Managing power source interaction through an interconnect socket adapter configured with an energy storage source/sink

• US 10,132,838 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: San Diego Gas & Electric Company (Sempra Energy)
• Original Assignee: San Diego Gas & Electric Company (Sempra Energy)
• Inventors: Parks, Ken, Colburn, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Huy Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frederiksen, David
• Application Number:
  US15/140,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20160238633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 11/04 Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 3/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of measuring instruments , e.g. of probe tips
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

Interconnection meter socket adapters are provided. An interconnection meter socket adapter comprises a housing enclosing a set of electrical connections. The interconnection meter socket adapter may be configured to be coupled to a standard distribution panel and a standard electric meter, thereby establishing connections between a distribution panel and a user such that electrical power may be delivered to the user while an electrical meter measures the power consumption of the user. A power regulation module is disposed between the interconnection meter socket adapter, and configured to selectively connect one or more energy sources or energy sinks.

Claims

1. A method of managing a plurality of combined energy sources/sinks connected through an interconnect socket adapter to a power grid, comprising:

identifying a storage state of each of the plurality of combined energy sources/sinks by measuring the amount of energy stored within the each of the sources/sinks; and

determining a charge state of each of the plurality of combined energy sources/sinks based on the storage state of each of the plurality of combined energy sources/sinks;

wherein, if the charge state indicates an individual combined energy source/sink does not have a full charge, further comprising;

measuring an overall power consumption amount;

determining a threshold power consumption value; and

determining an operative state of the individual combined energy source/sink, the determination comprising;

if the overall power consumption exceeds the threshold power consumption value, disconnecting the individual combined energy source/sink; and

if the overall power consumption does not exceed the threshold power consumption value, charging the individual combined energy source/sink.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the charge state indicates the individual combined energy source/sink has a full charge, further comprising determining whether to discharge the individual combined energy source/sink.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring an overall power consumption amount comprising measuring an amount of power consumed by one or more user loads, one or more electrical sinks connected to the interconnect socket adapter, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the threshold power consumption value comprising:

identifying a panel rating from a meter to which the interconnect socket adapter is connected; and

calculating the threshold power consumption value;

wherein the threshold power consumption value comprises a power amount within 70% and 90% of the panel rating.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the threshold power consumption value comprises a power amount about 80% of the panel rating.