Power Line Carrier (PLC) Communication of Standby Generator Status

• US 20110291847A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Gilpatrick, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,373,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/657
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

A method and system for remotely monitoring the status of a standby generator. The system includes a PLC transmitter in communication with the control unit for the generator. The PLC transmitter receives error codes from the control unit of the generator and transmits encoded error codes over the power distribution network in a home using a PLC frequency. A remote status display device can be connected to the power distribution network in the home at any convenient location. The remote status display device includes a PLC receiver that decodes the error codes. The decoded error codes are displayed on a display of the remote status display device for viewing by the home occupant at a location remote from the standby generator.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the status of a standby generator operable to supply electrical power to a power distribution network in a home, the system comprising:

a control unit contained within the standby generator for monitoring the status of the standby generator and generating error codes upon detection of fault conditions;

a power line carrier (PLC) transmitter coupled to the control unit to receive the error code and transmit the error code over the power distribution network using a PLC frequency; and

a remote status display device connected to the power distribution network and including a PLC receiver operable to receive the error code transmitted using the PLC frequency, wherein the remote status device displays the error code.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the power distribution network includes a plurality of electrical outlets and the remote status display device includes a plug such that the remote status display device is connectable to the power distribution network at any one of the plurality of electrical outlets.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote status display device includes a user input device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the PLC transmitter and the PLC receiver each have a common address such that the PLC transmitter communicates only with the associated PLC receiver.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit generates a positive test result code upon a successful test of the standby generator, wherein the positive test result code is transmitted by the PLC transmitter.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the PLC receiver receives the positive test result code and the remote status display device displays the positive test result code.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein both the control unit and the remote status display device include an address selection switch.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the address selection switch allows one of a plurality of addresses to be assigned to each of the control unit and the remote status display device.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote status display device includes an internal power supply and an internal memory such that the remote status display device retains the error codes upon disconnection from the power distribution network.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote status device is removably connected to the power distribution network.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the PLC frequency is between 120 kHz and 400 kHz.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the error code generated by the control unit is received by a PLC transmitter and transmitted at the PLC frequency.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of assigning a common address to the PLC transmitter and the PLC receiver.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of assigning the common address includes adjusting the position of an address selection switch contained on both the control unit and the remote status display device.

12. A method of remotely monitoring the status of a standby generator operable to supply electrical power to a power distribution network in a home, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring the status of the standby generator with a control unit of the standby generator;

generating an error code upon detection of a fault condition associated with the standby generator;

transmitting the error code over the power distribution network of the home at a power line carrier (PLC) frequency;

connecting a remote status display device to the power distribution network of the home;

receiving and converting the error code in a PLC receiver of the remote status display device; and

displaying the error code on a display of the remote status display device.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the remote status display device is removably coupled to any one of a plurality of electrical outlets of the power distribution network.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

testing the operation of the standby generator;

transmitting a positive test result code over the power distribution network at the PLC frequency; and

displaying the positive test result code on the display of the remote status display device.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the PLC frequency is between 120 kHz and 400 kHz.