Method for reducing the load imposed on a power source, and apparatus for implementing the method
First Claim
1. A load reduction method for selectively dropping a first load that is connected between a first-leg line and a second-leg line while supplying power to a second load that is connected between a neutral line and one of the first-leg and second-leg lines, said method comprising:
- (a) supplying AC power to the first-leg line;
(b) supplying AC power to the second-leg line, the AC power supplied to the second-leg line having a phase angle of about 180°
with respect to the AC power supplied to the first-leg line; and
(c) changing the phase angle of the second-leg line with respect to the first-leg line to about 0°
to drop the first load while continuing to supply power to the second load.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load reduction system switches from a commercial power distribution system to an onsite power source when a fault in the commercial distribution system is detected, and reduces the drain on the on-site power source by effectively eliminating 240 volt loads such as an electric water heater or stove. This load reduction accomplished by shifting the phase of 120 volt AC power that is applied to a user line by approximately 180°, so that the potential difference between this user line and another user line that receives 120 volt AC power is reduced from 240 volts AC to a small value. Power can still be received by 120 volt loads from the two user lines and a further, neutral, user line. A load reduction system in accordance with the present invention may also be employed with a portable generator, for example, to permit selective removal of 240 volt loads while the generator continues to power 120 volt loads.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A load reduction method for selectively dropping a first load that is connected between a first-leg line and a second-leg line while supplying power to a second load that is connected between a neutral line and one of the first-leg and second-leg lines, said method comprising:
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(a) supplying AC power to the first-leg line;
(b) supplying AC power to the second-leg line, the AC power supplied to the second-leg line having a phase angle of about 180°
with respect to the AC power supplied to the first-leg line; and
(c) changing the phase angle of the second-leg line with respect to the first-leg line to about 0°
to drop the first load while continuing to supply power to the second load.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A load reduction method for selectively dropping a load that is connected between a first-leg line and a second-leg line while supplying power to another load that is connected between a neutral line and one of the first-leg and second-leg lines, said method comprising:
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(a) monitoring a commercial power distribution system to detect a fault in the commercial power distribution system;
(b) supplying AC power from the commercial power distribution system to the first-leg line unless a fault has been detected and supplying AC power derived from an onsite power source to the first-leg line if a fault has been detected;
(c) supplying AC power to the second-leg line, the AC power supplied to the second-leg line having a phase angle of about 180°
with respect to the AC power supplied to the first-leg line; and
(d) changing the phase angle of the second-leg line with respect to the first-leg line to about 0°
to drop the load that is connected between the first-leg and second-leg lines,wherein step (c) comprises supplying AC power from the commercial power distribution system to the second-leg line unless a fault has been detected and supplying AC power derived from the on-site power source to the second-leg line if a fault has been detected, and wherein step (d) is conducted when a fault is detected. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A load reduction system for selectively dropping a first load that is connected between a first-leg line and a second-leg line while supplying power to a second load that is connected between a neutral line and one of the first-leg and second-leg lines, comprising:
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means for supplying AC power to the first-leg line;
means for supplying AC power to the second-leg line, the AC power supplied to the second-leg line having a phase angle of about 180°
with respect to the AC power supplied to the first-leg line; and
means for changing the phase angle to about 0°
to drop the first load while continuing to supply power to the second load.- View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A load reduction system for selectively dropping a load that is connected between a first-leg line and a second-leg line while supplying power to another load that is connected between a neutral line and one of the first-leg and second-leg lines, comprising:
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means for monitoring a commercial power distribution system to detect a fault in the commercial power distribution system;
means for supplying AC power to the first-leg line;
means for supplying AC power to the second-leg line, the AC power supplied to the second-leg line having a phase angle of about 180°
with respect to the AC power supplied to the first-leg line; and
means for changing the phase angle to about 0°
to drop the load that is connected between the first-leg and second-leg lines,wherein the means for supplying AC power to the first-leg line comprises means for supplying AC power from the commercial power distribution system to the first-leg line unless a fault has been detected and means for supplying AC power derived from an on-site power source to the first-leg line if a fault has been detected, wherein the means for supplying AC power to the second-leg comprises means for supplying AC power from the commercial power distribution system to the second-leg line unless a fault has been detected and means for supplying AC power derived from the on-site power source to the second-leg line if a fault has been detected, and wherein the means for changing the phase angle is actuated when a fault is detected.
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18. A method for controlling electrical power consumption, comprising:
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(a) supplying power to a first load that is connected between a neutral line and a first-leg line that carries an AC voltage, (b) supplying power to a second load that is connected between the first-leg line and a second-leg line that carries an AC voltage which is about 180°
out of phase with the voltage carried by the first leg line;
(c) changing the phase of the AC voltage carried by the second-leg line to about 0°
to drop the second load without dropping the first load.- View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification