Method for controlling and managing load demand

• US 5,426,620 A
• Filed: 09/23/1991
• Issued: 06/20/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley M. Budney
• Original Assignee: Stanley M. Budney
• Inventors: Budney, Stanley M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US07/763,490
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/107-113, 307/35, 307/39, 307/40, 307/52, 307/141, 307/141.4, 315/159, 361/22
• US Class Current: 368/10
• 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

A load demand and operation control and management process for controlling diverse operation and individual electrical requirement of any load or loads of energy-consuming equipment, the process utilizing process apparatus which optimizes the performance of the equipment while precisely controlling and synchronizing the demand of its individual load requirements with the energy supplied thereto, so that the life and efficiency of the equipment is enhanced while load demand is controlled. The process apparatus of the invention consists of a digital recycle counter and a switch placed wholly within the control power line of a load. Each process apparatus is customized to the requirements of each individual load and imposes an optimum run operation cycle on its respective load for control and management of demand and operation, so reduced power capacity can be generated at any time with no damage to the equipment, and utility company demand charges are significantly reduced, while the equipment performs at an optimum degree of efficiency, thereby reducing necessary maintenance and repair as well.

Claims

1. A method for automatically controlling and managing load demand and operation of energy-consuming equipment having individual load requirements using power transmitted through electric power lines from a utility company during all periods when operative power flows including peak demand periods, the improvement comprising the steps of:

predetermining the load requirements for each load and arriving at a predetermined, controlled off-on cycle of operation for the load thus to impose an optimum efficiency operation cycle most suitable for the equipment to perform its function, the load being initiated and operating only in universal synchronization with control power supplied thereto, the off cycle being based on a first preset number of totalized electrical pulses only and being divorced from any real time parameters, the on cycle being based on a second preset number of totalized electrical pulses only and being divorced from any real time parameters;

connecting a separate demand control process apparatus wholly within a control power line at the point of control of each load in parallel relationship to an operative power line supplying operative power to each load, each demand control process apparatus including a control switch operable between open and closed positions to regulate the transmission of control power through the control power line to the load and including a digital recycle counter connected to the control switch to regulate the control switch and operable to retain the control switch open to de-energize the control power to the load for the first preset number of totalized pulses of control power, the first preset number of totalized pulses of the control power being the sole basis of actuation of the recycle counter for the off cycle of operation of the load;

closing the control switch upon the cessation of the first preset number of totalized pulses enabling the control power to energize the load for the second preset number of totalized pulses, the second preset number of totalized pulses of the control power being the sole basis of actuation of the recycle counter for the on cycle of operation of the load, thus to complete a controlled off-on cycle of operation of the load as long as control power flows; and

repeating said controlled cycle of operation of the load so long as power flows through the control line;

whereby reduced electrical capacity may be generated because load demand and operation are controlled and managed, resulting in lower utility service charges, higher equipment efficiency and longer equipment life.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of additionally regulating the load optimum efficiency operation cycle by connecting the output of a condition sensor in the vicinity of a load to the recycle counter, thus to allow or stop control power flow through the digital recycle counter.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising the step of imposing at least two additional predetermined numbers of totalized pulses on the counter thus to further regulate the optimum efficiency operation of equipment.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of the recycle counter not drawing energy from any source until actuated by a flow of electrons through the control power line.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of configuring the separate demand control apparatus such that the control switch is normally closed until actuated by the recycle counter.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein equipment includes at least two loads, the further step of configuring and arranging each demand control process apparatus such that a first load is in an on cycle operation mode while the second load is in an off cycle operation mode and the second load is in an on cycle operation mode while the first load is in an off cycle operation mode.

6. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising the steps of automatically controlling and managing multiple loads, predetermining the load requirements for each load and arriving at a predetermined, controlled off-on cycle of operation for each load.