Method and apparatus for energy-efficient temperature-based systems management

• US 8,014,902 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki; Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUGHLIN, NATHAN L
• Application Number:
  US12/036,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20090211986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 700/14, 700/55, 700/275, 700/282, 700299-300, 449/0, 449/3
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/129 Systems for heating the water content of swimming pools solar collectors using pools F24S10/17, F24S10/10; by solar radiation F24S20/02
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

A system for load control in an electrical power system is described, wherein one or more temperature-monitoring devices are provided to control operation of a pool pump. When ambient temperatures are relatively high, and thus, electrical power demands from air conditioning systems are relatively high, the temperature-monitoring devices can remove power from the controlled device during the hottest portions of the day. The temperature-monitoring devices can provide power to the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day. During heat waves or other periods of relatively continuous high heat, the temperature-monitoring devices can schedule power to the controlled devices to reduce overall power demands and to run the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day when air conditioning electrical loads are reduced. The temperature-monitoring devices can also coordinate operation of the pool pump and a pool heater.

Claims

1. An apparatus for energy efficient operation of a pool pump and heater system, comprising:

a pump;

a control system configured to receive water temperature data from water in a pool serviced by said pump; and

a heater that heats said water, said control system calculating a start time to turn on said heater and said pump such that said water will be at a desired temperature at a desired future time, said control system calculating filtration times to run said pump before said start time, said filtration times computed based at least in part on said start time and at least in part on a desired average of filtration time operating over a time period, said control system running said pump during said filtration times, said control system activating said heater at said start time.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further configured to receive a shutdown command.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further configured to receive a command to shutdown for a specified period of time.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus further comprising a modem.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus further comprising a power line modem.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus further comprising a wireless modem.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control system controls an operating speed of said pump.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control system operates said pump for at least a specified amount of time during a 24-hour period.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power line networking modem configured to receive ambient temperature data and provide said ambient temperature data to said control system.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver configured to receive ambient temperature data and provide said ambient temperature data to said control system.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said desired average is computed over a 24-hour time period.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said desired average is computed over a one week time period.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said desired average is computed over a time period specified by a user.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a pump for a pool;

a heater configured to heat water in the pool;

a control system configured to run the pump, activate the heater, and receive temperature data of water in the pool serviced by the pump;

wherein the control system calculates a start time to turn on the heater and the pump such that the water in the pool will be at a desired temperature at a desired future time, the control system calculating filtration times to run the pump, the filtration times being computed based at least in part on the start time and at least in part on a desired average of filtration time operating over a time period.