Method and System for Local Load Control
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a local electrical load, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving a one-way communication signal having measurement indicia therein, the measurement indicia comprising an indication to begin a base-line measurement of a power system characteristic;
b. in response receiving to the one-way communication signal, performing a base-line measurement by measuring the power system characteristic for at least a predetermined time;
c. averaging the power system characteristic across the at least a predetermined time to obtain an average base-line measurement;
d. retrieving a differential factor from a local memory;
e. reducing the average base-line measurement by the differential factor to obtain a threshold value;
f. monitoring the power system characteristic; and
g. upon the power system characteristic falling below the threshold value, shedding at least one local electrical load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for shedding loads based upon a power system characteristic, such as voltage or frequency, is provided. In one embodiment, a remote party, such as a power generator or utility, transmits a signal to a control device proximately located with a load device. Upon receipt of the signal, the control device measures the power system characteristic for a predetermined time to establish a baseline threshold. The control device then monitors the power system characteristic. When the power system characteristic falls outside the baseline threshold, the control device sheds load. In one embodiment, the loads are prioritized such that the load of least importance may be shed first.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a local electrical load, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving a one-way communication signal having measurement indicia therein, the measurement indicia comprising an indication to begin a base-line measurement of a power system characteristic;
b. in response receiving to the one-way communication signal, performing a base-line measurement by measuring the power system characteristic for at least a predetermined time;
c. averaging the power system characteristic across the at least a predetermined time to obtain an average base-line measurement;
d. retrieving a differential factor from a local memory;
e. reducing the average base-line measurement by the differential factor to obtain a threshold value;
f. monitoring the power system characteristic; and
g. upon the power system characteristic falling below the threshold value, shedding at least one local electrical load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A load controlling device disposed proximately with an electrical load, the load controlling device comprising:
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a. a receiver in communication with an electrical services provider;
b. a controller coupled to the transceiver;
c. a memory coupled to the controller;
d. a power system characteristic measurement module operable with the controller, the power system characteristic measurement module being configured to establish an averaged base-line measurement of a power system characteristic in response to the receiver receiving a communication signal having measurement indicia therein;
e. a threshold module operable with the controller, the threshold module being configured to determine a threshold value by retrieving a differential factor from the memory and reducing the averaged base-line measurement by the differential factor;
f. a comparator coupled to the controller, the comparator being configured to monitor the power system characteristic and determine when the power system characteristic falls below the threshold value; and
g. a load shedding module operable with the comparator, the load shedding module being configured to decouple power to at least one electrical load when the comparator indicates that the power system characteristic falls below the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system for controlling power delivery to an electrical load, the system comprising:
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a. a power distribution grid having multiple nodes;
b. an electrical services provider coupled to a first node of the power distribution grid, the electrical services provider being capable of generating a one-way communication signal having measurement indicia therein;
c. at least one electrical load coupled to a second node of the power distribution grid; and
d. a load controlling device coupled to the second node of the power distribution grid, the load controlling device comprising;
i. a receiver in communication with an electrical services provider;
ii. a controller coupled to the transceiver;
iii. a memory coupled to the controller;
iv. a power system characteristic measurement module operable with the controller, the power system characteristic measurement module being configured to establish an averaged base-line measurement of a power system characteristic in response to the receiver receiving a communication signal having measurement indicia therein;
v. a threshold module operable with the controller, the threshold module being configured to determine a threshold value by retrieving a differential factor from the memory and reducing the averaged base-line measurement by the differential factor;
vi. a comparator coupled to the controller, the comparator being configured to monitor the power system characteristic and determine when the power system characteristic falls below the threshold value; and
vii. a load shedding module operable with the comparator, the load shedding module being configured to decouple power to at least one electrical load when the comparator indicates that the power system characteristic falls below the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification