COMPARATOR AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY METER DEVICE

Description

1 / 13 DESCRIPTIVE REPORT “ELECTRIC ENERGY COMPARATOR AND METER DEVICE” Technical field

[001] The present invention falls within the field of electrical measurement, focusing on the development of devices aimed at verifying and calibrating electrical energy meters.

[002] This is a printed circuit board-based artificial load generator device integrating measurement, control, drive, power supply and temperature systems. The device allows for the voluntary and precise verification of electrical energy measurement systems directly at consumer premises, using comparative measurement to identify calibration errors, manufacturing defects, damage or tampering with energy meters. State of the Art

[003] Residential, commercial, or industrial electricity metering is done through energy consumption meters strategically installed between the utility company and the consumer. However, these meters can present problems even after being tested and installed at the customer's location. These problems can range from a simple miscalibration of the measurement parameters to the result of a manufacturing defect, damage caused by exposure to the elements, or, in some cases, tampering with their operation, resulting in the meter incorrectly recording the actual consumption. In any of these cases, the utility company can inspect the meter, and the customer can request an inspection, i.e., a verification of the meter. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 11 / 29 2 / 13 Question to assess whether your calibration complies with regulatory standards, to identify any defects, or to detect any possible illegal tampering with the meter.

[004] Conventional energy meters, as described in patent BR 11 2023 004946 6 A2, are designed to perform direct measurements of consumption under specific conditions. While effective for measuring energy use in static situations, these devices lack features that allow for comparison of measurements with reference loads or validation of their accuracy. They do not offer the possibility of detailed auditing of measurements, which is essential to ensure the accuracy of the data presented to consumers. Furthermore, they do not incorporate an artificial load system that can simulate different consumption profiles, a critical feature for validating the meter's performance.

[005] Next, we consider patent BR 11 2013 002554 9 B1, which presents a method for measuring current using a reactive sensor and a reference load. Although this approach represents progress over traditional meters, it is not yet intended to function as a robust comparator device. The reference load used is not sufficiently dynamic to simulate the various operating conditions that meters face in everyday use, which limits its applicability in real-world measurement scenarios.

[006] In general, existing technologies have significant limitations in several aspects. Verifiability is a central concern, as many devices do not allow a direct comparison between the measurements taken and the applied load, which is crucial for detecting calibration errors and operational failures. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 12 / 29 3 / 13 Furthermore, many devices feature complex user interfaces that do not provide an intuitive user experience, making operation difficult, especially for those without technical training.

[007] There are currently some devices on the market that use linear resistive artificial loads. This load consists of a resistive filament that generates heat as electric current flows, overheating and consuming energy. This filament has fragile mechanical characteristics which, due to thermal expansions and contractions caused in tests, as well as impacts during transport and occasional accidents, end up breaking, completely preventing the comparator device from functioning. These problems, in addition to causing overheating in the device and providing inaccurate loads due to energy consumption, prevent its use for prolonged periods, requiring frequent maintenance and / or replacement.

[008] There is also the functional limitation of the exclusivity of conducting local tests, where current devices do not provide for remote operation or even the generation of test reports, as they lack integrated tools that enable detailed analysis and documentation of measurements, in addition to the lack of communication with external solutions for the control and management of operations.

[009] According to current standards, there are accuracy classes for meters, with the accuracy of the comparator equipment being at least three times better than that of the meter under test. However, it is observed that these requirements are not met by current systems, especially considering the current technologies already applied in Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 13 / 29 4 / 13 local meters. A comparison device with low accuracy in the measurement system has its testing restricted to a small variety of consumption meter installations, in addition to representing low reliability in the tests where it is applied.

[010] It is also known that available measurement systems are composed of discrete components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. Systems of this type add a level of complexity and points of failure to the equipment, as well as making maintenance more difficult. [01 1] It is also seen in these devices or equipment that, when present, the human-machine interface is restricted to a common display and physical keyboards for interaction. This basic interface format is restrictive and does not allow for more complex interactions such as taking photos, printing reports, or collecting signatures, for example, restricting the operator to basic operations that can be controlled by a button. Due to such restrictions, operators or technicians in the field generally have to carry a smartphone or similar device to allow for the collection of this data and documents during operation, which increases risks and costs, especially considering that each dealership is responsible for developing its own application, which restricts fast and efficient operations to the few larger dealerships.

[012] Therefore, despite the variety of devices and solutions available, there is a clear gap in the market for a tool that unites all these functionalities in a single system, offering not only accurate measurements, but also in-depth analysis, automated reports, an easy-to-access interface and a Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 14 / 29 5 / 13 Robust mechanism free from faults, malfunctions and frequent breakdowns. Objectives of the invention

[013] The invention aims to solve the problems of current techniques with an innovative device with advantageous characteristics. This device consists of an artificial load responsible for circulating energy in the meter, an energy measurement system, a microprocessor to perform the accounting of the energy measured by the consumption meter and, finally, an HMI (human-machine interface) that allows the operator to access the device's functionalities and verify the comparative results.

[014] Its nonlinear resistive artificial load generation mechanism is robust and durable in order to allow its use in various and repetitive tests without impediments to malfunction and without compromising its physical or electrical characteristics.

[015] It is a comparison equipment / device with better accuracy, which allows testing on a wider variety of consumption meter installations, as well as ensuring greater reliability in the tests.

[016] The device features a high-resolution touch-sensitive display human-machine interface, allowing the operator to view measurements with confidence and operate and parameterize tests quickly and easily.

[017] In addition to local operation, the device features wireless communication for operation via a smartphone app, allowing for remote testing, image acquisition of tests, saving of test data, and generation and issuance of reports. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 15 / 29 6 / 13 regarding the tests and storage of the history of tests performed. This feature, combined with the chosen interface, allows for efficient, fast, and accurate operations.

[018] Thus, an integrated measurement system is configured in a single circuit, which can be used nationally and internationally in measurement systems with a minimum accuracy of 0.1%. This integrated circuit uses a minimum number of external components and has widely available electrical and functional diagrams that are easy to reproduce, resulting in great ease of manufacture and maintenance.

[019] The proposed comparator and electrical energy meter device stands out for its unique combination of nonlinear artificial load, integrated measurement system and advanced HMI interface. This integration allows for precise checks, real-time monitoring and automated report generation. In this way, the invention fills a significant gap in the current state of the art.

[020] One of the central objectives of the invention is to provide accurate verification of electricity meters installed in homes and industries. The device allows comparison between the measurement performed by the meter and the artificial load applied, identifying possible deviations or calibration errors.

[021] The invention aims to detect not only calibration errors, but also manufacturing defects and tampering in energy meters. By performing comparative measurements, the device identifies whether a meter is registering incorrect values ​​due to technical problems, helping to avoid financial losses for consumers and energy utilities. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 16 / 29 7 / 13

[022] Another objective is to ensure that the device is easy to use for professionals and end users. The human-machine interface (HMI) was designed to be intuitive, allowing users without technical training to operate the equipment without difficulty. Communication with a smartphone application further facilitates access to the device's functionalities, making it accessible to a wide audience.

[023] The device also aims to automatically generate detailed reports, facilitating the documentation of measurements taken. The ability to record data, store information, and even capture images during the measurement process offers a valuable tool for professionals who need to present efficiency and compliance reports.

[024] Another objective of the device is to provide real-time monitoring, which allows users to track measurements instantly, receiving up-to-date data on the performance of energy meters, which is particularly useful for quickly identifying problems and taking corrective action when necessary.

[025] Finally, the device also aims to contribute to the promotion of energy efficiency by ensuring that meters are operating correctly, helping to minimize energy waste and encouraging the responsible use of electrical resources. Description of the figures Figure 1A shows a front photograph of the single printed circuit board that forms the device; Figure 1B shows a rear photograph of the license plate from the previous figure; Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 17 / 29 8 / 13 Figure 2 shows a schematic of the circuit board with the components or systems installed on it; Figure 3 shows an electrical schematic of the printed circuit board with the current paths distributed throughout the systems; Figure 4 shows the electrical diagram of the measuring system; Figure 5A shows a front photograph of the artificial load generation unit; Figure 5B shows a rear photograph of the artificial load generation unit; Figure 6 shows a photograph of the human-machine interface display of the device. Detailed Description of the Invention

[026] According to the attached figures, the invention relates to a comparator and electrical energy meter device of the artificial load generator type for direct application in consumer installations, using comparative measurement to identify calibration errors, manufacturing defects, damage or tampering in energy meters.

[027] Said device is mounted on a single printed circuit board (1), as shown in figures 1A, 1B and 2, integrated with dedicated firmware and electrical systems for measurement, control, drive, power supply and temperature, also including wireless communication means {Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth} for connectivity with an external application. The device has connected to its printed circuit board (1) a non-linear resistive artificial load generator unit (2) with an integrated cooling system and an HMI {human-machine interface} of the LCD display type sensitive to Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 18 / 29 9 / 13 touch (3). The electrical systems of the circuit board (1) are represented in figure 3.

[028] The measurement system, as represented in Figure 4, is preferably a chip for high-precision energy measurement applications in single-phase systems, capable of measuring electrical parameters such as voltage, current, active, reactive and apparent power, with support for sensors and resistors, SPI communication for external microcontrollers and low power consumption. The measurement system is preferably the ATM90E26 chip or integrated circuit from Amtel®.

[029] The control system is based on a central microcontroller with a high-performance processor, low power consumption, and integrated wireless connectivity. The microcontroller is configured to control all the device's functionalities, including driving the artificial load, reading and interpreting energy measurements, error analysis and calculations, executing programmed functions, reading and interpreting the temperature sensor, communicating with the interface or display, communicating with the external application, and other device routines. The microcontroller is preferably the ESP32 model.

[030] The drive system is an electromechanical relay with a 5V DC coil voltage, compact in size and with contact switching capability, configured to, via microcontroller command, activate the generator unit (2) and consequently the artificial load on the device. The relay is preferably model SRD-05VDC-SL-C. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 19 / 29 10 / 13

[031] The power supply system uses an encapsulated AC / DC switched-mode power supply as the DC power source for the device circuits. Preferably the Hi-Link® HLK-5M05 power supply.

[032] The temperature system uses an internal temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature during tests performed with the device in order to detect possible failures in the device's ventilation system. The AHT10 sensor is preferably used.

[033] The non-linear resistive artificial load generating unit (2), shown in figures 5A and 5B, is a non-linear PTC type resistor with integrated cooling fan, configured to be driven by the device's microprocessor via the 5V relay in order to generate the current to be measured by the chip or measuring system. The generating unit from Ptcyidu® is preferably used.

[034] The HMI {human-machine interface} of the device, as illustrated in figure 6, is a 240x320 resolution touch-sensitive LCD display configured to display the digital interface and allow interaction with the operator via touch for system access, parameterization and selection of actions to be performed during tests performed with the device. The interface is preferably the Nextion® NX3224F024 model.

[035] The device uses firmware 100% designed by the inventor, developed in C++ for the specified microprocessor, allowing its communication with the HMI via Serial and with the chip or measurement system via SPI. It is configured for functionality of constant selection of pulses from the measuring system under test, pulse capture from the meter, and load activation. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 20 / 29 11 / 13 artificial and calculation of percentage error of the assay through comparative analysis.

[036] The device provides control via an external smartphone application software configured to access device control and monitoring functionalities, such as conducting tests remotely, acquiring test images by capturing the interface screen, saving test data, generating reports, among other functions. It also allows monitoring the test in real time.

[037] Specifically, the external application features: an initial screen for operator registration and login to identify the technician responsible for the operation; a screen for registering and selecting the measuring device to identify the device used; an integrity inspection screen for performing the test in real time; a short circuit and sensor test screen for initial verification of the system's proper functioning and adjustment of the sensor's positioning; a functional test screen for performing the test in real time; a general inspection screen with evaluation of the electrical and physical conditions of the meter to be included in the report; a screen for viewing the results and main information of the test report, allowing data to be saved in the test history; and a final technical report screen, where the technical report with complete information on the operation performed is issued and, if necessary, printed. Comments:

[038] The energy comparator and meter device is an innovative and robust solution, designed to ensure accuracy in measuring electricity consumption in various applications, such as homes, industries and businesses. Its construction is simple, Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 21 / 29 12 / 13 accessible, low production and maintenance costs, and high resistance for continuous or uninterrupted testing.

[039] In short, the electricity comparator and meter device is a comprehensive tool that combines advanced technology and efficient design, providing accurate measurements and functionalities that revolutionize the way consumers and businesses manage and verify electricity consumption. Each component of the device has been designed to ensure efficiency, durability and ease of use.

[040] The non-linear artificial load generating unit (2) has the resistor mounted on a heat sink that helps dissipate the heat generated during operation. Complementing this structure, a fan is used to keep the temperature under control, preventing overheating and ensuring the durability of the device. This robust configuration allows the artificial load to reliably and continuously simulate different energy consumption conditions without performance degradation.

[041] The measurement system configuration reduces the need for external components, simplifying production and system maintenance. The circuit design is optimized to facilitate interpretation and operation by users, regardless of their level of technical training.

[042] The device's HMI is one of its great innovations, as it allows for intuitive interaction with the system. The interface is capable of generating automatic reports, recording measurement data, capturing images, and even printing results, making the use of the device practical and efficient. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 22 / 29 13 / 13

[043] One of the device's main functions is the ability to perform comparative measurements that help identify calibration errors, manufacturing defects and possible tampering with energy meters, ensuring that consumers only pay for what they actually consume.

[044] The system allows real-time monitoring of consumption data, providing up-to-date information on meter performance, which is essential for the rapid detection of problems and for making immediate decisions.

[045] The device is capable of generating automatic reports on the measurements taken, storing data for future analysis. The recording of visual information, such as photos, complements this functionality, facilitating the documentation and presentation of results.

[046] The invention is applicable in various contexts, from the verification of residential meters to analysis in industrial environments, with the following main technical advantages: • Increased Measurement Accuracy; • Ease of Use; • Sustainability - by promoting responsible and sustainable consumption practices.

[047] The device stands out in the market for its integrated approach and for combining features that are normally found in separate devices. The combination of nonlinear artificial load, high-precision measurement system and an advanced digital interface represents a significant innovation compared to existing solutions. Petition 870250004436, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, pp. 23 / 29

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1) A COMPARATOR AND MEASURING DEVICE for ELECTRICAL ENERGY of the artificial load generator type for direct application in consumer installations, using comparative measurement to identify calibration errors, manufacturing defects, damage or tampering with energy meters, characterized in that it is mounted on a single printed circuit board (1), integrated with dedicated firmware and electrical measurement, control, drive, power supply and temperature systems, also including wireless communication means {WiFi and / or Bluetooth} for connectivity with an external application, said device has connected to its printed circuit board (1) a non-linear resistive artificial load generator unit (2) with integrated cooling system and an HMI {human-machine interface} of the touch-sensitive LCD display type (3). 2) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring system is preferably a chip for high-precision energy measurement applications in single-phase systems, capable of measuring electrical parameters such as voltage, current, active, reactive and apparent power, with support for sensors and resistors, SPI communication for external microcontrollers and low power consumption. 3) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the control system is based on a central microcontroller with a high-performance processor, low power consumption and integrated wireless connectivity, said microcontroller is configured to control all the functionalities of the device, including the activation of the artificial load, the reading and interpretation of energy measurement, error analysis and calculations, execution of programmed functions, reading and interpretation of the temperature sensor, communication with the interface or display, communication with the external application and other device routines. 4) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive system is an electromechanical relay with a coil voltage of 5V DC, of ​​compact dimensions and with contact switching capability, configured to, through microcontroller command, activate the generator unit (2) and consequently the artificial load on the device. 5) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply system uses an encapsulated AC / DC switched-mode power supply as the DC power source for the device's circuits. 6) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature system uses an internal temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature during tests performed with the device to detect faults in the ventilation system of the apparatus. 7) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the nonlinear resistive artificial load generating unit (2) is a nonlinear PTC type resistor with integrated cooling fan, configured to be driven by the device's microprocessor via the 5V relay to generate the current to be measured by the chip or measuring system. 8) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that the HMI {human-machine interface} of the device is a 240x320 resolution touch-sensitive LCD display configured to display the digital interface and allow interaction with the operator by touch for system access, parameterization and selection of actions to be performed during tests carried out with the device. 9) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that it uses firmware developed in C++ language for the microprocessor, allowing its communication with the HMI via Serial and with the chip or measurement system via SPI, being configured for functionality of constant selection of pulses from the measuring system under test, capture of pulses from the meter, activation of the artificial load and calculation of the percentage error of the test through comparative analysis. 10) The DEVICE according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides control through an external smartphone application software configured to access the device's control and monitoring functionalities, such as conducting tests remotely, acquiring test images by capturing a screenshot of the interface, saving test data, issuing reports, among other functions, as well as allowing real-time monitoring of the test. 11) The DEVICE according to claim 10, characterized in that the external application features: an initial screen for operator registration and login to identify the technician responsible for the operation; a screen for registration and selection of the measuring device to identify the device used; an integrity inspection screen for performing the test in real time; a short circuit and sensor test screen for initial verification of the system's proper functioning and adjustment of the sensor's positioning; Petition 870250004436, dated 01 / 20 / 2025, page 1.26 / 29 4 / 4 a functional test screen for real-time test execution; a general inspection screen with evaluation of the electrical and physical conditions of the meter to be included in the report; a screen for viewing the results and main information of the test report, allowing data to be saved in the test history; and a final technical report screen, where the technical report with complete information on the operation performed is issued and, if necessary, printed. Petition 870250004436, dated 01 / 20 / 2025, pp. 27 / 29.

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