Multifunctional response tool, method and system for circuit protector management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A response tool for circuit protector management comprising:
- a portable electronic device adapted to be carried by a user to a site of a circuit protector in an electrical system; and
a display attached to the device and presenting circuit protector data to the user, the information comprising location data corresponding to a circuit protector in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to the circuit protector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunctional response tool, method and system for responding to circuit protector events.
73 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A response tool for circuit protector management comprising:
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a portable electronic device adapted to be carried by a user to a site of a circuit protector in an electrical system; and
a display attached to the device and presenting circuit protector data to the user, the information comprising location data corresponding to a circuit protector in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to the circuit protector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A response tool for circuit protector management in an electrical system having at least one overcurrent circuit protector and a status element associated with the circuit protector, the status elements generating data signals corresponding to an operating state of the circuit protectors, the response tool comprising:
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a portable electronic device, the device comprising a protective housing adapted to be carried by a user to a site of a circuit protector in an electrical system;
a communications device within the housing, the communications device receiving an automated alert and notification of an alarm condition when one of the circuit protectors operates to interrupt a current path through the circuit protector and isolate a portion of the electrical system when specified current conditions occur;
a display within the housing and connected to the communications device, the display presenting alert and notification data to the user, the alert and notification data comprising location data corresponding to a circuit protector in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to the circuit protector. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A response tool for circuit protector management in an electrical system having at least one overcurrent protection fuse adapted to isolate a portion of the electrical system in response to current conditions flowing through the fuse, a status element associated with the fuse and generating a data signal corresponding to an operating state of the overcurrent protection fuse, and an overview and response dispatch system wirelessly communicating with the status element, the response tool comprising:
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a portable electronic device adapted to be transported by a user to selected circuit protector installations in an electrical system, the device comprising a protective housing; and
a communications device secured to the housing, the communications device receiving an automated alert and notification of an alarm condition from the overview and operation system when the fuse operates to interrupt the current path through the circuit protector and isolate a portion of the electrical system when specified current conditions occur;
a display secured to the housing and connected to the communications device, the display presenting alert and notification data to the user, the alert and notification data comprising location data corresponding to the fuse in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to fuse; and
a digital multimeter device secured to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of efficiently re-energizing affected circuitry in an electrical system when a circuit protector operates to isolate one portion of an electrical system from another portion of the electrical system, the method comprising:
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providing a status element proximate to the respective circuit protectors of interest, and an electronic management system responsive to the status elements;
sensing, using the status elements, an operating state of the circuit protector when installed in the electrical system;
based upon the sensed state of the circuit protectors, transmitting a data signal from at least one of the status elements to a remote location when one of the circuit protectors has operated to isolate a portion of the electrical system, the data signal including at least an identification code and an address code to identify the location of the operated circuit protector;
in response to the transmitted signals, generating an alert and summons to responsible personnel of the operated circuit protector and the location of the operated circuit protector; and
sending the alert and summons to a handheld, multifunctional response tool adapted to be carried to the operated circuit protector by a user. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A circuit protector system comprising:
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a plurality of overcurrent protection fuses, each of the overcurrent protection fuses having a primary fuse element extending between first and second terminal elements, the primary fuse elements defining an interruptible current path therethrough upon an occurrence of specified current conditions through the primary fuse element;
a status element associated with each of the circuit protectors, the status elements including monitoring modules adapt to sense a voltage differential across the first and second terminal elements of the respective fuses, and at least one communications module having a low power radio frequency (RF) transmitter, the communications module adapt to generate an RF data signal when a voltage drop across the first and second terminal elements is sensed;
a plurality of radio router/repeater elements adapt to forward RF data signals from any of the status elements to an intelligent gateway device;
the gateway device adapt to receive data signals forwarded through the router/repeater elements;
an electronic overview and response dispatch system in communication with the gateway device, wherein the overview and response dispatch system is adapt to alert and summon responsible personnel of one or more operated fuses, and identify the locations of the operated fuses for replacement to efficiently re-energize affected circuitry; and
a multifunctional response tool adapted for transport to the fuses for responding to an alert and summons, the response tool adapted to receive the alert and summons, and the display the locations of the operated fuses for replacement. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A circuit protector management system for an electrical system means for sensing an operating state of a plurality of circuit protectors in an electrical system and means for transmitting a data signal corresponding to a sensed operation of one or more of the circuit protectors, thereby isolating at least one portion of the electrical system from another portion of the electrical system, the system comprising:
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means for generating an alert and summons to responsible personnel, without human intervention, of the type and location of operated circuit protectors to permit efficient re-energization of the circuitry; and
a response tool comprising;
means for receiving the alert and summons corresponding to a sensed operation of one or more of the circuit protectors; and
means for displaying the information to a user for response to the alert and summons at the location of the circuit protector. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification