POWER NODE FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power node for energy management comprising:
- one or more sockets, each socket operable to receive a plug for supplying power to a respective load;
a power supply bus having one or more bus taps, each socket coupled to a respective power supply bus tap via an automated switch;
a voltage sensor coupled to the power supply bus;
one or more current sensors, each current sensor operable to sense the current supplied to a respective socket;
a selector device operable by a power node user to select an environmental variable from a plurality of selectable environmental variables;
a signal electronics section in signal communication with the selector device, the voltage sensor, and said one or more current sensors;
the signal electronics section operable tomonitor the current supplied to each said respective load,monitor the voltage of the power supply bus,monitor the power supplied to each said respective load,disconnect and reconnect each said respective load, andcommunicate with a controller via a network;
an enclosure and a power cord extending from the enclosure;
the power cord having first and second ends, the first end terminated with a plug and the second end coupled to the power supply bus; and
,the enclosure housing the sockets, the power supply bus, the signal electronics section, the voltage sensor, and said one or more current sensors.
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Abstract
A power node provides energy management features in a networked data communications and control environment.
70 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A power node for energy management comprising:
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one or more sockets, each socket operable to receive a plug for supplying power to a respective load; a power supply bus having one or more bus taps, each socket coupled to a respective power supply bus tap via an automated switch; a voltage sensor coupled to the power supply bus; one or more current sensors, each current sensor operable to sense the current supplied to a respective socket; a selector device operable by a power node user to select an environmental variable from a plurality of selectable environmental variables; a signal electronics section in signal communication with the selector device, the voltage sensor, and said one or more current sensors; the signal electronics section operable to monitor the current supplied to each said respective load, monitor the voltage of the power supply bus, monitor the power supplied to each said respective load, disconnect and reconnect each said respective load, and communicate with a controller via a network; an enclosure and a power cord extending from the enclosure; the power cord having first and second ends, the first end terminated with a plug and the second end coupled to the power supply bus; and
,the enclosure housing the sockets, the power supply bus, the signal electronics section, the voltage sensor, and said one or more current sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of managing energy consumption comprising the steps of:
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interposing a plurality of power nodes for energy management in a plurality of power circuits supplying a plurality of appliances with electric power; measuring the energy consumption of each electric appliance; displaying to an energy user opportunities for reducing energy consumption, said opportunities being identified by the measurements of energy consumption; and
,managing energy consumption by providing the energy user with an automated means to remotely control the energy consumption of each electric appliance. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A power node for energy management comprising:
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an input power coupler; a first power switch having a first control port, a first power terminal and a second power terminal, the first power terminal electrically connected to the input power coupler, the first control port configured to control an electrical connection between the first power terminal and the second power terminal; a first socket electrically connected to the second terminal of the first power switch; a voltage sensor operable to measure voltage at the first socket; a first current sensor operable to measure current flowing through the first socket; a selector device configured to provide an environmental variable from a plurality of selectable environmental variables; a signal electronics section including a communications block configured to communicate over a network, the signal communications block in signal communication with the selector device, the first control port of the first power switch, the voltage sensor and the first current sensor; the signal electronics section configured to monitor said current flowing through the first socket, monitor said voltage at the first socket, control said electrical connection between the first power terminal and the second power terminal of the first power switch, and communicate across a network via the communications block; a housing physically coupling the first socket, the first power switch, the signal electronics section, the first current sensor and the voltage sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification