Method and devices for wireless communication between test and control devices and power distribution devices

• US 20030191589A1
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB SPA (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Fletcher, David, Lavoie, Gregory, Purkayastha, Indrajit
• Granted Patent: US 6,868,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A wireless system is provided which comprises a test and control device, and a power distribution device. The test and control device has a first microprocessor executing a first firmware. The power distribution device has a second microprocessor executing a second firmware. The first microprocessor is coupled a first wireless communications port, and the second microprocessor is coupled to a second wireless communication port. The first and second wireless communication ports are configured to communicate wireless communications there between.

Claims

1. A wireless system, comprising:

a test and control device having a first microprocessor executing a first firmware, said first microprocessor being operatively coupled to a first wireless communications port; and

a power distribution device having a second microprocessor executing a second firmware, said second microprocessor being operatively coupled to a second wireless communication port, said first wireless communication port and said second wireless communication port being configured to communicate wireless communications between said power distribution device and said test and control device.

2. The wireless system as in claim 1, further comprising a first display screen and a first data entry device operatively coupled to said first microprocessor, and/or a second display screen and a second data entry device operatively coupled to said second microprocessor.

3. The wireless system as in claim 1, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant and said power distribution device is selected from the group consisting of a circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, and a meter.

4. The wireless system as in claim 3, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports are selected from the group consisting of infrared communication ports and radio frequency communication ports.

5. The wireless system as in claim 3, wherein said wireless communications are selected from the group consisting of waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, and initiation of power distribution device self testing programs.

6. A method of testing and controlling a power distribution device having a first wireless communication port, comprising:

activating a test and control device having a microprocessor, firmware and a second wireless communication port; and

sending wireless communications between said first and second wireless communication ports.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant comprising one or more of a display screen and a data entry device.

8. The method as in claim 7, wherein said wireless communications are infrared communications or radio frequency communications.

9. The method as in claim 6, wherein said power distribution device is selected from the group consisting of a circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, and a meter.

10. The method as in claim 9, wherein said wireless communications are selected from the group consisting of waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, and initiation of power distribution device self testing programs.

11. A test and control device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a first wireless communication port in electrical communication with said microprocessor; and

firmware for operating said test and control device, said first wireless communication port being configured to send and receive wireless communication to/from a second wireless communication port of one or more target power distribution devices.

12. The test and control device as in claim 11, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant.

13. The test and control device as in claim 12, further comprising a display screen and/or a data entry device in electrical communication with said microprocessor.

14. The test and control device as in claim 12, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports are infrared communication ports or radio frequency communication ports.

15. The test and control device as in claim 14, wherein said one or more target power distribution devices are selected from the group consisting of a circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, and a meter.

16. The test and control device as in claim 15, wherein said wireless communication is selected from the group consisting of waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, and initiation of power distribution device self testing programs.

17. A power distribution device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a first wireless communication port operatively coupled to said microprocessor; and

firmware for operating said power distribution device, said wireless communication port being configured to send and receive wireless communications to/from a second wireless communication port of a test and control device.

20. The power distribution device as in claim 17, wherein said wireless communications are selected from the group consisting of waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, and initiation of power distribution device self testing programs.

21. The power distribution device as in claim 20, wherein said test and control device is selected from the group consisting of a lap top computer, and a personal digital assistant.

18. The power distribution device as in claim 18, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports are infrared communication ports or radio frequency communication ports.

19. The power distribution device as in claim 18, wherein said power distribution device is selected from the group consisting of a circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, and a meter.