Switch input termination array

• US 5,249,115 A
• Filed: 12/26/1991
• Issued: 09/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Reid, Drew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAMMELL, JAMES P
• Application Number:
  US07/814,737
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 364/141, 364/483, 364/492, 364/140, 364/480, 364/505, 364/557, 361/64
• US Class Current: 700/12
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23039 Remote programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23215 Check data validity in ram, keep correct validity, compare rom ram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23254 Interactive programming, sentence on screen filled in by operator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25154 Detect error, repeat transmission on error, retransmit
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25301 Expansion of system, memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25432 Multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25458 Opto isolation, optical separation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1481 User interface, e.g. status displays; Programming interface, e.g. connector for computer programming; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1484 Electrical diagrams relating to constructional features, e.g. signal routing within PLC; Provisions for disaster recovery, e.g. redundant systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

In an electrical distribution system for controlling current paths through a plurality of associated circuit breakers, a programmable circuit arrangement operates the circuit breakers by remote control in at least the open and closed circuit positions. The circuit arrangement includes an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each set receives a remotely generated control signal for commanding the circuit breakers to open or close. A control circuit includes a microcomputer, which is coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to the remotely generated control signal, for controlling the circuit breakers between the open and closed circuit positions. The microcomputer reads the termination points, via an X-Y grid, by polling the X axis and reading the Y axis.

Claims

1. For an electrical distribution system used to control current paths through a plurality of associated electrical switching means, at least one of which is operable by remote control in at least open and closed circuit positions, a circuit arrangement comprising:

a loadcenter-type enclosure which receives loadcenter power to source the current paths and which contains an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives a remotely generated control signal designated for controlling said at least one electrical switching means; and

a control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signal, for controlling said at least one electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the arrangement wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the arrangement,

wherein said array of termination points includes an X by Y grid, X and Y being integers greater than one,

said control circuit further includes termination processing means for reading the array of termination points and for informing said control processing means of the remotely generated control signal,

said termination processing means includes a microcomputer, and

wherein the array of termination points is read by sending a plurality of pole signals from said microcomputer and reading a plurality of associated status signals.

2. A circuit arrangement, according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of poll and status signals respectively correspond to the X and Y axis on the grid.

3. A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

4. A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means.

5. A circuit arrangement, according to claim 2, wherein the remotely generated control signal includes a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means and includes a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

6. An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising:

signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals;

a loadcenter-type enclosure which receives loadcenter power to source the current paths and contains the electrical switching means, and includes;

an array of termination points which are used in sets such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means designated for controlling at least one o the plurality of electrical switching means; and

a control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, wherein said termination points couple said remotely generated control signal to the enclosure,

wherein said array of termination points includes an X by Y grid, X and Y being integers greater than one,

said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, and

said microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of pole signals and reading a plurality of associated status signals.

7. An electrical distribution system, according to claim 6, wherein said array of termination points includes a prescribed arrangement of sets.

8. An electrical distribution system, according to claim 7, wherein each said set is connected to a group of wires so as to make a dry-contact termination.

9. An electrical distribution system, according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit is a user-operable programmable control circuit includes means for programming a prescribed map which correlates said sets to said plurality of electrical switching means.

10. An electrical distribution system, according to claim 9, wherein the remotely generated control signals include at least one of the following:

(1) a level-indicating signal having an open position level and a closed position level for indicating the open and closed positions for the associated electrical switching means, and (2) a pulsed signal for indicating that the associated electrical switching means should change positions between the open and closed circuit positions.

11. An electrical distribution system for controlling a plurality of electrical switching devices, each electrical switching device operating in response to a remotely generated signal so as to provide at least open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, the system comprising:

signal generation means for generating the remotely generated signals;

an enclosure which contains the electrical switching means and contains;

an array of termination points which are used in sets, such that each set includes a plurality of termination points, wherein each said set receives an associated remotely generated control signal from the signal generation means for commanding at least one of the plurality of electrical switching means; and

a programmable control circuit including control processing means, coupled to the array of termination points and responsive to said remotely generated control signals, for controlling said plurality of electrical switching means between said at least open and closed circuit positions, said control circuit being removable from said enclosure;

wherein said array includes an X by Y grid, wherein X and Y are both integers greater than 1 and said control circuit further includes a microcomputer which reads the array of termination points and informs said control processing means of the remotely generated control signals, wherein the microcomputer reads the remotely generated control signals at the array of termination points by sending a plurality of poll signals form said microcomputer and reading a plurality of associated status signals, and wherein the control circuit includes means for programming a prescribed map which correlates said sets to said plurality of electrical switching means.

12. An electrical distribution system, according to claim 11, wherein the array of termination points is electrically isolated from the control circuit.