U.S. patent application number 11/542487 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for dedicated memory module for device.
Invention is credited to David J. Beseda, Todd W. Klippel, Joseph P. Moninski.
Application Number | 20070113026 11/542487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37965197 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beseda; David J. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Dedicated memory module for device
Abstract
A memory module is provided for an electrical device such as a
switching device or circuit interrupter wherein the memory module
is arranged to be mounted with the device and arranged to store
data including device characteristics, operating configuration and
operational history.
Inventors: |
Beseda; David J.; (Sugar
Grove, IL) ; Klippel; Todd W.; (Oak Park, IL)
; Moninski; Joseph P.; (Arlington Heights, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James V. Lapacek;S & C Electric Co.
6601 N. Ridge Blvd.
Chicago
IL
60626
US
|
Family ID: |
37965197 |
Appl. No.: |
11/542487 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60730526 |
Oct 26, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
711/154 ;
714/E11.207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 70/30 20130101;
A45C 13/20 20130101; Y10T 70/5018 20150401; E05B 17/10 20130101;
E05B 37/025 20130101; Y10T 70/435 20150401; Y10T 70/417 20150401;
A45C 15/00 20130101; E05C 21/00 20130101; Y10T 70/489 20150401;
Y10T 70/5093 20150401; E05B 67/003 20130101; Y10T 70/10 20150401;
Y04S 40/126 20130101; Y02B 90/20 20130101; Y04S 20/242 20130101;
H02J 13/0075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
711/154 |
International
Class: |
G06F 13/00 20060101
G06F013/00 |
Claims
1. A memory module arrangement for an electrical device that has
functions controllable by a control and that provides operational
data to the control, the, arrangement comprising: a control that
sends control information to and receives operational information
from a controlled device; a memory module having stored therein
information about the device and having writeable memory storage
facilities; and bidirectional data communication means for
communicating information between the memory and the control so as
to receive the stored information from the memory module and write
information to the memory module during operation of the
device.
2. The memory module arrangement of claim 1 wherein the memory
module includes facilities for retaining information independent of
the presence of the control.
3. The memory module arrangement of claim 1 wherein the device
includes a mounting arrangement that also houses the control and
the memory module, the control being removable from the mounting
arrangement.
4. An electrical device comprising: a switching device; a mounting
arrangement for supporting the switching device; a control housed
within the mounting arrangement and including facilities for
controlling the switching device; a memory module housed within the
mounting arrangement having stored therein first information about
the switching device and retaining said first information
independent of the control; the control further including
facilities for communicating information to and receiving
information from the memory module, the memory module further
having stored therein second information received from the control.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/730,526 filed Oct. 26, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
electrical power systems and, more particularly, to a dedicated
memory module for an electrical device such as a switching device
or circuit interrupter wherein the memory module is arranged to be
mounted with the device and arranged to store data including device
characteristics, operating configuration and operational
history.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Various computer controlled devices include system memory
that retains error codes and operational history. For example,
Micro-AT control available from S&C Electric Co., Chicago, Ill.
60626, stores such data as do vehicle computers.
[0006] While the prior art arrangements may be generally useful,
they do not provide for a dedicated memory module for a device that
is independent of the control resources of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] The invention, both as to its organization and method of
operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a dedicated
memory module in accordance with the present invention and
illustrated in conjunction with an illustrative device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Referring now to FIG. 1, a memory module 20 of the present
invention is provided for use with an electrical device 30, e.g. an
illustrative switch or circuit interrupter as shown that includes
that includes an automatic testing and closing feature in a
specific implementation. A control 40 is provided to control the
functions of the device 30. In the illustrative illustration, the
control 40 communicates with a remote transmitter 50 via a
communications channel referred to generally at 60 such that the
functions and operational modes of the device 30 may be controlled
remotely.
[0010] In a specific illustration, the device 30 is mounted with
respect to a mounting arrangement 70 that houses the control 40 and
the memory module 20. Preferably, the control 40 is removable from
the mounting arrangement 70 as illustrated at 41 for service and
replacement or the like. In accordance with important aspects of
the present invention, the memory module 20 retains device data
independent of the control 40 including device characteristics,
operating configuration and operational history. The data stored in
the memory module 20 is then available to the control 40 upon
installation of a control 40 into the base 70. In this manner, when
a new control 40 is installed, the control 40 can reestablish
operational parameters and have the complete system information
available to it immediately upon installation including device
characteristics, operating configuration and operational
history.
[0011] Considering now the memory module 20 in more detail, the
memory module 20 communicates with the control 40 over a
communications bus 80 for the bidirectional interchange of data
therebetween. For example, the memory module 20 stores permanent or
static data that includes characteristics of the device 30, i.e.
data that does not change such as device catalog/serial number,
device system address, options, etc. Such data is preferably stored
in a non-volatile memory of the memory module 20. Additionally, the
memory module 20 receives and stores dynamic data from the control
40 during operation of the device 30 such as operational
parameters, e.g. device operation count, wear indicators,
operational timing parameters etc. For example, the control
communicates with and receives data from the device 30 over
bidirectional data bus 90. Further, user-defined settings are also
stored in the memory module 20 such as current device and system
configuration, assigned location or asset numbers, etc. In an
illustrative embodiment, the user-defined settings are communicated
from the remote transmitter 50 to the control 40. Accordingly, if
the control 40 is replaced, the various categories of data stored
in the memory module 20 are available for downloading into the new
control 40. Thus, the identity and history of the device 30 are
maintained even if the control 40 needs to be replaced. It should
be understood that the memory module 20 must retain its stored data
independent of the control 40 such that long term memory retention
and integrity are important factors for he memory module 20.
[0012] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, certain embodiments are shown
by way of example in the drawings and the herein described
embodiments. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure
is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms
described, but to the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents defined by the
appended claims.
[0013] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Unless a claim
element is defined by reciting the word "means" and a function
without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the
scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application
of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph.
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