Energy controlling system for time shifting electric power use
US4998024A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1988 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/222
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosed system reduces power use during peak loads by automatically shifting the energization of the water heater to periods of off-peak power use. An energy controller maintains a calendar clock and controls the application of power to an electric water heater so that only on non-holiday weekdays, power to the water heater is interrupted during those periods of the day which have been predetermined to be the periods of peak power usage. The consumer whose water heater is controlled in accordance with the system is provided with an override button so that once a day the consumer may institute an override period to energize his water heater regardless of the peak power usage schedule. The energy controller contains in a microprocessor memory status data which includes the calendar time, a listing of the holidays, the schedule of peak power usage and the override interval. The energy controller is connected to an external module mounted outside the dwelling enclosure and by which a portable programming unit may be interconnected to the energy controller. By means of the portable programming unit, the accuracy of the status data can be verified or can be amended.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.