Cable theft monitoring system

• US 8,378,822 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Spillman, Melvin Price
• Original Assignee: James Spillman, Melvin Price
• Inventors: Price, Melvin, Spillman, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US12/492,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20100328072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.3, 340/568.1, 340/687, 340/635, 340/545.2, 340/571
• US Class Current: 340/568.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector

Abstract

There is a cable theft monitoring system and method configured to protect electrical cables from theft during non-operation hours. The system includes a power circuit configured to provide power. The system also includes a motor coil configured to receive and utilize power. The system further includes a power supply line configured to facilitate power conduction through the motor coil. The system includes a sensor module configured to monitor a characteristic of the power supply line. The sensor module is configured to send an electrical current through the power supply line to the motor coil to detect electrical connection thereto. The system additionally includes an onsite control module configured to provide onsite controls to the cable theft monitoring system. The system also includes an isolation module configured to isolate the sensor module from strong power sources. Furthermore, the system includes a communication module configured to transmit information.

Claims

1. A cable theft monitoring system, configured to protect electrical cables from theft during non-operation hours, comprising:

a) a power circuit, configured to provide power;

b) a motor coil configured to receive and utilize power;

c) a power supply line, functionally coupled between the power circuit and the motor coil and configured to facilitate power conduction through the motor coil;

d) a sensor module functionally coupled to the power supply line and configured to monitor a characteristic of the power supply line;

e) an onsite control module, functionally coupled to the sensor module and configured to provide onsite controls to the cable theft monitoring system;

f) an isolation module, functionally coupled to the power supply line configured to isolate the sensor module from strong power sources;

g) a communication module, functionally coupled to the sensor module and configured to transmit information regarding the sensor module; and

h) a network module, in communication with the communication module, configured to receive information regarding the sensor module;

wherein the sensor module further includes a security module configured to send an alarm notification to an off-site administration module through a network to alert of a missing electrical connection;

wherein the isolation module includes a set of oppositely configured relays disposed within signal lines and main control lines such that operational control of the power module is disabled when the signal module is in operation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is configured to send an electrical current through the power supply line to the motor coil to detect electrical connection thereto.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the security module further includes an audio alarm module and a visual alarm module configured to alert intruders of a missing electrical connection and wherein the off-site administration module notifies the security personnel and client of a missing electrical connection through a network.

4. A cable theft monitoring system configured to protect power cables, comprising:

a) a plurality of cables configured to be monitored;

b) a motor coil in electrical communication with the plurality of cables;

c) a power module configured to provide operating power to the motor coil, through the plurality of cables;

d) a main PLC configured to control the power module during operational hours;

e) a PLC module configured to monitor the plurality of cables;

f) an isolation module configured to protect the PLC module from the power module; and

g) a communication module configured to communicate information to a network module;

wherein the PLC module includes a sensor module functionally coupled to the plurality of cables and configured to monitor a characteristic of the plurality of cables and the motor coil;

wherein the PLC module further includes a security module configured to send an alarm notification through the communication module to the network module, to a user, to alert of a missing or altered electrical connection;

wherein the PLC module further includes a control module configure to provide controls to the PLC module;

wherein the sensor module is configured to send an electrical current through the plurality of cables to the motor coil to detect electrical connection thereto;

wherein the security module further includes an audio alarm module and a visual alarm module configured to alert intruders of a missing electrical connection and notifies a security personnel and a client of a missing electrical connection through a network module;

wherein the isolation module includes a set of oppositely configured relays disposed within the plurality of cables and main PLC such that operational control of the power module is disabled when the PLC module is in operation.

5. A cable theft monitoring system, configured to protect power cables, which are monitored by a programmable logic controller module, when a power module, which is controlled by a main programmable logic controller, is providing operating power, which is from a power module, to a motor coil, comprising:

an isolation module, configured to protect the programmable logic controller module from the power module, and includes;

i) a first relay; and

ii) a second relay, configured opposite to the first relay;

wherein the first and second relay are disposed within the power cables and main programmable logic controller, to disable the power module when the programmable logic controller module is in operation.

6. The cable theft monitoring system configured to protect power cables of claim 5, further comprising a communication module configured to communicate information to a network module.

7. The cable theft monitoring system configured to protect power cables of claim 5, wherein the programmable logic controller module includes a sensor module functionally coupled to the plurality of cables and configured to monitor a characteristic of the plurality of cables and the motor coil;

wherein the programmable logic controller module further includes a security module configured to send an alarm notification through the communication module to the network module, to a user, to alert of a missing or altered electrical connection; and

wherein the programmable logic controller module further includes a control module configure to provide controls to the programmable logic controller module.

8. The cable theft monitoring system configured to protect power cables of claim 5,

wherein the sensor module is configured to send an electrical current through the plurality of cables to the motor coil to detect electrical connection thereto;

and

wherein the security module further includes an audio alarm module and a visual alarm module configured to alert intruders of a missing electrical connection and notifies a security personnel and a client of a missing electrical connection through a network module.