Transfer switch

• US 20030075982A1
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PSP Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PSP Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Seefeldt, William J.
• Application Number:
  US10/224,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/29
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• 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 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

Disclosed is an automatic electric transfer switch arrangement for connecting an alternate power source, which may be a standby generator to a residential unit in the event of a utility power outage. A control disposed in a sub-panel allows for the pre-selection of high power loads to reduce the total utility demand during peak demand periods. When the utility power is restored, the standby generator is disconnected and the utility power is reconnected. During a power outage, the high power load items that were pre-selected are disconnected from the generator to prevent the system requiring from more capacity than the generators capability. The load shed mode can be automatically activated remotely, via a wireless transceiver. Further disclosed is an ATS system that can monitor the power level at both the utility meter and standby generator due to it unique placement between the utility meter and the house breaker.

Claims

1. A utility power source management system for a plurality of residential units that allows for both an alternative power source to be connected to the residential unit in the event of a power outage, as well as for a load shedding by connecting selecting high current loads of a residential unit to the alternative power source during peak demand periods comprising:

a plurality of electrical utility inputs;

a plurality of electrical utility outputs adapted to be connected respectively to the utility inputs and to a plurality of loads in a residential unit;

a standby generator unit having an output connect to the residential unit;

a switch connected between an electrical utility output and the generator output, said switch being configured to be activated between two positions to connect either the electrical utility output or the generator output to supply power to the residential unit;

a programmed microcontroller at each residential unit for controlling power distribution in said unit;

a wireless transceiver at each residential unit for remotely receiving and transmitting information from a utility source to control the application of power from the utility source to the residential unit.

2. A wireless automatic transfer control apparatus that allows for both an alternative power source to be connected to a residential unit in the event of a power outage as well as for load shedding by disconnecting selected high current loads from a main power source and connecting said disconnected loads to the alternate power source during peak demand periods comprising,

a plurality of electrical utility inputs;

a plurality of electrical utility outputs adapted to be connected respectively to a plurality of residential loads of a residential unit,

a standby generator unit for providing the alternative power source and having an output adapted to be selectively connected to the loads of the residential unit;

a switch connected between the main power source and the generator output, said switch being configured to be activated between two positions to connect either the main power source or the generator output to supply power to the residential unit;

a programmed microcontroller at each residential unit for controlling power distribution in said unit;

a wireless transceiver at each residential unit for remotely transmitting information to and from the microcontroller wherein the microcontroller, upon receiving said information controls the application of power from the main and alternative power sources to the residential unit.

3. A sub-panel assembly for controlling transfer of power to a plurality of load items from a utility power source and a standby generator power source comprising:

a programmed control board disposed within the sub panel;

a plurality of electrical utility outputs adapted to be connected to pre-selected loads of the residential unit,

a selector connected to the control board and operably configured to select between pre-selected load items such that any and all of the load will receive power from the standby generator and not from the utility power source;

said control board being responsive to wireless commands from a utility for controlling transfer of power between the utility power source and the standby generator power source whereby high power load items are disconnected from the utility power source, thus lowering the total demand on the utility power source during peak demand periods.