Electric power control apparatus having chargeable protocol communications module

• US 5,646,610 A
• Filed: 03/31/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: LaPlace, Carl J., Trainor, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON JR, WILLIAM HALL
• Application Number:
  US08/414,067
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.79, 340/825.83, 364/926.93, 364/827.92, 364/927.95, 364/927.99, 364/940, 364/949, 364/949.91, 395/821
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• 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: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A reconfigurable communications module for a Tap Changer or Voltage Regulator. Briefly stated, a communication module is rack insertable into a voltage regulator controller and has disposed therein a microprocessor board for communicating with the host power distribution control apparatus and which also communicates with a transceiver board for communication with external equipment. The microprocessor board may be directed to receive/transmit one of a plurality of stored link layer protocol schemes without resorting to replacing the communication module.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable communication module for facilitating communication to or among electric power control apparatus comprising:

a reconfigurable communication module adaptable to communicate over a communication medium, said reconfigurable communication module connectable to and collocated with the electric power control apparatus;

module communication means contained in said communication module for communicating with the electric power control apparatus and for also communicating with a module transceiver, said module communication means having permanently contained therein a plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes;

means for the electric power control apparatus to selectively enable at least one of said plurality of link layer protocol schemes; and

module transceiver means contained in said communication module for communicating with said module communication means and for facilitating external communication over a predetermined communications medium by use of one of said plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes.

2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a second reconfigurable communication module, connected by one of said communication mediums to the first reconfigurable communication module.

3. A device according to claim 1 comprising a supervisory remote terminal unit, said supervisory remote terminal unit connected by one of said communication mediums to said reconfigurable communication module.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said electric power control apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:

a voltage regulator controller;

load tap changer controller;

a switchgear controller;

a current interrupter; and

a power circuit breaker.

5. A reconfigurable communication module system for facilitating communication to or among electric power control apparatus, comprising:

a first reconfigurable communication module adaptable to communicate over a communication medium, said reconfigurable communication module connectable to and collocated with the electric power control apparatus;

module communication means contained in said communication module for communicating with the electric power control apparatus and for also communicating with a module transceiver, said module communication means having permanently contained therein a plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes;

jumper selection means for selectively enabling at least one of said plurality of link layer protocol schemes;

module transceiver means contained in said communication module for communicating with said module communication means and for facilitating external communication over a predetermined communications medium; and

a second reconfigurable communication module, connected by one of said communication media to the first reconfigurable communication module.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising a supervisory remote terminal unit, said supervisory remote terminal unit connected by one of said communication mediums to said reconfigurable communication module.

7. A system according to claim 5, further comprising a supervisory remote terminal unit, said supervisory remote terminal unit connected by one of said communication media to said reconfigurable communication module.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein said electric power control apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:

a voltage regulator controller;

a load tap changer controller;

a switchgear controller;

a current interrupter; and

a power circuit breaker.

9. A reconfigurable communication module for facilitating communication to or among electric power control apparatus, comprising:

a reconfigurable communication module adaptable to communicate over a communication medium, said reconfigurable communication module connectable to and collocated with the electric power control apparatus;

module communication means contained in said communication module for communicating with the electric power control apparatus and for also communicating with a module transceiver, said module communication means having permanently contained therein a plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes;

jumper selection means for selectively enabling at least one of said plurality of link layer protocol schemes; and

module transceiver means contained in said communication module for communicating with said module communication means and for facilitating external communication over a predetermined communications medium by use of one of said plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes.

10. A device according to claim 9 comprising a second reconfigurable communication module, connected by one of said communication media to the first reconfigurable communication module.

11. A device according to claim 9 comprising a supervisory remote terminal unit, said supervisory remote terminal unit connected by one of said communication media to said reconfigurable communication module.

12. A device according to claim 9 wherein said electric power control apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:

a voltage regulator controller;

a load tap changer controller;

a switchgear controller;

a current interrupter; and

a power circuit breaker.

13. A reconfigurable communication module system for facilitating communication to or among electric power control apparatus, comprising:

a first reconfigurable communication module adaptable to communicate over a communication medium, said reconfigurable communication module connectable to the electric power control apparatus;

module communication means contained in said communication module for communicating with the electric power control apparatus and for also communicating with a module transceiver, said module communication means having contained therein a plurality of selectively enabled link layer protocol schemes;

means for selectively enabling at least one of said plurality of link layer protocol schemes;

means for the electric power control apparatus to selectively enable at least one of said plurality of link layer protocol schemes; and

module transceiver means contained in said communication module for communicating with said module communication means and for facilitating external communication over a predetermined communications medium; and

a second reconfigurable communication module, connected by one of said communication media to the first reconfigurable communication module.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said electric power control apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:

a voltage regulator controller;

a load tap changer controller;

a switchgear controller;

a current interrupter; and

a power circuit breaker.