System and Method for Load Control

• US 20090295226A1
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hammerhead International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hammerhead International Incorporated
• Inventors: Hodges, Joseph W., Sopuch, J. Anthony, Hodges, Richard J., Lasky, Thomas D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,944,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/39
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/12 responsive to underload or no-load for motors H02H7/0827
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/05 Capacitor coupled rectifiers

Abstract

A system is described including a master power saving device configured for connection with a master load. The master power saving device is configured to determine when the master load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition, and the master power saving device provides non-continuous power to the master load when the master load is in a non-operating condition. A slave power saving device is configured for connection with a slave load. The slave power saving device is configured to receive a signal from the master power saving device to turn off said slave load.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a master power saving device configured for connection with a master load, said master power saving device configured to determine when said master load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition based on said load demand of the master load, and wherein said master power saving device provides non-continuous power to said master load when said master load is in a non-operating condition; and

a slave power saving device configured for connection with a slave load, said slave power saving device configured to receive a signal from said master power saving device to turn off said slave load.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said master power saving device communicates with said slave power saving device using power line communication.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said master power saving device communicates with said slave power saving device using wireless communication.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said slave power saving device is further configured to receive a signal from said master power saving device to turn on said slave load.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said slave power saving device is further configured to determine when said slave load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition, and wherein said slave power saving device provides non-continuous power to said slave load when said slave load is in a non-operating condition.

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

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said slave power saving device is paired with said master power saving device to receive said signal.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slave power saving devices configured to receive said signal from said master power saving device.

9. A system comprising:

a sensor configured to determine whether a human is in the area of the sensor, said sensor providing a signal when a human is determined to be in the area; and

a power saving device configured to receive said signal, said power saving device configured for connection with a load, said power saving device configured to determine when said load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition based on a load demand, and wherein said power saving device provides non-continuous power to said load when said load is in a non-operating condition, and wherein said power saving device employs a first power saving strategy when said signal is received and a second power saving strategy when said signal is not received.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises a motion sensor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said first power saving strategy comprises pulsing power to said load.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said second power saving strategy comprises removing power from said load.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said first power saving strategy comprises pulsing power having a first period to said load.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said second power saving strategy comprises pulsing power having a second period to said load.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said second period is longer than said first period.

16. A method for controlling an electrical load:

providing power to a load for a predetermined time;

measuring a load demand;

determining whether the load is turned on by said measured load demand; and

repeating said steps of providing, measuring, and determining, wherein with each repetition said predetermined time is extended to a longer predetermined time until said load is determined to be on.

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

comparing said load demand with a predetermined threshold.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

removing power to said load for a second predetermined time after the step of measuring.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

instructing said load to turn on during said providing and determining.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

storing said predetermined time used when the load is determined to be on.