WO2010130019A1

WO2010130019A1 - Active module for energy management

Info

Publication number: WO2010130019A1
Application number: PCT/BR2010/000154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gustavo Lopes Rodrigues Jota; Marcos Paulo Matias
Original assignee: Lectron Indústria E Comércio Ltda
Priority date: 2009-05-12
Filing date: 2010-05-10
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: BRPI0901894A2

Abstract

Active module for energy management relates to a module for actuation and management of possible chargeable measurements, electric energy in special, as well as the management of other electric units with architecture made up of a input module (l), a processing and transmission module (2) an actuation module (3) and a running process developed by the module's own hardware's firmware or via remote servers' software.

Description

ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It describes a module for management of possible chargeable measurements, electric energy in special, as well as the management of other electric units with architecture made up of three modules and running process developed by the module's own hardware's firmware or via remote SERVERS' software. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Energy managers are electronic devices connected after an energy meter

(mechanical, digital or electro-mechanical) controlled by the energy service company. Most of the managers are set to work in Group A, i.e., high and ultra voltage (over 220V), usually comprising small, medium, large companies and also some large retail shopping complexes such as shopping centers and supermarkets.

The architecture of the available solutions is based upon a set of software and hardware performing the digital measurement in determined intervals of time. Such measurement generates a gathering of data, or seed, from the electric units used by some facility consumer. Afterward the so called data seed is processed via hardware controllers and embedded software generating a result which is sent by means of a data outlet means, traditionally a serial port or similar wireline technology; then it is sent to SERVERS for treatment, normally microcomputers with IBM/PC architecture, to generate reports, simulations, graphics and others, such that the consumer facility may establish politics concerning the rational energy usage gotten or previously contracted from the energy service company. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional devices are mainly used in larger commercial and industrial consumers which need to establish reliable optimized parameters to purchase energy and consequently reduce overall costs. As to the final cost such devices need a technical specification allowing them to run in high voltage. Therefore, the production costs are high once the electrical and mechanical components as well as embedded digital systems are designed to run in hostiles environments (magnetism, voltage, temperature, others). The high cost due to these technical specifications prevents the low voltage facility consumers, the so called Group B, as well as the energy service companies, service and operation handlers and final consumers to use and benefit of them.

Many digital electronic meters and devices that also perform the management and automation in measuring the consumed energy may be presented as state of the art. Brazilian Patent application MU8501880-5 discloses a device for the automated reading of the consumed energy value, automatically generating and printing out an invoice.

Brazilian Patent application PIO 10041 1-5 discloses a digital electronic meter with a pre-selling system card. Brazilian Patent application PI0400398-5 discloses a remote recharge system, consuming control and lack of energy monitoring for low voltage consumers.

Brazilian Patent application PI9404408-2 also discloses an electricity digital electronic meter which allows reading the consume of energy via public telephone system network, radio, cellular telephone system or optic fiber sending the respective invoices to the respective clients' bank accounts.

Brazilian Patent application PI0405199-8 discloses a meter to measure energy comprising a characteristic architecture basically consisting of a voltage sensor to generate an analogical signal, a current sensor, a A/D converter, meter, phase compensators and other devices. Brazilian Patent application PI0200935-8 discloses an integrated digital system for energy consuming management consisting of a data gatherer connected to a plurality of reading units which are connected to a data collecting unit and being the data gatherer responsible for receiving the information data from all the reading units. Brazilian Patent application PI0504278-0 discloses an energy cutting off and consuming managing system consisting of a data gatherer placed near the energy transformer which gathers all the data from the other line meters.

Brazilian Patent application PI0304396-7 discloses a cutting off and resetting control remote unit driven by radio frequency signals in the Pager service range comprising a feeding modulo, a receiver module, a decoder module and a commanding module.

Brazilian Patent application PI0503466-3 also discloses a remote system for cutting off, resetting and overseeing energy consuming facilities having a more complex architecture comprising a feeding source, auxiliary battery, local and remote communication units, overseeing micro controller units, etc.

Some international patent applications such as EP 1994416, US6,785,592 and GB2444958, among others, also describe energy managing systems each one with its own peculiarities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device hereby presented comprises a remote cutting off and resetting managing system operated by the energy service company characterized by its electronic architecture and its running process.

Said energy managing system, hereinafter called Active Module Management for

Energy "MAG.E", is made up of three modules: one input module comprising up to three Current Digital Transducers "TCs" and Integrated Microprocessor Circuit "CMI" for calculation and analysis of the electrical units; a central processing and transmission module comprising at least one microcontroller with encapsulated memory, LCD display, security hardware, unit of bidirectional data transmission and wireless commands (GPRS,3G,WIFI, ZIGBEE and others) and wireline ones (PLC, CAN, ETHERNET, SERIAL and others), communication ports consisting of connectors (expansion entrance ways)for digital modules (PCBs - printed circuit boards and/or compatible cards); and an acting or cutting off module via multi-wires and multi-phase electromechanical element (monophase to triphase, 2 to 4 wires). The device has a firmware operational system "OS" allowing processing the services either based in hardware (additional software in the firmware itself) and/or via software from remote SERVERS sending encrypted commands.

It is advantage of the MAG.E a real time bidirectional remote management of all the electric units than allowing tending the wide range of client's specifications either the electric service company and their third-parties or final clients.

It is advantage of the MAG.E its integrated design which allows encapsulating all the hardware and functional parts in the same design package according to rules and electric units measurement regulations in force and being easy to assemble, maintain, etc..

It is advantage of the MAG.E the possibility of being its programming performed via remote management software while it is running than allowing maintenance, up dating and entering new services in the device's OS adding value to the users and third-parts and so enlarging the device's cycle of life and its specification regarding the clients' critical conditions.

It is an object of the MAG.E, that when installed at several points within a facility, to establish an intelligent management network having as main characteristic allowing the management in real-time of said network sorted by a chosen unit installed in the device, such as, by way of software services installed in said module and SERVER perform diagnoses, calculations, advanced simulations in the installed network and even cutting of the supply of energy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures hereby presented make easier the understanding of the invented module for energy management.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram representation of the modules making MAG.E(4) up: input module(l), data processing and transmission module(2) and actuation module(3).

Figure 2 shows a logical diagram representation of the invented MAG.E(4) running system.

Figure 3 shows a representation of the information processing flowchart inside MAG.E(4) and its interaction with the SERVER(5). Figure 4 shows a logical diagram representation of the invented MAG.E(4) running system while running in a GRID format, i.e., a set of MAG.Es interconnected among each other.

Figure 5 shows the invented device's electronic diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to presented figures, Fig.l shows that the Active Module Management for Energy , MAG.E(4), is made up of: entrance module(l) basically comprising an entrance signal sensor and a A/D converter(121); data processing and transmission module(2) comprising: processing unit(21) consisting of a microcontroller-CPU-(21 1) that could be of the RISC type, encapsulated memory MEM(214), LCD visor(212), security hardware(213); bidirectional data transmission unit(22) consisting of wireless commands(221) such as GPRS, 3G, WIFI, ZIGBEE types among others and wireline commands(222) such as PLC, CAN, ETHERNET, SERIAL among others; communication ports(23) consisting of connectors(231 ) of the entrance expansion type for transmission digital modules (PCSs, or MAG.E's compatible cards); command units(24) consisting of a plurality of exit connections for electrical drives "SCAEs"(241). Said MAG.E also comprises an actuation module(3) consisting of a cutting off module(31) remotely and electronically driven which deactivates the energy supply.

As shown in Fig.2, the MAG.E(4) is connected to the residences' energy supply source and communicates with a SERVER(5) through transmission units(22) or communication ports(23). This communication can be made through wireline protocol such as PLC, CAN, ETHERNET cable type, among others, or via WIRELESS or another wireless protocol.

The MAG.E's running logical process represented in Fig.3, basically comprises the interconnection of the MAG.E(4) to the energy supply network and to the PC SERVER(5) connected to the Internet. The MAG.E(4) receives the energy from the energy supply network(401), performs the reading and processing(402) of the units and performs the register in the circular memory RAM(403).

Said MAG.E(4) receives the encrypted command "CMD"(501) sent from the PC's SERVER (5) and checks out its origin authenticity(404) - communication and/or command - and the physical integrity of the software(405) generating a result or answer positive YES or negative NO. If the answer of the MAG.E(4) is YES than the MAG.E(4) executes the desired command(406) which are: "keep status(407)" or "turn on(408)" or "cut off (409) or "read memory(410)" and also displays in the LCD display the message of the current consumed energy and its value in the current currency. For each one of the cases, except the "read memory(410)" one, the system generates a positive answer "CMD OK"(41 1) or a negative answer "CMD FAILURE"(412). For all the performed cases the answers are encrypted(413) again and sent to SERVER(5). The SERVER(5) receives the answer(502), creates a register(503) and forwards actions(504): or of charging(505) or of diagnosing(506) the network or of other operations and services(507). If the answer(405) of the MAG.E(4) is NO said MAG.E erases(414) all the RAM memory, displays in the LCD visor(212) the message "MEM=0"(418) and the system's Firmware(415) diagnoses the failure mode, determines(416) the failure mode an'd sends(417) the encrypted signal "SOS + diagnosed failure mode)". The SERVER(5) receives(508) said answer "SOS + diagnosed failure mode)", creates the register(509) of the signal, and forwards(510) the action(511) for maintenance/operation to solve the presented failure and/or other actions according to the client's need.

MAG.E(4) device runs in a GRID format related to the energy network, i.e., a set of MAG.E(4) devices set up in a network. It can be used with interconnections between the MAG.Es(4), or NETWORK, for exchanging data where one or more one of them communicates with the SERVER(5) as shown in Fig.4, or in a STAND ALONE format as shown in Fig.2. In the Stand Alone operation each MAG.E(4) communicates directly with SERVER(5), independently of their communication systems, and SERVER(5) through Internet forwards on-line services to the energy service companies, third-parties or final consumers. The control of the MAG.E's(4) Network from an established area is performed through SERVER(5). The Network format , shown in Fig.4, can be found ,e.g., in a condominium energy distribution board. Here, each MAG.E(4) communicates with the following MAG.E(4) by means of a wireline, through a plate connected to one of the communication ports(23) using the CAN (Controller Area Network) as one of the bidirectional communication protocols, or even via a wireless protocol such as WIFI network routed in a dynamic mode. This way, all the MAG.E(4) interconnected via a wireline or wireless connection perform the consumed data transferring and also commands to the following MAG.E(4) up to the last installed MAG.E(4). This last MAG.E(4) communicates with SERVER(5) and transmits the data in a way independently of all the existing MAG.Es(4) in the network. Fig.5 shows the electronic diagram of module for energy management MAG.E(4).

The input module(l) consists of an entrance sensor comprising at least one phase bridge(l l or 12 or 13) and a neutral bridge(14); through the electrical bifurcation of the phase bridge(l l or 12 or 13) the voltage phase(s) will be captured together with the neutral phase of the neutral bridge(14). The signal goes through the current digital transducers(15,16,17), where the current signal measurement is performed, and goes through the voltage entrances(18, 19, 20). Than, the signal is sent to the digital analogical converter "A/D"(121) where the transformation of the signal(s) from analogical data into digital data are performed. These data are taken to the entrance and exit connection "I/O^!(122) which is connected to a multi-volt source(123) that feeds all the system. From connection "I/O"(122) the data are sent to a microcontroller "CPU"(211) of the processing unit(21) which will perform the data processing. The microcontroller "CPU"(221) performs the processing and storage of the data in a table format in a circular non-volatile memory(214) gathering them with time registers (hour, minute, second, day, year), place (city code), the serial number of the device, electric units (power, current, voltage...) and being available changing the data table structure via remote sensors sent by SERVER(5) in order to perform other services at the MAG.E's(4) terminal(s). The stored table, the overall energy consumed during the period together with the cost value in the current currency is alternately displayed in the ^SLCD'(212) display. In parallel to this process the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) performs two processes: checking out the system's physical integrity and logical. As to the physical integrity the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) diagnoses the system's violation through the security hardware(213) element(s) and automatically erases all the consumed data from memory(214) and from firmware (operational system of MAG.E) than sending a SOS signal through the physical integrity failure mode, and also said signal is displayed in the 'LCD'(212) display in the format of "MEM=O" message. In case of logical integrity and/or failures the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) acts in the same way sending a "SOS + Failure mode" signal. The bi-directional communication can be performed via wireline(221) or wireless(222) transmission units(22), microwaves type, GPRS, EDGE, or 3G existent in the processing and transmitting module(2) or via another wireline or wireless communication means plugged to the communication ports(23). The MAG.E(4) runs without the telemetry signal interruption and/or Internet in the case of being the module coupled with a wireline of technology PLC/BPL (Power Line Communication/ Broadband Line communication). The MAG.E(4) sends all the consume data in a crypto graphed format to SERVER(5) and receives commands in the same way. As presented the commands can reprogram tables or calculations or even remotely install firmware updates. Acting commands such as cut off/set up energy are processed by the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) and drive the actuation module(3) to, e.g., cut off the energy supply. The setting up is performed via electrical pulses to command unit(24) by means of the "CMDl" and "CMD2" and can also send continue energy to "CMD3" in order to set up other(s) device(s). Upon receiving and/or sending and executing a command the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) returns to SERVER(5) the correspondent successful operation signal or failure mode. The cut off/set up element is started through pulses from the 'CMDl' and 'CMD2' to perform the cutting off or the normal supply of energy (Light) of the consuming facility in question. The MAG.E(4) stays ON even while the cutting off is being performed in order to receive commands. In the case the energy from which energy network the MAG.E(4) is connected to drops, all the memory 'MEM'(214) is filed; at the restart instant the MAG.E(4) performs all the measurements and security processes and communicates with SERVER(5) in order to report the occurred failure.

Claims

1. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT is an active module device for management of electric units, including possible chargeable ones, in special electric energy, which is connected to the energy network for specifically measuring the consumed energy, assembled in such a way that it can operate in a set form (NETWORK) or in a individual form (STAND ALONE), forming a network of measuring devices (GRID) with drive and bi-directional communication, wireline or wireless, between the MAG.E(4) and SERVERS(5), characterized by being the electronic architecture of said MAG.E(4) made up of three modules and by being the first module an input module(l) consisting of an input sensor plugged to a A/D converter(121); by being the second module a processing and transmission module(2) plugged to said input module(l) through connection VO(HT) for entrance and exit of the signal; by being said connection 1/0(122) plugged to the input module(l) through said A/D converter(121) and being plugged to the processing and transmission module(2) by means of microcontroller 'CPU' (211) which is a part of said processing and transmission module(2); by being said processing and transmission (2) comprised of a processing unit(21) consisting of said microcontroller 'CPU' (211), an encapsulated non- volatile memory(214) with bi-directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211), a LCD(212) display with bi-directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211), and a security hardware(213) with bi-directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211); and by having said processing and transmission module(2) a data bi-directional transmitting unit(22) and wireless(221) and wireline(222) commands both units with bi-directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211) and by having communication ports(23) consisting of connectors(231) for digital transmitting modules (PCB - printed circuit board) with bi- directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211); and by said processing and transmission module(2) having exiting units with connections for electrical commands(24) consisting of 'SCAE's'(241) also with bi-directional communication with said microcontroller 'CPU'(211); and by being the third module an acting module(3) plugged and driven by the said processing and transmission module(2) by means of the command unit(24); and by having said MAG.E(4) a multi-volt(123) source plugged to connection 1/0(122) and plugged to acting module(3).

2. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claim 1, characterized by being the entering sensor comprised of at least one phase bridge(l 1 or 12 or 13) and a neutral phase(14); and by being each one of the phase bridges(l 1 or 12 or 13) plugged to a current digital transducer(15 or 16 or 17) and to a voltage entrance(18 or 19 or 20) respectively.

3. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claiml, characterized by the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) driving any one of the parts comprising the processing and transmission module(2).

4. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT characterized by comprising the running method of the MAG.E(4) in receiving and measuring the received signal through the input module(l); by sending said signal to converter AfD(Hl); by said converter AfD(Hl) sending the data to the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) by means of connection 1/0(122); and by said microcontroller 'CPU' (211) sending the data in a table format for storage in the circular non- volatile memory(214) during a period of time, together with time registers, place, serial number, physical units; and by said microcontroller 'CPU' (211) calculating the data using the value of the current currency and displaying de consuming data in the 'LCD'(212) display and by sending them to the SERVERS(5) in a cryptographic format; and by the SERVERS(5) driving the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) also through cryptographic commands for cutting off the energy, or normal energy supplying, or up dating, or software new versions installation; and by the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) also sending answering cryptographic successful or failure messages of each operation to the SERVERS(5).

5. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT characterized by the fact that when working in the NETWORK format each MAG.E(4) will communicate with the following MAG.E(4) through the wireline or wireless network by means of a plate connected to one of the gateways(23); and by using CAN (Controller Area Network) as one of the bi-directional communication protocols; and by performing all the MAG.E(4) interconnected via wireline connection the transferring of consuming data and messages to the next MAG.E(4) and by being said data and messages transferred till the last MAG.E(4) installed in a independent way; and by this last MAG.E(4) communicating with the SERVERS(5), transmitting the data to the SERVERS(5) of each MAG.E(4) and being driven by the SERVERS(5) for each MAG.E(4) of the whole set in a independent way.

6. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claim 4, characterized by the microcontroller 'CPU'(211) sending electrical pulses to the 'SCAEs' of the command unit(24) and said command unit(24) performing the cutting off or supplying of energy.

7. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claim 4, characterized by the fact of the SERVERS(5) being able to send driving command to the microcontroller 'CPU' (211) and that by means of the flowing energy said microcontroller 'CPU'(211) driving a 'SCAE'(241) to drive other device(s).

8. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claim 4, characterized by the communication between MAG.E(4) and the SERVERS(5) being performed through the transmitting unit(22) or communication port(23) by means of wireline or wireless technology.

9. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claims 1 to 8, characterized by being the transmitting unit(22), a part of the processing and transmission module(2), comprised of wireless bidirectional transmitting units(221) of the GPRS, 3 G, WIFI and ZIGBEE type.

10. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claims 1 to 7, characterized by being the transmitting unit(22), a part of the processing and transmission module(2), comprised of wireline bidirectional transmitting units(222) of the PLC, CAN, ETHERNET and SERIAL type.

11. ACTIVE MODULE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT according to claim 3, characterized by working the MAG.E(4) using the wireline PLC/BPL (Power Line Communication/Broadband Line Communication) technology.