POWER STEALING CONTROL DEVICES

• US 20070114848A1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Juntunen, Robert, Mulhouse, David, McNamara, Curtis
• Granted Patent: US 7,476,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/43
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings

Abstract

A power stealing system having a switch and a circuit that takes power from equipment to operate control electronics. The system may be such that power stealing occurs while the equipment is not powered to avoid disruption or false signals in the electronics or equipment. The circuit may convey taken power to a storage device. The electronics may be powered by the storage device. The storage device may have a capacitor, a rechargeable battery, a non-chargeable battery, a solar cell, fuel cell, line power, and/or the like.

Claims

1. A power stealing system comprising:

a switch;

a control circuit connected to the switch;

a storage device connected to the control circuit; and

a controller connected to the switch and control circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch is connectable to an electrical powered load.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the switch is connectable across a set of terminals and may result in the load being powered if the terminals are connected to each other.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a voltage potential may exist across the terminals when not connected to each other.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control circuit may convey power from the terminals to the storage device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the storage device is a capacitor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the storage device is a rechargeable battery.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the switch is a relay.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the switch is a latching relay.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the switch is a solid state device.

11. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a backup battery; and

wherein the backup battery is for providing power in lieu of the storage device.

12. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a solar cell; and

wherein the solar cell is for providing power in lieu of the storage device.

13. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a fuel cell; and

wherein the fuel cell is for providing power in lieu of the storage device.

16. The method of claim 15, further using power in the storage device or devices to operate control electronics for the electrical load.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the storage device is a capacitor.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the storage device is a rechargeable battery.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a backup power source to provide power in lieu of the storage device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the backup power source is a battery.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the backup power source is a solar cell.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the backup power source is a fuel cell.

14. A method for stealing power, comprising:

switching power on or off to an electrical load with a switch; and

conveying power as needed from the switch, when the switch is off, to a storage device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the switch has a topology such that upon switching the power off to the electrical load, the terminals of the switch are connected to the storage device.

23. A system for taking power, comprising:

a switch for connection between a power source and a load;

a conveyance circuit connected to the switch; and

a storage mechanism connected to the conveyance circuit.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein:

the switch is a relay having a first position for connecting the power source and the load, and having a second position disconnecting the power source and the load; and

the conveyance circuit may convey power from the switch in the second position to the storage mechanism.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a controller connected to the switch; and

wherein the controller is powered by the storage mechanism.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the storage mechanism is a capacitor.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the storage mechanism is a chargeable battery.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the switch is a relay.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the switch is a solid state device.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein a default position of the switch is the second position.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein if the controller receives insufficient power from the storage mechanism, then the switch will be in the default position.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

a backup battery; and

wherein the backup battery is connected to the controller when the switch is in the default position.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

a backup power source; and

wherein the backup power source is a solar cell.

34. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

a backup power source; and

wherein the backup power source is a fuel cell.