Open jaw portable ammeter device using measured current values and method for calculating and monitoring production status of selected industrial machine

Abstract

A portable, open-type clamp-on non-invasive ammeter device (1) is capable of determining the production status of industrial machines by acquiring and analyzing current measurement samples. Data and parameters are analyzed and transmitted via the Internet by an embedded printed circuit board (PCB) and its components (48). Production status refers to the activities the machine is currently engaged in. Users can pre-define a list of production status names and enter their corresponding current threshold limits. The device (1) is responsible for comparing current measurements with these pre-determined threshold limits to determine the latest production status of the monitored machine. Among its many features, the device (1) includes: a reset button (20), a status light (21), a power input port (19), a plastic housing (18), a PCB (48), and an ADC. Optional features include an mountable adhesive or magnetic base (49) and a rechargeable battery.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application US 63 / 543,153. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of electronic monitoring devices, and more particularly to a novel portable device and method for determining the production status of industrial machines using a non-invasive current sensor. Background Technology

[0003] As companies strive to gain a competitive edge over their rivals, tracking the productivity of manufacturing machinery has become increasingly relevant, whereby the number of hours and minutes a machine produces or idles is directly related to the quantity of products or units it can output. In this paper, productivity refers to a machine's ability to maximize the amount of work it can complete within a given time span.

[0004] In addition to many other possible production status values, business owners and machine operation managers need to know when their machines are in production, idling, powered on, or powered off. This patent application proposes a simplified solution to this need, in which the production status of industrial machines can be calculated and reported in real time using an easy-to-install, non-invasive portable device. Furthermore, the device sends the duration of each production status to an online server, allowing users to visualize it as a trend graph.

[0005] Identifying and tracking the production status of industrial machines can be expensive, requiring solutions built into the machines themselves. Furthermore, tracking machine status can be challenging for many businesses due to the need for pre-installed sensors in the field, or the need for complex installations, such as, but not limited to, wiring the tracking device to the circuitry or sensors of the machine being measured.

[0006] There is a need for a device that is non-invasive, portable, and quick to install, enabling businesses to track the production status of their machines in real time. Furthermore, the device should have internet access, allowing users to visualize machine productivity data using charts and reports available in their web browsers or through installable software applications.

[0007] This device addresses the problem of machine manufacturing managers not knowing the exact moment when machines become idling. This challenge is solved by implementing a notification system that uses email and text messages to report changes in production status, as configured by the user. For example, if the machine has been idling for more than 5 minutes, the user of the device in this patent application will receive a notification. The user can change this configuration so that he / she is notified after different idling durations.

[0008] This device addresses the problem of machine manufacturing managers not knowing what their industrial machines are doing over a period of time or are currently doing. A factory may have various machines belonging to different manufacturers. In this latter scenario, each manufacturer may offer a method for remotely monitoring their industrial machines, but this is not a centralized solution for viewing all industrial machines on a single screen. The device proposed in this patent application provides a single solution for centrally tracking the production status of industrial machines, regardless of whether the industrial machines belong to different manufacturers or whether the monitored machines have pre-installed sensors.

[0009] US 20130226317 describes a "device for analyzing properties of different machine types," while stating in its description: "The system of the present invention generally includes a first device and a second device. The first device receives operational data from sensors / transducers of the monitored machine." In this statement, it is clear that the transducer is not part of its portable device. Rather, the "first device" only receives data from the transducer. This "first device" is also responsible for transmitting data and identifying behavioral patterns. While US 20130226317 has many claimed embodiments, none specify any transducer with a built-in split core current transformer or embedded in its portable device. Furthermore, their first device receives operational data, rather than using a split core current transformer to collect energy measurement samples.

[0010] US Patent 20240055955 states in its specification that "hardware and / or software systems configured to monitor motor operation using any communication method (including, but not limited to, wired and / or wireless network protocols, Wi-Fi, and / or Bluetooth) and display predetermined parameters to a remote monitoring device (such as an electronic device) are within the scope of this invention. The use of current transformers and / or current sensors configured to monitor armature current values ​​in such hardware systems is also within the scope of this invention."

[0011] US Patent 20240055955 claims protection for "a current sensor located outside the housing of a brushed DC motor." While US Patent 20240055955 describes a current transformer for monitoring a motor, it does not describe this transformer as part of a portable device, nor does it specify what kind of transformer it is. Furthermore, the transformer is explicitly designed to track and report armature current values. On the other hand, the device proposed in this patent application has a microcontroller capable of reporting the production status of the machine, where current values ​​are acquired using a non-invasive, built-in open-type clamp-on current transformer.

[0012] US Patent 20130238155 claims protection for "a method and apparatus for detecting the state of an energy source consuming device", which involves "reading a total energy consumption value measured by an energy meter and a set of state combinations preset for the energy meter, wherein the set of state combinations includes a mapping relationship between the state combinations and the total energy consumption value", and "the difference between the total energy consumption value and the read total energy consumption value included in the mapping relationship is less than a predetermined threshold; selecting one of the discovered mapping relationships to determine the current state of each energy source consuming device".

[0013] Clearly, US 20130238155 describes a threshold in claim 1, which is compared with a mathematical subtraction (difference) between the energy value in the mapping table and the energy measurement obtained from the energy meter. US 20130238155 focuses on "searching for a set of state combinations for a mapping relationship." Their system reads the stored possible state combinations and calculates weighted probabilities, where a fourth weight is used to determine the mapping with the highest probability. It also claims "determining the current state of the corresponding energy source consuming device based on a state combination in one of the found mapping relationships."

[0014] US 20130238155 aims to "improve the efficiency and accuracy of detecting the status of energy-consuming devices," whereas the current patent application describes a portable device capable of reporting the production status of a machine.

[0015] US 20130238155 focuses on probabilistic methods and formulas for determining the state of an energy-consuming device given a set of pre-defined combinations of states for an energy meter. On the other hand, the device presented in this patent application is a single portable device capable of non-invasively acquiring current measurement samples from a machine and then providing the user with the machine's latest production status and a timeline of production status values, wherein the status is determined by the proposed device when comparing the current measurement samples with upper and lower threshold values. For example, if the measured machine consumption is between 5 and 30 amps, the machine is idling. Or if the measured machine has zero amps, the machine is off. Furthermore, if the machine consumes 31 amps or more, the machine is in production.

[0016] CN 110376542 relates to a "Power Meter Condition Assessment System and Method," wherein the condition assessment system includes upper and lower limits for determining the operating state of the power meter. While CN 10376542 appears similar to this patent application, they differ because CN 10376542 focuses on the state of the power meter itself, rather than the machine under test. Its operating state thresholds focus on the degree of goodness of the power meter's operation, such as good, normal, or abnormal. The objective of CN 110376542 is to calculate a quantified risk value of a predicted risk factor and determine the operating state of the power meter. The unique feature of the device in this patent application is that it calculates and reports the production state of the machine under test in a non-invasive manner.

[0017] IN 202221000778 relates to a "Smart Prepaid Energy System and Method," which describes the following: "This invention relates to a smart prepaid energy system that can be easily connected to existing energy meters and identify the energy meter's power consumption and operation. Furthermore, the invention provides prepaid billing, energy consumption, and fault identification. As a result of this invention, consumers can identify daily usage." Other features of IN 202221000778 include "data management software, wireless data transmission appearance, and a smart meter," wherein the smart meter already includes a mounting housing, a sampling circuit board, and an embedded microcontroller module. "While some features of IN202221000778 may appear similar to this patent application, they are actually quite different. For example, both obtain data from an energy meter, both have embedded microcontrollers and sampling circuitry, and both report daily usage to client users via wireless communication. The differences lie in the type of data collected, the method of data collection, the algorithm, and the information displayed to the end user. IN 202221000778 is a device that connects to an existing energy meter to track it, rather than having its own built-in non-invasive energy sensor. Furthermore, IN 202221000778 focuses on collecting and reporting energy consumption and detecting energy meter malfunctions. This differs from this patent application, where the primary objective of the device is to report the on-site production status of the monitored machine and provide a timeline of production status values."

[0018] WO 2014137533, entitled "Wireless Monitor Maintenance and Control System," describes a system and method for monitoring the condition of machinery. While their premises appear similar to those of this patent application, they do not include current sensors or any kind of energy meter in their claims. Furthermore, their focus is on motor vehicles.

[0019] JP 2020028208 describes "an electrical data processing system comprising: a smart meter having a communication path for measuring electrical power allocated to electrical equipment and communicating the measured electrical energy as electrical data to an external source; and a processing device for processing the electrical data communicated from the smart meter." JP 2020028208 includes the following in claim 3: "In the electrical data processing system according to claim 1, the user's activity state estimated by an artificial intelligence program is transmitted as data to the user's terminal." From this claim, it is clear that JP 2020028208 focuses on detecting the user's activity state rather than the production state of the machine being measured. Furthermore, the description mentions a smart meter without specifying the type of meter or whether it is portable.

[0020] Regarding US 5870698, a "multi-purpose machine metering / monitoring device" is described, which claims protection for "externally mounted machine metering and monitoring equipment for selectively metering and monitoring the operating characteristics of a predetermined type of machine, the equipment including data input devices," wherein they do not specify what type of input devices are required. For example, their general claims regarding input include "optically isolated signal input ports and analog / digital signal input ports, wherein the optically isolated signal input ports can be configured to receive count signals, level detector signals, interval timer signals, and combinations of count signals, level detector signals, and interval timer signals, and wherein the analog / digital signal input ports can be configured to receive temperature sensor signals, pressure sensor signals, and digitized data."

[0021] None of these input signals mention the sensors used to sample current or electrical power. Furthermore, they extensively claim the ability to monitor operational characteristics, rather than specifying those characteristics or what their algorithms convey to the end user. Summary of the Invention

[0022] The invention disclosed in this patent application is a portable open-type clamp-on non-invasive galvanometer device that can determine the production status of industrial machines by collecting current samples and comparing these samples with predetermined thresholds.

[0023] "Production status" refers to the activity the identified machine is currently performing. "Current threshold" refers to a user-defined set of numerical current threshold limits. "Production status name" refers to a user-defined name assigned to one or more current thresholds. During operation, the device compares current measurements to these predetermined current thresholds to determine the latest production status of the measured machine. The algorithm used by the device can be more complex than a simple comparison.

[0024] The following examples demonstrate how users can select and configure current thresholds and production status names to monitor their machines using the device of this patent application: When the current is greater than 50 amps, Machine X is “working”. When the current is between 10 and 50 amps, Machine X is “idling”. When the current is zero, Machine X is “off”. When the current is between 55 and 60 amps, Machine X is “producing product A”. In these examples, the content in double quotes is the production status name predefined by the user. Furthermore, “Machine X” is the name chosen by the user for the machine being monitored. Users can predefine names they choose for the machines they are monitoring. These examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the values ​​that users can predefine in the configuration.

[0025] Other features of the device include the internet capability to transmit on-site production status values ​​and the duration of each status to an online server. Predetermined values ​​and other parameter data can be exchanged between the device and the online server via the internet.

[0026] The invention of this patent application delivers online information to the user. This information includes a centralized summary table displaying the on-site production status of each monitored machine. The summary table groups machines according to their production status to distinguish between working machines (production), idling machines, and off machines, where the user can configure additional groups. Colors can be used to distinguish machine production status; for example, green indicates working (production), yellow indicates idling, and red indicates off. Colors are user-configurable. The user interface displays how the production status of the selected machines changes over time. The user interface displays the amount of time each machine has been idling since its last operation. The user interface can also indicate other durations, such as how long the machine has been running and how long it has been off.

[0027] Portable devices include the ability to notify users that their industrial machines have been in a certain production state for a specific period of time. For example, a notification may be sent when the machine has been idling for more than 10 minutes. Users can configure these notifications by applying a time value to the selected production state name.

[0028] The portable device features an optional mounting base that allows the device to be securely held to surrounding surface areas. The optional base can be magnetic or adhesive and must be threaded through holes in the bottom plastic housing.

[0029] The holes in the bottom plastic housing can also be used to directly thread the portable device 15 onto other surface areas so that it can be securely held in the field.

[0030] Another optional feature of the device includes the ability to charge its embedded PCB (printed circuit board) by properly connecting its USB-C charging port to the circuitry of the monitored machine, or any nearby circuitry. The device can also be charged using a standard power plug. An optional rechargeable battery is available.

[0031] Technical issues

[0032] In addition to many other possible production status values, business owners and machine operation managers need to know when their machines are in production, idling, running, or shut down. An easy-to-install device is needed to report the field status of the machines.

[0033] Solution to the problem

[0034] This patent application proposes a simplified solution to this technical problem, in which an easy-to-install, non-invasive portable device can be used to measure, calculate, and report the production status of industrial machines in real time.

[0035] Advantages of the present invention

[0036] The device described in this patent application addresses the limitations faced by machine manufacturing managers when they are unaware of what their industrial machines are currently doing. Managers also lack historical information about the activity of their industrial machines that this solution can provide. Furthermore, the device is compatible with any industrial electrical installation and is easy to install. Users simply need to clip the device onto the line to be measured on the machine and enter Wi-Fi credentials. This is a universal solution for monitoring the production status of electrical industrial machines. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a graphical representation of the entire apparatus to which the subject of this patent application is located. The apparatus is "an open-type clamp-on portable ammeter device using a measured current value and a method for monitoring the production status of a selected machine".

[0038] Figure 2 This is a top view of the device.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a front view of the device.

[0040] Figure 4 This is the right view of the device.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the device.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional device. The diagram helps users understand... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 Position relative to the three-dimensional representation of the device. Figure 6 Is with Figure 1 The same representation.

[0043] Figure 7 An exploded view of the device is shown, illustrating the PCB (printed circuit board) and the threaded components that hold the device together.

[0044] Figure 8 An exploded view of the device is shown, in which the non-invasive open-type clamp current transformer is divided into two parts. These two parts are connected together by a hinge (27) when properly assembled.

[0045] Figures 9 to 14 Show all six faces of the device, where: Figure 9 It is a top view. Figure 10 It is the left view. Figure 11 This is the rear view. Figure 12 This is the front view. Figure 13 It is the right view. Figure 14 It is a bottom view. Detailed Implementation

[0046] refer to Figure 1 The "device" shown is an embodiment of the present invention. This device is... Figure 7 The diagram is shown in an exploded view, thus revealing its PCB 48 (printed circuit board). Furthermore, in... Figures 9 to 14 All six faces of the device can be seen in the image.

[0047] The non-invasive open-type clamp-on current transformer 17 has a commercial construction, meaning it can be a conventional, commercially available open-type clamp-on current transformer. The transformer 17 is designed to clamp onto a user-selected power supply conductor, which supplies power to industrial machinery.

[0048] The selected conductors are measured by the device to monitor the machine's "production status." PCB 48 is responsible for comparing current samples with thresholds to calculate the machine's production status. This production status information is used to report the industrial machine's field condition, as well as a historical timeline of status values ​​and other information.

[0049] PCB 48 includes a junction box 23, which is connected to the current transformer 17 via appropriate wiring, wherein the wiring is performed by common sense and is not shown in the figures. Junction box 23 is responsible for supplying current from the current transformer 17 to a current sensor located in the PCB. The current sensor and ADC (analog-to-digital converter) provide the calculated current value to MCU 25 (microcontroller unit).

[0050] PCB 48 includes a reset button 20. This reset button 20 allows the user to reset the device's Wi-Fi configuration. Pressing the button 20 sets PCB 48 to peer-to-peer mode, enabling the user to access a local network server hosted on the device.

[0051] The user interface of the local device's web server provides users with device information and also allows users to enter Wi-Fi credentials. These credentials then enable the device to maintain an internet connection with the online server.

[0052] The PCB 48 with Wi-Fi capability exchanges information such as production status values, duration of each status value, configuration settings, and energy metrics (such as current).

[0053] PCB 48 includes a status light 21, which signals the user to indicate the connection status of the device. PCB 48 also has a firmware update connector 24.

[0054] PCB 48 includes a USB-C power input port 19 that supplies power to the device, enabling it to perform its tasks. Additionally, PCB 48 has a battery power input port 22 for charging an optional battery. The optional battery is commercially available; that is, it can be a standard commercially available rechargeable battery for energy storage. Battery power input port 19 can also be used to draw power from the battery to power PCB 48.

[0055] The bottom plastic housing 18 is mounted on top of the open-type current transformer 17 by inserting and adjusting the threaded fitting 30 through the hole 37. Additionally, the threaded fitting 31 is inserted and adjusted through the hole 38.

[0056] Threaded parts 33, 34, 35, and 36 are four threaded parts used to mount each corner of PCB 48 onto the bottom plastic housing 18.

[0057] The bottom plastic housing 18 has a hole 40 at the bottom. This hole allows the user to thread the device into any surrounding surface. Threaded parts 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 are commercially available; that is, they can be standard commercial threaded parts.

[0058] The device features an optional mountable base 49, which can be magnetic or adhesive. The mountable base 49 securely holds the device in place for machine monitoring. Installation is performed by threading the base 49 to the bottom housing 18 using threaded fittings 32 and holes 39 and 40.

[0059] USB-C power input port 19 can be connected to a USB-C cable to supply power to the device.

[0060] The open-type clamp-on current transformer 17 has a hinge 27 that holds the device together as a single piece. Although Figure 8 An exploded view of the current transformer 17 with hinge 27 disengaged is shown, but the hinge is intended to remain connected to form a joint. When hinge 27 is closed, portion 28 is positioned and locked to portion 29. Furthermore, if the user wishes the current transformer 17 to open, the user must release portion 28 from portion 29.

[0061] The open hinge 27 allows for proper field installation of the device by clamping the current transformer 17 onto one of the power lines that the user of the industrial machine wishes to monitor.

[0062] The firmware update connector 24 allows users to update the device with software code, enabling the device to operate as expected.

[0063] Example

[0064] A plastic bag manufacturing business owner wants to centrally monitor the activity of his / her machines. The business owner has 5 plastic extruders, 2 recycling machines, and 3 bag sealing machines. While all these machines are different and from different manufacturers, they can all be monitored using the device described in this patent application. The business owner only needs to purchase 10 devices and connect each one to each machine. Wi-Fi credentials are then entered, which he / she can do himself / herself. The devices will then begin sending production status and other data to a centralized server. With appropriate website credentials, the user can centrally visualize the production status of his / her machines on a website or application. On the website, under the device's settings, the user can configure thresholds to monitor specific production status values.

[0065] Industrial applicability

[0066] The device of this patent application can be installed in any electrically powered industrial machine, wherein the device has continuous access to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

[0067] Reference number list

[0068] Citation of preserved biological materials

[0069] Sequence List Free Text

[0070] Reference List

[0071] Patent documents

[0072] PTL 1: Non-patent literature NPL 1:

Claims

1. A portable device and method for determining the production status of industrial machinery by non-invasively acquiring and analyzing current samples. The device comprises: Open-type clamp-on current transformer, printed circuit board (PCB), analog-to-digital converter (ADC), plastic housing with threaded base, optional magnetic base, optional adhesive base and optional rechargeable battery.

2. The device of claim 1 includes a non-invasive, built-in open-type clamp-on current transformer that can be opened by a user so that the open-type clamp-on current transformer can be clamped onto a power line of a machine that the user wishes to monitor.

3. The device of claim 1 includes a built-in printed circuit board. Among its many features, this board includes a current sensor, status lights, a Wi-Fi security shield, an embedded web server, a reset button, a USB-C power input port, a battery power input port, and various software methods.

4. The current sensor described in claim 3 is connected to the open-type clamp-on current transformer of claim 2 via appropriate wiring, wherein the wiring is performed using common sense. The current sensor converts the current reading from the current transformer into a signal that can be received by the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and its MCU (Microcontroller Unit) as an input for analysis.

5. The status light of claim 3 is used to indicate the status of the device rather than the status of the monitored machine. The light may be turned on, off, or flashing to convey different information. For example, flashing may mean that the device is on for pairing via a peer-to-peer connection. The light being on may mean that the device is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi and is transmitting information to an online server. The light being off may mean that the device is off or not transmitting any information to the server.

6. When the device is in operation, the Wi-Fi Shield of claim 3 provides two types of connections: peer-to-peer connection or Internet connection.

7. The point-to-point connection of claim 6 allows a user to access the embedded network server of claim 3. The embedded network server allows the user to select an available Wi-Fi network and enter its corresponding password, enabling the PCB of claim 3 to access the Internet and connect to a remote server. The embedded network server can display additional information and additional configuration settings.

8. After the PCB of claim 3 is connected to the Internet via the Wi-Fi security shield of claim 6, the PCB will begin exchanging information with the online server.

9. Online Server: The online server described in claim 8 is hosted in a cloud computing service and is separate from the apparatus of claim 1. The online server is responsible for: hosting a website for users, providing API services, storing device information, and exchanging information with the PCB of claim 3.

10. The API service of claim 9 can be used to provide access to mobile applications and computer applications. These applications have the same characteristics as the hosting website of claim 9.

11. The hosting website of claim 9 and the application of claim 10 provide information about the device of claim 1 and configuration settings, summary tables, charts and reports of information transmitted by the device of claim 1.

12. Idle Duration: A unique capability is claimed: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying how long an industrial machine has been "idling," wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold. "How long" refers to the duration between when the machine starts "idling" and the current time when the machine has maintained its "idling" state.

13. Duration of Machine Operation: A unique capability is claimed: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying how long an industrial machine has been "operated" is available, wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold. "How long" refers to the duration between when the machine starts to "power on" and the current time when the machine has maintained its "power-on" state.

14. Duration of Machine Shutdown: A unique capability is claimed: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying how long an industrial machine has been "shut down," wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold. "How long" refers to the duration between when the machine begins to "shut down" and the current time when the machine has maintained its "shutdown" state.

15. Production Duration: Claims are made for a unique capability: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying how long an industrial machine has been "producing," wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold. "How long" refers to the duration between when the machine begins "production" and the current time when the machine has maintained its "production" state. Any synonyms for the word "production" are applicable here.

16. Real-time status: The following unique capability is claimed: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying whether an industrial machine is currently in a "power-on", "idling", "power-off", or "production" state, wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold.

17. Real-time Production Status: The claim protects the unique ability to combine all of the following features into a single device and method: a portable open-type clamp-on galvanometer device capable of confirming the production status of an industrial machine by non-invasively acquiring current samples and comparing these samples with predetermined current thresholds. The "production status" refers to the activity being performed by the confirmed machine. The "current threshold" refers to a user-defined set of numerical current threshold limits. And the "production status name" refers to a user-defined name assigned to one or more current thresholds. During operation, the device compares current measurements with these predetermined current thresholds to determine the latest production status of the measured industrial machine.

18. Duration of Production State: A unique capability is claimed: a non-invasive portable device and method for displaying how long an industrial machine is currently in a production state (as defined in claim 17), wherein this information is inferred by the device of claim 1 when comparing a current sample obtained via the open-type current transformer of claim 2 with a user-predetermined threshold. "How long" refers to the duration between when the industrial machine begins to operate in a production state and the current time when there is no change in the production state.

19. Hard-coded thresholds: Claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 assert the unique capability of comparing current samples with hard-coded thresholds rather than user-defined thresholds to determine the state of industrial machinery.

20. Calculated threshold: The unique capability of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 is claimed, wherein current samples are compared with a threshold calculated by the system rather than a user-predetermined threshold to determine the state of an industrial machine.

21. Alternative Energy Metrics: Claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 assert the unique capability of using different energy metrics and corresponding sensors. Therefore, a portable device is claimed capable of comparing energy metrics with corresponding predetermined energy threshold limits to infer the state or production status of an industrial machine. These alternative energy metrics relate to voltage (V), power (kW), or energy (kWh).

22. Real-time status: Claims protect the unique ability to display information collected by at least one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 on an online website or application, wherein a user can visualize the real-time status (or real-time production status) of each industrial machine in a centralized display.

23. Color Coding: The following unique capability is claimed: to apply color to the state (or production state) of each industrial machine described in claim 22 by inferring the state of the monitored machine, wherein the state information is collected by at least one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. For example, green indicates production, yellow indicates idling, and red indicates shutdown.

24. Claim protection is made for the unique capability of notifying a user via email or text message from an online server utilizing claim 9 that an industrial machine has been in a state or production state for a sufficient period of time, wherein the duration is measured as described in claims 12, 13, 14, 15, and 18. The user can input content in units such as seconds, minutes, or hours, meaning "sufficient time," thereby triggering the notification by the server.

25. Machine State History: Claims protect the unique ability to establish a historical timeline of industrial machine state values ​​(or production state values), wherein the state values ​​are obtained as interpreted in claims 16 and 17 and may include other variations as interpreted in claims 19, 20, and 21. The timeline can be displayed via an online website or application, allowing users to see how their industrial machines have changed state (or production state) over time.

26. The plastic housing described in claim 1 is designed to house and protect the programmable circuit board of claim 3. The plastic housing must be threaded onto the open-type current transformer of claim 2 to assemble the device of claim 1 into a single unit.

27. The plastic housing of claim 26 has a threaded connection hole at the bottom. The hole allows the device to be threaded onto a surrounding surface area, thereby providing a fixed position for the device of claim 1 in the field.

28. A claim is made for an optional mountable magnetic base as described in claim 1, the magnetic base being threadedly connected to the base of the plastic housing of claim 26 using the holes and threads described in claim 27. The magnetic base is used to securely hold the device against a metal surface area.

29. A claim is made for an optional mountable adhesive base as described in claim 1, which can be threadedly connected to the base of the plastic housing of claim 26 using the holes described in claim 27. The adhesive base is used to securely hold the device against a flat surface area in the field.

30. The reset button of claim 3 can be used to set the PCB to point-to-point pairing mode, so that the user can connect to the embedded network server of claim 7.

31. The USB-C power input port of claim 3 is designed to handle the electrical loads of industrial machinery. This means that a user can optionally wire the USB-C power input port of the device to the circuitry of the industrial machine to be measured or to power the device of claim 1 for operational use via circuit closure. Such wiring requires knowledge and should be performed by a qualified professional.

32. The USB-C power input port of claim 3 can also be connected to a conventional power plug to power the PCB of claim 3, thereby supplying energy to the device of claim 1 for continuous operation.

33. The PCB of claim 3 has a battery power input port. The battery power input port can be used to charge an optional battery with energy, or to draw energy from the battery to power the PCB of claim 3.

34. Claim protection for the following unique capability: the non-invasive portable device of claim 1 can report whether an industrial plant has malfunctioned by analyzing the current value obtained from the open-type clamp-on current transformer of claim 2.

35. The following unique capability is claimed: the portable device capable of transmitting the features of claims 1 to 34 to the user is easy to install, wherein installation comprises the following steps: First, the user opens the open-type current transformer of the device of claim 1. Second, the user clips the device onto the power line of their choice for monitoring. Third, the user connects to the device via a peer-to-peer connection to an embedded web server webpage. Finally, the user saves Wi-Fi credentials to the device's web server. At this point, the device begins exchanging information with the online server, allowing the user to track their industrial machinery via an online website or application. The additional optional installation steps described in claims 31 and 32 may be considered, as the device can also operate using its battery as mentioned in claim 33. The device's battery must be charged before performing these installation steps.

36. Claim protection is made for the unique capability to display real-time current measurements and current trend lines of industrial machines on an online website or application, wherein the current values ​​are obtained by means as explained in claims 1 to 35.

37. Claim protection is made for the unique capability regarding other energy measures described in claim 35, wherein, Other metrics include, but are not limited to, voltage (V), power (kW), or energy (kWh).

Images