Claims:

1. A protection relay, comprising:
a plurality of expansion modules configured to sense change in a digital input state so as to generate a single interrupt; and
a main unit (MU) configured to sense the interrupt so as to read the plurality of expansion modules and thereby clear the interrupt, wherein reset of the interrupt takes effect after read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules.
2. The protection relay as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection relay further includes an additional contact to add at least one additional module to the MU in serial communication interface.
3. The protection relay as claimed in claim 1, wherein the single interrupt is generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP).
4. The protection relay as claimed in claim 3, wherein the EIP is a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
5. A method for response improvisation in protection relay, the method comprising the steps of:
providing, a plurality of expansion modules configured to sense change in digital input state so as to generate an interrupt for a main unit (MU);
sensing, to read the plurality of expansion modules, by the MU so as to clear the interrupt; and
ensuring, read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules without reset of the interrupt.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the method further includes the step of adding, at least one additional module to the MU in serial communication interface.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the single interrupt is generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the EIP is a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of protection relays. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to expansion modules response for automation level. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to response improvisation of digital expansion modules in protection relays.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally during various applications of protection relays, digital modules are offered as expansion units and users prefer to attach them with main module for additional I/O requirements. But due to delay in response users face issue when there is a requirement of fast I/O’s, among any other consideration.
[0004] Normally, main protection relay is used to poll additional I/O module(s) at regular interval over serial communication like SPI, UART etc. From implementation point of view, this regular interval, also known as polling time can normally be more than 100 msec. Polling time cannot be reduced below a certain level since it may affect the main protection relay performance. Moreover, parallel I/O lines cannot be extended as they will increase wiring connections.
[0005] Due to aforementioned limitations expansion digital inputs response is generally poor as compared to main unit digital inputs. Users have very limited faster digital inputs for automation due to slower response of digital inputs on account of polling.
[0006] There is therefore a need in the art to provide a simple, efficient and economical digital expansion module so as to obviate aforementioned shortcomings, such as delay in response, among others, as encountered in the art.
[0007] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0008] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0009] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0010] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide for a simple, efficient and economical digital expansion module that obviates shortcomings encountered with expansion of protection relays.
[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide improved response time for expansion digital modules by reducing polling delay.
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to avoid unnecessary polling of expansion module during events of no state change.
[0015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to obviate undesired polling and data reading events for application of expansion modules.

SUMMARY
[0016] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of protection relays. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to expansion modules response for automation level. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to response improvisation of digital expansion modules in protection relays.
[0017] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a protection relay that can include a plurality of expansion modules that can be configured to sense change in a digital input state so as to generate a single interrupt; and a main unit (MU) that can be configured to sense the interrupt so as to read the plurality of expansion modules and thereby clear the interrupt, wherein reset of the interrupt can take effect after read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules.
[0018] In an aspect, protection relay can further include an additional contact to add at least one additional module to MU in serial communication interface.
[0019] In an aspect, single interrupt can be generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP), wherein the EIP can be a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
[0020] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for response improvisation in protection relay, the method can include the steps of: (i) providing, a plurality of expansion modules configured to sense change in digital input state so as to generate an interrupt for a main unit (MU); (ii) sensing, to read the plurality of expansion modules, by the MU so as to clear the interrupt; and (iii) ensuring, read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules without reset of the interrupt. Further, the method can include the step of (iv) adding, at least one additional module to the MU in serial communication interface.
[0021] In an aspect, single interrupt can be generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP), wherein the EIP can be a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary view of an expansion interrupt pin (EIP) with main unit (MU) in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary view of an EIP with an expansion module in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a method for response improvisation in protection relay in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0029] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of protection relays. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to expansion modules response for automation level. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to response improvisation of digital expansion modules in protection relays.
[0031] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary view 100 of an expansion interrupt pin (EIP) with main unit (MU) in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a protection relay that can include a plurality of expansion modules that can be configured to sense change in a digital input state so as to generate a single interrupt; and a main unit (MU) that can be configured to sense the interrupt so as to read the plurality of expansion modules and thereby clear the interrupt, wherein reset of the interrupt can take effect after read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules.
[0032] In an aspect, single interrupt can be generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP), wherein the EIP can be a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
[0033] In an aspect, MU can read data from a plurality of expansion modules after single interrupt signal from slave(s). This obviates undesired large number of polling as found in typical systems that leads to loss of time due to a delayed response. Reading of data from each of the plurality of expansion modules on the single interrupt leads to response improvisation as in accordance with implementation of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary view 200 of an EIP with an expansion module in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, protection relay can further include an additional contact to add at least one additional module to MU in serial communication interface.
[0035] In an aspect, in implementation of the present disclosure addition of expansion/additional module(s) can be readily performed even other than with conventional serial communication interface as would be evident to a person having ordinary knowledge in the pertinent art. Likewise, addition of said module(s) can be performed in accordance with, for example but need not necessarily, daisy chain fashion, USB interface and the like and all such variations are well within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flowchart 300 for a method for response improvisation in protection relay in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for response improvisation in protection relay, the method can include the steps of: (i) (at step 302) providing, a plurality of expansion modules configured to sense change in digital input state so as to generate an interrupt for a main unit (MU); (ii) (at step 304) sensing, to read the plurality of expansion modules, by the MU so as to clear the interrupt; and (iii) (at step 306) ensuring, read out of each of the plurality of expansion modules without reset of the interrupt.
[0037] In an aspect, method of the present disclosure can further include the step of (iv) adding, at least one additional module to the MU in serial communication interface.
[0038] In an aspect, single interrupt can be generated on an expansion interrupt pin (EIP), wherein the EIP can be a general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
[0039] Thus, the present disclosure provides digital expansion modules in protection relays that reduces the delay of response, and increases productivity, while resulting in an overall reduction in the time and effort of its implementation.
[0040] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The present disclosure provides a simple, efficient and economical digital expansion module that obviates shortcomings encountered with expansion of protection relays.
[0042] The present disclosure provides improved response time for expansion digital modules by reducing polling delay.
[0043] The present disclosure avoids unnecessary polling of expansion module during events of no state change.
[0044] The present disclosure obviates undesired polling and data reading events for application of expansion modules.