Removable Generator Telemetry Module Over Coaxial Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack mechanisms for obtaining real-time telemetry data from portable generators without on-board sensors, making it difficult for service providers to manage power effectively during outages and ensure continuous service delivery.
Innovation Solution
A telemetry module with sensors, a processor, and a DOCSIS modem is removably attached to portable generators, enabling the collection and transmission of telemetry data over coaxial cable systems to service provider headends, where it can be processed to generate actionable insights and control commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If portable generators without on-board sensors are used, then deployment flexibility and cost are improved, but real-time telemetry monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring functionality into a separate removable telemetry module that can be attached to generators without built-in sensors. This segmentation allows generators to remain simple and flexible while adding monitoring capability only when needed, resolving the contradiction between deployment flexibility and telemetry monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A telemetry module acts as an intermediary device between the generator and the monitoring system. This module includes sensors, processing capability, and communication interface, enabling telemetry data collection and transmission without requiring modifications to the generator itself, thus maintaining deployment flexibility while enabling real-time monitoring.
2Reliability
If telemetry modules are removably attached to portable generators, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telemetry module is designed as a universal device that can be attached to multiple different generator models. It performs multiple functions including sensing, data processing, and communication through a single integrated unit, reducing the need for generator-specific modifications and managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The telemetry module contains self-contained sensors, processing capability, and communication interface. It autonomously collects telemetry data from the generator and transmits it without requiring external control systems, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable real-time monitoring capability.
3Ease of operation
If service provider personnel manually check each portable generator, then operational control is maintained, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where telemetry data is continuously collected from generators and transmitted to the service provider system. This enables real-time monitoring and automatic alerting, replacing manual checks while maintaining operational control and significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of personnel physically checking generators with an automated electronic monitoring system. Telemetry modules automatically collect and transmit data, substituting human labor with electronic sensing and communication systems, thereby maintaining control while eliminating time consumption associated with manual inspections.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for remote monitoring of a portable generator. A method for monitoring portable generators includes removably attaching a telemetry module to a portable generator, the telemetry module including a processor, a service provider cable modem, and sensors for obtaining telemetry data from the portable generator, sending, to a service provider system via the service provider cable modem and over a service provider coaxial cable system, portable generator telemetry data when the portable generator is active, receiving, by the service provider cable modem from the service provider system, control commands based on actionable data generated from the portable generator telemetry data, and executing, by the processor, the control commands on the portable generator.