초록 ▼

An electric power distribution system that utilises radio signals from the power distributor to an appliance such as a water heater 1, to inform via a receiver 12, a micro processor 10 of the energy priority rating of the power distributor. The water heater has an array of temperature sensors 5 that

An electric power distribution system that utilises radio signals from the power distributor to an appliance such as a water heater 1, to inform via a receiver 12, a micro processor 10 of the energy priority rating of the power distributor. The water heater has an array of temperature sensors 5 that determines the average temperature of the tank and enables the microprocessor 10 to generate an energy needs rating for the water heater. The microprocessor is programmed with a decision algorithm that uses the needs and priority ratings to either switch the appliance on or off.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having thus described my invention, I claim:] [1.] A power distribution system for electric water heaters comprisinga) a plurality of electric water heaters each including a storage tank, a heating element, a thermostat, a set of operational settings and a power switch;b) a central controller at a

[ Having thus described my invention, I claim:] [1.] A power distribution system for electric water heaters comprisinga) a plurality of electric water heaters each including a storage tank, a heating element, a thermostat, a set of operational settings and a power switch;b) a central controller at a power utility having means to monitor power consumption and calculate a power availability priority;c) a transmitter associated with said central controller for broadcasting signals containing data representative of said power availability priority calculated at said central controller;d) sensing means on each of said water heaters for sensing the temperature of the water stored in the storage tank of said water heater;e) a data processor connected to said water heater programmed to process water temperature data generated by said sensing means and said operational settings of said water heater to generate an energy need category code for said water heater; andf) a receiver connected to said data processor to receive said power availability priority data signals sent from said transmitter;g) said data processor connected to said water heater being programmed in accordance with a predetermined decision algorithm to decide whether to switch the water heater on or off jointly based on both said energy need category code generated by said data processor connected to said water heater and the power availability priority data by said receiver.