Wireless branch circuit energy monitoring system
US8760825B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H1/06
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit breaker (such as a miniature circuit breaker) that wirelessly communicates state and fault information to a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker includes a transceiver and a power supply that harvests energy inductively from the line current conductor without the need for a connection to a neutral conductor. The wireless circuit breaker can be implemented in the same package as existing circuit breakers, eliminating the need to replace the panel when upgrading to a system that employs a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker can also include an energy storage device for supplying power to the circuit breaker after it has tripped, allowing the circuit breaker to transmit information after a trip. The main energy monitoring module includes a processor and a gateway for evaluating and transmitting information received from the circuit breaker to other applications, such as webpages and smartphones.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.