Energy Harvesting Load Control Switch
First Claim
1. A method for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device, the method comprising:
- receiving an energy signal harvested from an energy source;
charging a power storage device using the energy signal;
applying power from the power storage device to a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components comprises a timer, a hardware processor, and a communication component;
determining, using the communication component, the hardware processor, and the timer, a start time of a control event;
terminating, using a relay at the start time of the control event, the power delivered to the power-consuming device; and
delivering, using the relay at an end time of the control event, the power to the power-consuming device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, device, and system for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device. The device can harvest power from a conductor carrying a high voltage using a power harvesting device. The device can include a power storage device to power a hardware processor and a communication component when there is no voltage flowing through the conductor. The device can determine when a control event is to occur. At such time, the device terminates control power delivered to the power-consuming device and continues to withhold the control power until the control event expires. When the control event has ended, the device allows control power to flow to the power-consuming device. The device uses a timer and the communication component to send and receives signals associated with a control event to a user. The device can also operate in a limited mode to conserve power when the device is not in use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device, the method comprising:
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receiving an energy signal harvested from an energy source; charging a power storage device using the energy signal; applying power from the power storage device to a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components comprises a timer, a hardware processor, and a communication component; determining, using the communication component, the hardware processor, and the timer, a start time of a control event; terminating, using a relay at the start time of the control event, the power delivered to the power-consuming device; and delivering, using the relay at an end time of the control event, the power to the power-consuming device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A load control switch, comprising:
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an energy harvesting device that captures a representation of the operating parameter from an energy source; a housing comprising; a power storage device electrically coupled to the energy harvesting device; a timer electrically coupled to the power storage device; memory for storing a plurality of instructions; a hardware processor electrically coupled to the power storage device and the timer, and communicably coupled to the memory, wherein the hardware processor executes the plurality of instructions stored in the memory; a communication component communicably coupled to the hardware processor, wherein the communication component receives a signal for a control event; and a relay electrically coupled to the hardware processor and the power supply, wherein the relay comprises a relay contact, wherein the relay contact has an open state and a closed state, wherein the open state is enabled during the control event, and wherein the closed state is enabled outside of the control event. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system, comprising:
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a power-consuming device; a transformer that processes a voltage signal carried on a conductor from a primary power source; a thermostat electrically coupled to the transformer, wherein the thermostat has an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein the enabled state allows power from the primary power supply to pass therethrough, and wherein the disabled state prevents the power from the primary power supply to pass therethrough; and a load control switch electrically coupled to the thermostat and the power-consuming device, wherein the load control switch comprises; a power storage device electrically coupled to a device that harvests energy from an energy source; a timer electrically coupled to the power storage device; memory for storing a plurality of instructions; a hardware processor electrically coupled to the power storage device and the timer, and communicably coupled to the memory, wherein the hardware processor executes the plurality of instructions stored in the memory; a communication component communicably coupled to the hardware processor, wherein the communication component receives a signal for a control event; and a relay electrically coupled to the hardware processor, the thermostat, and the power-consuming device, wherein the relay comprises a relay contact, wherein the relay contact has an open state and a closed state, wherein the open state is enabled during the control event, and wherein the closed state is enabled outside of the control event, wherein the relay contact, when in the closed state, delivers the voltage signal processed by the transformer to the power-consuming device.
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Specification