US6891478B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for controlling electric appliances during reduced power conditions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-06-07
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Granted: 2005-05-10
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Expires: 2021-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An electric power monitoring system includes a source monitor for measuring momentary power output of an electric source supplying electric power to a power distribution system having at least one electric load. The momentary power output is compared with a reference load capability for the electric source to determine the ability of the electric source to support additional load, and load capability data is transmitted based on the load capability. At least one load control receives the transmitted load capability data and controls the supply of power to the at least one corresponding electric load based on the load capability data.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay Warren Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:52
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/12; H02J3/14; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24139; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2642; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/40; H02J2105/42; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B70/3225; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/222; Y04S20/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An electric power monitoring system comprising: a source monitor for measuring momentary power output of an electric source supplying electric power to a power distribution system having at least one electric load; means for comparing the momentary power output with a reference load capability for the electric source to determine the ability of the electric source to support additional load, and for transmitting load capability data based on the load capability; and at least one load control for receiving the transmitted load capability data and controlling the supply of power to the at least one corresponding electric load based on the load capability data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electric power monitoring system comprising: a source monitor for measuring momentary power output of an electric source supplying electric power to a power distribution system having at least one electric load; means for comparing the momentary power output with a reference load capability for the electric source to determine the ability of the electric source to support additional load, and for transmitting load capability data based on the load capability; and at least one load control for receiving the transmitted load capability data and controlling the supply of power to the at least one corresponding electric load based on the load capability data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the reference load capability is determined based on at least one of a reference surge load and a reference continuous load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the reference surge load or reference continuous load are programmable according to time of day.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the source monitor comprises multiple source monitors, and wherein the means for comparing compares the momentary power output with multiple reference load capabilities, and transmits multiple load capability data to respective multiple loads according to unique load identifiers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the reference load is adjusted in accordance with electric source drive capability, electric source efficiency, or predetermined load patterns, during a power source initialization.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one load control comprises an interrupt switch for interrupting the supply of power to the electric load when the transmitted load capability is less than a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the interrupt switch interrupts the supply of power for an interrupt time period upon the return of power following a power failure condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 7 wherein the interrupt time period is set to delays the return of power for a period of time for the purpose of reducing the total sudden load on the main power source at initial power return.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the interrupt switch further monitors electric power levels drawn by the at least one electric load and interrupts the supply of power to the electric load when the transmitted load capability is less than the monitored power levels of the at least one electric load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the interrupt switch delays interruption of the supply of power until the electric load has completed an operation cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the interrupt switch delays interruption of the supply of power until the electric load has completed an operation cycle if the electric load's continuous load level is substantially equal to a predetermined level of normal operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the interrupt switch further comprises a signal transmission system that transmits interrupt switch identifier data and interrupt switch status data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 12 wherein a switch open status is transmitted when the switch is open and wherein a switch closed status is transmitted just prior to closing the switch for transmitting status data when the corresponding electric load is without power and thereby unable to emit any electromagnetic interference that would compromise the interrupt switch status transmission.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface indicating a condition of whether the electric source has sufficient load capability for supplying electrical power to the at least one electric load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 14 wherein the user interface receives and displays data from the at least one load control related to the electric load level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 14 wherein the user interface interprets a first difference in surge load capability in excess of the continuous load capability and compares this difference to a second difference between a start up surge and continuous load of electric load and determines a power level reported to the user on the interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 12 further comprising a user interface for reporting the interrupt switch status data to a user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 17 wherein the user interface measures the time period an interrupt switch is open and reports data related the time period to a user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 17 wherein the electric source is a fuel-based generator, wherein the source monitor measures fuel level in a fuel tank for the generator, and wherein fuel data based on the fuel level is provided on the user interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 19 wherein the user interface measures total electric power consumed by the power distribution system, measures the fuel consumed for generating the power, and presents a cost per energy unit for comparison with current or available utility rates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one load control comprises a variable circuit breaker that adjusts dynamically to the transmitted load capability.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the at least one load control comprises an outlet adapter that closes an outlet to an appliance plug when load capability from the electric source is below a predetermined level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electric power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the load capability is determined based on a reference output intended to reduce power consumption during peak load or reduced power conditions.
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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) | 2008-05-09 | 2008-11-08 | 2009-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-09 | 2012-11-08 | 2013-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-09 | 2016-11-08 | 2017-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |