초록 ▼

The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for load-shedding duty cycling which overrides the normal thermostat control in a space conditioning system, upon receipt of an external signal as from the power company, in a manner such that the consumed power does not rise above the level

The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for load-shedding duty cycling which overrides the normal thermostat control in a space conditioning system, upon receipt of an external signal as from the power company, in a manner such that the consumed power does not rise above the level that persisted just prior to the initialization signal. The present invention monitors the thermostat-controlled cycling pattern of a space conditioning system such as an air conditioner. Normally, the last thermostat-controlled cycle is then caused to become the reference or control cycle for the load shedding interval. That is, the ON portion of the reference cycle is caused to become the maximum allowable ON interval and the OFF portion of the reference cycle is caused to become the minimum OFF interval for the entire load shedding interval. The device may be started by a single radio command or other means. The release from load control may be automatically timed or based on other signals. A radio receiver or other such means is provided to receive the signal from the power utility company which starts the load control function. Unique features are also provided to prevent the undesirable effects of tampering with the thermostat setpoint just prior to the load shedding interval or to compensate for any cycle pattern of unusually long duration. This is done by compensating for the effect of these events by modifying the reference or control cycle when the appear.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of limiting the electrical power demand of electrical space conditioning means comprising the steps of: sensing the ON and OFF half-cycle times of the thermostat means associated with operation of the space conditioning load means; storing information related to said sensed ON and OFF half-

A method of limiting the electrical power demand of electrical space conditioning means comprising the steps of: sensing the ON and OFF half-cycle times of the thermostat means associated with operation of the space conditioning load means; storing information related to said sensed ON and OFF half-cycle times; initiating overriding control of the ON-OFF switching function of the space conditioning load means from said thermostat means at the inception of a load-shedding interval; controlling the ON-OFF half-cycle times of the space-conditioning load during a load-shedding interval based on load-shed ON and OFF half-cycle times individually determined for that space conditioning load means derived from stored information and in a manner such that the thermostat state determines whether said space conditioning load means is ON during any part of each of said load-shed ON half-cycle times and said space conditioning means remains off during the load-shed OFF half-cycle regardless of thermostat state; and returning full control of said ON-OFF switching means of said space conditioning load means to said thermostat means after the load-shedding interval.