Intelligent Infrastructure Power Supply Control System

• US 20090058185A1
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Schoettle, Roland
• Application Number:
  US12/168,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/35
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a power grid by controlling individual power outlets with respect to a premises. The outlets are each assigned a priority level and when management is necessary, the system operates to activate/deactivate the outlets by changing the priority level. The outlets then each respond according to their individual programming. In one embodiment, certain devices, or certain outlets in a chain of outlets, may remain activated under control of auxiliary power even when the outlet is deactivated. In one embodiment, the auxiliary power is common to a group of devices.

Claims

1. A power system comprising:

a plurality of outlets, each said outlet operable for providing an electrical connection to devices external to said power system; and

a control device in certain of said outlets, said control device operable for activating/deactivating said outlet electrical connection based upon received priority level signals.

2. The power system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for storing, in each said control device, a priority level individual to said control device.

3. The power control device of claim 2 further comprising:

means for allowing a user to selectively change said priority level from time to time.

4. The power system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for monitoring an amount of power available on a power grid, and

circuitry for sending a priority level signal based upon said amount of available power.

5. The power system of claim 4 wherein said monitoring circuitry monitors loads on said system.

6. The power system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for providing at least some electrical output power from ones of said outlets in which an electrical output connection is deactivated.

7. The power system of claim 6 further comprising:

an auxiliary power source for providing at least some electrical output power to said outlets.

8. The power system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of outlets are connected to a secondary power source, said secondary power source providing electrical power to said outlets along a path different from a primary path for providing power to said outlets.

9. The power system of claim 1 wherein said secondary power source is shared by a plurality of said plurality of power outlets.

10. A method of managing a power grid comprising:

monitoring said power grid to obtain a performance value for said power grid;

determining if said performance value exceeds a threshold value; and

if said performance value exceeds said threshold value then, sending a control signal to allow certain electrical outlets to take action to become deactivated from said power grid.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said control signal is a priority level signal.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

circuitry associated with said outlets for individually controlling said associated outlets upon receipt of said priority signal.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

providing a secondary power supply to at least a portion of said plurality of outlets, said secondary power supply available for providing power to said outlets without regard to said priority signal.

14. A power outlet comprising:

a first electrical connection to an electrical power supply;

a second connection permitting a device external to said power outlet to obtain said electrical power from said power outlet; and

a logic component responsive to signals from a power management system for activating/deactivating said power outlet so as to control electrical power to a connected external device.

15. The power outlet of claim 14 wherein said logic component comprises:

means for maintaining a priority level, said priority level indicative of a relative importance of said power outlet.

16. The power outlet of claim 15 wherein said priority level is user changeable from time to time.

17. The power outlet of claim 16 further comprising:

a switch configured to change said priority level.

18. The power outlet of claim 17 wherein said outlet is configured to receive from said device a signal to change said priority level from a default priority level to a temporary priority level.

19. The power outlet of claim 18 further comprising:

a second electrical connection, said second electrical connection providing electrical power to said power outlet.