System and method for remotely regulating the power consumption of an electric appliance

• US 20070260359A1
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory P. Benson
• Original Assignee: Glenbrook Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Wade, Daniel, Benson, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/297
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• 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: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

A system and method for remotely regulating the power consumption of a device are provided. The method comprises sending a message from a remote location and over a wide area data network to a controller locally attached to a device. The method further comprises adjusting, at the controller, the power supplied to the device based on the message.

Claims

1. A method of remotely regulating the power consumption of a device, the method comprising:

sending a message from a remote location and over a wide area data network to a controller locally attached to a device; and

adjusting, at the controller, the power supplied to the device based on the message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is powered by standard AC from a utility power grid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the power comprises switch on or off the power supplied to the device.

4. A system for remotely regulating the power consumption of a device, the system comprising:

a device; and

a first controller locally attached to the device and configured to adjust the power supply of the device based on a message received from a second controller, the second controller being remote from the device.

5. A system for remotely regulating the power consumption of a device, the system comprising:

means for sending a message from a remote location and over a wide area data network to a controller locally attached to a device; and

means for adjusting, at the controller, the power supplied to the device based on the message.