MXPA03009943A - Improvements in an integral modular system for managing multiple subscribers in a service line, having elements for detecting fluid leakages/ steal. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a system for connecting/disconnecting multiple subscribers to a main line that supplies a service such as electrical power, which allows the individual consume of each subscriber to be measured and registered. The system includes wireless linking elements i.e., of the radiofrequency type, which are useful for operating the set at long distance. The improvements consist in the integration of multiple meters into a plurality of corresponding measurement points, then transforming said measurements into digital data, which can be electronically transferred and manipulated, and carrying out assessments for auditing the consume and detecting possible leakages and theft of the fluid supplied in specific sections of the service distribution network.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO INTEGRAL MODULAR SYSTEM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MULTIPLE SUBSCRIBERS TO A SERVICE LINE, WITH ELEMENTS OF LEAK DETECTION / FLUID OF FLUID.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to systems for the connection / disconnection of multiple subscribers to a main power line of a service such as electrical power, and in particular, it refers to the improvements to one of such systems that allows the measurement and registration of the individual consumptions of each subscriber, has elements of wireless link for example of the type of radiofrecuencia, that allows the operation of the set at a distance; the improvements consist of the integration of multiple meters in a plurality of corresponding measuring points, which allow auditing the consumption and detecting possible leaks and thefts of the fluid served.

BACKGROUND The devices for the measurement of various forms of the supply of a cable service are well known; among the most frequently used are electric consumption meters.

Frequently, the aforementioned meters were used individually to record the consumption of a subscriber to a line of service, being necessary that an employee of the company providing the service manually report the consumption recorded by the measuring device after a visual inspection of said device located in the vicinity, or within the consumer's facilities. The work of the employee in charge of the consumer report was limited in many cases, when the subscriber or consumer was not available to allow access to said device.

An important part in the distribution of services, is the connection of the subscriber to the main service line, which is achieved with another group of devices that usually consist of a series of electrical switches operated manually by an employee of the company offers the service.

Some of the most recent developments for the monitoring and measurement of consumption in power lines, telephone lines and the like are described in the documents cited below: Patent US 4,106,095 (Yarbrough, 1978) describes a meter that by means of an analog-digital converter even calculates the estimated cost of electricity passing through a conductor; US 4,904,995 (Bonner, 1990) describes the use of a transponder for the transmission of data, especially about the energy used by a consumer, through its own transmission lines; this same idea appears in the patent US 5,136,514 (Laumann, 1992) which describes an arrangement for an electricity meter-meter with a bidirectional interface for the transmission of data, with a transmission protection system against possible unintentional alterations or defects of software.

As previously indicated in the Mexican patent application PA / a / 2003/007631 (Hidalgo, 2003), which is incorporated herein in its entirety as a reference, there is a significant amount of prior art, mainly related to measuring devices, connection, transmission, etc., however no document is described in a system that allows an adequate administration of the service, in terms of the detection of leaks or theft of the fluid, be it electric, telephone, or of any other type. Below are some of the documents included in the aforementioned request.

International applications may be included in the prior art: WO 98/54583 (Jones, 1999) for a meter that can be coupled to a circuit for measuring a subscriber's energy consumption, WO 99/58987 (Tak, 1999) for an energy meter that incorporates a modem for data transmission between the service provider and the consumer, with a memory for non-volatile storage of data; this device performs consumption calculations to discount them from a predefined value, issues reports, allows saving electricity, reduces excessive consumption and maximizes the economic benefit to the supplier, using a card to pay consumer credit (a prepaid system). The application WO 01/79872 (Hill, 2001) describes a module for measuring and recording electricity consumption which in turn has a module for data transmission, both modules preferably located on transmission poles.

Regarding the transmission of data via radio frequency and the validation of transmitted information, US Pat. No. 6,219,655 (Schleich, 2001) shows us some of the most recent, as well as US application 2001/0051933 (Rowley, 2001) which includes its description to a prepaid service system through the use of wired or wireless transmission networks.

The main problem in the prior art, has been the lack of a device or integral system that groups all the possibilities of measurement, control, transmission and remote operation, so as to optimize the operations linked to the offer of the service without creating inconvenience to the subscriber for maintenance visits by personnel of the service provider, resulting in benefits for the provider, the subscriber and eventually the local economy, as well as there are no ways to detect theft or leakage (for example by short circuit or by unregistered derivations of lines) of the service fluid, causing significant economic losses to the service provider or, where appropriate, excessive charging to the end user (the subscriber).

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an integral modular system for the administration of the supply of a cable service to multiple subscribers of a power line.

Another object of the invention is that the integral modular system provides means for measuring the consumption of the service in a plurality of points in order to audit the proper use of the transmission lines and the fluid served.

Another object of the present invention is that the integral modular system also provides storage means in memory of the information about the fluid served and its consumption by each one of the subscribers served.

It is another object of the present invention, that the integral modular system of the invention provides means for remote communication in order to transmit the information in its memory to a remote reading device operated by a subscriber and / or a "lector" employed by the provider.

A further object of the invention is to provide detection means of theft or loss of signal (electricity, electrical power, TV signal, etc.) between the modules of the system or between these and the power supply of the service.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the modules that constitute the integral modular system of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection of the General Module in Low Voltage with the fluid source.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the General Module in Low Voltage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To solve the problem of having a comprehensive system for the administration of services provided by cable, such as electric power, telephony, television, etc., it has been proposed in the Mexican patent application PA / a / 2003/007631 ( Hidalgo, 2003) a system that allows the administration of multiple subscribers of a service, with a capacity of 15 subscribers per module, and which can operate in conjunction with intelligent type meters.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is used here as an example to illustrate the advantages thereof, the service is that of electric power, however the invention can be used in any of the other types of services distributed by cable previously. mentioned and, with the appropriate selection of the flow measurement means, to any fluid distribution service, such as gas, water or others, provided that said measurement can be expressed digitally for its handling according to the teachings of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a schematic diagram of the invention, we can observe the following elements: 1. General Module in Low Voltage 2. Electric power transformer 3. Wireless link module 4. Subscriber measurement module 5. Deployment, registration and charging module 6. Current transformers (donuts) Where: 1. General Module in Low Voltage This General Module (1) provides the measurement of a three-phase system in the low voltage part at 220 See. This equipment has the property of communicating with the installed Multi-user Servers Modules (4), through the power line and measuring the energy consumption per phase.

The module can be preferably contained in a metal enclosure in accordance with the NEMA 3R standard, and can be placed close to the service source, such as in the post in which the electrical transformer is located (2), or the floor when said transformer is located like this. 2. Electric power transformer Illustrated in Figure 1 is an energy transformer (2) commonly used for the distribution of electrical power from a general high-voltage power line to domestic or industrial lines for low-voltage end-user. The element (2) is intended to illustrate any device necessary for the adjustment of the conditions of service from a general distribution line to the individual power lines. 3. Wireless link module The monitoring and measuring staff of the service provider can access and extract the information from the administration system, especially the modules: general meter in low voltage (1), meter multiuser server (4) and modules of user (5) through wireless links, designated as "A", VB "and" C ", respectively, in Figure 1.

The wireless link module (3) can, by linking the "A" line to the General module (1) collect the current supply data to the multi-user server module (4), as well as any difference (represented by the set of blocks (7), one for each supply line or phase) detected between said supply and the consumption recorded in the multi-user server module (4) that reports to it the General module (1) by power line or optionally, the remote access module (3) can perform both readings directly from the corresponding general modules (1) and multi-user server (4) to report the differences to the service provider.

The Remote Access Module (3) can also download current consumption information from the user module (5) via the wireless line "C" and from the server module (4) via the wireless line ?? "with which by difference it can determine the possible leak or theft of the service between these two checkpoints (represented by the block (8) illustrated for a single user), allowing the subscriber to be alerted so that the service has reliable elements to require the service provider to take the relevant measures in order to prevent such theft or leakage.

The remote access module (3) includes a proprietary radio link and a conventional PDA terminal with access software, such as a Palm®-type handheld (and even a Laptop), and a radio-frequency transceiver; the link device or wireless link module (3) has communication ports compatible with the ports of the PDA and Laptop, of the Hotsync® type for a Palm® or RS-232 or USB ports for personal computers.

Optionally it is possible to add a portable printer to the unit, in order to issue receipts or vouchers to users on a general basis or upon request, locally. 4. Multi-user Servers Modules Each of the server modules (4) connected to each phase, is a system that channels the connection and disconnection of a plurality of subscribers based on the indication of consumption obtained by means of a safety link, with a data line of a single wire in an internal channel with each of the individual meters located inside the cabinet. This link includes a validation and protection protocol that guarantees communication in media subjected to noise by electrostatic or electromagnetic discharges for the unambiguous identification of the subscriber.

The individual connection can be considered modular type and each of the individual outputs to each subscriber includes redundant relays that ensure connectivity.

The internal security communication uses a transmitter / receiver for each module and forms a network that periodically interrogates each subscriber meter in order to obtain a summary of its consumption and the state that the connection must have.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server module (4) is able to determine when the individual subscriber's contactor must keep closed or open when questioning each meter associated with its network by the specific situation of the account of each subscriber.

The server module (4) also has a service log in which a summary of the consumptions and periods of service is kept, being stored in a non-volatile memory bank, type "EPROM flash" that in case of power failure electrical power to the device, retains the information for a period of up to several years.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each server module (4) can manage the connections for 15 subscribers (in Figure 1 there are blocks (5) representing only two users), including the control and up to 15 consumption meters of user, communication by power line with the user modules and allows access to the information registered in its memory by RF link with a range of 200 m; the total number of users served by each server module (4) is determined preferably by the needs of each application.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the module (4) is located on the pole and is administered by the service provider. However, in alternate modalities, and especially when the source of the service is on the ground (normal situation in the case of users of high volumes of consumption), module (4) may be located close to it, generally in an installation designed to protect and protect the climate and potential damage due to carelessness. 5. User Module The function of the user module (5) is to provide the server module (4) with the periodic results of the consumption readings in kilowatts / hour, cut-off information in the service and statistical data on the supply quality.

The module (5) is assigned a series of functions to provide the user with relevant information, for example, in some of the modalities of this invention, the user module (5): (a) is capable of displaying on a screen, a series of data of interest to the subscriber, such as their consumption, expressed in Kilowatts or its equivalent in the currency of current use, the current balance in favor of the subscriber in his account for the enjoyment of the prepaid service, or any other that are defined by the service provider; in another modality, (b) it allows the loading of payments made previously (prepaid); but in any case, in all the modalities the user module (5), (c) registers the payment of pxepago to the subscriber's account and makes the discount corresponding to the consumption that is made of the service, allows to set an objective consumption, registers peak consumption, service interruptions, record date and time, etc .; this characteristic of reading and recording being the most relevant for the purposes of this invention.

The user module (5) also has a serial port to facilitate communication with a conventional PC and through which the user can have the option to print the results of their consumption and other statistical data.

The user module (5) includes a power line link channel that allows to establish communication with the server module, and through this, the wireless reading modules (3) can access the user information up to a distance of 200 meters of the server module, at a transmission speed of 19,200 bps or greater, with an identification and validation protocol with error correction. Each transmitted information packet has a redundant cyclic verification character that allows it to verify if there was an error in the transmission, in which case the receiver requests the retransmission of the packet, until it is received without error. Each user module (5) has an individual and unrepeatable identification code that allows the other modules of the system to identify with certainty the subscribers assigned to their network.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the general module (1) and the supply lines that come from the transformer (2), to make a measurement of the fluid consumption due to the global load (9) required by the plurality of connected users.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the general measurement module (1), which is contained in a hermetic NEMA 3 enclosure for outdoor installation in accordance with normal use in traditional meters, and whose function is the measurement of the electrical power in three-phase installations, as well as transferring the data to the server module by power line link (4) and through the server module to the wireless link module (3) when they are required by it.

The general meter basically consists of a three-phase measuring device at 120 See per phase and 1 neutral for 125 amperes per transformer output line (2).

The communication of readings is done through modems (11) PLC for each phase.

In summary, the advantages of the modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a line of service of the invention, include: a) eliminates the need for the process of reading, billing and sending receipts, thus eliminating accounts receivable and providing in Place your resources in advance to the service provider; b) the user allows him to acquire the service at his convenience in the quantities he desires and in case of a cut, reduces the time required for reconnection; c) it also provides a consumer protection tool because it has the information available to support their complaints for faults in the quality of the service; d) it allows creating a culture of energy saving as well as creating awareness of the true cost that the service implies for the supplier of the same; and (e) it allows detecting unauthorized uses of the service by comparing the quantities of fluid supplied by the service provider, those offered to each user and finally those actually used by the latter; the differences thus localized allow in turn to determine the specific points in which derivations of the supply lines are being made and, therefore, leaks and / or theft of fluid, placing the supplier and the user in a position to take corrective measures. .

Claims (10)

CLAIMS Once the invention is described, it is considered as a novelty and property is claimed as contained in the following clauses:

1. A modular integral management system for multiple subscribers to a service line, such as electric power, telephone service, cable television, etc., which includes elements of measurement, registration and wireless link for access; said elements being comprised in the following interrelated modular elements: a) a general meter, b) multiuser server modules, c) user modules, and d) wireless link modules. said system being characterized in that the general meter, the multi-user server modules and the user modules include means of measuring and recording the supply and consumption of the service that allow to determine, by comparison if there are differences between these quantities, to determine the amount of the differences and establish the section of the service line in which these differences occur.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurement and determination of differences between quantities offered and consumed is made by the wireless link module.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 2, characterized in that the wireless link module consists of an interface device, such as, but not restricted to laptops and PDAs or personal assistants of the type known as Palm.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 2, characterized in that the wireless link module optionally has a portable printer for the purpose of issuing receipts or vouchers to users on a general basis or application, locally.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 2, characterized in that the measurement can be made between any pair of modules that contain a consumption meter, such as between the general meter and the meters in the modules multiuser servers, or between these and the user modules.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 5, characterized in that the measurement of the supply-consumption differences of the fluid can be determined on an individual basis for each user connected to the line of service. general distribution.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, in accordance with claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the meter, the multi-user server modules and the user modules, have storage devices in memory of recorded consumption by the corresponding meters.

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 7, characterized in that the meter and the multi-user server modules have devices for wireless transmission of data from the memory devices to the wireless link module (s).

The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 7, characterized in that the user modules have devices for transmitting data from the memory devices to the multiuser server module of the line type of power.

10. The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the user modules is identified by an individual code contained in its electronic memory devices. The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the server modules connected to each phase, is a system that channels the connection and disconnection of a plurality of subscribers based on the indication of consumption obtained by means of a safety link with a data line of a single wire in an internal channel with each one of the individual meters located inside the cabinet. The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 11, characterized in that the link of each of the server modules connected to each phase includes a validation and protection protocol that guarantees communication in media subject to noise by electrostatic or electromagnetic discharges for unambiguous identification of the subscriber. The modular integral management system of multiple subscribers to a service line, according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring elements can be suitable for the measurement of the flow of a series of fluids such as electric, cable television signals , telephone signals, broadband services, and even fluids such as drinking water or domestic gas (including natural gas or LP gas), the flow reading being transformed to digital signals