Systems and methods for monitoring a current clamp

Abstract

Current clamp monitoring systems are disclosed, and include a current clamp connector connectable to a current clamp, the current clamp connector being configured to power the current clamp and measure a voltage at an output interface of the current clamp corresponding to a current along a power line extending between a battery bank and a load, the power line extending through an aperture of the current clamp. A power connector is connectable to a battery bank to draw power from the battery bank to power the current clamp monitoring system.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A CURRENT CLAMPReference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority from US provisional application no. 63 / 567140 filed March 19, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to power management, and in particular to systems and methods for monitoring a current clamp.Background

[0003] Nuclear power plants and refineries utilize battery banks to store energy and to allow the equipment to operate in the case of any power outage. These battery banks deal with huge inrush currents during charge and outrush currents during discharge. To monitor the current passing to and from a battery bank in a non-invasive way, current clamps are used. Current clamps count on Halleffect transducers to monitor the current flow in both directions to and from a battery bank (i.e., during charging and discharging). Current clamps require power for operation. They also require an interface to capture an analog output voltage representing the current value passing through the current clamp.

[0004] A current clamp's operating voltage and current varies from one manufacturer to another. As a result, the management system monitoring the current clamp has to be modified to accommodate for these variations. For instance, a current clamp may only operate with a single positive (+ve) voltage source while another current clamp may operate with a +ve and negative (-ve) voltage rails.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a prior art current clamp management system 20 including a battery management system (BMS) 24 and a custom current clampmonitoring circuit 28. A battery bank 32 is connected to a station control 40 via a power cable 34. The station control 40 is also connected to a power source, such as a power grid 44, and to a load 48, such as the electrical operating equipment for a nuclear power plant.

[0006] During regular operation, the station control 40 connects the load 48 to the power grid 44 to supply power from the power grid 44 to the load 48. In addition, the power grid 44 is connected to the battery bank 32 to charge the battery bank 32 via the power cable 34. When it is determined that power from the power grid 44 is interrupted, the station manager 40 connects the battery bank 32 to the load 48 to provide emergency power to the load 48.

[0007] The current clamp management system 20 monitors the charging current provided by the power grid 44 to the battery bank 32, and the discharging current delivered by the battery bank 32 to the load 48. The current clamp management system 20 does this via a current clamp 36 that measures the current along the power line 34. The current clamp 36 has an aperture 37 through which the power cable 34 is positioned so that a Hall-effect sensor can measure the current along the power line 34. Power is received by the current clamp 36 via a power interface 38, and analog output in the form of a voltage is generated as a result of the detecting of current along the power line 34 and applied to an output interface 39.

[0008] The current clamp 36 is powered by the custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28. In turn, the custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28 is powered by the BMS 24, which leeches power for its operation from the battery bank 32. The custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28 controls power delivery to the current clamp 36. Further, the custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28 monitors analog output from the output interface 39 of the current clamp 36 and converts the analog output to digital output before passing the digital output to the BMS 24.

[0009] The operating voltage and current of current clamps vary from onemanufacturer to another, and even between models. For nuclear power plants, a design authority managing one or more such installations often picks up the current clamp based on many parameters, such as, but not limited to, form factor, the diameter of the center aperture, the max inrush current during the charge / discharge, the overall power consumption of the current clamp, the available power source near to the battery bank, the response time of the current clamp, the part availability, lead time to receive a particular current clamp, etc. All of these parameters and others can complicate the decision of choosing a particular current clamp. It is very common that many different current clamp types can be found within the same nuclear power plant.

[0010] In order to accommodate a particular current clamp's operating current and voltage, the custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28 is designed and / or manually configured specifically for the current clamp 36. As will be readily appreciated, the process of designing and / or configuring the custom current clamp monitoring circuit 28 is performed by a set of technicians, and is manual and timeconsuming.SummaryIn accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector connectable to a current clamp, the current clamp connector being configured to power the current clamp and measure a voltage at an output interface of the current clamp corresponding to a current along a power line extending between a battery bank and a load, the power line extending through an aperture of the current clamp; and a power connector that is connectable to a battery bank to draw power from the battery bank to power the current clamp monitoring system.

[0011] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes a current limiter connected to the power connector and configured to limit power drawn by the current clamp monitoring system from the battery bank to a pre-defined value.

[0012] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes: a battery connected to the power connector for storing at least some of the power from the battery pack, wherein the current clamp monitoring system is powered selectively by the power from the battery bank or the battery.

[0013] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes: a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery at least partially based on a determination of a state of charge of the battery being at or above a threshold.

[0014] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery bank at least partially based on a determination of a voltage from the battery bank being at or above a threshold.

[0015] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery at least partially based on a determination that the battery bank is being charged.

[0016] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes a notification system to indicate which of the battery bank and the battery is powering the current clamp.

[0017] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the notification system includes one or more light elements.

[0018] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes a notification system to indicate when the current clamp is consuming more than a projected level of power.

[0019] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector configured to be connected to an output interface of a current clamp; at least one of a positive voltage output and a negative voltage output connectable to the current clamp via the current clamp connector; one or more processors; and a memory storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to register a measured current received via the output interface of the current clamp connector and adjust a positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp via the positive voltage output and / or a negative voltage transmitted to the current clamp via the negative voltage output at least partially based on the measured current.

[0020] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the second aspect, the at least one of the positive voltage output and the negative voltage output is the positive voltage output and the negative voltage output, and the machineexecutable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to adjust the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp at least partially based on the measured current, determine if further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is beneficial, and further adjust the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp if it is determined that further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is beneficial.

[0021] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the second aspect, the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to adjust the negative voltage transmitted to the current clamp if it is determined that further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is not beneficial.

[0022] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the second aspect, the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to initially provide a pre-determined amount of the positive voltage to the current clamp.

[0023] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the second aspect, the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to initially provide a pre-determined amount of the negative voltage to the current clamp.

[0024] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a current clamp monitoring system, comprising: at least one current clamp connector configured to be connected to an output interface of the current clamp; one or more processors; and a memory storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to store data corresponding to a measured current received via the current clamp connector in the memory.

[0025] In some or all exemplary embodiments of the third aspect, the current clamp monitoring system further includes: a network interface, wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to transmit the data corresponding to the measured current to a computing device.

[0026] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector connectable to a current clamp, the current clamp connector being configured to measure the voltage along a power line extending between a battery bank and a load via a current clamp; a power connector that is connectable to a battery bank; a current limiter connected to the power connector and configured to limit power from the battery bank to the current clamp monitoring system from the battery bank.

[0027] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific implementations of the application in conjunction with the accompanying figures.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art current clamp management system and its operating environment.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a current clamp monitoring system in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure, and its operating environment, including a current clamp, a power supply, a power load, and a battery bank.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing various components of the current clamp monitoring system of FIG. 2.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing various electrical connections between the current clamp monitoring system of FIG. 2 and the current clamp and the battery bank.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the initialization of a current clamp monitoring system in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation of a current clamp monitoring system in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a current clamp monitoring system in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure, and its operating environment, wherein an adaptive current clamp interface is separate from the BMS.

[0036] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components. Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

[0037] The present disclosure is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same elements, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements, operations or steps in alternative embodiments. Separate boxes or illustrated separation of functional elements of illustrated systems and devices does not necessarily require physical separation of such functions, as communication between such elements may occur by way of messaging, function calls, shared memory space, and so on, without any such physical separation. As such, functions need not be implemented in physically or logically separated platforms, although such functions are illustrated separately for ease of explanation herein. Different devices may have different designs, such that although some devices implement some functions in fixed function hardware, other devices may implement such functions in a programmable processor with code obtained from a machine-readable medium. Lastly, elements referred to in the singular may be plural and vice versa, except wherein indicated otherwise either explicitly or inherently by context.

[0038] The present disclosure describes example embodiments of current clamp monitoring systems and methods that facilitates the accommodation of different types of current clamps. Data collected during monitoring is relayed to a server system to enable remote monitoring that is updated in real time or near real time.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a current clamp monitoring system 120 in accordance with an embodiment. Elements of the operating environment of the current clamp monitoring system 120 that are the same or substantially similar to those previously described and illustrated in FIG. 1 are numbered similarly, and the previous description of these elements applies.

[0040] The current clamp monitoring system 120 includes a housing 124 that houses components of a conventional battery management system (BMS) 128 and an adaptive current clamp interface 132. The components of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 can be integrally made with the components of the BMS 128, such as being positioned on the same circuit board. Alternatively, the components of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 can be manufactured separately from the components of the BMS 128 and operatively connected to them. In this case, the adaptive current clamp interface 132 may be housed in the same enclosure as the BMS 128 or in a separate enclosure.

[0041] The adaptive current clamp interface 132 monitors the charging current provided by the power grid 44 to the battery bank 32, and the discharging current delivered by the battery bank 32 to the load 48 via the current clamp 36 that measures the current along the power line 34.

[0042] In order to operate the current clamp 36, the adaptive current clamp interface 132 provides power to the current clamp 36 at a current and voltage specified for the current clamp 36. In turn, the adaptive current clamp interface 132 is powered by the BMS 128 which leeches power for its operation from the battery bank 32. The adaptive current clamp interface 132 monitors analog output from the output interface 39 of the current clamp 36 and processes the analog output by converting it to digital output before passing the digital output to the BMS 128. The adaptive current clamp interface 132 is configured to adapt to a particular current clamp's operating current and voltage, as will be explained below.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows various physical and / or logical components of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adaptive current clamp interface 132 has a processing and communications module 152 that includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) and communications interface 154. The MCU and the communications interface are provided on the same wafer but can be manufactured separately and operatively connected in other configurations. The processing and communications module 152 controls the functionality of the adaptive current clamp interface 132. Thecommunications interface is configured to communicate with other computing devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE is a wireless personal area networking technology that uses low power consumption, but still providing a communication range similar to that of classic Bluetooth. In other embodiments, the communications interface can be configured to communicate with other computing devices via any other suitable communications technology / standard. The MCU and communications interface 154 is connected to memory 156 that stores a set of machine-executable instructions for an operating system that provides the functionality described herein. In some configurations, the memory 156 can be bundled with the MCU and communications interface 154 on an integrated circuit. The memory 156 can include or be augmented by flash memory or any other suitable type of memory.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the components of the processing and communications module 152 (that is, the MCU and the communications interface) are manufactured as a single package, but it will be understood in other embodiments that the components of the processing and communications module 152 can be separated and operably connected to provide the same or similar functionality as described above. Although an example embodiment of the current clamp monitoring system 120 is shown and discussed herein with reference to FIG. 3, other embodiments may be used to implement examples disclosed herein, which may include components different from those shown. Although FIG. 3 shows a single instance of an MCU, there may be multiple instances of each component shown. The MCU can be one or more processors, such as a central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field- programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated logic circuitry, a tensor processing unit, a neural processing unit, a dedicated artificial intelligence processing unit, or combinations thereof. The one or more processors may collectively be referred to as a processor. The current clamp monitoring system 120 may include a display for outputting data and / or information in some applications, but may not in some other applications.

[0045] The memory 156 can include a volatile or non-volatile memory (e.g., aflash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and / or a read-only memory (ROM)). The memory 156 may store machine-executable instructions 158 for execution by the MCU. A set of machine-executable instructions 158 defining an operating system for the adaptive current clamp interface 132 is shown stored in the memory 156, which may be executed by the MCU to perform the steps of the methods as described herein. The memory 156 may include other machineexecutable instructions for execution by the MCU as well.

[0046] The memory 156 can store parameters for operation of the current clamp 36 as described herein. The memory 156 may also store other data, information, rules, policies, and machine-executable instructions.

[0047] -i-In some examples, the current clamp monitoring system 120 may also include one or more electronic storage units (not shown), such as a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive and / or an optical disk drive. In some examples, one or more datasets and / or modules may be provided by an external memory (e.g., an external drive in wired or wireless communication with the current clamp monitoring system 120) or may be provided by a transitory or non- transitory machine-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include a RAM, a ROM, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a CD-ROM, or other portable memory storage. The storage units and / or external memory may be used in conjunction with memory 156 to implement data storage, retrieval, and caching functions of the current clamp monitoring system 120.

[0048] A positive DC-to-DC power converter 160 provides the appropriate voltage level required to operate the current clamp 36. The output voltage is controlled using a digital potentiometer to modify the positive output voltage. Similarly, a negative DC-to-DC power converter 164 provides the appropriate voltage level required to operate the current clamp 36. The output voltage is controlled using a digital potentiometer to modify the negative output voltage. A digital voltage controller 168 uses an inter- integrated circuit (I2C) bus and modifies the output voltage of the positive DC-to-DC power converter 160 and the negativeDC-to-DC power converter 164. While, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 shows an I2C bus, others types of buses can be employed. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the current clamp monitoring system 120 is a distributed system and may include multiple devices in communication with each other over a network.

[0049] The adaptive current clamp interface 132 includes three current measurement modules. 13 represents the analog output equivalent to the input current as measured by the current measurement module at the input power stage of the adaptive current clamp interface 132. 13 is applied to an analog input pin of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 157 of the processing and communications module 152 to monitor the entire power consumption of the adaptive current clamp interface 132. Il represents the analog output equivalent to the input current as measured by the current measurement module at the output power stage of the DC-to-DC positive power converter 160. Il is applied to an analog input pin (ADC) of the processing and communications module 152 to monitor the power consumption of the positive rail as applid to the current clamp 36. 12 represents the analog output equivalent to the input current as measured by the current measurement module at the output power stage of the DC-to-DC negative power converter 164. 12 is applied to an analog input pin of the ADC 157 of the processing and communications module 152 to monitor the power consumption of the negative rail as applied to the current clamp 36.

[0050] A current limiter 172 is a device that limits a high inrush current provided to a Li-ion charger 176 to charge a battery in the form of a Li-ion cell 180 in this exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, other types of batteries can be employed. In addition, the current limiter 176 limits the power provided to the current clamp 36. This reduces the impact of the power stealing on the connected cells of the battery bank 32. The Li-ion cell 180 inside the adaptive current clamp interface 132 ensures its operation during the absence of the power grid 44, the battery bank 32, or a system malfunction.

[0051] A power source selection module includes an ideal diode 184 that isused to determine the prime source of power at any stage. If a pre-determined level of external power is available from the battery bank 32 (or the power grid 44 in some exemplary embodiments), then it will be used and the Li-ion cell 180 will stay charged. If not, then Li-ion cell 180 is used to power the components of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 via a low dropout regulator 188. The low dropout regulator 188 is a power regulator used to power up the circuity of the adaptive current clamp interface 132. A real-time clock oscillator 192 keeps track of time. The ideal diode 184 may select to power the current clamp monitoring system 120 using power from the Li-ion cell 180 if the state of charge of the Li-ion cell 180 is at or above a threshold, and using power from the battery pack 32 if the state of charge of the Li-ion cell 180 is below the threshold.

[0052] LEDs 196 are used to report specific conditions, such as, but not limited to, power source (e.g., power grid) availability, over-current when the current clamp 36 is consuming more current than projected, and open current clamp when the current clamp 36 is not connected appropriately. A multi-function push button 200 facilitates the pairing and the diagnosis. An electrostatic discharge module 204 is used to protect exposed contacts accessible to the user from damaging the adaptive current clamp interface 132 with accidental static discharges via these contacts.

[0053] Besides the current measurements, the processing and communications unit 152 measures the voltage level of the positive rail, the voltage level of the negative rail, the voltage of the Li-ion cell 180, and the voltage of the low dropout regulator 188.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows the connections between the current clamp monitoring system 120 and the power interface 38 and the output interface 39 of the current clamp 36. The current clamp monitoring system 120 is configured to be connected to every cell in the battery bank 32 to monitor the voltage of the cells. This enables the leeching of the power required to power both the current clamp monitoring system 120 and the current clamp 36 as shown. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the current clamp monitoring system 120 is connected to ten cells of the batterybank 32 though two 6-pin connectors and to the current clamp 36 with a four-pin connector. The current clamp monitoring system 120 incorporates a voltage isolation barrier to protect the battery bank 32. It also maintains this isolation barrier via the Hall-effect current clamp 36. The current clamp 36 provides a way to measure the charge and discharge current to and from the battery bank 32 respectively.

[0055] Referring again to FIG. 2, the processing and communications module 152 of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 communicates via BLE with a gateway system 136 that is positioned within the vicinity of the current clamp monitoring system 120. The gateway system 136 communicates with a server computer 140 via a data communications network 144, such as the Internet. The current clamp monitoring system 120 communicates with the server computer 140 to obtain initialization data corresponding to the current clamp 36 and to communicate monitoring data about the status and performance of the battery bank 32. In other configurations, the server computer 140 can be local to the network of the gateway system 136, and the gateway system 136 can even form part of the server computer 140.

[0056] Now, with respect to FIGS. 2 to 5, the method 300 of initializing the current clamp monitoring system 120 will now be described. The method 300 commences with the initialization of communications with the gateway system 136 (310). The processing and communications module 152, upon power up, directs the communications interface to locate and connect to the gateway system 136 via BLE or via any other suitable communications means. Upon connecting to the gateway system 136, the current clamp monitoring system 120 and the gateway system 136 establish a secure connection (320). The processing and communications module 152 initializes a handshake with the gateway system 136 to establish a symmetric key for secure communications between the current clamp monitoring system 120 and the gateway system 136. The current clamp monitoring system 120 then requests and receives parameters for the current clamp 36 from the gateway system 136 (330). The request made by the current clamp monitoring system 120 includes an identifier of the current clamp monitoring system 120. In someexemplary embodiments, the identifier is a MAC address of the current clamp monitoring system 120 transmitted via BLE. In turn, the gateway system 136 queries the server computer 140 to retrieve parameters for the current clamp 36 that is associated with the current clamp monitoring system 120 in a current clamp database managed by the server computer 140. The server computer 140 is provisioned with pairs of MAC addresses and associated current clamp types and / or parameters to enable the server computer 140 to receive the request from the current clamp monitoring system 120, retrieve the parameters for the current clamp associated with the current clamp monitoring system 120, and return these. In some alternative embodiments, the parameters can be separately maintained and looked up by the server computer 140 based on the type of the current clamp 36. The gateway system 136 then provides these parameters to the current clamp monitoring system 120. The operating parameters can include, for example, the desired sampling rate, the desired reporting interval, the desired ADC operating accuracy, the startup + / -ve voltage thresholds of the current clamp 36.

[0057] In some particular embodiments, the request can include a BLE advertisement packet transmitted by the microcontroller unit (MCU) and communications interface 154 of the processing and communications module 152.

[0058] Upon receiving the parameters, the current clamp monitoring system 120 validates the received parameters (340). The processing and communications module 152 measures the value along 13 to ensure safe and healthy operation of the current clamp 36. It disables the negative DC-to-DC power converter 164 via the digital voltage controller 168. The processing and communications module 152 loads the desired start-up positive voltage level of the current clamp 36 received as a parameter from the gateway system 136.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the method 400 of current clamp monitoring performed by the current clamp monitoring system 120. In normal circumstances, the current clamp management system 120 leeches power from the battery bank 32 to charge the Li-ion cell 180, measure the cell voltages of the battery bank 32, and regulates the operating power to the components of the adaptive current clamp interface132. Minimal power is normally provided to the adaptive current clamp interface 132, namely to the real-time clock oscillator 192 that is connected to the low dropout regulator 188 to intermittently check the status of the current clamp 36.

[0060] When it is determined that a particular time interval has passed since the last status check using the readings from the real-time clock oscillator 192 (410), the components of the adaptive current clamp interface 132 are powered up (420). The particular time interval can be pre-defined or can be determined in any other fashion. The reading from the real-time clock oscillator 192 is compared to a saved reading from the previous time the adaptive current clamp interface 132 was powered up to determine the time interval that has passed. The low drop-out regulator 188 is powered and, in turn, powers the processing and communications module 152. The processing and communications module 152 starts running and disables both the DC-to-DC positive power converter 160 and the DC-to-DC negative power converter 164 using the I2C bus or any equivalent bus, such as but not limited to UAR. or SPI or single wire communication (430). The processing and communications module 152 also turn the power LED 159 on. The processing and communications module 152 communicates with the gateway system 136 to get a new time stamp and then runs the real-time clock oscillator 192 for accurate realtime clock operation.

[0061] Once the positive rail is enabled via field effect transistors (FETs), various parameters are monitored by the processing and communications module 152 (440). The current from II is monitored by the processing and communications module 152 via the DC-to-DC positive power converter 160 to check if it exceeds the allowable limit for these categories of devices. The allowable limit forms part of the parameters received from the gateway system 136. VI, representing the positive voltage applied to the current clamp 36, is monitored. A Hall-effect transducer analog output pin 208 on a current clamp connector 212 is also monitored to determine the voltage along the power line 34 passing through the current clamp 36, and thus determine the current passing through it.

[0062] Based on these measurements, the data received from the currentclamp 36 is analyzed to determine the best operating condition for the current clamp 36 (450). The data is analyzed by the processing and communications module 152 using any suitable algorithm to determine if the current clamp 36 is operating properly. If it is determined that the current clamp 36 is not operating properly and an adjustment to the output positive voltage may resolve the issue, the processing and communications module 152 adjusts the output positive voltage to the current clamp 36 (460), after which the data from the current clamp 36 is re-analyzed at 450 using the new operating parameters. If, instead, it is determined that further adjustment of the output positive voltage provided to the current clamp 36 will not rectify the performance of the current clamp 36, the current clamp 36 is deemed to be a dual-rail current clamp and both the output positive voltage and an output negative voltage are adjusted 470). The data from the current clamp 36 is then analyzed again using the algorithm (480). If it is deemed that a change in the output positive voltage and / or the output negative voltage may rectify the performance of the current clamp 36, the output positive voltage and the output negative voltage are adjusted again at 470, after which the performance of the current clamp is re-analyzed again at 480. If, instead, it is determined that the current clamp 36 is operating properly at 450 or 480, the processing and communications module 152 transmits the status of the current clamp 36 as well as the converted digital output generated from the adaptive current clamp interface 132 to the server system 140 via the gateway system 136, the state of charge of the Li-ion cell 180, and the I2C lock (490). After transmitting the status, the adaptive current clamp interface 132 returns to a low-power sleep mode (495).

[0063] The above-noted algorithm utilizes the fact that if either the positive or the negative voltages are not achieving the preset values by the digital voltage controller 168, this means an increase in the current consumption on II and / or 12, hence a higher step of the voltage, is required to lower down the current consumption.

[0064] During the first time of operation, the current clamp monitoring system 120 assumes trickle charging condition of the battery bank 32 or near zerocurrent to the battery bank 32. As such, this gets communicated to almost zero measured value of the Hall-effect transducer value as it gets applied on the processing and communications module 152.

[0065] Once the processing and communications module 152 determines the best operating conditions for the current clamp 36, these parameters are saved in the memory 156 of the processing and communications module 152. Based on the settings, the adaptive current clamp interface 132 wakes up regularly, reads the current clamp detected current and current direction (that is, charging or discharging), then communicates these measurements to the server system 140 via the gateway system 136 via BLE or any other suitable wireless interface. BLE is chosen due to the lower power requirements for its operation. BLE 5.0 is adequate for the desired performance due to the long-range communication. The overall system doesn't require any high throughput.

[0066] The capacity of the Li-ion cell 180 is determined by the operating parameters and the estimated power consumption of the entire system. The capacity is also gated by how many hours the current clamp monitoring system 120 must operate in the absence of the main power source (that is, the power grid in the illustrated example).

[0067] The processing and communications module 152 is on power down except during measurement of the current clamp 36, which is driven by the sampling interval. However, if the current clamp monitoring system 120 captures a high rise on the current of the battery bank 32; a few algorithms can be applied to better understand the inrush current condition passing through the battery bank 32. One example of these algorithms is to continue to sample the Hall-effect transducer at high speed and store large file of charge / discharge data in the memory 156. This provides a better understanding of the performance of the inrush current and the discharge cycle of the load, or the performance of the battery bank 32 during the inrush charging and the steady state charging condition.

[0068] The data captured is highly valuable to evaluate the performance ofthe battery bank 32 or the load hence helping with the preventive maintenance and diagnosis.

[0069] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an intuitive design for a current clamp monitoring system that can accommodate various types of current clamps. A design that doesn't count on getting external power source as mostly, it is very hard to get access to an outlet near a battery bank especially in a nuclear power plant. A design that maintains optimal performance while reducing the power consumption using different software mechanisms to idle the system for most of the time and during the slow battery charge and discharge.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a current clamp monitoring system 500 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the current clamp monitoring system 500 includes a traditional BMS 504 and an adaptive current clamp interface 508 that are housed in separate enclosures, or manufactured separately. The adaptive current clamp interface 508 is connected to the BMS 504 via any suitable means. The BMS 504 and the adaptive current clamp interface 508 provide the same or similar functionality to that provided by the current clamp monitoring system of FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0071] The steps (also referred to as operations or actions) in the flowcharts and drawings described herein are for purposes of example only. There may be many variations to these steps / operations without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified, as appropriate.

[0072] In other embodiments, the same approach described herein can be employed for other modalities.General

[0073] Through the descriptions of the preceding embodiments, the present invention may be implemented by using hardware only, or by using software and a necessary universal hardware platform, or by a combination of hardware andsoftware. The coding of software for carrying out the above-described methods described is within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art having regard to the present disclosure. Based on such understandings, the technical solution of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product may be stored in a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium, which can be an optical storage medium, flash drive or hard disk. The software product includes a number of instructions that enable a computing device (personal computer, server, or network device) to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0074] All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges are also disclosed. Also, although the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a specific plurality of elements, the systems, devices and assemblies may be modified to comprise additional or fewer of such elements. Although several example embodiments are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the example methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding steps to the disclosed methods.

[0075] Features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and subcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure as a whole.

[0076] In addition, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. It will, however, be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details.Furthermore, well-known methods, procedures, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

[0077] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0078] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not restrictive. The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, described by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

Claims1. A current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector connectable to a current clamp, the current clamp connector being configured to power the current clamp and measure a voltage at an output interface of the current clamp corresponding to a current along a power line extending between a battery bank and a load, the power line extending through an aperture of the current clamp; and a power connector that is connectable to a battery bank to draw power from the battery bank to power the current clamp monitoring system.

2. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising: a current limiter connected to the power connector and configured to limit power drawn by the current clamp monitoring system from the battery bank to a pre-defined value.

3. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising: a battery connected to the power connector for storing at least some of the power from the battery pack, wherein the current clamp monitoring system is powered selectively by the power from the battery bank or the battery.

4. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising: a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery at least partially based on a determination of a state of charge of the battery being at or above a threshold.

5. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising: a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery bank at leastpartially based on a determination of a voltage from the battery bank being at or above a threshold.

6. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising: a power source selection module configured to select to provide power to the current clamp via the current clamp connector from the battery at least partially based on a determination that the battery bank is being charged.

7. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising: a notification system to indicate which of the battery bank and the battery is powering the current clamp.

8. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the notification system includes one or more light elements.

9. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising: a notification system to indicate when the current clamp is consuming more than a projected level of power.

10. A current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector configured to be connected to an output interface of a current clamp; at least one of a positive voltage output and a negative voltage output connectable to the current clamp via the current clamp connector; one or more processors; and a memory storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to register a measured current received via the output interface of the current clamp connector and adjust a positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp via the positive voltage output and / or a negative voltage transmitted to the current clamp via the negative voltage output at least partially based on the measured current.

11. The current clamp monitoring system of 10, wherein the at least one of the positive voltage output and the negative voltage output is the positive voltage output and the negative voltage output, and wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to adjust the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp at least partially based on the measured current, determine if further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is beneficial, and further adjust the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp if it is determined that further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is beneficial.

12. The current clamp monitoring system of 11, wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to adjust the negative voltage transmitted to the current clamp if it is determined that further adjustment of the positive voltage transmitted to the current clamp is not beneficial.

13. The current clamp monitoring system of 10, wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to initially provide a pre-determined amount of the positive voltage to the current clamp.

14. The current clamp monitoring system of 13, wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the at least one processor to initially provide a pre-determined amount of the negative voltage to the current clamp.

15. A current clamp monitoring system, comprising: at least one current clamp connector configured to be connected to an output interface of the current clamp; one or more processors; and a memory storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to store data corresponding to a measured current received via the current clamp connector inthe memory.

16. The current clamp monitoring system of claim 15, further comprising: a network interface, wherein the machine-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to transmit the data corresponding to the measured current to a computing device.

17. A current clamp monitoring system, comprising: a current clamp connector connectable to a current clamp, the current clamp connector being configured to measure the voltage along a power line extending between a battery bank and a load via a current clamp; a power connector that is connectable to a battery bank; and a current limiter connected to the power connector and configured to limit power from the battery bank to the current clamp monitoring system from the battery bank.

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