Devices and methods for determining whether an electrical device or component can sustain variations in voltage

• US 9,366,702 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Steele, Scott A., Alberth, William P. Jr., Hartsfield, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnes-Bullock, Crystal J
• Application Number:
  US13/974,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20150057825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/2513 Arrangements for monitoring electric power systems, e.g. power lines or loads; Logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• 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 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/221 General power management systems
• 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 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy. In some embodiments, the method may include coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical energy is delivered at a first electrical energy level, obtaining a first measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second electrical energy level different than the first electrical energy level, obtaining a second measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level, and comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current.

Claims

1. A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy, the method comprising:

coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy;

delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical energy is delivered at a first electrical energy level;

obtaining a first measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level;

delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second electrical energy level different than the first electrical energy level;

obtaining a second measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level;

comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current; and

controlling or varying the electrical power delivered to the electrical appliance based on the result of the comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electrical energy level is less than the first electrical energy level.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current includes determining whether the second measurement of current is greater or less than the first measurement of current.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, if the second current is less than first current, maintaining delivery of constant electrical energy to the electrical appliance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the first current is substantially similar to the second current, reducing an electrical energy delivered to the electrical appliance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the source of electrical energy includes a power delivery device including at least one TRIAC and relay.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the power delivery device is in communication with an automation system, wherein the automation system includes a processor configured to perform the comparing.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the automation system includes a memory stores an electrical tolerance data of the appliance.

9. A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy, the method comprising:

coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy;

delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance;

monitoring the electrical energy delivered to the electrical appliance;

analyzing the electrical energy delivered to the electrical appliance to identify a current waveform and a voltage waveform;

analyzing the identified current and voltage waveforms, and

controlling or varying the electrical energy delivered to the appliance based on the analysis;

wherein a power delivery device will reduce the electrical energy supplied to the appliance upon command, only if the analyzing has indicated that the appliance can operate with reduced electrical energy.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein analyzing the identified current and voltage waveforms includes determining one of:

(1) a power factor, (2) whether the current waveform leads the voltage waveform, and (3) whether the voltage waveform leads the current waveform.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, if the power factor is below a predetermined threshold, reducing a voltage delivered to the electrical appliance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined threshold is 1.0.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined threshold is 0.7.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, if the power factor is above a predetermined threshold, maintaining delivery of constant voltage to the electrical appliance.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the source of electrical energy is in communication with an automation system, wherein the automation system includes a processor configured to perform the analyzing steps.

16. An automation system, comprising:

a power delivery device, wherein the power delivery device includes at least one sensor for measuring electrical energy supplied by the power delivery device to an appliance, and wherein the power delivery device is configured to vary a voltage supplied by the power delivery device; and

a control unit having a processor including a memory, that is operably coupled to the power delivery device;

wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether the appliance coupled to the outlet can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy without compromising desired performance.

17. The automation system of claim 16, wherein determining whether the appliance coupled to the outlet can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy comprises:

measuring a first current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level;

delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second level different than the first level;

measuring a second current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level;

comparing the first current to the second current; and

controlling or varying the electrical power delivered to the electrical appliance based on the result of the comparison.

18. The automation system of claim 16, wherein determining whether an appliance coupled to the outlet can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy comprises:

coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy;

delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance;

monitoring the electrical energy delivered to the electrical appliance;

analyzing the electrical energy delivered to the electrical appliance to identify a current waveform and a voltage waveform; and

analyzing the identified current and voltage waveforms.

19. The automation system of claim 16, wherein the power delivery device is an electrical outlet.