POWER CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRATED STATUS MONITORING

• US 20180351307A1
• Filed: 05/30/2018
• Published: 12/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: AbuGhazaleh, Shadi Alex, Samojeden, Matthew, Papageorge, Ryan, Scanzillo, Thomas, Williams, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,944,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0416 Connectors, terminals G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/181 using coils without a magnetic core, e.g. Rogowski coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/165 Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/2513 Arrangements for monitoring electric power systems, e.g. power lines or loads; Logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/06 by measuring current and voltage G01R21/08 - G01R21/133 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/002 Maintenance of line connectors, e.g. cleaning

Abstract

An electrical power system including an electrical power connector, a contact configured to electrically connect a power supply to a load, a first sensor configured to sense a first characteristic of the electrical power connector, a second sensor configured to sense a second characteristic of the electrical power connector, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller configured to receive the first and the second characteristics, analyze the first and second characteristics, and determine an abnormal condition based on the analysis.

Claims

1. An electrical power system comprising:

an electrical power connector;

a contact configured to electrically connect a power supply to a load;

a first sensor configured to sense a first characteristic of the electrical power connector;

a second sensor configured to sense a second characteristic of the electrical power connector; and

an electronic controller configured to

receive the first and the second characteristics,

analyze the first and second characteristics, and

determine an abnormal condition based on the analysis.

2. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a voltage sensor.

3. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a temperature sensor.

4. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a current sensor.

5. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller determines the abnormal condition by comparing the first and second characteristics to one or more predetermined thresholds.

6. The electronic power system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is a default value based on an application of the electrical power system.

7. The electronic power system of claim 5, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to dynamically adjust the one or more predetermined thresholds based on at least one selected from the group consisting of a measured or calculated parameter, an installation condition, an operational limit, a known operational behavior, and parameter threshold information.

8. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is located within the electrical power connector.

9. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is located on at least one selected from the group consisting of an external communication device, an external wiring device, a remote server, and a cloud network.

10. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein the controller is partially located within the electrical connector and partially located on at least one selected from the group consisting of an external communication device, an external wiring device, a remote server, and a cloud network.

11. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic is based on an installation condition.

12. The electronic power system of claim 11, wherein the installation condition is at least one selected from the group consisting of an expected/allowed temperature range, an indoor versus outdoor use, a degree of climate control or non-climate control, a level of moisture/humidity, a natural temperature variation, a geographical location, and an installation location.

13. The electronic power system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic is one selected from the group consisting of a temperature, a voltage, and a current.

14. The electrical power system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a maintenance schedule tracker.

15. The electrical power system of claim 1 further comprising a load, wherein the controller is further configured to determine an abnormal condition of the power system based on information received from the load.

16. The electrical power system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to utilize machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to perform or improve prediction or diagnostic capability based on the information received from at least one selected from the load.

17. The electrical power system of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to utilize machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to further improve prediction capability based on the information received from the load.