FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT. 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [SECTION 10 AND RULE 13]
AN IMPROVED POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT"
APPLICANT: RELIANCE ENERGY LTD.
NATIONALITY: COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE
COMPANIES ACT, 1956.
ADDRESS: RELIANCE ENERGY CENTRE, SANTACRUZ (EAST),
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED:-

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved power distribution unit (PDU). Particularly, the present invention relates to a PDU with theft detecting device. The said device detects theft of electricity/power as well as other equipments and associated assets used in Power Distribution Units (PDUs) like Sub-stations, Transformers, Low Tension (LT) panels, Mini-pillars, Metering panels .
BACKGROUND
The existing mini pillars or other equipments and associated assets used in PDUs are locked by double notch panel locks/latches with a master key. There are around 50,000 mini pillars in the system in Mumbai alone and therefore providing and maintaining separate keys for these panels is not feasible. The disadvantage of the existing locking system is that it allows easy access to unauthorized persons to the mini pillars, thereby resulting in electricity thefts.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention obviates the aforesaid drawbacks by providing a device to avoid such thefts and/or intrusions from or into mini pillars and other equipments and associated assets used in PDUs. The moment
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unauthorized access is made to the PDUs, a signal, preferably an audio alarm, is triggered /actuated and a communication is sent to the nearest
sub-station for taking appropriate action. The duration of the audio alarm is also programmable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved Power Distribution Unit (PDU) comprising of a PDU; at least a sensor for sensing parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, magnetic field or any of them of said PDU; comparator for comparing the aforesaid parameters with predetermined values of said parameters; means for generating a signal when input to said comparator differs from predetermined values; such that when PDU is unauthorizedly accessed causing change in parameters thereof, a signal is generated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will now be described with reference to drawings accompanying the provisional specification wherein the same numerals are used to denote the same parts and wherein-
Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the control card used in the improved Power Distribution Unit;
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Figure 2 shows the block diagram of the improved power distribution unit.
Referring to figures 1 and 2, the improved Power Distribution Unit (PDU) comprises of a known PDU; at least a sensor for sensing parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, magnetic field or any of them; comparator for comparing the aforesaid parameters with predetermined values of said parameters; means for generating a signal when input to said comparator differs from predetermined values; such that when PDU is unauthorizedly accessed causing change in
parameters thereof, a signal is generated. The signal generated above is transmitted to a nearest sub-station, preferably by wireless means. Upon receipt of the signal, the sub-station can act on the same and activate an alarm and/or take appropriate measures.
The known PDU comprises of Mini Pillars, Substations, Metering cubicles etc. The improved PDU includes a sensor, preferably a magnetic sensor, which continuously senses the aforesaid parameters. Predetermined values of the said parameters are configured, preferably from a remote location. The output of the sensors is given to a comparator via a circuitry, which is explained herein below. The comparator compares the said values with the predetermined values and generates a signal if the input to the said comparator differs from the predetermined values.
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The present invention preferably works on a 3 phase power supply
with or without neutral power supply and a battery back up for emergency alarms for notification.
The device senses the opening and closing of the door of the mini pillars through magnetic sensors. It also senses and measures the voltages through the potential transformers and the current through the current transformers. Temperature sensor is also provided to monitor the internal ambient temperature of the unit.
The signal conditioning unit (1) comprises of processors to allow any device to interface so as to raise the signals to particular levels. The anaolog inputs (2) viz. voltages and currents are given as inputs to the multiplexer (3). The multiplexer controls and manages the simultaneous inputs and outputs of these signals from various sensors. A microcontroller (4) included in the said device converts the analog signals to digital signals using a A/D converter (5). The microcontroller also includes a comparator and logic controller (6) to analyze, measure, evaluate, compare the values with predetermined values and control the various alarm conditions by generating a signal/response by generator means (7) based on the unauthorized access/theft, excessive temperature rise and intrusion conditions. All the predetermined parameters of voltages and currents can be configured from a remote
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location. The relay outputs are provided to control various functions initiated by the microcontroller, like a buzzer alarm.
The device has an on board serial port (8) through which it communicates and controls the communicating device (9), viz. a GSM or a CDMA Modem for alarm notification to the sub-station and remote programming and other troubleshooting and maintenance.
An additional output (10) is optionally provided to have an interface with any mechanical device.
WORKING OF THE INVENTION
The moment unauthorized access (may be in relation to a power theft) is made to the LT panel by opening the door, magnetic sensor acting as a proximity sensor senses the magnetic field on intrusion. Thereupon, a communication in the form of a Short Messaging Service is sent to the sub - station via a communicating device, viz. a GSM or CDMA modem, and an audio alarm is actuated. The time for which the audio alarm remains on is programmable. The sub-station is provided with graphical interface software to monitor status of all the theft detection devices installed.
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In addition to door opening, phase voltage sensing and phase current sensing is provided in the device. Any abnormality in any of 3
phases is detected and a signal in the form of an SMS is sent to the control station. The device also monitors the internal temperature of the mini pillar and sends an SMS to the control station if the internal temperature of the mini pillar exceeds the predetermined threshold value. In case of no supply, the internal battery powers the device for at least 3 hours. During maintenance work, sensing can be bypassed by SMS from control station and can be re-activated by a re-activation SMS.
ADVANTAGES:
The device can be easily accommodated inside the mini pillar thus requiring no extra space. As the device is installed inside the panel, it shall be protected from rain, strong wind etc., maintenance expenses will be nominal. Reduction of such thefts shall result in reduction in loss of revenue, due to theft of electricity.
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We Claim:
1. An improved Power Distribution Unit (PDU) comprising of:
a) a PDU;
b) at least a sensor for sensing parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, magnetic field or any of them of said PDU;
c) comparator for comparing parameters in (b) with the predetermined values of said parameters;
d) means for generating a signal when input to said comparator differs from the predetermined values;
such that when PDU is unauthorizedly accessed causing change in parameters thereof, a signal is generated.
2. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 1 comprising of means to transmit the signal generated in step (d) above to the nearest sub- station.
3. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said transmission means are wireless.
4. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said sensors include a magnetic sensor.
5. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said predetermined parameters are configured from a remote location.
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6. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said transmission
means include at least a serial port on said PDU and a GSM or CDMA modem.
7. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said PDU includes Mini Pillars, Substations, Metering Cubicles.
8. An improved PDU as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said PDU works on a 3 phase power supply with or without neutral power supply and/or a battery back up.
9. An improved PDU substantially described herein with reference to the drawings accompanying the specification.
Dated this 3rd day of July 2006.
vi^u^
Himanshu W. Kane (Applicant's Attorney)
To:
The Controller of Patents, The Patent Office, Mumbai 400 037.
S-3/D/PATENT/RELIANCE/CS DRAFT
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ABSTRACT
The present invention relates to an improved power distribution unit (PDU) having at least a sensor for sensing parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, magnetic field or any of them; comparator for comparing the aforesaid parameters with predetermined values of said parameters; means for generating a signal when input to said comparator differs from predetermined values; such that when PDU is unauthorizedly accessed causing change in parameters thereof, a signal is generated.