Power management system and method for maximizing heat delivered to dialysate in a dialysis machine
First Claim
1. A dialysis machine which consumes electrical power supplied from an electrical service but which is limited by a predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value, the dialysis machine including an electrical heater for heating dialysate supplied to a dialyzer to a selected temperature during a dialysis treatment, the dialysis machine also including components other than the heater, the heater and the other components consuming electrical power supplied to the machine from the electrical service, the dialysis machine also including a power management system operative to regulate the relative amount of electrical power delivered to the heater and to the other components without exceeding the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value, the power management system comprising:
- a power sensor connected to the electrical service and operative to supply a power signal related to an amount of instantaneous power consumed by the machine; and
a controller responsive to the power signal and operative to;
derive a power consumed value from the power signal, the power consumed value related to the power actually consumed by the dialysis machine;
compare the power consumed value to the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value; and
in response to the comparisoncontrol the total amount of power delivered to the heater to make available the maximum amount of power to the heater which still assures supply of power needed for consumption by the other components while simultaneously regulating the total power consumption of the dialysis machine to a value not substantially exceeding the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The amount of electrical power delivered to a dialysate heater in the dialysis machine is maximized without substantially exceeding a predetermined maximum allowed power consumption for the dialysis machine. The instantaneous power consumed by the machine is measured and compared to the maximum allowed power consumption. The excess of power beyond the instantaneous power consumed up to the maximum allowed power consumption is then made available to the heater. The worst case power consumption limitations of the dialysis machine components do not adversely affect the heat available from the heater. The rate at which dialysis treatments may progress may increase or the time required for dialysis treatments may decrease.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dialysis machine which consumes electrical power supplied from an electrical service but which is limited by a predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value, the dialysis machine including an electrical heater for heating dialysate supplied to a dialyzer to a selected temperature during a dialysis treatment, the dialysis machine also including components other than the heater, the heater and the other components consuming electrical power supplied to the machine from the electrical service, the dialysis machine also including a power management system operative to regulate the relative amount of electrical power delivered to the heater and to the other components without exceeding the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value, the power management system comprising:
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a power sensor connected to the electrical service and operative to supply a power signal related to an amount of instantaneous power consumed by the machine; and a controller responsive to the power signal and operative to; derive a power consumed value from the power signal, the power consumed value related to the power actually consumed by the dialysis machine; compare the power consumed value to the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value; and
in response to the comparisoncontrol the total amount of power delivered to the heater to make available the maximum amount of power to the heater which still assures supply of power needed for consumption by the other components while simultaneously regulating the total power consumption of the dialysis machine to a value not substantially exceeding the predetermined maximum allowed electrical power consumption value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of regulating electrical power delivered to a dialysate heater to heat dialysate in a dialysis machine without substantially exceeding a predetermined maximum allowed power consumption of the dialysis machine, comprising the steps of:
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measuring instantaneous power consumed by the machine; comparing the instantaneous power consumed by the machine to the maximum allowed power consumption; determining from the comparing step any excess of power beyond the instantaneous power consumed up to the maximum allowed power consumption; making the excess power available for use by the heater. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of regulating electrical power delivered to a dialysate heater to heat dialysate in a dialysis machine without substantially exceeding a predetermined maximum allowed power consumption of the dialysis machine, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a desired amount of power to be delivered to the heater according to a desired temperature of the dialysate and without regard to power consumed by the dialysis machine; sensing an instantaneous power consumed by the dialysis machine; determining whether the instantaneous power consumed is greater than or less than the predetermined maximum allowed power consumption; reducing the desired amount of power to be delivered to the heater if the instantaneous power consumed is greater than the predetermined maximum allowed power consumption; and delivering the desired amount of power to the heater if the instantaneous power consumed is less than the predetermined maximum allowed power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification