Electrical distribution computer

• US 6,067,483 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Integrity Corp.
• Original Assignee: Power Integrity Corp.
• Inventors: Bradley, Allen J., Fesmire, James T., Goldbach, William R., Ford, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kemper, Melanie A.
• Application Number:
  US08/976,840
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 364/528.21, 364/528.27, 364/528.3, 307/11, 307/31, 307/38-41, 307/327, 307/326, 307/116-117, 307/125-126, 307/141, 307/141.4, 361/1, 361/3, 361/83, 361/103, 361/115, 361/118, 361/160, 361/170, 361/173, 361/191, 361/195, 340/825.06, 700/276, 700/296, 700/306
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances

Abstract

An electrical distribution computer panel for delivering and controlling power to a plurality of electrical circuits. The electrical distribution computer includes a unitary enclosure having a top, bottom, sides and a door. Located within the enclosure is a microprocessor having a central processing unit, a clock for providing a clock signal to the central processing unit, memory for storing an application program for the central processing unit and a remote communication circuit for providing communications to the electrical distribution computer from a remote device. Also located in the enclosure is an interface having a plurality of outputs and a plurality of inputs communicably associated with the microprocessor and a plurality of computer controllable circuit breakers having a circuit breaker input for receiving a circuit breaker control signal from the interface. A display for displaying information provided by the microprocessor is located on an outer wall of the enclosure. The display includes a display input for receiving a display signal from the interface. A keypad including an output for providing information to the interface is also located on an outer wall of the enclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical distribution computer for delivering and controlling power to a plurality of electrical circuits in a business facility comprising:

(a) a unitary enclosure, wherein said enclosure includes a back, top, bottom, sides and a door;

(b) a single processor means having a central processing unit, a clock for providing a clock signal to said central processing unit, memory for storing an application program for said central processing unit, said application program controlling at least lights, heating and air-conditioning of the business facility relative to the business operating hours instead of the time of day set through a series of menus for setting or editing schedules including delays for the conditions of closed, set up, store open, last customer, and clean up delays, thereby facilitating changes in the hours of operation whereby if the business hours are changed, each of said circuits is automatically changed with respect to the new business operating hours and an interface having a plurality of outputs and a plurality of inputs communicably associated with said processor means;

(c) a plurality of computer controllable circuit breakers having a circuit breaker input for receiving a circuit breaker control signal from said interface; and

(d) a single display directly connected to said single processor means for displaying information provided by said processor means includes said series of menus, said display having a display input for receiving a display signal from said interface, and a keypad having an output for providing information to said interface, wherein said display unit and said keypad are located on an outer wall of said enclosure to permit said processor means to be operated without opening said door.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of environmental sensors having an output for providing sensor signals proportional to environmental factors and an analog-to-digital converter for converting said sensor signals from said sensors into digital signals, said analog-to-digital converter including means to transmit said digital signals to said interface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said environmental sensors detect temperature and light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of relays having inputs for receiving a relay control signal from said interface, said relays configured to switch power on or off to said electrical circuits.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit includes one said circuit breaker and one said relay.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one said interface output controls the heating and air conditioning unit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one said interface output controls lighting circuits.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one said interface output controls at least one pump motor.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a remote bypass for delaying an event stored in the application program from being executed, said bypass providing a signal to said interface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a pedestal connected to said enclosure for supporting said enclosure and providing wiring space.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a main power input for receiving power from a power distribution line.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a main surge suppressor for suppressing power surges from said power distribution line.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of circuit surge suppressors for suppressing surges in said electrical circuits.

14. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said relay controls electrical power to an emergency cutoff switch.

15. An electrical distribution computer for delivering and controlling power to a plurality of electrical circuits in a business facility comprising:

(a) a unitary enclosure, wherein said enclosure includes a back, top, bottom, sides and a door;

(b) a single processor means having a central processing unit, a clock for providing a clock signal to said central processing unit, memory for storing an application program for said central processing unit, said application program controlling at least lights, heating and air-conditioning of the business facility relative to the business operating hours instead of the time of day set through a series of menus for setting or editing schedules including delays for the conditions of closed, set up, store open, last customer, and clean up delays, thereby facilitating changes in the hours of operation whereby if the business hours are changed, each of said circuits is automatically changed with respect to the new business operating hours, a remote communication means for providing communications to said electrical distribution computer from a remote device and an interface having a plurality of outputs and a plurality of inputs communicably associated with said processor means;

(c) a plurality of computer controllable circuit breakers having a circuit breaker input for receiving a circuit breaker control signal from said interface; and

(d) a single display directly connected to said single processor means for displaying information provided by said processor means including said series of menus, said display having a display input for receiving a display signal from said interface, and a keypad having an output for providing information to said interface, wherein said display unit and said keypad are located on an outer wall of said enclosure to permit said processor means to be operated without opening said door.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 further including a plurality of environmental sensors having an output for providing sensor signals proportional to environmental factors and an analog-to-digital converter for converting said sensor signals from said sensors into digital signals, said analog-to-digital converter including means to transmit said digital signals to said interface.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said environmental sensors detect temperature and light.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a plurality of relays having inputs for receiving a relay control signal from said interface, said relays configured to switch power on or off to said electrical circuits.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said electrical circuit includes one said circuit breaker and one said relay.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one said interface output controls the heating and air conditioning unit.

21. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one said interface output controls lighting circuits.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one said interface output controls at least one pump motor.

23. The apparatus according to claim 15 further including a remote bypass for delaying an event stored in the application program from being executed, said bypass providing a signal to said interface.

24. The apparatus according to claim 15 further including a pedestal connected to said enclosure for supporting said enclosure and providing wiring space.

25. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a main power input for receiving power from a power distribution line.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising a main surge suppressor for suppressing power surges from said power distribution line.

27. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a plurality of circuit surge suppressors for suppressing surges in said electrical circuits.

28. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said relay controls electrical power to an emergency cutoff switch.

29. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said remote communication means uses an RS232 transceiver.

30. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said remote communication means uses an RS422 transceiver.

31. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said remote communication means uses a modem.

32. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said memory includes read-only-memory.

33. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said memory includes random-access-memory.

34. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a security sensor for providing a security signal to said interface, wherein said processing means is programmed to handle an emergency situation when said security sensor is activated.