Systems and Methods for Energy Harvesting and Current and Voltage Measurements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A harvesting and measurement device, comprising:
- a current transformer; and
a device circuit coupled to the current transformer, the device circuit comprising;
an energy harvesting circuit comprising non-linear elements;
a switching device coupled to the energy harvesting circuit capable of conductively coupling and decoupling the energy harvesting circuit from the device circuit;
a microcontroller coupled to the switching device, wherein the microcontroller controls the switching device to couple and decouple the energy harvesting circuit from the device circuit; and
at least one high current sensor coupled to the microcontroller;
wherein the device circuit is operable in at least a normal operation mode, a demand measurement mode, and a fault measurement mode;
wherein in the normal operation mode, the energy harvesting circuit is conductively coupled to the device circuit and the current transformer;
wherein in the demand measurement mode, the energy harvesting circuit is conductively decoupled from the device circuit, and the current transformer is configured to make current readings; and
wherein in the fault measurement mode, the high current sensor is energized and configured to make current readings.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A harvesting and measurement device is operable in at least a normal operation mode, a demand measurement mode, and a fault measurement mode. In the normal operation mode, the device is able to harvest energy from an associated power line and monitor current and voltage conditions through a lower power circuit. In the demand measurement mode, harvesting elements of the circuit are disabled so as not to interfere with accuracy of demand current measurements. In the fault measurement mode, one or more Hall sensors are activated such that high currents can be accurately measured.
59 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A harvesting and measurement device, comprising:
-
a current transformer; and a device circuit coupled to the current transformer, the device circuit comprising; an energy harvesting circuit comprising non-linear elements; a switching device coupled to the energy harvesting circuit capable of conductively coupling and decoupling the energy harvesting circuit from the device circuit; a microcontroller coupled to the switching device, wherein the microcontroller controls the switching device to couple and decouple the energy harvesting circuit from the device circuit; and at least one high current sensor coupled to the microcontroller; wherein the device circuit is operable in at least a normal operation mode, a demand measurement mode, and a fault measurement mode; wherein in the normal operation mode, the energy harvesting circuit is conductively coupled to the device circuit and the current transformer; wherein in the demand measurement mode, the energy harvesting circuit is conductively decoupled from the device circuit, and the current transformer is configured to make current readings; and wherein in the fault measurement mode, the high current sensor is energized and configured to make current readings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of making a demand current measurement, comprising:
-
bypassing one or more energy harvesting elements in a device circuit; taking a series of current measurement readings with a current transformer, wherein the current transformer is coupled to the device circuit; restoring the one or more energy harvesting elements in the device circuit; and calculating a current measurement from the series of current measurement readings. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of making a high current measurement, comprising:
-
enabling at least one high current sensor in a device circuit; making a first current measurement with the at least one high current sensor; making a second current measurement with the current transformer; making a current direction measurement; determining if a number of AC cycles is completed, making another first current measurement, another second current measurement, and another current direction measurement if the number of AC cycles is not completed; and reporting a fault current measurement if the cycle is completed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A harvesting and measurement device, comprising:
-
a current transformer; and a device circuit coupled to the current transformer, wherein the device circuit is operable in at least a normal operation mode and a demand measurement mode, the device circuit comprising; an energy harvesting circuit comprising non-linear elements, wherein the energy harvesting circuit harvests energy through the current transformer in the normal operation mode; a current measuring circuit, wherein the current measurement circuit measures current through the current transformer in at least the demand measurement mode; and a voltage measuring circuit configured to make voltage measurements in at least the demand measurement mode, the voltage measurement circuit comprising; a pair of plates comprising a ground plate and a sense plate, wherein when a conductor traverses the current transformer, the ground plate is at the line potential of the conductor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
-
Specification