Multifunctional response tool, method and system for circuit protector management

• US 20060077608A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Douglass, Robert Stephen, Henricks, Michael Craig, Speno, Timothy Hamilton
• Application Number:
  US11/223,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077608A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/93.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/0266 Structural association with a measurement device, e.g. a shunt
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/00 Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems H02H7/00; systems for change-over to standby supply H02J9/00 ; integrated protection for motors H02H7/0822
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/042 combined with means for locating the fault locating faults in cables G01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/261 involving signal transmission between at least two stations transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0004 involved in a protection system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/20 using protection elements, arrangements or systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/52 Outage or fault management, e.g. fault detection or location

Abstract

A multifunctional response tool, method and system for responding to circuit protector events.

Claims

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.

2. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a communications device coupled to the controller.

3. The response tool of claim 2, wherein the communications device comprises a pager device,

4. The response tool of claim 2, wherein the communications device comprises a cellular phone device.

5. The response tool of claim 2, wherein the communications device comprises a bluetooth device.

6. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a digital multimeter device.

7. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a scanner device.

8. The response tool of claim 7, wherein the scanner device comprises an RFID scanner.

9. The response tool of claim 7, wherein the scanner device comprises a document scanner.

10. The response tool of claim 7, wherein the scanner device comprises a bar code scanner.

11. The response tool of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a web browser.

12. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a positioning device for use in locating the circuit protector.

13. The response tool of claim 12, wherein the positioning device is comprises global positioning system device.

14. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a thermometer.

15. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising a spectrum analyzer.

16. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device.

17. The response tool of claim 1, further comprising at least one of audio/video device, an entertainment device, and an instruction device.

18. The response tool of claim 1, wherein the information comprises location data corresponding to a fuse in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to the fuse.

19. The response tool of claim 1, wherein the information comprises hazard information, and precaution information to be utilized when responding to an operated circuit protector.

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:

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.

21. The tool of claim 20, further comprising a digital multimeter device within the housing.

22. The response tool of claim 20, wherein the communications device is selected from the group of a pager device, a cellular phone device, and a bluetooth device.

23. The response tool of claim 20, further comprising a scanner device adapted for at least one of RFID scanning, document scanning, and bar code scanning.

24. The response tool of claim 20, wherein the tool further comprises a web browser.

25. The response tool of claim 20, further comprising a global positioning system device.

26. The response tool of claim 20, further comprising a thermometer.

27. The response tool of claim 20, wherein the alert and notification data comprises location data corresponding to an overcurrent protection fuse defining a current path interruptible in response to predetermined current conditions in the electrical system, and identification information corresponding to the fuse.

28. The response tool of claim 20, further comprising at least one of an entertainment device, an audio/video recording device, an imaging device, a training and instruction device, and a spectrum analyzer device.

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:

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.

30. The response tool of claim 29, further comprising a scanner device adapted for at least one of RFID scanning, document scanning, and bar code scanning.

31. The response tool of claim 29, the overview and wherein the tool further comprises a web browser for communicating with a network-based overview and operation system.

32. The response tool of claim 29, further comprising a global positioning system device.

33. The response tool of claim 29, further comprising at least one of an entertainment device, an audio/video recording device, an imaging device, a training and instruction device, and a spectrum analyzer device.

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:

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.

35. The method of claim 34, the multifunctional response tool including a global positioning system device, the method further comprising using the global positioning device to find the operated circuit protector.

36. The method of claim 34, the multifunctional response tool comprising one of a digital multimeter device, a thermometer, and a spectrum analyzer the method further comprising checking the operating state of the circuit protector using one of the multimeter device, the thermometer and the spectrum analyzer.

37. The method of claim 34, the multifunctional response tool including a web browser and the electronic management system including a network-based overview and circuit protector system, the method further comprising using the web browser to log onto the overview and circuit protector system and obtain alarm condition information, the information including at least one of an alarm summary display, an alarm detail display, and an alarm options display.

38. The method of claim 34, the multifunctional response tool including a web browser and the electronic management system including a network-based overview and response dispatch system, the method further comprising

logging onto the overview and response dispatch system using the web browser, and

acknowledging, clearing, or forwarding the alert and summons.

39. The method of claim 34, the multifunctional response tool including a scanning device, the method further comprising:

locating the identified circuit protector;

scanning the circuit protector with the scanning device; and

confirming at least one of the circuit protector identity and the circuit protector status.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein sensing an operating state of the circuit protectors comprises sensing a voltage drop across the circuit protectors.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein transmitting a data signal from at least one of the status elements comprises wirelessly transmitting the data signal.

42. The method of claim 34, further comprising identifying hazard information and precaution information to be utilized when responding to an operated circuit protector.

43. A circuit protector system comprising:

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.

44. The response tool of claim 43, wherein the multifunctional response tool further comprises a digital multimeter device.

45. The response tool of claim 43, wherein the multifunctional response tool further comprises a scanner device adapted for at least one of RFID scanning, document scanning, and bar code scanning.

46. The response tool of claim 43, wherein the overview and response dispatch system is a network-based system and the multifunctional response tool further comprises a web browser for communicating with a network-based overview and operation system.

47. The response tool of claim 43, wherein the multifunctional response tool further comprises a global positioning system device.

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:

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.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the response tool further comprises means for sensing a voltage or current flowing through the circuit protector.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the response tool further comprises means for guiding the user to the location of the current protector.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein the response tool further comprises means for sensing a voltage or current flowing through the circuit protector.

52. The system of claim 48, wherein the response tool comprises means for sensing a temperature of the circuit protector.

53. The system of claim 48, wherein the response tool comprises means for scanning the circuit protector.