Electrical load disconnect device with electronic control
US8328110B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F2140/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Electrical load spreading arrangements reduce peak power demand. An enclosure houses an electronic circuit board, which receives at a first input terminal a first thermostat control signal from a thermostat intended to control a first air conditioning unit and at a second input terminal a second thermostat control signal from a thermostat intended to control a second AC unit. A controller on the circuit board is programmed with instructions stored in a memory coupled to the controller causing the controller to monitor the first and second input terminals to determine the timing and duration of the thermostat control signals passed to the output terminals for activating or deactivating the AC units such that overlapping operation of the AC units is reduced particularly during peak demand periods. A similar arrangement may be applied to a broader class of HVAC equipment, including water heaters, for example.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.