ELECTRIC POWER CONSERVATION SYSTEM

• US 20090152952A1
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Jonathan Sr. Evans
• Original Assignee: Bruce Jonathan Sr. Evans
• Inventors: Evans, Bruce Jonathan SR.
• Granted Patent: US 7,915,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/80
• 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

Abstract

An electric power conservation system to be used between an AC utility power source and a load circuit in a home or business. The electric power conservation system comprises an energy charger component, a DC rechargeable energy source, an inverter unit, a bypass isolation circuit, a monitor and control unit, coil contactors and contacts, and necessary circuitry for supplying a load circuit with the power it requires. The invention reduces consumption of electric power from public utility companies, thereby decreasing the load on the national electrical grid. Where utility companies offer lower off-peak rates to consumers of electrical power, it becomes exceedingly desirable to have such a system in place, to save consumers money. During normal operations wherein normal utility power is available, the load circuit derives part of its power from the AC utility power source, and the remaining power that it requires from the electric power conservation system.

Claims

1. An electric power conservation system for use between a primary power source and a load circuit, comprising:

a) a bypass isolation means operable between a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, for activating and deactivating the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) a first contact means operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a first actuating means;

c) a second contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit;

d) the first actuating means, that actuates the second contact means, the first actuating means being connected between the primary power source and the first contact means;

e) a monitor and control means for responding to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and for producing stimulus signals to energize system circuitry, so as to minimize the power supplied by the primary power source;

f) a third contact means operable between open and closed conditions to provide an energizing current path for a second [phone] actuating means, the third contact means being connected between the second actuating means and the monitor and control means; and

g) the second actuating means, that actuates the third contact means, the second actuating means being connected between the third contact means and a return connection of the primary power source.

2. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a) an energy charger component for supplying sufficient charge to a direct current rechargeable energy source, the energy charger component being connected between the bypass isolation circuit and the direct current rechargeable energy source, and deriving power from the primary power source;

b) the direct current rechargeable energy source for supplying power to an inverter unit, the direct current rechargeable energy source connected between the energy charger component and the inverter unit, and the direct current rechargeable energy source providing power for the inverter unit and the monitor and control means;

c) the inverter unit, that supplies required power to the load circuit, the inverter unit being connected between the direct current rechargeable energy source and the bypass isolation means;

d) a forth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a third actuating means, the forth contact means connected between a second connection point and a primary power return;

e) a fifth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the primary power source to the energy charger component, the fifth contact means being connected between the primary power source and the energy charger component;

f) the third actuating means, that actuates the fifth contact means, the third actuating means being connected between the primary power source and a manual bypass means;

g) a sixth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the inverter unit to the load circuit; and

h) a fourth actuating means for actuating the sixth contact means, the fourth actuating means being connected between the monitor and control means and the primary power return.

3. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a manual bypass means, operable between a normal contact position and a bypass contact position, for manually switching the system between normal operating mode and bypass operating mode.

4. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a manually engaged, mechanically held means for insuring that switching between operating modes requires intentional mechanical effort to be employed.

5. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

an arc suppressing means for suppressing any arcing that occurs when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes.

6. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a break-before-make means for insuring that separate current paths remain isolated during switching between operating modes.

7. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 2, wherein the monitor and control means communicates parameters to and from the elements of the energy conservation system through an interconnecting means.

8. An electric power conservation system for use between a primary power source and a load circuit, comprising:

a) a bypass isolation component operable between a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, that activates and deactivates the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) a first contact operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a first actuator;

c) a second contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit;

d) the first actuator, that actuates the second contact, the first actuator being connected between the primary power source and the first contact;

e) a monitor and control that responds to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and produces stimulus signals to energize system circuitry, thus minimizing the power supplied by the primary power source;

f) a third contact operable between open and closed conditions that provides an energizing current path for a second actuator, the third contact being connected between the second actuator and the monitor and control; and

g) the second actuator, that actuates the third contact, the second actuator being connected between the third contact and a return connection of the primary power source.

9. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

a) an energy charger component for supplying sufficient charge to a direct current rechargeable energy source, the energy charger component being connected between the bypass isolation circuit and the direct current rechargeable energy source, and deriving power from the primary power source;

b) the direct current rechargeable energy source for supplying power to an inverter unit, the direct current rechargeable energy source connected between the energy charger component and the inverter unit, and the direct current rechargeable energy source providing power for the inverter unit and the monitor and control;

c) the inverter unit, that supplies required power to the load circuit, the inverter unit being connected between the direct current rechargeable energy source and the bypass isolation component;

d) a fourth contact operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a third actuator, the fourth contact connected between a second connection point and a primary power return;

e) a fifth contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the primary power source to the energy charger component, the fifth contact being connected between the primary power source and the energy charger component;

f) the third actuator, that actuates the fifth contact, the third actuator being connected between the primary power source and a manual bypass;

g) a sixth contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the inverter unit to the load circuit; and

h) a fourth actuator for actuating the sixth contact, the fourth actuator being connected between the monitor and control and the primary power return.

10. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a manual bypass, operable between a normal contact position and a bypass contact position, that can be moved manually to switch the system between normal operating mode and bypass operating mode.

11. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a switch for the manual bypass that requires intentional mechanical effort to be employed.

12. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

an arc suppressor, that suppresses arcing when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes.

13. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a break-before-make component that isolates separate current paths during switching between operating modes.

14. The electric power conservation system as recited in claim 9, wherein the monitor and control communicates parameters to and from the elements of the energy conservation system through an interconnection.

15. A method for conserving electric power, comprising the steps of:

a) activating and deactivating a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, using a bypass isolation component operable between the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) providing an energizing current path for a first actuator, using a first contact operable between open and closed conditions;

c) coupling a bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit, using a second contact operable between open and closed conditions;

d) actuating the second contact using the first actuator, with the first actuator being connected between the primary power source and the first contact;

e) minimizing the power supplied by the primary power source, using a monitor and control that responds to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and produces stimulus signals to energize system circuitry;

f) provides an energizing current path for a second actuator, using a third contact operable between open and closed conditions that, the third contact being connected between the second actuator and the monitor and control; and

g) actuating the third contact, using the second actuator, with the second actuator being connected between the third contact and a return connection of the primary power source.

16. The method for conserving electric power as recited in claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

a) supplying sufficient charge to a direct current rechargeable energy source, using an energy charger component, with the energy charger component being connected between the bypass isolation circuit and the direct current rechargeable energy source, and deriving power from the primary power source;

b) supplying power to an inverter unit and the monitor and control, using the direct current rechargeable energy source, with the direct current rechargeable energy source being connected between the energy charger component and the inverter unit;

c) supplying required power to the load circuit, using the inverter unit, with the inverter unit being connected between the direct current rechargeable energy source and the bypass isolation component;

d) providing an energizing current path for a third actuator, using a fourth contact operable between open and closed conditions, with the fourth contact connected between a second connection point and a primary power return;

e) coupling the primary power source to the energy charger component, using a fifth contact operable between open and closed conditions, with the fifth contact being connected between the primary power source and the energy charger component;

f) the third actuator, that, the third actuator being connected between the primary power source and a manual bypass;

g) actuating the fifth contact, using a sixth contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the inverter unit to the load circuit; and

h) actuating the sixth contact, using a fourth actuator, with the fourth actuator being connected between the monitor and control and the primary power return.

17. The method for conserving electric power as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

switching the system between a normal operating mode and a bypass operating mode, using a manual bypass that is operable between a normal contact position and a bypass contact position, having a switch that can be moved manually, but requires intentional mechanical effort to be employed.

18. The method for conserving electric power as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

suppressing arcing when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes, using an arc suppressor.

19. The method for conserving electric power as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

isolating separate current paths during switching between operating modes, using a break-before-make component.

20. The method for conserving electric power conservation system as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

communicating parameters to and from the elements of the energy conservation system through an interconnection, using the monitor and control.