Method and apparatus for preventing overloads of power distribution networks

• US 20070150215A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, Neil, Spitaels, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,865,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/61
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring power in power distribution systems are provided. In one aspect, a system for monitoring power includes a power monitoring device that measures a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of a power distribution system. The power monitoring device includes an output that provides the value measured. The system further includes a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch to send a maximum power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a percentage of maximum power.

Claims

1-52. -52. (canceled)

53. A method of monitoring operation of devices in a facility, the method comprising:

controlling a plurality of computing devices in the facility to operate at a controlled power level;

measuring air temperature at one or more locations in the facility;

controlling at least one air conditioning unit in the facility based on the air temperature at the one or more locations in the facility.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein measuring air temperature includes measuring air temperature at a plurality of locations in the facility.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the controlled power level is a maximum power level.

56. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

comparing at least one value of air temperature measured with a predetermined value to detect an over temperature condition; and

controlling at least one of the plurality of computing devices to operate in a reduced power mode upon detection of an over temperature condition.