Cognitive Power Meter Signal Decomposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in obtaining itemized energy consumption data for their appliances without incurring significant installation costs for power sensors, as existing decomposition techniques require a Master Station and additional resources.
Innovation Solution
A cognitive electric power meter with embedded intelligence that decomposes the input power signal into constituent individual loads, providing a detailed usage summary to consumers without the need for in-home field installation, using sensors and decomposition algorithms to analyze voltage, current, and environmental data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power sensors are installed on each appliance to obtain itemized energy consumption data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the load decomposition functionality from the consumer premises and relocates it to the utility company's master station. The meter measures total power consumption, and the utility company's system separates this into individual appliance contributions through signal processing and pattern recognition algorithms, eliminating the need for physical sensors on each appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary processing system at the utility company that acts as a mediator between the total power measurement and the individual appliance consumption data. This intermediary system uses computational algorithms to decompose the aggregated signal into constituent appliance loads without requiring direct physical connection to each appliance.
2Measurement precision
If a Master Station and additional resources are used to decompose power signals into constituent loads, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the metering system to perform self-service by incorporating embedded intelligence directly into the power meter. The meter autonomously decomposes the power signal into individual appliance loads using integrated processing capabilities, eliminating the need for external Master Station resources and manual intervention for load separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the power meter universal by giving it multiple functions: it not only measures total power consumption but also independently performs load decomposition, signal analysis, and appliance identification. This multi-functional capability consolidates what previously required separate systems into a single integrated device.
3Device complexity
If traditional power meters are used without embedded intelligence, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs as itemized consumption data cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by embedding the decomposition intelligence directly into the meter during manufacturing. The meter is pre-configured with the capability to separate load signals before the data leaves the premises, ensuring that itemized consumption information is captured and preserved without requiring complex post-processing or additional information gathering.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power meter includes an embedded decomposition module that is configured to decompose a power meter signal into constituent loads to segregate and identify energy consumption associated with each individual energy consumption device within a plurality of energy consumption devices coupled to the power meter.