or on distribution posts. Another object of this invention is also to provide an Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator that provides information to the electricity company related to the quality of energy. These and other objects to be obtained in the practice of this invention will be better understood and appreciated more by reading the following description which refers to the drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a conventional perspective view of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator of this invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram view of the Electric Power Measurement Concentrator of this invention. Figures 3 to 8 show a block diagram view of the electronic modules that make up the Concentrator of Electrical Energy Measurements of this invention. Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are views of the electronic diagrams of the modules that make up the Electric Power Measurement Concentrator of this invention. Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 are vertical elevation and conventional perspective views of the current and voltage sensors that make up the Electric Power Measurement Concentrator of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator of this invention comprises the following electronic modules: Control and Processing (1); Communication by Radio Frequency and by Electric Circuit (2); Communication by RS-485 (3); Mirror measurement (4); Self-measurement (5); Commercial Communications Modem (6); Power Supply (7). The Control and Processing (1), is an electronic module whose main function is the processing of information and control of the various activities of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator of this invention. This function consists, in general, of communicating to the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator of this invention with the electricity company in order to receive from it the information necessary for its operation and to provide information related to electrical energy measurements and events. associated with the misappropriation of electric power; measure the total consumption in the electric circuit that feeds the consumers through the Electronic Self-Measurement Module (5); read through the Electronic Module of Communication by Radio Frequency and by Electrical Circuit (2), the consumptions of energy registered by the meters of the consumers; compare these consumptions with those recorded by the electronic modules of Metering Mirror (4), and in turn compare them with the energy consumption that is measured, through the Self-Measurement Electronic Module (5), in the electrical circuit that feeds the concentration of consumers. Based on all the above information, it detects events that signify a misappropriation of energy by dishonest consumers. It communicates remotely with the electricity company through a commercial communications system (6). It receives the necessary energy for its operation through a Power Supply (7). It is made up of the following main elements: a microcontroller (8), which, by controlling the remaining main elements (9,10,11,12,13) and the remaining electronic modules (2,3,4,5, 6,7) performs the fundamental operation of acquiring and processing information on the measurement of electric energy consumption in the consumers' feeder, as well as consumer meters and electronic modules of Metering Mirror, comparing the three measurements and detecting events that mean misappropriation of energy; a real-time clock (9), for the basis of time in the calculation of electrical energy and the labeling of events with date and time of occurrence; A non-volatile memory (10), for storing information of energy and event measurements; a communications driver (12) under the RS-485 electrical standard, for communication with electronic modules (2,3,5); a universal communications interface (11) under the RS-232 electrical standard, to communicate remotely with a human / machine interface in the offices of the electricity company through a commercial Communications Modem (6); a Power Supply (13), which provides the proper power for the correct operation of this electronic module. The Electronic Module for Communication by Radio Frequency and by Electric Circuit (2), is used to acquire from consumers' energy meters the data related to the consumption of electric power and events related to the misappropriation of electric power, and to the coordination of the operation with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1). It is used to establish local communication between the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator and a handheld terminal, or laptop, of the electricity company. It is made up of the following main elements: A microcontroller (14), which through the control of the other main elements (15,16,17,18,19) performs the fundamental operation of acquiring information from energy meters of consumers. related to the consumption of electrical energy, as well as the information of events related to the misappropriation of energy; it establishes communication locally between the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator and a handheld terminal, or laptop, of the electricity company; a non-volatile memory (16), for the temporary storage of the information related to the consumption of electrical energy acquired from consumer meters as well as the information of events related to the misappropriation of energy; a radio frequency block (15), for the acquisition of information related to the consumption of electrical energy of the consumers' meters as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of electric power; A communications driver (19) under the RS-232 electrical standard, to establish communication with the users' meters through a commercial Communications Modem by electric circuit, in order to acquire the information related to the electric power consumption of consumer meters as well as information on events related to the misappropriation of electric power; a communications driver (18) under the RS-485 electrical standard, to establish communication with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1), in order to provide information related to the consumption of electrical energy from consumer meters as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of electric power; a Power Supply (18), which provides the adequate power for the correct operation of this electronic module.

The Electronic Module for Radio Frequency and Electrical Circuit Communication uses an omni-directional antenna (47), which is mounted on the plastic cover (49) of the cabinet (42) that contains all the components of the Energy Measurement Concentrator Electric, in such a way that it provides a greater reception of radiofrequency signals and, at the same time, it is protected against weathering and vandalism. The Electronic Communication Module by RS-485 (3), is used to acquire from the electronic modules of Metering Mirror the data related to the consumption of electrical energy and events related to the misappropriation of electrical energy. It is made up of the following main elements: A microcontroller (20), which through the control of the remaining main elements (21,22,23,24) performs the fundamental operation of acquiring from the electronic modules of Metering Mirror the information related to the electric power consumption, as well as the information of events related to the misappropriation of energy, and for the coordination of the operation with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1). A non-volatile memory (23), for the temporary storage of information related to the consumption of electrical energy acquired from the electronic modules of Measurement Mirror, as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of energy; A communication block (22), under the RS-485 electrical standard, for the acquisition of information related to the consumption of electrical energy of the electronic modules of Metering Mirror as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of electric power; A communication block (21), under the electrical standard RS-485, to establish communication with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1), in order to provide information related to the consumption of electrical energy measured by electronic modules of Measurement Mirror, as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of electrical energy; A Power Supply (24), which provides the proper power for the correct operation of this electronic module. The Commercial Communications Modem (6), is used to communicate remotely to the Electric Energy Measurement Hub with a human / machine interface in the electricity company through a private, public or cellular telephone line, Internet, radio signal short or long range or by the same electric power distribution circuit, and has a universal communications interface under the RS-232 electrical standard to connect with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1). The Commercial Communications Modem it uses a directional antenna (48), which is mounted on the plastic cover (49) of the cabinet (42) that contains all the components of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator, thus providing greater reception of cellular signals in places where these are of low intensity and, at the same time, it is protected against weathering and vandalism. The Electronic Mirror Measurement Module (4) is used for measuring the consumption of electrical energy of each consumer in parallel with the meter of the electricity company. It is made up of the following main elements: a microcontroller (31), which, through the control of the other main elements (32,33,34,35,36), performs the fundamental operation of acquisition and processing of electricity consumption and for the coordination of the operation with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1); an electronic circuit for measuring electrical variables (33), which acquires the information related to the consumption of electrical energy, current and voltage present in the power supply of a consumer, for later sending them to the microcontroller (31); a real time clock (34), for the time base in the calculations of electrical energy; A non-volatile memory (35), for the storage of information related to the energy consumption measured by the measuring circuit (33) in the feeder of a consumer, as well as the information of the events related to the misappropriation of electric power, for its subsequent sending to the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1); A communications driver (32) under the RS-485 electrical standard, for communication with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1) through the Electronic Communication Module via RS-485 (3); a Power Supply (36), which provides the adequate power for the correct functioning of this electronic module. The Self-Measurement Electronic Module (5) is used to measure the electrical energy consumption of the circuit that feeds a concentration of consumers. It is made up of the following main elements: a microcontroller (25), which, through the control of the other main elements (26, 27, 28, 29, 30), performs the fundamental operation of acquiring and processing energy consumption information and for the coordination of the operation with the processing module (1); an electronic circuit for measuring electrical variables (27), which acquires the information related to the consumption of electrical energy, current and voltage present in the circuit that feeds a concentration of consumers, to later send them to the microcontroller (25); a real-time clock (28), for the time base in the calculations of electrical energy; A non-volatile memory (29), for the storage of information related to the energy consumption measured by the measurement circuit (27) in the circuit that feeds a group of consumers, as well as the information of the events related to the appropriation undue electric power, for its subsequent sending to the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1); a communications driver (26) under the electrical standard RS-485, for communication with the Electronic Control and Processing Module (1); a Power Supply (30), which provides the adequate power for the correct functioning of this electronic module. The Electronic Power Supply Module (7) provides power to the electronic modules that make up the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator, accepting as input voltage the one supplied by two, or three phases of the main supply of the concentration of consumers, from 80 Vac to 240 Vac. It is made up of the following main modules: a three-phase rectification block (37), which couples the three phases of the electrical supply in a single supply voltage output making possible the operation of this module with one, two or three voltage phases; a commercial power source (38) for the reduction of the output voltage of the three-phase rectification block (37) at a first approximation to the levels required by the electronic modules that make up the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator; a battery pack (41), which constitutes the back-up power of the concentrator of electrical energy measurements in the event of a failure in the main supply coming from the power supply circuit of the electricity company; a control, switching and charging circuit (39), to control the output power by switching between the main supply coming from the distribution circuit of the electricity company and the backup power coming from the battery pack (41) and at the same time time it carries out the power loading of the backup battery block from the power supply; a regulating block (40), for obtaining the final levels of supply voltage required by the electronic modules of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator. The Rowogsky sensors (43) are used to sense the current signals of the electrical distribution circuit of the electricity company that feeds a concentration of consumers. They consist of a flexible coil of air core (53), which senses the waveform of the current signal that circulates in said electrical circuit, which passes through the center of the circle (57) that forms the current sensor ( 43) al physically connect its two ends with male and female connectors (51, 52). Said current signal is sent as a voltage signal by the cable (50) that connects the current sensor (43) with the Electronic Self-Measurement Module (5). This type of sensor allows its installation without the need to disconnect the electrical circuit in which the current measurement is made. The harnesses (45) are used to sense the voltage signals of the electrical distribution circuit of the electricity company that feeds a concentration of consumers. They consist of a pinch (58), which senses the waveform of the voltage signal present in said electrical circuit. Said voltage signal is sent by the cable (59) that connects the harnesses (45) with the Electronic Self-Measurement Module (5). This type of sensor allows its installation without the need to disconnect the electrical circuit in which the voltage measurement is made. Transformer type sensors (44) are used to sense the current signals of the electrical distribution circuit of the electricity company that feeds a consumer of a concentration of consumers. They consist of a rigid coil of iron core (54), which senses the waveform of the current signal that circulates in said electric circuit, which it passes through the center of the circle (55) that forms the current sensor (44). Said current signal is sent by the cable (56) that connects it with the Electronic Module of Measurement Mirror. The harnesses (46) are used to sense the voltage signals of the electrical distribution circuit of the electricity company that feeds a consumer of a concentration of consumers. They consist of a pinch (61), which senses the waveform of the voltage signal present in said electrical circuit. Said voltage signal is sent by the cable (62) that connects the harnesses (46) with the Electronic Mirror Measurement Module (5) through the connector (63). This type of sensor allows its installation without the need to disconnect the electrical circuit in which the voltage measurement is made. All the electronic modules described here, and that make up the Concentrator of Measurements of Electric Energy, are contained in an industrial type cabinet (42) that protects them against the environment and interventions not allowed, and can be installed on distribution poles of electrical energy or inside the junction boxes of a concentration of electric energy meters. The access to the cabinet is by means of a rotating cover made of high resistance plastic (49). Although the above description has been made based on the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood by all those experts in the field, that any change in form and detail will be included in the spirit and scope of it. It is considered as a novelty and therefore it is claimed as property, what is contained in the following:

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS 1. - An Electrical Energy Measurement Concentrator, comprising a human / machine interface that runs on a personal computer, which is linked, remotely by means of a commercial communications modem that uses a line as communications medium private, public or cellular telephone, Internet, radio signal of short or long range or by the same electric power distribution circuit to a Control and Processing module, which is connected to an Electronic Self Measurement Module that measures the energy electrical circuit that feeds a concentration of consumers, and that is also connected to modules of Metering Mirror for the measurement of the consumption of electrical energy of each consumer and a module of communications by radiofrequency or electrical circuit, through which is communicated by radiofrequency or electrical circuit with the consumers' meters to obtain the records of energy consumption and events related to the misappropriation of electrical energy by dishonest consumers, which also includes a power supply module that provides power to the electronic modules that make up the equipment.
2. 2. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that is able to perform energy balances based on the three measurements of energy obtained by the Self-Measurement Electronic Module, the electronic Metering Mirror modules and the consumer meters, detecting possible illicit uses of energy, as well as technical losses of energy due to the improper operation of the elements of the electricity distribution circuits of the electricity company.
3. 3. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that it is capable of sensing electrical parameters related to the quality of the energy by means of an Electronic Self-Measurement Module.
4. 4. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the Electronic Processing and Control Module comprises a universal electronic interface for communicating remotely, through a commercial Communications Modem that uses as means of communications a private, public or cellular telephone line, Internet, short or long-range radio signal or by the same electric power distribution circuit with the human / machine interface in the offices of the electricity company.
5. 5. - An Electrical Energy Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the electronic Control and Processing module comprises an electronic short-range radio circuit to communicate locally with a handheld terminal or portable computer.
6. 6. - An Electrical Energy Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the Control and Processing module has the ability to correlate the energy quality measurements with the events related to the misappropriation of the energy.
7. 7. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that through the coordinated operation of all its elements has the ability to determine precisely who, or who, of a concentration of consumers are appropriating of energy in an improper way.
8. 8. - An Electrical Energy Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that its universal communications interface has the ability to instantly send messages related to the misappropriation of energy to cell phones, as well as to postal services. electronic systems through its human / machine interface.
9. 9. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the Control and Processing module comprises a real time clock for the stamping of time and date in the report of results of energy and event balances.
10. 10. - An Electrical Energy Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the Control and Processing module comprises a communications network under the electrical standard RS-485 to communicate with the Mirror Measurement modules.
11. 11. - An Electric Power Measurement Concentrator according to claim 1, which is capable of operating electrically with one, two or three phases of the electrical distribution circuit of the electricity company. SUMMARY An Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator comprising a human / machine interface that runs on a personal computer to remotely control the operation of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator and to display the energy consumption information of a concentration of consumers. as well as events related to the misappropriation of electric power, and also sending instantly messages related to the misappropriation of energy to cell phones, as well as emails through its human / machine interface, also having the ability to determine accurately who, or who, from a concentration of consumers are misappropriating energy; which also includes an Electronic Control and Processing Module whose main function is the processing and control of the different activities of the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator, and communicating with the electricity company in order to receive the necessary information for its operation and deliver information related to energy measurements and events associated with the misappropriation of electrical energy; which also includes an Electronic Module for Communication by Radio Frequency and by Electric Circuit that acquires from energy meters of consumers the information related to the consumption of electric power and events related to the misappropriation of energy, and also establishes communication between the Concentrator of Measurements of Electric Energy and a handheld terminal, or portable computer, of the electricity company; that also includes electronic modules of Measurement Mirror that realize the measurement of the consumption of energy of each consumer in parallel with the meter of the company of electricity; which also includes an Electronic Self-Measurement Module that performs the measurement of electrical energy distribution circuit of the electricity company that feeds a concentration of consumers and also has the ability to correlate the measurements of energy quality with events related to the misappropriation of electric power; and that also includes an Electronic Power Supply Module that provides power to the electronic modules that make up the Electric Energy Measurement Concentrator, which is capable of operating with one, two or three phases of the electric distribution circuit of the company. electricity