Programmable electrical energy meter using multiplexed analog-to-digital converters
First Claim
1. A meter for measuring electrical energy usage of a circuit, comprising:
- voltage sensing means for sensing the voltage in each phase of said circuit and for generating an output of voltage signals such that each voltage signal represents the voltage sensed in one of said phases;
current sensing means for sensing the current in each phase of said circuit and for generating an output of current signals such that each current signal represents the current sensed in one of said phases;
a first analog-to-digital converter coupled to said voltage sensing means for converting at least one of said voltage signals into a digital representation thereof;
a second analog-to-digital converter coupled to said current sensing means for converting at least one of said current signals into a digital representation thereof; and
a third analog-to-digital converter coupled to at least one of;
said voltage sensing means to receive one of said voltage signals for converting said one voltage signal into a digital representation thereof; and
said current sensing means to receive one of said current signals for converting said one current signal into a digital representation thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for metering electrical energy are disclosed in an electronic meter. Such meter includes a first processor for determining electrical energy from voltage and current signals and for generating an energy signal representative of the electrical energy determination and a second processor for receiving the energy signal and for generating an indication signal representative of said energy signal. An option connector is connected to the first and second processors, whereby the energy signal is provided to the option connector and a communication connection is provided between the option connector and the second processor. It is preferred for the option connector to be provided power signals such used by the meter in order to power any electronic components which may be connected to the option connector. It is also preferred to provide the option connector with certain operation signals such as a power fail signal, a master reset signal, an end of demand signal, and a KYZ signal. It is still further preferred to provide the option connector with the potential to communicate with various components of the meter, such as serial data communication, communication signals transmitted and received through an optical port and display signals. It is also preferred for the first processor to include a comparator, connected to receive a precision voltage and a reference voltage, wherein a comparator signal is generated whenever the reference voltage exceeds the precision voltage.
95 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A meter for measuring electrical energy usage of a circuit, comprising:
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voltage sensing means for sensing the voltage in each phase of said circuit and for generating an output of voltage signals such that each voltage signal represents the voltage sensed in one of said phases; current sensing means for sensing the current in each phase of said circuit and for generating an output of current signals such that each current signal represents the current sensed in one of said phases; a first analog-to-digital converter coupled to said voltage sensing means for converting at least one of said voltage signals into a digital representation thereof; a second analog-to-digital converter coupled to said current sensing means for converting at least one of said current signals into a digital representation thereof; and a third analog-to-digital converter coupled to at least one of; said voltage sensing means to receive one of said voltage signals for converting said one voltage signal into a digital representation thereof; and said current sensing means to receive one of said current signals for converting said one current signal into a digital representation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A meter for measuring electrical energy, wherein current and voltage sensors sense respective current and voltage signals associated with at least one of a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase of a circuit and provide an output of respective current and voltage signals representative of the signals sensed, comprising:
an integrated circuit coupled to receive an input of said current and voltage signals and having a number of sigma delta converters and a digital signal processor coupled to said sigma delta converters, said sigma delta converters digitizing said current and voltage signals associated with at least one of said phases to provide an output of digital current signals and digital voltage signals, said digital signal processor receiving an input of said digital current signals and said digital voltage signals and generating an energy signal based on said digital current and digital voltage signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A meter for measuring electrical energy, wherein current and voltage sensors sense respective current and voltage signals associated with at least one of a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase of a circuit and provide an output of respective current and voltage signals representative off the signals sensed, comprising:
a number of sigma delta converters for receiving an input of said current and voltage signals and for digitizing said current and voltage signals associated with at least one of said phases to provide an output of digital current signals and digital voltage signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A meter for measuring electrical energy, wherein current and voltage sensors sense respective current and voltage signals associated with at least one of a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase of a circuit and provide an output of respective current and voltage signals representative of the signals sensed and wherein said current and voltage signals so sensed are converted to respective digital current and voltage signals, comprising:
a programmable digital signal processor coupled to receive an input of said digital current and voltage signals and generating an energy signal based on said digital current and voltage signals. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
Specification