Power Line Current Monitoring for Secure Equipment Utilization Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-value lab equipment, such as manufacturing and HVAC equipment, requires regular maintenance and monitoring but is often difficult to monitor due to lack of direct connectivity and security concerns, leading to challenges in understanding health and usage for rental facilities.
Innovation Solution
A power line utilization monitoring system using a Hall effect current sensor, microprocessor, and remote computing device to measure and analyze power consumption, convert to current values, and authenticate with OAUTH2, enabling remote monitoring and utilization rate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power line monitoring is implemented to track equipment usage, then utilization rate determination is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and communication modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses power consumption as an intermediary parameter to infer equipment utilization status. Instead of directly monitoring equipment operational state, the system measures electrical power draw which correlates with usage intensity, enabling indirect but accurate utilization tracking without complex equipment integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical or electronic connectivity monitoring with electrical measurement-based inference. By substituting physical connection status checks with power consumption analysis, the system achieves utilization monitoring without requiring direct equipment integration or complex communication protocols
2Ease of operation
If remote authentication and data transmission are implemented, then equipment monitoring capability is improved, but security requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device performs self-authentication and automatically transmits data to remote systems without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously manages connection establishment, authentication credentials, and data transmission scheduling, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device integrates multiple functions including power measurement, data processing, authentication, and communication within a single unified system. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate components, managing system complexity while enabling comprehensive remote monitoring capabilities
3Measurement precision
If continuous power monitoring is performed to capture maximum power values, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption by the monitoring system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs power measurements at periodic intervals rather than continuously, capturing maximum power values through scheduled sampling. This periodic measurement approach maintains measurement accuracy for utilization determination while significantly reducing the monitoring device's own power consumption compared to continuous monitoring
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
Provides granular insights into equipment usage, predicts critical events, and supports proactive maintenance decisions by analyzing power trends and historical data through machine learning, enhancing equipment health monitoring and rental facility management.
Implementation Method 1
A power line utilization monitoring system using a Hall effect current sensor, microprocessor, and remote computing device to measure and analyze power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for an monitoring power consumption of a known electronic device including: monitoring, by a monitoring device, a received input electrical power from the known electronic devices; determining a maximum measured power value of the monitored input electrical power; converting the determined maximum power value to a current value; determining if the converted current value is greater than the determined maximum measured power value; connecting to a remote computing device and obtaining access to communicate with the remote computing device via an authentication process; and transmitting data to the connected remote computing device if the determined converted current value is greater than zero.