HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INCORPORATING A POOL PUMP

• US 20120029705A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Broniak, Jay Andrew, Beyerle, Michael, Brian, Joseph, Bingham, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,467,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/54 according to a pre-established time schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

An energy management system for a home network comprising a plurality of power consuming devices including a pool pump is provided. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to the power consuming devices and configured to receive and process a signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, including at least a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state, and a display device. The central controller further includes a scheduling algorithm configured to enable a user to program a schedule for the pool pump.

Claims

1. An energy management system for a home network comprising a plurality of power consuming devices including a pool pump, said system comprising:

a central controller operatively connected to the power consuming devices, said central controller being configured to receive and process a signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, including at least a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state;

the pool pump including a microcontroller with a communication port configured to communicate with said central controller; and

a user interface and display device, wherein said central controller further includes a scheduling algorithm configured to enable a user to program a schedule for said pool pump.

2. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein said scheduling algorithm is further configured to provide said user with a graphic user interface (GUI) on said display device.

3. The energy management system according to claim 2, wherein said display device comprises at least one of a smart phone, mobile phone, personal computer, PDA, pager, tablet computer, and television.

4. The energy management system according to claim 2, wherein said graphical user interface is configured to enable a user to remotely program the pool pump.

5. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein said scheduling algorithm enables the user to at least one of set on/off times, adjust pump speed, control power level, and set runtime length.

6. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the central controller is configured to control operation of said pool pump in accordance with the scheduled program.

7. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein said central controller is further configured to operate primarily during off-peak demand periods.

8. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein said communication port is capable of sending signals to and from said central controller via a wireless connection.

9. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein said central controller is configured to communicate the current state of an associated utility to a user, said current state including at least one of a peak demand period and off-peak demand period.

10. A method for remotely programming an operating schedule for a pool pump of an energy management system, said energy management system comprising a network of power consuming devices including a pool pump having a microcontroller with a communication port, a central controller operatively connected to said power consuming devices and a display, said method comprising:

programming said controller with a scheduling algorithm;

receiving into said controller a signal indicative of at least one of the current and future state of an associated utility, including at least one of a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state;

using said scheduling algorithm to present a user with one or more graphical user interfaces on said display;

displaying information regarding the utility state to said user; and

enabling said user to control the operation of said pool pump using the one or more graphical user interfaces.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein controlling the operation of said pool pump includes programming an operating schedule for the pool pump.

12. The method according to claim 11, further including operating said pool pump according to the programmed operating schedule.

13. The method according to claim 10, further including operating said pool pump primarily during off-peak demand periods.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said central controller communicates with the pool pump by transmitting information to said communication port.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information is sent via a wireless connection.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein said display includes at least one of a smart phone, mobile phone, personal computer, PDA, pager, tablet computer, and television screen.

17. The method according to claim 10, further including enabling the user to adjust a programmed schedule based on information received from the central controller.

18. A pool pump capable of being controlled as part of an energy management system comprising a network of power consuming devices, a central controller operatively connected to said power consuming devices, and a display, said pool pump comprising:

an electric motor configured to drive the pool pump;

a microcontroller including a communication port configured to exchange information with said central controller, said microcontroller being operative to control the operation of said motor in response to information received from said central controller.

19. The pool pump according to claim 18, wherein said microcontroller is configured to control one or more of the pool volume, pump flow rate, start time, and end time.

20. The pool pump according to claim 18, wherein said communication port is configured to create a communication path with said central controller, said communication path comprising a wireless connection.