Method and devices for wireless communication between test and control devices and power distribution devices

• US 6,868,349 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB SPA (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Purkayastha, Indrajit, Fletcher, David, Lavoie, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US10/063,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20030191589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 702/60, 702/61, 702 64- 68, 702/187, 702/62, 702/188, 356/51, 356/399, 700/9, 700/10, 700/291, 700/294, 700/256, 700/22, 700/65, 700/244, 455/3.01, 455/3.05
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A wireless system is provided which comprises a test and control device, and a power distribution device. The test and control device has a first microprocessor executing a first firmware. The power distribution device has a second microprocessor executing a second firmware. The first microprocessor is coupled a first wireless communications port, and the second microprocessor is coupled to a second wireless communication port. The first and second wireless communication ports are configured to communicate wireless communications there between.

Claims

1. A wireless system for an electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a test and control device having a first microprocessor executing a first firmware, said first microprocessor being operatively coupled to a first wireless communication port; and

an electronically controlled circuit breaker having a second microprocessor executing a second firmware, said second microprocessor being operatively coupled to a second wireless communication port, said first wireless communication port and said second wireless communication port being configured to communicate wireless communications between said electronically controlled circuit breaker and said test and control device;

wherein said wireless communications comprises a software update from said test and control device to said electronically controlled circuit breaker;

said electronically circuit breaker further having an operating parameter controlling of a mechanical operating characteristic of said circuit breaker, wherein subsequent to said wireless communications said software update causes a change in said operating parameter that causes said mechanical operating characteristic of said circuit breaker to change as a result of said software update.

2. The wireless system as in claim 1, further comprising a first display screen and a first data entry device operatively coupled to said first microprocessor, and/or a second display screen and a second data entry device operatively coupled to said second microprocessor.

3. The wireless system as in claim 1, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant and said electronically controlled circuit breaker further comprises an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, a meter, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

4. The wireless system as in claim 3, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports comprise infrared communication ports or radio frequency communication ports.

5. The wireless system as in claim 3, wherein said wireless communications comprises waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, initiation of power distribution device self testing programs, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

6. The wireless system as in claim 1, wherein said first wireless communications port is further configured to simultaneously communicate wireless communications between said test and control device and a plurality of said electronically controlled circuit breakers.

7. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein:

said operating parameter comprises a current value set point; and

said mechanical operating characteristic comprises the opening of separable contacts as a function of a detected current exceeding said current value set point, said current value set point being adjustable via said software update.

8. A method of testing and controlling an electronically controlled circuit breaker having a first wireless communication port, comprising:

activating a test and control device having a microprocessor, firmware and a second wireless communication port; and

sending wireless communications between said first and second wireless communication ports;

wherein said wireless communications comprises a software update from said test and control device to said electronically controlled circuit breaker;

wherein subsequent to said wireless communications said software update causes a change in an operating parameter of said circuit breaker that causes a mechanical operating characteristic of said circuit breaker to change as a result of said software update.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant comprising one or more of a display screen and a data entry device.

10. The method as in claim 9, wherein said wireless communications are infrared communications or radio frequency communications.

11. The method as in claim 8, wherein said electronically controlled circuit breaker further comprises an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, a meter, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein said wireless communications comprises waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, and initiation of power distribution device self testing programs, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

13. The method as in claim 8, wherein said sending wireless communications further comprises simultaneously sending wireless communications between said test and control device and a plurality of said electronically controlled circuit breakers.

14. A test and control device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a first wireless communication port in electrical communication with said microprocessor; and

firmware for operating said test and control device, said first wireless communication port being configured to send and receive wireless communication to/from a second wireless communication port of one or more target electronically controlled circuit breakers;

wherein said wireless communication comprises a software update from said test and control device to said one or more target circuit breakers;

wherein subsequent to said wireless communications said software update causes a change in an operating parameter of said target circuit breakers that causes a mechanical operating characteristic of said target circuit breakers to change as a result of said software update.

15. The test and control device as in claim 14, wherein said test and control device is a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant.

16. The test and control device as in claim 15, further comprising a display screen and/or a data entry device in electrical communication with said microprocessor.

17. The test and control device as in claim 15, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports are infrared communication ports or radio frequency communication ports.

18. The test and control device as in claim 17, wherein said one or more target electronically controlled circuit breakers further comprise an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, a meter, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

19. The test and control device as in claim 18, wherein said wireless communication comprises waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, initiation of power distribution device self testing programs, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

20. The test and control device as in claim 14, wherein said first wireless communication port is further configured to simultaneously communicate wireless communications between said test and control device and a plurality of said electronically controlled circuit breakers.

21. A power distribution device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a first wireless communication port operatively coupled to said microprocessor; and

firmware for operating said power distribution device, said first wireless communication port being configured to send and receive wireless communications to/from a second wireless communication port of a test and control device;

wherein said wireless communications comprises a software update from said test and control device to said power distribution device;

wherein subsequent to said wireless communications said software update causes a change in an operating parameter of said power distribution device that causes a mechanical operating characteristic of said power distribution device to change as a result of said software update.

22. The power distribution device as in claim 21, wherein said first and second wireless communication ports are infrared communication ports or radio frequency communication ports.

23. The power distribution device as in claim 22, wherein said power distribution device comprises a circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit, a programmable relay, a meter, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

24. The power distribution device as in claim 21, wherein said wireless communications comprise waveform data, metering data, set point adjustments, software updates, operational data, status data, configuration data, initiation of power distribution device self testing programs, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

25. The power distribution device as in claim 24, wherein said test and control device comprises a lap top computer or a personal digital assistant.

26. The power distribution device as in claim 21, wherein said second wireless communication port is configured to simultaneously communicate wireless communications between said test and control device and a plurality of said power distribution devices.

27. The power distribution device of claim 21, where:

said operating parameter comprises a current value set point; and

said mechanical operating characteristic comprises the opening of separable contacts as a function of a detected current exceeding said current value set point, said current value set point being adjustable via said software update.