Reconfigurable power control system

• US 10,454,281 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivani, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ivani, LLC
• Inventors: Wootton, Matthew, Wootton, John, McKinney, Justin, King, Jr., Lloyd Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bauer, Scott
• Application Number:
  US15/600,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20170288411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00024 by means of mobile telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/10 Constant-current supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/246 the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment

Abstract

Systems and methods for the creation of a centrally controlled DC and AC power rail system within a structure. The rails utilize a centralized controller along with a plurality of distributed controllers to allow for power in the rails to be selectively distributed or not distributed to outlets attached to the rails. This allows for power to be distributed without the need for users to utilize hardwired switches, but to instead utilize generally wireless switch modules, which may be implemented in hardware and/or software to control the outlets. It also allows for devices designed to utilize DC power to be directly supplied with such power from the DC power rail without the need to include onboard AC-DC converters with each device.

Claims

1. A method for operating a power control system comprising:

providing a controller electrically connected to;

an AC distributed controller by a wire carrying alternating current (AC) power; and

a DC distributed controller by a wire carrying direct current (DC) power;

providing a main breaker connecting said controller to an AC power source, said central controller including;

an AC to DC power converter; and

a computer for transferring instructions;

wherein, said controller is configured to transmit instructions and AC power to said AC distributed controller; and

wherein, said controller is configured to transmit instructions and DC power to said DC distributed power controller;

providing a plurality of outlets, each of said outlets;

connected to at least one of said AC distributed power controller(s) or said DC distributed power controller(s); and

including a coupler for connection to a device utilizing AC or DC power;

providing a switch module operatively associated with at least one of said outlets;

activating said module;

said activated switch module transmitting a signal to said central controller;

said controller converting said received signal into an instruction;

said controller transmitting said instruction to said distributed controller to which said operatively associated outlet is connected;

toggling power to said associated outlet from its present state based on said instruction received by said distributed controller.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said AC power source comprises a municipal power grid.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said main breaker comprises a circuit breaker or a fuse box.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch module comprises a hardware switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch module comprises a mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch module comprises a computer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said AC distributed power controller includes a computer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said AC distributed power controller includes a plurality of relay switches.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said DC distributed power controller includes a computer.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said DC distributed power controller includes a plurality of relay switches.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said outlets is configured to be attached to a light emitting diode (LED) illumination device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the LED illumination device does not include a power control circuit.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the LED illumination device does not include an AC to DC converter.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said outlets is configured to connect directly to a charging cable of a mobile device.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said switch module is one switch module in a plurality of switch modules, each of which is operatively associated with at least one of said outlets;

in said activating step, activating at least one of said plurality of switch modules;

in said transmitting step, said at least one activated switch module transmitting said signal to said central controller.

16. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said toggling step comprises toggling said power to an opposed binary state.