US5880677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for monitoring and controlling electrical consumption, including transceiver communicator control apparatus and alternating current control apparatus
Assignee: Powerweb Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-15
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2016-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A system that monitors and controls electrical power consumption that will be retrofitted to a typical consumer electrical power arrangement (typical arrangement-electrical feed line from a provider, a meter, a circuit breaker and individual input wiring to a plurality of electrical devices, appliances and outlets). The system includes a control unit which receives information from an electromagnetic pickup device from which real time electrical consumption is determined over very short periods of time. The control unit has a main data processing and storage processor for retaining information and it may include a communication microprocessor for sending signals to corresponding modules. The electromagnetic pickup device uniquely measures the electromagnetic flux emanating at each output wire from each of the individual circuit breakers in a breaker box. The modules have filters which release electrical power to the individual electrical devices, appliances and outlets at a controlled, economic rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy J. Lestician
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G01R; G01R21/00; G01R21/133; G01D2204/00; G01D2204/10; G01D2204/12; G01D2204/14; H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/13; H02J13/1311; H02J13/1337; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/242; Y04S20/30; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A system for monitoring and controlling electrical power consumption to be retrofitted to an existing consumer electrical power arrangement including an electrical feed line from a provider, a meter, a circuit breaker and individual output wiring to a plurality of electrical devices, appliances and outlets, which comprises: (a) a control unit having means for receiving information from an electromagnetic pickup device from which real time electrical consumption is determined, from which current and subsequent voltage are monitored, said control unit including a main data processing and storage microprocessor for retaining information and including a communications microprocessor for processing and sending signals to modules; (b) an electromagnetic pickup device adapted to be connected to the output side of wiring of individual circuit breakers for measuring the electromagnetic flux emanating at each output wire from each of said individual circuit breakers in a breaker box, said electromagnetic pickup device being connected to said control unit for providing electromagnetic flux measurements thereto; and, (c) a plurality of modules connected to wiring to selected electrical devices, appliances and outlets and being electronically connected to said control unit through normal electrical wiring, each of said plurality of modules corresponding to an individual circuit breaker electromagnetic flux reading storage site of said control unit, each of said modules having electrical power filters for release of power to the individual electrical devices appliances and outlets to which they are connected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
233 words
A system for monitoring and controlling electrical power consumption to be retrofitted to an existing consumer electrical power arrangement including an electrical feed line from a provider, a meter, a circuit breaker and individual output wiring to a plurality of electrical devices, appliances and outlets, which comprises: (a) a control unit having means for receiving information from an electromagnetic pickup device from which real time electrical consumption is determined, from which current and subsequent voltage are monitored, said control unit including a main data processing and storage microprocessor for retaining information and including a communications microprocessor for processing and sending signals to modules; (b) an electromagnetic pickup device adapted to be connected to the output side of wiring of individual circuit breakers for measuring the electromagnetic flux emanating at each output wire from each of said individual circuit breakers in a breaker box, said electromagnetic pickup device being connected to said control unit for providing electromagnetic flux measurements thereto; and, (c) a plurality of modules connected to wiring to selected electrical devices, appliances and outlets and being electronically connected to said control unit through normal electrical wiring, each of said plurality of modules corresponding to an individual circuit breaker electromagnetic flux reading storage site of said control unit, each of said modules having electrical power filters for release of power to the individual electrical devices appliances and outlets to which they are connected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes a third microprocessor for external communications.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said modules are external plug modules to be plugged into common plug outlets and adapted to receive plugs of common electrically operated devices and appliances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said modules are internal modules and adapted to be mounted in a central location located between said control unit and common electrical connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said modules include both external plug modules and internal modules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic pickup device comprises a main support structure, a plurality of individual flux density measuring means and wiring from each of said flux density measuring means to said control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said individual flux density measuring means are adapted to be functionally connected for said output side wiring of said individual circuit breaker.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
255 words
A system for monitoring and controlling electrical power consumption to be retrofitted to an existing consumer electrical power arrangement including an electrical feed line from a provider, a meter, a circuit breaker and individual output wiring to a plurality of electrical devices, appliances and outlets, which comprises: (a) a control unit having means for receiving information from an electromagnetic pickup device from which real time electrical consumption is determined, from which current and subsequent voltage are monitored, said control unit including a main data processing and storage microprocessor for retaining information and including a communications microprocessor for processing and sending signals to modules; (b) an electromagnetic pickup device adapted to be connected to the output side of wiring of individual circuit breakers for measuring the electromagnetic flux emanating at each output wire from each of said individual circuit breakers in a breaker box, said electromagnetic pickup device 43 being connected to said control unit 41 for providing electromagnetic flux measurements thereto; (c) a plurality of modules connected to wiring to selected electrical devices, appliances and outlets and being electronically connected to said control unit through normal electrical wiring, each of said plurality of modules corresponding to an individual circuit breaker electromagnetic flux reading storage of said control unit, each of said modules having electrical power filters for release of power to the individual electrical devices appliances and outlets to which they are connected; and, (d) external communication means connected to said control unit to permit externally initiated all adjustments to said control units by users.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
255 words
A system for monitoring and controlling electrical power consumption to be retrofitted to an existing consumer electrical power arrangement including an electrical feed line from a provider, a meter, a circuit breaker and individual output wiring to a plurality of electrical devices, appliances and outlets, which comprises: (a) a control unit having means for receiving information from an electromagnetic pickup device from which real time electrical consumption is determined, from which current and subsequent voltage are monitored, said control unit including a main data processing and storage microprocessor for retaining information and including a communications microprocessor for processing and sending signals to modules; (b) an electromagnetic pickup device adapted to be connected to the output side of wiring of individual circuit breakers for measuring the electromagnetic flux emanating at each output wire from each of said individual circuit breakers in a breaker box, said electromagnetic pickup device 43 being connected to said control unit 41 for providing electromagnetic flux measurements thereto; (c) a plurality of modules connected to wiring to selected electrical devices, appliances and outlets and being electronically connected to said control unit through normal electrical wiring, each of said plurality of modules corresponding to an individual circuit breaker electromagnetic flux reading storage of said control unit, each of said modules having electrical power filters for release of power to the individual electrical devices appliances and outlets to which they are connected; and, (d) external communication means connected to said control unit to permit externally initiated all adjustments to said control units by users.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 wherein, said communication means is adapted for external operation by a user to override selected features of said control unit for the purpose of modifying signals from said control unit to said plurality of modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said communication means includes one or more remotely located computers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said communication means includes connection to a telephone line for wide area network communications.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said communication means includes both one or more remotely located computers and a connection to a telephone line for wide area network communications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said modules are external plug modules to be plugged into common plug outlets and adapted to receive plugs of common electrically operated devices and appliances.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said modules are internal modules and adapted to be mounted in a central location located between said control unit and common electrical connection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said modules include both external plug modules and internal modules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said electromagnetic pickup device comprises a main support structure, a plurality of individual flux density measuring means and wiring from each of said flux density measuring means to said control unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said individual flux density measuring means are adapted to be functionally connected for said output side wiring of said individual circuit breaker.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |