초록 ▼

A demand control apparatus includes a switch in the control signal line of an electrically powered piece of equipment. The switch is controlled by a digital recycle counter so as to periodically cycle off and on during times when an equipment generated control signal is present in the control signal

A demand control apparatus includes a switch in the control signal line of an electrically powered piece of equipment. The switch is controlled by a digital recycle counter so as to periodically cycle off and on during times when an equipment generated control signal is present in the control signal line. The control signal line could be a thermostat control line on a standard air conditioning unit and the equipment generated control signal would normally correspond to the thermostat calling for cooling. When the switch is opened the equipment reacts as though the thermostat has been satisfied. When the equipment generated AC control signal is sensed in the control signal line, a digital counter is activated to hold the switch open until a preset number of AC pulses have occurred. The switch is then closed until a second preset number of AC pulses have occurred. The open-closed cycle is repeated as long as the equipment control signal is present. The cycle periods can be adjusted in response to external conditions such as ambient temperature or line frequency. In multiple applications, load diversity is improved and aggregate demand is reduced after power outages. Sequential start of diverse and multiple loads is assured.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for automatically controlling and managing load demand and operation of energy-consuming equipment powered by alternating electrical power current on electric power supply lines from a utility company, the equipment having individual loads, the power to each of which is controlled by os

An apparatus for automatically controlling and managing load demand and operation of energy-consuming equipment powered by alternating electrical power current on electric power supply lines from a utility company, the equipment having individual loads, the power to each of which is controlled by oscillating control signals on control signal lines, wherein the oscillating control signals are derived from and synchronized with the alternating electrical power current and the control signal lines are separate from the electric power supply lines, comprising: demand control means, interposed in the control signal lines of the individual loads of the equipment, each said demand control means comprising; switch means in series with the control signal line to open and close the control signal line; digital recycle counter means, connected only to the control signal line and to said switch means, and operable to open and close the control signal line by cyclically opening and closing said switch means only when the equipment provides the oscillating control signals on the control signal line, wherein said digital recycle counter means comprises; counting means for generating a count of the oscillations of the oscillating control signal in the control signal line, setting means for manually presetting a desired number of counts for an “off”cycle and a desired number of counts for an “on”cycle, means for closing said switch means and restarting said counting means when said count of the oscillations equals said desired number of counts for an “off”cycle, means for opening said switch means and restarting said counting means when said count of the oscillations equals said desired number of counts for an “on”cycle, and means for alternating continuously between said “off”cycle and said “on”cycle as long as the oscillating control signal is present in the control signal line; and means for closing said switch means and stopping the counting means upon cessation of the oscillating control signal in the control signal line; and means for opening said switch means and restarting said counting means from a count of zero in said “off”cycle immediately upon restoration of the control signal in the control signal line; thereby imposing said “off”cycle, as set by said setting means, followed by said “on”cycle, as set by said setting means, upon the control signal during all times when the control signal is present and delaying initiation of any control signal by at least the period of said “off”cycle, wherein the energy consumed by the equipment is reduced and the efficiency of the equipment is increased and whereby absolutely no electrical power is consumed by said demand control means when said energy consuming equipment is not operating.