Augmented distribution transformer and method of making same

• US 8,423,196 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hershey, John Erik, Hartman, Michael James, King, Robert Dean, Zinser, Richard Louis, Ross, John Anderson Fergus, Dell'Anno, Michael Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/304,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20120068802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/295, 700/296
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/40 Structural association with built-in electric component, e.g. fuse
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communication module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity. The communication module is programmed to provide time data representing time of day information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device and provide location data representing location information along the low voltage power line to the electrical device. The location information includes a geographic location of the distribution transformer.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a distribution transformer configured to;

convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity; and

convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity; and

wherein the distribution transformer comprises a communication module programmed to provide time data representing time of day information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication module is further programmed to:

receive location data representing location information, wherein the location information includes a geographic location of the distribution transformer; and

provide the location data along the low voltage power line to the electrical device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the distribution transformer further comprises a global positioning module configured to determine a geographic location of the distribution transformer from signals transmitted via a plurality of global positioning satellites.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distribution transformer further comprises an antenna configured to receive data representative of the time of day information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein in the communications module comprises a power line communication (PLC) module, and wherein the PLC module is configured to receive the time of day information from the high voltage distribution line.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a distribution transformer configured to;

convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity; and

convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity; and

wherein the distribution transformer comprises a communication module programmed to provide location data representing location information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device, wherein the location information includes a geographic location of the distribution transformer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the communication module is further programmed to:

receive time data representing time of day information; and

provide the time data along the low voltage power line to the electrical device.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the distribution transformer further comprises a global positioning module configured to determine a geographic location of the distribution transformer from signals transmitted via a plurality of global positioning satellites.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the distribution transformer further comprises an antenna configured to receive data representative of the geographic location information.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein in the communications module comprises a power line communication (PLC) module, and wherein the PLC module is configured to receive the geographic location information from the high voltage distribution line.

11. A method of manufacturing a distribution transformer comprising:

assembling a distribution transformer capable of stepping down high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line and conveying stepped down electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device, wherein the high voltage distribution line is configured to transfer a higher voltage electricity than the low voltage line;

assembling a communications module capable of conveying time of day information along the low voltage line to the electrical device; and

coupling the communication module to the distribution transformer.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the communications module is further capable of:

receiving geographic information comprising a geographic location of the distribution transformer; and

conveying the geographic information along the low voltage line to the electrical device.

13. A method of manufacturing a distribution transformer comprising:

assembling a distribution transformer capable of stepping down high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line and conveying stepped down electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device, wherein the high voltage distribution line is configured to transfer a higher voltage electricity than the low voltage line;

assembling a communications module capable of conveying geographic information along the low voltage line to the electrical device, wherein the geographic information comprises a geographic location of the distribution transformer; and

coupling the communication module to the distribution transformer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the communications module is further capable of:

receiving time of day information; and

conveying the time of day information along the low voltage line to the electrical device.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a distribution transformer configured to;

convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity; and

convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity;

wherein the distribution transformer comprises a communication module programmed to provide time data representing time of day information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device; and

wherein the distribution transformer further comprises a memory module, and wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to;

provide energy contract terms to the electrical device via the low voltage power line, wherein the energy contract terms comprise at least one of energy sale terms and energy purchase terms;

receive executed energy contract terms from the electrical device via the low voltage electrical line, wherein the executed energy contract terms comprise an agreement to the energy contract terms; and

store the executed energy contract terms on the memory module.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to:

request that the electrical device authenticate itself;

encrypt data sent from the distribution transformer; and

encrypt data received by the distribution transformer.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to store, on the memory module, at least one of a data set representing a quantity of energy provided to the electrical device and a data set representing a quantity of energy received from the electrical device.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a distribution transformer configured to;

convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity; and

convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity;

wherein the distribution transformer comprises a communication module programmed to provide location data representing location information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device, wherein the location information includes a geographic location of the distribution transformer; and

wherein the distribution transformer further comprises a memory module, and wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to;

provide energy contract terms to the electrical device via the low voltage power line, wherein the energy contract terms comprise at least one of energy sale terms and energy purchase terms;

receive executed energy contract terms from the electrical device via the low voltage electrical line, wherein the executed energy contract terms comprise an agreement to the energy contract terms; and

store the executed energy contract terms on the memory module.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to:

request that the electrical device authenticate itself;

encrypt data sent from the distribution transformer; and

encrypt data received by the distribution transformer.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the distribution transformer is further configured to store, on the memory module, at least one of a data set representing a quantity of energy provided to the electrical device and a data set representing a quantity of energy received from the electrical device.