Distribution automation remote terminal unit

• US 6,529,857 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cg Power Automation Limited
• Original Assignee: Viserge Limited
• Inventors: O Donnell, Graham, OʼGrady, Gerry, Sheehy, Morgan, Kearney, Adrian
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAH, KAMINI S
• Application Number:
  US09/548,662
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702/176, 702/85, 340/825.36, 340/825.06, 340/FOR.206, 340/5.54, 340/5.74, 340/508, 340/540, 706/210, 706/916, 706/912, 725/93
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation

Abstract

A distribution automation remote terminal unit (DA RTU) for electrical power distribution which has remote terminal units for plant units forming the distribution network. The DA RTU is divided into at least two independently operable units with separate power supplies and I/O ports and an inter unit communication means between the units. Preferably one unit is a measurement and protection unit and the other a communications and control unit.

Claims

1. A distribution automation remote terminal unit (DARTU) for a control system having a master control station communicating with plant installations each having one or more DRTUs having some or all of the system functions of measurement protection control and communications and including suitable memory and signal processing means for said functions wherein the distribution automation remote terminal unit comprises:

at least two separate independently operable units with separate power supplies, each of the units performing a different system function to the other unit;

an inter-unit communication means including an Input/Output port on each separate independently operable unit for inter-unit communication; and

only one of said units includes means for communicating with the master control station.

2. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein diagnostic means are provided in each unit for fault analysis and reporting.

3. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising diagnostic function means in each unit for reporting information of fault analyses and in which the inter-unit communication means is arranged to constantly deliver reported information from respective diagnostic function means between the units and in which said means for communicating delivers said reported information to the master station as appropriate.

4. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit, the control and communications unit comprising means for communicating with the master station.

5. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

6. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection unit includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

7. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

8. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit.

9. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

10. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection unit includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

11. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

12. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit which modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism.

13. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

14. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

15. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

16. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and in which one port is for transfer of control information from the communication and control unit to the measurement and protection unit and the other to transfer control information in the opposite direction.

17. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism one port of which is for transfer of control information from the communication and control unit to the measurement and protection unit and the other to transfer control information in the opposite direction.

18. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and in which one port is for transfer of control information from the communication and control unit to the measurement and protection unit and the other to transfer control information in the opposite direction.

19. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate the installation in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism of which one port is for transfer of control information from the communication and control unit to the measurement and protection unit and the other to transfer control information in the opposite direction.

20. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the modules communicate through a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism.

21. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

22. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

23. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

24. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and by a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit.

25. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and by a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

26. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and by a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

27. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two separate physical modules which communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and by a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism, the modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

28. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a measurement sub-unit and a protection sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports and connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

29. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which communications and control unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a communications sub-unit and a control sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports and connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

30. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a measurement sub-unit and a protection sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports and connected together by a sub-unit communications means and in which the communications and control unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a communications sub-unit and a central sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

31. A distribution automation remote terminal unit DARTU for a control system having a master control station communicating with plant installations each having one or more DARTUs having some or all of the system functions of measurement protection control and communications and including suitable memory and signal processing means for said functions wherein the distribution automation remote terminal unit comprises:

a separate independently operable measurement and protection unit with an independent power supply performing a system function;

a separate communications and control unit with an independent power supply performing a different system function to the system function of the measurement and protection unit;

an inter-unit communication means including an Input/Output port on each separate independently operable unit for inter-unit communication; and

one of said units includes means for communication with the master control station.

32. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the measurement and protection unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a measurement sub-unit and a protection sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports and connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

33. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the communications and control unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a communications sub-unit and a control sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

34. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, further comprising diagnostic means in each unit for reporting information of fault analyses and in which the inter-unit communication means is arranged to constantly deliver reported information from respective diagnostic means between the units and in which said means for communicating delivers said health messages to the master station as appropriate.

35. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the communications and control unit has means to operate a system installation function in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit.

36. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the measurement and protection means includes a system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

37. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the communications and control unit has means to operate the installation in response to the failure of some portion of the measurement and protection unit and in which the measurement and protection means includes a system enabling function means so that when it receives indication of the failure of some portion of the communication and control means the measurement and protection means continues to operate.

38. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the two units comprise two separate physical modules.

39. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the two units comprise two separate physical modules and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism.

40. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the two units comprise two separate physical modules and in which the modules communicate through a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism.

41. The distribution automation remote terminal unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the two units comprise two separate physical modules and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism by a high speed memory contents sharing mechanism.

42. An automation system for an electrical power distribution network having a distribution automation remote terminal unit for a control system having a master control station communicating with plant installations each having one or more DRTUs having some or all of the system functions of measurement protection control and communications and including suitable memory and signal processing means for said functions wherein the distribution automation remote terminal unit comprises:

at least two separate independently operable units with separate power supplies each of the units performing a different system function to the other unit;

an inter-unit communication means including an Input/Output port in each separate independently operable unit for inter-unit communication; and

only one of said units includes means for communicating with the master control station.

43. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein there are two separate physical modules forming said two units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit.

44. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the remote terminal unit comprises two separate physical modules forming two said units namely a measurement and protection unit and then a communications and control unit and in which the modules communicate through a dual port memory mechanism and in which one port is for transfer of control information from the communication and control unit to the measurement and protection unit and the other to transfer control information in the opposite direction.

45. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the remote terminal unit comprises said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which communications and control unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a communications sub-unit and a control sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports connected together by a sub-unit communications means.

46. The system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the remote terminal unit comprises said two units, namely a measurement and protection unit and a communications and control unit and in which the measurement and protection unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a measurement sub-unit and a protection sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports and connected together by a sub-unit communications means and in which the communications and control unit is divided into at least two separate sub-units, namely a communications sub-unit and a control sub-unit, each with an independent power supply and I/O ports connected together by a sub-unit communications means.