System and method for supply distribution
First Claim
1. An apparatus for distributing an operating supply to a plurality of appliances, each appliance being provided with a predetermined priority, the apparatus comprising:
- means for selectively connecting the plurality of appliances in a series connection in order based upon the predetermined priority of each appliance; and
a plurality of sensors, each sensor being connected to a respective one of the plurality of appliances for sensing an operating state of the respective appliance, wherein said apparatus distributes an operating supply to one of said plurality of appliances in an ON state and having a highest priority.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for distributing a supply to plurality of machinery or appliances. The supply may be any of oil, gas, electrical power, water, heated and cooled air, etc. the plurality of appliances can include any of gas and oil powered devices, electrical devices, rooms having HVAC ductwork, etc. The distribution of the operating supply is provided by prioritizing the appliances with a predetermined priority. The appliances are connected in a series connection in order of priority. When any appliance is determined to be in an “ON” state of operation subsequently connected appliances are prevented from operating. Alternatively, when more than one appliance is able to operate simultaneously using the operating supply, the appliances may be divided into a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups include a group for each possible combination of appliances and each group is prioritized. Operating supply is provided to the group having the highest priority with all appliances in the group being determined to be in an “ON” state of operation.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for distributing an operating supply to a plurality of appliances, each appliance being provided with a predetermined priority, the apparatus comprising:
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means for selectively connecting the plurality of appliances in a series connection in order based upon the predetermined priority of each appliance; and
a plurality of sensors, each sensor being connected to a respective one of the plurality of appliances for sensing an operating state of the respective appliance, wherein said apparatus distributes an operating supply to one of said plurality of appliances in an ON state and having a highest priority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for distributing an operating supply to a plurality of appliances, wherein the plurality of appliances are combined into a plurality of groups, each group having a predetermined priority, and the plurality of groups include a group for each possible combination of the plurality of appliances, the apparatus comprising:
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means for selectively connecting the plurality of appliances in a series connection in order based upon a predetermined priority for each appliance; and
a plurality of sensors, each sensor being connected to a respective one of the plurality of appliances for sensing an operating state of the respective appliance, wherein said apparatus distributes an operating supply to appliances within a group having a highest priority and each appliance within the group being in an ON state of operation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for selectively providing operating supply, said system comprising:
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a processing device having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports;
a plurality of switches, each switch being connected to a respective one of said plurality of input ports and providing a signal representative of operating state to said processing device; and
a plurality of appliances, each of said plurality of appliances being associated with a respective one of said plurality of switches and connected to a respective one of said plurality of output ports, wherein, when one of said appliances is in operating in an ON state, said processing device prevents an operating supply from being provided to other ones of said plurality of appliances. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of distributing an operating supply to a plurality of appliances, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing each of the plurality of appliances with a predetermined priority;
b) connecting the plurality of appliances in a series connection in order of descending priority;
c) determining an operating state of an apparatus having a highest priority;
d) providing operating supply to the apparatus having a highest priority upon determining the apparatus having a highest priority is in an ON state of operation;
e) determining an operating state of an apparatus having a next highest priority upon determining the apparatus having a highest priority is in an OFF state of operation;
f) providing operating supply to the apparatus having the next highest priority upon determining the apparatus having a highest priority is in an OFF state of operation; and
g) repeating steps e) and f) providing operating supply to the apparatus having a next highest priority upon determining all apparatuses having a higher priority are in an OFF state of operation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of distributing an operating supply to a plurality of appliances, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing each of the plurality of appliances with a predetermined priority;
b) dividing the plurality of appliances into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups including a group for each possible combination of appliances;
c) providing each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined priority;
d) connecting the plurality of appliances in a series connection according to priority;
e) determining an operating state of each apparatus; and
f) providing operating supply to each apparatus within a group having a highest priority when each apparatus within the group is in an ON state of operation. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification