WO2023084544A1

WO2023084544A1 - System for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations

Info

Publication number: WO2023084544A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050995
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rahul Ashok SOMVANSHI
Original assignee: Somvanshi Rahul Ashok
Priority date: 2021-11-13
Filing date: 2022-11-12
Publication date: 2023-05-19

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations (100) including an plurality of electrical control panel (116), a plurality of feeders (104). The system (100) includes a sensing device (108) being positioned in each of the plurality of feeders (104) for sensing environmental parameters. The sensing device (108) including a control unit (215) configured for predicting fire situations inside the plurality of feeders (104), a plurality of toggle buttons for controlling the feeder operation, and a login module (235) receiving multi-tier input profile of a user. A cloud server (124) being configured for receiving data from the sensing device (108) and communicating with an user interface unit (112). The user interface unit (112), receiving data from the cloud server (124) and selectively deactivating the plurality feeders (104).

Description

“SYSTEM FOR MONITORING PARAMETERS AND PREDICTING FIRE SITUATIONS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to safety systems and more particularly to safety systems for monitoring environmental parameters in close proximity with a control panel, feeders and predicting fire situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Electrical control panel is an essential part of a power distribution system in that ensures safe power distribution to the load. Electrical Control Panel is a power distribution system which accommodate various power carrying feeders. The feeders are used to make, carry and break the power and loads currents. The panel includes relative power connections made out of solid bus bars or cables as main power stream and its branches to various outgoing feeders, meters, indications, external protection relays and transformers. The feeder may be an air circuit breaker (ACB), a moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB), a miniature circuit breaker (MCB), an isolator, a changeover, a contactor, a bi-relay, and the like.

The power ratings of feeders are decided by considering the requirements of the application and the load to be carried. The main incoming feeder is selected with specific electrical fault protection and each outgoing feeder is selected as per the application's load pattern to take care of electrical faults like over current, short circuit and earth fault happening towards load. All the feeders in the panel - incoming and outgoing have protection release provided to take care of any fault occurring at the load side and perform protective operation like tripping on sensing any specified electrical fault. Since all these feeders have specific rating and protection settings set feeding to particular load or application, they don’t have any control on physical conditions in and around the panel. The behaviour of feeders may get disturbed because of external physical conditions like humidity, high temperature and any gas development.

Ideally, the panel design should protect the feeders and power system from ingress of duct, temperature variations and dust. If the design is improper, the feeders inside the control panel tend to fail in its operations and protections. Sometimes there is a possibility of a short circuit or the power system to catch fire. The failures do not happen immediately in most of the cases, but takes its own time. The environmental conditions in and around the electrical control panel has adverse effects on the performance of feeder and the panel. For example, high temperature reduces dielectric strength and becomes one of the main causes of fire.

Humidity reduces the required creepage distance and causes of short circuit and fire. Dust bridges the creepage distance and becomes one of cause of short circuit followed by fire. For any application, a correct size of protected switchgear is necessary. Selecting a lower size will make the feeder overload and fail before its life. Whereas higher rating selection will make the application fail and turns in to a fire where feeder will not give any protection to turn off the system. Unhealthy atmospheric conditions around control panel like heavy water source, panel exposed to rain, high ambient temperature, acidic or alkaline ambience etc. also lead to failure of feeders and the panel. To avoid such situation, maintenance team needs to check feeder’s connections, cable terminal for its tightness, loading pattern on feeder and the like.. Incorrect workmanship of control panel tends to slow heating in connections eventually increasing temperature across connections and finally short circuit and fire.

Continuous monitoring of the physical conditions inside the panel through an automatic system arrangement keeps is helpful to predict any abnormality being generated inside the panel due to above factors. The automatic system predicts the situations and conditions which are close to fire generation condition inside the panel by sensing them electronically.

There are systems existing in the art that provide solutions to prevent or inform the critical values of gases, smog and temperature. Some of the systems provide protection to individual electric equipment and some systems simply inform the critical values and don’t disconnect the panel electrically.

Chinese Patent CN102999071B to Bai Fan et al. teaches a switch cabinet environment intelligent monitoring and processing system based on a wireless network. The invention comprises of a server and a plurality of data collectors corresponding to switch cabinets one by one. The controller receives data from the wireless sensor, temperature sensor and moisture sensors. Further the controller controls the fans and the heaters to work. The data collectors receive data of the wireless temperature and moisture sensors and send the data to the server. The cited document also discloses that if data exceeds safe threshold time, then the signal gets transmitted to controller and warning message is sent to the managerial personnel by GPRS terminal. In this invention, if the warning massage is sent to the managerial personnel and if the corrective action is not taken in time, the panel and the control system cannot be saved from failure. Additionally there is no record of instantaneous values for a longer duration that could be used for analysis of system failure.

The utility model No.CN208094286U to Dai Jiyong et al. teaches a kind of power feeder monitoring devices that includes a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a leakage indicator, a harmonic detector and an on-off state detector at the switch side. The control system receives the inputs from sensors and detectors, processes it and turns off the switch for which the electrical parameters exceed predefined limits. This system monitors only the electrical parameters sensed from the feeders. Whereas the parameters tend to change the value with respect to the surrounding conditions like temperature, moisture, etc and are unstable. Hence complete protection is not provided by this system.

The industries are increasingly making use of Internet of Things (loT) systems to automate the processes and reduce cost by making the machines smarter. The internet of things (loT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical or digital machines and any other objects that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network, preferably the internet. A ‘thing’ in the internet of things any natural or man-made object that can be assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address and is able to transfer data over a network. Use of sensors (things) to collect data, storing it at a central place, using the huge data for analysis and prediction and finally automate the system are the functions of an loT based application. Use of loT with the power control automates the systems and reduces possibility of loss. The use of sensors for sensing physical properties inside the panel is helpful to predict any abnormal condition and fire situations well before time.

There is need of a safety systems for the electrical control panels that monitors the health of the electrical control panel by monitoring a plurality of environmental parameters in close proximity with the control panels, feeders.. Further, there is a need of safety systems for electric control panels that predict fire situations. There is also a need of a system for controlling and monitoring the electrical control panel remotely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein

FIG. 1 shows a system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations of FIG.l; and

FIG. 2A. is a flow diagram of the system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations of FIG.l.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: A system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations including an plurality of electrical control panel, a plurality of feeders. A sensing device being positioned in each of the plurality of feeders for sensing environmental parameters. The sensing device including a control unit configured for predicting fire situations inside the plurality of feeders, a plurality of toggle buttons for controlling the feeder operation, and a login module receiving multi-tier input profile of a user. The login module being remotely installed and accessible on an electronic device.

A cloud server is configured for receiving data from the sensing device and communicating with an user interface unit. The user interface unit, receiving data from the cloud server and selectively deactivating the plurality feeders. A first feeder activation cycle and a second feeder deactivation cycle operable by the first toggle button, and a third feeder deactivation cycle operable upon lapse of threshold time in absence of user input. The sensing device including a plurality of loT based sensors for sensing moisture, humidity, gas, room ambient temperature. The sensing device including a relay unit with anti-pumping facility being connected with the shunt release device for deactivating the feeder inside the control panel.

The sensing device includes a counter measures unit being selectively activable through a second toggle button. The sensing device including a countermeasures unit, that further includes a dry sand, CO2, dry powder or Halon extinguishers. The user interface unit includes a first toggle button activating the first and second feeder deactivation cycle thereby interrupting the power supply to deactivate the feeder. The control unit alerting the user with the warning and critical environmental conditions inside the feeders by comparing with threshold time stored inside the data storage. The multi-tier user profile including alphanumeric codes, facial image, biometric identity, voice data and a random code registering new users to the system. The control unit is configured to deactivate the feeder after crossing the threshold time in absence of user instructions in the second feeder deactivation cycle. The authentication module, authenticating the user profile by validating the user profile with the data storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The invention described herein is explained using specific exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific details.

References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. Referring to FIG. 1, a system for monitoring and protection of electrical control panel 100 hereinafter, referred to as system 100 is described. The system 100, includes a sensing device 108, a plurality of feeders 104 and other complex power systems. The plurality of sensing devices 108 are connected inside the feeder 104 compartments of plurality of control panels 116 respectively. The sensing device 108 senses and monitors real-time conditions in a control panel 116. The system 100 also includes a server 124 for communicating with a user interface 112 and the sensing device 108. The server 124 in this one embodiment is preferably defined by a cloud server. The server 124 communicates real-time data received from the sensing device 108 to the user. The users access the user interface 112 through electronic devices like mobile, tablets, laptops, PC and the like.

Referring to FIG.2, the system for monitoring and protection of electrical control panel 100 is described. The user interface unit 112 includes a login module 235, an authentication module 240, a first toggle button 250, a second toggle button 252, and a display 245. The login module 235 is configured for providing controlled access preferably remotely to the system 100. The login module 235 allows the users to access the system 100 remotely. The login module 235 advantageously provides remote access to the authorized user to login and access the system 100. For example, the login module 235 is installable on any electronic device thereby a user accesses the system 100 through that electronic device i.e. connected to the system 100 by internet, intranet or wired network or the like. Alternatively, in another aspect of the present invention the login module 235 is installed on the system 100. In accordance with the present invention, the login module 235 is configured to receive multi-tiered user profile that imparts highest level of security to access the system 100. The login module 235 receives the user profile that includes user identification data such as alphanumeric codes, facial image, biometric identity, voice data and a random code. The said user identification data constitute a multi-tiered user profile. The alphanumeric code is a code assigned by the system 100 to a respective user for example a 16-digit alphanumeric code. The facial image of the user interfacing the device of login module 235 captures facial data points. The biometric identity includes finger prints, palm prints from the user. The voice data includes a predefined speech of a user. The random code is received from a predefined random code sheet that has a plurality of random numbers associated with the system 100. For example, the random code sheet of a specific type has 16-digit, 1000 random numbers. The random code prompts the user to enter the specific random code from the list of for example 1000 random numbers. The login module 235 receives and processes all of said input data and communicates that with the authentication module 240.

The authentication module 240, allows the registered users to login to the system 100 by validating the registered user’s profile against the data stored in the data storage. The display module 245 displays the status of the sensing device 108 that are actively and inactively connected with the system 100. The display module 245 indicates the status of healthy and critical conditions inside the feeders 104 based on various colours combinations. In accordance with the present invention, the system 100 activates the toggle button 250 only in the warning and critical environmental conditions inside the control panel 116. The first toggle button 250 allows the authorized users to activate or deactivate the feeders 108 in the control panel 116. The first toggle button 250 activates a first feeder activation cycle, and also activates a second feeder deactivation cycle. In a first feeder activation cycle, the feeder 104 operates in normal course of action and in the second feeder deactivation cycle, the feeder 104 is deactivated by the sensing device 108 disconnecting the power supply.

Further, the sensing device 108 includes a plurality of loT based sensors 205, a data storage 210, a control unit 215, a counter measures unit 225 and a relay unit 220. The plurality of IOT based (Internet of Things) sensors 205 include, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, humidity sensor, various gas sensors and the like. The sensing device 108 receives power supply from the feeder 104. It is understood, however, that the first toggle button 250 and the second toggle button 252 advantageously control the feeder operation by initiating and aborting the power supply to the feeders 104 in warning and critical environmental conditions and hazardous situations. The second toggle button 252 allows the authorized users to selectively activate the counter measures unit 225 upon detecting fire situations.

The relay unit 220 includes a switching relay advantageously including anti pumping facility that is connected with the shunt release device. The relay unit 220 is further connected with the control unit 215. The control unit 215 is configured to control the operation and functioning of the loT based sensors 205. The control unit 215 is configured for activating and deactivating relay unit 220 as per user instructions. The relay unit 220 is configured to disconnect the feeder 104 upon receiving deactivation command from the user.

In accordance with the present invention, the control unit 215 is configured to deactivate the feeder 104 by execution of a third feeder deactivation cycle that on execution automatically deactivates the feeder 104 in the absence of user input for a predefined amount of time defined by a threshold time. In accordance with the present invention, the threshold time is a time-lapse for example 30 seconds, 120 seconds etc. from an event of warning notification and critical condition. For example, the system 100 has initiated a warning. As soon as the warning is issued the deactivation cycle is activated. If a user input is received during the deactivation cycle, then the deactivation cycle is immediately aborted. However, if no user input is received by the system and the threshold time is lapsed then the system deactivates the feeder 104 without waiting further for a user input.

The control unit 215 stores the user profile data of the registered user in the data storage 210. The control unit 215 also stores the data sensed by the loT based sensors 205 into the data storage 210. The counter measures unit 225, are equipped with dry sand, CO2, dry powder or Halon extinguishers that are activated to extinguish the fire, smoke, moisture in the control panel 116. The counter measures unit 225 is activated to overcome critical and warning conditions occurred in the control panel 116 or feeders 104.

The control unit 215 of the sensing device 108, sends the sensed data stored in the data storage 210 to the cloud server 124 via internet. The said data includes temperature, humidity, gas, room ambient temperature, deactivation cycle/s initiated along with real time stamp day and date. The cloud server 124 constantly receives data from the sensing device 108 and updates the user interface unit 112 real-time.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-2A an operational flow of the system 100 is described. In an initial step 204, the user of the system 100 registers with the system 100 through the electronic devices. In this step 204, the user logs into the system 100 by entering the appropriate credentials and a user profile is created. In this step 204, the authentication module 240 authenticates the registered user with the system 100. In a next step 208, the sensing device 108 are connected with the feeders 104 in a control panel 116. In this step 208, the sensing device 108 are connected with the system 100 through the internet. In this step 208, the plurality of loT based sensors 205 are activated for sensing the environmental condition in the feeders 104. Further, the sensing device 108 stores the sensed data in the data storage 210.

Further, the control unit 215 sends the sensed data to the cloud server 124 in real time. The cloud server 124 further communicates with the user interface unit 112 regarding the sensed data. In a next step 212, the user interface unit 112 displays the real-time status of the feeders 104 on the display screen 245. In this step 212, the control unit 215 is configured to notify the user if the temperature, gas, moisture and the like, crosses the predefined threshold time . In this step 212, the control unit 215 alerts the user with warning and critical conditions in the feeder 104 with various indication such as highlighting in different colours, beeping with different sounds and the like. In a next step 216, the user accesses the first toggle button 250, to deactivate the feeders 104 that is already in operation. Accordingly, upon receipt of indication of warning and critical conditions in the feeder 104 the second feeder deactivation cycle is activated by the first toggle button 250. In this step 216, the second feeder deactivation cycle is executed to deactivate the feeder. In a next step 218, the user activates the counter measures through a second toggle button 252 for resisting fire situations.

The present invention advantageously monitors the health of feeders and the electrical control panel remotely and for all the time continuously. Early detection enables the device to take control action by providing sufficient time. The data relating to possible emergency is communicated to other parts of device over loT as well as the corrective action is also taken remotely hence any accidents and losses arising due to failure or fire in the panel are completely avoided. The first toggle button advantageously deactivates the feeder. The second toggle button advantageously activates the counter measures unit.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 including an plurality of electrical control panel 116, a plurality of feeders 104 characterized in that said system 100 comprising: a sensing device 108 being positioned in each of the plurality of feeders 104 for sensing environmental parameters; the sensing device 108 including a control unit 215 configured for predicting fire situations inside the plurality of feeders 104, a plurality of toggle buttons for controlling the feeder operation, and a login module 235 receiving multi-tier input profile of a user, the login module 235 being remotely installed and accessible on an electronic device; a cloud server 124 being configured for receiving data from the sensing device 108 and communicating with an user interface unit 112; the user interface unit 112, receiving data from the cloud server 124 and selectively deactivating the plurality feeders 104; and a first feeder activation cycle and a second feeder deactivation cycle operable by the first toggle button, and a third feeder deactivation cycle operable upon lapse of threshold time in absence of user input.

2. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the sensing device 108 including a plurality of loT based sensors 205 for sensing moisture, humidity, gas, room ambient temperature and the like.

3. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the sensing device 108 including a relay unit 220 with anti-pumping facility being connected with the shunt release device for deactivating the feeder 104 inside the control panel 116. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing device 108 includes a counter measures unit 225 being selectively activable through a second toggle button 252. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the sensing device 108 including a countermeasures unit 225, that further includes a dry sand, CO2, dry powder or Halon extinguishers. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the user interface unit 112 includes a first toggle button 250 activating the first and second feeder deactivation cycle thereby interrupting the power supply to deactivate the feeder 104. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the control unit 215 alerting the user with the warning and critical environmental conditions inside the feeders 104 by comparing with threshold time stored inside the data storage 210. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the multi-tier user profile including alphanumeric codes, facial image, biometric identity, voice data and a random code registering new users to the system 100.

9. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the control unit 215 is configured to deactivate the feeder 104 after crossing the threshold time in absence of user instructions in the second feeder deactivation cycle. 10. The system for monitoring parameters and predicting fire situations 100 as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the authentication module 240, authenticating the user profile by validating the user profile with the data storage 210.