US 12,306,623 B2
Electric heat trace power distribution and monitoring system for fault detection and predictive maintenance
Timothy R. Mullen, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (US); Robert H. B. Netzer, N. Scituate, RI (US); and John R. Caruso, Dayville, CT (US)
Assigned to CIAC SYSTEMS, LLC, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (US)
Filed by CIAC SYSTEMS, LLC, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (US)
Filed on May 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/316,163.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/476,683, filed on Dec. 22, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/364,717, filed on May 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0367308 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. G05B 23/02 (2006.01); H05B 3/74 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 23/0283 (2013.01) [G05B 23/024 (2013.01); H05B 3/746 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A monitoring, and testing system for one or more electrical heat trace cables, the system comprising:
one or more electrical inputs corresponding to the one or more electrical heat trace cables;
a programmable logic controller;
an insulation resistance tester adapted to measure and transmit the resistance in the one or more electrical heat trace cables when electrically connected to the one or more electrical heat trace cables;
a temperature and humidity sensor adapted to measure and transmit ambient temperature and humidity;
a current monitor adapted to receive and transmit current measurements;
one or more current transducers electrically connected to the one or more electrical heat trace cables and adapted to measure and transmit current measurements in the one or more electrical heat trace cables to the current monitor;
a system network switch connected to a digital network; and
a relay subsystem selectable between an operational state and a testing state based on an input from the programmable logic controller;
wherein when the relay subsystem is in the operational state, the one or more electrical inputs are electrically connected to the one or more electrical heat trace cables;
wherein when the relay subsystem is in the test state, the insulation resistance tester is electrically connected to the one or more electrical heat trace cables;
wherein the insulation resistance tester, the current monitor, and the temperature and humidity sensor are programmed to periodically transmit their measurements to the network switch;
wherein the system network switch is adapted to transmit to the digital network the measurements received from the insulation resistance tester, the current monitor, and the temperature and humidity sensor.