Automated expansion analyzer for telecommunications power systems

• US 6,609,081 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Astec International Limited (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Duguay, Louis, de Varennes, Christian, Got, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): O MALLEY, MARY CATHERINE
• Application Number:
  US09/587,096
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 702/61, 702/176, 731/12, 370/254, 340/568.1, 705/15
• US Class Current: 702/176
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Processor-implemented monitor and control modules gather operating data from the rectifier units, battery connection units and power distribution units. From these data, statistical operating data are calculated and stored in a database managed by the resident processor within the power system control unit. The system expansion analysis module analyzes the statistical data in view of a set of predetermined warning and alarm threshold parameters, which may be factory specified or user settable. If an alarm or upgrade condition is detected, the system expansion analysis module generates an upgrade notification that is optionally sent in a variety of forms including local audible or on screen notification, remote alarm through network connection to a remote computer, via internet web browser and e-mail message. The system can also optionally initiate automated order processing to place orders for upgrade or expansion equipment and installation services.

Claims

1. An automated upgrade analyzer for an electric power system of the type having one or more rectifier subsystems, one or more reserve power subsystems and one or more power distribution subsystems, comprising:

a monitor system coupled to said power system for obtaining operating state information from at least one of said subsystems;

a system expansion analysis module communicating with said monitor system, said system expansion analysis module having a data store containing at least one alarm threshold parameter and a processor for assessing said operating state information vis-á

-vis said alarm threshold parameter; and

a user interface module communicating with said system expansion analysis module for providing upgrade notification with respect to a selected one of said subsystems before the capacity of said subsystem is reached.

2. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said user interface module communicates over a network with an automated order processing host computer to requisition an upgrade component for said selected one of said subsystems.

3. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said user interface module communicates over a network to send an electronic mail notification message regarding said selected one of said subsystems.

4. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said user interface module communicates with a local display associated with said power system to provide an upgrade notification message.

5. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said user interface module communicates over a network with a remote computer to provide an upgrade notification message for display by said remote computer.

6. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said user interface module communicates over a network with an applet running in a browser on a remote computer to provide an upgrade notification message for display by said remote computer.

7. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said electric power system is of the type that employs at least one rechargeable storage battery and wherein said expansion analysis module assesses rectifier subsystem capacity based on total power output by said electric power system, battery recharge time and battery size.

8. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said electric power system is of the type that employs at least one rechargeable storage battery and wherein said expansion analysis module assesses capacity of said storage battery based on total power output by said electric power system to a load.

9. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said electric power system is of the type in which the power distribution subsystem provides connectivity for a predetermined number of load connections and wherein said expansion analysis module assesses power distribution subsystem capacity based on distribution unit load and the number of load connections.

10. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said reserve power subsystem includes at least one reserve connection unit to which at least one rechargeable battery is attached and wherein said expansion analysis module assesses reserve power subsystem capacity based on the current flowing between said reserve connection unit and said battery.

11. The analyzer of claim 1 wherein said data store contains a first set of alarm threshold parameters representing over-capacity thresholds and a second set of warning threshold parameters representing user-defined capacity thresholds.