Method and apparatus for monitoring power consumption
First Claim
1. A power consumption monitoring system for monitoring the power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising:
- an amplitude signal generator adapted to produce and communicate an amplitude signal, the amplitude signal generator comprising a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force concentrator to be positioned proximate and non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor to measure a micro voltage differential signal generated in the signal generator by a current carried in the measured at least one current-carrying conductor;
a radio frequency signal generator configured to transmit the amplitude signal; and
a radio frequency signal monitor adapted to receive and convert (calibrate) the amplitude signal into a scalar signal, the signal monitor including a display showing the scalar signal in a unit of power consumption.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power consumption monitor, system, and method for monitoring power consumed by equipment, appliances, devices, buildings, and campuses is accomplished by passive sensors (12, 40) that detect power transmitted by individual conductors (C), and which include a current to voltage transformer with a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force concentrator (22) positioned near the conductor (C). The sensor (22) generates an amplitude signal proportional to the power passing through the conductor (C). Programmable radios on a chip (32, 62, 72) and systems on a chip (34, 64, 74) are used to transmit the amplitude signal to a monitor (50) that displays the power being consumed along with actual and estimated cost and historical information. Software programs are implemented across the sensors (12, 40) and monitors (50) and a remote computer (80) to enable real-time monitoring power consumption with a resolution that spans from entire campuses down to single devices.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A power consumption monitoring system for monitoring the power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising:
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an amplitude signal generator adapted to produce and communicate an amplitude signal, the amplitude signal generator comprising a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force concentrator to be positioned proximate and non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor to measure a micro voltage differential signal generated in the signal generator by a current carried in the measured at least one current-carrying conductor; a radio frequency signal generator configured to transmit the amplitude signal; and a radio frequency signal monitor adapted to receive and convert (calibrate) the amplitude signal into a scalar signal, the signal monitor including a display showing the scalar signal in a unit of power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A power consumption monitor for monitoring the power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising:
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a current-to-voltage transformer comprising a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force sensor to be positioned proximate and non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor, the sensor configured to generate an amplitude signal in proportion to the power being transmitted through the at least one current-carrying conductor; a first programmable radio on a chip in communication with the current-to-voltage transformer to broadcast the amplitude signal; and a monitoring device with a second programmable radio on a chip in communication with at least one programmable system on a chip and a display, wherein the monitoring device receives, converts, calibrates, and displays the amplitude signal as a quantity of power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power consumption monitor for monitoring the power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising:
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an amplitude signal generator configured to produce and communicate an amplitude signal, the amplitude signal generator comprising a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force concentrator non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor and passively detecting the electromagnetic force created by electric current flowing in the monitored at least one current-carrying conductor and generating a micro-volt signal, the open circuit voltage differential then being used to convert the differential to an amplitude signal; a transmitter for transmitting via radio frequency energy, the amplitude signal; and a receiver for receiving the radio frequency energy containing the amplitude signal and for converting the amplitude signal to a quantity of power consumption and for displaying the quantity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A power consumption monitoring system for monitoring the power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising:
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a current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) including a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force (EMF) concentrator to be positioned proximate and non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor to measure a micro voltage differential signal generated in the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) by a current carried in the measured at least one current-carrying conductor, the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) adapted to generate an amplitude signal proportional to the power being transmitted through at least one current-carrying conductor; a first programmable radio on chip (PROC) in communication with the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) and including current-to-voltage (CVT) software resident on the first programmable radio on chip (PROC) operative to convert (calibrate) the amplitude signal to a digital quantity, store the digital quantity, and to periodically transmit the digital quantity; and a monitoring device with a second programmable radio on chip (PROC) in communication with at least one PSOC and a display, and including monitoring software resident on the second programmable radio on chip (PROC) operative to periodically communicate with the first programmable radio on chip (PROC) to receive and store the digital quantity and to display the digital quantity on the display in a unit of power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for monitoring power transmitted by at least one current-carrying conductor, comprising the steps of:
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furnishing a current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) including a passive, open-circuit electromagnetic force (EMF) concentrator to be positioned proximate to and non-ohmically coupled to the at least one current-carrying conductor to measure a micro voltage differential signal generated in the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) by a current carried in the measured at least one current-carrying conductor, the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) adapted to generate an amplitude signal proportional to the power being transmitted through the at least one current-carrying conductor; a first programmable radio on chip (PROC) in communication with the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) to broadcast the amplitude signal, and including current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) software resident on the first programmable radio on chip (PROC) operative to convert (calibrate) the amplitude signal to a digital quantity, store the digital quantity, and to periodically transmit the digital quantity; and
a monitoring device with a second programmable radio on chip (PROC) in communication with at least one programmable system on chip (PSOC) and a display, and including monitoring software resident on the second programmable radio on chip (PROC) operative to periodically communicate with the first programmable radio on chip (PROC) to receive and store the digital quantity and to display the digital quantity on the display in a unit of power consumption;positioning the open-circuit electromagnetic force (EMF) concentrator of the current-to-voltage transformer (CVT) proximate to the at least one current-carrying conductor; detecting the current being transmitted throug at least one current-carrying conductor and generating the amplitude signal; converting (calibrating) the amplitude signal to a digital quantity and storing the digital quantity; and receiving in the monitoring device the stored digital quantity from the first PROC and displaying the digital quantity on the display. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification