Method and system for conditionally triggered system data capture

• US 6,892,145 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Zingelewicz, Stephen Eric, Morrill, Daniel Lawrence, Premerlani, William James, Berkcan, Ertugrul, Topka, Terry Michael, Pearlman, Marc Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Carol S. W.
• Application Number:
  US10/373,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20030225482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 702/57, 702/60, 702/61, 702/62, 307/11, 307/19, 307/43, 307/51, 307/86, 307/112, 307/113, 307/132, 361/62, 700/286
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/05 Digital input using the sampling of an analogue quantity at regular intervals of time , input from a/d converter or output to d/a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/20 operated by excess current as well as by some other abnormal electrical condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0061 concerning transmission of signals transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/05 with means for increasing reliability, e.g. redundancy arrangements for logic circuits H03K19/003
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/261 involving signal transmission between at least two stations transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/262 involving transmissions of switching or blocking orders
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/263 involving transmissions of measured values comparison of currents or voltages using pilot wires H02H3/30
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/30 Staggered disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0004 : involved in a protection system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 : Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 : The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/001 : Methods to deal with contingencies, e.g. abnormalities, faults or failures
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/007 : Arrangements for selectively connecting the load or loads to one or several among a plurality of power lines or power sources for providing uninterruptable power supply H02J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/12 : for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0658 : Clock or time synchronisation among packet nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0661 : using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0018 : based on latency requirement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 : using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 : Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 : Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 : by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 : Flow control; Congestion control
• 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: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 : Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 : Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• 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 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting power distribution system data is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network, communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network, executing a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, and activating the data capture module in response to a triggering event. The apparatus includes a plurality of node electronic units, at least one central control processing unit (CCPU), and a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer wherein the module is configured to collect data in the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer, and the module is configured to activate in response to a triggering event.

Claims

1. A method for collecting power distribution system data, said method comprising:

communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network, said plurality of node electronic units receiving at least one input signal sensed by a device selected from the group consisting of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, circuit breaker, and any combinations thereof;

communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network;

executing a data capture module, wherein the module comprises a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer;

controlling said at least one central control processing unit to determine whether an event has occurred in the power distribution system based on said at least one input signal; and

activating the data capture module in response to said event.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising capturing data from the plurality of node electronics units in at least two buffers wherein each buffer is a circular buffer.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said capturing data in at least two buffers comprises capturing raw data from at least one of all node electronics units coupled to the network and the CCPU.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said capturing raw data from at least one of all node electronics units coupled to the network and the CCPU comprises capturing at least parameter selected from the group consisting of:

a power distribution system current, a power distribution system voltage, and a circuit breaker state.

5. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said capturing data in at least two buffers comprises capturing data in buffers that include a predetermined collection interval.

6. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said capturing data in at least two buffers comprises capturing data in at least one buffer at all times.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said executing a data capture module comprises monitoring an event input.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said monitoring an event input is at least one event selected from the group consisting of:

an external event and an internal event.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said external event is generated from at least one of:

a node electronics unit, a network switch, a network hub, and an external system trigger.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said internal event is generated from at least one of:

CCPU hardware and CCPU software.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said activating the data capture system comprises activating a data capture system including an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module.

18. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein activating the data capture module further comprises preparing the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer for a subsequent event.

40. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising controlling said at least one central control processing unit to change a state of one or more devices in the power distribution system based on said at least one input signal.

12. A method for collecting power distribution system data, said method comprising:

communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network;

communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network;

executing a data capture module, wherein the module comprises a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer; and

activating the data capture module in response to an event, wherein said activating the data capture system comprises activating a data capture system including an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module, and wherein said activating the data capture system including an internal data management (DM) module which comprises;

determining a capture interval length;

capturing identical data in at least one additional buffer after an event trigger is received;

freezing the data capture buffer one capture interval time period after an event trigger is received; and

transferring the captured data to the DVEP.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said determining a capture interval comprises determining a capture interval length to be approximately one-half of the collection interval length.

14. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said freezing the data capture buffer comprises freezing the data capture buffer such that the data capture buffer includes one data capture interval time period of data captured prior to the event and one data capture time interval of data captured after the event.

15. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said freezing the data capture buffer one capture interval time period after the event is received comprises extending the capture interval length when a second event is received during the capture interval time period.

16. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said transferring the data to the DVEP further comprises:

determining at least one parameter that describes the initiated event; and

displaying the parameters based on a predetermined format.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein said displaying the parameter based on a predetermined format comprises automatically displaying the parameters based on a predetermined format.

19. A method for collecting power distribution system data, said method comprising:

communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network;

communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network;

executing a data capture module, wherein the module comprises a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer; and

activating the data capture module in response to an event, wherein activating the data capture module further comprises preparing the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer for a subsequent event, and wherein preparing the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer comprises;

deactivating the data capture buffer;

identifying the secondary buffer as a data capture buffer; and

initiating a new secondary buffer.

20. An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network, said plurality of node electronic units receiving at least one input signal sensed by a device selected from the group consisting of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, circuit breaker, and any combinations thereof;

at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network, said at least one central control processing unit configured to determine whether an event has occurred in the power distribution system based on said at least one input signal; and

a data capture module, wherein said module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, said module configured to collect data in said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer, and said module configured to activate in response to an event.

21. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said apparatus comprises at least two circular buffers.

22. An apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said buffers include a predetermined collection interval.

23. An apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said at least two buffers are configured to capture data in at least one buffer at all times.

24. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said apparatus is configured to capture data from at least one of all node electronics units coupled to said network and said CCPU.

25. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said apparatus is configured to capture at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:

a power distribution system current, a power distribution system voltage, and a circuit breaker state.

26. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said data capture module is configured to monitor an event input.

27. An apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein said event is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an external event and an internal event.

28. An apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said external event is generated from at least one selected from:

a node electronics unit event trigger input, a network switch event trigger input, a network hub event trigger input, and an external system event trigger input.

29. An apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said internal event is generated from at least one select from:

a CCPU hardware event trigger input and a CCPU software event trigger input.

30. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said apparatus comprises an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module.

36. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said apparatus is further configured to prepare said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer for a subsequent event.

41. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said at least one central control processing unit is configured to change a state of one or more devices in the power distribution system based on said at least one input signal.

31. An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network;

at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network; and

a data capture module, wherein said module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, said module configured to collect data in said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer, and said module configured to activate in response to an event, wherein said apparatus comprises an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module, and wherein said internal data management (DM) module is configured to;

determine a capture interval length;

capture identical data in at least one additional buffer after an event trigger is received;

freeze said data capture buffer one capture interval time period after an event trigger is received; and

transfer said captured data to said DVEP.

32. An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said capture interval length is approximately one-half of said collection interval length.

33. An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said frozen data capture buffer comprises one data capture interval time period of data captured prior to said event and one data capture time interval of data captured after said event.

34. An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said apparatus is further configured to:

determine a parameter that that describes the initiated event trigger; and

display said parameter based on a predetermined format.

35. An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein said apparatus is further configured to automatically display said parameter based on a predetermined format.

37. An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network;

at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network; and

a data capture module, wherein said module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, said module configured to collect data in said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer, and said module configured to activate in response to an event, wherein said apparatus is further configured to prepare said data capture buffer and said secondary buffer for a subsequent event, and wherein said apparatus is further configured to;

deactivate said data capture buffer;

identify said secondary buffer as a data capture buffer; and

initiate a new secondary buffer.

38. An apparatus for collecting power distribution system data, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of node electronic units communicatively coupled to a digital network;

at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) communicatively coupled to said digital network; and

a data capture module, said module configured to collect data from said node electronics units and said CCPU, and said module configured to activate in response to an event, said module comprising;

an internal data management (DM) module, and a data visualization, export, and processing (DVEP) module, said DM comprises at least two circular buffers that include a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, each said buffers include a predetermined collection interval wherein said DM is configured to;

determine a capture interval length;

freeze said data capture buffer one capture interval time period after said event is received; and

transfer said captured data to said DVEP wherein said DVEP is configured to determine at least one parameter that describes said initiated event trigger, and to automatically display said parameter based on a predetermined format.

39. An apparatus in accordance with claim 38 wherein said apparatus is further configured to deactivate said data capture buffer, identify said secondary buffer as a data capture buffer, and initiate a new secondary buffer.