US 10,541,099 B1Granted

Mapping and monitoring of electrical connections between circuit breakers and loads

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsBrock Robert Gardner, Stephanie Towner, Brian Herman

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Techniques for monitoring statuses of electrical connections are described. In an example, an identifier of a circuit breaker is received. A determination may be made that the circuit breaker is in an “on” state based on the identifier of the circuit breaker being received. Further, an identifier of a load connected to the circuit breaker over a power cable is received. The identifier of the load is transmitted over the power cable. A determination may be made that the load is connected to the circuit breaker based on the identifier of the load being received. The identifier of the circuit breaker, the identifier of the load, and electrical connection statuses of the circuit breaker and the load may be provided over an interface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power distribution system within a datacenter, comprising:

a server computer;
a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker connected with a load over a power cable and connected to a power line;
a plug connected with the load and the power cable, the plug comprising:
a first processor, and
a first memory storing an identifier of the load and first computer-readable instructions that, upon execution by the first processor, cause the plug to send the identifier of the load over the power cable;
and
a connection monitor connected with the circuit breaker and the power line, the connection monitor comprising:
a second processor;
a second memory storing second computer-readable instructions that, upon execution by the second processor, cause the connection monitor to:
determine an identifier of the circuit breaker and identifiers of loads connected to the circuit breaker, the identifiers comprising the identifier of the load, the identifier of the circuit breaker and the identifiers of the loads received over the power line, and
determine electrical connection statuses of the circuit breaker and the loads based on the identifier of the circuit breaker and the identifiers of the loads;
and
an interface configured to provide the identifier of the circuit breaker, the identifiers of the loads, and the electrical connection statuses.

10 more elements

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a connection monitor, an identifier of a circuit breaker, the connection monitor electrically connected with the circuit breaker;
determining, by the connection monitor, that the circuit breaker is in an “on” state based on the identifier of the circuit breaker being received;
receiving, by the connection monitor, an identifier of a load that is connected with the circuit breaker over a power cable, the identifier of the load transmitted over the power cable by a plug, the load being electrically coupled with the power cable via the plug, the plug being configured to transmit the identifier as data based on a data communication protocol over the power cable;
determining, by the connection monitor, that the load is connected to the circuit breaker based on the identifier of the load being received;
and
providing, by the connection monitor over an interface, the identifier of the circuit breaker, the identifier of the load, and electrical connection statuses of the circuit breaker and the load.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/636,030Filed 28 Jun 2017
Granted: 21 Jan 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

H01H 71/04
Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00: means for indicating condition of the switching device
H02J 13/10
Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network: characterised by displaying…
G06F 1/26
Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00: power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
G06F 1/3212
Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality: monitoring battery levels, e.g. power saving mode being…