Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120265355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SINGLE AND MULTIZONAL OPTIMIZATION OF UTILITY SERVICES DELIVERY AND UTILIZATION - The present invention is directed to utility service delivery wherein distributed intelligence and networking is used in the optimization of the service delivery. The present invention employs a network of data collection nodes and aggregation nodes located on a power grid controlled by a controlling agency. The data collection nodes comprise Intelligent Communicating Devices (ICDs) and Communicating Devices (CDs), which transmit metrics they collect over the power grid from locations near meters or service transformers to the aggregation nodes. Commands, policies, and program updates may be transmitted from a server at an aggregation node to the ICDs and CDs. The ICDs are also capable of issuing control commands to the CDs and grid management devices, acting locally and/or in conjunction with other ICDs, CDs, aggregation nodes, and central controlling agencies. Through these communications and commands, utility services delivery and utilization is optimized. | 10-18-2012 |
20140233620 | METHODS FOR ANALYZING AND OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF A DATA COLLECTION NETWORK ON AN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION GRID - A system and methods for optimizing the performance of communication network utilizing an electrical distribution grid are disclosed. Optimization methods may include archiving historical message data and metrics from transmissions by Remote Hubs received on one or more Substation-to-Edge channels. Trends in the archived metrics over time are later analyzed to determine which combination of transmission variables such as frequency band, modulation method, drive voltage, and transmission time produce the highest message success rates overall. The results of such analysis may be used to provide feedback to the Remote Hubs or reveal necessary repairs to the network. Optimization may also be carried out locally by an individual Remote Hub by estimating the impedance of the transmission medium and adjusting either drive voltage or transmission band. | 08-21-2014 |
20140233662 | A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFERRING SCHEMATIC AND TOPOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION GRID - A system and method for inferring schematic and topological properties of an electrical distribution grid is provided. The system may include Remote Hubs, Subordinate Remotes, a Substation Receiver, and an associated Computing Platform and Concentrator. At least one intelligent edge transmitter, called a Remote Hub Edge Transmitter, may transmit messages on the electrical distribution grid by injecting a modulated current into a power main that supplies an electric meter. The Subordinate Remotes, Remote Hubs, the Substation Receiver, and the associated Computing Platform and Concentrator may contain processing units which execute stored instructions allowing each node in the network to implement methods for organizing the on-grid network and transmitting and receiving messages on the network. The Substation Receiver, Computing Platform and Concentrator may detect and infer schematic grid location attributes of the network and publish the detected and inferred attributes to other application systems including geospatial information systems maintaining the logical and physical network model. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236365 | METHODS FOR DISCOVERING, PARTITIONING, ORGANIZING, AND ADMINISTERING COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN A TRANSFORMER AREA NETWORK - A system and methods for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid having at least one substation transformer and one service transformer are presented. At least one Remote Hub governed by a policy may be provided, which collects data about the transformer area. The Remote Hub may also execute a discovery procedure to inventory Remotes in the transformer area. The Remote Hub may use the collected data to detect events, such as exceptional conditions, configuration changes, or derived results, within the transformer area. Based on the collected data, the Remote Hub is able to transmit data about the transformer area via a Substation-to-Edge channel. A method and system for forming and establishing boundaries of Transformer Area Networks is also presented. Discovery procedures may be used to form Transformer Area Networks out of Remote Hubs and Remotes powered by the same phase of the service transformer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140361907 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFERRING SCHEMATIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOAD POINTS AND SERVICE TRANSFORMERS - A system and method for identifying which of several candidate service transformers is powering a specific service point an electrical distribution grid are disclosed. An audio-frequency electrical signal, the detection signal, is injected onto the power line at the service point via a meter socket or electrical outlet. The Transmitter for the detection signal may be a portable device or it may be incorporated into an electrical meter. The audible or mechanical resonance caused in the service transformer by the detection signal is detected and recorded using an accelerometer or directional microphone in a Receiver. A variety of methods for fixing the Receiver at or in proximity to the service transformers are disclosed in order to adapt to variations in the siting and housing of service transformers. A variety of mechanisms and methods for collecting detection events are disclosed. | 12-11-2014 |
20140368189 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND LOCALIZING NON-TECHNICAL LOSSES IN AN ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION GRID - A system and method for detecting theft of power in an electrical distribution grid. The system may include at least two communicating meters which form a transformer area network, a mechanism for measuring current and voltage at the meters, a mechanism for transmitting the measured current and voltage data to a data center with access to an electric grid database, and a mechanism that analyzes the transmitted data to inter unauthorized taking of electrical power. | 12-18-2014 |
20160112378 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GRID BASED CYBER SECURITY - A method and system for providing a secure communication network using an electrical distribution grid is disclosed. A device connected to the electrical distribution grid initiates a request for a secured key token by signaling an intelligent communicating device residing at or near an edge of the grid. The intelligent communicating device forwards the request to a receiver at a distribution substation on the electrical grid. This receiver enhances the properties of the request such that a grid location for the request can be inferred. The enhanced request is forwarded to a server at the distribution substation, which compares the request grid location to a Grid Map and Policies of known secure grid locations. Any inconsistencies between the grid location inferred from the enhanced request and the Grid Map and Policies locations are considered evidence of tampering, and the server rejects the request. | 04-21-2016 |