AC Outlet with Integrated GFCI and Wireless Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power delivery devices either lack integrated safety features like GFI/AFI protection or energy usage monitoring capabilities, making it difficult to combine these functions in a single device, and existing solutions fail to provide remote telemetry and control for energy usage and safety functionalities simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The development of AC electrical power delivery devices equipped with microcontrollers, wireless communication electronics, AC current and voltage sensing circuits, and GFI/AFI protection, enabling energy usage monitoring, remote control, and safety features like ground fault detection, integrated into outlets, adapters, and circuit breakers, allowing for wireless telemetry and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless monitoring/control outlet is installed in existing wall outlet box, then telemetry functionality is added, but existing GFCI or AFCI outlet must be removed without retaining safety functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GFCI/AFI safety functionality with wireless monitoring/control capabilities in a single outlet device. The microcontroller processes both safety functions (ground fault detection, arc fault detection) and telemetry functions (energy monitoring, remote control) simultaneously, allowing the outlet to serve dual purposes without requiring separate devices or removing existing safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides GFCI protection, AFCI protection, energy usage monitoring, and wireless remote control capabilities all in one unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to choose between safety features and telemetry features, allowing the same device to fulfill both safety and monitoring roles.
2Reliability
If GFI/AFI safety function is provided by circuit breaker in panel, then safety protection is achieved, but telemetry of interrupter status and remote test/reset capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary between the GFCI/AFI safety circuitry and the wireless telemetry system. The microcontroller continuously monitors the status of the safety functions and communicates this information wirelessly to remote locations, enabling both safety protection and telemetry capabilities to coexist. The microcontroller acts as the mediator that bridges the gap between local safety functions and remote monitoring needs.
3Reliability
If breaker trip occurs due to GFI/AFI protection, then electrical safety is maintained, but telemetry communication stops and diagnostic information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the microcontroller continuously monitor and record the status of GFCI/AFI functions and communicate this information wirelessly before any trip event occurs. When a trip event happens, the microcontroller has already captured the diagnostic information and can transmit it remotely, ensuring that diagnostic data is not lost even though power delivery is interrupted. This preliminary monitoring and communication setup ensures safety while preserving diagnostic capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These devices provide comprehensive energy usage monitoring and control, combined with GFI/AFI protection, enabling remote reporting and control, enhancing electrical safety and energy management within buildings by integrating safety and submetering functions into a single system.
Implementation Method 1
AC current and voltage sensing circuits which variously present AC waveforms or their DC filtered representations as signals to the microcontroller(s)
Implementation Method 2
wired or wireless communication electronics
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical safety product circuit topology and its equivalent variations for sensing, control, and reporting of household AC wall current, voltage, power, and energy use, and status of its Ground-and-Arc-Fault-Interrupting internal circuit breaker, is presented herein. The architecture includes any choice of telemetry platform, presumes a plurality of its kind join a wireless network with a plurality of other products endowed with the same platform faculty. Topology variations claimed include current and differential current sensing by toroid or other transformer or by Hall semiconductor means, and include fault condition recognition by microprocessor-based algorithms, or by various analog circuit or digital signal processing (DSP) means. Embodiment variations claimed include any modular circuit breaker panel component form factor, any in-wall outlet or switch-box form factor, and any plug-in AC socket module, in-cord module, and outlet strip form factor.