Method and system for monitoring power supplies

• US 7,184,905 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald A. Stefan
• Original Assignee: Donald A. Stefan
• Inventors: Stefan, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cherry, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/674,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20050071093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 702/63, 320/116, 320/132, 320/134, 320/150
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/2513 Arrangements for monitoring electric power systems, e.g. power lines or loads; Logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

An electrical power (AC/DC) monitoring system remotely monitoring batteries and electrical power systems through a call center, providing continual monitoring, monthly reports, near real time viewing and service response. Modular by design, a plurality of individual input modules, which receive an analog voltage input, convert this signal to a digital format and send the digital signal to a central control which collects the data, then, at scheduled intervals, sends the collected data to a web server which contains the main software for the system. This software performs data comparisons, charts trends, predicts failures, plans and schedules service visits, then archives the data for future references. Alarm notifications are provided to the customer via Email, office phone (land line), cell phone (wireless), PDA, pager, etc. and can also be sent to a service provider to initiate the service response.

Claims

1. A system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies, comprising:

a plurality of individual input modules each connected to a respective power source and having means to receive an analog voltage input and to convert said analog signal to a digital form, each said input module is used for DC battery voltage and DC charger/bus voltage, DC amperage at the DC bus, AC input voltage sensing, and both individual battery temperature and ambient temperature sensing, the different voltage ranges and type of voltage are programmed on system requirements;

central controller means connected to collect data from each input module and, at scheduled intervals, send that data to web server means containing primary system software capable of performing data comparisons, charting trends, predicting failures, planning and scheduling service visits, and archiving data for future reference, said software also providing near real time reports, regular monthly reports, and alarm notifications which can be sent via E-mail, telephone land lines, cell phone, PDA, or pager.

2. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein each said input module comprises:

DC battery lead attachment means;

AC input voltage power transformer means;

temperature thermistor means attached to each battery being monitored; and

current transformer means.

3. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, further comprising:

wiring harness means in each said input module means, each said battery being monitored is attached to one end of said wiring harness means the other end of which is attached to connector means of said input module, the number of wires in said wiring harness means being one more wire than the number of batteries being monitored.

4. The system for remotely monitoring power supplies according to claim 3, further comprising:

additional sensor means attached to said input modules through said harnesses.

5. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein said central controller comprises,

microprocessor means to collect data from said input modules, store and summarize said data, said data including:

system data, power measurements, date/time stamps, and module information embedded in the data; and

a two-way communication link.

6. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein said software is embedded in each said input module means and said central controller means;

one of said input module means attached to each sensor and set for the voltage type and range in which it will be collecting data.

7. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 6, wherein said data includes site-specific information, individual input module serial numbers, uninterruptible power supply or battery system model and serial number, start date, technician/installer information, and a benchmark reading of each the battery'"'"'s float level and possible discharge rate.

8. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein said

software resides at a web site thereby providing:

security from theft;

reduced chance of hackers entering the network;

one upgrade affects all sites;

reduced customer support;

reduced computer system requirements at the site; and

a lower cost of installation and hardware for customers who have local PC and Internet connection.

9. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is AC.

10. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is DC.

11. A system for remotely monitoring electrical power, which includes both electrical power from commercial electrical power utilities and battery operated electrical power backups, comprising

a plurality of individual input module means each connected to a respective electrical power source and each receiving an analog voltage input indicative of the status of said electrical power supply and converting said analog signal to a digital signal;

central controller means connected to collect said digital data from each input module means;

web server means containing primary system software capable of performing data comparisons, chart trends, predict failures, plan and schedule service visits, and archive data for future reference, and at scheduled intervals said web server means receiving said digital data from said central controller, said software embedded in the input module and central controller;

an input module attached to each sensor and set for the voltage type and range in which it will be collecting data;

said data including site-specific information, individual input module serial numbers, site information, uninterruptible power supply or battery system model and serial number, start date, technician/installer information, a benchmark reading of the battery'"'"'s float level and possible discharge rate.

12. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power according to claim 11, wherein each said input module means comprises:

DC battery lead attachment means;

AC input voltage power transformer means;

temperature thermistor means attached to each said DC battery; and

current transformer means.

13. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power according to claim 11, further comprising:

wiring harness means in each said input module means, each said wiring harness having one end attached to each battery and attached to an input module bus on the other end, the number of wires in a wiring harness consisting of one more wire than the number of batteries connected by said wiring harness.

14. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power according to claim 13, further comprising:

additional sensor means attached to said input modules through said wiring harness mean.

15. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 11, wherein each said:

input module means measures DC battery voltage, DC charger/bus voltage, DC amperage at the DC bus, and both individual battery temperature and ambient temperatures, the different voltage ranges being programmed in said central controller software.

16. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 11, wherein each said:

input module means senses AC input voltage and ambient temperature, the voltage ranges programmed in said central controller software.

17. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 11, wherein central controller comprises,

microprocessor means to collect digital data from said input modules, store and summarize said digital data, which includes:

system data, power and battery measurements, date/time stamps, and input module information; and

two-way communication means with customers.

18. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 11, wherein said software resides at the web site thereby providing:

security from theft;

reduced chance of hackers entering the network;

one upgrade affects all sites;

reduced customer support;

reduced computer system requirements at the site; and

a lower cost of installation and hardware for customers who have local PC and Internet connection.

19. The system for remotely monitoring electrical power supplies according to claim 11, wherein said software of said web server also provides near real time reports, regular monthly reports, and alarm notifications which can be sent via E-mail, telephone land lines, cell phone, PDA, or pager.