Electrical energy control system

• US 6,799,091 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Alfred Bradford
• Original Assignee: James Alfred Bradford
• Inventors: Bradford, James Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank, Elliot L.
• Application Number:
  US10/047,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 700/292, 700/295, 700/296
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/54 according to a pre-established time schedule
• 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 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for the control of electrical energy use by an end-user includes a control panel that is disposed in an electrical distribution panel. The control panel includes a microprocessor and control lines that are adapted to set a main circuit breaker in an on or an off position as well as a plurality of the individual branch circuits. The control panel can be programmed by the end-user to comply with mandatory power outages to shut off the main circuit breaker when desired and to maintain it off for a predetermined period of time. Upon resumption of power, the control panel turns on the individual branch circuit breakers one at a time, pauses, and then turns on the next, and so on until all of the branch circuit breakers have been turned back on. According to an enhancement, the utility company can program the control panel via a telephone line and verify compliance with any required power outage.

Claims

1. An electrical energy control system adapted for use with an electrical distribution panel, comprising:

(a) means for controlling a main circuit breaker that is adapted to turn said main circuit breaker off and on;

(b) means for controlling a plurality of branch circuit breakers that is adapted to turn each of said plurality of branch circuit breakers off and on; and

(c) control means adapted for controlling said main circuit breaker and said plurality of branch circuit breakers and wherein when said main circuit breaker is off no electrical power is supplied to any of said plurality of branch circuits and wherein whenever electrical power to said main circuit breaker is interrupted or whenever said main circuit breaker is off said control means turns off all of said plurality of branch circuits and wherein subsequent to a restoration of electrical power to said main circuit breaker or when said main circuit breaker is urged into an on position said control means is adapted to sequentially turn on each of said branch circuit breakers beginning with a first of said plurality of branch circuits, retaining said first in an on position and then turning on a second of said plurality of branch circuits, retaining both said first and said second in an on position, and then turning on in like manner all of a remainder of said plurality of branch circuits until all of said branch circuits have been turned on; and

wherein said control means includes a control panel, and wherein said control panel includes a circuit panel and wherein said circuit panel includes a microprocessor, a real-time clock, a battery, a display, and means adapted for programming said microprocessor, and wherein said microprocessor includes a main control line that is operatively attached to a solenoid and wherein said solenoid is adapted to turn said main circuit breaker on arid off in accordance with a signal that is supplied by said microprocessor on said main control line.

2. The electrical energy control system of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor includes means for communicating with a remote location.

3. The electrical energy control system of claim 2 wherein said remote location includes a utility company.

4. The electrical energy control system of claim 3 wherein said microprocessor is adapted to be programmed by said utility company at which time and for what duration said main circuit breaker is to be in the off position.

5. The electrical energy control system of claim 4 wherein said system is adapted to communicate with said utility company to confirm compliance that said main circuit breaker was in the off position beginning at said time and lasting for said duration.

6. The electrical energy control system of claim 2 wherein said remote location includes an end-user of electricity supplied by a utility company.

7. The electrical energy control system of claim 1 wherein said control means is adapted to include a time delay after said control means has sequentially turned on one of said branch circuit breakers prior to turning on another of said branch circuit breakers.

8. The electrical energy control system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling a main circuit breaker includes a solenoid attached to said main circuit breaker.

9. The electrical energy control system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling a plurality of branch circuit breakers includes a branch solenoid attached to each of said branch circuit breakers.

10. An electrical energy control system adapted for use with an electrical distribution panel, comprising:

(a) means for controlling a main circuit breaker that is adapted to turn said main circuit breaker off and on;

(b) means for controlling a plurality of branch circuit breakers that is adapted to turn each of said plurality of branch circuit breakers off and on; and

(c) control means adapted for controlling said main circuit breaker and said plurality of branch circuit breakers and wherein when said main circuit breaker is off no electrical power is supplied to any of said plurality of branch circuits and wherein whenever electrical power to said main circuit breaker is interrupted or whenever said main circuit breaker is off said control means turns off all of said plurality of branch circuits and wherein subsequent to a restoration of electrical power to said main circuit breaker or when said main circuit breaker is urged into an on position said control means is adapted to sequentially turn on each of said branch circuit breakers beginning with a first of said plurality of branch circuits, retaining said first in an on position and then turning on a second of said plurality of branch circuits, retaining both said first and said second in an on position, and then turning on in like manner all of a remainder of said plurality of branch circuits until all of said branch circuits have been turned on;

wherein said control means includes a control panel, and wherein said control panel includes a circuit panel and wherein said circuit panel includes a microprocessor, a real-time clock, a battery, a display, and means adapted for programming said microprocessor, and wherein said microprocessor includes a main control line that is operatively attached to a solenoid and wherein said solenoid is adapted to turn said main circuit breaker on and off in accordance with a signal that is supplied by said microprocessor on said main control line, wherein said microprocessor includes means for communicating with a remote location, wherein said remote location includes a utility company, wherein said microprocessor is adapted to be programmed by said utility company at which time and for what duration said main circuit breaker is to be in the off position, and wherein said system is adapted to communicate with said utility company to confirm compliance that said main circuit breaker was in the of f position beginning at said time and lasting for said duration.