Demand response adaptor for connecting a device to a demand response system or home automation system

• US 9,417,615 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek Nv (Vito Nv)
• Original Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek Nv (Vito Nv)
• Inventors: Vanthournout, Koen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lindsay, Bernard G
• Application Number:
  US13/744,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20130184881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/047 the criterion being a time optimal performance criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/106 for selecting a programme, variable or parameter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2613 Household appliance in general
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• 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: 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 20/00 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 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

Demand response adaptor provided such that, depending on the device connected to the demand response adapter, the demand response control system can be provided with the second constraints corresponding to the device connected to the demand response adapter, wherein the demand response control system comprises software components for making the decision based on the first constraints, the second constraints and the third constraints, wherein the controller comprises software components for detecting the start of a program by analyzing the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time detected by the sensor and wherein the controller of the adaptor comprises software components for switching the relay to the nonconductive state when the start of the program is detected until, based on the decision of the demand response control system, the controller switches the relay switch to the conductive state.

Claims

1. A demand response adaptor configured to connect a device to a demand response system, comprising:

an electrical power input configured to receive electrical power from a power grid;

an electrical power output configured to be connected to the device and to transmit the electrical power received through the electrical power input to the device electrically connected to the power output;

a relay switch configured to control the flow of electrical power from the electrical power input to the electrical power output by being switchable between a conductive state allowing electrical power from the electrical power input to the electrical power output and a nonconductive state not allowing electrical power from the electrical power input to the electrical power output; and

a controller for connection to a demand response control system and configured to make a decision, depending on a combination of first constraints provided by a user and third constraints depending on availability of electrical power provided by the demand response system, whether electrical power should be allowed to the device, the controller being connected to the relay switch such that the controller can switch the relay switch between the conductive state and the nonconductive state depending on the decision of the demand response control system, wherein

the controller comprises a database connector connectable to a database of second constraints depending on the device connected to the demand response adapter through the electrical power output,

the controller of the demand response adaptor further comprises a sensor configured to measure the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time, wherein the database connector is connectable to the database of the second constraints such that, depending on the device connected to the demand response adapter,

the demand response control system is configured with the second constraints corresponding to the device connected to the demand response adapter, in that the demand response control system comprises software components configured to make the decision based on a combination of the first constraints, the second constraints and the third constraints, in that the controller comprises software components configured to detect the start of a program by the device by analyzing the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time detected by the sensor and in that the controller of the adaptor comprises software components configured to switch the relay to the nonconductive state, in response to a detection of the start of the program, until, based on the decision of the demand response control system, the controller switches the relay switch to the conductive state configured to complete execution of the program,

the first constraints comprise any one of the following;

the time when the program should be finished, the time when the program should start, and

the database connector is connected to the database of second constraints and in that the second constraints comprise any one of the following;

the duration of the longest program of the device,

the amount of electrical power in function of time needed to perform a program, and

the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time during the start of the specific program.

2. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor, configured to measure the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time, is a current sensor.

3. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a network interface.

4. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor comprises an adaptor housing separately encasing the adaptor from the device housing of the device.

5. The demand response adaptor according to claim 4, wherein the adaptor housing of the adaptor is configured to match the adaptor to the electrical power output and to receive an electrical plug of the device and a plug at the electrical power input configured to be received in an outlet.

6. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein

the demand response adaptor is further coupled to the device and is configured to connect the device to a demand response system or a home automation system, and

the electrical power input configured to receive electrical power from a power grid, the electrical power output being connected to the device and to transmit the electrical power received through the electrical power input to the device electrically connected to the power output.

7. The demand response adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the controller of the demand response adapter is connected to a network through a network interface, and

wherein the controller comprises the network interface.

8. The demand response adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the device is any one of the following:

washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher.

9. The demand response adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the device is configured to be programmed to perform the program and in that the device is configured to continue the program when provision of power to the device is switched on again by the controller of the demand response adaptor by switching the relay from the nonconductive state to the conductive state after the program has been started in the conductive state of the relay and the relay is switched to the nonconductive state upon detection of the start of the program.

10. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the device is connected to the demand response system through a network connection.

11. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the second constraints further comprise both a duration of the program and electrical characteristics of the program.

12. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the decision of the demand response system comprises a decision that the electrical power is less expensive than at the detection of the start of the program.

13. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is further configured to automatically switch the relay to the nonconductive state, in response to a detection of the start of the program.

14. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is further configured to automatically switch the relay to the nonconductive state, in response to a detection of an electrical pattern of power consumed with respect to time generated by the device at the start of the program.

15. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the second constraint is a duration of a longest program of the device.

16. The demand response adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the second constraint is a duration of the program of the device.

17. A method of using the demand response adaptor of claim 1 configured to connect a device to a demand response system, the method comprising:

connecting an electrical power input to a power grid to receive electrical power from the power grid;

connecting a database connector to a database of second constraints;

allowing transmittal of electrical power from the electrical power input to the electrical power output and to the device;

detecting a start of a program of the device by analyzing the amount of electrical power used by the device in function of time detected by a sensor;

switching a relay to the nonconductive state, in response to a detection of the start of the program, until a controller switches the relay switch to the conductive state to complete execution of the program based on a decision of the demand response control system; and

continuing with the program.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein before starting the program the device is programmed to perform the program.