Low voltage load control switch

• US 9,342,062 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2012
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Boeshans, Brian, Allmaras, Kevin, Simonson, Brock, Rognli, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNN, DARRIN D
• Application Number:
  US13/625,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20140088777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297, 700/300
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/58 The condition being electrical
• 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: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

A method, device, and system for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device. The device can receive a control signal from a thermostat, where the control signal activates the device. The device can then determine when a control event is to occur. At such time, the device terminates power delivered to the power-consuming device and continues to withhold the power until the control event expires. When the control event has ended, the device allows power to flow to the power-consuming device. The device uses a timer and a communication component to send and receives signals associated with a control event to a user.

Claims

1. A method for controlling power delivered to a power-consuming device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a load control switch, a low voltage control signal from a thermostat, wherein the thermostat receives the low voltage control signal from a power source, wherein the low voltage control signal is less than a pre-determined threshold voltage, wherein the thermostat has an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein the enabled state allows the low voltage control signal to pass therethrough, and wherein the disabled state prevents the low voltage control signal from passing therethrough;

converting, using a control transformer of the load control switch, the low voltage control signal to a transformed control signal;

applying the transformed control signal to a power supply of the load control switch, wherein the power supply is activated upon receiving the transformed control signal, wherein the power supply, when activated, powers a plurality of components of the load control switch, wherein the plurality of components of the load control switch comprises a communication component and a timer;

determining, using the communication component and the timer, a start time of a control event;

terminating, using a relay at the start time of the control event, control power delivered to a contactor that feeds a power signal to the power-consuming device, wherein terminating the control power to the contactor prevents delivery of the power signal to the power-consuming device;

delivering, using the relay at an end time of the control event, the control power to the contactor, wherein delivering the control power to the contactor delivers the power signal to the power-consuming device; and

deactivating the load control switch when the low voltage signal from the thermostat is terminated,

wherein the low voltage control signal being less than the pre-determined threshold voltage allows installation of the load control switch without a licensed electrician.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the transformed control signal to the plurality of components comprises:

activating the communication component and a hardware processor, wherein the plurality of components comprises the communication component and the hardware processor;

receiving, using the communication component, the transformed control signal; and

activating, while receiving the transformed control signal, a remainder of components for controlling the control power delivered to the contactor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering, after determining the start time of the control event and using the relay prior to the start time of the control event, the control power to the contactor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the timer is constantly powered by a power source independent of the low voltage control signal from the thermostat.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the relay comprises a contact that is opened to terminate the control power based, in part, on a signal generated by a hardware processor in response to the control event.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the low voltage control signal is approximately 24 volts alternating current.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermostat sends the low voltage control signal when an ambient temperature exceeds a high temperature threshold.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the power-consuming device is an air conditioning unit.

9. A load control receiver, comprising:

a control transformer electrically coupled to a thermostat, wherein the control transformer receives a low voltage control signal originating from the thermostat and generates a transformed control signal, wherein the thermostat receives the low voltage control signal from a power source, wherein the low voltage control signal is less than a pre-determined threshold voltage, wherein the thermostat has an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein the enabled state allows the low voltage control signal to pass therethrough, and wherein the disabled state prevents the low voltage control signal from passing therethrough;

a power supply electrically coupled to the control transformer, wherein the power supply activates upon receiving the transformed control signal;

memory for storing a plurality of instructions;

a hardware processor coupled to the power supply and the memory, wherein the hardware processor executes the plurality of instructions stored in the memory;

a communication component communicably coupled to the hardware processor, wherein the communication component receives an instruction signal for a control event; and

a relay electrically coupled to the hardware processor, a power-consuming device, and the power supply, wherein the relay comprises a relay contact, wherein the relay contact has an open state and a closed state, wherein the open state is enabled during the control event, and wherein the closed state is enabled outside of the control event,

wherein the relay contact, when in the closed state, delivers the power processed by the power transformer to the power-consuming device, and

wherein the low voltage control signal being less than the pre-determined threshold voltage allows installation of the load control switch without a licensed electrician.

10. The load control receiver of claim 9, wherein the control transformer comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the power supply is electrically coupled to a voltage conductor and a neutral conductor of the secondary winding of the control transformer.

11. The load control receiver of claim 10, wherein the relay contact comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is electrically coupled to a voltage conductor of the primary winding of the control transformer, and wherein the second end is electrically coupled to a first end of a coil of a contactor.

12. The load control receiver of claim 11, wherein the coil of the contactor comprises a second end that is electrically coupled to a neutral conductor of the primary winding of the control transformer, wherein the primary winding of the control transformer is further electrically coupled to a secondary winding of a power transformer, wherein the secondary winding of the power transformer is further electrically coupled to the thermostat.

13. The load control receiver of claim 10, wherein the load control receiver further comprises a rectifier having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is electrically coupled to the voltage conductor of the primary winding of the control transformer, and wherein the second end is electrically coupled to the neutral conductor of the primary winding of the control transformer.

14. The load control receiver of claim 13, wherein the second end of the rectifier is further electrically coupled to the thermostat, and wherein the first end of the rectifier is further electrically coupled to a first end of the relay contact.

15. The load control receiver of claim 14, wherein the relay contact comprises a second end that is electrically coupled to a first end of a coil of a contactor, wherein the coil of the contactor comprises a second end that is electrically coupled to a secondary winding of a power transformer, wherein the secondary winding of the power transformer is further electrically coupled to the thermostat.

16. The load control receiver of claim 9, wherein the power supply comprises a full wave bridge rectifier.

17. The load control receiver of claim 9, wherein the communication component comprises a radio communication device.

18. The load control receiver of claim 9, further comprising:

a timer electrically coupled to an alternative power source, wherein the alternative power source is a 9 volt battery.

19. The load control receiver of claim 18, further comprising a battery detector and at least one light emitting diode to indicate a status of the battery.

20. A system, comprising:

a power-consuming device;

a power transformer that generates a low voltage control signal from a power signal received from a power source, wherein the low voltage control signal is less than a pre-determined threshold voltage;

a thermostat electrically coupled to the power transformer, wherein the thermostat has an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein the enabled state allows the control power to pass therethrough, and wherein the disabled state prevents the control power from passing therethrough;

a load control receiver electrically coupled to the thermostat and the power-consuming device, wherein the load control receiver comprises;

a control transformer electrically coupled to the thermostat, wherein the control transformer receives the low voltage control signal from the thermostat and generates a transformed control signal;

a power supply electrically coupled to the control transformer, wherein the power supply activates upon receiving the transformed control signal;

memory for storing a plurality of instructions;

a hardware processor electrically coupled to the power supply and the memory, wherein the hardware processor executes the plurality of instructions stored in the memory;

a communication component communicably coupled to the hardware processor, wherein the communication component receives a signal for a control event; and

a relay electrically coupled to the hardware processor, the power supply, and the power-consuming device, wherein the relay comprises a relay contact, wherein the relay contact has an open state and a closed state, wherein the open state is enabled during the control event, and wherein the closed state is enabled outside of the control event,

wherein the relay contact, when in the closed state, delivers the power processed by the power transformer to the power-consuming device, and

wherein the low voltage control signal being less than the pre-determined threshold voltage allows installation of the load control switch without a licensed electrician.