ENGINEERED SETPOINTS FOR AUTONOMOUS DISTRIBUTED SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

• US 20110077753A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Edmunds, Thomas A
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Loads on an electric power system are configured with under frequency relays in which the frequency setpoints and delay times for reclosure are uniformly distributed. If demand exceeds supply in the system, frequency will decrease. The decrease in frequency will actuate relays and reduce load to the point where demand will meet the available supply. After its engineered delay time, each relay will attempt to close contact and reestablish the load.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a centrally-provided, controllable supply;

a plurality of autonomous, dynamic loads connected to and presenting a distributed demand on said centrally-provided, controllable supply; and

a population of sensors and actuators that control said distributed demand.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said centrally-provided, controllable supply is selected from the group consisting of a source of electricity, a source of natural gas and a source of water.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each actuator of said actuators is configured to be actuated at an actuation setpoint, wherein said sensors are configured to sense said actuation setpoint.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said actuation setpoint comprises a value set in accordance with a prescribed setpoint distribution.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said prescribed setpoint distribution is uniformly spaced.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said actuator is configured to terminate actuation at a prescribed delay time.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said prescribed delay time comprises a duration set in accordance with a prescribed delay distribution.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a relay.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said relay comprises a frequency relay that senses changes in frequency.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said relay comprises a voltage relay that senses changes in voltage.

11. A method, comprising:

providing a utility from a centrally-provided, controllable utility supply to at least one end user load and sensor combination;

sensing a parameter at said load; and

disconnecting said supply from said load if said parameter is not within a predefined range of parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said centrally-provided, controllable utility supply is selected from the group consisting of a source of electricity, a source of natural gas and a source of water.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said load comprises an actuator configured to be actuated at an actuation setpoint, wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing said actuation setpoint.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said actuation setpoint comprises a value set in accordance with a prescribed setpoint distribution.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said prescribed setpoint distribution is uniformly spaced.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said actuator is configured to terminate actuation at a prescribed delay time.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said prescribed delay time comprises a duration set in accordance with a prescribed delay distribution.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said actuator comprises a relay.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said relay comprises a frequency relay that senses changes in frequency.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said relay comprises a voltage relay that senses changes in voltage.

21. An apparatus, comprising a plurality of end user combinations, wherein each combination of said plurality of end user combinations comprises a load, a sensor and an actuator, wherein said sensor is configured to sense a parameter of said load, wherein said actuator is configured to disconnect said load from a utility supply connected to said at least one combination when a parameter sensed by said sensor is outside of a predefined range.

22. A method, comprising:

providing a plurality of end user combinations, wherein each combination of said plurality of end user combinations comprises a load, a sensor and an actuator, wherein said sensor is configured to sense a parameter of said load, wherein said actuator is configured to disconnect said load from a utility supply connected to said at least one combination when a parameter sensed by said sensor is outside of a predefined range;

sensing said parameter; and

disconnecting said load from said utility supply connected to said at least one combination when said parameter sensed by said sensor is outside of a predefined range.