Load management device and method of use
First Claim
1. A load management system comprising a control device having means for establishing its electrical connection in series with an electric powered appliance, between said appliance and a source of electric power therefor, said device including a microprocessor, switch means coupled to said microprocessor under its control for controlling circuit completion and interruption between said source of electric power and said appliance, said microprocessor including clock means for maintaining real time, memory means coupled to said microprocessor for storing data furnished by said microprocessor, a battery coupled to at least said memory means for sustaining the memory capability of said memory means during interruption of power from said source of electric power, means for receiving electrical control signals from an external source for initiating commencement of either an ON interval or an OFF interval of allowable operation of said appliance, said microprocessor having been pre-programmed to perform a time-clock function of determining the duration of any such initiated interval, sensor means coupled to said microprocessor for sensing changes in the operation of said device, said microprocessor being pre-programmed to record the date and time of each change in its operating mode including each instance of change in programmed operation of said device, at least said memory means being housed in a removable plug-in structure whereby at least said memory means can be removed for independent down-loading of any data stored therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plug in device, furnished by an electric power utility to a customer, is installed by the customer between a wall outlet and an appliance, particularly a room air conditioner. The device contains a microprocessor that is programmable and controllable by the utility to determine the ON-OFF cycling of the appliance. The microprocessor with the aid of sensors records date and time of each instance that a programmed OFF interval is overridden through a manual input, and each instance of disconnection of appliance from device after the first connection. Also, the device is arranged on command to record the power being drawn by the attached appliance, either on a one time basis or on a scheduled interval over a predetermined time span. A remote transmitter is also provided as a source of customer I.D. and control signals for utility control of selected devices in use. Certain embodiments have a component that is installed by qualified personal, hard wired into a control circuit, having a removable component removable either by service personnel or the customer for return to the utility to read out the contents of its memory as to its history of use. Similarly, the customer installed unit is returned or has a component returned for utility readout.
174 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A load management system comprising a control device having means for establishing its electrical connection in series with an electric powered appliance, between said appliance and a source of electric power therefor, said device including a microprocessor, switch means coupled to said microprocessor under its control for controlling circuit completion and interruption between said source of electric power and said appliance, said microprocessor including clock means for maintaining real time, memory means coupled to said microprocessor for storing data furnished by said microprocessor, a battery coupled to at least said memory means for sustaining the memory capability of said memory means during interruption of power from said source of electric power, means for receiving electrical control signals from an external source for initiating commencement of either an ON interval or an OFF interval of allowable operation of said appliance, said microprocessor having been pre-programmed to perform a time-clock function of determining the duration of any such initiated interval, sensor means coupled to said microprocessor for sensing changes in the operation of said device, said microprocessor being pre-programmed to record the date and time of each change in its operating mode including each instance of change in programmed operation of said device, at least said memory means being housed in a removable plug-in structure whereby at least said memory means can be removed for independent down-loading of any data stored therein.
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18. A method of load management by an electric power utility of electric appliance demand comprising in combination the steps of furnishing a customer of said utility with a plug-in device for installation between a pre-selected appliance and an electric power source on premises of said customer which source is supplied with electricity by said utility;
- said device being provided with means for selectively controlling the ON-OFF periods of the appliance operation to which it is connected, means for sensing customer alteration of the utility intended operation of said device, and memory means for recording in said device its history of operation including each instance of customer alteration;
instructing said device to interrupt power consumption by said appliance during selected times of anticipated peak power usage;
periodically retrieving said device from said customer and reading the recorded contents of said memory to ascertain customer compliance with the utility schedule of power usage by said pre-selected appliance. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
- said device being provided with means for selectively controlling the ON-OFF periods of the appliance operation to which it is connected, means for sensing customer alteration of the utility intended operation of said device, and memory means for recording in said device its history of operation including each instance of customer alteration;
- 23. A load management system comprising a control device having means for establishing its electrical connection in series with an electric powered appliance, between said appliance and a source of electric power therefor, said device including a microprocessor, switch means coupled to said microprocessor under its control for controlling circuit completion and interruption between said source of electric power and said appliance, clock means associated with said microprocessor for maintaining real time, memory means associated with said microprocessor for storing data furnished by said microprocessor, means for receiving electrical control signals from an external source for programming said microprocessor to perform controlling and data recording functions, and sensor means coupled to said microprocessor for sensing at least the power drawn by said appliance, at least said memory means being housed in a removable plug-in structure whereby at least said memory means can be removed for down-loading of any data stored therein.
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25. A method of load management by an electric power utility of electric appliance demand comprising in combination the steps of providing a device for installation between a pre-selected appliance and an electric power source on premises of a customer of the power utility which source is supplied with electricity by said utility;
- said device being provided with a microprocessor, means for sensing the power drawn by said appliance, and memory means for recording in said device its history of operation; and
programming said microprocessor from a source external to said device to record receipt of a message, the power being drawn by the appliance, and to repeat the measurement of drawn power at a predetermined time interval over a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- said device being provided with a microprocessor, means for sensing the power drawn by said appliance, and memory means for recording in said device its history of operation; and
Specification