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Title:
NETWORK OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL POLES ALONG THE PUBLIC ROAD AND ON THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DOMAIN THAT DELIVER ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND SUPERFAST DATA FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/171271
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Network of multifunctional poles (2) that are erected along the public road and on public, and private domains, whereby these multifunctional poles (2) deliver electric energy and fast data access for multiple applications and whereby the amount of electric energy delivered and the amount of data exchanged are measured separately and billed to the user for every application in the pole (2) where the user has identified himself and has used an application. Applications are e.g. the delivery of electric energy to electric vehicles, the delivery of lighting, of security equipment or further applications that are made available through the network of multifunctional poles.

Inventors:
CALLEWAERT JAN (BE)
MATTHYS CHRIS (BE)
WILLEMS PATRICK (BE)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2019/051766
Publication Date:
September 12, 2019
Filing Date:
March 05, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
CALLEWAERT JAN (BE)
MATTHYS CHRIS (BE)
WILLEMS PATRICK (BE)
International Classes:
H02J1/06; B60L53/30; B60L53/68; F21S8/00; H02J13/00; H04B3/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2007141543A22007-12-13
WO2017223067A12017-12-28
WO2014011444A22014-01-16
Foreign References:
CN106385071A2017-02-08
CN205065584U2016-03-02
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
VAN VARENBERG, Patrick et al. (BE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1.- Network (1) of multifunctional poles (2) erected along the public road and on the public and private domain, characterised in that these multifunctional poles (2) provide electrical energy and fast data access for multiple applications, that are supported by the pole, whereby locally in the pole (2) , the energy consumption and the exchanged data volume is measured and billed separately for each application.

2.- Network according to claim 1, characterised in that the multifunctional poles (2} are provided with at least one multifunctional socket (5), which are each provided with an electrical voltage channel (3) and a computer data channel

(4) .

3.- Network according to claim 2, characterised in that the electrical voltage channel (3) is connected with a DC voltage network.

4.- Network according to claim 2, characterised in that the computer data channel (4) of each multifunctional socket (5) is connected via an optical glass fibre with a computer data network.

5.- Network according to claim 2, characterised in that each multifunctional socket (5) contains a measurement unit (20) per application which measures the amount of electrical energy exported and imported via the electrical voltage channel (3) and contains a data controller (23) that for each application measures the amount of computer data imported and exported via the computer data channel (4) of the multifunctional socket (5) and sends the measurement data to an application server.

6.- Network according to claim 2, characterised in that each multifunctional socket (5) is provided with means (19) to convert the input voltage to a touch-safe electric tension that remains low enough to be safe for the user.

7. - Network according to claim 6, characterised in that each multifunctional socket (5) can connect in a touch-safe way the electrical voltage channel (3) and the computer data channel (4) to the computer application modules (22) that are connected via the exits of the multifunctional socket (5) involved.

8. - Network according to claim 7, characterised in that the one or more computer application modules (22) are carried out for the public utilities, for a private consumer or producer, or for both.

9. - Network according to claim 8, characterised in that a computer application module (22) controls the lighting of the public highway by controlling LED street lighting (9) on a multifunctional pole (2) which itself is part of the network (1) of multifunctional poles (2) .

10.- Network according to claim 8, characterised in that a computer application module (22) controls the charging or discharging of an electric vehicle (42) or an electric battery when a vehicle or battery is connected via a charging point (41) with a multifunctional socket (5) of a multifunctional pole (2)

11.- Network according to claim 8, characterised in that a computer application module (22) controls one or more surveillance and identification cameras that are built into the multifunctional pole (2) and that make use of a multifunctional socket (5) on the multifunctional pole (2) .

12.- Network according to claim 11 characterised in that the images recorded via the one or more surveillance- and identification cameras are transmitted via the computer data channel (4) of a multifunctional socket (5) on a multifunctional pole (2) to an application server for realtime display or for storage of the images in an archive.

13.- Network according to claim 11, characterised in that DC generated by solar panels (10) or wind turbines or other green energy sources is stored in storage batteries connected with the DC net via other multifunctional sockets (5) on the DC net, making the DC network (2) more robust and reliable and suitable for computer application modules (22) that require a longer operating time and a higher computer data throughput speed.

14.- Network according to claim 13, characterised in that the storage batteries are part of electric vehicles, home batteries in houses or of decentrally located batteries.

15. - Network according to claim 8, characterised in that a computer application module (22) facilitates access to a 5G network, whereby a multifunctional pole (2) contains a 5G access point that is connected with the computer data channel (4) of a multifunctional socket (5) .

16. - Network according to claim 8, characterised in that a computer application module (22) takes the form of an electronic fuse (17) that measures via a measurement unit the passing DC and, if the peak current or differential current setpoint is exceeded, disconnects the multifunctional pole (2) from the distribution net (3) .

17. Network according to claim 8, characterised in that each computer application module (22) contains a measurement unit (20) that measures the outgoing voltage and current delivered by a voltage convertor (19) to the computer application module (22) via an exit (21) .

18.- Network according to claim 17, characterised in that a data controller (23) determines the measuring frequency, measures and records the energy consumption and the quantity of exchanged data, and transfers the recorded energy consumption and the quantity of exchanged data via the computer data channel (4) to an application server, whereby blockchain technology is applied for securing the data exchange and the recording of the transactions.

19. - Network according to claim 18, characterised in that the data controller (23) contains a processing unit (24), a data port (25) to set the voltage converters, a data port (26) to read the measurement units (20), a data port (27) to exchange consumption and other data with a server, a data port (28) to configure the multifunctional socket (5) and a few inputs and outputs (29) for detection sensors .

20.- the data controller (23) is provided with a power supply unit (30) that is powered by a voltage converter (19) and a separate voltage converter (34) that assists in case the data controller (23) is disconnected from the network.

21.- Network according to claim 10, characterised in that a user can charge his electric vehicle (42) at a charging point (41) by identifying himself at the registration terminal on a computer application module (22) of the nearest multifunctional pole (2) , after which his electric charging session is immediately measured and billed.

22.- Network according to claim 21, characterised in that the charging points (41) are low dome shaped and are fixed in the road surface of parking spaces (37, 38, 39), whereby the dome (44) in closed position does not hinder car traffic, nor bikers nor pedestrians.

23. - Network according to claim 22, characterised in that the parking spaces (37, 38, 39) are equipped with one or two charging points (41) per parking space.

24.- Network according to claim 22, characterised in that the low dome shaped charging point (41) is provided with foundation anchors to fix the charging point (41) in the road surface, whereby the dome (44) is equipped with an entry valve (44) that provides access to a socket (45), and with LED-indicators (46) to indicate the status of the charging process, with a heating element (47) to prevent freezing of the entry valve (44), with sensors (48) to measure temperature, humidity, valve pressure and the presence of car plug in the socket (45), and with a valve lock (49) to lock the entry valve (44), whereby these aids are controlled by a microcontroller (50) .

Description:
Network of multifunctional poles along the public road and on the public and private domain that deliver electrical energy and superfast data for multiple applications

The present invention relates to a network of multifunctional poles along the public road and on the public and private domain that deliver electrical energy and superfast data for multiple applications.

In particular, the invention is intended for the delivery of electrical energy and fast data access for multiple applications that are supported by the pole, whereby locally in the pole, the energy consumption and the exchanged data volume is measured and billed separately for each application.

It is known that fossil fuels are increasingly being replaced as an energy source by renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy from which green electrical energy is drawn.

Traditionally, this green energy is transported via an AC voltage network. However, the traditional AC voltage network is being overloaded by a more distributed energy generation by solar panels and wind turbines, for example, and increasing storage in batteries of electric cars, for example.

The traditional AC voltage network is a legacy of the past and is threatened by the rise of semiconductors and DC voltage devices. Every device with a logical chip works on DC voltage. Various sensors, LED lighting, ventilation,

ICT, multimedia, televisions, but also household appliances, including white goods and heat pumps, require DC.

Currently the first step in these units is a converter that changes AC voltage to DC voltage.

For the distributed electrical energy generation, there is also a need to convert DC from solar panels to AC, for example, to be able to supply the generated solar energy to the AC network. This is done in a converter between the solar panels and the AC network.

Electric cars with their corresponding battery storage require a converter to change the AC voltage on the traditional AC voltage network to DC voltage. Electric cars are not only consumers of electrical energy, but can also temporarily store it in their batteries and feed it back into the AC voltage network if desired whereby conversion from DC to AC is required.

All these converters lead to energy losses, because the conversion of AC to DC or vice versa is always accompanied by energy losses.

The use of a DC voltage network makes it easier to connect distributed energy sources, including electric vehicles, to the DC voltage network. Indeed, a DC voltage network offers greater compatibility with distributed energy sources and eliminates the need for frequency synchronisation, leading to more efficient and reliable connections with distributed energy sources. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution for the aforementioned and other problems by providing a network of multifunctional poles along the public road and on the public and private domain that deliver electrical energy and fast data access for multiple applications that are supported by the pole, whereby locally in the pole the energy consumption and the exchanged data volume is measured and billed separately for each application.

Preferably, the multifunctional poles are provided with at least one multifunctional socket, each provided with an electrical voltage channel and a computer data channel.

An advantage of such multifunctional sockets is that both DC demanding devices and devices that require computer data can be connected to them.

Preferably, the electrical voltage channel is connected to a DC voltage network.

Preferably, the computer data channel is connected with an optical fibre data transport cable. Such a computer data channel allows for high real-time data flows to an application server for example. Further, each multifunctional socket preferably contains one or more measurement units that measure the amount of electrical energy that is exported and imported via the electrical voltage channel of the multifunctional socket and each smart socket is also connected to a data controller that measures the amount of computer data that is imported and exported via the computer data channel of the multifunctional socket and sends the measurement data via the computer data channel to the application-server.

An advantage of these measurement units and the data controller is that they make separate meters for electrical energy and for computer data and the reading thereof superfluous .

Preferably, the measurements of one or more measurement units and the measurements of the computer data shall be transmitted by a data controller via the computer data channel wirelessly or via a cable or optical fibre to one or more central application servers of the network for the transport of electrical energy and computer data, so that no meter readings have to be transmitted by the user himself or measured by an internet provider.

The one or more application servers transmit the amount of electrical energy consumed or produced and the amount of computer data transported to the providers of electrical energy and computer data in order to allow the providers to invoice the consumers for the delivered energy and data communication and for this purpose also to use the network for the transport of electrical energy and computer data. Preferably, each multifunctional socket is provided with means to convert the electrical input voltage into a touch- safe electrical voltage that remains low enough to be safe for the user.

Each multifunctional socket can connect the voltage channel and the computer data channel to the computer application modules in a touch-safe way via the outputs of the multifunctional socket in question.

One or more computer application modules may be carried out for the public utilities, for a private consumer or producer or for both. An advantage of such computer application modules is that they can be controlled by a public administration, for example to control public utilities such as street lighting, but can also be controlled by a private consumer, to use the utility for private purposes.

An example of a computer application module is an application that controls the lighting of the public road by controlling a LED street light on a multifunctional pole that itself is part of the network of multifunctional poles. This application allows a public administration to dynamically control the street lighting at certain times and places as desired.

Another example of a computer application module is an application that controls the charging or discharging of an electric vehicle or an electric battery when an electric vehicle or battery is connected via a charging point with the multifunctional socket of the multifunctional pole.

Such a computer application will have to record the identity of the customer and transmit the charged or discharged amount of electricity to the provider of the electrical energy.

Another example of a computer application module is a module that controls the operation of one or more surveillance and identification cameras, that are built into a multifunctional pole, and which use a multifunctional socket on the multifunctional pole. Such an application allows the images recorded via one or more surveillance and identification cameras to be transmitted via the computer data channel of a multifunctional socket on a multifunctional pole to an application server for real-time display or for storage of the .images in an archive.

Another example of a computer application module is a module that facilitates the computer data access to a 5G network, whereby a multifunctional pole contains a 5G access point which is connected to the computer data channel of a multifunctional socket.

Direct current generated by solar panels or wind turbines or other green energy sources can be stored via the DC network in storage batteries connected to the DC network via other multifunctional sockets on the DC network, making the DC network more robust and reliable and suitable for computer application modules that require a long operating time and a higher computer data throughput. The storage batteries can be part of electric vehicles, home batteries or decentralised batteries .

An exceptionally useful computer application module relates to the charging of electric vehicles, more in particular in urban environments and on the public and private domain.

It is known that in cities and communities the percentage of houses with a garage or a driveway lies around 30 %, while out of the urbanized area it lies around 60 %. This means that 70 % of the drivers of an electrical car, will have to charge their car on the public domain, thereby strongly raising the need for charging points for electrical cars.

The present invention also concerns a charging point that is preferably low dome shaped and is situated at the level of the road surface and is resistant to contacts with vehicles, but is also of no hindrance to bikers and pedestrians . Such low dome shaped charging points can be connected to the nearest multifunctional pole of the network of multifunctional poles. Such multifunctional poles are for instance erected along a road at every 30 meters and can serve several charging points per multifunctional pole, depending on the type of parking spaces available. With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention a few preferred embodiments of a network of multifunctional poles according to the invention, that are positioned along the public road and on public and private domains are described, whereby these multifunctional poles can provide electric energy and fast data access for several applications that are supported by the pole, whereby locally in the pole, the energy consumption and the exchanged data volume is measured and billed separately for each application to each user that presented himself to the multifunctional pole and used an application, are described hereafter by way of an example without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of part of a network of multifunctional poles along the public road and on public and private domains according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a multifunctional pole in a network according to the invention;

figure 3 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of a multifunctional pole in a network according to the invention;

figure 4 shows an electrical diagram of a multifunctional socket in a multifunctional pole according to the invention;

figure 5 shows schematically a perspective view of the location of charging points for vehicles on parking spaces along a public road provided with multifunctional poles; figure 6 shows a vertical cross section of a charging point for electric vehicles and its connection with a multifunctional pole. Figure 1 schematically and in perspective shows a residential street, provided with a network of multifunctional poles 2 according to the invention for the supply and withdrawal of electrical energy via a DC net 3, and for the delivery and uptake of data via the computer data network 4. The DC net is connected with a public or private electricity net and the computer data network 4 is connected with a public or private glass fibre data communication network.

For wireless communication the multifunctional poles 2 can be equipped with one or more antennas 8, also street lighting 9 can be provided on the multifunctional poles 2. A battery of solar cells 10 on the roof of a house is connected to a multifunctional socket 11, allowing the solar cells to deliver their produced direct current to the DC net 3.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a multifunctional pole 2 according to the invention whereby a multifunctional socket 5 is placed in a new or existing smart pole 2, which is connected at the bottom to the electrical voltage channel 3 and to the computer data channel 4 and at the top is provided with connections to which the separate computer application modules can be connected. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a multifunctional pole 2 according to the invention, where other equipment 12 can be mounted in a housing 13 under a multifunctional pole 2 and can be connected to a multifunctional socket 5 which is accessible at the front at the foot 14 of the multifunctional pole 2 by opening a hatch 15.

Figure 4 shows an electrical diagram for a multifunctional socket 5 according to the invention, where in this case a distribution voltage is brought in via the connection clamps 16 as a two-phase voltage of +750 V and -750 V. An electronic fuse 17 comprises a measurement unit which measures the current and if the peak current setpoint is exceeded or the differential current setpoint in the supply cables is exceeded disconnects the multifunctional socket from the network via an electronic switch. The electronic fuse 17 is also provided with an additional mechanical switch which opens if the electronic switch fails and on top of that with a thermal fuse.

The aim of the voltage divider 18 is to galvanically separate the voltage for the computer application modules 22 from the input voltage. The voltage converters 19 convert the input voltage to a touch-safe voltage that is fed via the measurement units 20 to the outlet connectors 21 to which the computer application modules 22 are connected, whereby the touch-safe voltage is set by a data controller 23 to 60 V or 48 V or 24 V or 12 V. The measurement units 20 measure the outlet voltage and current supplied by the voltage converters 19 to the computer application module 22 via an outlet 21. The data controller 23 determines the measurement frequency and measures and records the quantity of exchanged data and transfers the registered energy consumption and the quantity of exchanged data via the computer data channel 4 to the application-server. The output connectors 21 of the multifunctional socket 5 are type RJ45 or the like by way of example .

The data controller 23 contains a processing unit 24, a data port 25 to set the voltage converters, a data port 26 to read the measurement units 20, a data port 27 to exchange consumption and other data with the server, a data port 28 to configure the multifunctional socket 5 and a pair of inputs and outputs 29 for detecting for example that the hatch 15 giving access to the multifunctional socket 5 is opened. The data controller 23 is also provided with a power supply unit 30 which is powered by the voltage converter 19 and a separate voltage converter 34 which assists in case the data controller 23 is disconnected from the net of multifunctional poles.

The computer data network 4 is connected with its optical fibre cabledamp 31 to an optical fibre to for example an Ethernet converter 32 and via for example an Ethernet switch 33 to the outputs 21. The data controller 23 records and manages the energy consumption and the ensuing computer data and is provided with an input port 35 to configure the multifunctional socket 5 and with a separate power supply unit 34 characterised in that the controller 23 remains active if the device, due to a short circuit for example, is disconnected from the net of multifunctional poles, so that in the event of a calamity, the data controller 23 can still reach the server. In figure 5 a residential street is schematically shown in perspective, provided with a multifunctional pole 2 and a number of parking places 37, 38, 39 next to the road track 40. The parking places 37, 38, 39 are provided with low dome shaped charging points 41 that are being served by the nearest multifunctional pole 2. To facilitate the charging, the parking places 37, 38, 39 can be equipped with two charging points 41, one at the head and one at the tail of each parking place . A user can charge his electric vehicle

42 at a charging point 41 by identifying himself at the registration terminal 43 on a computer application module

22 of the nearest multifunctional pole 2, in which his electric charging session is immediately measured and billed. In figure 6 a cross section of an executed charging point 41 is shown. The registration terminal 43 is located in the pole 2. The charging point 41 is executed in a low dome shaped way and is equipped with foundation anchors to fix the charging point 41 in the road surface, whereby the dome 42 is provided with an entry valve 44 that provides access to the socket 45. The charging point 41 contains aids such as LED-indicators 46 to indicate the status of the charging process and a heating element 47 to prevent freezing of the entry valve 44, sensors 48 for the measurement of the temperature, the humidity, the valve pressure and the presence of a car plug in the multifunctional socket 45. A valve lock 49 takes care of the locking of the entry valve 44. These aids are controlled by a microcontroller 50.

The charging point 41 is connected with a connection box 51 via an electric cable 52 for the delivery of electric energy and with a computer data cable 53 for exchanging all sorts of data. The connection box 51 contains a multifunctional socket 5 and a charging unit 54 that are both a part of the nearest multifunctional pole 2 of the network of multifunctional poles.

The charging unit 54 comprises a controller 55 that is on one hand connected via the multifunctional socket 5 to the registration terminal 43 on the multifunctional pole 2 and on the other hand is connected to the charging vehicle 42 via the cables 52, 53 and via the microcontroller 50 and the socket 45 to adjust how fast the charging may go. A relay 56 is switched on at the time that the vehicle 42 and the controller 55 agree on the charging current after which the measuring unit 57 measures the quantity of electrical energy that is exchanged with the vehicle 42.

The operation of the network of multifunctional poles 1 is simple and as follows.

The network 1 comprises a glass fiber net 4 and a DC net 3. Both nets may be accessible publicly and privately. The multifunctional socket 5 according to the invention allows to connect multiple computer application modules 22 in a safe way via the exit connectors 21 of a multifunctional socket 5. This by converting the electric entry tension 3 at the multifunctional socket 5 to a lower touch-safe DC voltage and by separating the data entry optically and galvanically. At this touch-safe DC voltage multiple computer application modules can be connected to the multifunctional socket, each of which can perform a different application.

For each computer application module 22, the amount of electrical energy consumed or supplied is measured by a measurement unit 20. The data controller 23 measures for each computer application module 22 the amount of data that is exchanged. These measurement data are exchanged via the computer data network 4 with the application server, whereby the computer data network 4 is connected with an optical glass fibre network. Blockchain technology is used to secure the exchange of data and the recording of the transactions. This technology ensures that service providers receive correct information about the amount of energy supplied or received and computer data supplied or received.

The number of different computer application modules 22 is almost unlimited.

One computer application module can regulate the charging or decharging of an electric vehicle 42 that is connected to one of the satellite charging points 41 served by a multifunctional pole 2. Another computer application module can for example take care of the street lighting and can control the LED lighting installed on the multifunctional poles 2. Another computer application module can, for example, control identification cameras that are built into the the multifunctional pole 2. These cameras can be equipped with facial recognition or number plate recognition for example .

Another computer application module can manage and record DC generated by solar panels 10 that is injected into the DC net 3.

Other computer application modules can provide extra security by using the input of all kinds of sensors to prevent or report risks such as fire, burglary or air pollution. Such modules can also ensure the security of the network of multifunctional poles 2 itself. They can detect unauthorised access to the smart sockets and report it to a central server.

Another computer application module may also take the form of an electronic fuse which, via a measurement unit, measures the DC and, in the event a peak or differential current setpoint is exceeded, disconnects the multifunctional pole partly or entirely from the distribution network 3.

Another computer application modules can facilitate 5G data communication enabling guidance of self-driving vehicles on the street in real time. All this can lead to the network becoming ever more multifunctional, by implementing new computer applications based on, for instance, the internet-of-things technology. The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the figures, but network of multifunctional poles erected along the public road and on the public and private domain can be realised in all kinds of shapes and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention, as it is described in the following claims .