Method and system for metering consumption of energy

• US 7,623,043 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Mazereeuw, Jeffrey G., Coleman, Michael, Mizra, Nadeem I., Sollecito, Lawrence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US11/305,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 361/624, 361/660, 361/659, 307/38, 307/52, 307/11, 324/74, 324/114
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• 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: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A module for an electrical distribution system is provided. The module includes a socket board electrically coupled to the electrical distribution system. A plurality of sockets is mounted on the socket board. Each socket defines a port. A sensor is positioned within each port and is electrically coupled to the socket board. The sensors are configured to carry at least one of a primary current and a secondary current. A metering component is electrically coupled to the socket board and configured to measure current carried by the sensors. A communication module is electrically coupled to the metering component and in communication with a monitoring device. The communication module is configured to transmit metering data to the monitoring device.

Claims

1. A module for an electrical distribution system, said module comprising:

a socket board electrically coupled to said electrical distribution system;

a plurality of sockets mounted on said socket board, each socket of said plurality of sockets defining a port;

a plurality of sensors each positioned within and configured by a corresponding port, each said sensor electrically coupled to said socket board and configured to carry at least one of a primary current and a secondary current;

a metering component electrically coupled to said socket board and configured to independently measure current carried by said plurality of sensors as configured by said corresponding port; and

a communication module electrically coupled to said metering component and in communication with a monitoring device, said communication module configured to transmit metering data to said monitoring device.

2. A module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said monitoring device comprises at least one of a remote monitoring device in communication with said communication module and configured to display remotely the metering data, and a local monitoring device in communication with said communication module and configured to display locally the metering data.

3. A module in accordance with claim 2 wherein said remote monitoring device comprises a computer having software configured to log the metering data.

4. A module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrical distribution system comprises one of an electrical distribution panel, a circuit breaker panel, a switchboard and a household electrical receptacle.

5. A module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said module is housed within said electrical distribution system.

6. A module in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said sensor comprises one of a current transformer and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System.

7. A metering system comprising:

a module electrically coupled to an electrical distribution system, said module comprising;

a socket board defining a plurality of sockets, each socket of said plurality of sockets defining a port; and

a plurality of sensors each inserted within and configured by a corresponding port and configured to sense a current flowing through said sensor;

a metering component electrically coupled to each said socket and configured to meter the current flow through each said sensor as configured by said corresponding port; and

a communication module in communication with said metering component and configured to transmit metering date to a monitoring device.

8. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said monitoring device further comprises a remote monitoring device in communication with said communication module and configured to display remotely the metering data.

9. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said monitoring device further comprises a local monitoring device in communication with said communication module and configured to display locally the metering data.

10. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein each sensor is configured to sense a current flow through one phase of a plurality of phases and said metering component is configured to independently meter the current flow through each phase of said plurality of phases.

11. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said sensors are configured to carry a plurality of currents each having a different amperage.

12. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said communication module is configured to transmit the metering data to said monitoring device using a wireless data transmission system.

13. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said monitoring device comprises a computer configured to remotely access the metering data and log the metering data.

14. A metering system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said metering system is configured to:

sense a consumption of energy by a plurality of users;

meter the consumption of energy for each user of said plurality of users;

communicate a set of metering data for each said user to said monitoring device; and

log the set of metering data for each said user.

15. A metering system in accordance with claim 14 further configured to generate a summary of the metering data for each said user.

16. A method for metering consumption of energy, said method comprising:

independently sensing a consumption of energy by each load of a plurality of loads using a socket board defining a plurality of sockets, each socket of the plurality of sockets defining a port, wherein a sensor is inserted within, and configured by, a corresponding port;

metering the consumption of energy for each load;

communicating metering data for each load to a monitoring; and

logging the metering data for each load.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising calculating a cost for energy consumption for each load.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising metering and logging consumption of energy by each user of a plurality of users.