System for energy sensing analysis and feedback

• US 6,993,417 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Original Assignee: Robert Osann Jr
• Inventors: Osann, Robert Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, PAUL L
• Application Number:
  US09/949,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20030050737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 700/90, 700/275, 700/286, 700/291, 700/297, 702/57, 702 60- 62, 702 64- 68, 702/70, 702/71, 705/412, 340/635, 340/637, 340/654
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/00 Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/06 by electronic methods
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• 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 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 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system is described where the existing proliferation of standard electrical junction boxes in a typical home or building implement a form of “Bio-Feedback for Home Energy”, increasing user awareness and enabling more effective and efficient energy usage. Energy-related information is gathered by way of EMAC (Energy Monitoring And Control) points typically installed at standard electrical junction boxes used for power plug receptacles and wall switches. In addition to being visually displayed at the point of energy use or measurement, energy-related information—electrical and thermal—is typically communicated through a powerline or wireless data link to a centrally located intelligent device where it is monitored, analyzed, profiled, viewed, and also used for energy-related control functions. Energy consumption can be alternately displayed in terms of cost-per-time. Energy monitoring may be also added at the electrical breaker box to supplement distributed EMAC points.

Claims

1. A portable energy monitoring point designed to plug into a standard power plug receptacle at an electrical junction box, including within said portable energy monitoring point:

a plurality of power plug receptacles;

integral current sensors capable of determining measured levels of electrical current consumed by electrical loads connected to any of said plurality of power plug receptacles;

an integral circuit for providing said measured levels of electrical current in digital form;

an integral digital communications circuit capable of sending and receiving digital information, including said measured levels of electrical current consumed, to and from a remote device; and

an integral digitally controlled display.

2. The portable energy monitoring point of claim 1, where said digital communications circuit capable of sending and receiving digital information to and from a remote device does so by way of a power line connection available at the junction box.

3. The portable energy monitoring point of claim 2, further including:

an integral sensor for measuring an ambient temperature; and

an integral circuit for providing said measured ambient temperature in digital form and making said digital ambient temperature available to said digital communications circuit and/or an integral display.

4. The portable energy monitoring point of claim 1, further including:

an integral sensor for measuring an ambient temperature; and

an integral circuit for providing said measured ambient temperature in digital form and making said digital ambient temperature available to said digital communications circuit and/or an integral display.