Multifunctional, intelligent power and communication device

• US 7,262,694 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shire LLC (Shire plc), Stem, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gaia Power Technologies, Inc. (iPower Systems Ltd.)
• Inventors: Olsen, Ib Ingemann, Pasquale, Nicholas Blaise
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US10/710,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 340531-53817, 340/539.1, 340/500, 340/501, 340/508, 340515-517, 34053911-5393, 340/2.28, 340/825, 340/3.1, 340 33- 332, 340/3.43, 340/3.44, 340/3.8, 340/292, 340/425.1, 340/425.2, 340657-664, 340/690, 700/22, 700/286, 700/292, 700/295
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 9/08 Two-way loud-speaking telephone systems with means for conditioning the signal, e.g. for suppressing echoes for one or both directions of traffic

Abstract

The current invention is a device connected to the power grid in order to perform beneficial functions for the end user and/or utility company such as backup power, power quality improvement, peak shaving of the electrical load, etc. Inside the device would be energy storage devices such as batteries, and intelligent hardware and software controlling charging, discharging and interactive communications.

Claims

1. A local power supply system for operation at a residential or commercial location comprising:

an interface configured to enable the local power supply system to connect to a power distribution grid that supplies power to the location;

a backup energy storage device configured to provide backup power to the location;

a power management controller coupled to the backup energy storage device, the power management controller being configured to control the charging and discharging of the backup energy storage device and to detect one or more conditions enabling distinction between at least a normal operation mode and an emergency operation mode; and

a wireless communications device, wherein;

the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to enable the backup energy storage device to supplement power supplied to the location by a remote power plant through the power distribution grid when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the normal operation mode,

the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to provide backup power to the location and the wireless communications device when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode, and

the wireless communications device is configured to enable communications between the location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage device when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode;

wherein, during emergency operation mode, the wireless communications device enables the power management controller to communicate with and control one or more remote devices despite a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled.

2. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the local power supply system is configured to function as a self-powered, emergency communications network node during emergency operation mode.

3. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications device comprises a network information server.

4. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications device comprises a repeater to relay communications in a wireless mesh network.

5. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein:

the power management controller is configured to detect a failure of the power distribution grid to supply power to the location from the remote power plant; and

the failure of the power distribution grid to supply power to the location from the remote power plant is a condition that corresponds to the emergency operation mode.

6. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein:

the power management controller is configured to detect a failure of the power distribution grid to supply power to the location from the remote power plant and to detect that a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the location is disabled; and

the failure of the power distribution grid to supply power to the location from the remote power plant and the disablement of the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the location are conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode.

7. The local power supply system of claim 6 wherein, during emergency operation mode, the wireless communications device is further configured to operate as a relay in an alternative communications network.

8. The local power supply system of claim 6 wherein, during emergency operation mode, the power management controller is further configured to control a local power generator in order to provide additional backup power to the residential or commercial location.

9. The local power supply system of claim 8 wherein the local power generator comprises one or more of a fuel cell, a gas turbine, a diesel generator, and a gas generator.

10. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the backup energy storage device comprises a battery.

11. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the backup energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

12. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein, during normal operation mode, the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to supplement the power supplied to the location by the remote power plant through the power distribution grid in order to accomplish one or more of power quality improvement, peak load reduction, peak shaving, and load leveling for the residential or commercial location.

13. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications device is configured to enable remote control of the local power supply system.

14. The local power supply system of claim 13 wherein remote control of the local power supply system comprises at least one of remote energy usage monitoring, power quality improvement, peak load reduction, peak shaving, and load leveling for the residential or commercial location.

28. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the location comprises a residential location.

29. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the location comprises a commercial location.

30. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the power management controller comprises an intelligent controller that includes a processor and memory.

31. The local power supply system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications device is configured to communicate over a communications infrastructure other than a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the location.

32. The local power supply system of claim 31 wherein the wireless communications device is configured to communicate over a cellular telephone communications infrastructure.

15. A local emergency power supply and communications system comprising:

a backup energy storage device configured to provide backup power to a residential or commercial location;

a controller coupled to the backup energy storage device, the controller being configured to control the charging and discharging of the backup energy storage device;

a communications device coupled to the controller; and

an emergency detection sensor configured to detect one or more conditions enabling distinction between an emergency operating mode and at least one other operating mode, wherein

the controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to enable the backup energy storage device to supplement power supplied to the location by a remote power plant when the one or more conditions detected by the emergency detection sensor collectively correspond to a mode other than the emergency operating mode and to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to provide backup power to the location and the communications device in response to the emergency detection sensor detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode, and

the communications device is configured to enable communication of an emergency condition to a remote communications device in response to the emergency detection sensor detecting the one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode wherein, during emergency operation mode, the communications device enables the controller to communicate with and control one or more remote devices despite a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled.

16. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the emergency detection sensor is an earthquake sensor and the one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode are conditions reflective of an earthquake.

17. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the emergency detection sensor is a chemical warfare sensor and the one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode are conditions reflective of an incident of chemical warfare.

18. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the emergency detection sensor is a biological warfare sensor and the one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode are conditions reflective of an incident of biological warfare.

19. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the communications device is configured to enable the controller to communicate with and shut down one or more remote pieces of critical equipment over a wide area in response to the emergency detection sensor detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode.

20. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the communications device is configured to operate in conjunction with a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure.

21. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the communications device comprises a wireless communications device.

22. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 21 wherein the communications device is configured to operate as a repeater to relay communications in a wireless mesh network.

23. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the backup energy storage device comprises a battery.

24. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the backup energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

25. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the backup energy storage device is configured to provide backup power to the location and the wireless communications device only after the emergency detection sensor detects one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode.

26. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the backup energy storage device is configured to begin providing backup power to the location and the wireless communications device after the emergency detection sensor detects one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode.

27. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 further comprising a global positioning system device configured to determine a precise indication of the location, wherein the communications device is further configured to enable the communication of the precise indication of the location to the remote communications device in response to the emergency detection sensor detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode.

33. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the location comprises a residential location.

34. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the location comprises a commercial location.

35. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the controller comprises an intelligent controller that includes a processor and memory.

36. The local emergency power supply and communications system of claim 15 wherein the backup energy storage device is configured to provide backup power to the location and the wireless communications device only in response to the emergency detection sensor detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operating mode.

37. A local power supply system for operation at a residential or commercial location, the local power supply system being configured for connectivity to a power distribution grid that supplies power to the residential or commercial location from a remote power plant during normal operation, the local power supply system comprising:

a backup energy storage device configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location;

a power management controller coupled to the backup energy storage device, the power management controller being configured to regulate the flow of energy into and out of the backup energy storage device; and

a wireless communications device coupled to the power management controller, wherein;

the local power supply system is configured to operate in emergency operation mode if the power distribution grid fails to supply power to the residential or commercial location from the remote power plant and if a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location is disabled, and

during emergency operation mode;

the backup energy storage device is configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location and the wireless communications device,

the wireless communications device is configured to enable communications between the residential or commercial location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage device and to enable the power management controller to communicate with and shut down one or more remote pieces of critical equipment despite the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled, and

the power management controller is configured to control a local power generator in order to provide additional backup power to the residential or commercial location, the local power generator comprising one or more of a fuel cell, a gas turbine, a diesel generator, and a gas generator.

38. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein:

the power management controller is configured to detect one or more conditions enabling distinction between at least a normal operation mode and an emergency operation mode;

the backup energy storage device is configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location and the wireless communications device in response to the power management controller detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode;

the wireless communications device is configured to enable communications between the residential or commercial location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage device and to enable the power management controller to communicate with and shut down one or more remote pieces of critical equipment despite the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled in response to the power management controller detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode; and

the power management controller is configured to control a local power generator in order to provide additional backup power to the residential or commercial location in response to the power management controller detecting one or more conditions that collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode, the local power generator comprising one or more of a fuel cell, a gas turbine, a diesel generator, and a gas generator.

39. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein:

the power management controller is configured to detect one or more conditions enabling distinction between at least a normal operation mode and an emergency operation mode; and

the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to enable the backup energy storage device to supplement power supplied to the location by the remote power plant though the power distribution grid when one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the normal operation mode.

40. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein the local power supply system is configured to function as a self-powered, emergency communications network node during emergency operation mode.

41. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein the wireless communications device comprises a network information server.

42. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein the wireless communications device comprises a repeater to relay communications in a wireless mesh network.

43. The local power supply system of claim 37 wherein, during emergency operation mode, the wireless communications device is further configured to operate as a relay in an alternative communications network.

44. A method for providing backup power to a residential or commercial location using a backup energy storage device configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location and that includes a power management controller configured to regulate the flow of energy into and out of the backup energy storage device and a wireless communications device, the residential or commercial location receiving power from a remote power plant during normal operation, the method comprising:

detecting a failure of the remote power plant to provide power to the residential or commercial location using the power management controller;

detecting a disablement of a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location using the power management controller;

determining to operate the backup energy storage device in emergency operation mode based on detecting the failure of the remote power plant to provide power to the residential or commercial location and detecting that the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure is disabled, wherein operating the backup energy storage device in emergency operation mode comprises;

providing backup power to the residential or commercial location and the wireless communications device,

using the wireless communications device to enable communications between the residential or commercial location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage device,

using the wireless communications device to enable the power management controller to communicate with and shut down one or more remote pieces of critical equipment despite the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled, and

controlling a local power generator using the power management controller in order to provide additional backup power to the residential or commercial location, the local power generator comprising one or more of a fuel cell, a gas turbine, a diesel generator, and a gas generator.

45. A local power supply device for operation at a residential or commercial location, the local power supply device being configured for connectivity to a power distribution grid that supplies power to the residential or commercial location from a remote power plant during normal operation, the local power supply device comprising:

a backup energy storage means configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location;

a power management controller means coupled to the backup energy storage device, the power management controller being configured to regulate the flow of energy into and out of the backup energy storage device; and

a wireless communications device coupled to the power management controller means, wherein;

the local power supply device is configured to operate in emergency operation mode if the power distribution grid fails to supply power to the residential or commercial location from the remote power plant and if a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location is disabled, and

during emergency operation mode;

the backup energy storage means is configured to provide backup power to the residential or commercial location and the wireless communications device,

the wireless communications device is configured to enable communications between the residential or commercial location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage means and to enable the power management controller means to communicate with and shut down one or more remote pieces of critical equipment despite the standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled, and

the power management controller means is configured to control a local power generator in order to provide additional backup power to the residential or commercial location, the local power generator comprising one or more of a fuel cell, a gas turbine, a diesel generator, and a gas generator.