Decomposition of power system loads

Abstract

A decomposition monitor for a power system having a circuit with a branch and a load is provided. The decomposition module includes memories configured to store instructions and a processing device disposed at the location and in communication with the at least one memory. The processing device, when executing the instructions, is configured to: a) iteratively and automatically control or instruct one branch set having one or more branches of the plurality of branches to be turned on at a time while turning off the remaining branches of the plurality of branches to isolate the branch set, the method comprises the steps of: a) obtaining at least one set of isolated branches until all of the plurality of branches have been included in at least one set of isolated branches, b) obtaining an electrical characteristic of each set of isolated branches, and c) decomposing at least one of the plurality of loads using two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Non - Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 125,825, filed on March 24, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 436,189, filed on December 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to power systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods for disaggregation of loads in a power system. Background Art

[0004] Traditionally, load disaggregation has been done by monitors that continuously monitor the current and voltage at the main circuit breaker to learn more about the individual loads on the circuit controlled by the main circuit breaker. The monitors can incorporate algorithms and machine learning and / or access these algorithms and machine learning via a cloud network to determine the identifiable characteristics of individual loads in the time domain and frequency domain to determine when individual loads are turned on and off. Based on the monitored voltage and current, the monitors can use algorithms to calculate and / or estimate the power usage that can be attributed to the corresponding individual loads during operation. Since there may be multiple loads operating simultaneously, the algorithms may take weeks or months to collect enough information to identify an individual load in order to monitor that load over time. Using data from previously identified loads of other monitors in other facilities can help facilitate the learning and identification process over time.

[0005] The monitors can also attempt to identify the type of individual loads, such as refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, etc. The user can use this type to understand the energy usage of a particular appliance. The monitors can use this type to give information and / or advice on how to make changes to reduce energy usage and / or on potential abnormal operation of the appliance.

[0006] While monitoring the current and voltage at the main circuit breaker can minimize the number of sensors for monitoring energy usage and loads, most loads are often not successfully disaggregated and / or classified. These loads can be grouped into one category that can be labeled "other" or "always on". Relative to the grouping of loads that are successfully disaggregated and / or classified, these groups can be very large, thus limiting the potential benefits of the system to the user. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The objects and advantages of the illustrated embodiments described below will be set forth in the description below and will be apparent from the description below. The additional advantages of the illustrated embodiments will be realized and obtained by the written description and its claims and the devices, systems, and methods particularly pointed out in the drawings.

[0008] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the illustrated embodiments, in one aspect, a disaggregation monitor for an electric power system is disclosed. The electric power system has a circuit including a plurality of branches and a plurality of loads. The disaggregation module includes at least one memory configured to store instructions and at least one processing device disposed at the location and in communication with the at least one memory. The at least one processing device, when executing the instructions, is configured to: a) iteratively and automatically control or direct turning on a set of branches having one or more of the plurality of branches at a time while turning off the remaining branches of the plurality of branches to isolate the set of branches until all of the plurality of branches have been included in at least one isolated set of branches, b) obtain the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches, and use two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics to disaggregate at least two different loads of the plurality of loads.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device may further be configured, in a particular iteration of operation a) for a particular isolated set of branches: d) iteratively and automatically control or direct turning on a set of loads of a second plurality of loads connected to the particular isolated set of branches at a time while turning off the remaining loads of the plurality of loads on the particular isolated set of branches that can be turned off to isolate the set of loads until all of the second plurality of loads are included in at least one isolated set of loads, and e) obtain the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of loads, wherein in c), the at least two different loads to be disaggregated include a first load and a second load of the second plurality of loads.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the particular isolated set of branches may include one branch and / or the set of loads may include one load.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, a particular iteration of operation a) may be performed by automatically controlling turning on the isolated set of branches and turning off the remaining branches by controlling smart branch breakers corresponding to the respective branches of the plurality of branches.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device may further be configured, at operation b) and / or e), to obtain measurements from a main sensor sensing a line input of a main circuit breaker of the circuit and / or obtain measurements at the isolated set of loads.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the at least one processing device, when executing the instructions, may further be configured, at operation b) and / or e), to analyze the electrical characteristics obtained from the main sensor and / or receive an analysis of the measurements obtained at the isolated set of loads for obtaining the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches and / or loads.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to use electrical characteristics of an isolated load set to decompose and classify the corresponding isolated load set.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to determine the location of the corresponding isolated load set and, based on the corresponding location determined for the corresponding isolated load set, add the corresponding isolated load set to a circuit map.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to operate one or more visual and / or audio indicators associated with one or more controllable loads among a second plurality of loads to provide a signal to a user as to which load set of a circuit is the isolated load set.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to identify one or more loads among a second plurality of loads that were not successfully isolated or did not successfully have their electrical characteristics decomposed in any isolated load set, and provide instructions to the user for manually isolating the corresponding identified one or more loads. When executing the instructions, at least one processing device may further be configured to obtain the decomposed electrical characteristics of the corresponding identified one or more loads after manual isolation, attempt to classify the corresponding identified one or more loads based on the corresponding decomposed electrical characteristics of each identified load, determine the location of the corresponding identified one or more loads, and add the corresponding identified one or more loads to the circuit map using the results and location of the classification attempt.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to identify synchronous loads among the identified one or more loads and perform any combination of isolating, decomposing, classifying, and adding to the map the individual loads included in the synchronous load.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may further be configured to identify multiple loads among the identified one or more loads that belong to a complex load and classify and / or add to the map the circuit mapping the multiple loads that belong to the complex load.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, at least one processing device, when executing instructions, may also be configured to identify transient loads among the one or more identified loads, instruct a user to turn on the transient loads by operating the transient loads in different operating states and / or at different locations of the circuit, and obtain decomposed electrical characteristics of the transient loads based on measurements obtained when operating the transient loads in different operating states and / or at different locations or branch circuits.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for performing decomposition on multiple loads connected to multiple branches included in a power system is provided. The method includes iteratively and automatically controlling or instructing to turn on a set of branches having one or more branches among the multiple branches at a time, while turning off the remaining branches among the multiple branches to isolate the set of branches, obtaining decomposed electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches, and using two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics to decompose at least one of the multiple loads.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, for a particular iteration of automatically controlling or instructing to turn on a particular set of branches when the particular set of branches is isolated, the method may further include iteratively and automatically controlling or instructing to turn on a set of loads among a second plurality of loads connected to the particular set of branches at a time, while turning off the remaining loads among the multiple loads on the particular set of branches that can be turned off to isolate the set of loads, until all loads among the second plurality of loads are included in at least one isolated set of loads, and obtaining electrical characteristics of each isolated set of loads, wherein at least two different loads to be decomposed include a first and a second load among the second plurality of loads.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the method may also include classifying the corresponding isolated sets of loads using the electrical characteristics of the isolated sets of loads.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the method may also include determining the locations of the corresponding isolated sets of loads and adding the corresponding isolated sets of loads to a circuit map based on the corresponding locations determined for the corresponding isolated groups.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the method may also include operating one or more visual and / or audio indicators associated with one or more controllable loads among the second plurality of loads to provide a signal to the user as to which set of loads in the circuit is the isolated set of loads.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the method may further include identifying one or more loads in the second plurality of loads that have electrical characteristics that were not successfully isolated or not successfully obtained for disaggregation in any of the isolated load sets, providing instructions to a user to manually isolate the corresponding identified one or more loads, obtaining the disaggregated electrical characteristics of the corresponding identified one or more loads after the manual isolation, attempting to classify the corresponding identified one or more loads based on the corresponding disaggregated electrical characteristics of each identified load, determining the location of the corresponding identified one or more loads, and adding the corresponding identified one or more loads to the circuit map.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non - transitory computer - readable medium having computer - executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform the disclosed method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A more detailed description of the present disclosure briefly outlined above may be obtained by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the drawings. While the drawings illustrate selected embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure may admit other equivalent embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example power system including a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 is according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an example load center of the power system shown in

[0031] Figure 3A is a flowchart of an embodiment of an example method for fully automatically disaggregating controllable loads of a complex circuit of a power system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3B is a flowchart of an embodiment of an example method for automatically disaggregating controllable loads of a complex circuit using automatic recommendations for manual assistance, similar to Figure 3A the method shown; and

[0033] Figure 4 is according to an embodiment of the present invention for implementing Figure 1 a block diagram of an example computer system for the disaggregation monitor shown in

[0034] Where possible, the same reference numerals have been used to denote the same elements common to the drawings. However, elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially used in other embodiments without specific recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a power system in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1 and is generally designated by reference numeral 100. Other embodiments and / or aspects of the present disclosure are shown in Figures 2-4 Some embodiments described herein can be used to perform a decomposition process to isolate at least one load from a plurality of loads of the power system 100 or at least one electrical branch from a plurality of electrical branches of the power system 100.

[0036] According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, referring to Figure 1 , the power system 100 can include a disassembly monitor 101 configured to isolate the electrical characteristics of one or more loads (such as, but not limited to, loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 104a, b, c, d, 105a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 107a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k) among a plurality of loads or one or more branches (such as, but not limited to, branches 114, 116, 118) of a circuit 120. Additional or fewer loads and / or branches can be included in the circuit 120.

[0037] The isolation is automatically performed by turning off and on (by control and / or by instruction) different selected loads, selected branches, or segments of selected branches to iteratively isolate different sets of branches (or segments) of the plurality of branches 114, 116, 118 one by one and / or iteratively isolate different sets of loads of the plurality of loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 104a, b, c, d, 105a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 107a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k one by one to learn the electrical characteristics associated with the corresponding isolated set of branches or set of loads. A set of branches can include one or more branches, and a set of loads can include one or more loads. A branch segment can include a portion of a branch connected to a particular load (such as a switch, socket, or outlet). The electrical characteristics of each isolated set of loads or set of branches can be attributed to that isolated set of loads or set of branches.

[0038] The isolated branch set refers to a set of one or more of the branches 114, 116, 118 that are turned on while the remaining branches are turned off. The isolated load set refers to a set of one or more of the loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 104a, b, c, d, 105a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 107a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k that are turned on while the remaining loads are turned off.

[0039] In some embodiments, some uncontrollable loads may remain on during the disassembly process (such loads may be referred to as always-on loads), but the electrical characteristics of such loads can be identified and subtracted from the electrical characteristics of the branch set that is (effectively) isolated by turning off the remaining branches or the load set that is (effectively) isolated by turning off the remaining loads on the isolated branches. As used herein, the term "load" includes end loads (e.g., lamps 103e, 105e, 105g and appliances 103a, 103c, 103d, 103f, 103i), circuit devices (e.g., switches 103g, 105a, 105c, sockets 103b, 103h, 105b, 105d, 105f), unspecified (not specified in the example) loads 105i and 105j, and the connectors that connect the loads to the respective branches 114, 116, 118 (e.g., branch circuit wirings 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f, 107g, 107h, 107i, 107j, 107k, 107l, 107m and wire sets 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d).

[0040] Each of the branches 114, 116, 118 may have one or more end loads and one or more connectors connected thereto. The branches 114, 116, 118 may each include one or more segments, each segment including a subset of different connectors. For example, branch 114 may include a first segment 120a, a second segment 120b, and a third segment 120c. The first segment 120a includes branch circuit wirings 107a, 107b, and 107c. The second segment 120b includes branch circuit wirings 107a, 107d, 107e, and 107g. The third segment 120c includes branch circuit wirings 107a, 107d, and 107f, 107h, 107i, 107k. The power to each of the branches 114, 116, 118 is controlled by a respective branch circuit breaker 210, as Figure 2 described. The disassembly monitor 101 may communicate with the branch circuit breakers 210 to turn on or off selected ones of the branch circuit breakers 210.

[0041] The disaggregation monitor 101 may include any suitable hardware and / or software modules configured to perform the disclosed functions. The disaggregation monitor 101 may be configured to integrate with and / or operably communicate with the components of the load center 130 described in Figure 2 and / or communicate directly with the components or via the edge device 111. The edge device 111 may be integrated with the load center 130 or located remote from and operably communicate with the load center 130. Additionally or alternatively, the disaggregation monitor 101 may operably communicate with one or more controllable loads (if any) among the plurality of loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j. In the example shown, the loads 103a-i among the plurality of loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j are controllable loads. The disaggregation monitor 101 may communicate with the controllable loads 130a-i to turn on or off selected loads among the controllable loads 103a-i, operate the selected loads in a particular mode, and / or collect diagnostic information (e.g., brand, model, power consumption, alerts, etc.). The amount of diagnostic information may vary over time and increase in complexity. For example, the controllable loads 130a-i or the controllable circuit breakers controlling the power to the branches 114, 116, or 118 or segments thereof may be controlled by controlling a power switch, relay, solid-state switch, solenoid, or magnetic switch.

[0042] The disaggregation monitor 101 may communicate via wireless communication (e.g., via WiFi, ZigBee®, Bluetooth, cellular communication, near field communication, etc.) and / or wired communication (e.g., via Ethernet, Modbus®, universal serial bus (USB), controller area network (CAN) bus, RS-232, RS-485, universal (synchronous / asynchronous) receiver-transmitter (USART / UART), etc.), including via a network. The disaggregation monitor 101 may be located in one location or included in a joint processing device hosted on multiple devices working together to embody the disaggregation monitor 101. The multiple devices may be located in more than one location, including local to the load center 130 or remote from the load center 130, e.g., connected to one or more networks 160 (e.g., local area network (LAN) and / or wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet). The disaggregation monitor 101 may be located wholly or partially in a cloud-based monitor 101, meaning remotely connected via the network 160, where the network 160 includes a LAN, such as the Internet. Thus, all or part of the processing performed by the disaggregation monitor 101 may be remotely performed in the cloud.

[0043] The disaggregation monitor 101 may also communicate with a user device 140 having a user interface. The user interface may be configured to provide information to the user in text, audio, and / or graphical formats, such as to provide instructions to the user to perform a manual task, e.g., for connecting a load to a branch of the power system 100, operating the load in different modes, or turning off selected ones of the plurality of loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j. The user interface may also be configured to receive information from the user, such as by prompting the user to enter commands to enter a learning mode, the name and identification of a branch, information about a load (its location, brand, and model, etc.). As a supplement or alternative to the user device 140, the user interface may be integrated with other components, such as the disaggregation monitor 101, the edge device 111, and / or the load center 130, but is not limited thereto. In one or more embodiments, the user interface is configured as a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0044] During the learning phase, the disaggregation monitor 101 may be configured to automatically control or direct the iterative turning off and / or on of selected controllable loads 103a-i, branches 114, 116, 118, or sections of a branch while maintaining power from the main circuit breaker 109 to the remaining circuit 120 to monitor electrical characteristics. During the learning mode, the disaggregation monitor 101 may iteratively isolate each branch 114, 116, 118 (or branch section) to obtain measurement results and / or electrical characteristics, and / or identify the electrical characteristics of the isolated branch 114, 116, 118. The branches 114, 116, 118 may be isolated one or more at a time in groups. Similarly, the disaggregation monitor 101 may iteratively isolate each controllable load 103a-i (while ignoring loads that are always on) to obtain measurement results and / or electrical characteristics, and / or identify the electrical characteristics of the isolated controllable load 103a-i. The controllable loads 103a-i may be isolated one or more at a time as a set of controllable loads 103a-i.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the disaggregation monitor 101 may be configured to automatically output instructions to the user interface module 113 for the user to manually turn off and / or on one or more of the plurality of loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-h (e.g., a manual switch 105c having a lamp 105e downstream thereof) to assist in isolating a particular set of loads, e.g., for monitoring the electrical characteristics associated with the isolated set of loads. In some embodiments, the circuit 120 may not have controllable loads and the user may be directed to iteratively isolate sets of loads. Any suitable illustration is contemplated herein.

[0046] In some embodiments, the disaggregation monitor 101 may be configured to automatically isolate (either by control and / or by instructions to the user) sub-components of the load (e.g., isolate the pump of a coffee maker, isolate the heater of a coffee maker) to monitor their associated electrical characteristics in order to obtain the electrical signatures of the sub-components. Any other suitable disaggregation, analysis, and / or control functions for the disaggregation monitor 101 are contemplated herein for isolating portions (sets of branches, sets of loads) of the circuit 120, obtaining the associated electrical characteristics, learning the associated electrical signatures, identifying the associated load types, and / or learning the associated locations in the circuit 120.

[0047] The disaggregation monitor 101 is configured to maintain the state of connection data that indicates which set of branches or set of loads of the circuit 120 are isolated to be switched on during each iteration of the learning phase. The disaggregation monitor 101 may continuously monitor the sensed or obtained electrical characteristics and / or the determined and / or obtained electrical signatures and associate them with the connection state data. The measurement data and / or electrical characteristics may be associated with the isolated set of branches and / or set of loads and analyzed by applying algorithms and machine learning (performed by the disaggregation monitor 101 and / or the controllable loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i). The analysis may determine electrical signatures constituted by recognizable electrical characteristics in the time domain and / or frequency domain, which electrical signatures may be attributed to the corresponding isolated set of branches and / or set of loads in order to disaggregate the individual branches and loads or their sets.

[0048] When the correlation indicates that a controllable device (e.g., controllable pendant light 103e) on a particular branch or branch segment (e.g., branch 114 or branch segment 107c) is switched on only when that branch or branch segment is switched on, then the disaggregation monitor 101 may infer that the controllable device is on that branch or branch segment. Thus, the control of that controllable device can be used to perform the disaggregation process.

[0049] Additionally, the disaggregation monitor 101 can be configured to determine the type or location of the isolated load set. The type can be a basic load type (e.g., components for an appliance such as a motor, resistive device, switch, power supply) or an appliance load type (e.g., refrigerator, washing machine, oven). Identifying the type of the load set is also referred to as classifying the load set. The location can be, for example, a room (e.g., kitchen, master bedroom, living room). This can be performed with or without user input. The user can be automatically prompted for input to provide and / or confirm the load type or location determined by the disaggregation monitor 101. When a load is isolated, the user input can be automatically requested. The load set can be classified based on its electrical characteristics in the time domain and frequency domain (e.g., the electrical characteristics of the corresponding isolated electrical signature). The load set can be, for example, a complex load such as an appliance including multiple basic loads, each basic load having a basic load type that operates in certain ways to provide the appliance function. The disaggregation monitor 101 can use the interactions between the electrical characteristics of these basic loads to classify the appliance.

[0050] One or more locations on the controllable loads 103a-i and / or on the branches 114, 116, 118 can be provided with visual and / or audio indicators. These indicators can be integrated into the respective individual controllable loads of multiple loads. For example, the indicator can be the buzzer of the heating timer of a dryer to indicate the completion of a drying cycle, a light installed in the branch circuit wiring, a light of a lighting device, etc. The disaggregation monitor 101 can control the indicator through its ability to control the controllable load. The visual and / or audio indicator can be automatically operated by the disaggregation monitor 101 to notify the user of features regarding when and where manual actions are required for the user to participate in the isolation and / or classification process and for the mapping of the controllable loads 103a-i on the circuit 120.

[0051] The system monitor can calculate and / or estimate the power usage attributable to an individual or group of these loads or branches based on voltage and current measurements attributed to these loads or branches during operation (i.e., when turned on). The system monitor can be integrated with the disaggregation monitor 101, the edge device 111, the user device 140, or provided separately from the disaggregation monitor 101, the edge device 111, the user device 140. Additionally, this information can be processed to analyze the energy usage of each appliance, such as providing information or suggestions on how to reduce energy usage or regarding potential abnormal operation of the appliance. Any of this information can be provided to the user via the user interface and / or incorporated into a report provided to the user.

[0052] By iteratively automating the isolation process to attempt to isolate sets of loads one at a time, decomposition monitor 101 can break down multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j into individual loads or sets of loads. The decomposition process for separating loads includes identifying and learning the electrical characteristics and electrical signatures of the sets of isolated loads. This knowledge is used to best identify the electrical signatures of as many of the multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j as possible in order to break down the corresponding loads. Location information associated with the sets of isolated loads can be used to generate a circuit map. The circuit map includes the locations and / or classifications of the decomposed loads of the multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j (and possibly the identification of different sets of loads with the same classification). The location of a set of loads can identify the branch or branch segment to which the set of loads is connected.

[0053] As further described, an automatic manual assist mode can be used to supplement the decomposition and circuit mapping processes to further automatically isolate, separate, classify, and map loads among the multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j that are uncontrollable and have not been successfully decomposed, classified, and / or mapped, thus further completing the circuit map. The decomposition and circuit mapping processes can use only the control of the controllable loads 103a-i and the branches (of branches 114, 116, 118), only the instructions for operating the uncontrollable loads 104a-d, 105a-j or the branches (of branches 114, 116, 110), or any combination of both.

[0054] Additionally referring Figure 2 , a load center 130 is shown. Decomposition monitor 101 is shown integrated with edge device 111 (e.g., sharing a housing, circuitry, and / or more), but decomposition monitor 101 can alternatively or additionally be provided next to or remote from edge device and / or load center 130. Edge device 111 is mounted in load center 200, but can alternatively be provided next to or remote from load center 130.

[0055] The main circuit breaker 109 and multiple branch circuit breakers 210 are provided in the load center 130. The main circuit breaker 109 is connected to the line cable 204 at the line connector 201. The main circuit breaker 109 is configured to selectively turn off the connection between the circuit 120 and the line cable 204. The line cable 204 supplies line power to the circuit 120 from an external source. Each branch circuit breaker 210 is connected to a branch of the circuit 120 (e.g., branches 114, 116, and 118). The branch circuit breaker 210 receives a portion of the line power and delivers and directs an appropriate current to its corresponding branch and to one or more of the multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j connected to that branch and demanding power. Each branch circuit breaker 210 is also configured to turn off the connection through which power is delivered to its corresponding branch.

[0056] One or more of the main circuit breaker 109 and / or the branch circuit breaker 210 can be an intelligent functional circuit breaker, which is configured to receive, process, and / or output data to be controlled and / or control another device. Thus, one or more of the main circuit breaker 109 and / or the branch circuit breaker 210 can be a non-intelligent functional circuit breaker that requires manual operation and / or receives manual input.

[0057] A main sensor 202 is provided to sense one or more electrical characteristics of the line power in the line cable 204. In the example shown, the main sensor 202 is a transformer that senses the current in the line cable 204. The main sensor 202 outputs a measurement corresponding to the sensed electrical characteristic and provides the measurement as measurement data to the edge device 111 via the measurement cable 206. Analog data can be converted to digital data at any one of the main sensor 202, the edge device 111, and the disaggregation monitor 101. The disaggregation monitor 101 can perform disaggregation by analyzing the measurement data corresponding to the isolated branches 114, 116, 118 and the loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 104a, b, c, d, 105a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 107a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k.

[0058] The edge device 111 can receive power via the power cable 208 or from a different power source such as a battery. The edge device 111 can also communicate wirelessly via the antenna 212 and / or via the wired network interface 214. The disaggregation monitor 101 can be connected to each of the antenna 212 and the network interface 214 to communicate with external devices via wired and / or wireless communication. The disaggregation monitor 101 can communicate with one or more of its remote processing devices, such as to send the measurement data received from the main sensor 204 and the status of the connection data. The (multiple) remote processing devices can perform disaggregation analysis based on the measurement data of the isolation branches 114, 116, 118 and the loads 103a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 104a, b, c, d, 105a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 107a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k as they are updated over time.

[0059] Since the processing devices of the disaggregation monitor 101 can be set at one or more locations, one or more processing devices of the disaggregation monitor 101 can be integrated with or operably coupled to the main sensor 202 (e.g., via the antenna 212 and / or the network interface 214 of the edge device 111) to receive measurement data from the main sensor 202 and / or communicate with the branch circuit breaker 210 for controlling the branch circuit breaker 210, for controlling the loads connected to the branch circuit breaker 210, and / or for receiving measurement data and / or analyzing the results of the measurement data from the branch circuit breaker 210. One or more processing devices of the disaggregation monitor 101 can be set in the cloud.

[0060] The processing device can communicate with one or more controllable loads, for example, to turn them on or off, to communicate with the computing resources and sensors integrated and / or coupled to the controllable loads, which can provide control and / or measurement data and / or analyze the results of the measurement data, which can assist the disaggregation process. Additionally, the processing device of the disaggregation monitor 101 can communicate with the user interface via, for example, the user device 240 to give instructions to the user to perform actions during the automatic control process, which can use the automatic control mode or the automatic manual assist mode. The automatic control mode instructs the user to provide user assistance at the start of the control process for turning on the uncontrollable devices, followed by full automation of the controllable devices. The automatic manual assist mode instructs the user to provide user assistance at different stages of the control process.

[0061] When operating in the learning phase, the automated manual assist mode can be useful in some cases. For example, the disaggregation monitor 101 can benefit from using the automated manual assist mode to manage isolating certain loads that are not or will not be appropriately disaggregated using the automatic control mode and / or to complete circuit mapping. Examples of loads that may not be appropriately disaggregated using the automatic control mode include uncontrollable loads (which can include, for example, loads 104a-d, 105a-j), transient loads, seldom-used loads, complex loads, low-power loads, or synchronous loads, and loads that do not turn on when power is applied to the load.

[0062] A transient load is a load that moves or is moved between locations and can appear on many branches in the circuit 120. Examples of transient loads include vacuum cleaners, power tools, cell phone chargers, etc. A complex load is a load that includes several internal loads with different load types to create a functioning appliance. Examples of complex loads include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. A complex load can have resistive elements, motors, controls, and other elements as basic loads, which may make the disaggregation process difficult to identify and obtain measurement data for the entire complex load. Disaggregation may only identify such basic loads within the complex load, rather than attributing the correct amount of measurement data to the complex load.

[0063] Low-power loads can be difficult to disaggregate because these loads are typically included in another category (such as the always-on load category) that consumes a large percentage of the total reported energy usage. A synchronous load is a load that is turned on simultaneously using the automatic control mode or the manual assist mode. This can include several lights attached to the same switched plug or an automated system for operating lights or other loads, which can be a challenge when using disaggregation methods to try to identify each individual load.

[0064] Some loads (such as TVs, radios, coffee makers, printers, power tools, etc.) do not turn on when power is applied. It will be impossible to disaggregate these loads without manually turning them on. Additionally, some loads are used so infrequently that disaggregation methods may not be able to identify them because the amount of operating time available to obtain relevant measurement data to learn the electrical characteristics associated with loads that do not turn on when power is applied is limited within a given time frame.

[0065] The disassembly monitor 101 can learn each of the multiple loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j through an interaction process with the user using an automated manual assist mode. During the automated manual assist mode, the disassembly monitor 101 can automatically provide user instructions to guide the user on how to assist. The disassembly monitor 101 can use circuit mapping to guide the user to manipulate the loads (e.g., loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j) on specific branches (e.g., branches 114, 116, 118) of the circuit 120 in an iterative manner to ensure isolation of the loads by turning on the loads one by one per iteration.

[0066] The automated manual assist mode can be used, for example, after execution using the automated control mode. This may occur when all controllable loads (e.g., controllable loads 103a-i) on a specific branch (e.g., branches 114, 116, 118) have been isolated and an analysis is performed to identify the power consumed by each isolated load and the isolated loads are separated. However, after disassembling all the isolated controllable loads, if there is still an indication that power is being consumed that is not attributable to the controllable loads that have been disassembled (and optionally classified). Concentrating this power (referred to as unassigned power) into a default category (such as "other" or "always on") would be undesirable. Further, it would be undesirable to concentrate the default categories of all branches into the same default category.

[0067] Instead, the automated manual assist mode can be used to isolate uncontrollable loads (e.g., 104a-d and 105a-j) connected to the branch and perform additional disassembly to purposefully attribute the unassigned power to specific uncontrollable loads (rather than a default group). The disassembly monitor 101 can be configured to automatically interact with the user in real time to instruct the user to turn on one uncontrollable load at a time while monitoring power consumption and other electrical parameters. If there is a jump in power consumption when an isolated uncontrollable load is turned on and conversely if there is a drop in power consumption when the uncontrollable load is turned off, this change in power consumption can be attributed to the load that was isolated and turned on or off. The user can be automatically instructed to turn on and off the load while turning off all controllable loads connected to the branch so that the load is isolated or as isolated as possible in this case.

[0068] In this way, the disaggregation monitor 101 can guide the user to turn on the loads one by one during the learning process. Once a load is learned, the disaggregation monitor 101 can prompt the user to enter additional information about each load, such as brand, model, and / or location (e.g., identification of a room in a building). The disaggregation monitor 101 can further prompt the user for information about previously disaggregated controllable loads to further refine the database and provide a richer mapping with detailed load information (e.g., circuit location, load location, whether the load is controllable, etc.). The mapping can be graphically rendered, for example, using a home layout, such as for display on a computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other smart device. The mapping can assist the user or technician in interacting to manage load faults, alerts, circuit faults, etc.

[0069] In one example, the disaggregation monitor 101 will use the measurement data obtained when isolating the load in manual mode to aggregate multiple loads included in a complex load into the same load, such as using the following example method. The disaggregation monitor 101 can first disaggregate the sub - loads within the complex load into separate sub - loads with basic classifications. For example, the disaggregation monitor 101 can disaggregate a first sub - load (referred to as a pump sub - load) classified with the basic classification of a pump and assign the pump sub - load to an appliance load (referred to as a hot - tub load) that uses a hot - tub and has been disaggregated and classified by applying knowledge about the hot - tub load and its sub - loads. The hot - tub load may also have a heater sub - load, but the sub - load has not yet been disaggregated or classified as a heater sub - load and further has not been attributed to the hot - tub load. Therefore, the disaggregation monitor 101 has not determined the appropriate power consumption for the disaggregated hot - tub load.

[0070] The automatic control and manual assist mode can be used to detect the heater sub - load by observing the power consumption while the user is automatically instructed to operate the hot - tub load in different operating modes, perhaps while the hot - tub load is isolated. The disaggregation monitor 101 can use the observations of the power consumption of the hot - tub load when operating in different operating modes to attribute both the pump sub - load and the heater sub - load to the hot - tub load. The disaggregation monitor 101 can detect and use timing factors associated with the power consumption attributable to the pump and heater sub - loads, or other interactions between the pump and heater sub - loads in the time domain, which indicate the relationship between these sub - loads. For example, when the hot - tub load needs heat, it can first turn on the pump sub - load and then turn on the heater sub - load within 3 seconds. This time association can help determine that the detected sub - loads classified by basic load type are associated with the load classified by the appropriate appliance load type.

[0071] In another example, the disaggregation monitor 101 will be able to distinguish individual low-power loads by instructing the user to insert and turn on transient loads at different operating states (e.g., high setting and low setting) and / or at different locations in the circuit (e.g., by inserting it into a socket in the living room and turning it on, and then inserting it into a socket in the kitchen and turning it on). In this way, the disaggregation monitor 101 will know from the measurement data obtained at different operating states and / or locations that the transient load is being turned on and its electrical characteristics. The disaggregation monitor 101 will classify any load detected in the future on any branch circuit (e.g., branches 114, 116, 118) associated with that electrical characteristic as a transient load. The disaggregation monitor 101 may instruct the user to operate two or more synchronous loads independently and then simultaneously to obtain measurement data for each scenario. The measurement data obtained for each of these scenarios can be used to provide a more complete understanding of the electrical characteristics of the two or more synchronous loads and to learn their respective electrical characteristics.

[0072] After the execution of the automated control mode can be the execution of an automated manual assist process. The automated manual assist process can fill in missing information in the circuit map, where a very high percentage of the loads on circuit 120 (e.g., loads 103a-i, 104a-d, 105a-j) are disaggregated and mapped. The circuit map can include a list or graphical representation of the disaggregated loads, each load having an associated identification number (ID), its location within circuit 120, and its load type. For example, a graphical representation of the circuit 120 of a home can be which circuits feed each of the bedrooms, kitchen, family room, which loads are in each room, where the sockets are located on the circuit 120 of each room, which loads are controlled by the sockets, and the location of each controllable load (e.g., load 103a-i) within the room. Then, the home monitoring system can use the circuit map, e.g., for monitoring power usage, efficiency, and diagnosing problems.

[0073] Table 1 shows a portion of an example map that indicates for each load in the table the corresponding description of the load, the room in which the load is located, the branch number and name of the branch to which the identification branch is connected, and the brand and model.

[0074] Table 1

[0075]

[0076] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart illustrating a method related to the disaggregation of loads in a power system according to certain illustrated embodiments. Before turning to Figure 3A and 3B description, it should be noted that Figure 3A and 3BThe flowcharts therein illustrate examples of performing operation boxes in a particular order, as indicated by the lines connecting the boxes, but the various boxes shown in these flowcharts can be performed in different orders or in different combinations or sub - combinations. It should be understood that in some embodiments, some of the boxes described below can be combined into a single box. In some embodiments, one or more additional boxes can be included. In some embodiments, one or more boxes can be omitted.

[0077] Reference Figure 3A , flowchart 300 illustrates an example method of fully automatically decomposing the controllable loads of a complex circuit (such as Figure 1 the loads 103a - i of circuit 120 of the power system 100 shown). The circuit is coupled to a load center having a main circuit breaker and branch circuit breakers that control the power supply to the entire circuit and its branches, respectively. The method can be performed by a decomposition monitor (such as Figure 1 the decomposition monitor 101 shown) communicatively coupled to the circuit and the load center. The process is referred to as "fully automatic" because it does not include instructions to the user, except for the box 306 provided before taking full control of the circuit.

[0078] At box 302, when preparing to perform the decomposition process, branch names with ID numbers for each of the multiple branches of the circuit (such as Figure 1 the branches 114, 116, 118 shown therein) are received. The branch names and IDs are used to generate a circuit map of the electrical circuit. Box 302 is performed once before the first execution of the decomposition process (in fully automatic mode (also known as automatic control mode) or manual - assisted mode). If the branches have been reconfigured, box 302 can be performed again to update the branch names and ID numbers. At box 304, a command to enter the learning mode is received. The command can be input by the user or a processing device. At 306, instructions are output to the user to turn on all the uncontrollable loads in the home. Uncontrollable loads can include, for example, lights and devices plugged into socket outlets that cannot be connected to the network or otherwise communicate with other devices. The uncontrollable loads are turned on before controlling the branches or controllable loads because the automation process cannot control the uncontrollable loads and to have the uncontrollable loads connected to each branch turned on during the isolation of that branch. In this way, when the decomposition monitor isolates the controllable loads, in addition to any uncontrollable loads on the same branch and the controllable circuit breakers of the branches located at the load center, the decomposition monitor will also sense the power consumed by the isolated controllable loads.

[0079] At block 308, all branch circuit breakers in the load center are turned off, which allows individual branches to be turned on one at a time so that they can be isolated. At block 310, the first branch (or set of branches, subsequently referred to as a branch) of the plurality of branches of the circuit is turned on. Turning on this branch can be performed by automatically operating the associated branch circuit breaker. At block 312, enter a waiting state to wait for any controllable loads connected to the currently isolated branch to power up and reconnect to establish communication with the disassembly monitor. Once communication is re-established, these controllable loads are recorded as being connected to the currently isolated branch. This causes the controllable loads that are now powered up and have established communication to be mapped to the circuit map.

[0080] At block 314, all controllable loads on all branches are turned off. This will cause the controllable loads that were just mapped to the currently isolated branch to be turned off, while all other controllable loads remain off. This allows the controllable loads mapped to the currently isolated branch to be isolated one at a time relative to the other controllable loads of the circuit, starting at block 315, despite any uncontrollable loads connected to the same branch that is currently turned on.

[0081] Blocks 316, 318, 320, 322, and 324 form the first inner loop of flowchart 300, which pertains to a disassembly and classification process for disassembling and classifying uncontrollable loads and controllable circuit breakers on the same branch that is currently turned on. At block 316, a monitoring process is performed to monitor the electrical characteristics sensed on the branch of the uncontrollable load and the disassembled load.

[0082] At block 318, it is determined whether the load detected by disassembly has already been classified. If the determination at block 318 is yes, meaning the detected load has already been classified, then at block 320, the circuit map is updated to indicate that the detected load, as previously classified, belongs to the isolated branch. If the determination at block 318 is no, meaning the detected load has not yet been classified, then at block 322, the circuit map classifies the load and updates the circuit map to indicate that the now classified detected load belongs to the isolated branch. At block 324, a determination is made as to whether all uncontrollable loads detected on the isolated branch have been classified and added to the isolated branch in the circuit map.

[0083] If the determination at block 324 is no, meaning not all uncontrollable loads on the isolated branch have been classified and added to the circuit map, then the method continues at block 316. The first inner loop of flowchart 300 disassembles uncontrollable loads in the presence of other uncontrollable loads, continuing to iteratively disassemble these uncontrollable loads until it is determined that all uncontrollable loads currently turned on have been considered (e.g., classified and added to the circuit map). If the determination at block 324 is yes, meaning all uncontrollable loads on the isolated branch have been considered, then the method continues at block 328.

[0084] Steps 328 - 342 illustrate how to sort by turning on controllable loads one at a time to continue the decomposition process. Although the uncontrollable loads (and associated controllable breakers) remain on, the automatic isolation of the branches and their controllable loads minimizes the number of loads turned on simultaneously on each isolated branch. At block 328, the first controllable load of the isolated branch is turned on. The controllable load that is turned on is referred to as the current controllable load. The current controllable load is effectively isolated because all other controllable loads are turned off, and the electrical characteristics of the uncontrollable loads that are determined to remain on in the first inner loop of flowchart 300 are identified. Thus, the electrical characteristics of the uncontrollable loads that remain on can be subtracted from or otherwise removed from the electrical characteristics of the current controllable load. This effective separation can be considered actual separation.

[0085] At block 330, the electrical characteristics sensed on the isolated branch are monitored and the current controllable load is decomposed. At block 332, it is determined whether the load detected by the decomposition has been classified. If the determination at block 332 is yes, meaning the detected load has been classified, then at block 334, the detected load is recorded as being connected to the isolated current branch and attributed to the current controllable load. If the determination at block 332 is no, meaning the detected load has not been classified, then at block 336, the circuit map is updated with the classification of the detected load and an indication that the detected load belongs to the isolated branch and is attributed to the current controllable load.

[0086] At block 338, it is determined whether all of the loads detected on the isolated branch by the decomposition of the current controllable load have been classified and added to the isolated branch, such as by updating the circuit map. Blocks 332, 334, 336, and 338 form the second inner loop of flowchart 300, which can be used to iteratively decompose all of the loads attributable to the current controllable load. For example, if the current controllable load is a switch, receptacle, or socket to which additional loads are connected, each additional load can be decomposed and attributed to the current controllable load. In another example, if the current controllable load is a complex load, its sub - loads can be decomposed and attributed to the current controllable load. If the determination at block 338 is no, meaning there are more loads associated with the current controllable load to be detected, then the method continues at block 330. If the determination at block 338 is yes, meaning there are no further loads associated with the current controllable load to be detected or decomposed, then the method continues at block 340.

[0087] At block 340, it is determined whether all controllable devices on the isolated branch have been turned on. Blocks 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, and 342 form the third inner loop of flowchart 300, which can be used to iteratively turn on each controllable load connected to the isolated branch one by one. If the determination at block 340 is no, meaning there are more controllable loads connected to the isolated branch that still need to be turned on, the method continues at block 342. At block 342, the current controllable device is turned off and the next controllable load is turned on, after which the method continues at block 330, where the next controllable load is treated as the current controllable load during the next iteration of the second and third inner loops. If the determination at block 340 is yes, meaning all controllable loads connected to the isolated branch have been turned on, the method continues at block 344.

[0088] At block 344, it is determined whether all branches have been isolated and tested. Blocks 340, 344, 346, 312, 314, and 316 form the outer loop of flowchart 300, which includes the first, second, and third inner loops. The outer loop is used to turn on branches one by one to isolate different branches each time the outer loop is iterated. If the determination at block 344 is yes, meaning all branches have been isolated and tested, the method ends at block 348. A home map can be generated before ending the method. The home map can include, for example, a spreadsheet and / or a graphical layout of the electrical circuit, including its loads and branches, relative to the structure of the building in which it is located. If the determination at block 344 is no, meaning there are more branches to be isolated and tested, the method continues at block 346, where the currently isolated and turned-on branch is turned off and the next branch is selected to be isolated and turned on while all other branches remain off. The method continues at block 312 to test the controllable loads on the newly selected branch to be isolated and now turned on.

[0089] Reference Figure 3B , flowchart 500 shows an example method for automatically decomposing the controllable loads of a complex circuit using automatic recommendations for manual assistance, similar to Figure 3A . When operating in manual assistance mode, the method can be performed by a decomposition monitor communicatively coupled to the circuit and the load center (such as Figure 1 the decomposition monitor 101 shown). Some blocks of flowchart 500 are identified by the same reference numerals as those used for the blocks in Figure 3A . When Figure 3A and 3B the corresponding blocks in have the same reference numerals, they are substantially the same. It is assumed that block 302 has been previously executed.

[0090] At block 502, a command is received to enter the learning mode using manual assistance. The command can be input by a user or a processing device. At block 504, instructions are output to the user to turn on all the loads in the home, including lights and devices plugged into socket outlets.

[0091] At block 308, all branch circuit breakers in the load center are turned off, which allows individual branches to be turned on one at a time so that they can be isolated. At block 310, the first branch (or set of branches, subsequently referred to as a branch) of the multiple branches of the circuit is turned on. Turning on this branch can be performed by automatically operating the associated branch circuit breaker.

[0092] At block 510, instructions are output to the user to go to the location where the load is located and turn on the load. At block 512, instructions are output to the user to turn off all the loads on the circuit and enter a waiting state to wait for confirmation that all the loads have been turned off by the user. At block 514, confirmation that all the loads have been turned off is received from the user.

[0093] At block 516, a determination is made as to whether the load consumes zero power. If the determination at block 516 is no, meaning the load is consuming some power, indicating that at least one load is turned on, the method continues at block 518. At block 518, a message is sent to the user to notify the user that loads that are still connected to the power system and consuming power need to be turned off. In some scenarios, it can be determined that zero power is unattainable. Blocks 514, 516, and 518 form the first inner loop of flowchart 500 to help the user know when to turn off all the loads.

[0094] If the determination at block 516 is yes, meaning zero power is being consumed (or it has been determined that zero power is unattainable), the method continues at block 520. At block 520, instructions are output to the user to turn on a single load. This single load is isolated because it is the only load that is turned on. At block 522, the electrical characteristics of the turned-on load are monitored. For the analysis of the isolated load, the electrical characteristics of any load that remains turned on (e.g., which causes zero load to be unattainable) can be identified and ignored. Various algorithms using logic, machine learning, etc. can analyze the electrical characteristics of the load and break down the load. The breakdown performed at block 522 can include determining the electrical characteristics of the isolated load for, for example, breaking down and classifying the load according to the basic load type or appliance load type of the load.

[0095] In this way, the electrical characteristics of the isolated load can be broken down and classified into individual loads, even when it is a complex load. If needed, the components of the complex load can be analyzed and identified in an inner sub-loop (not shown), where the load operates iteratively among different loads, and the electrical characteristics are analyzed at each iteration to identify, break down, and classify the individual components of the load.

[0096] At block 524, the user is instructed to input detailed information about the isolated load, such as the room in which it is located, its location within the room, the load model, the socket ID, the switch ID, etc. At block 526, the user is provided with a query as to whether there is another load on the isolated branch that has not yet been isolated and analyzed for disassembly and classification. At block 528, based on the user's response, it is determined whether all the loads on the isolated branch have been isolated and analyzed for disassembly and classification.

[0097] If the determination at block 528 is no, meaning there are more loads on the isolated branch to be isolated and analyzed for disassembly and classification, the method continues at block 530. At block 530, the user is instructed to turn off the currently isolated load and turn on the next load. Thus, at block 522, the next load is isolated and becomes the currently isolated load. If the determination at block 528 is yes, meaning all the loads on the isolated branch have been isolated and analyzed for disassembly and classification, the method continues at block 344. Blocks 522, 524, 526, 528, and 530 form the second inner loop of flowchart 500, which is iterated to isolate each load on the currently isolated branch and analyze its electrical characteristics for disassembly and classification.

[0098] At block 344, a determination is made as to whether all branches have been isolated and tested. Blocks 340, 344, 346, 312, 314, and 316 form the outer loop of flowchart 500, which includes the first and second inner loops. The outer loop is used to turn on branches one by one to isolate different branches each time the outer loop is iterated. If the determination at block 344 is yes (meaning all branches have been isolated and tested), the method continues at block 536. At block 536, a detailed home map can be generated, which can include, for example, a spreadsheet and / or a graphical layout of the circuits relative to the structure of the building in which they are located. The method ends at block 348.

[0099] If the determination at block 344 is no, meaning there are more branches to be isolated and tested, the method continues at block 346. At block 346, the currently isolated and turned-on branch is turned off, and the next branch is selected to be isolated and turned on while all other branches remain off. The method continues at block 510 to output instructions to the user to go to the location of the next load to be turned on. Thus, the method continues until all the loads on each branch have been analyzed for disassembly and classification.

[0100] Combinations of the methods shown in Figure 3A and 3B can be performed. For example, Figure 3B the manual assistance mode shown in Figure 3AThe first internal loop of the flowchart 300. In another example, the user can choose to use the fully automatic mode for some branches and the manual assistance mode for other branches. Based on the success level of the fully automatic mode execution, the decomposition monitor can recommend the manual assistance mode for some branches and not for other branches. This can be achieved, for example but not limited to, by recommending the manual assistance mode for those branches with a low success rate (e.g., a success rate score below a predetermined threshold, or X% of the branches with the lowest success rate scores, where X is a configurable variable) using the fully automatic mode.

[0101] Previously, various embodiments have been referenced. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the described features and elements, whether or not related to different embodiments, is contemplated to implement and practice the contemplated embodiments. Additionally, although an embodiment may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and are not to be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims, unless explicitly recited in the claims.

[0102] The various embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, which may generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," or "system." Additionally, aspects may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

[0103] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be utilized. The computer-readable media can be non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the non-transitory computer-readable media can include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The program code embodied on the computer-readable media can be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, fiber optic cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0104] Computer program code for performing operations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Additionally, such computer program code may be executed using a single computer system or via multiple computer systems in communication with each other (e.g., using a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.). Although the various features described above are referenced with respect to flowcharts and / or block diagrams, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that each block of the flowchart and / or block diagram, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer logic (e.g., computer program instructions, hardware logic, combinations of both, etc.). Generally, computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. Additionally, execution of such computer program instructions using the (one or more) processors produces a machine that can perform the (one or more) functions or (one or more) acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0105] Reference Figure 4 , a block diagram of an example computer system 400 is shown, which provides an example configuration of the decomposition monitor 101, which can be embodied, individually or in any combination, in one or more computer systems. Figure 4 One such computer system 400 is shown in. In various embodiments, the computer system 400 may be a server, mainframe computer system, workstation, network computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, embedded system, etc., and / or include one or more of a processor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microcontroller, microprocessor, etc. The computer system 400 is merely an example of a suitable system and is not intended to impose any limitation on the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein. The computer system 400 may be implemented using hardware, software, and / or firmware. In any case, the processing system 400 is capable of being implemented and / or performing the functions as set forth in the present disclosure.

[0106] The computer system 400 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The computer system 400 includes one or more processors 402, a storage device 404, an input / output (I / O) interface (I / F) 406, and the input / output (I / O) interface (I / F) 406 may communicate with internal components (such as a user interface 410) and optionally external components 408.

[0107] The decomposition monitor 101 may be configured to process large amounts of data. The computer system for implementing the decomposition monitor 101 may be implemented, for example, using multiprocessors, big data architectures, or one or more cloud-based computer systems.

[0108] The processor 402 may include, for example, a single-core or multi-core processor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microprocessor, a DSP, a microcontroller, an FPGA, an ASIC, and / or other discrete or integrated logic circuits with similar processing capabilities.

[0109] For example, the processor 402 and the storage device 404 may include components provided in an FPGA, an ASIC, a microcontroller, or a microprocessor. The storage device 404 may include, for example, volatile and non-volatile memories for storing data temporarily or long-term, and programmable instructions executable by the processor 402. The storage device 404 may be a removable (e.g., portable) memory for storing program instructions. The I / O I / F 406 may include interfaces and / or conductors for coupling to one or more internal components and / or external components 408.

[0110] The program instructions include program modules 412 generally used to perform the functions and / or methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each or some combination of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data may include an implementation of a networking environment.

[0111] The computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium, which may direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0112] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational operations to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process. When executed on a computer or other programmable apparatus, the instructions provide a process for implementing the disclosed functions / actions, including those specified in one or more blocks of the block diagram.

[0113] Embodiments of the processing components of the decomposition monitor 101 may be implemented or executed by one or more computer systems, such as a microprocessor. Each computer system 400 or multiple instances thereof may be included, for example, within an edge device 111, a user device 140, and a cloud-based device 150. The computer system 400 may be provided as an embedded device or include an embedded device. Portions of the computer system 400 may be provided externally, for example, via virtual, centralized, and / or cloud-based computers.

[0114] The computer system 400 is only one example of a suitable system and is not intended to impose any limitation on the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein. In any case, the computer system 400 is capable of being implemented and / or performing any of the functions set forth above.

[0115] The computer system 400 may be described in the general context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

[0116] The term "comprises" or "comprising" shall be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated feature, integer, operation, or component, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, operations, or components or groups thereof.

[0117] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any numerical values disclosed herein may be exact values or may be values within a range. Additionally, any approximation terms used in the present disclosure (e.g., "about", "approximately", "substantially") may indicate the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range may be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).

[0118] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the articles "a", "an", and "the" as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., at least one) grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0119] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "and / or" shall be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present in addition to those specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising", a reference to "A and / or B" may, in one embodiment, refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only to B (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0120] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" shall be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of a plurality of elements or a list of elements, but also including more than one, and optionally including additional unlisted items. Only terms with an express contrary indication, such as "only one of... " or "exactly one of... ", or when used in a claim, "consisting of... " shall refer to including exactly one element of a plurality of elements or a list of elements. Generally, when preceded by an exclusive term (e.g., "either", "one of... ", "only one of... " or "exactly one of... "), the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative (i.e., "one or the other but not both").

[0121] Potential advantages provided by the disclosed decomposition process shown and described herein include that the automated decomposition process automatically isolates branches of a circuit to obtain a reduced amount of data on the electrical characteristics of the loads connected to the branches, for improving the understanding of individual loads. Additionally, during the automated process, loads can be automatically isolated either by automatic control or instructions automatically provided to the user, for manual assistance and / or confirmation of classification decisions. Further, additional attention can be automatically provided to detect loads that have not been successfully or correctly decomposed. Additional automated separation processes can be performed to decompose complex, synchronous, and transient loads.

[0122] The techniques described herein are exemplary and should not be construed as implying any particular limitation of certain illustrated embodiments. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can devise various alternatives, combinations, and modifications. For example, unless the operation itself is otherwise stated or specified, the operations associated with the processes described herein can be performed in any order. This disclosure is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0123] The term "comprises" or "comprising" shall be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated feature, integer, operation, or component, but not excluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, operations, or components or groups thereof.

[0124] Previously, various embodiments were referred to. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the described features and elements, whether or not associated with different embodiments, is contemplated to implement and practice the contemplated embodiments. Additionally, although an embodiment may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the foregoing aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and are not to be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly recited therein.

[0125] The various embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a system, a method, or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," or "system." Additionally, aspects may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

[0126] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer-readable media may be non-transitory computer-readable media. The non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the non-transitory computer-readable media may include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The program code embodied on the computer-readable media may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, fiber optic cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0127] The computer program code for performing operations of aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Additionally, such computer program code may be executed using a single computer system or by multiple computer systems in communication with each other (e.g., using a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.).

[0128] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and / or operation that can be implemented in various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware that performs the specified functions or acts, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0129] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. After reading and understanding the above description, many other implementation examples will be obvious. Although the present disclosure describes specific examples, it should be recognized that the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to the examples described herein, but may be practiced with modifications within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which these claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A decomposition monitor for a power system, the power system having a circuit including a plurality of branches and a plurality of loads, and the decomposition module includes: At least one memory configured to store instructions; At least one processing device disposed at a location and communicating with the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processing device is configured, when executing the instructions, to: a) Iteratively and automatically control or instruct to turn on a set of branches having one or more of the plurality of branches at a time, while turning off the remaining branches among the plurality of branches to isolate the set of branches, until all of the plurality of branches have been included in at least one isolated set of branches; b) Obtain electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches; And c) Use two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics to decompose at least one of the plurality of loads.

2. The decomposition monitor according to claim 1, wherein, when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured, for a specific isolated set of branches in operation a): d) Iteratively and automatically control or instruct to turn on a set of loads among a second plurality of loads connected to the specific isolated set of branches at a time, while turning off the remaining loads among the plurality of loads on the specific isolated set of branches that can be turned off to isolate the set of loads, until all of the second plurality of loads have been included in at least one isolated set of loads; and e) Obtain electrical characteristics of each isolated set of loads, Among them, In operation c), at least two different loads to be decomposed include a first load and a second load among the second plurality of loads.

3. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein the specific set of branches includes one branch, and / or wherein, The set of loads includes one load.

4. The decomposition monitor according to claim 1, wherein a specific iteration of operation a) is performed by automatically controlling to turn on the isolated set of branches and turning off the remaining branches by controlling intelligent branch breakers corresponding to the respective branches of the plurality of branches.

5. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured, when executing the instructions, in operations b) and / or e): Obtain measurement results from a main sensor that senses a line input to a main circuit breaker for the circuit; and / or Obtain measurements under the isolated set of loads.

6. The decomposition monitor according to claim 5, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured, when executing the instructions, in operations b) and / or e): Analyze the electrical characteristics obtained from the main sensor and / or receive an analysis of the measurements obtained at the isolated set of loads to obtain the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches and / or loads.

7. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured, when executing the instructions, to classify the corresponding isolated set of loads using the electrical characteristics of the isolated set of loads.

8. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured, when executing the instructions, to: Determine the location of the corresponding isolated set of loads; and Add the corresponding set of isolated loads to the circuit map based on the corresponding positions determined for the corresponding set of isolated loads.

9. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured to operate one or more visual and / or audio indicators associated with one or more controllable loads among the second plurality of loads to provide a signal to a user regarding which set of loads of the circuit is the set of isolated loads.

10. The decomposition monitor according to claim 2, wherein when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured to: Identify one or more loads among the second plurality of loads, where the one or more loads are not successfully isolated or do not successfully obtain the decomposed electrical characteristics in any one of the set of isolated loads; Provide an instruction to the user to manually isolate the corresponding identified one or more loads; After manual isolation, obtain the decomposed electrical characteristics of the corresponding identified one or more loads; Attempt to classify the corresponding identified one or more loads based on the corresponding decomposed electrical characteristics of each identified load; Determine the positions of the corresponding identified one or more loads; and Use the results of the classification attempt and the positions to add the corresponding identified one or more loads to the circuit map.

11. The decomposition monitor according to claim 10, wherein when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured to: Identify synchronous loads among the identified one or more loads; and Perform any combination of isolating, decomposing, classifying, and adding to the map the individual loads included in the synchronous loads.

12. The decomposition monitor according to claim 10, wherein when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured to: Identify among the identified one or more loads the multiple loads that belong to one complex load among the multiple loads; and Classify and / or add to the circuit mapping the multiple loads that belong to the complex load.

13. The decomposition monitor according to claim 10, wherein when executing the instructions, the at least one processing device is further configured to: Identify transient loads among the identified one or more loads; Instruct the user to turn on the transient loads by operating the transient loads in different operating states and / or at different positions of the circuit; and Based on the measurements obtained when operating the transient loads in different operating states and / or at different positions, obtain the decomposed electrical characteristics of the transient loads.

14. A method for performing decomposition on a plurality of loads connected to a plurality of branches included in a power system, the method comprising: Iteratively and automatically control or instruct to turn on a set of branches having one or more branches among the multiple branches while turning off the remaining branches among the multiple branches to isolate the set of branches; Obtain the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches; and Use two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics to decompose at least one load among the multiple loads.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein for a specific iteration of automatically controlling or instructing to turn on the specific set of branches when a specific set of branches is isolated, the method further includes: Iteratively and automatically control or indicate turning on one set of loads among a second plurality of loads connected to a specific set of branches, while turning off the remaining loads among the plurality of loads on the specific set of branches that can be turned off to isolate the set of loads, until all of the second plurality of loads have been included in at least one isolated set of loads; and Obtain the load electrical characteristics of each isolated set of loads, where at least two different loads being decomposed include a first load and a second load among the second plurality of loads.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises classifying the corresponding isolated set of loads using the electrical characteristics of the isolated set of loads.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: Determine the location of the corresponding isolated set of loads; and Based on the corresponding location determined for the corresponding isolated set of loads, add the corresponding isolated set of loads to the circuit map.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises operating one or more visual and / or audio indicators associated with one or more controllable loads among the second plurality of loads to provide a signal to the user regarding which set of loads of the circuit is the isolated set of loads.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: Identify one or more loads among the second plurality of loads that are not successfully isolated or for which decomposed electrical characteristics are not successfully obtained in any of the isolated sets of loads; Provide instructions to the user for manually isolating the corresponding identified one or more loads; After manual isolation, obtain the decomposed electrical characteristics of the corresponding identified one or more loads; Attempt to classify the corresponding identified one or more loads based on the corresponding decomposed electrical characteristics of each identified load; Determine the location of the corresponding identified one or more loads; and Use the results of the classification attempt and the location to add the corresponding identified one or more loads to the circuit map.

20. A non - transitory computer - readable medium having computer - executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform a method, the method comprising: Iteratively and automatically control or indicate turning on one set of branches having one or more of the plurality of branches, while turning off the remaining branches among the plurality of branches to isolate the set of branches; Obtain the electrical characteristics of each isolated set of branches; and Use two or more of the obtained electrical characteristics to decompose at least one load among the plurality of loads; Wherein, for a specific iteration of automatically controlling or indicating turning on a specific set of branches when the specific set of branches is isolated, the method further comprises: Iteratively and automatically control or indicate turning on one set of loads among a second plurality of loads connected to a specific set of branches, while turning off the remaining loads among the plurality of loads on the specific set of branches that can be turned off to isolate the set of loads, until all of the second plurality of loads have been included in at least one isolated set of loads; and Obtain electrical characteristics of each isolated load set, where at least two different loads in the decomposition include a first load and a second load among the second plurality of loads.

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