Load management system

• US 7,356,384 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Gull, Philip, Stair, Kenny J., Sodemann, Wesley C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabrera; Zoila
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUGHLIN, NATHAN L
• Application Number:
  US11/180,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20060018069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 700/295, 700/287, 700/286, 700/22, 700/28, 700/31, 700/276, 700/278, 307/39, 361/90, 361/1
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/58 The condition being electrical
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/007 Arrangements for selectively connecting the load or loads to one or several among a plurality of power lines or power sources for providing uninterruptable power supply H02J9/00
• 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

A method, and a system that uses the method, of managing loads for residential use. The method includes connecting a first signal-responsive switch to a first load, and connecting a second signal-responsive switch to a second load that has a lower priority than the first load. The method also includes sensing first and second electrical signals from the respective first and second loads, and ensuring the first signal-responsive switch is in a CLOSED state and the second signal-responsive switch in an OPEN state after both a combination of the sensed first and second electrical signals exceeds a first threshold value and the sensed first electrical signal is below a second threshold value.

Claims

1. A method of managing one or more electrical loads of a residence with a load management system configured to be powered by a residential generator, the residence having a thermostat and an air-conditioning system and further having a load unrelated to the air-conditioning system, the load management system having a first signal-responsive switch connectable in circuit between the residential generator and the load, the load management system further having a second signal-responsive switch connectable in circuit between the thermostat and the air-conditioning system, the method comprising:

closing the first signal-responsive switch to permit a current from the residential generator to the load;

receiving a call from the thermostat requesting conditioned air, including receiving the call at the second signal-responsive switch;

interrupting the call with the second signal-responsive switch;

opening the first signal-responsive switch to prevent the current from the residential generator to the load based on receiving the call;

providing the call to the air conditioning system, including closing the second signal-responsive switch; and

closing the first signal-responsive switch based on the cessation of the call.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises generating a signal and applying the signal to the first signal-responsive switch, and wherein the closing the first signal-responsive switch is in response to the applying the signal.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the method further comprises generating a second signal after receiving the call and applying the second signal to the first signal-responsive switch, and wherein the opening the first signal-responsive switch is in response to the applying the second signal.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the providing the call occurs after the opening the first signal-responsive switch.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises determining whether the residential generator can power both the air-conditioning system and the load after the receiving the call and determining whether the residential generator can power the air-conditioning system after receiving the call, and wherein the opening the signal-responsive switch occurs when the residential generator cannot power both the air-conditioning system and the first load, but can power the air-conditioning system.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the signal-responsive switch comprises a relay.

7. A load management system for managing one or more electrical loads of a residence, the residence having a thermostat, an air-conditioning system, and a load unrelated to the air-conditioning system, the load management system configured to be powered by a residential generator, the load management system comprising:

a first signal-responsive switch adapted to be connected in circuit between the residential generator and the load, the first signal-responsive switch configured to permit a first current from the residential generator to the load;

a second signal-responsive switch configured to be connected in circuit between the thermostat and the air-conditioning system, the second signal-responsive switch configured to permit a second current from the thermostat to the air-conditioning system; and

a controller connected to the first signal-responsive switch and to the second signal-responsive switch, the controller being configured to

open the second signal-responsive switch,

close the first signal-responsive switch to permit the first current from the residential generator to the second load,

receive a call from the thermostat requesting conditioned air,

open the first signal-responsive switch to prevent the first current from the residential generator to the load based on receiving the call, and

close the second signal-responsive switch to permit the second current from the thermostat to the air-conditioning system, thereby providing the call to the air-conditioning system.

8. A load management system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to, after providing the call,

receive a cessation of the call from the thermostat to cease the request of conditioned air,

open the second signal-responsive switch to prevent the second current from the thermostat to the air-conditioning system after the receiving the cessation, and

close the first signal-responsive switch to permit the current from the residential generator to the load after the opening the second signal-responsive switch.

9. A load management system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the load management system further comprises a sensor adapted to sense first and second electrical signals associated with the load and the air-conditioning system, respectively, wherein the controller is further connected to the sensor, and wherein the controller is further configured to

determine, after receiving the call, whether the power required from the residential generator for both the air-conditioning system and the load would exceed a preset value, the determination being based on the first and second electrical signals,

determine whether the residential generator can power the air-conditioning system after the receiving the call without exceeding the preset value, the second determination being based on the second electrical signal, and

open the first signal-responsive switch when providing power to both the air-conditioning system and the first load would exceed the preset value, but powers the air-conditioning system and not powering the load would not exceed the preset value.

10. A load management system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a first current transformer associated with the load and a second current transformer associated with the air conditioner.

11. A load management system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first and second signal-responsive switches comprise first and second relays, respectively.