System for minimizing the energy consumption of an electrical load

• US 5,673,202 A
• Filed: 04/07/1995
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Energy Management Team AG
• Original Assignee: Energy Management Team AG
• Inventors: Baldenweg, Urs, Sauter, Beat
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEMPER, MELANIE A
• Application Number:
  US08/416,685
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 364/492, 364/480, 364/493, 364/707, 395/750, 355/208
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005

Abstract

A controlling device is operated continuously throughout the day to minimize the energy consumption of an electrical load. The controlling device processes at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value. The control value is output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day. The at least one primary nominal value is adjusted for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using an output obtained by processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value. The at least one secondary measured value is influenced by a user. The energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized while the comfort level of the electrical load (i.e., readiness of the electrical load when usage is expected) is maximized or optimized.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing the energy consumption of an electrical load controlled by a controlling device, the controlling device operating continuously throughout each day, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) processing at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value, the control value being output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day; and

(b) adjusting the at least one primary nominal value for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using an output obtained by processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value, the at least one secondary measured value being influenced by a user,

wherein the energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one primary measured value is the time, the at least one primary nominal value is the delay in switching off the electrical load, the at least one secondary measured value is the frequency of use of the electrical load, and the secondary nominal value is a function which relates frequency of use to the delay in switching off.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the delay is variable.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

(c) storing data associated with at least one of the at least one primary measured value, at least one primary nominal value, at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value in a memory medium for use by the controlling device, the memory medium storing the data by time intervals which are partial intervals of typical usage periods.

5. A method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of:

(d) adjusting the at least one primary nominal value for individual conditions using stored data associated with at least one of the (i) at least one primary measured value, (ii) at least one primary nominal value, (iii) at least one secondary measured value, and (iv) at least one secondary nominal value.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one primary measured value is the clock time, the at least one primary nominal value represents the times that the electrical load is switched off and on, the at least one secondary measured value represents the frequency of use of the electrical load, and the secondary nominal value represents the limiting value of the frequency of use.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one primary nominal value is adjusted to switch on the electrical load prior to an expected time of usage.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one primary measured value is brightness, the at least one primary nominal value is the limiting value for the brightness, the at least one secondary measured value is the status of a regulating unit, and the secondary nominal value is a relative value for the status of the regulating unit.

9. A controlling device for minimizing energy consumption of an electrical load, the controlling device operating continuously throughout each day, the controlling device comprising

(a) a processor for (i) processing at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value, the control value being output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day,

(ii) processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value to obtain an output value, the at least one secondary measured value being influenced by a user, and

(iii) modifying the at least one primary nominal value for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using the at least one output value;

and

(b) a memory medium for storing data associated with at least one of the at least one primary measured value, the at least one primary nominal value, the at least one secondary measured value and the at least one secondary nominal value,

wherein the energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized.

10. A controlling device according to claim 9 wherein the memory medium is a non-volatile memory medium.

11. A controlling device according to claim 9 wherein the memory medium stores the data by time intervals which are partial intervals of typical usage periods.

12. A controlling device according to claim 9 wherein the processor modifies the at least one primary value for individual conditions using stored data associated with at least one of the (i) at least one primary measured value, (ii) at least one primary nominal value, (iii) at least one secondary measured value, and (iv) at least one secondary nominal value.

13. A machine comprising:

(a) a controlling device for minimizing energy consumption of an electrical load, the controlling device operating continuously throughout each day, the controlling device including;

(i) a processor for processing at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value, the control value being output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day,

processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value to obtain an output value, the at least one secondary measured value being influenced by a user, and

modifying the at least one primary nominal value for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using the at least one output value, and

(ii) a memory medium for storing data associated with at least one of the at least one primary measured value, the at least one primary nominal value, the at least one secondary measured value and the at least one secondary nominal value, wherein the energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized; and

(b) a regulating unit for receiving the control value.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the processor modifies the at least one primary value for individual conditions using stored data associated with at least one of the (i) at least one primary measured value, (ii) at least one primary nominal value, (iii) at least one secondary measured value, and (iv) at least one secondary nominal value.