Battery enhanced, smart grid add-on for appliance

• US 8,400,113 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Andrew Waring
• Original Assignee: Mark Andrew Waring
• Inventors: Waring, Mark Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US13/025,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20120206108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 320/137
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• 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: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• 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: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/12 Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• 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 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for satisfying a demand response (DR) signal includes receiving the DR signal from an external source through a communication module; connecting an energy storage source to an appliance; charging the energy storage source during a first DR period specified by the external source; and disconnecting line power and using power from the energy storage source during a second DR period.

Claims

1. An apparatus to provide demand response (DR) control of an appliance having a power load, comprising:

a. a rechargeable battery connected to the appliance;

b. a communication module to receive DR communications from an external source;

c. a switch coupled to a line power and the rechargeable battery; and

d. a controller coupled to the switch and the communication module, the controller connecting line power to the power load during a first DR period and connecting the rechargeable battery to the power load during a second DR period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of independent packages to allowing a plurality of battery hierarchy to power the appliance.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power load comprises one of:

an alternating current (AC) motor, a direct current (DC) motor, an AC heater, and a DC heater.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication module communicates over wired path or a wireless path.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an AC/DC converter coupled to the line power and to the rechargeable battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an inverter coupled to the rechargeable battery to generate AC power for an AC power load.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery is supplied directly to a DC power load.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an inverter coupled to the rechargeable battery to drive an AC power load.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the line power is provided to an AC power load and a DC converter to recharge the rechargeable battery during the first DR period.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery output is provided to an inverter during the second DR period to reduce line power consumption.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a bi-directional DC/AC inverter coupled to an appliance AC power load and an appliance DC power load.

12. A method for satisfying a demand response (DR) signal, comprising:

a. receiving the DR signal from an external source through a communication module;

b. connecting an energy storage source to an appliance;

c. charging the energy storage source during a first DR period specified by the external source; and

d. disconnecting line power and using power from the energy storage source during a second DR period.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising inverting battery energy to generate an alternating current (AC) voltage and providing the AC voltage to an AC power load.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising providing bi-directional communications from the appliance to the external source or vice versa to optimize a power grid.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising monitoring and capturing data on the power load, rechargeable battery and receiving control signals from the external source.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising monitoring the power load, the battery pack.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the power load comprises one of:

an alternating current (AC) motor, a direct current (DC) motor, an AC heater, and a DC heater.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the external source comprises a local software management system within a building.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the external source comprises a utility or a third party.

20. An appliance, comprising

a. a power load coupled to the appliance;

b. communication module to receive a demand response (DR) signal from an external source;

c. a back-up energy source coupled to the power load and to the communication module and receiving line power, wherein the back-up energy is charged during a first DR period specified by an external source and discharged during a second DR period specified by the external source; and

d. a switch to disconnect line power during the second DR period.