| The Powerwise Group, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120086415 | IGBT/FET-Based Energy Savings Device for Reducing a Predetermined Amount of Voltage Using Pulse Width Modulation - An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method ( | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120075896 | System and Method to Boost Voltage - A system and method are provided for increasing and maintaining voltage. A transformer's secondary windings are connected between the hot input line and the hot output line, and are not switched. The secondary windings may be in series for 220/230 Vrms, and in parallel for 120/127 Vrms. Alternatively, the transformer may be a single voltage type specifically for 230 V, 120 V, or any other voltage range. A microprocessor measures incoming voltage and controls an electronic switch on the primary windings side of the transformer to short circuit the primary windings when the transformer is not needed. When voltage boost is needed, the switch may be controlled to connect the primary windings to neutral. When the primary windings are switched to neutral, the secondary voltage adds to the incoming AC line voltage. There may be multiple taps on the primary windings selected by the microprocessor for providing differing boost levels at differing input voltage levels. The boosted voltage may be maintained at predetermined levels based upon the turns ratio of the transformer. There are several embodiments of electronic switches, including, but not limited to, a diode bridge circuit in conjunction with an IGBT device. Transformers with different current ratings and/or turns ratios may be removably connected with the system. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20110182094 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MANAGE POWER USAGE - A system and method are provided for managing electrical power usage. During a predetermined time period, such as during blackout conditions, a digital signal processor (DSP) controls an IGBT/FET-based device to supply an allocated amount of power. When the consumed amount of power exceeds the allocated amount, the DSP shuts off the power. Alternatively, the system provides a signal to reduce the consumed power. If sufficient load has not been reduced after a predetermined amount of time, the power is shut off. Further alternatively or in addition, the DSP may shut off power to predetermined electrical outlets, while providing power to other electrical outlets, to reduce the power usage to the predetermined amount. During other time periods, the DSP controls the IGBT/FET device to provide a predetermined voltage that is less than the AC incoming line voltage. When the voltage drops below the predetermined voltage, such as during brownout conditions, a microprocessor controls an electronic switch on the primary windings side of a transformer system to provide a boosted output voltage. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110080130 | METHOD TO SAVE ENERGY FOR DEVICES WITH ROTATING OR RECIPROCATING MASSES - A system and method are disclosed for turning off the voltage to a pump jack electric motor during predetermined periods of time to save energy. In the method, the motor's response to closed-loop control may be evaluated over several pump strokes. The periods of the pump stroke when it is feasible to turn off the motor may be identified. The consistency of the measurements over several strokes may be evaluated. The motor may be turned off during predetermined periods on subsequent pump strokes when each pump stroke shows sufficiently similar behavior to that predicted during the closed-loop control process. The system may return to the closed-loop control process after a predetermined period of time to adjust to any changes in the system. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20100320956 | Energy Saving System and Method for Devices with Rotating or Reciprocating Masses - A system and method are provided for reducing the energy consumed by a pump jack electric motor by reducing the supply voltage to the motor when the motor would be generating energy in open loop mode. By substantially eliminating the energy generation mode, the braking action of the utility grid in limiting the acceleration of the motor and system that would otherwise occur is substantially removed. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action. A closed loop controller in electrical connection with the motor computes the necessary information from the observed phase angle between the voltage and current supplied to the motor. By reducing the supply voltage to the motor, the observed phase angle may be reduced to a target phase angle value. By allowing some current flow, primarily of a reactive nature, an observable feedback parameter may be used in the closed loop control system as an indication of the load condition, to which the closed loop motor controller may react, supplying power when needed, such as in the energy consumption mode. The electric motor may be effectively turned off, but without completely cutting the power to the motor. During both the energy consumption mode and the period that open loop energy generation would be occurring, the closed loop motor controller may reduce the observed phase angle to a target phase angle by reducing the supply voltage. Any further reduction in the observed phase angle below the target phase angle may be interpreted as an increase in motor load, to which the motor controller may respond by increasing the supply voltage to the motor until the target phase angle is once again reached. | 12-23-2010 |
