Load sensor and controller/manager

• US 6,252,311 B1
• Filed: 09/27/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baan Development BV
• Original Assignee: Baan Development BV
• Inventors: West, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/405,955
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 307/24, 307/31-35, 307/39, 307/52-59, 307/62, 307/130, 307/131, 307/126, 307/140, 340/644, 361/187, 361/191
• US Class Current: 307/29
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/007 Detection of the absence of a load
• 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 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A sensor remote from the load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting the initial minuscule alternating current flow across the load'"'"'s open/close switch upon closure of the open/close switch. After the sensor detects the initial minuscule alternating current flow, according to a predetermined paradigm, the controller/manager activates, delays or inhibits delivery of alternating current to the load to be managed. The sensor and/or the controller/manager is easily connected to the localized preexisting circuits of either stationary dwellings or movable domiciles and is well suited for managing the numerous appliance loads commonly found in dwelling or domiciles.

Claims

1. In combination, a controller, with a localized preexisting circuit, for detecting an initial alternating current flow across a load'"'"'s open/close switch and for managing subsequent alternating current flow across said load'"'"'s open/close switch, said combination comprising:

a) said localized preexisting circuit coupled with said load'"'"'s open/close switch; and

b) said controller connected to said localized preexisting circuit at a location remote from said load'"'"'s open/close switch, wherein said controller further comprises;

i) a memory coupled to an electro-optical sensor for receiving input from said electro-optical sensor; and

ii) a sub-combination, including a relay, for receiving management output signals supplied by said memory, wherein said relay manages said subsequent alternating current flow across said load'"'"'s open/close switch and supplies direct current to said electro-optical sensor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the maximum amperage absorbable by said load is 50 amperes or less.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said electro-optical sensor initially detects less than 0.0250% of said load'"'"'s maximum amperage across said load'"'"'s open/close switch.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said sub-combination further comprises a transformer.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said controller is located at or about said localized preexisting circuit'"'"'s primary source of power.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said electro-optical sensor detects said initial alternating current flow across said load'"'"'s open/close switch in the range of from about 50 microamperes to about 2 milliamperes.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said sub-combination further includes:

a) at least two resistors; and

b) at least one diode.

8. In combination, a first controller for detecting an initial alternating current flow across a first load'"'"'s open/close switch and for managing subsequent alternating current flow across said first load'"'"'s open/close switch, said combination comprising:

a) a plurality of localized preexisting circuits wherein said first controller is connected to a first localized preexisting circuit at a location remote from said first load'"'"'s open/close switch; and

b) said first controller further comprising;

i) a memory coupled to a first electro-optical sensor for receiving input from said first electro-optical sensor; and

ii) a first sub-combination, including a first relay, for receiving management output signals supplied by said memory, wherein said first relay manages said subsequent alternating current flow across said first load'"'"'s open/close switch and supplies direct current to said first electro-optical sensor.

9. The invention of claim 8, said first controller'"'"'s first sub-combination further comprising a transformer.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said first controller is located at or about said first localized preexisting circuit'"'"'s primary source of power.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said first electro-optical sensor detects less than 0.250% of said first load'"'"'s maximum amperage.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said first electro-optical sensor detects said initial alternating current in the range of from about 50 microamperes to about 2 milliamperes crossing said first load'"'"'s open/close switch.

13. In combination, a load manager for managing absorption of alternating current of a first and a second load, said combination comprising:

a) a plurality of localized preexisting circuits;

b) a first controller remote from a first load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting closure of said first load'"'"'s open/close switch of a first localized preexisting circuit and thereafter activating, delaying or inhibiting relay of said alternating current over said first load'"'"'s open/close switch;

c) a second controller remote from a second load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting closure of a second load'"'"'s open/close switch of a second localized preexisting circuit and thereafter activating, delaying or inhibiting relay of said alternating current over said second load'"'"'s open/close switch

d) a memory coupled to said first and said second controllers for managing delivery of said alternating current over said first load'"'"'s open/close switch and said second load'"'"'s open/close switch wherein management of activation, delay or inhibition of each of said controllers is dependent upon a predetermined paradigm stored in said memory;

e) said first controller further comprising a first sub-combination including a first electro-optical sensor and a first relay, for receiving management output signals supplied by said memory, wherein said first relay manages said subsequent alternating current flow across said first load'"'"'s open/close switch and supplies direct current to said first electro-optical sensor; and

f) said second controller further comprising a second sub-combination including a second relay.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said memory is a function of a microprocessor.

15. The invention of claim 14, each of said first and second sub-combinations further comprising a transformer.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said first sub-combination further includes:

a) at least two resistors; and

b) at least one diode.

17. In combination, a load manager for managing absorption of alternating current of at least three loads, said combination comprising:

a) at least three localized preexisting circuits;

b) a first controller remote from a first load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting closure of said first load'"'"'s open/close switch of a first localized preexisting circuit and thereafter activating, delaying or inhibiting relay of said alternating current over said first load'"'"'s open/close switch;

c) a second controller remote from a second load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting closure of a second load'"'"'s open/close switch of a second localized preexisting circuit and thereafter activating, delaying or inhibiting relay of said alternating current over said second load'"'"'s open/close switch;

d) a third controller remote from a third load'"'"'s open/close switch for detecting closure of a third load'"'"'s open/close switch of a third localized preexisting circuit and thereafter activating, delaying or inhibiting relay of said alternating current over said third load'"'"'s open/close switch;

e) a microprocessor coupled to said first, said second and said third controllers for managing delivery of said alternating current over said first load'"'"'s, said second load'"'"'s and said third load'"'"'s open/close switches, wherein management of activation, delay or inhibition of each of said controllers is dependent upon a predetermined paradigm stored in said microprocessor;

f) said first controller further comprising a first sub-combination including a first electro-optical sensor and a first relay, for receiving management output signals supplied by said memory, wherein said first relay manages said subsequent alternating current flow across said first load'"'"'s open/close switch and supplies direct current to said first electro-optical sensor;

g) said second controller further comprising a second sub-combination including a second relay; and

h) said third controller further comprising a third sub-combination.

18. The invention of claim 17, each of said first, second and third sub-combinations further comprising a transformer.

19. The invention of claim 18 wherein;

a) said first sub-combination further includes a resistor and a diode;

b) said second sub-combination further includes a resistor and a diode; and

c) said third sub-combination further includes a resistor and a diode.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said first electro-optical sensor detects said initial alternating current in the range of from about 50 microamperes to about 2 milliamperes crossing said first load'"'"'s open/close switch.