Electric power conservation system for storing electric power for use during off-peak hours

• US 7,915,760 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Jonathan Sr. Evans
• Original Assignee: Bruce Jonathan Sr. Evans
• Inventors: Evans, Bruce Jonathan Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fauth; Justen
• Application Number:
  US12/327,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20090152952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 307/43, 307/44, 307/45, 307/46, 307/64, 307/65, 307/66
• US Class Current: 307/46
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

An electric power conservation system to be used between an AC utility power source and a load circuit in a home or business. The electric power conservation system comprises an energy charger component, a DC rechargeable energy source, an inverter unit, a bypass isolation circuit, a monitor and control unit, coil contactors and contacts, and necessary circuitry for supplying a load circuit with the power it requires. The invention reduces consumption of electric power from public utility companies, thereby decreasing the load on the national electrical grid. Where utility companies offer lower off-peak rates to consumers of electrical power, it becomes exceedingly desirable to have such a system in place, to save consumers money. During normal operations wherein normal utility power is available, the load circuit derives part of its power from the AC utility power source, and the remaining power that it requires from the electric power conservation system.

Claims

1. An electric power conservation system for use between a primary power source and a load circuit, comprising:

a) a bypass isolation means operable between a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, for activating and deactivating the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) a first contact means operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a first actuating means;

c) a second contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit;

d) the first actuating means, that actuates the second contact means, the first actuating means being connected between the primary power source and the first contact means;

e) a monitor and control means for responding to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and for producing stimulus signals to energize system circuitry, so as to minimize the power supplied by the primary power source;

f) a third contact means operable between open and closed conditions to provide an energizing current path for a second actuating means, the third contact means being connected between the second actuating means and the monitor and control means;

g) the second actuating means, that actuates the third contact means, the second actuating means being connected between the third contact means and a return connection of the primary power source;

h) an energy charger component for supplying sufficient charge to a direct current rechargeable energy source, the energy charger component being connected between the bypass isolation circuit and the direct current rechargeable energy source, and deriving power from the primary power source;

i) the direct current rechargeable energy source for supplying power to an inverter unit, the direct current rechargeable energy source connected between the energy charger component and the inverter unit, and the direct current rechargeable energy source providing power for the inverter unit and the monitor and control means;

j) the inverter unit, that supplies required power to the load circuit, the inverter unit being connected between the direct current rechargeable energy source and the bypass isolation means;

k) a fourth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a third actuating means, the fourth contact means connected between a second connection point and a primary power return;

l) a fifth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the primary power source to the energy charger component, the fifth contact means being connected between the primary power source and the energy charger component;

m) the third actuating means, that actuates the fifth contact means, the third actuating means being connected between the primary power source and a manual bypass means;

n) a sixth contact means operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the inverter unit to the load circuit;

o) a fourth actuating means for actuating the sixth contact means, the fourth actuating means being connected between the monitor and control means and the primary power return;

p) an arc suppressing means for suppressing any arcing that occurs when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes; and

p) a break-before-make means for insuring that separate current paths remain isolated during switching between operating modes.

2. The electric power conservation system for use between a primary power source and a load circuit, comprising:

a) a bypass isolation component operable between a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, that activates and deactivates the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) a first contact operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a first actuator;

c) a second contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit;

d) the first actuator, that actuates the second contact, the first actuator being connected between the primary power source and the first contact;

e) a monitor and control that responds to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and produces stimulus signals to energize system circuitry, thus minimizing the power supplied by the primary power source;

f) a third contact operable between open and closed conditions that provides an energizing current path for a second actuator, the third contact being connected between the second actuator and the monitor and control;

g) the second actuator, that actuates the third contact, the second actuator being connected between the third contact and a return connection of the primary power source;

h) an energy charger component for supplying sufficient charge to a direct current rechargeable energy source, the energy charger component being connected between the bypass isolation circuit and the direct current rechargeable energy source, and deriving power from the primary power source;

i) the direct current rechargeable energy source for supplying power to an inverter unit, the direct current rechargeable energy source connected between the energy charger component and the inverter unit, and the direct current rechargeable energy source providing power for the inverter unit and the monitor and control;

j) the inverter unit, that supplies required power to the load circuit, the inverter unit being connected between the direct current rechargeable energy source and the bypass isolation component;

k) a fourth contact operable between open and closed conditions for providing an energizing current path for a third actuator, the fourth contact connected between a second connection point and a primary power return;

l) a fifth contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the primary power source to the energy charger component, the fifth contact being connected between the primary power source and the energy charger component;

m) the third actuator, that actuates the fifth contact, the third actuator being connected between the primary power source and a manual bypass;

n) a sixth contact operable between open and closed conditions for coupling the inverter unit to the load circuit;

o) a fourth actuator for actuating the sixth contact, the fourth actuator being connected between the monitor and control and the primary power return;

p) an arc suppressor, that suppresses arcing when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes; and

q) a break-before-make component that isolates separate current paths during switching between operating modes.

3. A method for conserving electric power, comprising the steps of:

a) activating and deactivating a bypass current path and an energy conservation current path, using a bypass isolation component operable between the bypass current path and the energy conservation current path;

b) providing an energizing current path for a first actuator, using a first contact operable between open and closed conditions;

c) coupling a bypass current from a primary power source to a load circuit, using a second contact operable between open and closed conditions;

d) actuating the second contact using the first actuator, with the first actuator being connected between the primary power source and the first contact;

e) minimizing the power supplied by the primary power source, using a monitor and control that responds to system conditions and load circuit requirements, and produces stimulus signals to energize system circuitry;

f) provides an energizing current path for a second actuator, using a third contact operable between open and closed conditions that, the third contact being connected between the second actuator and the monitor and control;

g) actuating the third contact, using the second actuator, with the second actuator being connected between the third contact and a return connection of the primary power source;

h) suppressing arcing when the contacts are manually switched between operating modes, using an arc suppressor; and

i) isolating separate current paths during switching between operating modes, using a break-before-make component.