Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090240377 | POWER MONITORING SYSTEM - The invention provides a hierarchically accessible monitoring system configured to be used with a standby generator, and a method of remotely accessing generator information from a standby generator. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system includes an interface unit configured to receive information from the standby generator and to communicate the generator information, and a remote data server in communication with the interface unit. The remote data server receives the generator information from the interface unit, stores the generator information, and controls access to the generator information based upon at least two hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level having different access privileges. The hierarchically accessible monitoring system also includes a user interface configured to display the generator information from the remote data server to at least one user. The user has access privileges to read the generator information based upon the user's assigned hierarchical level. | 09-24-2009 |
20110054707 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER USAGE - A control system for a home generator includes circuitry configured to determine a first cost of electricity provided by an off-site provider, determine a second cost of electricity produced by the home generator, compare the first cost with the second cost, and provide the result of the comparison as an output. | 03-03-2011 |
20110175453 | METER SOCKET TRANSFER SWITCH - A control system for a home electrical system includes a first switch installed at a meter socket of a utility module for controlling flow of electricity from a utility source to an electrical load, a second switch installed in a home generator for controlling flow of electricity from the generator to the electrical load, and circuitry configured to actuate the first and second switches. The circuitry includes at least one interlock to provide power to the electrical load from only one of the utility source and the generator at any given time. | 07-21-2011 |
20110175597 | SIGNAL TESTING APPARATUS FOR LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM - A system for testing power line carrier signal integrity or strength in a building electrical system includes a transmitter module electrically coupled to a first electrical outlet and configured to transmit a power line carrier signal over the building electrical system. The system also includes a receiver module electrically coupled to a second electrical outlet and configured to receive the power line carrier signal from the transmitter module. The receiver module includes circuitry configured to determine whether at least one of the integrity and strength of the power line carrier signal is sufficient for a load control system installed in the building electrical system to communicate with relay modules installed in the building electrical system using power line carrier signals. The receiver module includes a user interface configured to provide an indication of at least one of the integrity and strength of the power line carrier signal. | 07-21-2011 |
20110260473 | METHOD FOR STANDBY GENERATOR RESTART AFTER FAULT SHUT-DOWN - A standby generator that includes a control unit that allows the standby generator to be automatically restarted upon termination of the generator operation due to a fault condition. The control unit of the standby generator monitors various conditions of the standby generator and terminates operation of the standby generator upon detection of any one of a plurality of fault conditions. After the generator operation has been terminated, the control unit determines whether the fault condition is one of a series of fault conditions that allows automatic restarting. If the fault condition allows for automatic restarting, the control unit monitors the status of the generator and will automatically restart the generator after removal of the fault condition. | 10-27-2011 |
20110298285 | ACTIVE LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method and system for managing loads powered by a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control unit to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. The loads are shed in a sequential order based upon the priority circuit to which the load is applied. Once a required load has been shed, the control unit determines whether any of the lower priority loads can be reconnected to the generator without exceeding the rating of the generator while one of the higher priority circuits remains open. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298286 | DYNAMIC LOAD SHEDDING SYSTEM FOR A STANDBY GENERATOR - A method and system for managing electrical loads on a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. Priority values are initially assigned to each of the electric loads based upon the initial hard-wired connection of the electric loads to a main breaker panel during set up. The control unit of a transfer switch allows the user to reassign priority values to each of the electric loads based upon a user preference. The control unit includes one or more predefined priority assignment programs that can be selected to modify the priority values assigned to the electric loads. | 12-08-2011 |
20130187462 | ACTIVE LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method and system for managing loads powered by a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control unit to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. The control unit selects the loads to shed from the generator based upon various different calculations such that the loads are shed in the least objectionable manner to the home owner. Once loads have been shed, the control unit determines whether any of the shed loads can be reconnected to the generator without exceeding the rating of the generator. The system and method allows the control units to selectively connect and disconnect priority loads to optimize the operation of the control unit to selectively shed and connect priority loads. | 07-25-2013 |
20130193757 | DYNAMIC LOAD SHEDDING SYSTEM FOR A STANDBY GENERATOR - A method and system for managing electrical loads on a standby generator. The method includes utilizing a transfer switch control to selectively shed loads each associated with one of a series of priority circuits. Priority values are initially assigned to each of the electric loads based upon the initial hard-wired connection of the electric loads to a main breaker panel during set up. The control unit of a transfer switch allows the user to reassign priority values to each of the electric loads based upon a user preference. The control unit includes one or more predefined priority assignment programs that can be selected to modify the priority values assigned to the electric loads. | 08-01-2013 |
20140042809 | PARALELLING OF TWO TRANSFER SWITCHES - A backup power management system connectable to a primary power source and a secondary power source, and a method of operating the same. The system includes an enclosed housing that receives a control system including first and second controllers that are connected to a first transfer switch contactor and a second transfer switch contactor within the housing. Both the primary power source and a secondary power source are broken into two separate output supplies. The two separate output supplies from the primary power source and the secondary power source are each provided to one of the first and second transfer switch contactors. The control system sends signals to the first and second transfer switch contactors to control the movement of the contactors between first and second positions. The power management system can also include a load management controller to control the load on the secondary power source. | 02-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090058191 | TRANSFER SWITCH - A system for use with an electrical distribution panel having a bonded neutral connection. In some embodiments, the system includes a generator having a first bonded neutral connection and a ground fault circuit interrupter. The system also includes a neutral bus that is connected to either the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel or the bonded neutral connection of the generator. Additionally, the system includes a switch for disconnecting the neutral bus from the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel and connecting the neutral bus to the bonded neutral connection of the generator. | 03-05-2009 |
20100225167 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power management system connectable to a primary power source and a secondary power source, and a method of operating the power management system. A transfer switch is electrically connected to the primary and secondary power sources, and a plurality of branch circuits are electrically connected to the transfer switch. The plurality of branch circuits includes a plurality of electrical outlets. The system includes a controller wirelessly coupled to a plurality of portable receptacles, which are coupled between respective electrical outlets and managed devices. The controller manages the receptacles, and consequently the managed devices, during the second power source powering the transfer switch. | 09-09-2010 |
20120181872 | PARALLELING OF TWO TRANSFER SWITCHES - A backup power management system connectable to a primary power source and a secondary power source, and a method of operating the same. The system includes a single controller that is connected to both a first transfer switch contactor and a second transfer switch contactor. Both the primary power source and a secondary power source are broken into two separate output supplies. The two separate output supplies from the primary power source and the secondary power source are each provided to one of the first and second transfer switch contactors. The single controller sends signals to the first and second transfer switch contactors to control the movement of the contactors between first and second positions. In this manner, the single controller controls both the first transfer switch contactor and the second transfer switch contactor. | 07-19-2012 |
20120204584 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE COOLING AND HEATING FUNCTIONS OF A HEAT PUMP - A method and system for controlling the operation of a heat pump in a load management system. The system includes a heat pump control module positioned between a thermostat and the heat pump. The heat pump module includes a pair of switching elements positioned between the control outputs of the thermostat and the compressor and heating element of the heat pump. A transfer switch control unit can selectively open and close each of the switching element to interrupt the control signals from the thermostat to the compressor and the heating element of the heat pump. The heat pump module is a self-contained unit including both of the switching elements such that a single load control module can be positioned between the thermostat and the heat pump and control both elements of the heat pump. | 08-16-2012 |
20130070394 | TRANSFER SWITCH WITH NEUTRAL DISCONNECT - A transfer switch panel including a bonded neutral connection to ground that allows the connection and disconnection of the utility neutral and an auxiliary power source neutral in one switching movement. The transfer switch panel includes a transfer switch connected to both a utility power source and an auxiliary power source. The transfer switch connects either the utility power source or the auxiliary power source to a pair of hot buses and a neutral bus contained within the transfer switch panel. The neutral bus includes a bonded connection to ground such that the neutral line of either the utility power source or the auxiliary power source is connected to ground when providing power to loads connected to a load center panel. | 03-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080272099 | System and Method for Controlling Harmonics Injected onto an Input Line by a Welding-Type System - A system and method for operating an inverted-based power source includes a power input configured to receive alternating current (AC) power and a rectifier configured to convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power. The inverter-based power source also includes an inverter configured to receive the DC power from the rectifier and convert the DC power to AC power and a controller configured to generate switching signals according to a pattern of offsets from a regular half period and communicate the switching signals to the inverter or rectifier control operation of the inverter or rectifier. | 11-06-2008 |
20090101637 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPLE PROCESSES IN A WELDING-TYPE POWER SOURCE USING A REFINED CONTROLLER ARCHITECTURE - A system and method for operating an welding-based power source includes an welding-type power source includes a power conditioner configured to receive power from a power source and condition the power to have characteristics within a predefined set of thresholds and an inverter configured to receive the conditioned power from the power conditioner and convert the conditioned power to AC power. The welding-type power source also includes a rectifier configured to convert the AC power to DC welding-type power to drive a welding-type process and a processor segregated into at least two functional modules. The processor may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based processor. A first functional module is configured to control the power conditioner to condition the power to have characteristics within the predefined set of thresholds and a second functional module is configured to control the inverter to convert the conditioned power to AC power. | 04-23-2009 |
20100006551 | ENHANCED POWER FACTOR CORRECTION FOR WELDING AND CUTTING POWER SUPPLIES - Enhanced power factor correction for a welding-based power supply includes a controller that tracks a rectified input voltage waveform and detects zero-crossing events therein. The controller generates an ideal sinusoidal current reference signal synchronized by expected zero-crossings in the supplied power. The reference signal is used in a current control loop within the controller to control the power electronics such that the waveform of the current drawn by the power supply matches the waveform of the input voltage. The frequency of the supplied power may be calculated using the expected zero-crossings and used to adjust the expected zero-crossings. | 01-14-2010 |
20150114941 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA EXCHANGE AND CONTROL WITH A WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL FOR WELDING SYSTEMS - A system and method for wirelessly controlling, monitoring, and updating various welding parameters from a remote device using a single remote control. The remote does not need to have the software to communicate with the welding-type system prior to initiating communications with the welding-type system. Rather, the welding-type system can provide a code download to the remote to perform an over-the-air programming of the remote to configure the remote to control the welding-type system. | 04-30-2015 |
20150114942 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA EXCHANGE AND CONTROL WITH A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL ON A WELDING SYSTEM - A system and method for determining providing a welding-type system capable of wirelessly controlling, monitoring, and updating various welding parameters from a remote device using a single remote control. The welding-type device includes a welding power source with a radio apparatus capable of operating as a wireless communication terminal (WCT) to communicate with a terminal device and provide a user interface for data and file exchange. | 04-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100320183 | WELDING POWER TO AUXILIARY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems for manufacturing and using the auxiliary power conversion unit, which is capable of being remotely located from a welding power supply unit during a welding operation, are provided. In some embodiments, the auxiliary power conversion is capable of outputting DC as well as AC power, capable of outputting multiple voltages consistent with the demands of typical auxiliary tools, such as a hand grinder or a light. In certain embodiments, the power conversion unit may be a stand-alone system or may be incorporated into a device, such as a wire feeder, which is configured to derive power from the arc potential. The power conversion unit may contain control and processing electronics that may include a controller, a processor, memory, and so forth. | 12-23-2010 |
20110290765 | AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC WELDING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods and devices for control for an automated welding system are provided. Disclosed control methods may include receiving a data set including one or more features of a joint to be welded and receiving a weld procedure for the joint to be welded. The weld procedure for the joint is determined based on a sample virtual weld performed by an operator, a stored procedure developed for a substantially similar weld joint, or a combination thereof. The method may further include determining one or more desired changes to the weld procedure based on the received features of the joint to be welded and generating an updated weld procedure by altering one or more parameters of the received weld procedure in accordance with the one or more desired changes, wherein the one or more parameters are included within a predetermined allowable data set. | 12-01-2011 |
20140263235 | Method and Apparatus For Providing Welding-Type Power and Auxiliary Power - A method and apparatus for providing a welding-type power includes a housing with an auxiliary power mount, and a welding type power circuit. A controller, a control power circuit, and an auxiliary power module are disposed in the housing. The auxiliary power module/circuit is mounted to the auxiliary power mount. A standard power receptacle is connected to the auxiliary power module. At least one wiring harness connects the welding type power circuit to the auxiliary power module/circuit, which is the only electrical connection between the auxiliary power circuit and the welding type power circuit. The auxiliary power is electrically isolated from the input power and the welding type power. | 09-18-2014 |
20150048072 | WELDING POWER TO AUXILIARY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems for manufacturing and using the auxiliary power conversion unit, which is capable of being remotely located from a welding power supply unit during a welding operation, are provided. In some embodiments, the auxiliary power conversion is capable of outputting DC as well as AC power, capable of outputting multiple voltages consistent with the demands of typical auxiliary tools, such as a hand grinder or a light. In certain embodiments, the power conversion unit may be a stand-alone system or may be incorporated into a device, such as a wire feeder, which is configured to derive power from the arc potential. The power conversion unit may contain control and processing electronics that may include a controller, a processor, memory, and so forth. | 02-19-2015 |
20160052077 | WELDING POWER TO AUXILIARY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems for manufacturing and using the auxiliary power conversion unit, which is capable of being remotely located from a welding power supply unit during a welding operation, are provided. In some embodiments, the auxiliary power conversion is capable of outputting DC as well as AC power, capable of outputting multiple voltages consistent with the demands of typical auxiliary tools, such as a hand grinder or a light. In certain embodiments, the power conversion unit may be a stand-alone system or may be incorporated into a device, such as a wire feeder, which is configured to derive power from the arc potential. The power conversion unit may contain control and processing electronics that may include a controller, a processor, memory, and so forth. | 02-25-2016 |
20160089751 | ARMBAND BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING WELDING EQUIPMENT USING GESTURES AND LIKE MOTIONS - Portable, wearable or integrate-able devices may be used in detecting gestures or motions by operators of welding systems, and performing actions based thereon. The detection may be performed using sensors (e.g., MEMS or muscle sensors), which generate sensory data. The detected gestures or motions may be processed and translated into corresponding actions or commands, which may be handled directly or communicated to other devices in the welding systems. The actions or commands may comprise welding actions/commands, which are configured for controlling a particular component used during welding operations, and/or gesture-related actions/commands, which are configured for controlling gesture-related components and/or operations. Feedback is provided to the operator, such as to acknowledge or validate detection of the gestures, to identify the corresponding action or command, and to complete the identified action or command. The feedback may be non-visual feedback, such as haptic or audio feedback. | 03-31-2016 |