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Power control device

  • US 10,439,394 B2
  • Filed: 05/31/2013
  • Issued: 10/08/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for regulating an electrical consumption of an equipment unit that is supplied with electrical energy by an AC power grid, the AC power grid being characterized by a dynamic state of balance between power generation and load, the method comprising:

  • a. providing a power control device for managing the electrical consumption of the equipment unit;

    b. sensing, with the power control device at a location that is proximate to the equipment unit, a frequency of the electrical energy supplied by the AC power grid to the equipment unit;

    c. determining, by the power control device, a difference between the frequency of the electrical energy and a nominal frequency;

    d. determining an occurrence of a power generation deficit in the AC power grid when the difference between the frequency of the electrical energy and the nominal frequency exceeds a threshold;

    e. in response to detection of the power generation deficit within the AC power grid, implementing a power control function which includes reducing a consumption of electrical energy by the equipment unit to lessen the power generation deficit within the AC power grid, including varying the consumption by the equipment unit in a manner proportional to the difference between the frequency of the electrical energy and the nominal frequency;

    f. receiving, by the power control device over a communication network from an external entity, a command signal to prevent the power control device from triggering the power control function; and

    g. in response to receiving the command signal, by the power control device from the external entity, and determining, by the power control device, that a power generation deficit occurs in the AC power grid;

    precluding, by the power control device, implementation of the power control function including a reduction of the electrical consumption by the equipment unit.

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