System and Method for Load Control

• US 20090102294A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hammerhead International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hammerhead International Incorporated
• Inventors: Sopuch, John A., Hodges, Joseph W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,800,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/12 responsive to underload or no-load for motors H02H7/0827
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• 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: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A system is described including a means for receiving a potential and selectively supplying the potential to a load. The receiving and supplying means being responsive to a load control signal to supply the potential to the load when the load control signal is present. The system also includes a means for measuring a load demand. Also included is a means for controlling the receiving and supplying means. The controlling means continuously providing the load control signal when the load demand is greater than a predetermined threshold. The controlling means temporarily providing the load control signal to determine the load demand when the load demand is less than the predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

(a) means for receiving a potential and selectively supplying said potential to a load, said receiving and supplying means responsive to a load control signal to supply said potential to said load when said load control signal is present;

(b) means for measuring a load demand; and

(c) means for controlling said receiving and supplying means, said controlling means continuously providing said load control signal when said load demand is greater than a predetermined threshold, said controlling means temporarily providing said load control signal to determine said load demand when said load demand is less than said predetermined threshold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said measuring means comprises measuring a voltage drop for a resistor in series with said potential and said load.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiving and supplying means comprises a switching element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiving and supplying means comprises at least one of a field effect transistor, an electronic switch, and a bidirectional electronic switch.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for supplying power to at least one of said controlling means, said measuring means, and said receiving and supplying means.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for providing said load control signal based on a user input.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said load demand comprises at least one of electrical current and power.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first electrical connector in electrical communication with said means for receiving a potential, and a second electrical connector in electrical communication with said means for selectively supplying said potential to said load.

9. An electrical device comprising:

a switch responsive to a switching signal, said switch having a input for receiving power and an output for connection to a load;

a sensor measuring an electrical demand to said load; and

a controller selectively providing said switching signal, said controller providing said switching signal to power said load when said electrical demand is greater than a predetermined threshold, said controller momentarily providing said switching signal to power said load after a delay to determine said electrical demand after said delay.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises a resistor in series with said input and said output.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said switch comprises at least one of a field effect transistor, an electronic switch, and a bidirectional electronic switch.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a voltage supply to provide voltage to at least one of said controller, said sensor, and said switch.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprising a user input to provide said switching signal.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein said electrical demand comprises at least one of electrical current and power.

15. The device of claim 9, further comprising a first electrical connector in electrical communication with said input, and a second electrical connector in electrical communication with said output.

16. A method for controlling an electrical load:

determining a load demand;

provisioning power to the load when said load demand is greater than a first threshold; and

removing power to the load when said load demand is less than a second threshold.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of determining said load demand further comprises:

temporarily provisioning power to the load for a first predetermined time; and

measuring said load demand during said step of temporarily provisioning power to define a load demand.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

a learning mode wherein said first threshold and said second threshold are determined by observing the load in an active state and an inactive state.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

classifying an inactive load demand based on said observations; and

classifying an active load demand based on said observations.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determining said first threshold and said second threshold near a midpoint between said inactive load demand and said active load demand.