Remote generator fuel monitoring system

• US 7,072,801 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• 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): Bui, Bryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRETLOW, DEMETRIUS R
• Application Number:
  US10/735,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702/189, 702/127, 702/108, 702/116
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0267 Fault communication, e.g. human machine interface [HMI]

Abstract

A remote generator fuel monitoring system is provided. The system can include graphical user interface logic and connection logic. The graphical user interface logic typically provides a user with periodically updated data points associated with a fuel monitor coupled to an AC plant. The connection logic typically connects to a monitoring server and receives the periodically updated data points associated with the fuel monitor, the monitoring server being coupled to a number of fuel monitors via a network. Methods and other systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A remote generator fuel monitoring system, comprising:

graphical user interface logic operable to provide a user with a plurality of periodically updated data points associated with a fuel monitor coupled to an AC plant, wherein the graphical user interface logic is operable to generate a request for simulation of a commercial power failure at a site associated with the AC plant; and

connection logic coupled to the graphical user interface logic, operable to connect to a monitoring server and receive the plurality of periodically updated data points associated with the fuel monitor, the monitoring server being coupled to a plurality of fuel monitors via a network.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data gathering unit operable to receive a fuel level signal from the fuel monitor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the server is operable to query the data gathering unit, and provide the connection logic with the fuel monitor signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is further operable to provide a user with a plurality of periodically updated data points associated with an AC plant.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

testing logic operable to receive feedback from the user and simulate a commercial power failure at a site associated with the AC plant.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a house service panel coupled to a commercial power source, the AC plant, and a DC plant, the house service panel being operable to sense a commercial power failure, turn on the AC plant, and power at least one rectifier associated with the DC plant using an output from the AC plant.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is further operable to provide a user with a plurality of periodically updated data points associated with a DC plant.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

storage logic operable to store a plurality of acceptable data points associated with the fuel monitor, and report the acceptable data points to the user via the graphical user interface; and

alarm logic operable to notify a user via the graphical user interface logic responsive to the plurality of periodically updated data points associated with the fuel monitor being outside the plurality of acceptable data points.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the alarm logic is operable to signal a minor alarm responsive to a portion of the periodically updated information being outside an initial acceptable data point, and operable to signal a major alarm responsive to a portion of the periodically updated information being outside a final acceptable data point.

10. A remote generator fuel monitoring system, comprising:

monitoring logic operable monitor at least one fuel monitor associated with at least one AC plant and receive a plurality of data signals associated with said at least one fuel monitor;

storage logic operable to store at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one fuel monitor;

communication logic operable to receive the plurality of data signals and said at least one boundary parameter and provide the plurality of data signals and said at least one boundary parameter to a remote computer; and

testing logic operable to simulate a commercial power failure at a site associated with the at least one AC plant.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitoring logic is further operable to monitor at least one AC plant, and receive a plurality of data signals associated with said at least on AC plant.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the storage logic is further operable to store at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one AC plant.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

alarm logic operable to notify at least one remote computer associated with the system responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with said at least one AC plant being outside said at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one AC plant.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

alarm logic operable to notify at least one remote computer associated with the system responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with said at least one fuel monitor being outside said at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one fuel monitor.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication logic is operable to periodically request a plurality of updated data signals from the fuel monitor.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the monitoring logic is further operable to monitor at least one DC plant, and receive a plurality of data signals associated with said at least one DC plant.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the storage logic is further operable to store at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one DC plant.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

alarm logic operable to notify at least one remote computer associated with the system responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with said at least one DC plant being outside said at least one boundary parameter associated with said at least one DC plant.

19. A method for remotely monitoring a fuel monitor, comprising the steps of:

generating a command for simulating a commercial power failure at a site associated with an AC plant;

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor coupled to the AC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor to a remote computer for display to a user.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the fuel monitor; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant to a remote computer for display to a user.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the AC plant; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with an DC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant to a remote computer for display to a user.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the DC plant; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

displaying the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor on the remote computer.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

updating the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor.

27. A computer readable medium having a program for remotely monitoring a fuel monitor, the program comprising the steps of:

generating a command for simulating a commercial power failure at a site associated with an AC plant;

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor coupled to the AC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor to a remote computer for display to a user.

28. The program of claim 27, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the fuel monitor; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

29. The program of claim 27, further comprising:

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant to a remote computer for display to a user.

30. The program of claim 29, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the AC plant; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the AC plant being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

31. The program of claim 27, further comprising:

requesting a plurality of data signals associated with an DC plant;

receiving the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant; and

providing the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant to a remote computer for display to a user.

32. The program of claim 31, further comprising:

comparing each of the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant to a corresponding plurality of boundary parameters associated with the DC plant; and

notifying the remote computer responsive to any of the plurality of data signals associated with the DC plant being outside the corresponding boundary parameter.

33. The program of claim 27, further comprising:

displaying the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor on the remote computer.

34. The program of claim 27, further comprising:

updating the plurality of data signals associated with the fuel monitor.