Modular architecture for managing site-level electrical power distribution
AssigneeSpan.IO, Inc.
InventorsJack Jester Weinstein, Ian Casimir Dimen, Cole Hamilton Ashman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for managing electrical power distribution for the microgrid at a site includes a customizable modular smart panel chassis and a set of chassis-compatible hardware modules. The chassis is designed to hold the hardware modules, which in turn are connected to circuits. The modules are field-installable and field-replaceable. Accordingly, more modules may be added as more circuits are added and/or as more management capabilities become available. The chassis itself may also be field-customizable, for example extendible in size to accommodate more modules.
Claims20
An electrical panel for managing a distribution of electrical power throughout a microgrid at a site, the electrical panel comprising:
- a chassis comprising:
- a bus structure that receives electrical power, and
- a plurality of predefined attachment points for installation of field-replaceable control modules;
- a field-replaceable branch module installed at one of the attachment points with electrical connection to the bus structure, the branch module distributing electrical power from the bus structure to a branch circuit of the microgrid and providing sensor, processor and/or actuator capabilities for the branch circuit;
- a field-replaceable panel control module installed at one of the attachment points with electrical connection to the bus structure, wherein the panel control module maintains a registry that includes the installed branch module;
- and
- an intra-panel communications network, over which the panel control module communicates data and control with the branch module.
A microgrid control module for managing a distribution of electrical power throughout a microgrid at a site, the microgrid control module comprising:
- a registry for maintaining a listing of field-installable control modules installed on the microgrid, the control modules providing sensor, processor and/or actuator capabilities for the microgrid;
- a communications network, over which the microgrid control module communicates data and control with the control modules;
- and
- a connection to a gateway, the gateway providing external communications to outside the site.
A system for managing a distribution of electrical power throughout a microgrid at a site, the system comprising:
- a plurality of field-installable control modules that provide sensor, processor and/or actuator capabilities for the microgrid;
- a microgrid control module that maintain a registry of the installed control modules;
- an intra-site communications network, over which the microgrid control module communicates data and control with the control modules;
- and
- a gateway connected to the microgrid control module, the gateway connecting to an external communications network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.