Method for controlling at least one load connected to a primary and a backup power supply

• US 7,933,689 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2010
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Warren, Donald, Smith, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ramesh B
• Application Number:
  US12/752,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 700/82, 700/292, 700/295, 700297-298, 713/300, 713/310, 713/340, 307/23, 307/29, 307/65
• US Class Current: 700/292
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems

Abstract

A method for controlling at least one load connected to a primary and a backup power supply having sensor for sensing a voltage on the primary power supply with a first voltage sensor; sensor for sensing a voltage on the backup power supply with a second voltage sensor and implementing a control algorithm in a controller to augment power from said primary power supply with power from the backup power supply in response to an input from the first and second voltage sensors and an input from at least one external sensor wherein the algorithm controls a switch between the at least one load and the primary and backup power supplies.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least one load connected to a primary and a backup power supply comprising the steps of:

a) sensing a voltage on said primary power supply with a first voltage sensor;

b) sensing a voltage on said backup power supply with a second voltage sensor;

c) implementing a control algorithm in a controller to augment power from said primary power supply with power from said backup power supply in response to an input from said first and second voltage sensors and an input from at least one external sensor;

wherein said algorithm controls a switch between said at least one load and said primary and backup power supplies.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said implementing step of step c) further comprises implementing said control algorithm in response to an input from an input device.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one input device comprises a programmable thermostat.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising sensing a current in a main electrical utility line connected to said primary power supply, wherein said implementing step of step c) further comprises implementing said control algorithm in response to an input from said sensing of said current in said main electrical utility line.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one external sensor comprises a first temperature sensor.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said first temperature sensor is placed inside a control area and a second temperature sensor is placed outside said control area.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one external sensor comprises a clock.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one load comprises a furnace.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one load comprises an air handler.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one load comprises a water heater.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said controller allows for storage of information sent from any of said at least one external sensor and any of said at least one input device in a memory.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one external sensor communicates wirelessly with said controller.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said backup power supply includes an inverting system and a charging system.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein a remote electronic device is coupled to said controller, said remote electronic device adapted to transmit information to said controller.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising sending information comprising a request from said remote electronic device to said controller directing said switch to connect said at least one load to said backup power supply.

16. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said implementing of step c) further comprises implementing an algorithm for operating a heating unit in either long-term comfort mode, short-term comfort mode, or long term protection mode based on information received from said sensors.