Web-based generator testing and monitoring system

• US 7,010,467 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: James, C. Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US10/735,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 702 57- 62, 702/64, 702/65, 702/108, 702/122, 702/124, 702/126, 702/183, 702/185, 702/188, 717/124, 709/224, 700/286, 703/10
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0272 Presentation of monitored results, e.g. selection of status reports to be displayed; Filtering information to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/02 Details of the control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• 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

Abstract

A web-based generator testing and monitoring system is provided that includes monitoring logic, and a web server. The monitoring logic typically monitors an AC output signal associated with an AC plant. The web server is typically coupled to the monitoring logic and to a network. The web server retrieves the AC output signal, and sends a coded web page to display the AC output signal to a user in a graphical format. Methods and other systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for web-based remote generator testing and monitoring, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring at least one AC output signal associated with an AC plant;

generating a graphically coded web page including said at least one AC output signal associated with the AC plant;

storing at least one AC boundary point associated with the AC plant, at least one fuel boundary point associated with the fuel monitor, and at least one DC boundary point associated with the DC plant;

generating the graphically coded web page including each of said at least one AC, fuel, and DC boundary points; and

sending the coded web page to a user via a first network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring at least one fuel signal associated with a fuel monitor coupled to the AC plant; and

generating the graphically coded web page including said at least one fuel signal associated with the AC plant.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

monitoring at least one DC output signal associated with a DC plant; and

generating the graphically coded web page including said at least one DC signal associated with the DC plant.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

providing a data gathering unit to monitor the DC plant.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing a second network to communicate said at least one AC output signal, said at least one fuel signal, and said at least one DC output signal to the user.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an input from the user requesting to simulate a commercial power failure; and

instructing test logic to simulate the commercial power failure responsive to receiving the request from the user to simulate the commercial power failure.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the house service panel is operable to turn on the AC plant, and switch from a commercial power source to a backup power source generated by the AC plant responsive to the commercial power failure.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving an engine stop request from the user; and

instructing the test logic to stop the AC plant.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing said at least one AC output signal with said at least one AC boundary point, said at least one fuel signal with said at least one fuel boundary point, and said at least one DC output signal with said at least one DC boundary point; and

generating the graphically coded web page including an alarm responsive to any of the signals being outside of their respective boundary points.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing access to the information for a user having a remote computer with a browser client connected to the first network.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a remote interface to the user to the test logic which is operable to control a house service panel associated with the AC plant.

12. A computer readable medium having a program for web-based remote generator testing and monitoring, the program having instructions for performing the steps of:

monitoring at least one AC output signal associated with an AC plant;

generating a graphically coded web page including said at least one AC output signal associated with the AC plant;

storing at least one AC boundary point associated with the AC plant, at least one fuel boundary point associated with the fuel monitor, and at least one DC boundary point associated with the DC plant; and

generating the graphically coded web page including each of said at least one AC, fuel, and DC boundary points.

13. The program of claim 12, further comprising:

monitoring at least one fuel signal associated with a fuel monitor coupled to the AC plant; and

generating the graphically coded web page including said at least one fuel signal associated with the AC plant.

14. The program of claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring at least one DC output signal associated with a DC plant; and

generating the graphically coded web page including said at least one DC signal associated with the DC plant.

15. The program of claim 14, further comprising:

providing a data gathering unit to monitor the DC plant.

16. The program of claim 15, further comprising:

providing a second network to communicate said at least one AC output signal, said at least one fuel signal, and said at least one DC output signal to the user.

17. The program of claim 12 comprising the steps of:

receiving an input from the user requesting to simulate a commercial power failure; and

instructing test logic to simulate the commercial power failure responsive to receiving the request from the user to simulate the commercial power failure.

18. The program of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a remote interface to the user to the test logic which is operable to control a house service panel associated with the AC plant.

19. The program of claim 17, wherein the house service panel is operable to turn on the AC plant, and switch from a commercial power source to a backup power source generated by the AC plant responsive to the commercial power failure.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an engine stop request from the user; and

instructing the test logic to stop the AC plant.

21. The program of claim 12, further comprising:

comparing said at least one AC output signal with said at least one AC boundary point, said at least one fuel signal with said at least one fuel boundary point, and said at least one DC output signal with said at least one DC boundary point; and

generating the graphically coded web page including an alarm responsive to any of the signals being outside of their respective boundary points.

22. The program of claim 12, further comprising:

providing access to the information for a user having a remote computer with a browser client connected to the first network.

23. A web-based generator testing and monitoring system, comprising:

monitoring logic operable to monitor at least one AC output signal associated with an AC plant;

a web server coupled to the monitoring logic and to a network, the web server being operable to retrieve said at least one AC output signal, and to send a coded web page to display said at least one AC output signal to a user in a graphical format; and

storage logic coupled to the web server, the storage logic being operable to store at least one AC boundary point associated with the AC plant, at least one fuel boundary point associated with the fuel monitor, and at least one DC boundary point associated with the DC plant, wherein;

each of said at least one AC, fuel, and DC boundary points are provided to the user via the web server;

the monitoring logic is further operable to monitor at least one fuel signal associated with a fuel monitor coupled to the AC plant, and the web server is operable to retrieve said at least one fuel signal, and to send a coded web page to display said at least one fuel signal to the user in the graphical format; and

the monitoring logic is further operable to monitor at least one DC output signal associated with a DC plant, and the web server is operable to retrieve said at least one DC output signal, and to send a coded web page to display said at least one DC output signal to the user in the graphical format.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

test logic coupled to the web server, operable to provide the user with a remote interface to a house service panel at a site associated with the AC plant.

25. The system of claim 24,

wherein the web server is operable to receive an input from the user and instruct a commercial power failure to be simulated at the house service panel responsive to the input from the user.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the house service panel is operable to turn on the AC plant, and switch from a commercial power source to a backup power source generated by the AC plant responsive to the commercial power failure.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the web server is operable to receive an engine stop request from the user and instruct the test logic to stop the AC plant.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the monitoring logic is coupled to the DC plant via a data gathering unit.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the coupling between the monitoring logic and the data gathering unit is a network.

30. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

alarm logic coupled to the monitoring logic and the storage logic, the alarm logic being operable to compare said at least one AC output signal with said at least one AC boundary point, said at least one fuel signal with said at least one fuel boundary point, and said at least one DC output signal with said at least one DC boundary point, and notify the user via the web server responsive to any of the signals being outside of their respective boundary points.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the user accesses the information using a remote computer with a browser client via the network.