Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100070091 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - An appliance for conditioning air of a room comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including a temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the appliance in the energy savings mode. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070099 | DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT MODULE - A household appliance system and method include an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is adapted to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module. | 03-18-2010 |
20100092625 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - A cooking appliance comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one of a cooking cavity having a heating element and a cooking surface having a surface heating element. A controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the cooking appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively delay, adjust and disable at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the cooking appliance in the energy savings mode. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094470 | DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES BEYOND ELECTRICAL - A system and method for communicating between a master and slave devices for managing home utility costs is provided. The system includes a measuring device for determining gas or water flow in the home, a memory that stores data relating to past usage, and that also receive data from the measuring device. A controller operatively communicates with the measuring device, memory, and at least one home appliance to provide a message to a homeowner, or transmit information to a utility, or display a proposed operational mode. The controller may include a lock-out feature to prevent a homeowner from overriding a proposed mode or operation, or the controller can shut-off gas or water flow based on a measured flow rate. | 04-15-2010 |
20100101254 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode. | 04-29-2010 |
20100121499 | MANAGEMENT CONTROL OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES USING CONTINUOUS TONE-CODED DSM SIGNALLING - A system and method of communicating between a master and a slave device for managing home energy are provided. A transmitter is operatively associated with one of a meter and a home energy manager for emitting a carrier signal at a selected frequency. A tone is superimposed on the selected carrier frequency and represents an operational energy cost level output from an associated utility. A receiver receives the emitted carrier signal with superimposed tone. A microcontroller associated with the home appliance then controls the home appliance in response to the emitted carrier signal with superimposed tone. Multiple distinct frequencies correlate to specific rates, and decoding or detecting the presence of one or more tones can be used to represent a binary number that allows the meter/controller to communicate “intelligence” with the home appliance. | 05-13-2010 |
20100174668 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF CLOTHES DRYER APPLIANCE - A clothes dryer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the clothes dryer in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes dryer in the energy savings mode. | 07-08-2010 |
20100175719 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF DISHWASHER APPLIANCE - A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode. | 07-15-2010 |
20100187219 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES - A water heater comprises a body defining a chamber for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the chamber for flowing water therethrough and one or more power consuming features/functions including a heater for heating the water within the chamber. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the water heater in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater in the energy savings mode. | 07-29-2010 |
20110002810 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING AND/OR DEODORIZING AN ARTICLE - An apparatus for disinfecting and/or deodorizing an article comprises a cabinet defining a compartment configured to receive the article. A regenerative dryer is positioned with respect to the compartment and is configured to dehydrate air flowing into an ozone generator. The ozone generator is in communication with the dryer and is positioned with respect to the compartment. The ozone generator is configured to selectively generate ozone. The generated ozone is introduced into the compartment. An ozone conversion device is positioned with respect to the compartment and is configured to selectively convert ozone back to oxygen. A controller is configured to selectively activate the dryer, ozone generator and ozone conversion device. | 01-06-2011 |
20110047814 | DRYING DRAWER AND METHOD OF DRYING - A dryer drawer system is provided comprising a generally multisided drying chamber having opposed side walls, a rear wall, and at least one access door, wherein the door is sealable to the chamber. The dryer drawer further comprises a heater for heating air circulating in the chamber and at least one fan for circulating air in the chamber. The multisided drying chamber includes an air inlet and an air outlet, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the air in the chamber, a first damper for selectively opening and closing the air inlet, a second damper for selectively opening and closing the air outlet, and a controller for controlling operation of the fan, the heater and the dampers. The controller is operative in a first operational mode to open the air inlet and the air outlet to provide air flow through the chamber and in a second operational mode to close the air inlet and the air outlet to provide a recirculating air flow within the chamber. The controller can selectively switch between the first and second modes as a function of the sensed temperature in the chamber. | 03-03-2011 |
20110140906 | USE OF ONE LED TO REPRESENT VARIOUS UTILITY RATES AND SYSTEM STATUS BY VARYING FREQUENCY AND/OR DUTY CYCLE OF LED - A demand supply management system for an appliance receives information related to cost of energy use and communicates data to the associated appliance in response thereto. A single chip, light emitting diode (LED) device is preferably associated with a module or portion of the home appliance. The LED device conveys information relating to at least two of cost of energy use, signal strength, and module status. The LED device is preferably a single chip, single color solid-state LED device that is selectively actuated between “illuminated” and “non-illuminated” states, steady on, slow flash, fast flash, varying duration, intermittent “illuminated” and “non-illuminated”, etc. to convey information to the user. | 06-16-2011 |
20110140972 | APPLIANCE DEMAND RESPONSE ANTENNA DESIGN FOR IMPROVED GAIN WITHIN THE HOME APPLIANCE NETWORK - A home appliance antenna assembly is integrated into the home appliance and extends from a demand response module or the appliance microprocessor where the module is integrated into the appliance. At least a portion of the antenna is preferably located adjacent an external surface of the home appliance and adapted for radio frequency (RF) communication. If an external demand supply module is wired to the home appliance, a conventional connection cable typically includes a spare wire that is not used and can thereby serve as a long wire antenna. In other appliances where the module is integrated into the appliance, an antenna is incorporated into the appliance in a utilitarian, but aesthetically unobtrusive manner. | 06-16-2011 |
20120006525 | WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER DEMAND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE - An appliance for conditioning air of an associated room and an associated method for controlling an air conditioner are disclosed, the controller selectively adjusting operation of the air conditioning appliance based on historical operating data. The controller adjusts a set-point of the appliance for a preselected period of time in response to the historical operating data of the appliance when the appliance operates in an energy savings mode. In one arrangement, the controller is configured to receive and process data regarding whether the appliance has been operating over a predetermined time period before a utility demand state signal is received. The controller is configured to receive and process data relating to similar time periods of operation, and more particularly may include receiving data from the last two consecutive days where similar time periods of those days are analyzed. The controller may be configured to receive and process data relating to the rate of change in the temperature. Further, an override feature may be included to maintain operation of the appliance in a normal operation mode if ambient temperature reaches a predetermined threshold value. Another feature is that the controller determines whether the compressor has been operational less than a preselected period of time and, if so, the compressor is operated until such time period has elapsed. | 01-12-2012 |
20120023987 | REFRIGERATION DEMAND RESPONSE RECOVERY - A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller adjusts the temperature of the refrigerator and/or freezer from a normal setting to a higher point during an energy saving mode and then back to a normal temperature. The transition between low and high is controlled to reduce energy consumption. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029713 | LOAD SHED SYSTEM FOR DEMAND RESPONSE WITHOUT AMI/AMR SYSTEM - An apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling load shedding and payback spikes of a population by segregating the population into subsets based on predicted energy consumption usage and peak load profiles. Subset populations respond independently from another based on a communication message sent to the population. Each subset population of homes with one or more energy consuming devices responds based on a generated value generated from a randomizing distribution routine. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029719 | DSM ENABLING OF ELECTRO MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS - A system for reducing the peak power consumption in an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system comprises a cold control device including a housing and a counter spring having at least one spring tension position corresponding to a temperature set point, a bourdon tube having a first end comprising an elastomeric diaphragm operatively associated with the counter spring, and a second end, opposite the first end, located in the compartment, wherein the counter spring is capable of providing a force against the diaphragm, and a DSM switching device operatively controlled by an associated DSM module. The DSM module is configured to receive a signal indicative of at least one of a peak or non-peak demand period of an associated utility. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029725 | SMART HYBRID THERMOSTAT - A system and method for controlling operation of a hybrid heating system that includes a heat pump and a gas heater is disclosed. Peak demand or pricing information is received from gas and electric utilities, and outdoor ambient temperature data is also fed to a smart hybrid thermostat. A controller processes this data and calculates overall efficiency of operating the heat pump versus the gas heater by accessing stored performance data relating to the heat pump in memory. | 02-02-2012 |
20120042666 | DEMAND RESPONSE MULLION SWEAT PROTECTION - An appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. A sensor on an external surface of the refrigerator enables the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period if moisture is detected by the sensor. A preselected location can be defined where incipient moisture would form such as reducing the amount of insulation in this location. By forming a depression in the location and using an impedance-type sensor, moisture can be easily detected. The sensor signal is sent to the controller which then activates the anti-sweat heater to remove the moisture. | 02-23-2012 |
20120065791 | HOME ENERGY MANAGER FOR PROVIDING ENERGY PROJECTIONS - A home energy management system for providing energy usage and cost projections to a user related to management of a home network is provided. The system comprises a central controller coupled to at least one energy consuming device, the central controller being configured to receive energy consumption data from the at least one energy consuming device, and a user interface comprising a display coupled to the central controller to receive user input data and provide the user with information. The central controller is further configured to use the energy consumption data and user input data to provide the user with one or more of future energy consumption projections, energy saving suggestions, and cost saving suggestion. | 03-15-2012 |
20120095606 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF APPLIANCE CYCLE LONGER THAN LOW RATE PERIOD - An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately. | 04-19-2012 |
20120130559 | DSM ENABLING OF ELECTRO MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS - A system for reducing the peak power consumption by a refrigeration system is provided. The system comprises a first electromechanical cold control calibrated to a first temperature setpoint, a second electromechanical cold control calibrated to a second temperature setpoint, said first and second cold controls each having a setpoint selector member operatively linked such that adjustment of one results in a corresponding adjustment of the other, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and an off peak demand state, and a DSM switching device responsive to the DSM module and operative to selectively render one or the other of the cold controls effectively operative to control the cooling system depending upon the demand state signal. | 05-24-2012 |
20120173857 | OVER THE AIR APPLIANCE FIRMWARE UPDATE - An appliance is placed in a bootload mode and other operations of the appliance are powered down. Data is gathered through an appliance control module which activates the bootloader mode, and then receives the data and overwrites the remainder of the appliance controller memory. In this manner, software for an appliance is updated without having to enter the home. | 07-05-2012 |
20120179547 | ADDED FEATURES OF HEM/HEG USING GPS TECHNOLOGY - A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of energy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network. | 07-12-2012 |
20130103222 | DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT MODULE - A household appliance system comprising an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is configured to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110413 | ESTIMATING GAS USAGE IN A GAS BURNING DEVICE | 05-02-2013 |
20130178994 | POWER METERING AND LOAD CONTROL DEVICE - A power measurement device for monitoring power delivered from a source of electrical power to a load, includes a controller configured to receive a line voltage supply input and a current input, the current input being indicative of a current drawn by the load, a load control device coupled between the controller and the load and configured to interrupt power supplied to the load through the measurement device, and a configuration module coupled to the controller and configured to enable rule-based configuration of the measurement device. The controller includes a memory in communication with a processor, the memory including program instructions for execution by the processor to calculate a value of power consumed by the load, compare the value of the power consumed to at least one predetermined control parameter, and enable the load control device to interrupt power to the load based on the comparison. | 07-11-2013 |
20130197827 | MONITORING HOT WATER USAGE IN A GAS WATER HEATER - An apparatus and method for determining the volume of hot water dispensed during a given timeframe from a hydrocarbon fueled water heater based on the volume of fuel consumed by the water heater during the timeframe and the average temperature difference between the inlet water temperature and the outlet water temperature during the timeframe. | 08-01-2013 |
20130261808 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF AN HVAC SYSTEM - An energy management system for monitoring airflow from an HVAC system to achieve homogeneous temperature distributions. The system including an HVAC system and an energy module including one or more sensors configured to measure air temperature and at least one of the following: air velocity and relative humidity, a memory, and at least one processor. The at least one processor programmed to access a measured temperature during a period of time, access the HVAC system temperature setpoints, compare the measured temperature of the one or more sensors with the HVAC system temperature setpoints, determine if a difference between the measured temperature and the HVAC system temperature setpoints exceed a high temperature threshold level or a low temperature threshold level, and output a solution to resolve the disparity between the measured stored temperature of the one or more sensors and the HVAC system temperature setpoints. | 10-03-2013 |
20130305749 | DSM ENABLING OF ELECTRO MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS - An energy saving defrost control system for reducing power consumption of an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system includes a defrost timer configured to control a compressor according to an established run time, a defrost heater control operatively connected to the defrost timer and configured to activate a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay comprising a timer and configured to switch to one of a low position and a high position based on the demand state signal. | 11-21-2013 |
20140304111 | ADDED FEATURES OF HEM/HEG USING GPS TECHNOLOGY - A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of enemy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network. | 10-09-2014 |