Electrical network topology determination
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- detecting a first voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding a threshold voltage, the first voltage event occurring at a first time relative to a first zero crossing at a first meter;
receiving at the first meter, a phase angle determination (PAD) message sent from a second meter, wherein the PAD message comprises an indication of a second voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding the threshold voltage, the second voltage event occurring at a second time relative to a second zero crossing at the second meter;
comparing the first time to the second time; and
determining, based on the comparing, if the first voltage event sensed by the first meter and the second voltage event sensed by the second meter are the same event.
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Abstract
Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.
77 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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detecting a first voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding a threshold voltage, the first voltage event occurring at a first time relative to a first zero crossing at a first meter; receiving at the first meter, a phase angle determination (PAD) message sent from a second meter, wherein the PAD message comprises an indication of a second voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding the threshold voltage, the second voltage event occurring at a second time relative to a second zero crossing at the second meter; comparing the first time to the second time; and determining, based on the comparing, if the first voltage event sensed by the first meter and the second voltage event sensed by the second meter are the same event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A node, comprising:
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a transceiver; and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the transceiver, the processing unit programmed to perform operations comprising; detecting a first voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding a threshold voltage, the first voltage event occurring at a first time relative to a first zero crossing at the node; receiving, via the transceiver, a phase angle determination (PAD) message from a second node, wherein the PAD message comprises an indication of a second voltage event comprising a measured voltage greater than the threshold voltage, the second voltage event occurring at a second time relative to a second zero crossing at the second node; comparing, by operation of the processing unit, the the first time to the second time; and determining, by operation of the processing unit, if the first voltage event sensed by the node and the second voltage event sensed by the second node are the same event. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network, comprising:
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a plurality of nodes arranged in a mesh and in communication with one another via one or more communication links, the plurality of nodes being configured to measure zero-crossing of voltage in an electrical grid; and a central office comprising one or more processors and memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed, configure the central office to perform operations comprising; receiving, at the central office, a phase angle determination (PAD) message from a first node, wherein the PAD message comprises an indication of a first voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding a threshold voltage, the first voltage event occurring at a first time relative to a first zero crossing at the first node; receiving at the central office, a PAD message from a second node, wherein the PAD message comprises an indication of a second voltage event comprising a measured voltage exceeding the threshold voltage, the second voltage event occurring at a second time relative to a second zero crossing at the second node; comparing the first time to the second time; and determining, based on the comparing, if the first voltage event sensed by the first node and the second voltage event sensed by the second node are the same event. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification