Methods and systems for dynamic memory backup for transfer-switch controllers

• US 9,989,948 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies LP (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies LP (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ibrahim, Mario, Siciliano, Robert, Hayes, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dhillon, Jagdeep
• Application Number:
  US14/171,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20140246910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 307 64, 307112, 307 23, 307 31, 307 29, 711154, 711162, 711106, 713340, 713300, 700297, 700295, 455520, 455523, 455521
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/018 Application transfer; between utility and emergency power supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

Methods and systems for transfer-switch controller backup and transfer-switch controller operation are provided. An example backup apparatus includes a memory configured to store transfer-switch data related to a first transfer-switch controller, wherein the first transfer switch-controller is a controller for a given transfer switch. The apparatus is capable of interfacing with a communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller. The apparatus is further capable of being removed from the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller and thereafter interfacing with a communication interface of a second transfer-switch controller, wherein the second transfer-switch controller is a replacement controller for the given transfer switch. The memory is further configured to, after the apparatus interfacing with the communication interface of the second transfer-switch controller, provide the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller to the second transfer-switch controller.

Claims

1. A backup-memory apparatus for a transfer-switch controller, the apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store transfer-switch data related to a first transfer-switch controller, wherein the first transfer switch-controller comprises a controller for a given transfer switch, and wherein the transfer-switch data includes data related to historical performance of the given transfer switch and data related to an in-phase monitor for monitoring a phase of a starting motor for the given transfer switch;

the apparatus capable of interfacing with a communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller;

the apparatus further capable of being disconnected from the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller and thereafter interfacing with a communication interface of a second transfer-switch controller, and

the memory further configured to, after the apparatus interfaces with the communication interface of the second transfer-switch controller, provide at least a portion of the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller to the second transfer-switch controller for use by the second transfer-switch controller for startup of the starting motor in-phase.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface of the apparatus,

wherein the communication interface of the apparatus is capable of interfacing with the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller and with the communication interface of the second transfer-switch controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an enclosure that is configured to house the memory and the communication interface of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory further is configured to provide the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller to the second transfer-switch controller after the apparatus receives a command from the second transfer-switch controller to provide the transfer-switch data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to provide the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller to the second transfer-switch controller in response to the apparatus interfacing with the communication interface of the second transfer-switch controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller comprises data representative of operational settings for the first transfer-switch controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after the apparatus interfaces with the communication interface of the second transfer-switch controller, at least a selected portion of the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller is provided to the second transfer-switch controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller comprises a wireless communication interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller comprises a pluggable feature.

22. The back-up memory apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second transfer-switch controller comprises a replacement controller for the given transfer switch.

10. A backup-memory apparatus for a transfer-switch controller, the apparatus comprising:

a communication interface configured to interface with a communication interface of a first transfer-switch controller, wherein the first transfer switch-controller is a controller for a given transfer switch;

a memory configured to store program instructions; and

a processor, wherein the processor is capable of executing the program instructions to (i) receive from the first transfer-switch controller transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller, and (ii) store the received transfer-switch data in the memory, wherein the transfer-switch data includes data related to historical performance of the given transfer switch and data related to an in-phase monitor for monitoring a phase of a starting motor for the given transfer switch;

wherein the communication interface is capable of being removed from the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller and thereafter interfacing with a communication interface of a second transfer-switch controller, wherein the second given transfer-switch controller is a replacement controller for the given transfer switch; and

wherein the processor is further capable of executing the program instructions to, after the communication interface interfacing with a communication interface of a second transfer-switch controller, provide the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller to the second transfer-switch controller for use by the second transfer-switch controller for startup of the starting motor in-phase.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an enclosure that is configured to house the memory, the processor, and the communication interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller comprises data representative of operational settings for the first transfer-switch controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller comprises data related to maintenance data for the given transfer switch.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller comprises a pluggable feature.

15. A transfer-switch controller for a transfer switch, wherein the transfer-switch controller comprises:

a communication interface configured to receive a memory device, wherein the memory device has stored information, wherein the stored information is transfer-switch data related to a first transfer-switch controller for the transfer switch, and wherein the transfer-switch data includes data related to historical performance of the transfer switch and data related to an in-phase monitor for monitoring a phase of a starting motor for the transfer switch;

a memory configured to store program instructions; and

a processor capable of executing the program instructions to;

(i) receive the stored information from the memory device;

(ii) use the received stored information as a basis to select transfer-switch settings for the transfer-switch controller for use in the transfer switch; and

(iii) cause the transfer-switch controller to operate according to the selected transfer-switch settings for startup of the starting motor in-phase.

16. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein causing the controller to operate according the selected transfer-switch settings comprises changing default settings of the transfer-switch controller to the selected transfer-switch settings.

17. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein the selected transfer-switch settings are the same as transfer-switch settings according to which the first transfer-switch controller operated.

18. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein the selected transfer-switch settings are substantially the same as transfer-switch settings according to which the first transfer-switch controller operated.

19. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller for the transfer switch comprises data representative of operational settings for the first transfer-switch controller.

20. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein the transfer-switch data related to the first transfer-switch controller for the transfer switch comprises data related to maintenance data for the transfer switch.

21. The transfer-switch controller of claim 15, wherein the communication interface configured to receive a memory device is a pluggable feature.