Load management system
First Claim
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.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification