Multi-utility energy control and facility automation system with dashboard having a plurality of interface gateways
First Claim
1. A multi-utility energy control and facility management system for monitoring consumption, for a plurality of different utility types with a single master meter and for monitoring and controlling individual utility systems within a facility, the system comprising:
- (a) at least one central control computer connected to a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of individual utility consuming systems within a facility, said at least one central control computer having software adapted to;
receive utility consumption rate data from said multi-utility master meter and for storing, presenting, analyzing and reporting, from said data, information to monitor consumption rates and to compare such information to theoretical or historical data to identify unexpected changes in consumption and to identify peak demands, surges, and sags; and
control said utility consuming systems by adjusting actual utility consumption in response to predetermined parameters set for each of said utility consuming systems, said software comprising;
at least one dashboard screen and a plurality of utility subscreens relating thereto, said at least one dashboard screen including one screen which provides a plurality of utility type icons for selection of a utility from said icons, and at least two interface gateways, each being adapted for communications with at least one network for selection of utility-facilities operations related data; and
a plurality of subscreens for presenting (i) said selectable utility information from said utility type icons and (ii) selectable utility-facility operations related data from said at least two interface gateways;
(b) a multi-utility master meter for monitoring consumption of a plurality of different utility types with a single meter, which includes a central processing unit, visual display means connected to the central processing unit, programming controls, a power source connection, and a plurality of meter sensor connections; and
(c) a plurality of utility meter sensors connected to said multi-utility master meter, at least a portion of said utility meter sensors being retrofit sensors attachable to existing utility meters for sensing real time rates from said existing utility meters, and transmitting said real time rates to said central processing unit, said plurality of utility meter sensors including utility meter sensors having means to sense real time rates from electromechanical utility meters which are attachable to conventional utility meters.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-utility energy and facility automation control system has control center computer(s) connected to utility consuming systems and software that formats energy data, stores, retrieves, diagnoses and acts in response to changes and includes a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of sensors. The system includes at least one dashboard screen as a control screen, and a plurality of interconnected gateways for selection of separate networks for various utility-facility related subscreens. The sensors monitor pertinent data and, using the presentation of the facility information as processed by the computer and presented on the dashboard, exercise control of the facility to optimize performance and reduce the cost of purchased utilities and other facility operations.
176 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A multi-utility energy control and facility management system for monitoring consumption, for a plurality of different utility types with a single master meter and for monitoring and controlling individual utility systems within a facility, the system comprising:
-
(a) at least one central control computer connected to a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of individual utility consuming systems within a facility, said at least one central control computer having software adapted to; receive utility consumption rate data from said multi-utility master meter and for storing, presenting, analyzing and reporting, from said data, information to monitor consumption rates and to compare such information to theoretical or historical data to identify unexpected changes in consumption and to identify peak demands, surges, and sags; and control said utility consuming systems by adjusting actual utility consumption in response to predetermined parameters set for each of said utility consuming systems, said software comprising; at least one dashboard screen and a plurality of utility subscreens relating thereto, said at least one dashboard screen including one screen which provides a plurality of utility type icons for selection of a utility from said icons, and at least two interface gateways, each being adapted for communications with at least one network for selection of utility-facilities operations related data; and a plurality of subscreens for presenting (i) said selectable utility information from said utility type icons and (ii) selectable utility-facility operations related data from said at least two interface gateways; (b) a multi-utility master meter for monitoring consumption of a plurality of different utility types with a single meter, which includes a central processing unit, visual display means connected to the central processing unit, programming controls, a power source connection, and a plurality of meter sensor connections; and (c) a plurality of utility meter sensors connected to said multi-utility master meter, at least a portion of said utility meter sensors being retrofit sensors attachable to existing utility meters for sensing real time rates from said existing utility meters, and transmitting said real time rates to said central processing unit, said plurality of utility meter sensors including utility meter sensors having means to sense real time rates from electromechanical utility meters which are attachable to conventional utility meters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A multi-utility energy control and facility management system for monitoring consumption of a plurality of different utility types with a single master meter and for monitoring and controlling individual utility systems within a facility, comprising:
-
(a) at least one central control computer connected to a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of individual utility consuming systems within a facility, said at least one central control computer having software adapted to; receive utility consumption rate data from said multi-utility master meter and for storing, presenting, analyzing and reporting, from said data, information to monitor consumption rates and to compare such information to theoretical or historical data to identify unexpected changes in consumption and to identify peak demands, surges, and sags; and control said utility consuming systems by adjusting actual utility consumption in response to predetermined parameters set for each of said utility consuming systems, said software comprising; at least one dashboard screen and a plurality of utility subscreens relating thereto, said at least one dashboard screen including one screen which provides a plurality of utility type icons for selection of a utility from said icons, and at least two interface gateways, each being adapted for communications with at least one network for selection of utility-facilities operations related data, and a plurality of subscreens for presenting (i) said selectable utility information from said utility type icons and (ii) selectable utility-facility operations related data from said at least two interface gateways; (b) a multi-utility master meter for monitoring consumption of a plurality of different utility types with a single meter, which includes a central processing unit, visual display means connected to the central processing unit, programming controls, a power source connection and a plurality of meter sensor connections; and (c) a plurality of utility meter sensors connected to said multi-utility master meter, at least a portion of said utility meter sensors being integrally connected to utility meters for sensing real time rates from said utility meters, and transmitting said real time rates to said central processing unit, said plurality of utility meter sensors including utility meter sensors having means to sense real time rates from electromechanical utility meters which are attachable to outside surfaces of electromechanical utility meters by measuring magnetic flux caused by motion within said electromechanical utility meters as said electromechanical utility meters move during consumption. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification